Downtown Grill & Brewery

424 South Gay Street, Knoxville, Tennessee
865-633-8111

	COST: $$$
	SERVICE: ***
	FOOD: ***
	ATMOSPHERE: ****
	BASE: Local
	RATING: ***
	HEALTH INSPECTION RATING: 95 (08/15/2005)
	Official Website: http://www.downtownbrewery.com/

Despite three previous failed Knoxville Breweries on Gay Street in Downtown, the fourth generation brewery known as Downtown Grill & Brewery is still in operation. Based on a most recent visit, lunch crowds are steady and service has dramatically improved. The quality of the food has improved and the products served to customers have also improved. Management here has finally realized that quality is the key ingredient to success.....rather than the alcohol.
The menu has been updated and the brewery should be emphasized more as this restaurant is a great place to hang out after work for drinks and appetizers. After three visits to the restaurant, the caliber of the food appears to be enhanced and the crowds continue to grow. The food tends to grow in quality but every now and then lacks that special touch. The afternoon, evening and weekend crowds are growing at a fast pace which indicates the management is making changes to make this a destination during the week or during a football weekend. During "the lunch crew's" previous visits, we have experienced the same things we experienced with the previous generations. At times, service is just plainly bad. Order an appetizer and it arrives with the meal and that is a problem. The appetizer is no longer needed. Maybe its the staircase that causes the problem, we realize its hard to run up and down the stairs to deliver food. But, all things aside things have improved from a year ago. So management recognizes the necessity to please the customer and it is evident in your service.
On our visits, we ordered a variety of items to include the "Market Square" Burro. The burrito itself was rather palatable but the two side items, refried beans and rice, could have been left off the plate. The rice was not of the Mexican variety, therefore it was a little out of place. The refried beans were a flavorless pile of mush that was apparently removed from a can and heated. The Philly Cheesesteak Sandwich was consistent with what you might make at home. Peppers, onions, store bought bun, cheese and sliced roast beef. The french fries are of the food service variety along with a food service label ketchup. The fish sandwich appeared to be foodservice material too, no originality, greasy and freshly out of the oil vat. In an effort to be fair, no items from the Dinner Menu or Dessert Menu were ordered. It does appear from the menu that higher quality items may be available in the evening at much higher prices.

To better rate this restaurant, we chose to compare it with the Big River Grill & Brewery in Chattanooga. Big River offers original menu items, freshly prepared entrees, generous service, high quality ingredients and a very comfortable atmosphere. Downtown Brewery in Knoxville offers food service (a la Sam's Club) quality food, average service, and a cold atmosphere. Where do you go from here. If there is one single restaurant that needs to survive in Knoxville, it's the Downtown Brewery. The redevlopment of Knoxville's downtown needs strong businesses to lean on and if a major overhaul of this restaurant doesn't occur, it might just be hanging solely on the quality of the brew.

The management of the restaurant seems to have the desire to want to please the customer and displays a message on the menu to "let us know". I truly hope the short falls are quickly corrected. If the Brewery desires to survive, it must offer quick service and superior food.

