This place is a owned by a Knoxvillian but run like a Ruby Tuesday or a Chili's. This place or any of the Calhoun's do not impress me. I would rather eat somewhere else. The service is usually ok but I have had some pretty bad servers there. Yes, they have a kids menu. Last time I was there I ordered the ribs. They were good but turned awful very fast when I found a long curly hair wrapped around them. Sick!! Do the kitchen guys not where hats or something to cover up their long curly hair? Whatever, I don't care for this place and I don't like going there. I have friends that like going there for the drink specials. They aren't bad but I prefer a different atmosphere. Avoid it, I've experienced better!
(2)
Daniel J.
THE BEST RIBS!!!! Coming from Texas, there are a few things I am really picky about and ribs are one of them. I don't think I have ever had better.
(5)
Bryan H.
Wow, the ribs have gone way down in quality. Having had the all you can eat ribs on Sunday many times, I was appalled to find them dry to the point of having a "bark" you had to remove to get to a tender price underneath . And to top it off they raised the price not the quality.
(2)
Robert S.
Food not good 1 star or less. I tried the Philly cheese steak the server said she was from Philadelphia and it was authentic cheese steak the truth is its nothing close. First she lied but the problems is the steak was way over cooked and dry; fries way to salty but this is my fault and should have said no salt. Beer 3.5 or 4 star. started with the IPA no major issues just lacked body and I prefer more hop notes but that's a personnel preference. Stout was very good lots of chocolate with a hint of coffee; highly recommended. I would go back for a pint but skip the poorly prepared food. This would be a great place for sports fans lots of TV's.
(2)
Tommy P.
There's nothing special about the quality of the food here, or the service. I love ribs, and sometimes I come for all you can eat on Sunday. Sometimes they're a little dry. The other food is predictable southern BBQ fare. This isn't a restaurant I avoid, but definitely at these prices not a place worth seeking out.
(2)
Elizabeth M.
We ate here this weekend for what I hope was the last time ever! The side dishes (baked beans, corn, etc.) all taste like they were pureed with a pound of sugar! Sickeningly sweet , not good. Service was just okay. Sorry to leave a poor review, but in this case maybe they will improve their recipes.
(2)
Dan C.
Holy crap--I may be from the north and not know anything about good BBQ, but this place makes me wish the South won the civil war.
(5)
Bo W.
Knoxville staple and they've been here for years for a reason. Great place to bring a family because they serve a little bit of everything and it is all tasty, large portions, and affordable price. Their craft beers are great and my dad and I always get one of their Bloody Mary's. All of the meals come with a basket of amazing bread. People in the family always fight over the biscuits (the bran muffins are usually picked at last, not because they're bad though... just bran). We all pretty much order the same things when we come. My sister loves their Beer Cheese Pretzel Appetizer. Mom would take a bath in the Spinach Maria if they had a big enough serving that she could order. My Dad likes their Catfish. My little brother typically orders his meal to eat there and one to go on Dad's dime. I go back and forth over their amazing salads (I actually get cravings for them) or their Ribs. The have an "All You Can Eat Rib Night", but the day of the week changes (it used to be on Sunday).
(4)
Dale R.
Food is pretty good, Burgers are really good. Ribs are good but I have to dispute their claim of best ribs in America. Sorry guys you don't even have the best ribs in TN. Work on it. Pulled pork sandwhich is probably better than the ribs. If you want a beer and some good food, this is a good option. They were close enough to 4-stars that I went ahead and gave them 4. Banana Pudding... come do a proper banana pudding. Not impressed your alteration of this desert offering.
(4)
Rachelle S.
Needed a restaurant that was close by and Calhoun's was chosen. It was very helpful that they had a diverse menu so everyone was able to find something they really wanted. My chicken salad sandwich was quite tasty and I love the bin they used instead of regular bread. Can't go wrong with their corn pudding either. Everyone was satisfied and the meal was great. The staff was also very friendly and checked up on us appropriately. Good times!
(5)
Sarah P.
