KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) – Restaurants in East Tennessee are making changes to their daily schedules, some closing their dining room altogether, others adding new online-ordering options for customers to take-out.

The Centers for Disease Control recommends that restaurants should limit their dining rooms to 50% capacity and keep customers at least six feet apart. That includes customers waiting to be seated, kept six apart in distance.

RELATED: Knoxville Mayor Kincannon issues executive order closing bars, gyms, clubs; puts limits on restaurants

Following these guidelines, some restaurants are keeping their dining rooms open.

“So, our goal is to invite guests in if they are healthy. We want them to come in if they feel comfortable doing that,” said Annie LaLonde, Marketing Director for Shoney’s.

LaLonde said the all Shoney’s locations are thoroughly cleaned throughout the day, and the average health inspection score across all restaurants is 99%.

Customers at Shoney’s are seated at a distance; gloves are available if diners chose to wear them, when serving themselves from the Fresh Food Bar, and there are at least four hand sanitizer stations within each restaurant.

RELATED: Knox County orders closure of bars, Sevier County requests restaurant seating limits

Across town, a local favorite for more than 30 years, Pete’s Restaurant is keeping their dining room open, following CDC and city recommendations.

‘We felt like we owed it to our staff to try it out to see if we get support from the Knoxville community. So far, the support’s been overwhelming,” said Joey Natour, Co-Owner of Pete’s.

Natour said there were conversations about closing that involve the restaurant’s 15 employees. He said the feedback they received inspired them to stay open, monitoring any changes or guidelines from the CDC every day.

“We’re keeping our staff, the Knoxville community has been great. If they keep supporting us, we’ll be open,” said Natour.

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#breakfastallday

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Another downtown favorite, Matt Robb’s Biscuits and Brew, is open for dine-in, but also, take-out. The shop seats fewer than 10 customers at a time, within the CDC guidelines.

“It’s literally my only source of income. So, I just thought about it, I’ll hunker down and make sure everything’s clean,” said Matt Robbins, Owner, and Operator of Matt Robb’s Biscuits and Brew.

Robbins says he launched E-Gift cards this week as well as a new take-out option where customers can order online and pick-up outside the store without coming inside.

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Hey Knoxville, we know there’s some pretty scary stuff floating around, and some sweet caring people have reached out to ask us how they can support our small business during this time. We wanted to share our current state with you in hopes to ease your mind and fill your heart. Yes, we are currently remaining OPEN. From our beginning, Matt Robbs has been one of the the quickest places to grab breakfast in the city, sometimes having you in and out the door with food & coffee in 5 minutes or less. Matt earned a perfect 100 on his health inspection score, and is already very diligent in cleaning and sanitation; but in light of the virus, we want you to know Matt is being extra careful and extra cautious. While we totally support the CDC and their efforts of social distancing, Matt Robbs also supports a livelihood, and we want to offer you a few ways to help support Matt and his business during these next few months. ♥️ . 1.) Purchase an e-Gift Card This will help keep our sales level during slow times, and means we’ll get to see you sometime in the future! Click the link in our bio to purchase. ♥️ . 2.) Order Food To-Go (Pictured) Matt has always been speedy and sanitary with his orders, making sure all food is individually wrapped and packaged. We have a great system set up for you to run in and grab your items and be back out the door. If you’re uncomfortable walking into the shop, let Matt know and he’d be happy to set it on our (freshly cleaned) newspaper stand right outside our door for pick-up. Order to-go by text, call, email, Instagram DM, or Square appointment ordering portal. Tap the link in our bio, or hit “text” under our contact button on our profile to start your order 🤗♥️ . 3.) Have Understanding We totally recognize you may not agree with Matt’s decision to remain open, but we ask you to be kind and gracious as these decisions do not come lightly to small business owners. . We support all our friends and neighbors in light of whatever hard decisions they have to make at this time, and we hope to still serve you in the best way we can. . We love you Knox, stay healthy! ♥️

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Knox Foodie List: restaurants offering to-go/curbside pickup

Known on social media as KnoxFoodie, Mandee and Eric, compiled a list of local restaurants that span Knox, Blount, and Sevier Counties that are offering take-out services during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The list is comprehensive and updated as frequently as possible to reflect the daily changes to the food industry locally.

The list includes links to restaurant social media channels that include the most up-to-date information on hours/to-go options/gift card availability. The full list can be found on KnoxFoodie.

