The CheckerBoard

Go to Chez Guevara. Order the Elvis. Do it now!!

I have only heard great things!

Litton's off of N. Broadway is fantastic! Featured by CBS & Todd Blackledge a few years ago. It's casual & their desserts will amaze you. I tell people that if you haven't been to Neyland Stadium AND Litton's, you've never been to Knoxville. Ye Ole Steakhouse was Bear Bryant's favorite when he was in Knoxville.

Ye Old Steakhouse is a legend as far as restaurants are concerned in Knoxville, much like Big Ed's Pizza in Oak Ridge. Both of these places were FANTASTIC when the original owners ran them, the couple that started Ye Old Steakhouse has since either retired or died and the kids run it now. If you request butter or sour cream on your potato they give you a pre packaged container of it. If I am going to spend 130.00 for a steak dinner for 2 I want it to be on fresh foods that were bought somewhat locally or on a meal that the kitchen staff has had to prepare not just heat and serve. Their steaks are good, that is not my complaint, if you ask for ketchup they give you ketchup packets much like a hot dog at the fair. Mustard same way, mayonnaise, butter, sour cream etc. I find that it is run as cheap as possible now that the kids have taken hold. The rumor is that since the kids have taken control they all want a check and so they basically take all of the profit out of the company and don't put much back in. As a person who loves a great steak and who lives in Knoxville, I will not WASTE my money on eating there when i can spend the same money and have a MUCH, MUCH better meal, atmosphere and experience at a MUCH nicer restaurant. Not to mention the chairs are incredibly uncomfortable and the tables are small.

My opinion for a great steak in Knoxville would be to eat at any of these- Conners, Flemings, Chop House, Ruth's Chris (broiled steak, no grill)

Big Ed's has unfortunately summered a similar fate, people love it for its history but there is MUCH better pizza in Knoxville.

Try Elidio's in Powell off Emory Rd, Roman's Pizza is also not bad.

Also, yes The Orangery is still open and a fantastic restaurant.

If you are looking for italian food either Naples or Altrudas

Litton's has a good burger, but you should also give the Fountain City Creamery a try, its basically across the street from Litton's and the food is fantastic.

Just to squash any thoughts that may arise after reading this, I am 6'6" and 380lbs and the extra 80-100 lbs I carry was not an accident.

I hope you enjoy your trip to Knoxville and eat well.

Go Vols!

Sam and Andy's is still around, they have 2 locations. The original Broadway location has moved to a newer building but it is in the same shopping center it was always in. The Farragut location is also still there.

But not on the Strip, where this UT student loved to hang.

Pizza Palace is good, it is just in a rough part of town.