We can't claim Dolly?! 15 Knoxville hot takes to make you sweat like a steamed sandwich
Calling the Sunsphere ugly is harsh, but it's a cold take − one that many people share. Calling the giant downtown basketball Knoxville's superior sphere? Now, that'll make you sweat.
Everyone has a hot take about Knoxville, and we compiled the hottest of hot lists after debating in the Knox News newsroom and scouring social media for opinions that might not be so popular with the majority of Knoxvillians.
We're Knoxvillians, too, and we want everyone to get along. But we also want people to really think hard about whether we should be claiming Dolly Parton (sacrilege, we know).
If you stick with the story all the way through, we just might be able to change your mind about our local food scene, the University of Tennessee at Knoxville campus, traffic, parking and more.
Ready? OK, let's get toasty.
CLICK THROUGH THE GALLERY OF PHOTOS FOR OUR HOT TAKES, OR CONTINUE READING BELOW.
Dear Knoxville: We need to stop claiming Dolly Parton as our own
She’s the “songbird” of the Smoky Mountains. But if we can’t claim the national park as our own, why do we keep treating Dolly like she’s a Knoxville celebrity?
I know the answer: She’s an icon. Everyone gravitates to her. And with our proximity to Sevierville, it makes sense to latch on. But when it comes to people who put Knoxville on the map, Pat Summitt is our No. 1 legend (even though she's from Clarksville) and there’s really no debate about it.
We still love you though, Queen of Country.
Women's Basketball Hall of Fame ball is better than the Sunsphere
We get it. The 1982 World’s Fair was, like, a big deal for Knoxville. You know what’s an even bigger deal? UT's illustrious history as a women’s basketball powerhouse.
You don’t have to scratch your head and wonder like you do with the Sunsphere whether it’s a golden disco ball, a golf ball on a tee or something more … well, let your imagination run wild. The basketball is a basketball, and we should be proud of it!
That 'K' in 'Knoxville'? Totally unnecessary!
This was found on the Knoxville Reddit page, and it’s a good point. Maybe it’s more of a gripe with the English language and its endless set of rules, but ‘Noxville’ would be just fine. (And, yes, we know who Henry Knox is, but he didn't really need the "K," either.)
Maybe keep the “K” in UTK, though. Lord knows we wouldn’t want to get confused with those burnt-orange bums down in Austin.
Knoxville is not a true college town like some rival SEC cities
You can’t go anywhere without seeing an aggressively orange Power T. But that doesn’t make Knoxville a college town; it’s a town with a college in it.
The UT campus feels so separate from the rest of the city that it might as well be its own municipality. In some ways, it is.
Calhoun's restaurant gets too much hate in Knoxville
If this take causes some pain in your pork belly, just wait until we start hyping up all the national chains in Knoxville. Calhoun’s is a fixture, and when it comes to dining atmospheres, it’s hard to top a covered deck on the downtown side of the Tennessee River.
The riverside restaurant also is a hub for Vols fans to gather on game days, and it’s a key part of a beloved Knoxville tradition: The Vol Navy. Be sure to say hello to the geese, which totally belong to owner Mike Chase and not the city (if you know, you know).
PB&J Mixtape Sour by Xul Beer Co. is overrated, but hear us out ...
We’d be lying if we said this beer isn’t incredibly tasty. But even the co-owner of Xul Beer Company admits the PB&J Mixtape sour that has captivated Knoxville isn’t the brewery’s best beer. It’s sweet and tastes freakishly similar to Uncrustables but, for some, that could get old before reaching the bottom of the glass.
Don’t hesitate to try the brewery’s other beers, including those infused with flavors that may remind you of blackberry cobbler, limoncello or fruit punch.
Kilwins Knoxville is better than Cruze Farm ice cream
This all comes down to preference. Are you a fan of scooped or soft-serve? You can enjoy the latter at Cruze Farm, but both businesses are best at what they do downtown.
So, there’s no real loser here unless you don’t like ice cream. Then, the loser is you.
Knoxville traffic is not that bad (key word: KNOXVILLE)
First of all, we’ll concede traffic past city lines can be infuriating. But in and around the urban core, what’s the issue?
Cars move quickly and, even if traffic is at a standstill, it typically doesn’t take more than 15-20 minutes to get through it. In the grand scheme of things, what more could you ask for? Have you been to Nashville lately?
Downtown Knoxville has plenty of parking, including many free spots
Surface lots, parallel meters, parking garages, temporary flasher parking – there’s more than enough parking to go around. You might have to park farther away than you want, but why not get those steps in?
We’ve even done the downtown parking research for you at Knox News, and you simply can’t beat free parking on nights and weekends … as long as it stays.
Knoxville has a signature food, and it's the steamed sandwich
Nashville has hot chicken, Memphis has barbecue and Knoxville has … what? We’re making a case for steamed sandwiches, like those you can get at Nixon’s Deli.
Don’t let the wet bread fool you. Steamed sandwiches are different, versatile and divisive – all things that make for a solid signature dish. And if you’re not down with that, how about a Petro’s Chili & Chips bowl? Knoxville’s food scene deserves more credit than it gets.
Downtown Knoxville doesn't have the most amazing food scene
Before you get too upset, let’s make one thing perfectly clear: Knoxville has great food. There are tons of spots with pristine plates and unparalleled atmospheres, but maybe downtown is too fancy?
There’s just not that much variety, and grab-and-go options are lacking in the city’s core – the place where people are more on-the-move than anywhere else. We’d really love to see more fast-casual places where you can grab a burrito and be on your way. If only there was a proven business model to pull that off …
More restaurant chains in Knoxville, please. We love them, and you should too
Have you heard of our friend, Chipotle? Everyone seems to love it. It’s not crazy to want one in downtown Knoxville. Fast-casual can be hard to pull off in a downtown area, with low prices and high rent, but successful chains have resources.
Plus, we love our chains in Knoxville, even if we don’t love to admit it. Knoxville is often a test market for chains to explore new concepts, whether that’s adding ANOTHER patty onto their burgers or bringing more crunch to your lunch.
World's Fair Park is both overrated, underused in downtown Knoxville
You mean the World’s Fair field? There’s not very much going on there throughout the year, minus a handful of festivals.
OK, there’s a splash pad, but that’ll just leave you with wet socks the rest of the day.
Bless our hearts: Knoxvillians aren't THAT polite. Again, hear us out ...
We’re not saying Knoxvillians are terrible. In fact, we like to think we’re quite friendly. But are we any politer than anyone else? It’s not a Knoxville thing, it’s a Southern thing.
Also, let’s be real: This isn’t your grandparents' Knoxville anymore. People are moving here from all over, bringing with them culture and perspective, and that’s a good thing.
Knoxville grocery stores are everywhere. We don't need one downtown
We hear this frustration all the time from downtown dwellers: I can’t walk to a grocery store. But for those of us who live beyond downtown, guess what? Neither can we.
If a grocery store could be successful downtown, one would open there. But grocery stores have a complex formula that accounts for important things we don’t always think about. Like, are there even enough people in walking distance to support it? In the meantime, let’s just be grateful for Red Panda Grocery, The Market and Ian’s Market on Gay Street.
Silas Sloan is a growth and development reporter. Email silas.sloan@knoxnews.com. X, formerly known as Twitter @silasloan. Instagram@knox.growth.
Ryan Wilusz is a downtown growth and development reporter. Phone 865-317-5138. Email ryan.wilusz@knoxnews.com. Instagram @knoxscruff.
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This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Knoxville hot takes could make you rethink Dolly Parton, the Sunsphere
