It’s been 8 years since I’ve had a burger from In-N-Out. | Photo by Erin McPherson
“We’ll be near the In-N-Out Burger.” At least, we’d like to be — the California-based burger chain ranks No. 1 in a recent survey which asked Tennesseans which fast food restaurant they most want to join our ranks.
Personally, I’d love to see an In-N-Out burger come to Knoxville. I’ve been craving those house-cut fries ever since I moved back to the East Coast. But in the meantime, these local burger joints are still among my favorites.
Smash City Burgers, Downtown
Litton’s Market, Fountain City
Sam & Andy’s, West Knoxville
Events
Events
Monday, October 20
Run Club | 6 p.m. | Barrelhouse by Gypsy Circus | Free
Next Wednesday, Oct. 22, Ijams Nature Center will host a free “housewarming” party to celebrate the completion of a new bat house — now home to a colony of Mexican free-tailed bats. Read more from KnoxTNToday.
Tech
Steven Anton, a professor of engineering at Tennessee Tech, has been awarded a $2.5 million grant for his work in “smart knee” research — a self-powered implant that could report real time performance data to doctors. (WBIR)
Gallery
This year’s Wildlife Photographer of the Year winners are in. And they’re spectacular. Countless species spanning six continents are all featured in the stunning photos, now on display at the Natural History Museum in London, England. If you want to enter next year’s contest, the fireflies are calling. (The Guardian)
Visiting the most magical place on Earth is getting pricier. Single-day, single-park tickets are rising by 5% at Disney World and 8.7% at Disneyland during peak times. Save a pretty penny and keep the magic by exploring Knoxville’s fun-filled, kid-friendly spots instead. (Variety)
Seasonal
You’re not alone if you’re looking forward to some Sweet Smiles in your candy pails — it’s the most popular Halloween candy brand in Tennessee, per Reader’s Digest, and includes a variety of old fashioned candies like rock candy sticks and chocolate spoons.
Try This
Heads up, gamers. Netflix has introduced a slate of video games within the streaming service — including “Pictionary: Game Night” and “Tetris Time Warp” — that allow customers to scan a QR code and use a phone as the controller. Before you rush to the television, solve today’s word puzzles on 865today. (Entrepreneur)
Wellness
Ready to sleep better tonight? Canary’s melatonin-free sleep gummy is packed with tart cherry + ashwagandha for rested, refreshing sleep — use code SLEEP20 for 20% off.*
Biz
Your next big event could use some attention. Get a crowd in the room by letting us help you spread the word. Our advertiser dashboard can put your event in front of our highly engaged local audience in a matter of two days. Get started now — no long-term contract required.
The Buy
Korean beauty products are more than just a trend — they’re becoming a staple in skincare routines worldwide. Known for their innovative formulas and emphasis on prevention over correction, K-beauty is all about keeping your skin healthy from the start. Here are our top five picks, all under $35 and available on Amazon:
🧴 Dr.Althea’s 345 Relief Cream moisturizer soothes, nourishes, and reduces the appearance of dark spots.
🫧 This No. 1 bestselling cleansing oil is hypoallergenic and safe for all skin types.
⭐ A TikTok favorite, Medicube’s Collagen Jelly Cream boosts hydration + leaves your skin with a radiant, healthy glow.
👁️ This retinal cream delivers an advanced form of retinol deep into the skin to target wrinkles and promote soother, firmer skin.
🧖 The Biodance collagen face masks brighten, improve elasticity, and minimize pores.
The fun doesn’t have to end here. After reading the newsletter, head over to our games page. Games refresh with new challenges every day at 6 a.m. from crossword puzzle to Sudoku to themed word search.
Speaking of favorite spots for food, I used to love going to Dean’s restaurant and bakery in Jackson Square (Oak Ridge). The menu is all Southern comfort — including a strong selection of meat and threes for $15.99 daily.
My go-to? The turkey and dressing, with a side of collard greens, deviled eggs, and potato salad. My Southern roots are still strong.