MENU

**APPETIZERS**
Downtown Nachos The largest Nachos in town! This delicious mountain of chips is topped with refried beans, mixed cheese, lettuce, olives, jalapenos, tomatoes, and sour cream. Customize to your tastes: add Taco Beef 1.00, add Chicken or Steak 2.75, add Guacamole 1.00	7.95
Knoxville Jumbo Wings Our own special recipe chicken wings served with a side of celery and bleu cheese. Available in three flavors, BBQ, Hot or Fire & Brimstone.	7.50
Hot Queso and Chips Our own special recipe combining cheese, pico de gallo and some other secrets. Served with all you can eat chips.	5.95
Tender Chicken Strips A half pound of delicious battered chicken served on a half pound of french fries.	6.95
Chips and Salsa Our homemade made fresh daily salsa served with an endless supply of chips.	2.95
Guacamole Dip Guacamole made fresh daily and served up with our hot and fresh chips.	6.95
Hongos Con Queso Sauteed Mexican veggies and mushrooms with mixed cheeses and served with fresh and warm tortillas. add Chicken, Steak, or Portabella 2.75, add Shrimp 3.95	6.50
Jumbo Tater Skins Cut potatoes layered with cheese and bacon and served with a side of sour cream and pico de gallo. add Taco Beef 1.00. add Chicken or Steak 2.75	6.95
Cheese Sticks Served with our own original recipe marinara.	6.95
Shrimp Cocktail Eight delicious shrimp in a chilled martini glass filled with our spicy cocktail sauce. The glass is garnished with a lemon to add a bit more zest!	8.95
Soft Pretzels with Beer Cheese Two large soft pretzels sprinkled with salt and served with a side of our signature pale beer-cheese for dipping.	5.95
Quesadillas Our 10 inch flour tortillas filled with mixed cheeses, peppers and onions. add Chicken, Steak, or Portabella 2.75, add Shrimp 3.95	6.95
Beer Battered Mushrooms Served with a side of horseradish sauce for dipping.	6.95
Sampler Platter Create your own sampler. Choose four appetizers to create your sampler. Select from Hot Queso and Chips, Tender Chicken Strips, Knoxville Jumbo Wings, Chips and Salsa, Guacamole Dip, Jumbo Tater Skins or Cheese Sticks. You can have a 1/2 quesadilla in place of one of the items for only a dollar more!	8.95

**LIGHTER SIDE**
Dressings: Ranch, Honey Mustard, Bleu Cheese, Thousand Island, Fat-Free Italian, Oil & Vinegar, House Greek Dressing,
French and our own homemade Raspberry Vinaigrette.
Cobb Salad Iceberg lettuce mix with eggs, ham, turkey, olives, tomatoes, mixed cheese, onions and mushrooms. Served with your choice of dressing.	9.95
Grilled Chicken Salad Select Iceberg lettuce or Caesar mix. Iceberg Mix is topped with mixed cheese, diced tomatoes, olives, eggs, and your choice of dressing. Caesar mix is topped with shredded parmesan, diced onions, black olives diced tomatoes and sprinkled with parmesan cheese. Substitute grilled salmon add 3.95	8.95
Black & Blue Salad Iceberg mix or Caesar mix salad topped with sliced mesquite fajita steak, red onions, mushrooms and tossed with chunky bleu cheese.	9.95
Mesquite Grilled Fajita Salad Your choice of steak, chicken, or portabella with our romaine or iceberg lettuce mix and topped with pico de gallo, mixed cheese, sour cream, red onions, Mexican veggies and black olives. Add shrimp for $3.95. Guacamole add $1.00.	10.50
House or Caesar Side Salad Available in house or Caesar style. Add this to your meal 1.99, in place of one side 1.00, or in place of both sides FREE	2.99
Tableside Greek Salad Made tableside by your server. Salad mix with Greek dressing, chives, celery, Kalamata olives, diced red onions, capers, pepperoncinis, feta cheese, and a splash of lemon juice. Add this to a meal 4.99, in place of one side 3.99, in place of both sides 2.99	5.99

**PIZZAS**
Cheese Pizza Our tasty 12 inch crust covered in our chunky marinara sauce and topped with four different cheeses. Additional topping are only $0.25 each. Choose from: mushrooms, pepperoni, sausage, olives, onions and peppers, ham, and more cheese.	6.95
White Pizza Our tasty pizza crust covered in alfredo sauce sprinkled with cheese, Italian seasonings, sliced Roma tomatoes, and a spinach blend. You can also add our grilled marinated chicken breast for an additional charge.	8.95
Barbecue Pizza Our tasty pizza crust covered in our sweet stout barbecue sauce and topped with barbecue chicken, red onion and scallions.	8.95
Pizza Del Centro Our pizza crust topped with salsa, mixed cheeses, black olives, red onions, and red and green peppers. Add taco beef for $1.00 or add chicken, steak, or portabella for $2.75.	8.95

