The 7 Must-Try Dishes On Calloway's Tennessee Kitchen Menu: 2025 Deep Dive Into East Tennessee's Best Comfort Food
Planning a visit to East Tennessee and looking for the authentic taste of the South? As of late 2025, the menu at Calloway's Tennessee Kitchen remains a celebrated showcase of scratch-made, regional comfort food, defying expectations with its unique blend of quality and convenience. This family-owned gem, with locations in Maryville, Newport, and Seymour, has built a loyal following by committing to local ingredients and serving portions so generous they call them "Country Boy sized."
Forget the standard fast-food fare; Calloway's elevates simple Southern staples into culinary experiences. From their legendary chicken tenders to a breakfast sandwich that locals swear by, the menu is a deep dive into Appalachian flavor. Whether you're fueling up for a day of hiking or seeking a hearty dinner, this comprehensive guide breaks down the essential dishes and local entities that make Calloway's a must-visit dining destination.
The Calloway's Tennessee Kitchen Menu Experience: A Focus on Local Sourcing and Comfort
Calloway's Tennessee Kitchen is more than just a restaurant; it’s a dedication to the local food economy of East Tennessee. The founders' mission was to bring high-quality, freshly made food highlighting local and regional ingredients to the community in a fast, convenient way. This commitment to local sourcing is what truly sets their menu apart, transforming everyday items into standout dishes with a distinctive, authentic flavor profile.
The entire operation is founded on the principle of scratch-made cooking, meaning almost everything is prepared in-house, from their signature gravies to the hand-breading on their famous chicken. This focus on quality and tradition ensures a consistent, comforting taste that keeps customers returning to their various locations, which often operate as unique gas station/restaurant combos—a true testament to Appalachian convenience and hospitality.
The Local Ingredient Powerhouse: Entities Driving the Menu Quality
The backbone of Calloway's topical authority lies in its use of specific, high-quality regional ingredients. These entities are not just names on a menu; they are pillars of the East Tennessee food scene:
- Springer Mountain Chicken: Used for their famous crispy chicken tenders, ensuring a high-quality, humanely raised product.
- Benton's Bacon: A legendary, highly-acclaimed brand from Madisonville, TN, known for its smoky, dry-cured flavor, often featured on their breakfast items.
- Sweetwater Valley Cheddar Cheese: A staple from Sweetwater, TN, providing a sharp, rich cheddar flavor to their burgers and breakfast creations.
- Swaggerty's Sausage: A beloved East Tennessee brand, this sausage is the foundation for their homemade sausage gravy, a key component of their breakfast menu.
7 Essential Dishes to Order from the Calloway's Menu (2025 Update)
While the full Calloway's menu offers a wide range of options for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, these seven dishes represent the absolute best of their Southern comfort food philosophy. They are the items that consistently earn rave reviews and embody the "Country Boy sized portions" promise.
1. The Legendary Crispy Chicken Tenders
The handmade, crispy chicken tenders are arguably the most popular item on the entire Calloway's menu. They are made with Springer Mountain Chicken and coated in a unique, perfectly seasoned breading that achieves maximum crunch. The tenders are served in generous portions and are a staple for both lunch and dinner. They are often paired with their crispy fries or a side of creamy Mac & Cheese. Locals often recommend trying them with a side of their homemade gravy for dipping.
2. The "Local" Breakfast Sandwich
This is the ultimate breakfast indulgence and a standout dish that showcases their commitment to local sourcing. The "Local" is a hearty sandwich featuring a hand-breaded Springer Mountain Chicken tender, a slice of smoky Benton's Bacon, and a generous layer of Sweetwater Valley Cheddar Cheese, all smothered in their rich, homemade Swaggerty's Sausage gravy. It’s an incredibly filling and flavorful start to the day.
3. The Iconic Chicken Biscuit
In a region famous for its breakfast biscuits, Calloway's has managed to stand out. Their chicken biscuits are frequently cited in reviews as being superior to those from major Southern chains like Bojangles and Chick-fil-A. The fluffy, fresh biscuit is the perfect vehicle for their signature crispy chicken tender, making for a simple yet deeply satisfying meal.
4. The Huge, Flavorful Burgers
For lunch and dinner, Calloway's offers huge, flavorful burgers that live up to the "Country Boy" sizing. These aren't just standard patties; they are thick, juicy, and often topped with local ingredients, including the aforementioned Sweetwater Valley Cheddar Cheese. The burgers are a perfect example of how the kitchen applies its scratch-made philosophy to classic American fare, offering a substantial and satisfying meal.
5. The Classic BLT Sandwich
While simple, the BLT is a testament to the quality of their ingredients. Featuring thick-cut, smoky Benton's Bacon, fresh lettuce, and ripe tomatoes, this sandwich is a popular choice for those seeking a fresh, yet classic, comfort meal. It highlights the quality of their core regional products without needing heavy preparation.
6. The Creamy Mac & Cheese
A true Southern comfort food menu is incomplete without a signature Mac & Cheese. Calloway's version is known for its creamy texture and rich, cheesy flavor, making it one of the most popular side dishes. It serves as the perfect accompaniment to the crispy chicken tenders or a huge burger, offering a comforting, velvety contrast to the main course.
7. The Crispy Fries and Gravy
While crispy fries are a menu staple everywhere, Calloway's often offers a unique Southern twist: fries smothered in their homemade Swaggerty's Sausage gravy. This combination transforms a simple side into a hearty, savory snack or a small meal in itself, appealing directly to the Southern palate and providing a rich, savory experience that speaks to the restaurant's commitment to comfort food.
Beyond the Plate: Locations and Dining Experience
Calloway's Tennessee Kitchen operates in multiple East Tennessee locations, including Maryville, Newport, and Seymour. This multi-location presence ensures that more of the community can access their unique blend of local, scratch-made food. The atmosphere at each location is typically welcoming and casual, emphasizing fast and friendly service.
The restaurant’s unique concept—often being located within a gas station or convenience store—is a key part of its appeal. It allows busy locals and travelers to access high-quality, sit-down restaurant food in a convenient, on-the-go format. This efficiency, combined with the "Country Boy sized portions," provides exceptional value and a truly unique dining experience that defies the typical expectations of a quick-service establishment.
Whether you're visiting the Maryville, TN location on Morganton Rd or stopping by one of their other spots, Calloway's offers a genuine taste of the region. The menu is a vibrant celebration of Appalachian cuisine, local ingredient sourcing, and the kind of hearty, scratch-made cooking that defines Southern comfort food. For the most up-to-date prices and seasonal specials, always check their official website or call the nearest location.
Detail Author:
- Name : Prof. Diamond Schinner II
- Username : jacobi.alphonso
- Email : missouri15@gmail.com
- Birthdate : 1995-12-22
- Address : 8759 Austen Rapid Apt. 896 New Dale, VA 77658-8312
- Phone : +19527550442
- Company : Williamson, Mraz and Hickle
- Job : Loan Interviewer
- Bio : Cum explicabo ipsum eius eligendi. Nisi velit vero sit omnis consequuntur quae aperiam. Laudantium est non quibusdam.
Socials
instagram:
- url : https://instagram.com/thompsonj
- username : thompsonj
- bio : Enim ipsam at occaecati. Impedit repellendus placeat atque. Repudiandae eum beatae dicta unde.
- followers : 4860
- following : 2008
linkedin:
- url : https://linkedin.com/in/jeffry1743
- username : jeffry1743
- bio : Sed temporibus nulla tempore minima eaque.
- followers : 2122
- following : 401
