East Tennessee - Local Dining Update…

Time to take a break from our late May/early June exploration of parts if the Mid-West that we coupled with visits with family and friends…

We haven’t visited any new restaurants lately here in East Tennessee.  However, we have returned to a couple places where we’d eaten before and I thought that I’d provide short updates about our experiences... 

This is Cielito Lindo in Vonore Tennessee.  It had been quite a while since we’d last dined at this Mexican restaurant.  Out initial experience was OK but certainly nothing to brag about.  On this occasion, our mixed couples golfing group had chosen Cielito Lindo for our post-golf dining destination.

This restaurant is large and the staff had no problem efficiently serving our crowd of about 2 dozen golfers…

Laurie ordered the Super Quesadilla…a flour tortilla grilled and stuffed with fajita steak, peppers and cheese, then served with Mexican rice, sour cream, guacamole, lettuce and tomatoes.  It was very good indeed!

My entrée was very simple and straightforward.  I had 2 seasoned and grilled Tilapia filets that were accompanied by 7 grilled shrimp, rice and broccoli with a cheese sauce.  It was excellent!  The spices and seasonings used were perfect, enhancing the flavor of the seafood.  Those eating with us wished that they’d ordered the same meal…

Cielito Lindo Mexican Grill is located at 1265 US Highway 411 in Vonore Tennessee.  Phone: 423-884-2885.  This restaurant doesn’t seem to have a website.  Trip Advisor showed 24 positive reviews vs. 1 negative review at the time I wrote this posting...

Another evening, another restaurant!  This time we had a coupon, (50% off the 2^nd entrée), for Aubrey’s Restaurant and we chose the location in Lenoir City Tennessee.

I ordered the Peanut Crusted Catfish…flash-fried catfish filets with lemon caper sauce.  For my side dish I ordered the baked yellow squash.  The catfish was very nice and the lemon-caper sauce was a perfect accompaniment.  The yellow squash was a little dry and it could have been warmer when served.  Nevertheless, it had a nice flavor and it went well with the fish.

Laurie ordered the seasoned and broiled Tilapia Filet over a bed of rice.  As you can see, she chose the sautéed mushrooms as her side dish.  She really liked her meal!  The fish was excellent…

We both started our meals with a Caesar Salad.  The salads popped with the requisite anchovy flavor…something that many restaurants almost ignore with their versions.  There was a lot of salad dressing on our salads…fine with us…but more than would be normally expected by most diners.

Aubrey’s in Lenoir City Tennessee is located at 401 Town Creek Road East.  Phone: 865-986-3113.  Website: http://aubreysrestaurants.com/lenoircity/.  Trip Advisor showed 63 positive reviews vs. 5 negative reviews for Aubrey’s at the time I wrote this posting…

Well…you can’t eat out all the time.  It’s really hard to beat a good home-cooked meal!  Laurie prepared this pan of goodness for me for Father’s Day.  I love a good pot roast with potatoes and carrots baked with the roast in the pan.  Smash and butter the potatoes then add beef gravy.  Love the carrots just like they are!  Happy Father’s Day to me!!

Just click on any of the photos to enlarge them…

Thanks for stopping by to check out all of the food!

Take Care, Big Daddy Dave