**Burgers and Sandwiches**
All of our burgers are offered with either Angus Beef or vegetarian style.
Burger One half-pound of ground beef cooked to order and served on our corn meal bun topped with lettuce, tomatoes, red onions, pickles, mustard and mayo. Served with a half-pound of potato sticks. Add Cheddar, Monterey, Swiss Cheese, bacon, or any combination thereof for an additional charge.	6.95
Smothered Burger One half-pound of ground beef covered with sauteed mushrooms, Swiss cheese and extra bacon. Served with a half-pound of golden french fries.	7.95
Santa Fe Burger One half-pound of beef covered with barbecue sauce, red onions, cheddar and Monterey jack cheese and jalapenos. Served with a side of guacamole and a half-pound of fries.	7.95
Chicken Parmesan Sandwich Our crispy chicken strips covered in marinara sauce and topped with mozzarella cheese, served on a corn meal bun with a heaping mound of golden french fries.	7.50
Santa Fe Chicken Sandwich Same as our Santa Fe Burger, but served with our golden chicken strips.	7.50
Barbecue Chicken Sandwich Our grilled chicken breast covered in our sweet stout barbecue sauce and topped with red onions, served on a corn meal bun with a side of fries.	6.95
Steak Sandwich Grilled marinated steak covered with fajita peppers and onions and topped with jack cheese served on a baguette with a half-pound of fries on the side.	7.95
Chicken Cordon Bleu Grilled chicken breast topped with sliced ham, jack cheese, and slices of bacon. Served on a corn meal bun with a large portion of fries.	6.95
Portabello Sandwich A large marinated portabello mushroom grilled and topped with tomatoes, lettuce, onions and jack cheese. Served on a corn mean bun.	7.50

**ENTREES**
Fajitas Hot and sizzling marinated steak, chicken, or portabella served atop mixed peppers and onions. Served with sour cream, mixed cheese, lettuce, and pico de gallo. Combination of two add $1.00, Shrimp add $3.00. Guacamole add $1.00.	10.95
"Cathey" Kabobs Marinated sirloin with red peppers, onions, and poblano peppers skewered and grilled on an open flame. Served with rice and vegetables.	12.95
"Market Square" Burro A flour tortilla with taco beef, homemade salsa, refried beans, mixed cheese baked to a golden color. Served with rice and refried beans on the side.	8.99
Shrimp Alambre Shrimp skewered and grilled on an open flame. Served with rice and mixed vegetables.	13.95
Taco Trio Hard or soft shell tacos with your choice of taco beef, fajita chicken, or fajita steak. Served with rice and refried beans on the side.	8.95
Dan's Chicken Pasta Sauteed Alfredo sauce with grilled chicken and mushrooms mixed with penne noodles. Sprinkled with Italian seasonings and lightly baked.	8.95
Mark's Italian Pasta Marinara sauce tossed with penne noodles then topped with pizza toppings and Italian seasoning.	8.95
Dave's Parmesan Pasta Sauteed marinara sauce with mushrooms and fried chicken with penne noodles and topped with mozzarella and Italian seasoning.	8.95
Pasta Alfredo Fettuccine noodles topped with our Alfredo sauce and sauteed to perfection. Add chicken or portabello for $2.75 or shrimp for $3.95.	7.95
Durango Chicken Grilled chicken breast topped with our sweet stout BBQ sauce and then covered with mixed cheese, tomatoes and bacon. Served with vegetables and mashed potatoes.	10.55
Pepper Jack Cajun Chicken Skin-on chicken and topped with our cajun spice mix with pepper-jack cheese. Served with mashed potatoes and vegetables.	10.55
Caper Chicken Grilled chicken with sauteed mushrooms and onions, chopped parsley and capers. Served with rice and veggies.	10.55
Downtown Sirloin Mesquite grilled sirloin topped with mushrooms, onions and cheese.	12.95

