Knoxville: Downtown Food Tour with Tastings and Guide
Discover the flavors of Knoxville on a guided food tour. Enjoy tastings at local restaurants, learn about the city's history, and explore the neighborhoods of Market S...
What to order at Petro's Chili and Chips Downtown
- Must order
- The original Petro with chili, cheese, sour cream, salsa and Fritos.
- Signature dishes
- Original Petro, Chili-cheese chips
- Editor tip
- The 1982 World's Fair original; Petro's still runs across Knoxville malls but the Market Square counter is the symbolic one.
CuisineAmerican
Price$
Neighborhooddowntown
HoursMon-Sat 11:00-20:00; Sun 12:00-18:00
Phone+1 865 522 0033
Last verified
Signature dishes: Original Petro, Chili-cheese chips
Must order: The original Petro with chili, cheese, sour cream, salsa and Fritos.
Tip: The 1982 World's Fair original; Petro's still runs across Knoxville malls but the Market Square counter is the symbolic one.
Book food experiences in Knoxville
Knoxville: Sunset Dinner Cruise on Tennessee River
Sail through Knoxville's scenic waterways. Relish a three-course meal at your private table while enjoying a breathtaking sunset.
Knoxville: Scenic Lunch Cruise on the Tennessee River
Cruise along Knoxville's riverfront while enjoying a delicious meal. Relax in comfort and take in sights like Neyland Stadium.
Location
Address: 29 Market Square, Knoxville, TN 37902
Also in downtown
Yassin's Falafel House (Marble City Food Hall) ★ 4.7
Yassin's Falafel House at Marble City Food Hall, Yassin Terou's Syrian falafel and shawarma counter named Reader's Digest Nicest Place in America in 2018.
Signature: Falafel sandwich, Hummus plate
Order: A falafel sandwich with hummus and the daily Mediterranean salad sides.
Tip: The downtown location runs from Marble City Food Hall while the original Walnut Street space rebuilds; West Knox and Alcoa branches stay open.
More casual dining in Knoxville
Nick and J's Cafe ★ 4.4
Nick and J's Cafe on Lovell Road in West Knoxville, the hometown diner across from the Pellissippi Parkway exit, runs all-day breakfast and burgers.
Signature: Breakfast platter, Hometown burger
Order: The breakfast platter with bacon and country ham, or the hometown burger at lunch.
Tip: Weekday breakfast runs 07:00-10:30, Saturday until 11:30; expect a line on Saturdays. Closed Sundays.
The Tomato Head ★ 4.5
The Tomato Head on Market Square, Mahasti Vafaie's Persian-American pizza counter since 1990, is downtown Knoxville's longest-running independent restaurant.
Signature: Mahasti pizza, Veggie sandwich
Order: The Mahasti pizza with the sun-dried tomato pesto, or the veggie sandwich at lunch.
Tip: Weekend brunch runs 11:00-15:00; happy hour Sunday to Thursday from 16:00-18:00 for slices.
The Tomato Head Bearden ★ 4.4
The Tomato Head Bearden on Kingston Pike at Gallery Shopping Center, Mahasti Vafaie's West Knoxville arm of the Market Square original, runs the same pizza.
Signature: Mahasti pizza, Veggie sandwich
Order: Same Mahasti pizza pesto build that runs at Market Square.
Tip: Bearden opens 10:00 on Saturdays for brunch; the Kingston Pike location is reliably easier than downtown on weekends.
Stock and Barrel ★ 4.5
Stock and Barrel on Market Square, the bourbon-and-burger counter since 2013, sources beef from Mitchell Family Farms with bread from Flour Head Bakery.
Signature: House burger, Bourbon flight
Order: A house burger with a bourbon flight off the 300-deep American whiskey list.
Tip: Walk-up runs weeknights before 18:00; the bar stays open past kitchen close on weekends.
Yassin's Falafel House (Marble City Food Hall) ★ 4.7
Yassin's Falafel House at Marble City Food Hall, Yassin Terou's Syrian falafel and shawarma counter named Reader's Digest Nicest Place in America in 2018.
Signature: Falafel sandwich, Hummus plate
Order: A falafel sandwich with hummus and the daily Mediterranean salad sides.
Tip: The downtown location runs from Marble City Food Hall while the original Walnut Street space rebuilds; West Knox and Alcoa branches stay open.
Yassin's Falafel House West Knoxville ★ 4.7
Yassin's Falafel House on North Peters Road in West Knoxville, the original Yassin Terou Syrian counter, runs the falafel and shawarma menu that earned.
Signature: Falafel sandwich, Shawarma plate
Order: A falafel sandwich with the chicken shawarma plate and a side of hummus.
Tip: The N Peters Road location runs reliably weeknights; weekend lunches fill the small dining room.