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Calhoun’s Oak Ridge, Oak Ridge, TN

Calhoun’s Oak Ridge

4.4
4.4
53 Reviews
$30 and under
American
Located along the banks of Melton Hill lake, Calhoun’s Oak Ridge sits along the beautiful Oak Ridge greenway with every seat in the restaurant offering a view of the water. This location is accessible by boat, has a a covered outdoor dining patio as well as seating around the fire pit with a panoramic view of Melton Hill Lake. Calhoun's has become a place where friends and family gather to celebrate what’s good in their lives while they sample some of Tennessee’s best BBQ, ribs, steak, and sandwiches. So come on down and experience the best hospitality and BBQ around.

Make a reservation

2 people

7:00 PM


Booked 4 times today

Order delivery or takeout

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Price
    $30 and under
  • Cuisines
    American, Barbecue, Burgers
  • Hours of operation
    Mon–Thu, Sun 11:00 am–9:00 pm Fri, Sat 11:00 am–10:00 pm
  • Phone number
    (865) 685-0850
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Discover, JCB, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Neighborhood
    Oak Ridge
  • Parking details
    Private Lot
  • Additional
    Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Delivery, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Non-Smoking, Outdoor Firepit, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeout, View, Wheelchair Access, Wine

What 53 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.4
4.4 based on recent ratings
  • 4.4Food
  • 4.4Service
  • 4.5Ambience
  • 4.4Value

NoiseModerate

Loved For

  • East Tennessee

    Kid-friendly

  • East Tennessee

    Good for groups

  • East Tennessee

    Great for outdoor dining

  • East Tennessee

    Great for scenic views

  • Knoxville

    Best Ambiance

  • Knoxville

    Good for groups

  • Knoxville

    Hot spot

  • Knoxville

    Great for outdoor dining

53 Reviews
  1. TenaGG

    E. Tennessee

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on November 17, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    I had the Prime rib sandwich. It was delicious. It was cooked perfectly medium rare, tender, and very tasty. The spinach Maria is always good and the service was very good and friendly.

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  2. OpenTable Diner

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on October 27, 2023

    overall4food4service4ambience4
    Everything was good. Must have a reservation on the weekends.

    Is this helpful?

  3. MelisaM

    Cincinnati

    16 reviews

    4.0

    16 reviews

    Dined on October 7, 2023

    overall4food4service5ambience4
    Great food with lots of options, beautiful view, and awesome wait staff.

    1 person found this helpful

  4. JennDine

    Charleston

    18 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    18 reviews

    Dined on September 10, 2023

    overall4food4service4ambience5
    All menu items appear to be a good value. The cheeseburger was authentically charcoal grilled and delicious as were the accompanying French fries.

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  5. OpenTable Diner

    Atlanta Metro

    2 reviews

    2.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on September 6, 2023

    overall2food1service3ambience4
    Have enjoyed eating here many times, went to treat my MIL for her bday, we waited for an hour for the food and it was blamed on the kitchen but you could tell 6 of the 7 entrees had been dehydrated/over-cooked by counter heaters. A couple items were comped and another reordered although asked not to, we just wanted out of there at that point.

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  6. Denny

    E. Tennessee

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on August 25, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    It was a sensitive time for my family, as the gathering was for the death of my mother. We were given a table way in the back, so we had some privacy, while still a great view of the the water. Our waitress, Channel (hope I spelled it correctly), was attentive but unintrusive. We really appreciated Calhoun's accommodating our needs. The food was great, accept for the chicken, which was dry.

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  7. JeremyJ

    Philadelphia

    363 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    363 reviews

    Dined on August 15, 2023

    overall5food5service4ambience5
    The view is worth the trip as the resteraunt is on the River. I only found the place thanks to Open Table. Food was good and so was the service. Lots of locals- a good sign.

