Wednesday, October 30, 2019

Review of Cru Bistro and Wine Bar Gay St. Downtown Knoxville

We start this review with giving a big shout to our sponsor for the evening,  DaVett Jones and Life Vision Solutions.  For all your needs from life insurance to stocks, when it comes to money,  money,  money and how to invest, grow and build a legacy,  she is your go to. Visit her at iamwealthynow.com and let her help you change your life.



So this blog is an impromptu.  Tonight we had a meeting of the minds and wanted to grab a bite to eat in the process.  Well, I was chosen to pick the restaurant.  What I found is that we have a lot of places that run weekly specials and I will need to make my rounds.  Tonight's special lead us to Cru Bistro and Wine Bar. 

The restaurant is kind of quaint and gave a very low key, chill vibe. A perfect place for a first date, small meeting or function with friends.  And I had my first encounter with the 5.99 burger and fries special. 

Now I have made post on Facebook and Instagram asking you guys where the best burger in town is. Let's just say I had a burger tonight that is giving everyone a run for their money. 

Let's just start out with the price, $5.99!!!! How many places in the city can you go and get a quality burger,  with fries for 5.99? Not too many and for the price you get more than your money's worth. 

Let's start with the burger.  It's served on a nice brioche bun that compliments the burger burger.  It's served with American cheddar but you have your choices of cheese to choose from. (I went with provolone because well that's my kinda cheese. ) The cheese is melted lovely all over the burger.  Now the toppings are simple: lettuce and tomato. (This simplicity works for this burger. ) And then you are served a garlic mayo on the side.

Now some may say what makes this burger so good. Why do I feel like it is on off the best? Anybody could make this burger.  Well I will answer this question like this. With how simple the burger is put together,  it can easily be trash. If it is cooked the wrong way,  you will know after the first bite. This burger made you want another bite,  then another and another. 

But you want to know what really took the burger to the next level,  the fries!!!!  I don't know how many times I have had a burger that was decent but the fries made the whole combo trash. (Or maybe it's just me, I don't know.) But this fries were fresh, thick steak cut and served hot. Also, they seasoned these bad boys to perfection. 

I was pleasantly surprised with this meal and will be back for sure. I do believe Cru has one of the best burgers in town and will hold its own against any restaurant. 

Well, this is a top-notch restaurant and I would refer this place to anyone.  Maybe next visit will be for brunch but who knows, the return trip for the burger is a must. 5X Tee with no hesitation for Cru.

As always,  thank you for reading and showing love. Love hearing your feedback and how you check out this and the other restaurants I have featured. (Well, one not so much but sometimes you gotta try things for yourself. ) Make sure to enjoy all the ones in your life but also, make sure you treat yourself!!!!!






Sunday, October 27, 2019

Review of Corner 16 on Middlebrook Pike

I want to start this blog off with a big shout out to Cuts by Reggie for today's sponsorship.  If you are looking for a barber in the Knoxville area,  go see Reggie and the rest of the team at Diamond Cutz on Western Avenue.

So today's restaurant is one that I have passed many times but never stopped in.  Well today I finally went in to see what the restaurant is all about. 

It's a very nice restaurant and the atmosphere is one that you can enjoy with your friends and/or family.  A very spacious place with options to sit inside or out. It has entertainment for the kids as well. (A ping pong table and cornhole are available.)

The menu has more of a home feeling to it. This menu is going to be appealing to all and will give you a chance to try different things that you may have not tried before.  They put their own little twist on their meals and that really stood out to me. 

The pricing of the food is a fair rate. You will get your money's worth here. The portions were more than enough and could be shared amongst 2 people. Now let's talk about what we consumed today.

Now they had a brunch menu and it had some items that interested me but today I was looking for a hearty, comforting meal. Something that fills me up and puts that itis on me. (It's a struggle to write this right now. Eyes are heavy. Lol)


Today we started with the loaded tater tots.  Now these delicious nuggets will throw you off at first. They take the potato and dice it up. They then add cheese and bacon to the diced potatoes and proceed to make them into fried morsels of starchy goodness. (After the first bite, you will not stop eating them.

So, I decided to go a little healthier with my choice.  I got a house salad to accompany my Smokehouse Meatloaf and Mashed Potatoes.  Thing is, the salad was a meal within itself.  I could have easily at the salad and been satisfied. (Check the pic below. ) But we can't stop at a salad,  just isn't right.

Let's talk about this meatloaf and mashed potatoes.  The meatloaf was very moist and delicious.  Not everyone can make meatloaf and I was pleasantly surprised with how moist the meatloaf was.  And then you put some smoky mash potatoes on the side. What a combination!!!!! (And they top it off with some scratch-made brown gravy.)

