Category: Blog

Johnson City Mexican Restaurant Dubbed “El Kroger” for Close Proximity to Grocery Store

Mackenzie Moore

East Tennessee State University students hide their cell phones underneath their desks as they create a group chat with friends asking if the lunch plan for “El Kroger” is still on.

This lingo is not foreign to students, who have unofficially nicknamed the Johnson City, TN Mexican restaurant, El Charolais, due to its being next to a Kroger near campus.

El Charolais has served jumbo margaritas and house-made quesadillas since the owner, Jose Luis Jauregu, opened the regional restaurant chain in Johnson City.

Jauregu has operated restaurants since 2004.

El Charolais is open 11 a.m.- 10 p.m. on Mondays through Thursdays, stays open until 10:30 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays and closes early on Sundays at 9:30 p.m.

Germany Native Operates the Only Authentic German Restaurant in Johnson City

Mackenzie Moore

Why travel to Germany when the same authentic cuisine is cooked and served in Johnson City?

Freibergs’s is a German restaurant located in the heart of downtown Johnson City, TN operated by a native from Germany.

When Herholz moved to Tennessee, he brought with him knowledge and firsthand experience with German dishes and cuisine.

He and his wife Michele decided to open Freiberg’s German restaurant in 2008, naming the restaurant after Herholz’s hometown in Eastern Germany.

“I enjoy German food; it’s very authentic, ” said Shane Grace, a frequent guest. “I’ve tried most of the menu, and it’s all delicious.”

Freiberg’s has set hours posted on the company’s website.

Sport Sticky Fingers at The Wild Wing Café

Sport Sticky Fingers at The Wild Wing Café

Mackenzie Moore

The Wild Wing Café in downtown Johnson City, TN hosts band performances every weekend.

Sarah Goodpaster, the sport bar’s marketing and promotions manager, runs the show from Knoxville and ensures guests have live music and can leave with a good experience.

Bar-goers mingle with friends carrying a bucket of beer, shaking hands with acquaintances with sticky fingers from the smothered chicken wings.

The Wild Wing Café stays open Monday through Sunday 11 a.m.- 2 a.m. and welcomes walk-ins and offers take-away plates.

Curb Your Sweet Cravings With a Little Sweets

Curb Your Sweet Cravings With a Little Sweets

Mackenzie Moore

Petite Sweets in Johnson City, TN sprinkles each cupcake in-house. The shop is open Tuesday through Friday 10 a.m- 5 p.m. and closes at 2 p.m. on Saturdays.

On top of running the shop, owners Zachary and Rachael Holmes offer catering services and designs cakes and treats for special events such as baby showers, birthday parties or weddings.

Five years ago, Rachael discovered her passion for baking and decorating cakes, and finally opened her store, Petite Sweets, on East Oakland Avenue in Johnson City in 2014.

She stays busy with multiple weddings and birthday events every weekend.

 

 

Hot Food in a Flash: Would You Like a Frenchie Fry With That?

Hot Food in a Flash: Would You Like a Frenchie Fry With That?

Mackenzie Moore

Tennesseans who move out-of-state often miss the waves of mountains, but for some, it’s sadder leaving behind the option of a Big Pal and Frenchie Fries.

Pal’s Sudden Service in East Tennessee began when Pal Barger, owner and CEO, opened the first sit-in store in Kingsport, TN in 1956.

There are only two sit-in Pal’s diners in East Tennessee, and the rest are all drive-throughs, where customers order at the first window, drive around the store and pay at the second window.

Usual waiting time is less than five minutes, and Pal’s Sudden Service is the first restaurant chain in the United States to be awarded the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award.

Jonesborough’s American-Styled Diner Treats Tourists and Residents to Burgers and Milkshakes

Jonesborough’s American-Styled Diner Treats Tourists and Residents to Burgers and Milkshakes

Mackenzie Moore

Tourists and residents alike stream into Jonesborough’s JJ’s Eatery and Ice Cream for a hot sandwich and an old-school ice cream sundae.

Owner Vicki Brown introduced Jonesborough, TN to the classic American-styled cafe in 2006 and often participates in town event promotions such as Scoop Fest, which is an ice cream tasting that requires the purchase of tickets in exchange for samples.

Meals include the fried bologna sandwich or classic burger paired with fries and a milkshake.

JJ’s Eatery and Ice Cream stays open Monday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Street Eats Food Cart Creates Custom Hotdogs Customers Relish

Mackenzie Moore

Jordan Banks sets his restaurant up on the sidewalk for the night and prepares to top over 200 hotdogs.

The Street Eats vendor has over six years’ experience running the food cart in downtown Johnson City, TN between Capone and The Hideaway. The hotdog stand is the longest-running food truck in Johnson City.

With hotdogs piled with toppings such as Fritos corn chips, jalapenos and even mashed potatoes for the seasonal Monster Mash dog, Street Eats serves “a different kind of dog,” according to Banks.

The full menu is linked to the Street Eats Facebook page.