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  8. JohnP

    Los Angeles

    3 reviews

    4.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on July 23, 2023

    overall4food4service4ambience5
    Love riding our boat to Calhoun's on the river, and normally the food is great, but this time the chicken was a bit dry and the service very slow. The fish n chips, ale steak and half slab of ribs were all good. Beautiful views of the lake!

    Is this helpful?

  9. TomK

    E. Tennessee

    3 reviews

    3.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on July 4, 2023

    overall3food2service5ambience5
    Hard to review this because we love the ambiance, the food is always decent, and this time we had outstanding service. However this location is always disappointing when they run out of menu items, this time Ribs and baked potato were out at 1 pm. There are very few times we get the menu items we came for. We have also experienced poor service, but more times from management and hostesses, as the wait staff is generally good to great.

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  10. 1DesignerMom

    Greensboro

    40 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    40 reviews

    Dined on July 2, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Everything about Calhoun's was fantastic! The service (our waiter was wonderful), the manager was awesome!! The view - just wow! What a gem!

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  11. Foodie62

    Phoenix

    21 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    21 reviews

    Dined on June 30, 2023

    overall4food3service3ambience2
    Great view, ling wait for fair food. Some things are made well here others not so much. Spotty service.

    Is this helpful?

  12. DanW

    E. Tennessee

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on June 18, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Great as always. Love sitting outside by the lake. The Father’s Day buffet was extensive and well done.

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  13. AnitaA

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on June 18, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    We celebrated Father's Day and we’re shocked at not only the quantity at the Buffet, but more importantly, the QUALITY of the food!!! Service was impeccable, Sabrina (our server) was always on top of our needs!!! Loved It!!!

    Is this helpful?

  14. FFoodie

    Washington DC

    6 reviews

    2.0

    6 reviews

    Dined on June 17, 2023

    overall2food2service2ambience4
    Kitchen is so slow, and service was subpar. Had to ask for things repeatedly and server was seldom to be found. Food was overpriced, beer was flat, but the facilities and location were nice. Bread was the best part of the meal

    Is this helpful?

  15. OpenTable Diner

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on June 4, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    The ambiance is beautiful. We sat outside and looked at the water while we ate. It was very nice.

    Is this helpful?

  16. MarkB

    E. Tennessee

    5 reviews

    2.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on June 2, 2023

    overall2food2service3ambience2
    It was somewhat busy, but standard for a Friday night. We ordered 2 appetizers, 5 entrees, 3 salads, and 3 desserts. The dinner took about 2 hours after we were seated. We had to ask for bread and the salads came out before the appetizers, even tho we ordered the appetizers about 10 minutes before we ordered food. Then, only one appetizer came. The other one came after out food, which was about 20 minutes later. One of the sides didn’t come out until we were about to order dessert. In all, they just seemed like they couldn’t deal with a Friday. The kitchen probably screwed over the server, but the front of the house should have controlled it better. The food was average and they didn’t offer to comp anything or even really offer an apology. It was pretty chaotic and not an enjoyable dinner to end the work week.

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  17. OpenTable Diner

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 25, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Sarah was superb! Food was great - ask for table 209!

    Is this helpful?

  18. DanP

    E. Tennessee

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 21, 2023

    overall4food4service5ambience5
    Always enjoy a nice meal on Melton Lake in Oak Ridge. The view is nice and on occasion we have the pleasure to see the rowing club. This visit was real pleasurable as we got to witness the American Collegiate Rowing Association National Championship right outside the window.

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  19. OpenTable Diner

    San Francisco

    3 reviews

    4.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on May 19, 2023

    overall4food4service5ambience5
    The brisket, baked beans and spinach was very good. The pork and coleslaw were a little disappointing. You can’t beat the view of the rowers taking off though.

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  20. Bill

    1 review

    2.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 2, 2023

    overall2food1service5ambience2
    We ordered a full slab of ribs to share. They were way over cooked. Complained to the waitress. The manager came to talk to us. We were not looking for any break on our bill, just wanted him to know how awful they were. We were lucky to see rowers practicing as we ate. That was the highlight of the evening. Incredibly loud in the restaurant as we entered. Big group, just having fun.

