The Shrimp And Grits At This No-Frills Restaurant In Tennessee Are So Good, They’re Worth A Road Trip This Spring

Southern Grit in Tennessee is all about letting the food shine without relying on fancy décor or gimmicks. The shrimp and grits are the star, perfectly cooked and rich with creamy creole gravy that keeps diners coming back.

Every bite balances flavour and texture, while the rest of the menu offers hearty Southern classics that reward repeat visits. Portions are generous, prices are reasonable, and the staff creates a welcoming, friendly environment that makes guests feel at home.

Whether stopping by for a casual lunch or a lively dinner, Southern Grit turns a simple meal into a memorable experience. With convenient downtown access and a menu that satisfies cravings, it’s a dining destination worth a springtime road trip.

Why Shrimp And Grits Are So Loved Here

Southern Grit’s shrimp and grits has earned its reputation one bowl at a time. The dish arrives with cheese grits as the base, topped with what several reviewers describe as a creole gravy that resembles a rich, flavorful gumbo without the rice or okra.

It is thick, savory, and packed with both shrimp and andouille sausage in nearly every bite.

One guest noted it ranked among the top three meals ever purchased in a lifetime, which is a bold claim worth taking seriously. Another reviewer called it buttery, tender, and delicious after visiting on a Tuesday morning when the restaurant had just opened.

The consistency of praise across reviews spanning two years suggests this is not a one-off experience.

What makes it stand out is the balance between the richness of the grits and the boldness of the gravy. The shrimp are cooked to a tender texture without being rubbery, and the sausage adds a smoky depth.

For anyone curious about classic Southern cooking done with care, this bowl tends to be the reason people return.

Why it matters: Multiple independent reviewers have singled out this dish across different visits and seasons, pointing to reliable quality.

Quick Snapshot

Name: Southern Grit

Type: Southern comfort food restaurant with a casual, no-frills approach

Setting: Located in Knoxville’s Old City neighborhood, with hard interior surfaces that could create some noise during busy hours

Location: 126 S Central St, Knoxville, TN 37902, conveniently situated near a parking area according to multiple guests

Arrival: Walk-ins are welcome, though reservations are strongly recommended on weekend evenings, especially Saturday nights, as the restaurant fills up quickly

Portions: Described repeatedly by reviewers as very generous, with guests noting they were often full before finishing their plates

Menu Highlights

The menu at Southern Grit goes well beyond shrimp and grits, though that dish remains the anchor. Fried green tomatoes come topped with house-made pimento cheese and spicy honey, fried in a cornmeal batter that several guests praised for its proper crunch and texture.

The pork ribeye has also drawn enthusiastic responses, with one reviewer describing it as tender, moist, and served with a special pepper jelly.

Burgers are another strong category. The Mitchell burger is described as rich and deeply flavorful, while the Southern Mess burger offers a layered combination of tastes in a single sandwich.

For something lighter, the chicken and waffle option features well-seasoned, tender chicken paired with a notably good waffle.

Sides deserve equal attention. Creamed collards, sweet potato waffle fries, biscuits, fried okra, and cheddar grits have all been called out individually in reviews as standout items.

The biscuit doughnuts are also mentioned as a must-try for first-time visitors.

Best for: Guests who enjoy exploring a menu rather than ordering the same thing twice will find plenty of options worth returning for across multiple visits.

Location And Parking

Southern Grit sits at 126 S Central St in Knoxville’s Old City, a walkable neighborhood known for its mix of local restaurants, shops, and historic architecture. The address places it in a part of downtown Knoxville that is easy to find without needing to navigate through complicated side streets or confusing intersections.

Parking tends to be a manageable part of the visit. Multiple reviewers have mentioned that the restaurant is conveniently located near a parking area, which is a practical detail worth noting before driving in from out of town.

Street parking may also be available depending on the time of day and day of the week.

Spring weekends could bring higher foot traffic to the Old City area, so arriving slightly earlier than planned is a reasonable strategy. The restaurant is closed on Mondays, so planning around that before making a long drive is important.

