Ola's Southern Cuisine 2

When I saw this place was open I was definitely excited because we don’t have 1 single restaurant around here that is like this. I waited a bit until they got up a running and ordered catfish and smothered chicken. The food was AMAZING! Being a fan of fried fish, catfish isn’t on the top of my list because of the “gamey” taste but there was none of that! I even ate it without tartar sauce (which was a first( because it just didn’t need it. They have different hours so it was a while before I could try it again. The second time I didn’t know what to expect because their popularity had grown (catering for UT and such) so I braced myself for the possibility that the quality might be different, boy was I wrong! The chef’s food was just as delicious and consistent as the first time we had it. My kids (who are picky) loved it, especially the cornbread. My son said “I don’t like cornbread!” I told him to try theirs and I hadn’t even had it yet, but the sheer look and smell told me it was amazing and it was. My most recent visit the chef had me try his green and cabbage. I DO NOT like cabbage but I tried it based on his other food alone, and it blew me away. I left my plate of salmon, greens and Mac and cheese in the kitchen and to my disappointment SOMEONE ate ALL of it, but I was ok with it. 😂 I told the owner as much as I didn’t want to make this review because I wanted to be selfish and make sure our area can enjoy his food without it being sold out, I also feel it would be a crime not to tell Knoxville about how AMAZING this place is. Do yourself a favor and check them out. They also have a food truck that will be down by the Henley street bridge for those in that area. Ola’s is definitely what South Knox needed and the food is like a warm comfy blanket! 5 star ALL day long! ❤️🙏🏾

First time visiting Ola’s, and man was I surprised…. The food is excellent, flavors are on point! If you want some GOOD southern food, make no mistake this is the place!! Oh yeah, the customer service and atmosphere is awesome! Just try Ola’s, you will NOT be disappointed!!! 5 stars all day long!

UNREAL. These precious people have such a gift for flavor and hospitality. I was craving southern food and MAN did they deliver. Everything was excellent but the collards and cabbage were next level. Not only was the food we ordered great, but Chef brought a treat out to our son just because! If you’re in the market for great food, kind people with passion, and a full belly, absolutely check Ola’s out.

delicious food. highly recommend. my toddler loved it there too.

I've got this place as one of my FAVS. The food is absolutely delicious, the atmosphere is a vibe and the history on how this place came about is beautiful. I appreciate the owners for taking the time out to allow the public to experience a piece of their history also through great food!

Amazing food! The mac and cheese is top tier. Everything fried has great crispt breading and flavor. Will definitely return to try more of the menu.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Mac & Cheese, Jerk Wings, Chicken Wings, Chicken and Waffles

Good Quality Soul Food. A must if you've not tried Ola's

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

The best southern food in the city!!! Wonderful customer service!! Always fresh! Highly recommend!!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Possibly the best Mac and cheese ever!!!! If this didn’t grab your attention look at the light, crispy wings and waffles or the smothered chicken with greens and perfectly sweet cornbread. This was our first visit and certainly won’t be our last. Other diners were also in love with their food, it was a friendly comfortable atmosphere.
Update: we went a second time, had the catfish which was outstanding and the jerk wings- amazing; and the mac and cheese was still the best ever!!!

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Mac & Cheese

First off this place is absolutely the best! Smelling the food on the way home made us want eat so bad! We dove in and ate too much of it to take any pictures. We totally forgot! What I loved while waiting on the food was the music playing. Setting an atmosphere and a mood that was very chill. The shrimp and grits were the best I've ever had! They were DIVINE!! My husband says he doesn't like grits so I made him try these. Then he says that was the best thing he's ever eaten. That was amazing! He will only be eating your shrimp and grits from now on lol The fried lobster tails were intriguing to me so that's why we stopped there! They were perfect and absolutely awesome! The mac and cheese, which has that really good browning on top, was really good and so was the cornbread. Makes me drool thinking about that cornbread, all buttery and soft. But the okra was definitely the best I've ever had. They had the texture of the inside of the okra perfect, it wasn't slimy and the breading was very yummy. We will definitely be coming back! We only live about a mile down the road. See y'all soon!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Mac & Cheese, Seafood, Grits

Food was fresh and delicious and customer service was great. Will definitely return.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Mac & Cheese

My wife and I went here after I met the chef at work. And I gotta tell you the food was not disappointing. To start the corn bread was without a doubt the best ever bar none. I had the wings which were perfectly cooked. My wife had the fried lobster which she said was awesome. I enjoyed the mac n cheese but my wife didn't care for the gruyere in it. Was a bit disappointed in the Styrofoam container the food was in cuz I think food this good should be on a plate. My opinion but the food was that good. Also with the food being so good would've been nice to be served rather than ordering at a counter. Again my opinion. This place has the making of being a weekly stop but with the few misses on service and presentation it will be when we're in the area. If they change that aspect we would change our stance on this. Worth checking out though. Definitely 5 star food!!!

Atmosphere: 3

Food: 5

Service: 4

Recommended dishes: Mac & Cheese, Angel Eggs with Shrimp

Everything taste good period!!!! Owner, staff are great and love to cut up...

Listen! I found this place on tik Tok just passing thru Knoxville the absolutely best dinner I could've had the cornbread 5 stars the fried chicken and mac cheese top tier and the owners so friendly and accommodating! I will be back!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Jerk Wings

my boyfriend has not stopped talking about this place for 6 months and today I got to try it and lord help my soul. That recipe book and chef are national treasures. sweet cornbread that puts grandma's to shame, huge portions all cooked to order and flavor that can only be described as what food is SUPPOSED to taste like. You're missing out! they give back to the community, hold events often( like a Halloween get together coming up ) or open mic nights. Just overall great place that feels cozy!!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5