    Is this helpful?

  21. OpenTable Diner

    Washington DC

    3 reviews

    vip
    3.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on May 1, 2023

    overall3food2service5ambience4
    Ribs were a real disappointment. Dry and over cooked.

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  22. MCreview

    Denver

    15 reviews

    5.0

    15 reviews

    Dined on April 29, 2023

    overall5food5service4ambience5
    Great food great location. Wish they had prime rib every might.

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  23. MandyL

    Atlanta Metro

    12 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    12 reviews

    Dined on April 23, 2023

    overall4food2service4ambience4
    Perfect place to eat while watching a regatta. The food is pretty basic and greasy (even the salads) but you can’t beat the view!

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  24. OpenTable Diner

    New York Area

    2 reviews

    1.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on April 22, 2023

    overall1food3service4ambience3
    I made a reservation for 12:30 . I planned a special lunch for my 93 year old mother and father-in law and 88 year old uncle. It was important for health reasons to not have a long wait…hence the reservation. When we arrived it was obvious that a regatta was happening on the lake but since we had a reservation we proceeded inside. The staff was totally inept at handling the crowd. Our reservation was basically ignored. We waited for an hour and half for a table! Totally unacceptable. I would never plan a special lunch or dinner here again. If you can’t accommodate a reservation then don’t take them. I could have planned for another restaurant that knows how to manage reservations. We arrived at 12:15 and finally left at 3:30. Disaster!

    Is this helpful?

  25. OpenTable Diner

    1 review

    1.0

    1 review

    Dined on April 22, 2023

    overall1food2service2ambience2
    Waited an hour for our table despite having a reservation.

    Is this helpful?

  26. OpenTable Diner

    1 review

    2.0

    1 review

    Dined on April 15, 2023

    overall2food4service3ambience2
    Overall the experience left a lot to be desired. Handicapped parking is almost nonexistent and our reservations were for 7:15 and we didn't get seated until 8:10pm. There were other customers seated before us that came after us and that didn't make reservations and they were seated before us after we were told that we would be seated next on two different occasions. There were front end employees that were actually rude and acted as though they didn't want to be there and as a result there were a number of customers that became very disgruntled and were not happy at all with the level of service provided at that point of the restaurant. With regard to the handicapped parking apparently the ownership and management thought it would be best to take up parking spaces near the front door for curbside services rather than provide more much needed handicapped parking. Although the food was good and the service inside the restaurant was acceptable we will not return to this establishment because of the rude front end employees and the lack of parking for people with severe disabilities.

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  27. OpenTable Diner

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on April 15, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Our food was great and the service was excellent!

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  28. ThomasM

    Western NC

    3 reviews

    4.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on March 12, 2023

    overall4food4service2ambience4
    We were led to our table as soon as we got there. It was a table with a nice view of the lake. Service at first was very good, with menus, water, bread, ordering. Food took a little bit long to arrive, but it wasn't awful. However, when we were done, we waited 15 minutes, at least, for our server to ask about dessert and give us the check. She made at least 6 or 8 trips to a nearby table of 5 and never looked up on any of those trips, delivering bread, drinks (twice), bread again, and I don't know what else. It was too bad, as it could have easily been a much better dining experience. I had the swordfish (I know - it's a barbeque restaurant) and my wife had barbequed half chicken. Both were good, though the swordfish was a bit dry. Good flavor though. I'd go again, but the one aspect of the service was disappointing.

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  29. OpenTable Diner

    Atlanta Metro

    5 reviews

    5.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on January 28, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Food was great! Asher was our server and she was awesome!

    Is this helpful?

