aubrey's

had a slight issue getting seated in order, but that wasn't a big deal they were totally packed, and it was standing room only in the waiting area. the manager evidently knew what happened and once we were seated he came and told us that he was going to give us a dessert on the house. when it was time to pay when we asked the waiter for the check and said we had a coupon. and he then told us that the manager and taking care of our entire meal due to the issues we had getting seated, in this situation and apology was enough but he went the next step.... or two and he has won our loyalty to aubrey's. also of note the manager was very genuine and congenial unlike most, that is customerserviceat it's best to us.

local places with multiple locations usually means they're doing something right.  so, we often try them when traveling and that's what brought us to aubrey's on a recent trip.  it's an interesting place, occupying a segment between fern bar casual and upper level steak house, with elements of both.  i think they're pulling it off well, and judging by the crowds, others think likewise.  like fern bars, the place is large with the bar separate from the dining room.  it's family friendly with laminate tables (no tablecloths like a steak house would have) well lit with big colorful art hanging.  but, like a finer dining establishment, there aren't tvs everywhere and no loud music.  also, they have an open kitchen grill going so you can see your food being prepared. serviceis great.  lots of servers who take their job seriously.  love to tip people like this.  the grilled tuna sandwich really surprised.  it's a large thick tuna steak with a lemon caper sauce that complements the tuna and doesn't hide it.  very good.  sweet potato fries are full of sweet flavor.  the buffalo version of the fried chicken tenders (a specialty item) could use more heat for my taste, but it was a large serving that went back to the hotel with me for a late snack.  there is a wine list and we just had house chardonnay which fit the food well.  they follow current restaurant trends by being very proud of their wine.  (what ever happened to just a 100% mark up?)  aubrey's is priced higher than fern bars, but they're delivering a better quality product with better service.  i'd go back and recommend it to others.

we'll be back. hub's and i went there last week. it was kind of early (before a week night dinner rush). the outside seating area looked fairly full so that seemed like a good sign. inside it was harder to tell as the layout is pretty spacious. i enjoy being able to talk during the meal and not be drowned out by music or other guests. it's what i consider a nice, casual family restaurant. the bread they brought while we ordered was light and airy with a light crust.

i ordered the 14 oz prime rib, medium rare with the parmesan spinach. i rated my meat as fair. it was a tad bland so i asked for horseradish. our waitress was happy to get it and prompt in bring it. the parmesan spinach was great. nice and creamy, not too salty. i was having to fight hub's after i let him try a bite.

hub's ordered the 16 oz rib eye, medium rare. he got a side salad with ranch and the soup of the moment was chicken and mushroom. the salad was a typical side salad. the ranch though was not. it had more of a homemade taste to it with something else i couldn't quite put my finger on. i was dipping bread in the bowl after hub's poured it out on his salad. the soup was also pretty good though i thought the cup was on the small side. his steak was perfectly cooked and well seasoned. i was a little jealous.

i asked about the desserts and our waitress informed me they were made in house. i settled on the key lime pie. the portion was good, just about sharing size. perfectly tart, sweet and creamy. depending on what else they may have it goes on my exception to the diet list.

over all we both liked it. hub's really liked it.servicewasn't bad. our bill came out to about what you'd expect for a higher end steak house. i watched a few different plates go by that i'd like to try. so we'll be going back.

crcii. i absolutely detest this place! it is on my list as the worst place to eat in knoxville! i hate how they try to pretend things are homemade and everything is foodserviceright out of the can and the cheapest quality!


-----08 aug, 2009-----

chuck. ruby's, but more expensive!

food is ok, nothing special.serviceusually pretty lousy as well, but oddly the place is packed.

food was excellent,servicewas great, and the atmosphere was amazing. i read the reviews on here and was appalled. sorry you hilljacks they didnt have beans and taters although they had your budweiser. next time go to your favorite place for a burger.......have it you are way at the bk

what ruby tuesday's wishes it could be. we are visiting knoxville and staying in the powell, tn area. i spent about an hour looking at mostly urban spoon and other sites to find that "perfect spot". i almost did not go to this place because of the "ruby tuesday's" remark in an earlier review. i have been to various rt's over the years and have gotten some good food, but i usually feel like i am not getting my money's worth and have often gotten poorserviceand food. because of this i don't want to go there.

my wife and i got to aubrey's at about 8:00 on a saturday evening. we were seated immediately. we got patient assistance (including a taste) from our server in deciding what wine to order for my wife and i had a draft. our server was prompt, polite, and friendly during the entire meal. everything came to our table quickly but not too quick.

we ordered a spinach queso appetizer. we were suprised at how fast it came out. i was thinking "spinach dip", but this was a spinachy chile con queso. my wife is a wuss with heat and i like hot food. we both enjoyed the flavor and heat level in the queso and there was plenty.

