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OAK RIDGE/ANDERSON COUNTY, TENNESSEE, USA – We found an eclectic collection of notable places to eat in and around Oak Ridge, Tennessee, including surprisingly good New York style pizza and bagels, a great casual soup and sandwich stop, upscale Southern cuisine, along with some fabulous down home seafood and barbecue. Read on for details of our restaurant picks in Oak Ridge and Anderson County, Tennessee. If you know of others that should make the list, be sure to add your finds to the comments section below.
Pizza and Ice Cream (Not Together!) Big Ed's Pizza and Razzleberries
If you want a taste of local life in these parts, you have to visit Big Ed’s, a dimly lit casual pizza “dive” housed in a high-ceilinged storefront right next to Jackson Square Historic Park. The original town site of Oak Ridge built during the Manhattan Project, the Jackson Square still retains a 1940s feel today.
A cartoon caricature of Big Ed himself painted on the exterior windows welcomes diners to the pizzeria. Inside, decades’ worth of photos and sports memorabilia covers almost every inch of the walls. Apparently, no sporting event of note goes on around here without a pre and/or post event stop at Big Ed’s for pizza. Founder "Big Ed" Neusel’s love and support for local high school sports is as legendary as his pizza, and his kindness. Generations of Oak Ridge area youth have found gainful employment at Big Ed’s, a tradition continued today by Big Ed’s son Dave who now runs his late father’s enterprise.
Understand, this is New York style pizza, not health food. Served on paper plates that lack the strength to defend themselves against the weight of the food, expect lots of cheese and grease and a crust with that fabulous chewy texture that only hand tossed doughs seem to produce. Of course, you could also get a salad. And they offer a nice selection of beers.
After pizza take a stroll through Jackson Square, enjoy the scenery, read the historic markers, shop, and be sure to stop into Razzleberries for some fabulous ice cream treats for dessert.
Hot Bagel Company
Pizza is not the only slice of New York to be found in Oak Ridge. The Hot Bagel Company serves fabulous, homemade New York style bagels in every variety imaginable.
It's hard to believe that owner Donna Sullivan, a small spitfire of a woman with an infectious can-do attitude, had never even tasted a bagel until 1985. Ten years later the Pennsylvania native opened Oak Ridge, Tennessee’s first (and only) bagel shop. She learned a lot in those ten years and at Hot Bagel Company she gets it right, producing first rate bagels with perfect chewy texture.
Donna is to be commended as a culinary pioneer. Not only did she bring the first bagels to this distinctly Southern town, hers was also the first restaurant in these parts to have a cappuccino machine. Donna credits this to fate. She wanted the machine but at an early stage in her business, she just couldn’t afford the $8000.00 price tag that came with it. She bought a raffle ticket to support the local football team. She won. The prize? Eight thousand dollars!
Much more than just a bagel shop, the Hot Bagel Company makes a great breakfast or lunch stop, or a place for a quick coffee and dessert, or to pick up treats for midnight snacks in your hotel. Along with great gourmet coffees and coffee bar drinks, you’ll find lunch items like soups, salads, and sandwiches, and a full bakery with lots of tempting cakes, cookies, and other desserts.
Donna makes all the sandwich spreads herself and everything they serve is homemade. There is a nice selection of both traditional sandwiches and creative panini. The chicken salad is especially tasty. A local favorite, Donna sells over 75 pounds of it per week at her small shop.
Hot Bagel is a bustling, friendly place. Donna and her personable staff seem to know nearly every customer by name. If you visit more than once (and once you try the fare, you will), they’ll likely know yours too.
The Soup Kitchen
You’ll get a side dish of history with your meal at The Soup Kitchen Restaurant and Bakery. Housed in what was the bowling alley during Oak Ridge’s Manhattan Project days, today’s diners flock here for homemade soups and breads and some terrific Southern style homemade pies.
The Peanut Butter Pie, drizzled with just the right amount of caramel sauce, was particularly memorable, in fact writing this is making me wish I had a piece right now. The chocolate eclairs are also first rate.
You can always expect a wide variety at The Soup Kitchen. Seven different soups are always on the line – customers walk through the open kitchen in a cafeteria-like line to choose their fare. The soups change daily too as they pull
from a regular repertoire of over 150 recipes (look for a cookbook coming out soon).
Two popular items are always on the menu – a really good Chili, topped with melted cheese and accompanied by corn chips, and Hearty Vegetable Soup.
Flatwater Grill
If you’re looking for a more upscale experience in Oak Ridge, head directly to the Flatwater Grill, a stylish contemporary-casual restaurant strategically located on one of the Clinch River’s most scenic views. You can enjoy cocktails and appetizers on the outdoor patio or covered outdoor lakeside seating – an outdoor fire pit provides warmth and ambiance, before heading inside for dinner. The menu features creative American food. You’ll find lots of wood-fire grilled choices, including lots of fresh seafood, chicken, and juicy steaks, a large variety of interesting salads and pasta dishes. There’s also a nice selection of upscale takes on classic American comfort foods like pot roast and roast turkey.