I took some pics of the meal my guy Cuts by Reggie got. He had the Turkey and Dressing with green beans. That plate looked like a prelude to the greatest holiday in the world,  Thanksgiving. (Peep the cranberry sauce on the side.)

After a meal like this, you gotta have dessert right? Yes indeed!!!! I finished my meal with a nice chocolate milkshake.  It was so thick and creamy.  The whipped cream and cherry on top gave it a feel of an old school soda shop. (Check out the Icebox Lemon Cheesecake my guy flexed on.)

And before I end this, I have to give a shout out to our server J.P. He did an excellent job taking care of us and that goes a long way. The customer service makes you want to return.

All in all, this was a great dining experience.  The service, along with the food made sure I would return for another meal. This place gets a 5X Tee for sure. And I will be back sooner than later believe me.

Make sure you like, follow and share with your friends . Thank you as always for your support and would love to hear your feedback.  Remember to take time and enjoy the ones you love. But most importantly,  make sure to treat yourself!!!!!!
















Sunday, October 13, 2019

Review of Oakwood Gourmet BBQ Food Truck

So, this will be my first review of a food truck in the area. If you know me, you know I have love for food trucks.  Food Truck Park was an event that I looked forward to each and every month.  This event brought together some of the best food trucks in the city. It gave you a chance to taste different food genres,  different ethnicities and made you root for the people taking a chance to bring out what made them happy,  providing you with an abundance of food variety.

I woke up this morning with the intent of doing a blog but still hadn't decided on a place. A get a call and get invited to World's Fair Park. I am told there is a BBQ spot that might be one of the best in town. I have been wanted some BBQ and well if I am told it may be one of the best in town, it's only right I check it out.

I get downtown and see that there is an event in progress.  I see of pink is in the area, Breast Cancer Awareness Walk. (A great cause to contribute to. I believe we all have been affected in some way by this disease.) I link up with one of my best friends from high school and we hit the park. There are a few trucks but there was one in particular that he talked about,  Oakwood Gourmet BBQ. He begins to tell me a story of how he found out about the food truck. He is adamant about the brisket and continues to rave about their food.  We finally get to the window and it's time to put this food to the test, Fat Boy Style!!!

The first thing I want to focus on is the menu. These guys had their menu down to what you look to find in a good BBQ spot. Sometimes people can get over zealous when it comes to BBQ and the menu suffers because you are doing too much. Simple menu equals great BBQ!!! (In most situations)
The pricing for the menu was right on point in my opinion.  I don't believe they were gouging your pockets.  I feel they set the price right in the pocket for Knoxville.

Saying that, let's now get down to the nitty gritty!!!  To say a place is one of the best, the bar is being set pretty high. If you are told something is the best and it doesn't meet your expectations, it leaves a bad taste in your mouth and you probably will not come back to that place. Well, that was not the case today!! I tell you this truck is one of the places you will follow and find out where they will be next. (If you want to follow them, they are on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.) You will thank me later!!!

So I got my Fat Boy on today for sure. I got the pulled pork and brisket.  I also got three sides, smoked macaroni and cheese,  loaded potato salad and Texas Style pinto beans. (I am living up to the name, don't judge me!!! Lol) The meat was awesome.  The pulled pork was so tender and moist.  They both were seasoned well and really didn't need any kind of sauce.  (I tried the pork with the sauce and it didn't bring down the quality.) Now this brisket was so good. This brisket was the best I have had hands down in the city. So tender, seasoned to perfection and the smoke ring was just like you see on those cooking shows.(Another hobby of mine. Showing my age.) But really,  it was fork tender and the taste had you wanting more.

I was also impressed with the sides. My favorite of the three I had was the loaded potato salad.  If you love potato salad like I do, this is a twist you will thoroughly enjoy.  The Texas Style pinto beans were a plus. It was a change from the BBQ beans we usually have at bbqs.  The mac and cheese was good. It was somewhat of a letdown because I was looking for a little something different and it seemed like a very simple side dish. (You have the option to add meat and maybe I should have tried it that way.)

This food truck is one of the best in the city. The quality is above par and you will want to come back for more. These guys are bringing a quality that we all want and need when it comes to food. If you get a chance,  check them out and you will see what I am talking about.

This truck gets the first  5X Tee and it is well deserved.  I wish these guys all the best as they move forward and know that I will be back and will be recommending this to all my people.

I hope you enjoy this review.  Please share and feel free to follow, like and share on Facebook and Instagram.  Make sure to show love to all but make sure you take the time to treat yourself!!!!















Sunday, October 6, 2019

Why Do We Love the Limited-time Food Offers

This blog is going to be a little different.  There is no review this time. (I know you guys are hurt. Lol) This blog will be focused on an observation.

