Wow. Has to be one of the best places I've ever eaten at. In town for parent's weekend with the son and chose JC because it had nice reviews. Honestly did not know what to expect. Took our son and two of his dorm mates. All freshmen used to cafeteria food. One said as we sat down, "the food here smells great." Ambiance gets nice scores. Service is top notch. And the food was nothing short of outstanding. We decided to go with the chef special plan. A fixed menu that everyone at the table has to go with to do. Not sure that was going to work with three college guys. But they each picked something that likely stretched what they were used to. Standouts were the starter ribs and oysters. Everyone liked their second choices so no clear winner there as all finished in first place. My wife loved her trout nd I got a taste and had to agree it was terrific. They boys - no shock here - all went for the steak. I did too and can report it was perfectly cooked and wonderfully savory. The peanut butter chocolate dessert was rated the best but I also enjoyed my blue cheese cheesecake. When I say service was impeccable, it was not only due to our waitress who was attentive, informing and fun. But every time dishes were cleared a group of servers appeared like magic and cleared dishes like a well rehearsed ballet. Really enjoyed the experience if you cannot tell by now. Highly recommended. read more

We did not have a reservation but were seated on a Wednesday evening. It was our first time so didn't know what to expect. We had two small plates- the salad with burrata and the tuna. Both were outstanding. And then we tried the pasta with broccolini in a butter sauce that was to die for. Our waiter Simeon was perfect. The ambiance was sophisticated and quiet. I'd come back again. But we don't live here. read more

The service was top notch, the food was good enough, but it just missed the mark of restaurants in this category across the world. We got: -scallion hushpuppies with bbq aioli (not too much flavor but perfect texture) -Smoked Joyce Farms chicken wings (like some others have mentioned, we used the sauce for the hushpuppies and it helped!!) -spinach campanelle (simple but delicious) -grilled broccolini -almond financier (loved this!) I wish we got to try the Roasted Cheshire Pork Belly biscuits with strawberry jam and pickles, but I have a lemon allergy (strawberry jam had lemon). I appreciated the attention for allergies and restrictions and the walk through of each presented dish. read more

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Food was very delicious - well balanced with bold and balanced flavors. Dishes are fresh and cooked with care. Service was 10/10 with all waitstaff telling us about each dish and its components. Ambiance is modern, classy and feels upscale. They have a multi course chef special, which we will come back for. They have a lengthy beverage menu with variety of upscale options. 9.3/10 recommend for Knoxville! read more

Excellent experience. NYC Professional Service coupled with Charming Southern Hospitality. Inventive menu prepared perfectly and so very delicious. Simeon took excellent care of us. When in Knoxville make sure to make reservations. You'll be so glad you did. read more

Really solid choice of a restaurant if you find yourself in Knoxville at dinner time. Stumbled across them coming back from Dollywood. No Ressies were available but they had bar seats available so we snagged those. Service was friendly and hospitable. We had: Hush puppies w/ bbq onion aioli 5/5. Nice and crispy on the outside and the sauce was delicious. Brussels sprouts with onion jam 3/5. Decent choice but would have preferred a crispier cook and a bit more flavor from the onion jam. Cornbread w/ sorghum butter 4/5. Cook was a bit light on the outside. Prefer a crunchier crust. Sorghum butter slapped though. Mafaldine w/ egg yolk, Parmesan and black truffle 5/5. Great pasta dish with a very pronounced truffle flavor. Chicken with cream sauce and bread pudding w/ mushrooms and turnips 4/5. Chicken itself was wood fired and perfect. Sauce was delicious. Wish there was a larger portion of the bread pudding and more mushrooms to balance out the chicken. Not a huge fan of turnips in general, but I do appreciate them when done correctly. Here I felt like they didn't add much value to the dish so I mostly ate around them. Asher blue cheese cheesecake with poached pears and candied walnuts 4/5. I mean, any cheesecake is good, let's be real. That said, I REALLY needed to search for the blue cheese flavor in this since blue cheese and pear is one of my favorite combos. Overall this was a very welcome surprise to the end of our day and would recommend this spot to anyone looking for some warm hospitality in Knoxville. read more

