Just go!!!! All right first glance from the outside it's in a strip mall so it's very down to earth and unassuming, but there is lots of parking. This is a sitdown spot that you can also order to go. It's family run, I went after work with my kids and upon entering everyone greeted us we stood online for a few minutes. We weren't sure what we wanted to order, but there was a gentleman there who provided samples I had seen their TikTok page, so that was part of the reason I went and they definitely delivered!!!Unfortunately I have to drive about an hour to get to them, so I won't be able to go back as much as I would like. Go treat yourself and check them out highly recommend their mac & cheese oxtail and if you have kids, you may want to check out their waffles and chicken. Oh my God!!! Incredible!!!! read more

Ola's Southern Cuisine 2 - Cute little pool area while we wait on our order! - Soul Food Near Me - Knoxville, Tennessee

I have not had the opportunity to go there yet but have heard only good positive reviews about the food as well as the staff!! It's quite a long drive from where I live but will get there if I have to get a ride from bus service KAT!! read more

I can't believe I haven't had Ola's before. Have I been sleeping under a rock? Good lordt this food is bangin! I'm not even one to try too many gravy smothered entrees, but it was recommended. Perfectly seasoned, big portions, and lip smacking good. Literally food my soul desperately needed. We even got a karaoke show while eating here. The staff were friendly and happy. There's seating inside and outside. Definitely returning here soon. read more

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Absolutely amazing!! If you're needing something filling, flavorful and delicious this is the place you should go without question! The staff, while limited in numbers, they offer quality service. And though the ambiance doesn't scream a fine dining outing, it certainly delivers your taste buds and experience that made me know this was grandma's recipes in the kitchen! read more

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The wings were fabulous, we love the macaroni and cheese and the fish. The staff was super friendly highly recommend. read more

Ola's Southern Cuisine 2 - Soul Food Near Me - Knoxville, Tennessee

A little hard to find. Don't be put off by the appearance. Everything we ordered was excellent. Catfish was literally the best I have ever had. The yams were amazing. Okra and Mac & cheese were yummy. Wasn't crazy about the smothered chicken, but everyone else with me loved it, so it was me not it. They gave us cupcakes they had left over from an earlier function for dessert. Super friendly staff. read more

The best soul food I've had in years, if not ever. For lunch, I had the catfish, corn bread, and fried okra. And absolutely zero regrets. I will be definitely coming back for more! read more

Best southern food I've had from a restaurant. Grandma Ola did her grandson right with all the good recipes she passed on to him.

Food is delicious but the hours are never consistent!! Bad business decisions!! Hours should be what is posted!

Listen these pictures do not do this place any justice. Literally found this place on Tiktok and although there were a whole lot of reviews I knew I had to try it. Was visiting TN with my sister for a concert and we went on a Friday afternoon and it wasn't too packed which we appreciated. The owners were super nice and sweet. They kept checking on us to make sure we were ok. Me and my sister played connect 4 while waiting on our food. I couldn't even leave before I tried the food and let's just say I kept eating and eating until my plate was completely empty. My sister's plate didn't stand a chance. I got the blazin asian salmon and idk what that sauce is but baybeee it is bomb. The mac was flavorful and the okra was seasoned well. I'm not an okra girl, just love the skin haha but ate them all just the way that they were. The food is made to order and made with love. I will say come early bc he does sell out on a lot of items fast bc customers buy so many at a time. The Husband owner is the cook and the wife owner handles the front and also bakes. We talked to the owner wife literally our entire visit. Love their story (friends and business partners before even becoming husband and wife). She even took our picture to put on the wall with all the other guests who have come by. The menu is endless. Please give them business a visit if you're ever in TN or just passing by. I promise you, you won't regret it. read more

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Stopped in on a Saturday night and this place is amazing. Catfish and Mac and Cheese was the best I've had. The owner/chef and his family are super nice people. Get the Jolly Rancher wings and you will think me later. read more

The food here is wonderful. The best catfish, yams and okra I have ever had in a restaurant. This place is worth going out of your way to grab a bite. I can't wait to come here and eat again. The owners and staff are super nice. read more

The catfish is delicious. The service was excellent. They made sure we had everything we needed. Home cooking is what you will get.

Great service & amazing food! Seriously everything we tried was so good. We tried the angel eggs too but didn't get a pic. The owner came out and talked to us a couple times while we were there. Genuinely a nice guy and the server/cashier was so kind and very helpful when we were ordering. This was the best service I've gotten anywhere since before Covid. My picky 15 year old daughter is already asking when we are going back and if her friends can come! 10/10 we will for sure be going back & soon. read more

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The chicken here is crispy and saucy, the cornbread is the best I've ever tasted around the world, a must try! The collard greens and Mac & cheese were perfectly homemade. Ola's Cuisine in the south of Knoxville hit the spot like Momma's kitchen. read more

Best food ever, love The wings and love the lobster tail. We found our new best soul food, Chef Black really cooked his food with his heart and soul. We love to heard the story about his Grandmother "Ola". Very friendly atmosphere. Food rating A, my only complaint is the room is very smoky, my eyes burning from sitting too close to the kitchen. Maybe put more better vent? But please try it out, you will have a happy belly. read more

Delicious!!! You have to try the cornbread the best I've EVER had and the chef was so kind. Definitely would come back!