Calhoun's is so classic in Knoxville. It's always on my rotation of restaurants, and it's a great bet if you have guests in town. Everyone loves eating at a Knoxville institution! I definitely recommend soft pretzels and beer cheese, and the Spinach Maria side dish is incredible. Honestly though, if you live locally, I recommend the pulled pork family pack to go. For $24, you'll receive pork, buns, coleslaw, baked beans, and a bottle of Calhoun's sauce. This is basically my savior during football season. We always watch the away games with laps FULL of Calhoun's.
(3)
Matt C.
My wife and I love this place! We no longer live in Knoxville, but when we visit, this is usually where we go. 1. The ribs are actually really good and you get a respectable slab. 2. The sides are amazing! I recommend the spinach maria for sure. 3. Get the soft pretzel appetizer! (Ask for an extra side of mustard..) 4. Treat yourself to a beer! In the Fall, try their pumpkin ale, and in the winter, try the Warmer. This is just a cool, local place that deserves your patronage..
(5)
Steve P.
We have been coming here for years. The Prime rib is really good. But only served on the weekends. The spinach Maria is good the ribs are the boom.
(5)
Paul B.
Being from Texas, I guess I am a bit biased on BBQ. I was on business and the company took us all out. I believe I got the pulled pork sandwich. It was okay, did not seem to have a lot of flavor. Probably should have opted for ribs. It was a clean trendy place. Managed to buy some of their BBQ sauce at the airport to take home.
(3)
Jim T.
I ordered a Smoked Turkey salad for lunch. The salad was large and filling. The server was quick and responsive. I will eat there again when I am in town.
(4)
Micah H.
These are clearly not the best ribs in America, however, they were the best chicken fingers I have ever tasted. My brother and I also had the trio. The chicken was very juicy and tender, and the breeding was crispy and delicious. The cornbread rolls were also some of the best I have had. The ribs were average, nothing special and the pulled pork was good. Mac and cheese was pretty good, but I've had better. Coleslaw was good but different than I am used to having. Service was very good and we were seated immediately although it was 230 pm on a Sunday.
(4)
Lena J.
It's not bad. It's not good. It just is. I end up eating at Calhoun's at least once a year with my grandparents, as they like to go here for our family meal near Christmas time. I've never been impressed with Calhoun's, and the promise of good BBQ is never, ever delivered upon. I've never had anything bad, horrifying, or disgusting from here. That said, I've never had anything good, either. I've gotten everything from chicken, to fish, to pork, to beef here, and I've felt very 'meh' about it all. I've heard they have a good beer selection, but I'm not a beer drinker, so your mileage may vary. Every time I've been to Calhoun's in the afternoon, it is dead. There's us, and maybe two other groups, and sometimes it's just us. I'll take that as a sign.
(3)
Alex F.
A bit to dry, from the ribs to the burger. It's a shame when the best part of the meal was the side salad. Perhaps I'm just not a big fan of vinegar based BBQ sauce. The servers were nice and they did have trivia if your interested.
(2)
Damian B.
It's been a long time, and when I read my last update, I remember why. A lot of the same crew got together last Easter Sunday and went to do the ribs; and they were pretty damn good. Not the complete "A-Game", but worth the AYCE price. Service was "ok" [we waited for 30 minutes after ordering to get our food even though most of the tables had emptied out already and we all got AYCE ribs. Drink refills were a touch iffy, etc]. In the end it was worth it though, and I will go back again, and maybe not wait a year this time.
(3)
Caki A.
I am a BBQ aficionado but I do not order this in Knoxville having had the best in my hometown of Memphis known for best of dry rub ribs. This is my favorite Calhoun's. It is bright and airy and the wait staff is outstanding. My most favorite dish is the catfish, slaw and the side dish spinach Maria. I have had occasion to try the hamburger which was quite good. The desserts are incredible.
(5)
Larry A.
I'm giving this place 2 stars because the service is usually pretty good and the beer is cold. Other then that, I've tried 3 locations and the BBQ and sides was fair at its best but more often then not it was just not good.
(2)
Chuck C.