Everything was so delectable. The setting to intimate and relaxing. The server was very kind and well informative. It was a great dinner to celebrate our anniversary. You know it's a great place when they're even busy on a Tuesday night. We will definitely come back! read more

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Always consistent. The farm egg is a must. The grilled shrimp are great. This tomahawk was perfect. read more

J C Holdway - American Waygu Tomahawk - New American Near Me - Knoxville, Tennessee

Mark and I were comparing this meal to all the other wonderful meals we've had in the U.S. and we couldn't think of a better one. This restaurant is unpretentious, inventive, and filled with good people who seem to be very happy working here. They are very proud of the restaurant and the food ... and it shows. The cocktails were superb: a Bold Fashioned and a Mezcal citrus almond creation. For starters, we had the pork belly biscuits. Our salad was so simple but layered superbly with beautiful flavors at every level. For dinner, mark ordered Bolognese pasta and said it rivaled his grandmother's. I had the mushroom pasta which was flavorful and just got better with each bite. Dessert: have the PB&J. That is all. One of our best meals ever with a sommelier who really knows his wine. read more

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I visited for my birthday, and it was an amazing experience! The hospitality was crazy impressive. They made my day feel very special, and I was grateful for that. I ordered the brussels sprouts, gnocchi with short ribs, and cornbread. They gave me crackers with pimento cheese and sorbet on the house! That was surprising but most welcomed! The highlight of the meal was the brussels sprouts and the short ribs included with the gnocchi. The brussel sprouts was delicious and I would definitely recommend it. I was disappointed by the meager amount of short ribs that the gnocchi came with. It melted in my mouth and was very flavorful that I wish it was the main meal rather than the gnocchi. The gnocchi had a floury, raw taste that was off putting actually but the short ribs made up for it. I do not know if they make it fresh but they should alter the recipe. The cornbread was huge and served as an excellent end to my meal right before I got a watermelon sorbet. Overall, I had an amazing time at JC Holdway. I just wish my server had informed me of the special that night. Regardless, I will revisit! read more

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Awesome place in downtown Knoxville. Arrive early for a place at the bar if you don't have reservations, 15 minutes before opening on a Friday night got us a table by chance. Cannot compliment all the staff enough for their warm hospitality. Shared small plates and appetizers and everything was fantastic. Would definitely come back again when I'm in town. This place deserves all the accolades that it's getting. read more

J C Holdway - New American Near Me - Knoxville, Tennessee

After completing a rugged three-night camping sojourn in the Great Smoky Mountains, I longed to pivot from the primitive to the refined--from firewood and starlight to fine stemware and culinary artistry. My background in fine dining and James Beard Award-winning establishments made the search deliberate, and Providence led me to JC Holdway in Knoxville--a beacon of sophistication in East Tennessee. The evening unfolded on the outdoor patio where the air lingered at a perfect 72°, kissed by a dusky sunset. The chef opened with an unexpected gift: a pimento cheese dollop crowned atop a benne seed cracker. Simple, yet elegant--an amuse-bouche that announced I was in capable hands. For the first course, I ordered the Smoked Chicken Wings glazed in Alabama white sauce. To call them wings feels unjust; these were masterworks--skin crisped to perfection, yet flesh so tender it surrendered from the bone. Quite honestly, among the best wings I've ever encountered across decades of dining. The main act was the Whole Grilled Sunburst Trout--a dazzling display of flavor and craft. Presented with cabbage, green beans, shaved carrots, basil, and a lively tomato vinaigrette, the trout was expertly deboned tableside, adding ceremony to the moment. Each bite reaffirmed my suspicion: this was the single best trout of my life, its succulence owed much to the restaurant's crown jewel--the Josper oven, a rare instrument of culinary alchemy that seals in essence while imparting an unmatched smokiness. To conclude, I savored a Buttermilk Lime Sorbet--silken, refreshing, and so well balanced that I nearly ordered another simply to prolong the experience. Later, I reflected on the story of Chef Joseph Lenn, honored as Best Chef: Southeast by the James Beard Foundation in 2013. It struck a chord with me personally, having served as Captain at Restaurant Eugene in Atlanta when Chef Linton Hopkins won that same award in 2012. Excellence at this level is never a solo act--it is a chorus of discipline, vision, and unity. The team at JC Holdway embodies this truth magnificently. In short, JC Holdway is not merely a restaurant--it is a culinary pilgrimage worth taking. I left not only satisfied, but inspired, and I cannot wait to return with my wife so she can share in this remarkable experience. read more

