I had a server named Maia last night, and let me tell you, it might have been some of the best service I've ever received! She was incredibly kind, attentive, and made sure we had everything we needed throughout the entire night. She truly went above and beyond and made the whole experience that much better. I highly recommend asking for Maia if you get the chance! read more

The place is in a great location and the prices are reasonable! We sat outside to absorb the scenery and the atmosphere of this local downtown area! The food was very good and came out @ a short amount of time. The service was nice and we do recommend doing brunch/lunch, there! Highly recommended for a day out, on the weekend! 2 thumbs-up!!! read more

We were in Knoxville for the weekend and wanted something different. The highest rated restaurants were, for the most part, located in Knoxville's Old Market Square. When we looked at Not Watson's menu and saw scallops, Philly-steak eggrolls along with calamari for starters, we were hooked. After parking in the garage very close to the Square, we walked in around 4:15. The restaurant was already full and bustling. Luckily, we were seated quickly by a welcoming host. The inside of the restaurant is cool, dark and inviting. The store is not a dive but has a pleasant character about it that makes the experience very cool. Should you come during dinner hours, plan on a wait. Nathaniel was our waiter and he was great. He was knowledgeable about the menu and gave us a little requested guidance on what was on the menu. We started off with buffalo wings and corn ribs for appetizers. We ordered the Philly steak eggrolls, tater tots, and fish and chips for entree's. The corn ribs were unique and original. They take a piece of corn, quarter it and then fry the pieces-they were delicious!! Oh, as Nathaniel helpfully noted, this appetizer could feed four people easily. The wings were juicy and meaty. The egg-rolls were first rate. My wife and I split that as an entree. Between the corn and egg-rolls, we had plenty of food. The tater tots were good but took a backseat to the delicious corn and egg-rolls. I didn't forget about the fish and chips...my son ordered that and he loved them! I had a bite and they were some of the best fish I have had. We recently had fish and chips in the Mayfair area of London and this fish was every bit as good as that fish. The batter was very good- not a beer batter but awesome nonetheless. And the portions? Huge!! Whatever food you like, come hungry because there is no shortage of it! We didn't have any dessert simply because we were stuffed and there was plenty left over. Overall, it was a great dinner in a cool place with a great waiter. Next time you're in downtown Knoxville, don't miss Not Watson's Kitchen & Bar. Thanks, Not Watson's!!! read more

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This place was awesome! We visited Knoxville, and was looking for a restaurant to enjoy a lunch! it was also the World Cup day which made it even more exciting! Definitely kid friendly! The food was incredible! The weight staff was awesome! They definitely have TVs everywhere if you're wanting to watch something specific! The corn ribs were amazing!! One of the Best silky smooth Philly cheese steaks, I've ever had!!! read more

Not Watson's kitchen + Bar - New American Near Me - Knoxville, Tennessee

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Came into the restaurant after walking around taking in the sights of the street. The food was good and came out pretty quick. Went into the place kinda late (after 9 I believe). Took a seat at the bar and got a beer from the menu. The bartender was very attentive and let us take our time to order. Sat and watched the World Cup while drinking. Was not loud inside and everyone kept conversations quiet. Will come back of in the area. read more

Not Watson's kitchen + Bar - Club Light - American Light Lager - New American Near Me - Knoxville, Tennessee

What a great experience! We sat outside and our server Romaris got to our table immediately! She was friendly, and honest in helping us with our menu selections. The weather was great and sitting outside was a joy. Tables were clean and the outside dining area was clean. We chose the Stuffed Chicken Breast Caesar and the Pork Belly Tacos. WOW!! The were both ABSOLUTELY DELICIOUS and a great value for the price. Seriously, that stuffed chicken was amazing! Perfectly seasoned and tender and perfectly cooked. NO DOUBT one of us would order it again! The Pork Belly tacos were also delicious. Like the chicken, TONS of flavor! They were fresh, tasty and the perfect portion! Drinks were great, just a tasty unsweetened fresh brewed iced tea. We would DEFINITELY go back again and I completely recommend this place! read more

Not Watson's kitchen + Bar - Pork Belly Tacos - New American Near Me - Knoxville, Tennessee