The one on Bearden Hill is the absolute worst. I have been a lot because it is convenient and have watched the prices rise and the food quality and size go down and down. It must be management because other locations are so much better. I would guess they exist now on the convenience of their location.
(1)
Matthew W.
15:00 on a Monday I was worried that I'd miss Calhoun's, what with this being my first time driving through Knoxville. That was not an issue with the massive sign out front that proclaims Calhoun's has THE BEST RIBS IN AMERICA! Alright...let's see. The decor struck me as typical TGIFriday's. Not exciting. There's some pretty good tin sounding R & B in the background. Not the forefront. That's a plus. Bathroom was clean, and for all you new dads out there, had a changing table. Calhoun's brews their own beer and has some plaques and awards up on the walls showing how good they are. I wish I could have had seven or so of them, but seeing as I was about to get back in my car and drive to Tuscaloosa, I laid off the beer and went for an iced tea. It was good. I ordered a half rack of ribs with corn puddin' as my side, coleslaw included with all rib dishes. A basket of breads showed up first: cornbread was pretty dry and not sweet enough; biscuit was right by me: a perfect amount of salt and reminded me of my mom's; the baguette was decently crusty but the winner was definitely their beer muffin. Made from the grains they use to brew their beers and sweetened with apples and cinnamon, this muffin hit the spot. My food showed up promptly, though with a total of six people in the joint, I expected it to be so. I disliked the coleslaw: it was mayonnaise based (I prefer a vinegar based) and without distinction. I enjoyed the corn puddin', though that might just be the Fatty McGee in me; I truly don't have anything to compare it to, though in contrast to the corn muffin, the puddin' was sweet enough for my tooth and I don't think it was enhanced too much by sugar, just used good sweet corn. Now to the ribs... They were very good with a distinct, sweet sauce that was in great proportion to the meat. I CAN'T STAND when ribs are solely about the sauce and the meat is an afterthought. Weirdly enough, my first bite was a little dry (mon dieu!), but every bite thereafter got better and better. This Nutmegger was certainly impressed and would come back in a heartbeat...maybe when UConn comes to play UT in a couple of seasons? My server was attentive without hovering, polite, informative and was...ahem...very cute. She gave me some extra beer muffins with my leftovers which was truly appreciated.
(3)
Michael S.
I was here on May 24th, 2009 with my team. We had about 30-35 people in one of the side rooms and had a great time. The atmosphere is like a TGI Fridays. I think almost every meal was under $15, and they had all-you-can-eat ribs for $16. They had plenty of steak and chicken dishes too, if you aren't into the BBQ. I was happy with a 10oz. steak, white chili, and sweet tea
(4)
Ben U.
Ran across this on a trip to Knoxville. I had the pork platter and a friend got the all-you-can-eat ribs. I tried both, and the food was great. Good prices, excellent ribs -- the BBQ sauce has a high vinegar content, which I think is wonderful; a superb change from the sugary, heavy sauces I've seen in the past. A warning about the ribs, though, my friend must have eaten 30 of them and he crapped himself the next day. Eat with caution and moderation.
(4)
Jennie B.
Pulled pork sandwich was large & OK. I've had better.
(3)
Todd C.
Good food and beer make up for the lack of parking and stale menu. Most entree salads r good and the BBQ is a no-brainer, but don't miss the half-price pizza on Tues. They're worth the trip! One of the best bread baskets n town.
(4)
Michael L.
