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Frequently Asked Questions...

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                                *Note:  We will NOT conduct tours on UT football home game Saturday's.  We apologize for the                                                               inconvenience, but we do this to assure restaurant participation and continuous high quality tours!  
                             However, if you are visiting our wonderful Knoxville on a home UT football game, please be sure to
                      check out our Sunday Stroll And Sip Tour that will be running that same weekend/very next day, or the same                                                      Chef's Table Tour that will be happening the day before (Friday) and get your food tour fix in still!

•  What is a food tour?

​A food tour is a fun and exciting guided walking tour in which you get to learn about the city and its history, culture, as well as visit 5 locally owned restaurants over the course of about 3 hours on our standard Chef's Table Tour, and 4 restaurants over the course of about 2.5 hours on our Sunday Stroll And Sip Tours, that serve fresh cuisine especially prepared by the chefs themselves.  What better way to experience a city then trying it one bite at a time?!   It is a must for anyone visiting Knoxville and for locals, alike!  Come eat, drink and socialize with East TN Tours!

• What does East TN Tours exist?

From its wide-ranging variety of ethnic foods to its award-winning chefs and unique architecture environments, Knoxville restaurant patrons have opportunities to enjoy delights that are traditionally only thought of in America’s big cities.  East TN Tours brings you to some of the city’s most renowned kitchens to sample dishes that will fill your food journals with stars and keep you coming back for more. Beyond the main course of delicious foods, patrons will also learn fascinating insights into Knoxville's rich history and background of the restaurants to be visited from the tour guide and the chefs themselves!
-----Our tours are unique in that you can come on them multiple times, and never get the same food!  How do we do that, you may ask?!  Well, our business model is designed in that we don't ever tell the chef's what to make for any food tour...they just make whatever is on their heart, mind and soul that day, and serve it to us!  Sometimes (and quite often) we may get to try stuff that's not even on the menu yet, and get to be the "new menu tasters"!  If you'd ask us what you'd be eating on any given food tour, well....we couldn't tell you... because it's a surprise to us too!  So you can literally come on one of our yummy food tours and get something different every single time, even though we go to the same restaurants most often  :)

• How much food is served on the tour?

COME HUNGRY! Based on customer feedback, we would suggest not eating anything earlier in the day or just eating very lightly (unless you need to eat/drink for medical or dietary purposes), as most tour guests will tell you there is MORE than enough food to make up a meal (or two)!

• What if I have dietary restrictions?

For our food tours, we are able to accommodate your food allergy (shellfish, gluten-free, etc.) and dietary requests (vegetarian only, vegan is unavailable) as long as you let us know in advance.  To notify us of dietary restrictions, please enter your request(s) in during your checkout process when you see the box that says to enter in that information.   Food Tour participants are responsible for all the food and beverages they consume. If you have any allergies or concerns about ingredients please ask the restaurant BEFORE ingesting anything.

• Where does the food tour begin?

We will meet at the beginning of each tour inside the Knoxville Visitors Center at 301 S. Gay Street, Knoxville, TN, 37902.  For any additional info about Knoxville happenings, things to do, or city info in general, you can visit their website by clicking HERE or by calling them at 865-523-7263.

• How will I find my tour guide?

Your will start your tour and meet your tour guide inside the Visitors Center/Visit Knoxville, generally with an "area" set up on a table or counter with our brochures, name tags set out, materials, etc.  If you need any help knowing where to go, please don't hesitate to ask the Visit Knoxville staff!

• How many people will be on the tour?

Each tour maxes out at 12 people.  We also have a 2 person minimum to conduct each tour.  We limit the max number to 12 so the tour guide can focus on answering any attendee questions, keep the group together, and make sure everyone has an enjoyable time.  If you have a group larger than 12 people, please visit our CUSTOM/PRIVATE TOURS page HERE to inquire about something special just for your group!

• What about Parking?

Parking is FREE and available compliments of the Knoxville Visitors Center! Park in the lot adjacent to the Knoxville Visitor Center at 301 S. Gay St. AS SOON AS YOU PARK, go inside to obtain a parking permit at the front desk, being sure to say it is for the Food Tour.  BE SURE they write your pass until 5pm, as normal passes are only good two hours, and since we will be gone from 2-5pm, we get "special treatment" and ours are extended...but it is your responsibility to make sure the pass is written until 5pm!  Place the permit inside your windshield where it will be visible, as they do check this lot until 5:00 p.m., and you may have risk of being towed. We advise that you Do Not park in the TVA parking spots as you can be towed from there as well. If all Visit Knoxville parking spots are taken, turn right out of the parking lot back on to Gay St., turn right at Wall Ave., park at the Market Square garage on the left, which will be SELF-PAY and not reimbursed.  Parking is completely free at the Visit Knoxville spots after 5pm, so when your tour is over, feel free to leave your car there and walk around and browse around downtown the rest of the evening!  **Parking permits are NOT required on Saturday or Sunday tours.

---PLEASE READ OVER THIS LINK TO VIEW THE CITY OF KNOXVILLE'S NEW DOWNTOWN PARKING METER RULES AND REGULATIONS AS THEY HAVE CHANGED AS OF JULY 2016!
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• Do I have to purchase tickets in advance?