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My group of friends (9 of us total) ended up eating here while we were visiting Knoxville. We couldn't decide where in market square to eat, as all of the restaurants showed good reviews on Yelp, but it smelled really good so it won the vote. The inside is really cool looking: lots of memorabilia on the walls, the football games playing, and plenty of seating. We were sat immediately as they had a large table by the door. The service was good and relatively attentive. We did have to ask a few times for water and one of my friends wasn't served the beer she ordered, but we can't expect perfection with such a large group. They did, however, get everyone's food order correct (I was shocked!) and it all came out together (again very shocking!) I ordered the scallop appetizer because I love grit cakes at other restaurants, and I also got the flat iron steak kale Caesar so I could get some greens and protein. The salad was not as flavorful as I expected with their "homemade garlic Caesar dressing" but the steak was cooked perfectly. The appetizer was not good. The grit cakes were hard and flavorless while the scallops were cooked perfectly, but the sauce was overwhelming tomato flavored, almost like a pasta sauce. I ended up using the really good sauce from one of my friends cheesecake egg rolls appetizer to finish them and left the grit cakes. I also encouraged my friends to try the grit cakes (because I loved them at a different restaurant and they had never tried them before), and no one liked them at all. Another friend ordered the wedge salad and loved it and someone else got a side of Mac n cheese that was really tasty! A couple of friends ordered the smash burger and said it was good but the tater tots and broccolini (their relative sides) were cold and not cooked right. The rest of the group all ordered the Cobb salad and said it was good. This and the scallops being bad are why I can't give them 5 stars. Moral of the story, order the tried and true meals and don't go for anything unique like I did. They seem to have basic American fare down pat but struggle with the more specialized flavors. read more

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The scallop appetizer is a true standout!! So amazing and better than most seafood restaurants across the East coast. I also enjoyed the super delicious and strong margarita as well as the spinach salmon salad. The bartender was kind to me. Can't wait to return! read more

Not Watson's kitchen + Bar - This scallop appetizer is everything!! And the margarita! - New American Near Me - Knoxville, Tennessee

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The fried pickles were amazing. Spears not chips! My chicken sandwiches were good too. Thanks to the staff for entertaining a bunch of teenage boys! read more

Not Watson's? More Like... Not Worth It. Sometimes in life you have to listen to that inner voice. The one that quietly nudges you in another direction. The one I ignored today when I chose Not Watson's instead of following my true spirit to the Old City for a vegan tamale that had been pressing on my psyche all morning. But I ignored it. So here we are. This happened Wednesday, March 4, 2026. I was downtown on Market Square for a business meeting. The weather was nice, I had already paid to park, and the craving for fish and chips got the best of me. Not Watson's was close, so it seemed like the logical choice. But when the vibe is off... the vibe is off. Around 1:05 PM there was a line at the door. One party of four, two additional parties of two, and then me -- the solo diner. While we were standing there waiting, two women from one of the parties asked if I was waiting on someone. When I told them no, they kindly invited me to sit with them. A thoughtful gesture. But I declined. Maybe if I had accepted, I might have received better service. Ah yes... the small pitfalls of solo dining. What made things odd was that the place didn't even appear busy. Several different servers came to the front to seat people, but there was no hostess and tables still needed to be cleaned before anyone could sit. I almost left. My instincts were already whispering, go get that tamale instead. But the pull for fish and chips was strong, so I thought, forget it -- I'll wait. When my turn finally came I was asked, "Outside? High-top? Or a table in the back?" Well damn. It felt a little like I was being strategically placed out of sight, so I chose the table in the back. Walking through the restaurant I again noticed it really wasn't busy. Then I sat. And sat. Ten minutes went by with no greeting, no water, no acknowledgment. So I did what anyone would do -- I watched the TV in front of me. At that point the urge to leave was getting stronger, but me being me thought, let me give this another second. That's when a gentleman from the kitchen came over. He introduced himself and said he noticed no one had waited on me yet and didn't want me sitting there hungry, so he took my order. He mentioned my server would come by shortly. Spoiler alert: my server never actually showed up. I later learned my server was also bartending. Eventually my food arrived -- three pieces of fish, fries, and coleslaw (which unfortunately had absolutely no flavor). By this point I was hungry, so I dug in. First problem: the fish was fried way too hard, almost burnt. Second problem: the fries were so salty they could probably raise your blood pressure on sight. But the real issue? The fish had zero taste. None. If the fish had actually tasted good, crispy or otherwise, I probably would have eaten it anyway. But this was like chewing overcooked cardboard. When the gentleman came back, I showed him the fish and he immediately saw the problem. He said he would alert the kitchen. He kindly offered a complimentary dessert (declined) and offered to have the fish and chips remade (also declined). At that point I had lost my appetite. When the check arrived, it was half-price. Now here's where the math didn't quite math. You were willing to remake the entire meal, yet I paid half price for a plate where I ate one piece of fish and a few fries, after spending most of my visit waiting to be acknowledged. So I paid my $9, left a tip, and got the heck out of there. As I was leaving he said, "Hopefully we'll get it right next time." Next time? I left just as hungry as I arrived. The only silver lining of the entire experience was remembering I had half a Butterfinger sitting in my desk drawer back at work. Now that lit me up. Unfortunately, between the awkward service, the overcooked fish, and leaving just as hungry as I came, this is one fish-and-chips stop I won't be revisiting. read more