Tuesday through Sunday windows offer a range of options for timing a visit to fit different schedules.

Who Will Enjoy This Place

Southern Grit appeals to a fairly broad range of diners, but certain groups are likely to get the most out of the experience. People who appreciate honest, filling Southern food without a lot of fuss will feel right at home.

Road trippers passing through Knoxville are a natural fit, as at least two reviewers specifically mentioned stopping in while traveling and being pleasantly surprised. Families tend to do well here too, with generous portions meaning that even younger or lighter eaters are likely to leave satisfied.

The staff has been described across multiple reviews as friendly, attentive, and genuinely welcoming.

Those who prefer very quiet dining rooms may want to keep in mind that the hard interior surfaces can amplify noise during busier hours. Anyone sensitive to loud environments might consider a weekday midday visit instead of a Saturday dinner rush.

Who this is not for: Guests expecting a formal or upscale dining atmosphere may find the no-frills setting less suited to their preferences, as the focus here is squarely on the food.

Atmosphere And Seating

Walking into Southern Grit, the setting is straightforward and unfussy. Hard surfaces throughout the dining room contribute to a lively acoustic environment, which means the space can get noticeably loud when fully occupied.

One reviewer described it plainly as a bit loud inside due to those surfaces, which is useful context for anyone who prefers a quieter meal.

That said, the atmosphere has been described elsewhere as relaxed and comfortable, with music playing at a level that allows conversation without strain during calmer periods. The restaurant is clean, according to multiple guests, and the seating arrangement allows for a reasonable sense of space between tables.

Service rhythm tends to be attentive, with staff noted for working together efficiently during busy periods rather than leaving gaps in coverage.

Lighting inside leans toward a casual, everyday feel rather than anything dim or dramatic. The overall impression from reviews is a place where the focus is on the food and the people at the table, not the decor.

There is a comfortable informality to the space that suits the menu well.

What To Order On Your First Visit

First visits to Southern Grit can feel a little overwhelming given how much of the menu has been praised. Starting with the fried green tomatoes is a reasonable move, as they arrive with house-made pimento cheese and spicy honey, and several reviewers have called them perfect.

The cornmeal batter gives them a distinct texture that holds up well as a starter.

For the main course, the shrimp and grits is the obvious choice based on consistent praise across reviews. The creole gravy, cheese grits, shrimp, and andouille sausage combination has been described as deeply satisfying, and the portion size means there is rarely a need to order extra sides just to feel full.

That said, the sweet potato waffle fries and creamed collards have both been highlighted as sides worth adding if appetite allows.

Biscuit doughnuts come up repeatedly as a memorable finish or a fun addition at any point during the meal. The chicken and waffle is also a strong alternative for anyone who wants something different from the shrimp and grits on a return visit.

Why Customers Keep Coming Back

Repeat visits to Southern Grit seem to be driven by a combination of consistent food quality, generous portions, and staff that guests remember by name. Multiple reviewers mentioned specific servers who made their experience feel genuinely welcoming rather than transactional.

That personal quality of service tends to be a strong driver of loyalty in casual dining settings.

The menu also offers enough variety to support multiple visits without repetition. Someone who orders shrimp and grits on a first visit might come back for the pork ribeye, then the Mitchell burger, then the happy hour wings.

There is a sense from the reviews that guests feel there is always something new worth trying, which keeps the experience from going stale.

Portion sizes play a role too. Guests consistently note getting strong value for the price, which removes the hesitation some people feel about returning to a mid-range restaurant too often.

The combination of reliable food, personable staff, and a menu with range appears to be what keeps Southern Grit pulling in both locals and out-of-town visitors season after season.

Quick verdict: For a Spring road trip stop in Knoxville, Southern Grit delivers consistent, filling, well-regarded Southern food at a price point that feels fair across the board.

Final Verdict

Key Takeaways:

• Shrimp and grits with creole gravy is the standout dish

• Portions are consistently large and prices are moderate

• Reserve ahead for Saturday evenings

• Weekday midday visits offer a quieter experience

• Sides and appetizers are worth ordering, not skipping