Reservations are required and tickets must be purchased in advance. Tickets must be purchased in advance and can be purchased from our website by clicking on any page on this website by finding a "BOOK ONLINE" button, or simply go to tab at the top that says "Home"  and click on the button that says "Book NOW!."  We may sell out quickly so please make sure to reserve your spot so that you don't miss out! Ticket sales end at midnight the night before each tour.

• How much walking is involved and is it fast paced?

Tours generally last about 3 hours for our standard Chef's Table Tours, and approximately 2.5 hours for our Sunday Stroll And Sip Tours.  We walk at a light-moderate pace and we will probably walk no more than 1.1 miles.  Keep in mind, we are in East Tennessee, and hills and inclines while walking are usually abundant.  The longest stretch of walking we will complete at once is not quite 0.5 miles, and is partly uphill, so if you have medical conditions, issues with walking, etc. please keep this in mind when booking your tour.  
~~~Starting in 2019, East TN Tours is partnered with Joyride, a micro-transportation golf cart company that provides rides anywhere in the downtown area in fun and high-end golf carts!  We use these carts to take us from a restaurant stop that is a longer distance to another, therefore not tiring guests out after they've already filled up on some yummy food!  Think of them like a low-speed Uber/Lyft service...but WAY more fun!  Check out their website here and download their mobile app.  **Often times your guide will be driving a golf cart themself, if the tour is 5 or fewer people, since everyone can fit into one cart.  If there are MORE than 5 people booked for a given date, there will be *slightly* more walking involved, but we will still get a ride from other Joyride drivers (however many carts it takes) to transport our tour from one place that is the longest distance to the other.  If for any reason multiple Joyride drivers are not available, we will either take separate rides, taking one group at a time, or take the free downtown trolley when able.  

• Does the tour guide accept gratuity?

Gratuities are greatly appreciated, although not mandatory. If you wish to tip your guide, you may do so at the end of the tour. Tips are NOT necessary or required at each restaurant stop, as they are included in your ticket price.

• When is the best time to take the tour?

We recommend taking our food tour at the beginning of your trip to allow plenty of time to revisit any of the restaurants you may want to dine at after tasting their delicious food to try again!  However, taking a food tour ANY time that your schedule allows is ALWAYS a great idea :D

• Are children allowed on the tour?

Children 2 years old and older are required to purchase a ticket; however, our tour is recommended for children 12 years of age and older. Children under 2 years old are not required to purchase a ticket ONLY IF they are eating off their guardians plates.

• Are there beverages served on the tour?

There will always be water available.  Most restaurants will have other beverages for purchase (soda, beer, liquor, etc.), and  some restaurants on select tours will have adult beverages complimentary for our guests 21 years old and older. You are responsible for purchasing any other drinks not included, however, and will be told by your tour guide how that process works upon arrival.  Be sure to bring a valid I.D. with you as well for verification!

• What if there is bad weather?

The tours are held rain or shine so please dress accordingly. Tours will only be cancelled in cases of severe, life threatening weather. You will be notified at least 24 hours in advance if a tour is being cancelled. Please dress appropriately for the weather conditions and bring your own umbrella or rain jacket if the forecast is calling for rain.

• Are bathrooms available during the tour?

Yes, bathrooms are available during the tour at all of the restaurants we visit.

• Are cameras allowed on the tour?

Yes! Take as many photos as you would like! Capture the delicious memories!

• Doesn't it get hot in the summer...will tours run in the summer?

Yes, and we plan to run tours throughout the summer. The walk between each restaurant isn't more than 10 minutes and then we will be in the air conditioning again. However, if you are sensitive to the heat, please attend our tour in the fall or spring.  We also provide guests with sunscreen and personal handheld misting fans to use during the course of their tour!

• Would locals enjoy this tour?

Absolutely! If you are looking for something fun to do, our food tour is an excellent way to find out the history, culture, and sample some restaurants you may or may not have been to.

• Can Pets Come?

Pets are not allowed on the tour with the exception of service animals.

• What else should I know?

Wear comfortable shoes and clothing that you can easily move around in.  The tour guide may not know every detailed piece of information about the history of the city, so please, be patient with us as we continue to learn and expand our knowledge base, and if we don't know something, we'll be happy to look it up and find the answer for you!

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East TN Tours acts only as an agent for the companies that supply food and beverages on the tours and cannot be held responsible for losses, delays, accidents, injuries, and delays caused by persons engaged in carrying out the services provided by the tour. Photos and/or video may be taken on the tour…please let us know if you would prefer not to be photographed or filmed.  Food Tour participants agree they are also in good health and suffer from no minor or serious physical or mental injury, illness or disability that would make participant especially susceptible to injury or disability while performing any activity contemplated by these tours..  Participant fully comprehends and accepts all of the risks associated with his/her participation in the tours including, without limitation, exposure to unfavorable weather conditions, food sickness, injuries (e.g., without limitation, those arising out of self-inflicted accidents or mishaps, other participants, automobiles, pedestrians and the like) and death.  Participant understands that by providing their email address they are agreeing to receive occasional offers and news from East TN Tours, LLC. At any point the participant may unsubscribe from any email by simply clicking the unsubscribe link located at the bottom of any email.

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