City Market, Elizabethton, TN

One of those HGTV makeover shows should do a story about City Market in Elizabethton. When I was a kid growing up in this town, the City market was a tiny little convenience market that had once been a regular grocery market back during the 1st half of the 20th century. They still carried some local produce but the needs of the community had made the store obsolete due to its size and location. Back in the mid 1990's a friend of mine who I had grown up with bought it and changed it completely. Jennifer had gone to school at the culinary academy in Charleston, SC and came back to Elizabethton after graduation to cook. Rather than work for someone else, she decided to open her own place and the City market was reborn. Now they are packed for both breakfast and lunch all week long. They still have some local produce but that is mainly for tradition. What they are known for is some of the best local food in the area. Breakfast is a standard Southern fare of eggs, biscuits, omelets, and the like. anything you order will be made right and done fresh without breaking your wallet. Lunch will blow you away, however. The chicken salad there is something that most people find themselves craving about 2 hours before they start serving lunch. It can come as a sandwich, in a bowl, on a salad, or on top of some great local seasonal fruit. Don't think that this is a dainty meal because the fruit plate will leave you as full as the buffet at a family reunion dinner. The burgers are massive and I still grin when I think of the 1st reaction that a friend of mine had when he saw the double cheeseburger that was brought to the table. He was .......impressed. They also have different types of sandwiches, salads, and other items and all are made fresh. They also do a lot of catering for local groups and businesses. Their is usually a line stretching out the door at lunch time with people waiting to be seated or just picking up a large takeout for their office. Those with any experience call ahead so it will be waiting for them. Its not fancy or expensive but it is one of the best places to feel at home while having a very good meal, either on the go or with friends.

The River's Edge, Jonesborough / Erwin

I LIKE BARBECUE! That had to be said before I continue because I am willing to go for barbecue almost any time and anywhere. The River's Edge is a fantastic place for anyone who likes hardwood smoke with their meal. It is listed as being in Jonesborough but is actually just a few minutes West of Erwin at exit 37 from I-26. It is a part of Cherokee Whitewater Expeditions and is situated beside the Nolachucky River. The restaurant is built as a wonderful log cabin with a porch overlooking the river and the spot where many climbers go in Erwin called "The Devil's Looking Glass". The restaurant features barbecue, pizza, and wings but they also have items like catfish and burgers and a complete kid's menu. They make their own sauce and use a hot smoker for most of their barbecue. As much as I like ribs, I absolutely love their wings which are NOT those dreadful breaded things and are hot smoked rather than deep fried. Those with a house salad which features mixed greens rather than just iceberg lettuce makes for a fine meal. They can be ordered as hot, medium, mild, barbecue, or honey coated. They also feature stone oven baked pizzas with some of the best toppings I have ever tried with regular crusts or crusts blended with Italian herbs. Along with fresh mexican cornbread, hushpuppies, cole slaw, baked beans, and potatoes they can accommodate most any palate that comes through the door. They also feature a daily soup that is complimentary for anyone who comes in to eat. The last time I was there it was a turkey vegetable soup. The turkey (which was plentiful) had been smoked before adding to the soup stock and it had a spicy sweetness from the corn and carrots in it. Many of the people that were with me were very surprised when they tried the soup and one referred to it as "Recovery food for those people coming off the river tours" because it gave back to the body what it had lost while riding the rapids. I love seeing those good OMG looks as a first slurp is taken. It is a great location for the family, friends, or dates and is nestled right into the heart of the forest around the Nolachucky river. They are open from Wednesday to Sunday and feature an all-you-can-eat buffet on Sundays from 11:00 - 2:00. Be sure to wear lose clothing when you come or you might pop a button or two before you leave and it will take awhile to get the smokey smell out of your fingers.