Book excerpt: The Marble City, the Scruffy City or the Maker City, whatever you call it, Knoxville, TN, has become a culinary destination. Locals and visitors eat their way through this unpretentious mountain town while exploring its rich and varied history. Unique Eats & Eateries of Knoxville is your dining guide through the city. Culinary inspirations here range from our own Appalachian flavors such as buttermilk biscuits or savory cornbread, fried green tomatoes and fried chicken to dishes brought from France, Israel, Morocco and around the globe. Take a trip through our historic buildings turned modern restaurants, including one of Knoxville’s first taverns, while learning the stories of multigenerational restaurant families and pioneers who struck out on their own. History buffs will want to know about the oldest restaurant in town and the breakout eatery of Knoxville’s 1982 World’s Fair. Read about the stories as great as the food served: a tavern named after a Cormac McCarthy character, a saloon with connections to Peyton Manning, along with rock stars, sugar spinners, and James Beard Award-winning chefs all working to bring the best of their craft to the area.Local author Paula Johnson brings the personal touch of her food tours and her well trained palette for good food and a good yarn to this fun guide. You’ll never have to wonder what restaurant to try next in Knoxville.