Fred's Around the Corner: Kitchen + Bar — Restaurant in Knoxville

I was in town for a class at UTK and needed to grab something for dinner. The restaurant serves Cajun inspired food with a pretty limited menu, but I was just looking for a quick bite so it seemingly fit the bill, and it mostly did in that regard.

You can only order at the bar, there is no table service. It was pretty busy but they only had one bartender back there. She was a bit overwhelmed and completely forgot to pour my drink after taking my order, since she went to work taking the next order from the people behind me like in a fast food place. I had to ask her for my drink after she cleared the line of customers. Of course you're asked to tip when you pay by card, even if you've not been given your drink, and the amounts start at 20% and go way up from there. You're left wondering why you would pay a 30% tip for such mediocre service.

After you order you find a seat and wait with your number card for your food to arrive. There are individual tables, high long tables, and a sofa or two. Many choices, which is good. There is a TV, which they had oddly tuned to a RuPauls drag race marathon seemingly. I would never bring a child in here with that garbage on the TV. There is also a fridge with take away beers.

The beer selection was pretty extensive with lots of local choices. I had their house lager which was good once I asked for and received it. I also tried the blackened chicken po boy which wasn't really a po boy (I should know better when outside NOLA) but it was good enough. They strangely put the lettuce in the bottom and the chicken and sauce on top so that you got chicken in half the bites and lettuce and bread in the other half.

Anyway, this place met my needs but the service was pretty weak and the atmosphere was stale. I would try something...

Updating this review because the dog owners are out of control. Had to leave twice in as many weeks because the owners will not control their pets. I was then challenged by the bartender when I said something. She explained that dogs were allowed but I should also not have to be subjected the the continuous barking.

Hopefully this will not last forever. I love this place but the last couple of times it was a mad house.

See my previous review below. I am not just complaining because someone hurt my feelings. Was my favorite place in Knoxville but now I don’t want to go there anymore.

Great atmosphere. Owners are present and contribute to the best beer blog.

Also they have all local beer on tap. You can get other stuff in cans, but this is the place if you want to taste and support...

So far so good. Beer selection is great, love the lounge area. Has a large map on the wall that could be helpful to people coming in out of town. They also have popcorn, candied bacon, beef jerky, other snacksband soda/tea. Staff is very friendly and conversational and seem knowledgeable so far.

Trying not to compare this place to the Casual Pint as it is a completely different entity. But this place has a much more "corporate" feel to it. Will update as I continue to come. Another thing worth mentioning is that they don't have as many beers they sell to-go as the Pint did but still a good selection. The beers to-go are also 2-4...