Prices at the Flatwater Grill are shockingly low ($13.95 to $24.95 for entrees as of this writing in 2009), especially considering the quality of the food and the enormous portions. Dinner entrees come complete with a house, spinach, or Caesar salad (huge in their own right), and two side dishes.
This restaurant really shines when it comes to sides – something far too many eateries take for granted. Guests here can choose from such creative meal accompaniments as Wood Grilled Asparagus, Broccoli or Squash, Fresh Collard Greens, Smokehouse Potato Salad, Cinnamon Apples, Cornbread Stuffing, Tarragon Carrots, Corn Pudding and many more.
Of course, there was no shortage of spectacular dessert to end the meal. Dessert portions were as huge as the rest of the meal. Even big eaters can go home with full doggie bags here.
Riverview Grill
The Riverview Grill in nearby Clinton, Tennessee is sort of a casual, down-home version of the Flatwater Grill. They both have fabulous river views, but there’s absolutely nothing fancy here – just come as you are, good old Southern cooking, fresh seafood, and good barbecue.
Seafood is available grilled, blackened and, of course, fried. Speaking of fried, don’t miss the Fried Dill Pickle Slices for a true Southern treat. The “Tennessee” style barbecue was terrific – we enjoyed beef and pork ribs as well as some of the best pulled pork we’ve had in quite some time.
This was actually my favorite place in Anderson County. The food was good and plentiful. The varied menu offered something for everyone including the kids. The friendly and bustling atmosphere makes everyone feel like a regular. You can’t beat the prices or the view. And they offer a nice selection of brews too. What’s not to like?
Big Ed's Pizza is located at 101 Broadway Ave (a.k.a. "Jackson Square") Oak Ridge, TN 37830; Phone
865-482-4885.
Find Razzelberries Ice Cream around the corner from Big Ed's at 223 Jackson Sq Oak Ridge, TN 37830-5488 (865) 481-0300
The Hot Bagel Company is at 1155 Oak Ridge Turnpike in Oak Ridge, TN 37830; phone 865-482-2435 or click to www.hotbagelco.com.
The Soup Kitchen is located at 47 E Tennessee Ave Oak Ridge, TN 37830; 865-482-3525.
Find the Flatwater Grill at 100 Melton Lake Peninsula Oak Ridge, TN 37830. 865-862-8646 www.theflatwatergrill.com.
Find the Riverview Grill at 1625 Oak Ridge Hwy Clinton, TN 37716; 865-463-8550 or click to www.riverviewgrill.com.
Oak Ridge is located about 25 miles northwest of Knoxville in Anderson County, Tennessee. For more information about visiting Oak Ridge, visit the Oak Ridge Convention and Visitors Bureau website at www.OakRidgeVisitor.com.
For more information on visiting Anderson County, Tennessee, visit their tourism council's website at www.YallCome.org.
Articles Budget Travel Frugal Food
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Pizza and Ice Cream (Not Together!) Big Ed's Pizza and Razzleberries
If you want a taste of local life in these parts, you have to visit Big Ed’s, a dimly lit casual pizza “dive” housed in a high-ceilinged storefront right next to Jackson Square Historic Park. The original town site of Oak Ridge built during the Manhattan Project, the Jackson Square still retains a 1940s feel today.
A cartoon caricature of Big Ed himself painted on the exterior windows welcomes diners to the pizzeria. Inside, decades’ worth of photos and sports memorabilia covers almost every inch of the walls. Apparently, no sporting event of note goes on around here without a pre and/or post event stop at Big Ed’s for pizza. Founder "Big Ed" Neusel’s love and support for local high school sports is as legendary as his pizza, and his kindness. Generations of Oak Ridge area youth have found gainful employment at Big Ed’s, a tradition continued today by Big Ed’s son Dave who now runs his late father’s enterprise.
Understand, this is New York style pizza, not health food. Served on paper plates that lack the strength to defend themselves against the weight of the food, expect lots of cheese and grease and a crust with that fabulous chewy texture that only hand tossed doughs seem to produce. Of course, you could also get a salad. And they offer a nice selection of beers.
After pizza take a stroll through Jackson Square, enjoy the scenery, read the historic markers, shop, and be sure to stop into Razzleberries for some fabulous ice cream treats for dessert.
Hot Bagel Company Pizza is not the only slice of New York to be found in Oak Ridge. The Hot Bagel Company serves fabulous, homemade New York style bagels in every variety imaginable.
It's hard to believe that owner Donna Sullivan, a small spitfire of a woman with an infectious can-do attitude, had never even tasted a bagel until 1985. Ten years later the Pennsylvania native opened Oak Ridge, Tennessee’s first (and only) bagel shop. She learned a lot in those ten years and at Hot Bagel Company she gets it right, producing first rate bagels with perfect chewy texture.
Donna is to be commended as a culinary pioneer. Not only did she bring the first bagels to this distinctly Southern town, hers was also the first restaurant in these parts to have a cappuccino machine. Donna credits this to fate. She wanted the machine but at an early stage in her business, she just couldn’t afford the $8000.00 price tag that came with it. She bought a raffle ticket to support the local football team. She won. The prize? Eight thousand dollars!
