Villa Pizza & Pasta in Village Green Mall
A couple weeks ago I was invited to Good Samaritan’s to “tell stories” to some of the residents. Tracey Velong, Activities Director, asked me to come “do what I do,” which is tell stories about the early settlers of Tennessee. After my gig ended I met John White for lunch at Villa Pizza & Pasta in the Village Green Mall.
I had heard good things about Villa Pizza from some of my golf buddies but had not eaten there in at least 10 years, maybe more. It is still operated by Clem Mathis who used to own the Huddle House on 127-North. Well, old Clem has got himself a hit on his hands, at least for his pizza, which was near perfect. I don’t eat pizza much, but will be going back to Clem’s. Eat in or carry it out — he’s got some great pizza, better than most of the big name guys.
His “Take & Bake” option is very popular. You just order the size (10-12 or 14″) choose your toppings and they prepare it on a pan and wrap it for you to take home and bake. After your oven heats to 425 degrees, it just takes about 10 minutes, and you have hot, delicious pizza at home.
He is open from 11 a.m. – 8 p.m. seven days a week, but closed for major holidays. Go by and see them. Oh, about forgot. They also have Gluten-free crusts.
Giving Ryans their due
Recently, a church group invited me and the family to meet at Ryans for lunch after church. I have not eaten at Ryans in a couple years, but because of the meeting, I went. While it is still not one of my favorites, the food was pretty good, especially their fried chicken. I am not a fan of “all you can eat,” though I used to be 10 or 15 years ago. But I must say their food was pretty good.
State Park a great option
After all these years, some things never change. The State Park Restaurant at Cumberland State Park serves good, country food. Or, I should say, you serve yourself. They have a wonderful salad bar and regardless of which day you go on, the food is delicious. I went on a Friday and enjoyed their fish, hushpuppies and white beans. Beware if you try to go for Sunday lunch, the crowds are huge. If you are opposed to standing in line, don’t go.
Hibachi Grille tops
I took the family out to lunch after church last week to Hibachi Grille and we had a great meal. They have the same traditional Chinese entrees you find at other restaurants, but they also have several that you don’t often find. Number one in my book is Frog Legs. A lot of people expect to find Crab Legs on Chinese Buffets these days, but for me, make mine “frog.”
They also have a very tasty twice-baked potato, baked Salmon, sliced ham, Mussels, peel-n-eat shrimp, fried shrimp, pot stickers, and an expanded fruit and dessert bar. And you would never expect it, but they have Yeast Rolls that rank right up there with O’Charleys.
Breakfast done right
On on recent Saturday morning, I had to have my daughter Laura to Stone Elementary by 4:50 a.m. for an early morning trip to a wrestling competition in Knoxville. After delivering her, I headed over to Waffle House where I was greeted by two dozen deer hunters. I had the famous, fluffy Ham & Cheese Omelet, coffee and some hash browns “smothered and scattered.” Then I went in early and worked until the TN-KY kickoff. You just can’t beat it!
Smoke gets in your eyes
The fact that I am in the business of marketing and consider myself an expert when it comes to promotions, makes this story even more interesting.
John Teeple (aka Big John) has found a pretty impressive way to advertise his barbecue business. Its called “smoke” and if you drive out Highway 70-East, out toward the bowling alley, you will know exactly what I am speaking of. The smoke from his outdoor barbecue cooker just reaches out and “touches you.”
He has remodeled the old Nail’s Dairy Mart and has it open for his “Big John’s BBQ.” My favorite is a pulled pork sandwich with mayonnaise slaw. Its a winner!
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The Pickle Story
You just never know when someone is going to come up to you and offer you a pickle. That is exactly what happened a couple weeks ago when Oscar Elmore gave me a quart jar with one pickle in it. “These are made by my cousin Jan, who lives in Oklahoma,” Oscar said. “Her daddy was Eugene Elmore,” my first cousin. Her grandfather was an original homesteader.
Oscar knows I write about food, and he knows I love pickles. Well, to cut to the chase, these pickles are great so I decided to try to order some. There was no trouble there, I went online and this is her story.
She started out selling a few jars at a craft fair. So, encouraged selling out her first batch, she made more pickles and they sold out again. She decided she was on to something, so she started making pickles in an old school cafeteria in Dacoma, Oklahoma. The orders came in so fast, they had to hire people to help fill them. Today, the pickless are made and packed in Oklahoma City and you don’t have to go to a craft show to try them.
You can order them online at https://www.janspickles.com. She makes four kinds: Spicy, Sweet Garlic Dill, Imy’s Sweet Garlic Dills, Jan’s Spicy Garlic Dills and Jan’s Garlic Dills. All varieties are $28 quart.