Once my buddy told me that this place was known for their award-winning baby back ribs and that they also brewed their own beer, it wasn't hard for me to decide on coming here for dinner. My wife and I shared 1 pound of buffalo wings, and a full rack of baby back ribs. Buffalo wings- These were definitely on the small side as far as buffalo wings go, but they were deep fried! It's hard not to like something deep fried! Not bad. (3) Ribs- I was rather impressed with these ribs. The last few times I've had baby back ribs, they were usually too dry, and weren't flavored so well. The meat on this rack was tender, and easily detached from the bone. The BBQ sauce available at each table actually enhances the flavor of these ribs, as good as they were already! I usually like to have completely cleaned-off bones when I eat ribs, but with baby back ribs, the membrane around the bone is just too thin to get it off. :-( oh well. Solid offering. (4.5) Sides: Nothing much to write about these. 1) Corn Pudding- (3) 2) Mashed Potatoes- (2) 3) Fries (3) I had a sampler of 4 of their beers- (I forgot their particular names) 1) Red Ale - decent, reminded me of Red Brick Ale (3) 2) Wheat- bleck- this tasted like carbonated water with some yellow food coloring (1) 3) German lager - this beer went down pretty smoothly, but not particularly impressive (2.5) 4) Porter - this had a heavy coffee type of taste to it- sort of strange. Nothing special either. (2.5) I was carded by our waitress....and when I showed her my California license, she asked me if I had another form of ID that had my birthday on it- because my license card seemed a bit "thin" (O_O)... I didn't have anything else with my birthday on it, so she had to check with her supervisors about it. After roughly 15 minutes, she finally came back and told me it was 'okay', and said she'd never seen a California license before- Ok...... It just got blown way out of proportion. Supposedly the authorities have been cracking down on underage drinking at places like this- I'm 29, Ms. waitress. It says here right on my license. This place gets a 4 for the ribs, 3 for other food products. 3.5
(4)
Mary J.
Good food and a great place to take kids! We called at the last minute and were able to get a reservation for a party of 10. We really wanted to go to the Calhoun's on the waterfront, but were unable to get in. We were greeted by the hostess and immediately seated even though we were about 10 minutes late. There is some MAJOR road construction in the area. We had 6 kids and they brought over balloons to keep them occupied and were helpful answering questions about the kids menus. We got our appetizers pretty quickly and didn't have to wait too long for our dinners either. All in all a pleasant dining experience.
(4)
Jorge P.
Great beer....amazing ribs!
(5)
a f.
Who has been to Calhoun's in TN from Sacramento. Sacramento can do food right, but we can do wrong. Calhoun's respectfully executes how food is done right...and left and right. It is just damn good. My host, JH, and I saw many things that day. I wasgraced. I wish Sacramento can do the same without the prices. The Two Sisters in Jackson, OLE MIS, is exactly like the cocina here in sac....but it is in a real kitchen. RESET SACRAMENTO.
(5)
John M.
The "world's best ribs" are not. They lack any smokyness in flavor and are dry. Service, however, was enthusiastic. Portions were modest size considering the price. The "handcrafted" beers were very good.
(2)
Jasen M.
mmmm a knoxville treat. so calhouns is a great brewery and restaurant. good food and pretty good beer. they actually make several different kinds there at the restaurant and u can bring in a container or buy one there and they will fill it for u. price depends on size of course. the food here is pretty good. i have had a few different things on the menu all of which i was rather satisfied with. one of my favorites is their beer infused cheese dip... not sure what else to call it but they add their brand of beer to the cheese dip and it has this amazing flavor. one of the things i go here for is pizza on tues because they are half price that day. i always get the brewmiester pizza. man is it good.. chicken tomm... i dont even recall all what is on it but wow.. it is wonderful. the service here can be hit and miss but most of the time its a hit and not a miss.. as for the prices they vary on what u order but most of them are reasonable. always good to know the days when they have specials so u can avoid paying more for something u can get cheaper.. lol... i know people who come to knoxville just to go to this place. yes it can be that good.
(4)
Erik M.
You can't go wrong eating at Calhoun's. The ribs are so good and the slaw is almost better! Throw in the house drafts and selection of breads and biscuits and you've got a memorable experience waiting for you on Kingston Pike (or down by the river for a little more scenic view)! As always, 4 orange stars for any great Knoxville business. Why would you want 5 red stars when you can have 4 UT Orange stars instead!
(4)
Steve H.
Ok people! Would you believe that Calhoun's has some of the best Pizza in Knoxville? Their Pizza is almost as good as Big Ed's in Oak Ridge. Tuesday night is half off Pizza night, you have to try it! Oh yea...they have good BBQ also.
