I tried Aubrey's in Oak Ridge back in '22, and I have to admit I was not impressed. The food was…read moreacceptable and the service was good, but I did not care for the beverage options. As a diabetic, I avoid sugary soda, etc so I asked what my options were and was told it was Diet Coke. I find Diet Coca Cola to be vile, even among diet sodas, so that was a no go. Many local restaurants have begun offering Coke Zero, a much more palatable alternative, but not them. I settled for iced tea. The tea was not great, as is often the case, so I told them I'd likely come more frequently if they improved their beverages. All that being said, I recently tried again and found that they do now carry Coke Zero. And the meal was excellent (maybe because I wasn't disappointed in the soda, maybe it just improved). Regardless, of why, I can now say it was an excellent experience, either way the dinner rolls being a standout in my memory. I shall not wait three and a half years to return.

Aubrey's is almost always packed, which makes it seem like a standout spot in our small town. After…read morevisiting a few times, though, I've found it to be... pretty average. They do offer outdoor seating, which is nice, although I'm not sure yet if it's dog-friendly--something I'll have to check out next time. We usually sit at the bar, and one thing I've learned is that you need to be very specific with your drink order if you have preferences. For example, if you order a dirty martini without clarification, be prepared for a glass that tastes almost entirely like olive brine. Asking for "light" on the olive juice is a must. Even a standard vodka martini doesn't automatically come with a lemon twist, which feels like a small but noticeable miss. Service has consistently been solid--friendly and attentive, about what you'd expect. The food, however, has been hit or miss. I tried the FGTs twice, hoping the first experience was just an off night, but they still weren't memorable enough to order again. The steak tips appetizer has been the one standout for us--really flavorful--but if you're planning on ordering a steak entrée, doubling up on steak feels a bit redundant. The salads that come with the meals are reliably good, and the steaks themselves are decent, especially with the loaded baked potato on the side. That said, I ordered a fish dish on one visit that was forgettable enough that I can't even recall exactly what it was--just that I wouldn't order it again. Overall, Aubrey's is perfectly fine, but it hasn't wowed me. At this price point, I think there are better options around town. We might stop back in from time to time if we're in the mood for something different.

Everything was super. I started with a yummy cocktail--Lazy Daze. It was lemony with mulled mint…read moreand rosemary, very tasty. We had bread w/olive oil while we perused the menu. The focaccia is heavenly! Our selections were the pork chop with peachy grits(!) and the house made seasonal pasta, which had lots of amazing mushrooms. I added bbq tofu for protein. No regrets. Everything was marvelous. I needed a container for about 1/3 of the pasta. We thought we were too full to continue but Skyler pointed out the dessert is free on your birthday, so...we forced ourselves to try it. We had the Pôt de Crème. And it, too, was marvelous. Our server, Skyler was there when we needed her, very attentive but not overbearing. All in all, a completely delightful experience.

Pasta with no meat was $27, covered in olives. I struggled to leave a negative review because the…read morewaitress was great. Everything else was terrible, except the potato fritters but the price point over-road the flavor. Warm water, if you want bread that will be another $8. The owner did take off the pasta but the pasta needs to come with a warning if you hate olives avoid with your life!! I ask for the olives to be removed and not placed but they pre make the pasta so that is not an option. My husband's dish was equally disappointing, we left starving and spent twice as much as we would have at Season's in Knoxville. Later that night we both had horrible stomach issues. Again the waitress was fantastic but on a Friday evening and there was only 5 other tables should have been the warning sign.

