Look, I've eaten a lot of sandwiches in my day, but Clinton's little stretch of highway is a different beast entirely. You've got everything from a polished spot slinging fresh oysters and lobster bisque to a no-frills diner where the crinkle fries are the real deal.

And the proof is in the chicken Philly at GG's, which is worth every napkin you'll need. So skip the chains and trust a local who's been there, done that, and has the heartburn to prove it.

This is where you want to eat.

Happi Hostess | Cafe & Bakery

Highlights
Fresh, delicious local lunches
Warm small-town atmosphere
Amazing custom birthday cakes
Top-notch moist cupcakes
Great catering for events

Look, I've eaten a lot of sandwiches in my day, but Happi Hostess is the kind of place that makes you want to move to Clinton just to be closer to their lunch counter. The local lunches are fresh and delicious, and the small-town vibe is so warm you might forget you're not at grandma's house. But the real stars? The cupcakes. Moist, top-notch, and frankly better than anything I've made in my own kitchen, which isn't saying much, but still. They also do custom birthday cakes that will make you the hero of any party, and their catering is great for events where you want to look like you tried. Just go. Your stomach will thank you.

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Vista De Rio Inc. Mexican Restaurant

Highlights
Friendly, helpful staff
Generous portion sizes
Affordable prices
Fresh, tasty guacamole
Delicious al pastor tacos

Vista De Rio is the kind of Mexican spot that doesn't need fancy gimmicks because the food does the talking. The staff is friendly and helpful, and they'll actually refill your salsa without you having to wave a flag. Portion sizes are generous enough that I considered napping in the booth, but the prices are so affordable I felt guilty leaving a tip. Seriously, the al pastor tacos are delicious, and the guacamole is fresh, not that green mush from a tub. It's not fancy, it's just good. And sometimes that's exactly what you need after a long day of pretending to work.

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Scotties of Powell

Highlights
Amazing service
Fresh, hot BLT
Great crinkle fries
Worth the search
Friendly staff

Scotties of Powell is worth the search. I mean that. The place is a little out of the way, but the second you walk in, the friendly staff makes you feel like a regular even if you're just a lost tourist. The BLT is fresh and hot, with bacon that actually crunches, and the crinkle fries are the kind that make you wonder why anyone eats straight fries. The service is amazing, too, almost suspiciously so. Did they know I was writing this? Probably not. But I'll take it. If you're in the area, hunt this place down. It's a small effort for a big payoff, and your taste buds will send you a thank-you card.

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Shoney's - Clinton

Highlights
Buffet’s still a winner
Clean enough to eat off
Service that actually smiles
Senior salad bar steal
Easy off the highway

Shoney's in Clinton is my guilty pleasure, and I'm not ashamed. The buffet is still a winner, especially when you're too lazy to cook and too cheap for real dining. Is it clean enough to eat off the floor? Probably, but I'd still prefer a plate. The service actually smiles, which is rare anywhere nowadays. And the senior salad bar is a steal if you qualify, or if you have a fake ID that says you do. It's right off the highway, making it perfect for a quick stop when you're road-tripping and need to stuff your face with fried chicken and pudding. It's not gourmet, but it's Shoney's, and that's exactly the point.

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Little Ponderosa Zoo and Rescue

Highlights
Cheap entry, clean grounds
Lots of goats, plenty petting
Unique animal variety surprises
Fun "Kiss a Critter" event
Worth forming your own opinion

Okay, I know this is supposed to be about restaurants, but Little Ponderosa Zoo and Rescue is worth a mention because you can eat near the goats. The entry is cheap and the grounds are clean, which honestly surprised me. There are lots of goats, plenty of petting, and some unique animals I didn't expect. They had a 'Kiss a Critter' event that I skipped, for reasons of personal safety and dignity. But hey, it's fun, and you should form your own opinion. Just don't eat the goat feed. Trust me on that. If you're looking for a weird afternoon in Anderson County, this is your spot. Bring hand sanitizer.

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Green McAdoo Cultural Center

Highlights
Educational and insightful experience
Excellent for homeschool families
Great introductory video
Knowledgeable staff member Adam
Worth returning with family

Green McAdoo Cultural Center isn't a restaurant, but I'm including it because you need a break from eating. The place is educational and insightful, which is a lot for a building. The introductory video is great, and the staff member named Adam is a walking encyclopedia. Seriously, that guy knows everything. It's excellent for homeschool families, mostly because the kids will be so busy learning they'll forget to complain. I returned with my own family, which is saying something because I usually avoid my family. If you're in Clinton and tired of burgers, go here and soak up some history. Your brain deserves a workout too.