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Specialities
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Lunch, Dinner Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : No Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : No Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : Yes Caters : Yes
Mary T.
This place is a owned by a Knoxvillian but run like a Ruby Tuesday or a Chili's. This place or any of the Calhoun's do not impress me. I would rather eat somewhere else. The service is usually ok but I have had some pretty bad servers there. Yes, they have a kids menu. Last time I was there I ordered the ribs. They were good but turned awful very fast when I found a long curly hair wrapped around them. Sick!! Do the kitchen guys not where hats or something to cover up their long curly hair? Whatever, I don't care for this place and I don't like going there. I have friends that like going there for the drink specials. They aren't bad but I prefer a different atmosphere. Avoid it, I've experienced better!
(2)Daniel J.
THE BEST RIBS!!!! Coming from Texas, there are a few things I am really picky about and ribs are one of them. I don't think I have ever had better.
(5)Bryan H.
Wow, the ribs have gone way down in quality. Having had the all you can eat ribs on Sunday many times, I was appalled to find them dry to the point of having a "bark" you had to remove to get to a tender price underneath . And to top it off they raised the price not the quality.
(2)Robert S.
Food not good 1 star or less. I tried the Philly cheese steak the server said she was from Philadelphia and it was authentic cheese steak the truth is its nothing close. First she lied but the problems is the steak was way over cooked and dry; fries way to salty but this is my fault and should have said no salt. Beer 3.5 or 4 star. started with the IPA no major issues just lacked body and I prefer more hop notes but that's a personnel preference. Stout was very good lots of chocolate with a hint of coffee; highly recommended. I would go back for a pint but skip the poorly prepared food. This would be a great place for sports fans lots of TV's.
(2)Tommy P.
There's nothing special about the quality of the food here, or the service. I love ribs, and sometimes I come for all you can eat on Sunday. Sometimes they're a little dry. The other food is predictable southern BBQ fare. This isn't a restaurant I avoid, but definitely at these prices not a place worth seeking out.
(2)Elizabeth M.
We ate here this weekend for what I hope was the last time ever! The side dishes (baked beans, corn, etc.) all taste like they were pureed with a pound of sugar! Sickeningly sweet , not good. Service was just okay. Sorry to leave a poor review, but in this case maybe they will improve their recipes.
(2)Dan C.
Holy crap--I may be from the north and not know anything about good BBQ, but this place makes me wish the South won the civil war.
(5)Bo W.
Knoxville staple and they've been here for years for a reason. Great place to bring a family because they serve a little bit of everything and it is all tasty, large portions, and affordable price. Their craft beers are great and my dad and I always get one of their Bloody Mary's. All of the meals come with a basket of amazing bread. People in the family always fight over the biscuits (the bran muffins are usually picked at last, not because they're bad though... just bran). We all pretty much order the same things when we come. My sister loves their Beer Cheese Pretzel Appetizer. Mom would take a bath in the Spinach Maria if they had a big enough serving that she could order. My Dad likes their Catfish. My little brother typically orders his meal to eat there and one to go on Dad's dime. I go back and forth over their amazing salads (I actually get cravings for them) or their Ribs. The have an "All You Can Eat Rib Night", but the day of the week changes (it used to be on Sunday).
(4)Dale R.
Food is pretty good, Burgers are really good. Ribs are good but I have to dispute their claim of best ribs in America. Sorry guys you don't even have the best ribs in TN. Work on it. Pulled pork sandwhich is probably better than the ribs. If you want a beer and some good food, this is a good option. They were close enough to 4-stars that I went ahead and gave them 4. Banana Pudding... come do a proper banana pudding. Not impressed your alteration of this desert offering.
(4)Rachelle S.
Needed a restaurant that was close by and Calhoun's was chosen. It was very helpful that they had a diverse menu so everyone was able to find something they really wanted. My chicken salad sandwich was quite tasty and I love the bin they used instead of regular bread. Can't go wrong with their corn pudding either. Everyone was satisfied and the meal was great. The staff was also very friendly and checked up on us appropriately. Good times!
(5)Sarah P.