After a few visits, I figured it's time to finally write a review for Buffalo Mountain Grill…read more BMG is an unassuming spot--definitely not trying to impress you with its looks. When you walk in, there's no host stand or friendly greeter, just a sign that says, "Seat yourself and let us know you're here." The layout feels a bit patched together, like a restaurant built from spare parts. It's dimly lit, and the interior design doesn't seem like a top priority--so I wouldn't recommend it for a first date or an attempt to impress someone. It has strong dive bar energy, just in restaurant form. There is a small outdoor patio, and the bonus? It's dog-friendly. Inside, there are plenty of TVs, so it leans a bit toward sports bar territory--but without the usual rowdy crowd or game-day vibe. Service has been solid overall. On our first attempt to eat here, they let us know they were short-staffed and wouldn't be able to serve us for an hour. Disappointing, sure--but I appreciated the honesty and that they didn't waste our time. On return visits, service has been on point. We were greeted quickly, our server was helpful and attentive, and food came out hot. There is a bar, but don't expect craft cocktails or a resident mixologist. It's best to keep it simple here: grab a beer on tap or something straightforward like a whiskey neat. Anything more complicated might fall flat. As for the food, it's been consistently good. The hot wings are a standout--crispy with a flavorful hot sauce that actually delivers on heat. I've also tried the fish & chips and the burger; both were solid and satisfying. The only inconsistency was with the side salad. The first time it came out with a fresh spring mix, but on another visit, it was just iceberg lettuce--not a dealbreaker, but a little disappointing. We used to go to Oakey's for our dive-bar wings and casual grub, but Buffalo Mountain Grill has taken that spot for us. It's quirky, no-frills, and definitely not fancy--but they serve up legit food and deliver where it counts. Give it a shot. Just don't come looking for ambience--come hungry.

This is the THIRD time this has happened, and I'm officially done trying to give this place…read morechances. Tonight I called at 8:25 and spoke to someone about placing an order. I called back at 8:30 (literally FIVE minutes later) to place the order while I was already sitting outside, and the same man suddenly tells me they're closed. Mind you, the store hours say they close at 10 PM. When I told him I had just spoken to him 5 minutes before, he immediately got hateful and rude, started raising his voice, and then turned the lights off like I was bothering him for trying to order food during business hours. Just 4-5 days ago the SAME thing happened except it was around 9 PM. At this point it's honestly giving pure laziness and unprofessional behavior. I'm really not understanding how this place is still open if employees can just close whenever they feel like it and treat customers like trash. He refused to tell me his name and was literally yelling saying his name is "Buffalo Grille" (???) which tells me everything I need to know. I'm sure I'm not the first customer who's been yelled at or cussed at over the phone. I will be calling every day until I get answers from a manager or owner because this is unacceptable. DO NOT waste your time here. Still no apology from owner

We have been trying each first watch in different states that were able to…read more This is our first time to try Tennessee and it did not disappoint. Service was fast and friendly, food was delicious and I LOVE the blazing dragon drink! Patio area where we chose to sit was very nice, shaded and they have ceiling fans! The inside is nicely decorated as well, we just prefer outside. Give it a try if you haven't already or have been on the fence!

I'm thrilled that FW has made its way to Oak Ridge--finally, a true sit‑down breakfast spot in…read moretown! Walking in, you'll immediately notice the open, airy layout. There are tables, booths, bar/counter seats, plus outdoor seating, and windows galore that flood the room with natural light. It's bright, cheerful, and instantly welcoming. Every visit I've made, the place has been spotless--dining room, restrooms, everything. Plus the WiFi is solid, making this a great weekday spot to work from when I want to linger; they've always seemed fine with me setting up at the bar counter in the corner and staying until closing. Service has always been great. Contrary to some negative reviews I've seen, I've not had a bad experience here. Every server has been courteous, attentive, and hustling--nothing sloppy, no waiting around. As for the food--nothing but hits so far. Every dish I've ordered has been delicious, the temperature spot‑on, and the presentation pleasing. Some of my favorite go‑tos: Morning Meditation Fresh Juice -- crisp and refreshing Market Hash -- two cage‑free eggs any style, atop fresh seasoned potatoes, with house‑roasted Crimini mushrooms, zucchini, shallots, red peppers, baby spinach, melted Mozzarella, and herbed Goat cheese; served with whole grain artisan toast Bacado Omelet -- bacon, avocado, Monterey Jack, topped with sour cream, served with house‑made Pico de Gallo, lemon‑dressed organic mixed greens, and artisan toast They even rotate seasonal menu items, so there's always something new to try. Portions are generous--you're getting your money's worth and likely won't be hungry again until dinner. Bottom line: I'm a big fan. FW has raised the bar for breakfast in Oak Ridge, and I'm so glad they're here. Highly recommended.

