On Friday, Oct. 7th, Vol Dining introduced a new dining experience to Cumberland Avenue. Cumberland Food Hall is a new off-campus food option that is catered to the fast growing university and the needs of its students.
“We’re really excited about this space because it’s not a typical dining hall, and it very much has a food hall vibe. It’s open, it’s fun, it’s exciting … and you can use your meal plan,” Vol Dining Director Amanda Hough said.
This project has been in the works for three and a half years, and is the first project that Hough has accomplished as the head of Vol Dining. Development and construction was done through a private investor, and the food hall itself is on the ground floor of a future Hub Knoxville apartment complex, Core Space’s brand that prioritizes innovation and hospitality.
“We had representatives from the university that really helped us navigate and shape challenges, and were advocates for us … there were some setbacks in the way of just timelines for furniture, things of that nature, that we just had to pivot. But honestly, now that it’s all happening, I think the timing is perfect,” Hough said.
Director of Vol Dining Amanda Hough leads the grand opening at the Cumberland Food Hall. Friday, Nov. 7, 2025.
Cumberland Food Hall features four food ‘concepts,’ and each is designed to provide an elevated dining option for students, and a way for them to fully utilize their meal plan.
Big Orange Grill, which is already in the Student Union, will feature the same menu and provide a sense of familiarity to students. South Street Steaks offers philly cheesesteaks and mac and cheese for a homey comfort meal. Athenian Grill, a brand of Athenian Higher Education Services, is a Mediterranean-style concept. All three of these options utilize a ghost kitchen system, intended to increase efficiency and the speed in which students will get their food.
Cumberland Food Hall is the newest addition to Vol Dining's increasing meal options for students. Friday, Nov. 7, 2025.
“A ghost kitchen means that you’re essentially placing an order through the GrubHub app on your phone or through the kiosk, and then you’re picking it up from the food locker. It’s all super seamless,” Hough said.
Zen Sushi and Wok is the fourth concept at Cumberland Food Hall, and features menu items such as sushi, poke bowls, ramen and bubble tea.
“The most exciting thing about the ghost kitchen concept is that we can be open minded on the concepts that are behind those lockers. The kitchen is designed to be a multi-concept kitchen … so look forward to more concepts to be launched, more flavors to be introduced, and those menus to be expanded,” Athenian Higher Education Services Head Chef Illias Pappassaid.
Nothing brings people together like food, and community is the driving force of this new space. Cumberland Food Hall seats about 350 people, and is designed with the students in mind.
“We’re just really excited to bring this beautiful space to life. It provides innovation, it provides options, while all focusing on the student experience and utilizing your meal plan. That’s the most important thing. We want them to have value behind that, while also providing a community space,” Hough said,
Cumberland Food Hall is the newest addition to Vol Dining's increasing meal options for students. Friday, Nov. 7, 2025.
During their soft opening earlier this week, Vol Dining already saw a great response from the students and customers that provides great feedback for future growth and continued care.
“I think this is a great opportunity for students that live on this side of campus, walking back to campus, walking to class, being able to pop in here, grab something to eat, and that convenience, being able to use your dining dollars here, is a really big improvement for this side of campus, giving them some kind of option over here,” Student Government Association Executive Secretary Anna Beth Thompson said.
Cumberland Food Hall is open seven days a week from 10:30a.m. to 9 p.m. Meal Equivalency and Dining Dollars are accepted.
“Here at the Cumberland food hall, we’re extremely thankful … we put our heart and soul into [our food], and [we] are thrilled about it, the team is energized,” Pappas said.