Calhoun's is so classic in Knoxville. It's always on my rotation of restaurants, and it's a great bet if you have guests in town. Everyone loves eating at a Knoxville institution! I definitely recommend soft pretzels and beer cheese, and the Spinach Maria side dish is incredible. Honestly though, if you live locally, I recommend the pulled pork family pack to go. For $24, you'll receive pork, buns, coleslaw, baked beans, and a bottle of Calhoun's sauce. This is basically my savior during football season. We always watch the away games with laps FULL of Calhoun's.
(3)Matt C.
My wife and I love this place! We no longer live in Knoxville, but when we visit, this is usually where we go. 1. The ribs are actually really good and you get a respectable slab. 2. The sides are amazing! I recommend the spinach maria for sure. 3. Get the soft pretzel appetizer! (Ask for an extra side of mustard..) 4. Treat yourself to a beer! In the Fall, try their pumpkin ale, and in the winter, try the Warmer. This is just a cool, local place that deserves your patronage..
(5)Steve P.
We have been coming here for years. The Prime rib is really good. But only served on the weekends. The spinach Maria is good the ribs are the boom.
(5)Paul B.
Being from Texas, I guess I am a bit biased on BBQ. I was on business and the company took us all out. I believe I got the pulled pork sandwich. It was okay, did not seem to have a lot of flavor. Probably should have opted for ribs. It was a clean trendy place. Managed to buy some of their BBQ sauce at the airport to take home.
(3)Jim T.
I ordered a Smoked Turkey salad for lunch. The salad was large and filling. The server was quick and responsive. I will eat there again when I am in town.
(4)Micah H.
These are clearly not the best ribs in America, however, they were the best chicken fingers I have ever tasted. My brother and I also had the trio. The chicken was very juicy and tender, and the breeding was crispy and delicious. The cornbread rolls were also some of the best I have had. The ribs were average, nothing special and the pulled pork was good. Mac and cheese was pretty good, but I've had better. Coleslaw was good but different than I am used to having. Service was very good and we were seated immediately although it was 230 pm on a Sunday.
(4)Lena J.
It's not bad. It's not good. It just is. I end up eating at Calhoun's at least once a year with my grandparents, as they like to go here for our family meal near Christmas time. I've never been impressed with Calhoun's, and the promise of good BBQ is never, ever delivered upon. I've never had anything bad, horrifying, or disgusting from here. That said, I've never had anything good, either. I've gotten everything from chicken, to fish, to pork, to beef here, and I've felt very 'meh' about it all. I've heard they have a good beer selection, but I'm not a beer drinker, so your mileage may vary. Every time I've been to Calhoun's in the afternoon, it is dead. There's us, and maybe two other groups, and sometimes it's just us. I'll take that as a sign.
(3)Alex F.
A bit to dry, from the ribs to the burger. It's a shame when the best part of the meal was the side salad. Perhaps I'm just not a big fan of vinegar based BBQ sauce. The servers were nice and they did have trivia if your interested.
(2)Damian B.
It's been a long time, and when I read my last update, I remember why. A lot of the same crew got together last Easter Sunday and went to do the ribs; and they were pretty damn good. Not the complete "A-Game", but worth the AYCE price. Service was "ok" [we waited for 30 minutes after ordering to get our food even though most of the tables had emptied out already and we all got AYCE ribs. Drink refills were a touch iffy, etc]. In the end it was worth it though, and I will go back again, and maybe not wait a year this time.
(3)Caki A.
I am a BBQ aficionado but I do not order this in Knoxville having had the best in my hometown of Memphis known for best of dry rub ribs. This is my favorite Calhoun's. It is bright and airy and the wait staff is outstanding. My most favorite dish is the catfish, slaw and the side dish spinach Maria. I have had occasion to try the hamburger which was quite good. The desserts are incredible.
(5)Larry A.
I'm giving this place 2 stars because the service is usually pretty good and the beer is cold. Other then that, I've tried 3 locations and the BBQ and sides was fair at its best but more often then not it was just not good.
(2)Chuck C.
