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Andrew Eats Food review page. Typically aimed towards local, hole in the wall, as well as mom and pop restaurants.

07/20/2026

Took some time off, life gets busy, will be back soon!

06/16/2026

Would you all like to see video reviews so you can see what I think in as close to real time as possible instead of just pictures after the fact?

Flour + Fern SourdoughJonesborough, TNGuys and gals, I won't lie, I didn't care about all the sourdough hype BUT this on...
06/16/2026

Flour + Fern Sourdough
Jonesborough, TN

Guys and gals, I won't lie, I didn't care about all the sourdough hype BUT this one changed my mind completely. Originally ordered oatmeal creme pies because my wife has been wanting to try them from some sourdough maker, and we've since also had some jalapeno cheddar sourdough bagels. THEY ARE BOTH SO GOOD! Also got a beef tallow soap sample for my wife a well and we have loved everything we have tried. The owner is super friendly, the products are made with care, and the prices are super reasonable as well! We plan to try the cookies soon! I'm posting a picture of a menu they had for orders recently to give you an idea of what is offered, I suggest you get orders in before she's too busy to get you what you want!

06/07/2026

Best hamburger contest is cancelled due to the lack of interest

06/04/2026

Gonna try something different, what is the best burger in the entire tri cities? (Not counting national chains or local chains with more than 5 locations.)

I'm going to take the Top 3 choices and I'm going to compare all three and determine who I think is the best in the area!

Feel free to share to your own pages but only votes from followers who comment on this post will count. Voting will run through 5pm Sunday, and hopefully will make the comparison test on Monday.

Hot Dog HutGray, TNHot Dog Hut is one of those places that's been part of the Tri-Cities food scene for so long that jus...
06/01/2026

Hot Dog Hut
Gray, TN

Hot Dog Hut is one of those places that's been part of the Tri-Cities food scene for so long that just about everyone has heard of it, and most people have tried it at least once. With roughly three locations throughout the region, this review is a little different for me because many would consider it a small chain. However, I'm more than willing to review it because each location is locally owned, operated independently, and still carries that hometown legend feel that has made Hot Dog Hut a staple for so many years.

I believe the original location is in downtown Kingsport. The married couple who owns that location also owns the Gray restaurant, which is housed in the former Hot Dog Corner building.
Gray sits between Johnson City and Kingsport, which can make standing out a challenge. When you're surrounded by two larger cities with more dining options, it's easy to get overlooked. Hot Dog Hut manages to avoid that problem entirely.
You place your order at the counter just inside the front door, and from there you can see directly into an exceptionally clean kitchen. What stood out to me most was how comfortable and welcoming the entire place feels. The kitchen almost looks like something you'd find in a family home, while the chalkboard artwork and decorations throughout the dining room create an atmosphere that practically says, "We're all family here."

On this visit, my wife ordered the chili cheese nachos, which consist of Doritos topped with chili and cheese. I went with the Boone Dog Combo, which includes two chili cheese dogs topped with mustard and onions, a side, and a drink. I chose the baked beans as my side.

At first glance, I wasn't expecting much from the nachos. Honestly, they looked pretty simple, and I rolled my eyes a little. However, after trying them, I was pleasantly surprised. The chili and cheese pair exceptionally well with the Doritos, creating a combination that's far better than it sounds.

The Boone Dogs were equally impressive. The hot dogs were cooked perfectly, and while I couldn't tell whether the buns were steamed or prepared another way, they had the ideal texture. The baked beans were good, though nothing particularly memorable, reminding me somewhat of Bush's Baked Beans. Surprisingly, the standout item of the entire meal was the lemonade. It's balanced perfectly—not overly sweet and not too tart—and with summer right around the corner, it's an ideal pairing for just about anything on the menu.

The staff is consistently friendly and happy to strike up a conversation, the dining room is clean and well-maintained, and it's clear that this is a business run by people who genuinely care about their customers. My wife and I only started coming here about two months ago, and we've already visited three or four times, which says a lot on its own.

There isn't much for me to deduct from the final score. I don't like nitpicking, but I also try to be fair and consistent in my ratings. If I had to point out one criticism, it's actually the portion sizes. That's not a complaint you hear often, especially coming from a heavier-set guy, but the amount of chili, cheese, and onions they pile onto their food can make things pretty messy. Of course, you could always ask for lighter portions of the toppings, but it's worth mentioning nonetheless.
At the end of the day, Hot Dog Hut succeeds because it delivers exactly what people want from a local institution: good food, friendly service, a welcoming atmosphere, and a strong connection to the community. In an area packed with dining choices, that's enough to keep people coming back.

