Sevier Ave Burger Co: A Look Inside

by Emily Stooks | Oct 11, 2024 | All Articles, Evan Mays, Food & Drink, Our Writers

Setting the Scene

It was a sweltering, sunny Saturday afternoon when I walked up to Sevier Ave Burger Company. A modest but bright building nestled tightly amongst the hustle and bustle of South Knoxville’s growing downtown area, the Burger Company radiates a happy and bubbly energy as soon as you walk in the door and are greeted with a warm hello.

I just missed the lunch rush when I entered the stylish building, but found the remnants of a busy midday hubbub — customers with full bellies and wide smiles signing their checks. That’s when I saw my old friend Jon, Sevier Ave Burger Co’s head chef.

The Conversation:

Jon greeted me with a hug, and we moved outside to the colorful patio. After some catching up, I asked him what led him here. A graduate of Le Cordon Bleu, Jon worked for Knoxville favorites like SoKno Taco and Cool Beans before taking the reins at Sevier Ave Burger Company. When tasked with running the restaurant, Jon’s first focus was building a menu that wasn’t overwhelming but ensured that every item was a hit. “Essentially I wanted a limited menu that wasn’t too crazy, but I wanted every item to be a winner,” he said. “I didn’t want there to be any fillers. I didn’t want there to be items that were just there to make the menu look more full. If you come to the restaurant and you get anything on the menu, you’re gonna like it.” 

“What’s the one menu item you’d recommend?” I asked. “My favorite is the Definitely Not Kosher,” Jon said. That burger blends cheddar cheese and a house-made bacon jam into a contemporary take on an old favorite. 

While burgers are the main focus, the menu also offers a wide-variety of appetizers! In fact, they run a special on weekdays from 3-6pm called “Appy Hour.” (Get it? 😉) During this incredible deal, the Burger Company offers half-priced appetizers, two-for-one drafts, and $4 wine. 

As we began to dive more into the making of the tasty dishes at Sevier Avenue Burger Company, Jon emphasized the importance of using fresh, locally sourced ingredients. The produce used at the restaurant is from Valley Produce in Seymour, while the bread is from Quality Bakers in East Knoxville. “We’re not doing anything crazy, I mean anyone can make a burger,” Jon explained. “But what we are doing differently is using fresh, quality, local ingredients, and I think that, on the base level, makes everything better.”

The Taste Test:

As we wrapped up our conversation, Jon led me inside to try some food and cocktails. In honor of Appy Hour, I sampled a few starters: buffalo chicken rangoons, mozzarella sticks, fried pickles, and deviled eggs.

The rangoons were simply perfect. Fried flawlessly and packed full of buffalo chicken dip, this starter dish balances a light spiciness and a creamy texture that will have your taste buds begging for more. Craving something a little more simple? The mozzarella sticks are a classic but delicious choice—possibly the biggest ones I’ve ever seen. The second you bite into the fried pickles, you can tell they were made with love and made in house. Jon told me that almost nothing is frozen and stored at this eatery, and the fried pickles prove it. The blend of spices used for the breading creates a harmonious wonderland of a flavor palette, and the balance between softness and crispiness is daring and delectable. 

Finally, I was left with the deviled eggs, which I was the most nervous to try. You see, dear reader, my mother makes the best deviled eggs on the planet, so I enter into any new devilish egg adventure as a biased eater. However, these are a very close second to my sweet mama’s recipe. The eggs are cooked flawlessly, the filling strikes the right symmetry of tanginess and sweetness, and the pièce de résistance is the bacon jam. The finely sliced bacon and its sweet coating adds the perfect cherry-on-top to an already wonderful little dish.

Next, I sampled three cocktails: the espresso martini, peach bellini, and Tennessee sunrise. The espresso martini was flavorful, rich, and inviting, while the bellini’s bubbly champagne and peach puree made for a light, refreshing drink. The Tennessee sunrise was the surprising standout. Usually, I hate bourbon. But, with a combination of soda water and grenadine (with an optional lemonade addition, if you’re feeling a little wild), this drink is sweet, warm, and relaxing.  

Need even more reasons to try this new Knoxville spot? A new brunch menu is now being offered with champagne on tap, a limited-run barbeque menu will be offered starting in October, and vegetarian and vegan options like black bean and portobello burgers are also highlights on the menu! 

With great food, drinks, and service in a lively location, Sevier Avenue Burger Company is a must-try! They are open until 10pm on weekdays and midnight on weekends, so grab a burger and drink — and tell Jon I sent you!

-Evan Mays