VEGA Cafe & Smokehaus — Restaurant in Norris

This is an extended review, but per our picky 8 year old, “this is my favorite restaurant ever!” If you don’t feel like reading this, scroll to the bottom for a quick summary.

We walked in with 8 people (2 families, 4 adults, 4 kids). We weren’t exactly the quietest bunch of people……..and still, the service was amazing. The food was perfect.

We were tired, had been playing disc golf all day, and decided to give it a whirl.

We walked in and we’re pleasantly surprised that this haus had a very cool niche feel to it. We walked in expecting a middle of the road at best experience, but we got the best of the best handed to us in authentic, jovial service and product.

We came in 45 minutes before closing and they treated us like their bestest ever, most favoritist customers. (I’m being dramatic here, but it rocked, ya know? Tired hungry parents with kids at deeper levels of exhaustion.)

We essentially ordered a bunch of entrees and sides, and went at it.

To start, regarding their smoke: I’m a very huge fan of smoke, and rate theirs as a mild smoke. I could have stood for it to be about twice as intense, but that doesn’t necessarily appeal to the masses.

The wings were the best we’ve ever had (pepper jelly). I’ve consumed many, many chicken wings in my life. These hit home.

The ribs were excellent, with the bone literally falling out of the meat.

The baked beans were unique and had soul, with fantastic textures. They had slivers of caramel used onions and rendered bacon all through them. So tasty.

The wives got the Smoked Chicken club sandwiches, and they loved them. Per my wife, “It was so good, it was so tasty, I could eat another one right now.” She went on about their balanced combination of ingredients and fullness of the flavors.

The pimento mac and cheese was visually basic, which had me internally grumbling/thinking, “great, another Mac and cheese…wheeee”. So, I was very wrong. The flavor profiles were so welcome and comforting. The noodles were a perfect al dente, with a good bite. Spice rating was a 2/10 max, which lended itself to being somewhat of a back and forth dish across the meal, adding pizazz to the other experiences.

Bottom line, to:dr. Tip these people well. They’re generous in their labor and skilled in their craft. The service was lightning fast. Don’t scrimp, bless their hard work. The food is all American, but not boring burger joint. Modern Soul, with weekly variety.

Show them that people, service and product of this level are valued in this world of diminishing greatness and cannot be lost.

Last thing: the prices are very, very fair for...

Vega is situated 5 minutes off the interstate in the heart of historic, idyllic Norris, TN, in the center of town, in a small building across from the post office, next to the police station. Vega is unassuming, the tables are limited, the tableware is plain, and the food is ordered at a counter before you sit down and the menu is printed on heavy card stock but complemented with daily special on a chalk board

It would be easy to judge Vega on these superficialities, but that would be a mistake.

Everything offered at Vega reads first as familiar, but it delivers a subtle 'more', and that 'more' makes all the difference between being pleased and being pleasingly surprised.

Like all best-in-class restaurants, Vega does not rely on the pretentious, it delivers in quality. Its differentiation is subtle, but significant. John's kitchen delivers predictably good food, its 'smoke' is light-handed, its specials are always the way to go.

If you are travelling north or south on I-75, take exit 122 and head past the Museum of Appalachia and turn left into our small town and grab a bite at Vega. I bet you will make Exit 122 a waypoint on all your future trips...

It's been awhile since a place has impressed me so much, I'm at a loss of words

Just a huge thank you to the staff for creating an amazing evening for us that we will remember. We are from out of town and visiting family. My sis in law suggested the place. We left laughing, happy and talks of, next time... That's always a plus and what every restaurant strives for..

The appetizers. Cracklin, wings and fried zucchini... Being from Buffalo, I did not expect the wings to blow us away but I know I'm gonna spend the summer trying to recreate the wings on my smoker. The cracklin... I'm a convert. Ribs, fried chicken... Dill brisket burgers? All fantastic Everything is fresh, made in house. Then there are the hot sauces... Lol. Challenging the table and no doubt entertaining the staff!! But in the end it's their pride in what they do that's impressive and why people will keep going back. It's not something you see that much any more and I for one can't wait to come back to Tennessee to...