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Our first time to JC Holdway. Price are near the top, two of us and we shared a main and it was $250. Service and the premium old fashion were great. The oysters were below average- small and not the best I've had. The Pork chop was great. However because the oyster and over all price and quite loud atmosphere. I rate it a 4 read more

Did our UT send off dinner here for our son. Food was epic. Egg, shrimp, hush puppies, fish dip, trout, and carrots were all incredible! Drinks were incredible too - especially the martinis and the Vesper. Vibe was hopping - active but not at all too noisy. Kirstie offered great service, but the hospitality of the entire staff was excellent. Even got a tour of the kitchen. 5 stars! read more

10/10 - JC Holdway A true culinary gem that delivers exceptional Southern-inspired dishes with thoughtful, elevated flavors. Every plate is crafted with precision and care, showcasing local ingredients in creative yet approachable ways. The atmosphere feels warm and inviting, making it perfect for both special occasions and memorable nights out. Simply one of Knoxville's finest dining experiences that I've had read more

Our second time here. We did the 5 course meal tons get. Last time we did the chefs counter at experience. Service and staff are out of this world. Wine pairing amazing. The pork belly was way overly salty, the biscuit too much and the the jelly and odd. Hush puppies were great. Yellow fin tuna was ok, needed citrus. The harvest salad but I put trout to the side as I do not like and it probably added the need salt. The corn gnudi and slow cooked egg, amazing. Beyond great. Ribeyes, so much fat and gristle. Dessert took 20 plus minutes but stellar. read more

Good, atmosphere & staff are all exceptional. Looking to see at least one Michelin star.

I recently moved from Germany to Knoxville for work and will be staying here for a while. Last Saturday, after visiting the busy downtown area following the Tennessee Volunteers' home game, I was looking for a nice place to eat. By chance, I came across J.C. Holdway, and it immediately stood out from the other restaurants I had seen in town. Without a reservation, it was nearly impossible to get a table around 5 pm on a Saturday, but I was lucky enough to grab the very last seat at the bar - right next to the drink station, where things were quite lively. At first, I hesitated to take the spot, but my curiosity won, and I'm so glad it did. The entire staff was extremely friendly, professional, and fun. A special thanks to Lia (I hope I spell her name correctly) and Dave, who made me feel welcome from the very first moment. Lia prepared me an excellent aperitif and kept the atmosphere lighthearted with a great sense of humor, despite the busy pace behind the bar. The food was simply outstanding - high quality, full of flavor, and clearly on a top culinary level. The atmosphere struck the perfect balance: modern and stylish, yet warm and not overly formal. The guests also felt a bit different compared to the Market Square crowd - more refined, but never pretentious. I even enjoyed some nice small talk with the people seated next to me, which made the evening even more enjoyable. If there's one small thing I missed, it would be a really good Italian-style coffee at the end of the meal, and perhaps some fresh bread to accompany certain dishes. But that's just a minor note compared to the overall experience. In short: an exceptional evening that I highly recommend. I will definitely be back. Many thanks to Lia, Dave, and the whole team for such a memorable evening! read more

Wandered into not this place just as they opened and was able to get a table for two. It's super charming and everything we ordered was fantastic. Really well executed from start to finish. Our order: Pork sliders Chicken and dumplings Campanelle pasta Pork chop Green bean salad Bread pudding I'd be thrilled to do it all over again. read more