Just had the best Boil!! The fried wings were gotta get that Chi Chi sauce. Fried Okra bomb a must have. Everything was great and the service was just like home. read more

It's not many soul food establishments in Knoxville but this is one of the better ones. I had a taste for some seafood so I wrestled with getting the catfish or shrimp and grits on the menu. I decided on the catfish I was not disappointed. The catfish came out hot and the 2 sides I got were the fried okra and Mac and cheese. The catfish had a nice crust with a spicy kick, the okra was fresh and fried to perfection, lastly the Mac and cheese was official non of that box Mac and cheese with the fake cheese sauce it was baked with bits of crispy topping. Overall great dinning experience and I'll definitely be back. read more

Ola's Southern Cuisine 2 - Fried Catfish Meal with 2 sides - Soul Food Near Me - Knoxville, Tennessee

Upon arrival we have to admit, we were a little hesitant. At first glance the place looks to be closed. The sign said they open at 12:30 but they didn't open until 12:40. Once inside the vibe was nice! They had music playing and many board games and cards to play. We ordered and the food did not take long at all. It came out hot and fresh. We ordered chicken and waffles, catfish, Mac, and greens. It was all seasoned well. The catfish we felt had a little too much breading but other than that we had no complaints. They gave us sample of two different wings they offered. The chi chi wings and some kind of jolly rancher wings. Both were good. We definitely will be back to visit when in the area again hopefully to try the weekend brunch. read more

I've been meaning to rant about this place for a while now and just forgetting to do so...but I can tell you what I dont forget...the meals I've had here. There is nothing here that is bad. The food is full of flavor and you can tell that It is made by someone with a passion for their craft. The owners are friendly and make you feel like family from the moment you step in. Food I've had so far: Collard greens - best I've had...you won't find better in the area Homemade Mac and cheese- rich and full of cheese goodness Curried chicken - melts in your mouth and a perfect blend of light spice and savoryness. Catfish- the best I've had. The light breading is crisp and not overbearing. It's got so much flavor on its own you don't need anything to go with it. ChiChi wings- this is the top of the line. Get these. For a foodie if you miss these you will regret it. The homemade sauce is perfect. Sweet and savory, light but still clings to the wings. The wings are juicy and tender. This is the king of wings. If I could take chi chi sauce home in a bottle I'd pay well for it and use it on everything. Most unique flavorful sauce I've ever come across. This restaurant is a gem and ill be telling anyone that will listen to me to visit. read more

Awesome Food Great folks, Service and a fun atmosphere! Chi Chi sauced wings are terrific. Catfish is the best I've had . read more

Finally able to try this food and it was fan-freakin-tastic. Smothered Chicken with yams and potato wedges and then the fried catfish and potato wedges. Excellent flavor and crispness on the fish and potatoes. The gravy on the chicken was phenomenal and the yams tasted like pumpkin pie. Highly recommend, but food is made to order, so hang out and listen to soul music while waiting for your soul food! read more

Wonderful lunch, friendly owners, and great food. Yams were like Grandmas. A repeater for sure

BEST PLACE TO GET FOOD, you will not be disappointed at all the customer service is amazing the ambiance is incredible!!

My family had Ola to cater our daughter's graduation dinner on 5/17/2024. The Mac/cheese was burnt and dry, fish looked like chicken tenders, greens very salty, we asked for yams and got sweet potatoes that looked like soup. Whoever prepared this meal knew that this was not pleasing to the eye. Fried chicken was dry. It was awful. The person that picked it up for our family didn't looked at it before she walked out the door. She tipped whomever it was $80. What a waste and you should be ashamed of yourself serving food in this condition. Only reason we used Ola is because of UT Knoxville basketball team referred them. It was to late to make it Right. The damage was already done. Never Again will I refer them or use them when I'm in the city. read more

So happy to have a real southern cooking restaurant in south Knoxville. Love visiting local restaurants and so glad this is close to home. Tried the jerk chicken wings with the okra. The housemade jerk sauce was deliciously flavorful. The okra had a chef special seasoning. Looking forward to next visit to try new flavors read more

Ola's Southern Cuisine 2 - Kids chicken wings with Mac and cheese - Soul Food Near Me - Knoxville, Tennessee

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The food was Horrible for my daughters' graduation this past Friday 5/17/2024. To suggest that my Family was lying about their experience is utterly absurd. I wish we have taken pictures to post so people could see exactly what you gave us. Fish looked like chicken tenders, mac/cheese burnt and dry, greens very salty, chicken dry and the yams were pureed. Very unacceptable. read more

The food here is far beyond southern cuisine if you like unseasoned and overcooked meals. The customer service is one to be reckoned with and the owner has no business ethics whatsoever. When you accept payment for a service and product, you should be willing to adjust/resolve, not be defensive because no one wants to pay for inedible food. There was a large tip left by the person who picked up the food without looking it over which was a huge mistake because that gesture too was unappreciated. Do not support this business unless you like throwing your money away. read more

One of the best experiences I have ever had in a restaurant. I have never felt more welcomed and the food was incredible. If you are considering trying this place, do so. read more

The food is amazing. The chef is humble and very gracious!!! I had the shrimp and grits with a side of sweet potatoes. Just thinking about it makes my mouth dance!!!!! read more

I am so glad we stumbled across this place today. It's really obvious that the owner is passionate about what he does and the food he creates. We were greeted before we even got in the door. The prices were reasonable and everything we tried from the menu was fantastic. The owner even came out and checked on us and talked to us for a while. He even brought us samples of other menu items! 10 out of 10! We'll be back! read more