Rating: 9.5/10

Red Pig BBQJohnson City, TNRed Pig BBQ has long been one of Johnson City's local barbecue institutions, though it often ...
05/31/2026

Red Pig BBQ
Johnson City, TN

Red Pig BBQ has long been one of Johnson City's local barbecue institutions, though it often seems to play second fiddle to Ridgewood when it comes to popularity. Personally, I couldn't disagree more.

Located just off one of the city's main roads, Red Pig benefits from a steady flow of traffic and sits conveniently tucked behind several familiar businesses, including Subway, T-Mobile, and Kroger. From what I've gathered, the restaurant has changed ownership a couple of times over the past several years. Whenever that happens, my biggest concern is whether the quality will decline or if the restaurant will lose what made it special in the first place. Fortunately, that couldn't be further from the truth here.

The décor and overall atmosphere, both inside and out, embrace exactly what Red Pig is at its core: a local barbecue joint focused on serving good food rather than chasing trends. There's something refreshing about a place that stays true to itself.

On this visit, I ordered the Happy Hour special—a mini pork sandwich and drink for just $4.82—and added a side of mac and cheese. Three different sauces are available at the table, and I opted for the Sweet Heat. It delivered a vinegar-forward flavor profile with just the right balance of sweetness and a subtle kick on the finish. The pulled pork was perfectly tender, and the mac and cheese was rich, flavorful, and satisfyingly cheesy.

My only real point of confusion was the pricing. Before anyone points out that $4.82 is an incredible deal—and it absolutely is—the addition of a single side of mac and cheese, combined with a card processing fee, pushed my total to nearly $11. That's still not unreasonable for a meal today, but it was surprising to see the final bill more than double from the advertised special price with just one add-on.

Service was somewhat hit-or-miss. When I went to pick up my drink, the employee working the counter appeared distracted and somewhat confused when I asked whether a drink was mine. It wasn't a major issue, but it did detract slightly from the overall experience.

Despite those minor complaints, the food was excellent and reminded me why Red Pig has maintained its reputation over the years. I hadn't visited in quite some time, but this meal definitely convinced me to come back. Next time, however, I'll likely skip the Happy Hour special and just order a regular meal.

Overall Rating: 7.75/10

Rebel Fork KitchenChuckey, TNHidden away in Chuckey, Tennessee, Rebel Fork Kitchen is one of those rare local gems that’...
05/22/2026

Rebel Fork Kitchen
Chuckey, TN

Hidden away in Chuckey, Tennessee, Rebel Fork Kitchen is one of those rare local gems that’s absolutely worth the drive. My wife discovered the restaurant through a Facebook ad and convinced me to make the 45-minute trip from home — and I’m incredibly glad we did. After one visit, I can confidently say this may be the best pizza and wings in the entire Tri-Cities region.

The menu offers a little bit of everything: wings, burgers, pizza, homemade desserts, and more. We decided to start with the wings, and they completely exceeded expectations. The wings are deep-fried to perfection, seasoned with a flavorful house rub, and then tossed in your sauce of choice. We went with the Kickin Bourbon sauce because we wanted something with heat that wouldn’t overpower the flavor. It delivered perfectly. The bourbon added a subtle smoky depth that paired beautifully with the sweet and spicy sauce, while the crispy skin brought everything together for an outstanding wing experience.

For pizza, we ordered The Heavy Hitter — loaded with pepperoni, bacon, sausage, ham, and ground beef. It’s essentially a meat lover’s pizza, but the bacon truly steals the show. The sauce was rich and flavorful, and every slice was packed with toppings. My only minor critique was the amount of cheese. While I love cheese, there was enough that once the pizza cooled slightly, it developed a somewhat chewy texture reminiscent of Greg’s Pizza. Still, that was a very small complaint in an otherwise fantastic meal.

To finish things off, we shared a slice of homemade orange dreamsicle cake, and it was phenomenal. Moist, flavorful, perfectly textured, and generously portioned — easily one of the better homemade desserts I’ve had at a local restaurant.

Beyond the food, Rebel Fork Kitchen has an inviting, homey atmosphere thanks to its decorations and genuinely friendly staff. You can tell there’s passion behind this place, and it deserves support as a newer local business.

My wife and I both loved our experience and are already looking forward to going back.

Rating: 9.5/10

05/20/2026

Haven't posted as much the last couple of weeks, but expect 2-3 reviews within the next day or so!