I haven't left a yelp review in well over a decade (old account), but JD Holdway is worth coming out of retirement. The only top notch dining experience I have had in Knoxville. From start to finish the staff was welcoming, professional, knowledgeable - everything I hope for when I dine out. It's not something I've been used to in the Southeast as a whole and certainly not Knoxville. Our server, Ty, was great. Incredibly sweet, took my wife's food allergy seriously (again, a rarity here in town), and was a real pro. I had the tuna crudo, pork belly biscuits and the bolognese. My wife had the grilled shrimp, potato puree, and the trout. We both went with the olive oil cake for dessert. Everything was perfect. Truly. Nothing overly seasoned or sweet. Everything subtle. Everything cooked to perfection. We never felt neglected or rushed. We never received a look of condescension or disappointment when we indicated we don't drink alcohol, like we often might as some places. We did enjoy a couple of mocktails that were, again, perfect - not sweet or too convoluted. As far as the food and service went, I almost felt like I was in the Napa region again. The only slight critique / complaint I could levy - While I fully appreciate that the restrooms are out of the way, out of sight and mind of the dining area, the route to travel there is a little rough through the staff's traffic area. One gentleman from the staff was kind enough to escort my wife through, asking some staff to move out of her way and knocking on kitchen doors as they passed so she didn't get hit or run over. Also, the tables on either side of us were a bit distracting. One man spent most of the meal shouting (and cursing) to the point where I struggled to hear my wife across the small two-top from me and the man at the table on the other side of us (in sneakers and a sweatshirt) was perhaps served a bit too much wine. Towards the end of their time there he began "humping" the table, bouncing his chair and cursing loudly. But those things aren't totally on the staff. I look forward to returning to JC Holdway many more times and I'm glad for their success. Knoxville needs a dining option like this. read more

This is the friendliest fine dining to be had in Knoxville. You'll want for nothing your entire meal! Steak tartare was perfectly executed; our spinach and truffle pastas were perfect. We had to save room for our next stop but: we've had the steak, chicken, and osso bucco before, and this time, we were jealous we had no time for the fish, filleted tableside. Wonderful cocktails to start, as usual. Thank you for yet another wonderful evening, perfectly paced and attended by nothing but friendly, professional staff. read more

The restaurant itself is beautiful, but the waiters and food was even better! Best porkchop ever! read more

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Stumbled in here by chance. We were so welcomed, where the other restaurants in Market Square brushed us off. They seated us in front of the kitchen where we were able to watch the kitchen staff prepare all of the meals. To top it off, our server was amazing and explained all of the dishes beautifully. We tried a several dishes and this place did not disappointed. This is a place for foodies! read more

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Love this place. They accommodated my husband and I on our anniversary and we had to bring our baby with us and they made us feel so welcome. The food was amazing and the service was incredible very detailed and yummy place to go eat. We had an amazing time we will be back the restaurant is beautiful and the vibe is there read more

JC Holdway offers the best dining experience in Knoxville. Great ambiance, wonderful service and exceptional food. I cannot recommend it any more highly. My personal favorites are the pork belly biscuits, shrimp, hush puppies, and the pork chop. Just an exceptional experience. read more

Very fun friendly upscale experience with excellent cocktails that match the excellent service. I had the orecchiette with lobster-deliciously spring fresh. Blue cheesecake was outstanding. Coming back again and again. read more

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Hands down the best restaurant in Knoxville and we have been to them all. Everything is amazing!

Had a 7:45p reservation. Seated pretty quickly at reservation time. Was a bit slow at the beginning with us just hanging out at the table with water but, everything picked up after a bit. Seemed like a place for dates, birthdays, and celebrations especially with the steep pricing. For three people, what we got filled us to the brim with a little bit of room for dessert. Cornbread (4/5) - great cornbread that pairs wonderfully with the sorghum butter. Bone marrow (4/5) - came with four slices of bread and picked cauliflower on top. A decent size of marrow was just the right amount of salty and fatty. Kale and squash salad (3/5) - was mostly dressed kale, didn't seem like there was any summer squash in it if any. The cornbread crumbles added a nice crunch. Grilled Prime Ribeye (5/5) - great cut of steak and cooked beautifully. Super tender. Got a side of the potato puree since the potatoes that came with the steak was mostly garnish. Charcoal grilled pork chop (3/5) - IMO no one really eats pork chops like steak so I wished it wasn't cooked similarly. It was a really thick pork chop so the inside felt a bit more rare and bland than I'm used to. The outside was more flavorful due to the char. The pork fried farro was an interesting component and added some flavor when eaten with the pork. Peaches and cream (4/5) - interesting dessert that does well with different temps and textures. Peaches with cold cream and crispy white chocolate pearls. Definitely a southern dessert. I would like to come back to check out the trout, but otherwise more of a I've been there before kind of place. read more