  30. steves

    Cincinnati

    90 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    90 reviews

    Dined on January 21, 2023

    overall4food4service2ambience4
    Met family and friends at Calhoun's Oak Ridge for dinner on Saturday evening. The restaurant was very busy and energetic, but we were seated promptly. Our server promptly stopped by with water and took our drink orders. After a moderately long wait, she returned with our drinks and bread. Unfortunately, she partially spilled one of our drinks, and our bread basket had no butter. The promptness and efficiency of her performance degraded from there. Our food arrived and was very good. We requested that our server split the checks into three checks, and when received, we discovered that she had mixed them up. Overall, Calhoun's Oak Ridge was good, but our server was not.

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  31. OpenTable Diner

    E. Tennessee

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on January 7, 2023

    overall5food5service4ambience5
    great meal

    Is this helpful?

  32. MyMy

    Charleston

    4 reviews

    4.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on December 31, 2022

    overall4food5service5ambience4
    We both ordered steaks and they were perfectly prepared. Sides good too. Our waitress was excellent, friendly and attentive, even though she was very busy. A couple of negatives; noisy as usual and temperature was extremely cold. We had to keep our coats on and were still chilly.

    Is this helpful?

  33. GlenH

    E. Tennessee

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on December 25, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Everything was great except had to wait 1 Jr even though we had reservations

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  34. RogerM

    Exclusive

    2 reviews

    4.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on December 25, 2022

    overall4food3service4ambience2
    Food was good. Selection on buffet was excellent; especially the meats. But the restaurant was cold to the point of uncomfortable. And the $40 + per person price tag was ridiculous.

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  35. OpenTable Diner

    E. Tennessee

    2 reviews

    4.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on December 25, 2022

    overall4food3service4ambience5
    Took my mom to Christmas Day brunch. Food was lukewarm, service was good. Restaurant was crowded and noisy. Glad to have gotten her out though, she enjoyed it.

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  36. OpenTable Diner

    E. Tennessee

    1 review

    3.0

    1 review

    Dined on December 20, 2022

    overall3food3service2ambience3
    Our waiter seemed to have a hard time understanding who was together on checks and there was only 6 of us. Had a difficult time with getting drinks.

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  37. Mitch

    San Francisco

    2 reviews

    4.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on December 16, 2022

    overall4food4service5ambience5
    Would go back

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  38. Sarah25

    Key West

    3 reviews

    3.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on December 2, 2022

    overall3food3service3ambience4
    I’ve eaten at multiple Calhoun’s locations and always been very happy but this experience was underwhelming. We had a reservation but still had to wait. The service was just okay-had to wait for drink refills and the server seemed put off when we asked for more bread. My parents’ meals were decent but my BBQ pork sandwich wasn’t fresh nor tasty. I never send food back but actually considered it and instead just ate little if it. Bread and fries were fine but I’ve had much better dining experiences at the other locations especially Calhoun’s on the River and in Gatlinburg. Location in Oak Ridge is very nice but service and especially food need work.

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  39. Bboots

    Wilmington

    11 reviews

    4.0

    11 reviews

    Dined on November 25, 2022

    overall4food4service4ambience5
    Good practical place to eat!

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  40. MattR

    Chicago

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on November 24, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Great food for great prices. Will definitely be back

    Is this helpful?

FAQs

Calhoun’s Oak Ridge offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (865) 685-0850.

Calhoun’s Oak Ridge is rated 4.4 stars by 53 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a reservation

2 people

7:00 PM


Booked 4 times today

Order delivery or takeout

Google Map for Calhoun’s Oak Ridge

100 Melton Lake Peninsula, Oak Ridge, TN 37830

Additional information

  • Neighborhood
    Oak Ridge
  • Hours of operation
    Mon–Thu, Sun 11:00 am–9:00 pm Fri, Sat 11:00 am–10:00 pm
  • Price
    $30 and under
  • Cuisines
    American, Barbecue, Burgers
  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Parking details
    Private Lot
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Discover, JCB, Mastercard, Visa
  • Additional
    Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Delivery, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Non-Smoking, Outdoor Firepit, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeout, View, Wheelchair Access, Wine
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