In Knoxville, there are tons of diverse restaurants with amazing southern, feel-good food, but for me one sticks out above all the rest: Big Fatty’s on Kingston Pike.

Big Fatty’s from the outside doesn’t look that special. It is in an inconspicuous building without much color, and the parking lot is small. Despite a big mural on a fence outside the restaurant, it is actually extremely easy to miss as you are driving along. But once you find it, your life will be changed forever.

Inside the restaurant, walls are all different colors and covered with cute pop art. There is a bar with bar stools that look straight out of the 1950s, much like most of the other décor. The design of the menu reflects the feel of the room: colorful, yet simple. But the color and the art make a big, cozy impression.

The menu has a whole variety of food to choose from. They of course have barbeque and fried chicken and burgers, but they also shrimp and crab cake po’boys, chicken salad, fish and chips, and Greek chicken. They also have lots vegetarian options including salads, veggie sandwiches and black bean burgers. Most of their sides are vegetarian as well.

Absolutely anything you try will be amazing. I have enjoyed the fried chicken, roast beef sandwich, burger, scalloped potatoes, green beans, spinach maria and fried okra. Shakespeare would have written sonnets to the fried okra. Hundreds of them. “How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.”

The food at Big Fatty’s is the kind of food that you just have to have after a long day. It’s the kind of food that quiets a tormented soul and heals a broken heart. It’s the kind of food that could end decades-long international disputes. It’s the kind of food that could convince Ahmadinejad to shut down Iran’s nuclear program and turn Ann Coulter into a bleeding-heart liberal. It will change your life, though it may also change your pants size.

On top of the amazing food, the service is great as well. Our waiters have always been really nice, funny and easy-going, reflecting the feel of the entire restaurant. The plates don’t match, the soup and beans are served in random mugs, and it doesn’t matter. Life doesn’t have to match. Time slows down a bit inside Big Fatty’s, and people just have a good time.

Facilitating that good time are drink specials including the one for beer, which lasts, according to the menu, “until someone pees.” You can tell the owner has a sense of humor, especially when you read the statuses she posts for the restaurant on Facebook. One of the more tame examples from last month: “Suga where did ya get those moves? why ya got 2 be so disrespectful? it ain’t the playa but the game-now get yo a** 2 work! talkn all that smack … its called a job! chicken n dumplins 4 the justified-lil wayne is a hater.”

Big Fatty’s is one of the best little pieces of Knoxville charm, and everyone must go. Support a local business that supports good food and good times. But clear your schedule, because after you go, you will have to nap for the rest of the day

.— Lindsay Lee is a junior in mathematics. She can be reached at [email protected].