Not Watson's kitchen + Bar - After - New American Near Me - Knoxville, Tennessee

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Food was pretty good. Best part of our experience was our wonderful server, Olive. She was knowledgeable, friendly, and very professional. They need to give her a raise and a promotion. read more

The place is in a great location and the prices are reasonable! We sat outside to absorb the scenery and the atmosphere of this local downtown area! The food was very good and came out @ a short amount of time. The service was nice and we do recommend doing brunch/lunch, there! Highly recommended for a day out, on the weekend! 2 thumbs-up!!! read more

Great food and phenomenal service. Came here today, after wandering around the square a little bit. We were greeted as soon as we walked in and shown a table. Our server came right away to get our drink orders, which were brought out fast. We took a little bit to figure out what we wanted to eat, our server was very understanding and gave us time to look over everything. My husband and I ended up splitting the Not Yo Mama's Chicken and Waffles with a side of tater tot's and our son got the white cheddar bacon Mac and cheese. When the food came out, they had already split the chicken and waffles for us which was extremely awesome. It was delicious. The cheddar waffle was savory and fluffy and the chicken hot and crunchy. The bourbon maple syrup had great flavor. The chicken and waffles also came with spiced watermelon. Which was fresh, juicy and delicious. Our son enjoyed his Mac and cheese a lot. I stole a bite and could definitely see why. It was creamy and delicious, not the typical Mac and cheese you get from restaurants. This was our first time here and definitely won't be the last. The food and the service were both great. It's a great spot with indoor and outdoor seating that's perfect for hanging out after exploring the square. read more

Not Watson's kitchen + Bar - Not Yo Mama's Chicken and Waffles (split plate) - New American Near Me - Knoxville, Tennessee

Wings were perfectly cooked and juicy. Both the ranch and blue cheese dressing were top notch. Our waiter was extremely friendly and attentive. We were vacationing in the area, but would definitely be regulars if we were local! read more

Came here on a Tuesday afternoon and was a bit underwhelmed with the service. I've been at Not Watson's before and was disappointed this go around. Our server was simply not attentive, brought me the wrong beverage and then forgot a second until we reminded him. Didn't tell me about the beverage special, I actually overheard the other server a table over mention it to his guests. The other tables server came and checked on their guests twice as often as ours did. The food was good, I got the Philly - wish there was a little more Whiz but the onion was caramelized nicely and the cherry peppers were a nice authentic touch for those of us that like a little more heat. I'm not sure what bread they use but it held up quite well, soft on the inside and a little crusty on the outside the way it ought to be for a Philly. I do like a whiz Philly, I know some like a provolone Philly - to each their own. The Philly at Not Watson's isn't going to win awards but it was solid. It was a nice day outside, a little on the cooler side but they had the A/C blasting - it was chilly inside. I also noticed upon leaving they had 3 tables that had not been bussed yet although patrons had left some time ago. I know a lot of people in Knoxville are away on vacation right now, so Market Square wasn't as busy as it normally is. Not sure if the lack of foot traffic contributed, but the service from my waiter and the overall sloppy look of the unbussed tables knocked it down a star for me. read more

Not Watson's kitchen + Bar - 9th Street Philly - New American Near Me - Knoxville, Tennessee

Great food! Blue burger was amazing and the hand-cut fries were out of this world! Service a little slow but good. We will be back.