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Every thing about this restaurant was great. Food was surprisingly good. Reservations is hard to - so book in advance

A little past our dining experience but too good to not review. We have now been to JC a handful of times and none have them have disappointed. From the moment you walk in the door the ambiance draws you in and then there's the service! Everyone is friendly, professional, knowledgeable, and on top of their game. Every. Single. Time. Add to this an amazing menu that revolves around the season and you cannot go wrong. And what is food without drinks? To top off their delectable offerings JC's has a wide variety of beverages with very delicious and thoughtful seasonal and speciality drinks. Again something we try each visit. The coffee service is also something to mention. They have this down pat. I get coffee with one of their decedent desserts and it just completes the experience. Combine all of this with being able to see in the well oiled machine of the kitchen and you've got yourself the perfect date night! Cheers to another local gem! read more

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This was my last night in Knoxville, TN and I wanted to treat my hosts to a nice dinner. I had already identified JC Holdway as one of the restsurants that I wanted to try, so we all came to have dinner, and probably reinforce the positive opinion that my hosts had of the venue, and possibly forge my own. They had made the reservation, so we arrived at the hour and were promptly seated by a charming hostess. We were there on a Tuesday, and we were surprised at how packed the restaurant was. The decor of the venue is all modern and slightly "shabby chic" with warm tones, in grays and browns, with wood log accents and rustic, Appalachian-inspired chairs. The menu is not long, with a curated list of appetizers, mains, sides and deserts. The wine carte is extensive and somewhat eclectic, with domestic and international reds and whites and a few rosés. To begin, we had two cocktails (Bees Knees and a Manhattan), both expertly prepared and for dinner glasses of a Gurstzaminer white recommended by the sommelier. One of my dinner companions chose a green beans, morelle mushroom and campanelle pasta, while the other ordered a chicken liver pâte starter, While I opted for a red leaf salad: all of them utterly delicious! For seconds, we all had the 16 oz. Ribete with potatoes, turnips and zucchini, which we all agreed were some of the best streaks we had ever had. Quite impressive. The service was attentive, warm and friendly. My only quip would be that some of the dishes were overpriced, but the quality and freshness of the ingredients compensated this point of contention. So I can safely say that my last dinner in Knoxville did not dissapoint ! read more

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My husband and I went to celebrate my birthday on Wednesday night. We got an item from each course to share. Our order and my thoughts are as follows: Snack Plate: Smoked Fish Dip & bbq chips 5/5 Smaller Plate: Pan Seared Scallops, marinated green tomato, cucumber & gremolata 5/5 Smaller Pasta: Pappardelle, Benton's Bacon bolognese, parmesan & cornbread crumble 4/5 Larger Plate (not pictured): Roasted Chicken, squash pavé with white cheddar, charred spring onion & smoked tomato vinaigrette 3.5/5 Dessert: chocolate cake with peanut brittle and buttercream frosting + my free birthday scoop of stracciatella ice cream 5/5 The dining experience was excellent! The price point certainly makes this a "special occasion" restaurant only for us. But, the experience was worth the cost, if you can swing it! The staff made us feel welcome from the minute we walked in, wishing me a happy birthday and even having a "Happy Birthday" card set up in advance on our table. Everything we ordered was good, some items were great. The only thing I would have changed was ordering the roasted chicken for our main course. It was pretty standard and didn't feel worth the $$. Otherwise, we had a wonderful time at J.C. Holdway! read more