Bears Subs / Blountville BearsBlountville, TNBears Subs, also known as Blountville Bears, is the definition of a hidden ...
05/11/2026

Bears Subs / Blountville Bears
Blountville, TN

Bears Subs, also known as Blountville Bears, is the definition of a hidden gem. Tucked away in Blountville, TN, it’s honestly easy to miss. If a “hole-in-the-wall” restaurant could somehow have another hole-in-the-wall inside it, this would be that place. It’s small, cozy, and easy to overlook—but absolutely worth seeking out.
There’s a decent amount of seating both inside and outside, though if you choose to sit indoors, don’t expect a lot of extra room. The interior is definitely on the smaller side, but it’s very clean and well-kept, which immediately makes a good impression.

For food, we ordered the Papa Bear, a 12-inch sandwich loaded with turkey, ham, bologna, salami, lettuce, tomato, onions, Swiss cheese, and hot relish. We split the sandwich, customizing each half—one without lettuce and tomato, and the other without lettuce and onion. My wife also got a side of macaroni salad, while I ordered the cheddar balls (which are essentially cheddar rounds).

The sandwich was excellent. All of the meats were flavorful, and the bread was the perfect complement—fresh, sturdy, and exactly what you’d want for a sandwich like this. My wife really enjoyed the macaroni salad, though for my personal taste it leaned a little too heavily on the mayonnaise. The cheddar balls were very good as well—crispy, cheesy, and honestly better than the ones at Pal’s in my opinion, mainly because they seemed cheesier. I think they could’ve used just a touch more seasoning, but that’s a minor complaint.

Drink-wise, my wife enjoyed her sweet tea, and I had a Coke. No complaints there, although my Coke came in a can. I love canned Coke, but when I’m dining at a restaurant, I generally prefer it served in a cup with ice.

The staff was incredibly friendly, which always adds to the experience. Between the welcoming service and the clean atmosphere, it made for an enjoyable visit overall. My wife had been wanting to try this place for a while, and I’m glad we finally did—especially since we both came away impressed. There aren’t many sandwich shops in the area that really stand out to me, but this one definitely does.

My only other complaint is the lack of clear signage outside. On social media, they’re referred to as Bears Subs, but their menus say Blountville Bears. A more obvious sign on the building would go a long way in clearing up that confusion and making the place easier to find.
Overall, Bears Subs delivers great food, friendly service, and a genuinely enjoyable small-town dining experience. It may be easy to miss, but it’s absolutely worth tracking down and we’ll definitely be back.

Rating: 8.5/10

Freiburg'sJohnson City, TNFreiburg’s is a standout in downtown Johnson City, nestled in a pocket of the city that quietl...
05/06/2026

Freiburg's
Johnson City, TN

Freiburg’s is a standout in downtown Johnson City, nestled in a pocket of the city that quietly celebrates global cuisine. With neighboring spots offering Mediterranean, Asian fusion, and previously even Korean BBQ, this stretch of town reflects a level of cultural variety you don’t always expect in the region. Freiburg’s fits right into that mix while carving out a distinct identity of its own.

Owned by a German immigrant with a vision to bring something different to the local dining scene, Freiburg’s delivers an experience that feels both authentic and approachable. The interior leans into traditional German aesthetics, and the building itself—set in an older structure—adds a certain grit and character that enhances the overall atmosphere. It has that slightly worn, lived-in charm that makes you feel like you’ve stepped into a tucked-away eatery somewhere overseas rather than a polished, modern chain.
Service is another strong point. The staff is consistently friendly and welcoming, creating an environment that feels comfortable whether you’re a first-time visitor or a regular.

One of the biggest draws here is the value. The lunch specials are hard to beat, starting at just $5.99 for an entrée and two sides. On this visit, the schnitzel was the highlight—a well-executed, golden-brown cutlet with a satisfying crunch and balanced seasoning. Paired with mashed potatoes and paprika sauce, it made for a filling and well-rounded meal. The potatoes themselves are simple and straightforward, not the star of the plate but a solid complement that lets the schnitzel shine.

Freiburg’s isn’t trying to be flashy—it succeeds by being consistent, affordable, and true to its roots. It’s the kind of place you can rely on for a satisfying meal without breaking the bank, where two people can comfortably enjoy lunch for around $20 plus tip. For those looking to step outside the usual rotation of dining options, it remains a dependable and worthwhile choice.

Rating: 8/10

Address

3016 N John B Dennis Hwy
Kingsport, TN
37660

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