Calhoun's on the River
The closest of the all the good restaurants near Thompson-Boling Arena, Calhoun's is a Knoxville, Tennessee legend and a mainstay on the local restaurant scene. The first location opened in 1983 and now there are nine to choosefrom for dinner. The menu consists of what the restaurant itself calls "contemporary interpretations of regional food favorites," including Buffalo wings, fried green tomatoes and southern-fried catfish. Nicknamed "The Taste of Tennessee," Calhoun's is also home to Hickory Smoked Barbecue Ribs, voted the Best in America. Enjoy the beautiful location near the Tennessee River, complete with a dock if you choose to bring your own boat.
400 Neyland Drive
Knoxville, TN 37115-2001
865-673-3355 (local)
Coppercellar.com
Butcher Shop Steakhouse
This is another Knoxville staple that has been open since 1983. Closed Monday and Tuesday, this good restaurant near Thompson-Boling Arena is most famous for its beef. Choose from five different steaks with two sizes each, or sink your teeth into the 14oz or 20oz prime rib. Also, select a variety of salads, appetizers and shrimp. The Butcher Shop Steakhouse is located in Downtown Knoxville, on the site of the 1982 World's Fair, where you can have a startling view of the world-famous Sun Sphere, the 75-foot golden globe that sits atop a 200-foot blue tower and was once home to a restaurant itself. It has become an integral part of the Knoxville, Tennessee skyline.
806 Worlds Fair Park Dr.
Knoxville, TN 37902-1908
865-637-0204 (local)
Butchershopknoxville.com
Steamboat Sandwiches
Steamboat Sandwiches is different from the previous two restaurants listed here, but is, nonetheless, a good restaurant near Thompson-Boling Arena. Using old-fashioned, oversized bread, Steamboat Sandwiches offers a variety of classic and new sandwiches. Choose from classics like Roast Beef, Corned Beef and Smoked Ham or a specialty item like Chipotle Beef, a Reuben or a Turkey Reuben. The dining room is simple: tables and folding chairs and walls plastered with pictures.
2423 North Central Avenue
Knoxville, TN 37917
865-546-3333 (local)
Steamboatsandwiches.com