Calhouns was amazing. We had a family celebration of the 20th anniversary of my wife's blog. Hunter…read morewas our server. We called ahead to see if we could bring a special cake (gluten free) and they said yes. Dinner was nearly perfect with Hunter getting the orders correct and the timing was perfect. He brought us extra bread plates to serve our cake and extra forks and knives. Hunter never made us feel rushed even though we took a couple of hours for our celebration. The food was great. The staff was very supportive of our celebration as well and really made us feel welcome. We had a wonderful time. I highly recommend this location of Calhouns and thank you for helping us celebrate.

Dirty dishes and silverware incorrect orders…read morewatered down non-alcoholic beverages (or beverages served with no ice at all) food that wasn't fresh server didn't ask if we wanted drink refills hair on our food My family of 5 is experience all of this during our most recent visit. Safe to say we won't be coming back for a while, if ever. Our server explained that the restaurant lost a lot of staff and hired a lot of teens, thus the dirty dishes. Don't know how you explain everything else. The only saving grace was that our kids' meals were relatively inexpensive, so that kept our bill was affordable. Also, the garlic rolls were tasty and fresh. As I said, it will be a looong time before we're back.

What a hidden gem! Woody's Bar & Grill is such a cute little spot with some seriously AMAZING food!…read moreWe tried the chicken, pulled pork, grilled cheese, chili, and coleslaw, and every single thing was PHENOMENAL! Everything was delicious, full of flavor, and had that homemade comfort-food feel that's hard to beat. The atmosphere is cozy and welcoming, making it the perfect little place to grab a bite and relax. If you haven't checked out Woody's yet, you're missing out! We'll definitely be back!

Eat it and you will understand. It is custom bbq. It put together like a chef decorated good…read moresouthern food. Deviled eggs are addicting. Dont get their biggest burger unless you are super hungry or plan on taking some home. Its a after lunch work killer if you eat it all. Zzzzzz. 9.5/10

Its well worth the visit. We went for breakfast and it was a pleasant experience. It's well run and…read moreits clean. The food is a LOT better quality than the local chain accross the street and was served quickly. The coffee is also very good. The food selection on the buffet was as good as anywhere. The waitstaff is super freindly and helpful also. This is clearly an overlooked restaurant for the Oak Ridge locals, since it's inside the hotel. Prices are reasonable for the quality of the food that is availible. There is a ton of close parking and its easy to access. We plan on going back for dinner one night just to change things up. Yes you can chase a dollar and eat cheaper locally, no doubt, but to have a nice clean, not crowded place with high quality food sets this place apart. It's been a long time since I sat in the relative quiet to enjoy my food.

This restaurant is in the Hilton Doubletree hotel. We had breakfast 2 days here with the same…read moreexperience both days. We did the breakfast buffet, everything was fresh and delicious. Coffee was good. But the service was slow. And both days our bills were not correct. Took some time to get them right too after it was pointed out.

Crafter's Brew is one of those places that makes you feel welcome the moment you walk through the…read moredoor. The atmosphere is relaxed and inviting, the staff is friendly and attentive, and the selection is excellent. One of my favorite things about Crafter's Brew is the live music. They consistently bring in talented musicians who create the perfect backdrop for a great evening with friends. Whether you're there to enjoy a drink, catch some live entertainment, or simply unwind after a long day, the experience is always top-notch. The owners and staff have done a fantastic job creating a place where people can gather, connect, and make memories. Great drinks, great music, great people--what more could you ask for? Highly recommend Crafter's Brew to anyone looking for a fun and welcoming local spot!

Great people great beer unique location. We have been once before when in town for towing event…read moreand made a point to return. Just as awesome the second time.

Very convenient for dinner and a show at Oak Ridge Playhouse. The fun menu focuses on actors and…read moreacting, labeling things like Dean Martin Filet, Sammy Davis Salmon. The menu has great options of salads, seafood, beef, chicken, pasta. The service has always been warm, friendly and efficient. There is often live music. The ambiance is intriguing, with strings of white lights reminiscent of a wedding. Cozy tables for two, or larger tables for more. There is room at the bar if that's what you like. Also outdoor seating if weather permits. We'll definitely be back.

Poorly cooked food, shrimp not fresh and over cooked. Picatta flavorless. Staff was nice and tried…read moreto help. The comped dessert was gross. Not a place we'd return to to or recommend