Syrian$beardenMon-Sat 11:00-21:00; closed Sun
Yassin's Falafel House on North Peters Road in West Knoxville, the original Yassin Terou Syrian counter, runs the falafel and shawarma menu that earned.
Signature: Falafel sandwich, Shawarma plate
Order: A falafel sandwich with the chicken shawarma plate and a side of hummus.
Tip: The N Peters Road location runs reliably weeknights; weekend lunches fill the small dining room.
American Bbq$beardenMon-Sun 10:30-21:00
Buddy's Bar-B-Q on Kingston Pike, the original flagship since 1972 where Buddy and LaMuriel Smothers opened the chain, anchors Knoxville's East Tennessee.
Signature: Pulled pork plate, Pit-smoked turkey
Order: A pulled-pork plate with two sides and a sweet tea.
Tip: The Kingston Pike flagship is the original; the chain runs a dozen East Tennessee locations now.
Soul Food$fountain-cityTue-Sun 11:00-21:00; closed Mon
Sweet P's BBQ Uptown Corner on Tazewell Pike, Cookie Patton's North Knoxville barbecue and soul food counter, runs the brand's pulled pork and brisket since.
Signature: Pulled pork sandwich, Soul food sides
Order: A pulled pork sandwich with the daily soul-food sides.
Tip: Closed Mondays; weekday lunch is the easiest window before the dinner crowd.
American Bbq$$beardenMon-Thu 11:00-21:00; Fri-Sat 11:00-22:00; Sun 11:00-21:00
Dead End BBQ on Sutherland Avenue in the Pond Gap neighborhood near Bearden, the competition-team-turned-restaurant, runs award-winning smoked brisket.
Signature: Smoked brisket, Pulled pork
Order: A combination plate with brisket and pulled pork and two East Tennessee sides.
Tip: Order from the counter and find a seat; Friday and Saturday dinners run busiest.
Southwestern$$the-stripMon-Thu 11:00-22:00; Fri-Sat 10:00-23:00; Sun 10:00-22:00
Sunspot on Cumberland Avenue, the multicultural Southwestern and Caribbean room on the UT Strip since the 1990s, anchors Knoxville's student-area dining.
Signature: Sweet potato burrito, Sunspot bowl
Order: The sweet potato burrito with black beans, or the Sunspot bowl of the season.
Tip: UT home football Saturdays run packed; weeknights and weekend brunch are reliably easier.
Mexican$$market-squareMon-Thu 11:00-22:00; Fri-Sat 11:00-00:00; Sun 11:00-21:00
Soccer Taco on Market Square, the long-running Mexican counter on the plaza's south end, runs tacos and margaritas with weekend late-night service.
Signature: Carne asada tacos, Margaritas
Order: Carne asada tacos with a classic margarita off the rocks list.
Tip: Late-night kitchen runs to midnight Fridays and Saturdays; Sunday closes earlier at 21:00.