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Biker Rags

Highlights
Locally owned and welcoming
Better deals than big stores
Friendly and courteous staff
Wide variety of helmets and patches
Easy parking and access

Biker Rags is the kind of shop that makes you wonder why you ever set foot in a chain store. It's locally owned and welcoming, and the staff is friendly and courteous, even when you're just browsing and trying on helmets that make you look like a spaceman. I found better deals here than at the big box stores, which is practically a miracle. They've got a wide variety of helmets, patches, and other biker gear, and the parking is easy, which matters when you're carrying a leather jacket you don't need. If you're in Clinton and you need to look cool on two wheels, swing by. You'll thank me.

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Dean's Restaurant & Bakery Oak Ridge

Highlights
Fresh southern style food
Orange sweet tea great
Pot roast and desserts
Friendly, efficient service
Owner Dean is awesome

Dean's Restaurant & Bakery in Oak Ridge is a bit of a drive from Clinton, but trust me, it's worth the gas. The southern style food is fresh and tastes like someone's grandma actually cooked it, not like it came from a frozen bag. The orange sweet tea is a revelation. I didn't know tea could taste like that, and now I'm ruined for all other tea. The pot roast is tender and the desserts are dangerous, in the best way. The service is friendly and efficient, and the owner Dean is awesome. He's the kind of guy who makes you feel like you're eating in his living room, just with better lighting. Go. Stuff your face. Say hi to Dean.

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Delicias Colombianas

Highlights
Empanadas delicious and piping hot
Authentic Colombian favorites in Knoxville
Staff incredibly friendly and accommodating
Generous bandeja portions worth trying
Sausage and chicken stand out

Delicias Colombianas is the kind of place that makes you want to learn Spanish just to order correctly. The empanadas are delicious and piping hot, so be careful or you'll burn your mouth like I did. It was worth it. They've got authentic Colombian favorites, and the staff is incredibly friendly and accommodating, even when you can't pronounce half the menu. The bandeja portions are generous, so come hungry and prepare to waddle out. The sausage and chicken stand out, and I'm not usually a sausage person. If you're in Knoxville and craving something different, skip the chain spots and hit this place. Your taste buds will be confused but grateful.

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The Brass Pearl

Highlights
Oysters always fresh and excellent
Lobster bisque is a must
Brunch highlights include hash and waffles
Spanish octopus and lobster dip wow
Jake’s service makes date night

The Brass Pearl is where you go when you want to feel fancy but don't want to wear a tie. The oysters are always fresh and excellent, which is a bold statement in a landlocked state, but they pull it off. The lobster bisque is a must, and by must, I mean you'll regret not ordering a second bowl. Brunch is where they shine, with hash and waffles that will ruin your diet and your weekend plans. The Spanish octopus and lobster dip are wow-worthy, and Jake's service makes date night actually feel romantic, which is impressive because my date was arguing about the bill. Just go, order everything, and thank me later.

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GG's Good Food & Pawsitive Vibes

Highlights

Highlights
Super friendly cook
Quick, amazing food
Great chicken Philly
Perfect lakeside picnic
Impeccable service

GG's Good Food & Pawsitive Vibes is the perfect name for this place, because the vibes are indeed positive. The cook is super friendly, and the food comes out quick and amazing, which is a rare combo. The chicken Philly is great, with the kind of cheese pull that makes for an Instagram story. I took my food down to the lake for a picnic, and it was perfect. The service is impeccable, and they didn't even flinch when I asked for extra napkins because I'm messy. If you're in Clinton and need a quick bite that won't disappoint, hit up GG's. Your stomach and your mood will both improve.

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Anderson County Fair

Highlights
Senior Day goes over top
Great crowd entertainment
Fun way to support friends
Always a good time

The Anderson County Fair is a tradition, and I'm a sucker for tradition. Senior Day is a big deal, and they go all out with deals and activities that make me wish I was older. The crowd entertainment is always a good time, even if it's just people-watching at the funnel cake stand. It's a fun way to support your friends who are showing their prize-winning pickles or whatever. Look, it's a fair, it's always a good time, and you know what you're getting. Overpriced lemonade and questionable rides, but also that weird sense of community. Go, have a corn dog, and don't think too hard about the calories.

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