Just about any chance we have, Laurie and
I will go and check out new dining options in the greater Knoxville area. When a new chain opened recently, we decided
to give it a try…
This is the Carolina Ale House in
Knoxville Tennessee. This small regional
chain is based in Raleigh North Carolina and it has locations in 6 states. They can be found in North Carolina, South
Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Tennessee and Texas.
Here are a couple of interior photos of
the restaurant. This is a family orientated sports bar/restaurant. Television screens are everywhere!
As per the Carolina Ale House website,
their “menu goes beyond the typical sports bar fare to satisfy all cravings and
our wide selection of ales is recognized as one of the best in the market. From open to close, multiple games are aired
simultaneously on two large screens and 46 other TV’s at every Carolina Ale
House location. The restaurants’ game area has activities for all ages,
including pool tables, video games, pinball machines and foosball tables.”
Laurie started out with a crock of French
Onion Soup. ($4.99) On the menu it is described as “Slow-cooked caramelized
onions in a flavorful broth. Topped with house made garlic croutons and melted Swiss
cheese. She thought that it was just OK…nothing
special.
The menu has something for just about
everyone. There are wings, chicken ‘tenders’,
9 appetizers, several sandwiches and wraps, chili, 7 different salads, pizzas,
tacos, 10 entrees, 7 burgers and 3 desserts.
I ordered the Caribbean Fish Tacos.
($8.59) I had a choice of grilled or hand-battered Atlantic cod with spicy
mayo, coleslaw, plus pico de gallo and mango salsa in soft flour tortillas. They
are normally served with seasoned rice but I opted for a side of coleslaw. The coleslaw was OK but the fish tacos were a
big (or little) disappointment. There
was very little fish involved and if it wasn’t for the salsa, the tacos would
have been flavorless…
Laurie ordered the Carolina Dipper.
($8.99) As per the menu, this sandwich incorporates tender smoked beef brisket
on a toasted hoagie roll with caramelized onions and melted pepper jack cheese.
As you can see, it came with au jus and
a side of French fries. The sandwich was
just OK and the fries were below average…
The restaurant was bright and cheerful,
service was satisfactory and the price was right…for standard food ‘fuel’. I would have gladly paid a dollar or so more
to have enough fish on my tacos that I could actually taste it… Nevertheless,
it probably isn’t fair to shoot down a restaurant after one brief visit and limited
exposure to the menu. The problem is…there
wasn’t much to encourage us to return for a second try…
Carolina Ale House is located at 9045
Kingston Pike (US Hwy. 11) in Knoxville Tennessee. Phone: 865-690-7800. The Website can be found at: http://www.carolinaalehouse.com/restaurant/loc/knoxville/state/tn.
Just click on any of the photos to
enlarge them…
Thanks for dropping by for lunch!
Take Care, Big Daddy Dave
Looks like a nice place and their prices were very reasonable. Too bad that the food was disappointing. We very rarely eat at chain restaurants for that very reason. There are a few exceptions, but they are few & far between.
ReplyDeleteHappy St. Paddy's Day to you and Laurie.
Sam
Always feel hungry with food you sharing with us David ! and still I dont make the dinner so Im hungry again!
ReplyDeleteTell Laurie I love french onion soup too!!
xo
Warm greetings from Montreal, Canada. This place looks friendly and laid back, and the onion soup looks delicious! :)
ReplyDeleteLooking so lovely restaurant. I never tried French onion soup in my life, but it seems yummy. I just love the flavour of onion and garlic in my every dish. I am going to order Tacos and onion soup on my next visit to Boston restaurants.
ReplyDeleteIt is too bad that your food was so disappointing there because your pictures make it look delicious! Fish tacos are one of my favorite things, but your portion does look like it is severely lacking in the fish department. Hopefully they have stepped up and their food is a little better now!
ReplyDelete