Now as you know, if you have a TV or listen to the radio,  the McRib is back at McDonald's. Now some might ask why in the world am I talking about this sandwich? What makes this sandwich more appealing than others? Let's dive in and discuss.

Now, if there is a sandwich or special that only comes around once or twice a year,  why do we crave it so much? It seems to me that if it was really that good then you would want the item on the menu daily.  So let's get some theories on what we think and see if we make changes to our train of thought

Now I always have been a fan of the McDonald's McRib. This sandwich is actually pretty good. It's a sandwich that people all around love but you get it on a limited basis.  The question is why? (This question is rhetorical and we all know why!!)

There is nothing more I love than to see that the McRib is back and really could use one right now. The sauce is amazing and the patty itself is tasty. (Even though I don't know what exactly makes this patty of greatness,  I still get giddy when I hear it's back!!!)

But why do we want it? Why do we feel like we need to have it? What makes it special? Where do we begin?

Well, the first thing we can point to is advertising.  When it comes to the McRib and any other seasonal item, the advertising is always on point.  There is always something that sticks out and catches your attention.  Advertising will always be number one when it comes to food.

The next thing I will talk about is nostalgia.  Some things take us back to a place and time that touches your soul.  It takes back down memory lane and when you take the first bite you are back 10-20 years before that moment in line. (Now this may not be the timeframe for all.)

Lastly,  we are all suckers for a deal or special.  If we feel we are going to indulge in these tasty morsels,  we must get a deal. We have to feel like we are beating the restaurant somehow.

It doesn't matter if it's the McRib or the all you can eat shrimp at Red Lobster,  we all have that one food item that comes out for a limited time.  Everyone wants it more than ever because the item comes along for a short period of time. Your senses are aroused and that item you must get for satisfaction.

Whatever it may be, go get it.  Now this doesn't mean go out and do craziness because of your special connection with this food. (Jail is not where you want to be for a sandwich period!)

Well, that will conclude this week's blog. I hope you enjoy it and continue to follow me and see what will be next. Remember,  enjoy your favorite items in life but make sure to treat yourself!!!

Thursday, October 3, 2019

Review for Slawgers on Kingston Pike












Now all the talk about burgers this week so I had to find a place to have one. I wanted to find a place I hadn't been so yesterday I went to Slawgers.
Now if you are on Facebook,  you may have seen the ads like me. I have seen pictures of food, ads for bands and ads showing them expanding their hours. All of these things sparked my interest so why not give them a try.

Let's start with the people of Slawgers.  The staff was very friendly and seemed genuine with how they took care of me. Starting with the hostesses, who greet you at the door with friendly smiles and make you feel welcome.  I was waited on by the bartender Bri and she made sure that all my needs were met throughout my visit.  One of the big things for me is that the hostesses came by a few times and made sure I was good as well. They also made it a point to feel me in on the activities for the week at the restaurant. (Trivia on Wednesdays and Thursdays, Singo on Fridays and live music on Fridays and Saturdays.  If I got anything wrong charge it to my head not my heart. Lol)

Let's get to the menu.  I was pretty surprised with the options they had in their menu. The vibe is your average bar feel, TVs all around with sports action. (Shout out to the Tampa Bay Rays on their victory last night.) But the menu is well-rounded.  You have great appetizers, I had the cheese sticks.  They have your usually entrees,  burgers, wings, tenders etc. But then step it up with tacos and quesadillas.  The have pizzas, that can be for yourself or feed 2 with a large. There were other choices as well that you don't find in many places, one being white chicken chili. (I will be back for that off top. White chicken chili is a break from the norm and warms you up.)

So since all week I have been flapping my gums about burgers,  I decided to have one last night.  I got the Betty White burger.  It was a double patty burger with white American cheese, lettuce,  pickles, onions and the rest of your standard toppings.  The name itself gets major points.  (All their items have unique names which was a plus for the restaurant.)  It was served your choice of side. I got fries and they met the standard.  The burger was very good. Two patties, that were cooked correctly, juicy as can be. The toppings were just the right amount and didn't take away from the flavor of the burger. (This burger has got me ready to find the best burger in town and was a great start for my journey.)

If you are in West Knoxville,  this spot would be great for lunch or dinner.  Also the variety on the menu gives even the pickiest eater something they will enjoy.  This place gets a 4X Tee and I will for sure be back.
Well, I hope as always you enjoy the blog.  Let me know what you think.  I now have a Facebook and Instagram page.  (Logo on profile and look for Fat Boy Problems) I hope you have a great week,  a greater weekend and you take a little time to treat yourself!!!!!!!!