my wife ordered the hawaiian steak skewers medium rare along with a loaded potato and mushrooms. her steak was cooked perfectly and was not overpowered with the marinade. she enjoyed all of her meal.

i ordered the peanut crusted catfish with sweet potato fries and baked squash. yes, the squash is a casserole and has breading, but i liked it. the sweet potato fries are "thick/thin" cut which seems to be just right. they have a salt/sugar coating that is nicely balanced. the catfish was the star of my meal. it came out piping hot and had a nice thin crispy crust. this may be the best fried catfish i have ever had! on the side was what i would call a tartar sauce ("caper lemon") that was a nice accompaniment. the only (minor) disappointment of the meal was that no spicy sauce such as a remoulade was available. the fish did not really need any sauce, though!

we finished off with a strawberry napoleon dessert that was excellent. if i am in this neck of the woods again, i'll be back!

jbb

good, solid food. aubrey's is a solid choice for a good meal in knoxville. the fried chicken breast is huge, juicy, and delicious - the gravy that comes with it is a little tasteless. most of the veggie sides are good and fresh - though the squash is about 90% bread and kind of bland. i haven't tried the burgers, but they look and smell delicious. have always had good, fairly quickserviceand they are always generous with bread.

my first aubrey's visit. i'm told that aubrey's is a regional chain restaurant, but this is the first time i've even seen one. my client suggeested it and i'm glad we visited. i had the ceasar salad with seared tuna and it was excellent. the tuna was cooked to perfection (meaning seared ans served rare) and the caesar salad was as good as i've had anywhere. enough garlic to clear one's sinuses and make your eyes water slightly with just a proper hint of anchovie on the bowl.

my client had the pizza rockefeller and it, too, was excellent. the thin crust combined with spinach, mozzarella cheese, fresh tomatoes and jalapeno slices was a unique concept.

the menu offers an eclectic mix of appetizers, soups, salads, sandwiches, burgers on up to steaks.

theservicewas excellent and in answer to one reviewer's query about smoking area; cleveland has outlawed smoking in any restaurant. i plan to visit aubrey's on my next several trips to cleveland so i can try ssome of the different items on the menu.

better by the bar. since my first review i had a chance to go back to aubrey's, this time we made it a point to sit by in the bar area (nba playoffs, come on, you have to right?!). i am a sucker for good atmosphere, and their bar area has it; it's much much better than their dining area. i was a cool night, the patio doors were open, a nice breeze was blowing in and we were enjoying a few drinks, pretty good food, and a game on tv, it was a good night. my wife ordered chicken tenders, and said they were some of the best she'd ever had. everyone shared some pork nachos and those were really good too. to wrap it up, my second experience was much better than the first.

-side note- please do not bring your children to a bar. i don't care how upscale the restaurant is, it's still a bar. if your kids are playing and crawling all over the bar, you look like a terrible parent.


-----13 may, 2011-----

middle of the road. i was excited when aubrey's opened, so i checked it out the first weekend. the bar area looked alive and fun, plenty of tv's but not enough to have that sports bar feel, it seemed like a good place to grab a drink or watch a game. you walk in and you see this fun, energetic bar area and then your hostess leads you around the corner to the dining area... and it's a huge open room with absolutely nothing on the walls or the tables. if you have ever had a business dinner at a convention center, it's the exact same feeling. so we sit and we order, their menu has a decent selection, but it almost feels like a copy of an o'l charley's type. very basic. i ordered the rattlesnake pasta, it was just a very plain cajun chicken pasta dish, not bad, but not the new flavor in town i was hoping for.servicewas all over the place, the entree came out before the drinks and appetizer, like... unsettlingly fast. it was their first friday, and all things considered, they did an outstanding job. overall it wasn't a bad experience, the bar was nice, the staff is still working out all the kinks but still very friendly, their food is just ok, nothing to write home about.

one of our favorites. it is mind boggling that people think of aubrey's as a "more expensive" ruby tuesday's. aubrey's is a giant step up over mediocre ruby tuesdays. also - they're consistent. they deliver on food and onserviceevery time i visit.

you can tell most things are made in house and it makes all the difference. love their salad dressings - though the balsamic is my favorite. very smooth and not too sweet.

i love the hawaiian ribeye and my wife loves the lemon-lime chicken. we've been eating here for years and hope they'll be open for years to come.

always a good meal. my family and i have visited aubrey's often over the years. i love this place. i've never had a bad meal, have always had greatserviceand you can't beat the prices. other than being a little too noisy sometimes ( due to how busy they always are-which is a good thing! ) i enjoy the atmosphere and will continue to go back.

love this place. my favorite, low-key restuarant in knoxville. food is always good, prices can't be beat.servicevaries, but is usually good.