Bringing People Together

PICNIC PICKS BY RILEY WOODY

SUMMER BRINGS up very specific food scenes for me; a hot grill with burgers and Mexican corn, watermelon and giant blackberries, strawberry pie, pulled pork, sweet tea, and colorful blankets spread on bright green grass - preferably in the shade or by the water. But nothing makes a blanket spread great quite like take out, and Knoxville has some epic options.

Consider a picnic classic and order sandwiches from Steamboat Sandwiches on N Central. Sandwiches are an underrated culinary experience, and to truly appreciate the crafty layering of flavors at Steamboat, I highly recommend ordering a signature sandwich. The Italiano is fabulous: pepperoni, salami, and banana peppers. If you’re less spice and vinegar, try the classic club with ham and bacon. Just don’t miss out, because while you can always build your own, Steamboat has an expert handle on flavor.

Barbecue is another great summer food. A bit of advice, tag team the buns, potato chips, and baked beans, but buy the meat by the pound. Smoking meat takes time and skill, and I’ve personally found plenty of local options for fall-off-the-bone, eat-it-from-thepan with no fixin’s or sauce pulled pork. Mostly I encourage you foodies to pick up whatever is on the way, but Archer’s, Sweet Pea’s, and my previous favorite, Dead End, are all safe bets. If you’re willing to drive for unrivaled flavor, check Facebook for the location of the Smokin’ F BBQ food truck. It’s worth all the effort, I promise.

Finally, turn up the heat and try Taqueria La Herradura off Kingston Pike in Bearden. Order the taco plate: street tacos, steak or chicken, in corn tortillas, plus beans and rice. Every meal comes with green and red salsa. Heat lovers like me go green, the red’s for people who’d rather feel the heat than taste the food. Even if you forego salsa entirely, always squeeze the lime.

Knoxville has great picnicking parks, and I recommend Lakeshore off Northshore. Extensive walking paths, plentiful parking, nice playgrounds, and trees for shade (or hammocks) make it perfect for family gatherings, and big covered areas are good for unpredictable, East Tennessee weather.

Victor Ashe, a beautiful and recently revamped park (complete with a dog park and disc golf), is close for those in Powell and North Knox, and Farragut has the Cove, Founders, Anchor, and McFee (splash pad!) - all with covered eating areas. Ijams Nature Center provides even more immersion in nature. If you’re an all-in or go home picnicker, there are state parks all across East Tennessee, and Great Smoky Mountains National Park is only an hour from downtown.

No matter where you choose to gather or what you bring to eat, enjoy the summer weather, and remember nothing brings people together like good food.

Riley Woody is a University of Tennessee graduate, Knoxville native and avid foodie ready for any adventure with her pen and palate in tow.

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