Calhoun’s on the River, American barbecue restaurant on Neyland Drive, Knoxville, United States
Calhoun's on the River is an American barbecue restaurant in Knoxville, set directly on the bank of the Tennessee River inside a converted barn that spans two floors. The building has both indoor dining rooms and an outdoor deck that faces the water.
The restaurant was founded as part of the Copper Cellar family of restaurants, a Knoxville-based group that has operated in the region since the 1970s. Over time, this location on the river grew into one of the most recognized barbecue spots in East Tennessee.
Hickory smoking is the foundation of Tennessee barbecue, and this restaurant treats it as a daily craft rather than a novelty. Guests can smell the wood smoke before they even sit down, which sets the tone for the meal.
Seating on the outdoor deck gives the best view of the river, but those spots fill up quickly on warm evenings. On-site parking is available, so arriving by car is the simplest option.
All the barbecue sauces served here are made from scratch in the kitchen each day, with no store-bought versions. The hickory wood used for smoking is hand-selected, since this particular wood gives the meat a sharper, earthier flavor than other smoking woods.
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