Christopher Ford, who with his cousin, Jonathan Ford, just opened Sweet P’s Uptown Corner in Fountain City.
It has been a pet peeve of mine and my husband for years. There’s a dearth of full-service eateries in North Knoxville. And even fewer if you are seeking one with a full bar. As much as we like it, we can only go to The Chop House so often!
Therefore, I am almost ecstatic that the new Sweet P’s Uptown Corner recently has opened at the visible and accessible corner of Sander’s Drive and Tazewell Pike in the Fountain City neighborhood.
“We noticed that this area is growing rapidly with a lot of younger families making up a good bit of that growth,” said Christopher Ford, who co-owns Sweet P’s with his cousin, Jonathan Ford. “We just thought they’d be attracted to a restaurant with table service and a full bar — but one that still has a casual vibe to it.”
The other Sweet P’s — known as Sweet P’s Downtown Dive — is located at 412 W. Jackson Ave., in downtown Knoxville. It has counter service rather than table service and only beer and a few canned wines as alcohol offerings. (We still love it, though!) So the new concept is quite a departure for the Ford cousins — but it retains the same great barbecue dishes and side dishes. In fact, it even has more food options than the downtown location with the addition of grilled chicken and more salads.
So far, things are going great at the new locale — even though the post-pandemic labor shortage caused the opening to be delayed a few weeks. Things are in full swing now. You should stop by. Hours are 11 a.m to 10 p.m. Sunday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. The restaurant is open until 11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. For now, it is closed on Mondays. Phone number is 865-437-3974.
Sweet P’s Uptown Corner is located at 3029 Tazewell Pike.
Hostess Presley Ford — after whom the Sweet P’s restaurants were named — welcomed guests during the recent “Friends & Family” night. She’s Christopher’s daughter.
Unlike Sweet P’s Downtown Dive on Jackson Avenue, at the new place servers take your order at the table. Here’s the dining room.
The bar area surely will be the scene of many sports-watching gatherings!
Manager Gary Conrad, left, and co-owner Jonathan Ford at the ready.
Also at your service, from left, Kayla Stover, Chris Durrant and Jennifer Thawley.
Great appetizers are available. My personal fave: those potato chips and warm pimento cheese on bottom right!
Christopher Ford with his mother, Dawn Ford, and son, Townes.
The folks from Architectural Antics are responsible for some of the cool recycled elements in the eatery. From left, Jane, Dayton, Abram and Madeline Hanford. With baby Max.
Here’s an example of some of the work by Architectural Antics. Along with the bar itself, which is made of wood recycled from a bowling alley!
Jonathan Ford holding his son, Miles, along with his father, Tony, at left, and his uncle Richard Ford, seated.
Whereas Sweet P’s Downtown Dive features memorabilia from the 1982 World’s Fair, the Uptown Corner showcases historical photos of Fountain City.
Former Knoxville Mayor and U.S. Ambassador to Poland Victor Ashe showed up and posed with Fountain City resident Ginger Baxter.
It’s nice to get along with the landlords! From left, Jonathan and Christopher Ford with Jonathan and Jennifer Reynolds and her mother, Ginger Baxter.
Dawn Ford, left, with Cam Turner and Mary Ford, Jonathan’s wife.
A sample of the great entrees and sides at our table!
From left, Tony, Kari and Richard Ford. Kari is married to Christopher.
Chris King and Dawn Ford.
One of the dessert offerings: lemon ice box pie from Rita’s Bakery, which shares a parking lot with Sweet P’s Uptown Corner. It’s delicious!
Dawn ordered an ice cream sandwich.
Do you think she liked it?
From left, Andrew and Jamie Crawford, Diana Brandon, Presley and Dawn Ford.
Alternate view of exterior. A very good sign from any direction!
See you there!
hmmm…what can I say? YUMMM!!!
Can’t wait to try this restaurant since the downtown one is a favorite of mine! Love their ‘cue!!!
Looking forward to trying it!! How was the parking? Our son lives in Fountain City on Gibbs which is close by. While he was remodeling we ate at the previous occupants of that location. Iam sure we will be there soon.
Can’t wait to visit—we love Sweet P’s. Used the Downtown Dive’s curbside during the pandemic. We live nearby and are excited it’s now open.
Lillian: Parking was fine when we were there.
Sara, Rusha and Pam: You will not be disappointed!
Fountain City, get ready for some “greens and things” and “tomato blue.”
Vince: “Greens and things” are one of my favorite things at Sweet P’s!
It’s at the corner of Tazwell Pike and Sander’s Drive, a couple of blocks off Broadway.
Harold: Thanks! You are absolutely right. I changed it in the blog post. Don’t know what I was thinking.
So excited they are in the neighborhood! Fountain City needs more options and this looks like it will be a great fit!
Isn’t it Sanders Drive, not Sander’s Drive?
Also, we’re still mourning the loss of Sweet P’s in South Knoxville.
That looks very good, congratulations ¡
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