Wings Anyone? A Return to the Past...

As I've previously mentioned, we've been developing a list of restaurants/dining options in and around the Knoxville Tennessee metropolitan area.  The list consists of restaurants that are new to us or ones that we haven't revisited in a number of years.  Both of us are continuing to add to our 'dining destinations to do' goals.

In this instance, I chose a chain restaurant that we hadn't eaten at in about 12 years.  During our last visit, in that instance at the Knoxville location, the restaurant was tired and lacked much of interest on the menu.  This chain of restaurants is celebrating its 41st anniversary this year and I had visited its first location in Clearwater Florida back in the mid-1980s. 

This is the Hooters restaurant and sports bar in Alcoa Tennessee.  It is closer to our home in drive time than is the Knoxville location.  I always loved Hooters' chicken wings and the burgers were OK...but the menu lacked much variety.  Back in the day, the key attraction was the Hooters 'girls' in their skimpy outfits plus the wings and the beer.  

I did note that the menu was more diversified than we remembered and that was a plus.  So Laurie and I decided to give Hooters another try... 

The decor is still pretty bright and shiny with lots of orange evident...a good color for a sports bar/restaurant in the University of Tennessee Volunteers' territory!  

The photos above provide proof that Hooters is a sports bar...lots of televisions everywhere.  It was early afternoon on a Saturday so the restaurant was only moderately busy.  There was a good mix of customers on hand...a few younger guys, some older guys, couples, 2 or 3 families, etc.  Back in the early days Hooters was populated mostly by guys, groups of guys and guys who dragged their girlfriends to the venue to 'enjoy the chicken wings'.  

This was our server... Her name is Alexis.  She was friendly, helpful and efficient and she had a great smile.  By today's standards her outfit is modest...a big change from the costumes or outfits worn by Hooters servers back in the 1980s and early 1990s.  

Now onto the food and the expanded menu...

With Laurie's appetite being significantly impacted by her current prescription medications, she orders modestly and often can't even finish small meals or appetizers ordered as meals.  She went 'wild' and ordered a large Pineapple Margarita ($12.00) and then backed it up with a Fried Chicken Caesar Salad. ($12.99) She really enjoyed the adult beverage and was quite happy with her salad too.  Note: This salad can be ordered with either fried or grilled chicken.

After perusing the menu, I decided that I wanted some variety.  Also I wanted Laurie to try something other than her salad... Consequently I ordered the Buffalo Platter. ($19.99) This sampler platter would serve as an appetizer for a party of four.  It included 6 original buffalo style wings, 6 boneless 'wings' and 6 of the original style Hooters wings.  The 'boneless wings' and the original style wings were tossed with my choice of sauce.  With 15 varieties of sauce to chose from, I went for the Buffalo Hot Honey and the General Tso's.  I wasn't adventurous enough to try the "Ghost Pepper Sauce".  I loved all of it...but Laurie wasn't crazy about the Buffalo shrimp she tried.

Back to the menu.  In addition to a plethora of appetizers/sharables, wings come in the original breaded style, smoked, roasted, naked and something called "Daytona" style.  Burgers are still on the menu as well as a number of sandwich options including a Philly Cheesesteak.  There are fried pickles, cheese curds and chili.  A number of different tacos are offered including shrimp, fried cod and of course, chicken.  The menu even included snow crab legs.

This Hooters location is at 1099 Hunter Crossing Drive in Alcoa Tennessee.  To learn more about the menu, just go to https://order.hooters.com/menu/alcoa.  We will return!

Just click on any of the photos to enlarge them...

Thanks for stopping by for a visit!

Take Care, Big Daddy Dave