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do not open until 5 pm even if you have 5 pm reservation. No big deal with Market Square parking right across the street. Cool Area for shopping walking with ample seating and ample drink spots. Restaurant Staff is excellent, attentive, friendly. Restroom access is thru the kitchen, a water closet. Nice but very small. Had pork belly biscuits and hush puppies for appetizers. Both were good, but not really exceptional or unique. Benton's bacon bolognese pasta was fresh light and very good. Disappointed in 16 ounce prime ribeye. Market Price expectations resulted in underwhelming performance for me. Temperature medium rare perfect but not as tender as prime grade I routinely buy for home. Mushroom and black garlic puree and crispy potatoes were tasty and uniquely understated. One side dish I was impressed with was the asparagus and mushrooms with smoked onion jam. Spectacular flavor and perfect compliment to any entre. French press coffee is pricey $9 but very good. Chocolate cake with Carmel ice cream is bite sized. Very good, but pricey for a sample sized desert. Meal less tip a little over $200 (2 of us), but was more a $150 experience. Overall first experience was good, but not a must return soon kind of meal. read more

It is easy to see why Chef Lenn won the James Beard Best Chef Northeast. The food is remarkable! The Yellowfin Tuna Crudo with blood orange, citrus puree, pickled shallot, watercress and bay oil set the stage for an unforgettable evening. We were surprised by the smoked North Carolina Catfish Dip. It was so unique, creamy and delicious. The Bacon Bolognese with handmade tagliatelle, parmesan, and cornbread crumble had a rich, smoky flavor. And the desserts were the perfect ending to a perfect meal. An almond financier - almond shortbread with strawberries and vanilla gelato would have been my favorite had I not tried the peanut butter & jelly tart - a peanut butter tart with a strawberry jam & toast ice cream that, when you took a bite with all 3, tasted like an elevated pb&j sandwich! In addition to the food, the service was superb. Everyone was extremely friendly and helpful. The ambience was very chill overall with a relaxed vibe mixed with friendly chatter. This was a night I won't forget and I hope to return soon. read more

Grilled shrimp appetizer was great with a kick. Bacon bolognese was tasty with crunch added via cornbread crumbles. Very cosmopolitan vibe and service at bar was excellent read more

Simply excellent! I was in Knoxville with my wife and friends for a football weekend and got the chance to eat at JC Holdway two nights in a row. The service, the food, the drinks and the ambiance were top rate. It was one of the best dining experiences of the year. read more

The reviews are right! This is The Place for a lovely night out and for great food. My husband and I celebrated his retirement at J C Holdway recently, and we had great service from the kind and professional Domingo. He recommended a lovely wine for me and talked us through the menu. We started with the scallion hushpuppies and the grilled wings, both of which came with a fabulous dipping sauce. Both were spectacular. I used the chicken wing sauce on the hushpuppies and thought that was a better sauce than the one that was served with them because it was more spicy. For dinner, we shared the 16-oz prime rib. After a question to Adam, the manager, he told us that all of the pieces had the string that we found unappetizing and rather large in our rib. He recommended that we let him replace the one prime rib with two filets, knowing that this selection would be quality. What great management! At this point in the meal, we decided to share a filet, and it was cooked perfectly and tender. So delicious! Too bad we were too full for dessert. This is our new favorite restaurant in Knoxville, and I know we will be back. We were most impressed with the level of service. Above and beyond. Thanks to all for a great evening! read more

We've been twice and both meals were exceptional. Not only is food consistent and delicious but the service was better than I've received in top restaurants around the world. We felt welcomed and taken care of every minute. I can't say enough good things read more

Excellent all around! Food, service, wine pairing.... Easily one of the best restaurants in Knoxville. read more

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J C Holdway was our favorite dining experience during our visit! Knoxville native, Chef Joseph Lenn has created an incredible restaurant offering only the best farm to table cooked by wood-fire. His cuisine honors his late Uncle Joe's legacy of appreciating great food and showcases the freshest ingredients of the Southeast region. The J C Holiday team provides wonderful hospitality in an elevated and beautifully designed space. Each dish was exceptional and packed so much flavor in every bite. This establishment is not only a celebration of his hometown and what wood-fire cooking means to him, but also what happens when someone chases their dreams. And his cuisine is a perfect reflection of that. read more

J C Holdway - Whole Grilled Trout - New American Near Me - Knoxville, Tennessee

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