Much more than just a bagel shop, the Hot Bagel Company makes a great breakfast or lunch stop, or a place for a quick coffee and dessert, or to pick up treats for midnight snacks in your hotel. Along with great gourmet coffees and coffee bar drinks, you’ll find lunch items like soups, salads, and sandwiches, and a full bakery with lots of tempting cakes, cookies, and other desserts.
Donna makes all the sandwich spreads herself and everything they serve is homemade. There is a nice selection of both traditional sandwiches and creative panini. The chicken salad is especially tasty. A local favorite, Donna sells over 75 pounds of it per week at her small shop.
Hot Bagel is a bustling, friendly place. Donna and her personable staff seem to know nearly every customer by name. If you visit more than once (and once you try the fare, you will), they’ll likely know yours too.
The Soup KitchenYou’ll get a side dish of history with your meal at The Soup Kitchen Restaurant and Bakery. Housed in what was the bowling alley during Oak Ridge’s Manhattan Project days, today’s diners flock here for homemade soups and breads and some terrific Southern style homemade pies.
The Peanut Butter Pie, drizzled with just the right amount of caramel sauce, was particularly memorable, in fact writing this is making me wish I had a piece right now. The chocolate eclairs are also first rate.
You can always expect a wide variety at The Soup Kitchen. Seven different soups are always on the line – customers walk through the open kitchen in a cafeteria-like line to choose their fare. The soups change daily too as they pull
from a regular repertoire of over 150 recipes (look for a cookbook coming out soon). Two popular items are always on the menu – a really good Chili, topped with melted cheese and accompanied by corn chips, and Hearty Vegetable Soup.
Flatwater Grill
If you’re looking for a more upscale experience in Oak Ridge, head directly to the Flatwater Grill, a stylish contemporary-casual restaurant strategically located on one of the Clinch River’s most scenic views. You can enjoy cocktails and appetizers on the outdoor patio or covered outdoor lakeside seating – an outdoor fire pit provides warmth and ambiance, before heading inside for dinner. The menu features creative American food. You’ll find lots of wood-fire grilled choices, including lots of fresh seafood, chicken, and juicy steaks, a large variety of interesting salads and pasta dishes. There’s also a nice selection of upscale takes on classic American comfort foods like pot roast and roast turkey.
Prices at the Flatwater Grill are shockingly low ($13.95 to $24.95 for entrees as of this writing in 2009), especially considering the quality of the food and the enormous portions. Dinner entrees come complete with a house, spinach, or Caesar salad (huge in their own right), and two side dishes.
This restaurant really shines when it comes to sides – something far too many eateries take for granted. Guests here can choose from such creative meal accompaniments as Wood Grilled Asparagus, Broccoli or Squash, Fresh Collard Greens, Smokehouse Potato Salad, Cinnamon Apples, Cornbread Stuffing, Tarragon Carrots, Corn Pudding and many more.
Of course, there was no shortage of spectacular dessert to end the meal. Dessert portions were as huge as the rest of the meal. Even big eaters can go home with full doggie bags here.
Riverview Grill The Riverview Grill in nearby Clinton, Tennessee is sort of a casual, down-home version of the Flatwater Grill. They both have fabulous river views, but there’s absolutely nothing fancy here – just come as you are, good old Southern cooking, fresh seafood, and good barbecue.
Seafood is available grilled, blackened and, of course, fried. Speaking of fried, don’t miss the Fried Dill Pickle Slices for a true Southern treat. The “Tennessee” style barbecue was terrific – we enjoyed beef and pork ribs as well as some of the best pulled pork we’ve had in quite some time.
This was actually my favorite place in Anderson County. The food was good and plentiful. The varied menu offered something for everyone including the kids. The friendly and bustling atmosphere makes everyone feel like a regular. You can’t beat the prices or the view. And they offer a nice selection of brews too. What’s not to like?
Practicalities
Big Ed's Pizza is located at 101 Broadway Ave (a.k.a. "Jackson Square") Oak Ridge, TN 37830; Phone
865-482-4885.
Find Razzelberries Ice Cream around the corner from Big Ed's at 223 Jackson Sq Oak Ridge, TN 37830-5488 (865) 481-0300
The Hot Bagel Company is at 1155 Oak Ridge Turnpike in Oak Ridge, TN 37830; phone 865-482-2435 or click to www.hotbagelco.com.
The Soup Kitchen is located at 47 E Tennessee Ave Oak Ridge, TN 37830; 865-482-3525.
Find the Flatwater Grill at 100 Melton Lake Peninsula Oak Ridge, TN 37830. 865-862-8646 www.theflatwatergrill.com.
Find the Riverview Grill at 1625 Oak Ridge Hwy Clinton, TN 37716; 865-463-8550 or click to www.riverviewgrill.com.
Oak Ridge is located about 25 miles northwest of Knoxville in Anderson County, Tennessee. For more information about visiting Oak Ridge, visit the Oak Ridge Convention and Visitors Bureau website at www.OakRidgeVisitor.com.
For more information on visiting Anderson County, Tennessee, visit their tourism council's website at www.YallCome.org.
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