The one on Bearden Hill is the absolute worst. I have been a lot because it is convenient and have watched the prices rise and the food quality and size go down and down. It must be management because other locations are so much better. I would guess they exist now on the convenience of their location.
(1)Matthew W.
15:00 on a Monday I was worried that I'd miss Calhoun's, what with this being my first time driving through Knoxville. That was not an issue with the massive sign out front that proclaims Calhoun's has THE BEST RIBS IN AMERICA! Alright...let's see. The decor struck me as typical TGIFriday's. Not exciting. There's some pretty good tin sounding R & B in the background. Not the forefront. That's a plus. Bathroom was clean, and for all you new dads out there, had a changing table. Calhoun's brews their own beer and has some plaques and awards up on the walls showing how good they are. I wish I could have had seven or so of them, but seeing as I was about to get back in my car and drive to Tuscaloosa, I laid off the beer and went for an iced tea. It was good. I ordered a half rack of ribs with corn puddin' as my side, coleslaw included with all rib dishes. A basket of breads showed up first: cornbread was pretty dry and not sweet enough; biscuit was right by me: a perfect amount of salt and reminded me of my mom's; the baguette was decently crusty but the winner was definitely their beer muffin. Made from the grains they use to brew their beers and sweetened with apples and cinnamon, this muffin hit the spot. My food showed up promptly, though with a total of six people in the joint, I expected it to be so. I disliked the coleslaw: it was mayonnaise based (I prefer a vinegar based) and without distinction. I enjoyed the corn puddin', though that might just be the Fatty McGee in me; I truly don't have anything to compare it to, though in contrast to the corn muffin, the puddin' was sweet enough for my tooth and I don't think it was enhanced too much by sugar, just used good sweet corn. Now to the ribs... They were very good with a distinct, sweet sauce that was in great proportion to the meat. I CAN'T STAND when ribs are solely about the sauce and the meat is an afterthought. Weirdly enough, my first bite was a little dry (mon dieu!), but every bite thereafter got better and better. This Nutmegger was certainly impressed and would come back in a heartbeat...maybe when UConn comes to play UT in a couple of seasons? My server was attentive without hovering, polite, informative and was...ahem...very cute. She gave me some extra beer muffins with my leftovers which was truly appreciated.
(3)Michael S.
I was here on May 24th, 2009 with my team. We had about 30-35 people in one of the side rooms and had a great time. The atmosphere is like a TGI Fridays. I think almost every meal was under $15, and they had all-you-can-eat ribs for $16. They had plenty of steak and chicken dishes too, if you aren't into the BBQ. I was happy with a 10oz. steak, white chili, and sweet tea
(4)Ben U.
Ran across this on a trip to Knoxville. I had the pork platter and a friend got the all-you-can-eat ribs. I tried both, and the food was great. Good prices, excellent ribs -- the BBQ sauce has a high vinegar content, which I think is wonderful; a superb change from the sugary, heavy sauces I've seen in the past. A warning about the ribs, though, my friend must have eaten 30 of them and he crapped himself the next day. Eat with caution and moderation.
(4)Jennie B.
Pulled pork sandwich was large & OK. I've had better.
(3)Todd C.
Good food and beer make up for the lack of parking and stale menu. Most entree salads r good and the BBQ is a no-brainer, but don't miss the half-price pizza on Tues. They're worth the trip! One of the best bread baskets n town.
(4)Michael L.