We walked up during the Saturday market square today. Long waits at every restaurant. Saw the ad for brunch (including Benny). Went in with no wait. Staff were very nice. Food was so disappointing. My Benny on biscuit was a hard boiled egg on a very hard biscuit. I wish I recorded how hard it all was! My husband's chicken on biscuit was just as bad. Really old biscuit and chicken tenders. At least his fried eggs on top had some moisture. We didn't complain at the time--felt bad for the server and our ignorance for going to the only place on the market square that didn't have a wait. Also--no toilet paper in the bathroom. In case this helps anyone else pick a restaurant. We loved so Many other restaurants during our stay on the square!!! read more

Looking for a new place on Market Square and Bot Watson's was where I landed. Originally intended for a burger and finally decided on fish & chips. Sat at the bar and enjoyed the banter between the bartenders and waitstaff picking up drinks. Overall beer selection was deep and service at the bar was quick. Another good reliable place to eat on Market Square. read more

Had dinner here and sat at bar. Food was amazing and bartender was so friendly. Would highly recommend this place. Great bar selection. Try the Widow Jane Bourbon! read more

Not Watson's kitchen + Bar - Great Bar - New American Near Me - Knoxville, Tennessee

Last minute late dinner, checking revues, Not Watson's sounded good. At 8:30 on a Saturday night we got in, party of three, got right in, They keep the temperature a little cool (bring a jacket). But the service was on point. We ordered the scallops on polenta which was pretty good. The sweetness of the scallops was very tasty. Our dinner selections included the Creole fettuccine with shrimp and alligator, meat loaf served with brown gravy over mash potatoes with broccolini, and pork belly tacos. The food did not disappoint except the person who had the meatloaf said it was a little too loose to his liking-not enough breadcrumbs or whatever used to solidify it. The pasta dish was yummy though it was served with a clump of Parmesan. I guess I lucked out because the tacos were delicious. read more

Not Watson's kitchen + Bar - New American Near Me - Knoxville, Tennessee

Been several times and the food and service is constantly top notch. Great place to stop in when going to the nearby theaters.

Enjoyed the food but the service made the experience even better! Will visit again soon!

The first thing about Not Watson's is the name. It's funny and catchy. The second thing is that it's in an interesting square of other restaurants and, I think, some shops. (It was nighttime & we couldn't really see all that was there.) It reminded me of some areas in Italy. They had a special on mojitos the night we were there, so I decided to indulge. (A rarity for me!) It was strong, but most drinks are to me, so I watered it down. I did enjoy it, though. I ordered the burger salad. I didn't realize that I could choose any burger, so I got the first one that caught my eye -- the mac & cheese burger. It was a little spicy (what's with all the spicy food all of a sudden??) , so it was a nice contrast to the vegetables in the salad. But I enjoyed it; burger salads are one of my favorites! Our server was also very nice. And, while we figured that it's a state law, it was still fun to be carded when everyone in our group was over 60. read more

Not Watson's kitchen + Bar - $6 Mojito Thursday - New American Near Me - Knoxville, Tennessee

Walked in to the bar and after a couple of drinks ordered some food. I must say the meatloaf is about as good as you'll find anywhere. Texture and spice were perfect. Give this place a try! read more

Very cool place, great atmosphere and well I wish I could have tested the food . But with over 18 empty available sittings, we were told we would need wait over an hour to possibly be seated. I asked for the manager, and a very nice lady at the reservation. Podium said that she could be the manager. She was very welcoming and pleasant and as she was trying to see what she could do, young guy come over , then she left and just ignored me and went receive the next person in line. When I ask him, what are you doing or why aren't you taking my name down, he replied with scorn "I'll get to " That's what I made position right then in there this place is poorly manage, and the owners apparently are not hiring people who are interested in making money. If I knew what charity I was supposed to donate to to get something out of them, I would have. It's a shame for Knoxville. read more

Wife and I had drinks & dinner at the bar. Split an appetizer of corn ribs and the smashburger for our entree. Service was good as was the food, but I found the bacon jam on the burger to be way too sweet. Good spot and we will return, but will try different menu items next time. read more

We sat outside on this unseasonably warm winter day! The atmosphere is laid back and the food was delicious! Our server was on it and was super friendly! read more

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Popped in on a Wednesday evening. We were seated immediately. We ordered beverages that came right out. We ordered fish and chips, crawfish dip and wings. All of it was hot and fresh and very tasty. I recommend this restaurant. read more

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Service was great, Niko the goat and clay were very proactive when serving us. We got carbonated milk.