**PASTA**
Dan's Chicken Pasta A combination of our alfredo sauce, mushrooms, and grilled chicken tossed with our penne noodles, topped with mozzarella cheese and baked to perfection.	9.50
Dave's Parmesan Pasta A combination of our homemade marinara sauce, diced fried chicken strips, and mushrooms, covered with mozzarella cheese, Italian seasoning and cooked to perfection.	9.50
Mark's Italian Pasta Marinara sauce tossed around penne noodles, Italian sausage, mushrooms, peppers and black olives then we top it with sliced pepperoni, Italian seasoning and cooked to perfection.	9.50
Al's Fredo Pasta Our own special Alfredo sauce tossed with fettuccini noodles. Chicken, portabella or shrimp for just a few dollars more each.	7.95

**GRAND ENTREES**
Captain Sirloin A seasoned 10oz. grilled sirloin stuffed with sauteed shrimp, spinach, mushrooms, bacon, parmesan cheese, and garlic butter. Served with your choice of two sides.	14.95
Downtown Sirloin A mesquite grilled sirloin topped with mushrooms, feta cheese and served with two sides. Mesquite grilled sirloin without the toppings 12.95	13.95
Seasoned Mesquite-Grilled Pork Chops Two seasoned 8oz. chops grilled and served with two sides.	13.95
Mesquite-Grilled Pork Tenderloin Our hand cut pork tenderloin tenderized in our homemade marinade and cooked to your specifications over our open-flame mesquite grill. Served with two sides.	12.95
Mesquite-Grilled Ribeye A tasty 12oz. ribeye seasoned and grilled to perfection. Served with two side items.	14.95
Ahi Tuna A 10 oz. cut of sushi grade tuna, available: blackened, cajun, caribbean, or lemon-pepper. Served with two sides.	MKT
Fish of the Special Day Ask your server for today's selection.	MKT
Sunsphere Scampi Fourteen jumbo shrimp sauteed with our homemade scampi butter. Served with two sides.	14.95
Fresh Atlantic Salmon Our hand cut fresh Atlantic salmon, cooked over our open flame mesquite grill. Available: blackened style, cajun, caribbean, or lemon-pepper style. We serve it up with two of our sides.	MKT

**SIDE ITEMS**
Mashed Potatoes	1.99
Cinnamon Apples	1.99
Refried Beans	1.99
Mushrooms and Onions	1.99
Jumbo Baked Potato	2.99
French Fries	1.99
Seasoned Rice	1.99
Vegetable of the Day	1.99
Bowl of Soup	3.99
Cup of Soup	2.79

**DESSERTS**
Chocolate Kahlua Mousse A light dessert flavored with Chocolate and a hint of Kahlua and topped off with whipped cream.	4.25
Pecan Ball Vanilla bean ice cream rolled in a sweet pecan mix and covered with caramel sauce..	4.25
Cheese Cake Our rich cheese cake topped with your choice of strawberry, raspberry, chocolate or caramel.	4.25
Empenadas A tortilla filled with your choice of banana pecans or apple cinnamon and fried to a rich golden brown. Lightly sprinkled with cinnamon and powdered sugar served with a dip of vanilla bean ice cream.	5.25
Sopapillas A delicate flour dessert fried to a golden brown then drizzled with honey, cinnamon and powdered sugar.	4.25

**KIDS MENU**
All kids meals include a soft beverage.
Burger Served with fries.	4.99
Pizza Cheese pizza with your choice of toppings.	4.99
Pasta Fettuccine noodles with marinara or alfredo sauce.	4.99
Taco One hard shell taco served up with rice and beans.	4.99
Chicken Tenders Three all white meat chicken tenders served on a bed of fries.	4.99

Full Bar Selections Available
Menu and Prices are Subject to Change.

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This page last updated 11/10/2005