Once my buddy told me that this place was known for their award-winning baby back ribs and that they also brewed their own beer, it wasn't hard for me to decide on coming here for dinner. My wife and I shared 1 pound of buffalo wings, and a full rack of baby back ribs. Buffalo wings- These were definitely on the small side as far as buffalo wings go, but they were deep fried! It's hard not to like something deep fried! Not bad. (3) Ribs- I was rather impressed with these ribs. The last few times I've had baby back ribs, they were usually too dry, and weren't flavored so well. The meat on this rack was tender, and easily detached from the bone. The BBQ sauce available at each table actually enhances the flavor of these ribs, as good as they were already! I usually like to have completely cleaned-off bones when I eat ribs, but with baby back ribs, the membrane around the bone is just too thin to get it off. :-( oh well. Solid offering. (4.5) Sides: Nothing much to write about these. 1) Corn Pudding- (3) 2) Mashed Potatoes- (2) 3) Fries (3) I had a sampler of 4 of their beers- (I forgot their particular names) 1) Red Ale - decent, reminded me of Red Brick Ale (3) 2) Wheat- bleck- this tasted like carbonated water with some yellow food coloring (1) 3) German lager - this beer went down pretty smoothly, but not particularly impressive (2.5) 4) Porter - this had a heavy coffee type of taste to it- sort of strange. Nothing special either. (2.5) I was carded by our waitress....and when I showed her my California license, she asked me if I had another form of ID that had my birthday on it- because my license card seemed a bit "thin" (O_O)... I didn't have anything else with my birthday on it, so she had to check with her supervisors about it. After roughly 15 minutes, she finally came back and told me it was 'okay', and said she'd never seen a California license before- Ok...... It just got blown way out of proportion. Supposedly the authorities have been cracking down on underage drinking at places like this- I'm 29, Ms. waitress. It says here right on my license. This place gets a 4 for the ribs, 3 for other food products. 3.5
(4)Mary J.
Good food and a great place to take kids! We called at the last minute and were able to get a reservation for a party of 10. We really wanted to go to the Calhoun's on the waterfront, but were unable to get in. We were greeted by the hostess and immediately seated even though we were about 10 minutes late. There is some MAJOR road construction in the area. We had 6 kids and they brought over balloons to keep them occupied and were helpful answering questions about the kids menus. We got our appetizers pretty quickly and didn't have to wait too long for our dinners either. All in all a pleasant dining experience.
(4)Jorge P.
Great beer....amazing ribs!
(5)a f.
Who has been to Calhoun's in TN from Sacramento. Sacramento can do food right, but we can do wrong. Calhoun's respectfully executes how food is done right...and left and right. It is just damn good. My host, JH, and I saw many things that day. I wasgraced. I wish Sacramento can do the same without the prices. The Two Sisters in Jackson, OLE MIS, is exactly like the cocina here in sac....but it is in a real kitchen. RESET SACRAMENTO.
(5)John M.
The "world's best ribs" are not. They lack any smokyness in flavor and are dry. Service, however, was enthusiastic. Portions were modest size considering the price. The "handcrafted" beers were very good.
(2)Jasen M.
mmmm a knoxville treat. so calhouns is a great brewery and restaurant. good food and pretty good beer. they actually make several different kinds there at the restaurant and u can bring in a container or buy one there and they will fill it for u. price depends on size of course. the food here is pretty good. i have had a few different things on the menu all of which i was rather satisfied with. one of my favorites is their beer infused cheese dip... not sure what else to call it but they add their brand of beer to the cheese dip and it has this amazing flavor. one of the things i go here for is pizza on tues because they are half price that day. i always get the brewmiester pizza. man is it good.. chicken tomm... i dont even recall all what is on it but wow.. it is wonderful. the service here can be hit and miss but most of the time its a hit and not a miss.. as for the prices they vary on what u order but most of them are reasonable. always good to know the days when they have specials so u can avoid paying more for something u can get cheaper.. lol... i know people who come to knoxville just to go to this place. yes it can be that good.
(4)Erik M.
You can't go wrong eating at Calhoun's. The ribs are so good and the slaw is almost better! Throw in the house drafts and selection of breads and biscuits and you've got a memorable experience waiting for you on Kingston Pike (or down by the river for a little more scenic view)! As always, 4 orange stars for any great Knoxville business. Why would you want 5 red stars when you can have 4 UT Orange stars instead!
(4)Steve H.
Ok people! Would you believe that Calhoun's has some of the best Pizza in Knoxville? Their Pizza is almost as good as Big Ed's in Oak Ridge. Tuesday night is half off Pizza night, you have to try it! Oh yea...they have good BBQ also.
(5)