Bruh.... Where do I start? The bartender "PJ" chose most of my drinks and meals. He recommended an amazing bourbon and Scottish ale. He also recommended the Philly cheesesteak egg rolls which were amazing. I can probably have an entree of 20 of these eggrolls and be satisfied. Amazing taste, amazing sauce. I got the Chimichurri steak with mash and broccolini and it was drool worthy. Cooked right, amazing seasoning on the steak, and great combo. I'm highly impressed; props to the cooks. Very chill place and if you're sitting at the bar I would definitely lookout for PJ. read more

Not Watson's kitchen + Bar - Philly eggrolls - New American Near Me - Knoxville, Tennessee

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Great selection of libations across the board! Awesome staff. A staff that has been together here for a number of years which results in a 5 star experience for the customer. Been having some GREAT convos with the bartender (Kyle) who's a foodie & very knowledgeable with the food & drink menus. Something one rarely finds in the restaurant scene these days. Thank you Kyle! The food menu is obviously designed by chefs & is moderately priced. It was very difficult to make a decision for dinner because of the variety. I highly recommend this fine establishment for the value, the quality & the staff. read more

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Not Watson's Kitchen + Bar has really good food, friendly and attentive service and a relaxed atmosphere. The restaurant has a sports bar vibe with a several TVs on the walls sports playing, a large bar on the left, several high top tables, and a lot of other seating. But this is not typical sports bar food. Everything we ordered - from drinks, to appetizers, to main dishes - were fantastic. And the service was really good too. For appetizers, we ordered fried pickles and calamari. The fried pickles are fried spears and were really crispy with good flavor. The calamari was fired perfectly and had some mixed jalapeño peppers fried with the calamari. That added a nice little spice to the already tasty flavor. For the meal we had - Asian Chicken Salad - Honey glazed fried chicken, cabbage, spinach, carrots, red bell pepper, peanuts and sesame peanut vinaigrette. This was very good - 9/10 rating - Pan Seared Scallops - served over linguini, tossed w/ fresh basil, garlic, tomatoes, Brie & extra virgin olive oil - 8/10 rating - Grilled Salmon Fillet - topped with local honey, grain mustard, fresh mint. Served with white cheddar mashed potatoes & grilled asparagus - 9/10 rating - Chili Mac 'n' Cheese Burger with fries - 9/10 rating They also have a full bar with a lot of beers on tap. This is a great place to eat and hang out. We will definitely return. read more

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Wow, slow service, rude, waitress, cold soup. Definitely did not live up to the reviews.

My server Maia was so attentive and funny. Truly made the experience better!! Will be going back and requesting her as my server again.

Awesome cheese steak. Bar keep was super chill and helpful Would definitely go back if I'm ever in town again read more

7.5/10 - Not Watson's Decent American fare and super consistent. A safe, casual downtown option. read more

The fried pickles are so good and so is the veggie power wrap!! Service is very accommodating and quick!! It's a very laid back and comfortable environment!! read more

OMG....those egg rolls where on a whole other level!! For someone who is not a fan of Philly cheese steak....these won me over!!! Was told they frequently sell out and I understand why!! The flat iron steak was cooked perfectly and so tender! Every person that tended to us was soooo friendly! It's a lively spot with loud music but a fun place for happy hour! read more

Not Watson's kitchen + Bar - Philly cheese steak egg rolls - New American Near Me - Knoxville, Tennessee

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Heard many good things about this place. Service was good but unfortunately the food was underwhelming. [Buffalo wings] They don't really clean their wings prior to cooking. There were feathers here and there but one of them had a whole little clump. Wings were not saucy either.. kinda dry on the outside. [Mimosa] My fav thing I ordered here. The size is generous! [Whiskey Flight] The pours were generous buuut not the best whiskies. [Calamari] These were very floury, limp, and greasy. There were too many fried pickled peppers too. read more

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Food was fantastic, very flavorful, fast service! Our server Nathaneal gave the best recommendation for food and the best service we have ever had at a restaurant. The Philly cheese steak egg rolls were absolutely amazing, the tuna bowl was absolutely magnificent, and the chimichurri steak was phenomenal. Can not wait to be back!!! 12/10 would definitely recommend read more