Knox County Restaurants (Full list on KnoxFoodie)

Central Filling Station
Knox Brew Tours – Delivering Last Day FOOD! 865-202-4298
Kaizen
Knox Provisions (meal pick up Tuesdays and Fridays)
Nick & J’s
Holly’s Gourmets Market (also offering family meal menus)
Sticky Rice Cafe
Tomo Japanese free deliveries/walk-up 5 miles
Maple Hall open 12-7 to-go beer available
Tako taco
Olibea (outside pickup window 10% off to-go, 25% e-cards to employees)
Pelanchos Mexican Grill
McAlister’s Deli
Taziki’s Mediterranean Cafe
Season’s Innovative Bar & Grille
Blaze Pizza

Captain D’s restaurants at 6722 Maynardville Highway, 812 Merchants Road, 4320 Chapman Highway and 9335 Kingston Pike will have delivery service via Uber Eats and Door Dash as well as Drive-thru and curbside carryout available.

Turkey Creek (West Knox County)

Turkey Creek shopping center leaders said Wednesday night, “At this time, Turkey Creek as a whole is open for business and we’re here to serve you.  Thank you for your support of our shops, restaurants and employees.”

  • Abuelo’s: Eat-in (Limited Menu), Take-out and Delivery
  • Baskin Robbins: Business as Usual
  • Bonefish: Eat-in, 12-9 Daily, No Brunch
  • Buffalo Wild Wings: 11-10pm, Take-out, Curbside and Delivery
  • Buttermilk Sky Pie: Take-out and curbside (early closures likely)
  • Calhoun’s: Closed (other Knoxville locations open)
  • Chick Fil-A: Drive-thru and App Orders Only
  • Chili’s: Closing early on Friday and Saturday (11pm)
  • Chipotle: Online and Take-out Only
  • Clean Juice: Take-Out and App Orders Only
  • Connor’s Steak & Seafood: Sunday – Thursday Close at 9pm, Friday and Saturday Close at 10pm
  • Dickey’s Barbecue Pit: Business as Usual
  • Einstein Bros. Bagels: Monday – Friday 6am -4pm, Saturday and Sunday 7am – 4pm
  • First Watch: Business as Usual
  • Five Guys: Eat-in and Take-out 10-8 Monday – Sunday
  • Flemings: Sunday – Wednesday 4-8pm, Thursday – Saturday 4-9pm
  • Gavino’s: Eat-in , Take-out and Delivery Sunday-Monday Noon-8pm, Friday and Saturday Noon – 9pm
  • Great American Cookie: Business as Usual
  • I-HOP: Business as Usual
  • Jimmy Johns: Take-out and Delivery
  • Juice Bar: Monday – Sunday 7am-5pm
  • Kabuki: Business as Usual
  • LongHorn Steakhouse: Business as Usual with modified hours, Sunday – Thursday 11-9pm, Friday and Saturday 11-10pm
  • McAlister’s Deli: Business as usual with modified hours, Sunday – Thursday 10:30- 9pm, Friday and Saturday 10:30 – 10pm
  • McDonald’s: Indoor capacity limited, Drive-thru 24/7
  • Menchie’s: Closed – 4/1
  • Mimi’s Café: Business as usual with modifies hours, Monday – Sunday 7am – 5pm
  • Moe’s Southwest Grill: Take-out and FREE delivery for orders more than $10
  • Newk’s: Business as Usual
  • Noodles & Co.: Take-out and Delivery
  • O’Charley’s: Business as Usual with modified hours, Monday – Sunday 11-8pm
  • Olive Garden: Business as Usual with modified hours, Sunday – Thursday 11-9pm, Friday and Saturday 11- 10pm
  • Panda Express: Take-out and Drive-Thru From 9am – 7pm
  • Panera Bread: Business as Usual with modifies hours 9am – 7pm
  • Pei Wei: Take-out only form 11am – 7:30pm
  • Red Robin: Take-out only Monday – Sunday 11-9pm
  • Salsarita’s: Take-out only Monday – Sunday 11-7pm
  • Schakolad: Business as usual with modified hours, Monday – Saturday 11-6pm, Sunday 12-5pm
  • Seasons: Business as Usual with modified hours (But expecting to close soon), Monday – Sunday 11:30-8pm, Drive-Thru Spaghetti Dinner for 2 ($10) Saturday (3/21) to benefit employees.
  • Smoky Mountain Brewery: Business as Usual, FREE Delivery for orders more than $35
  • Sno Cream: Business as Usual with modified hours, Monday – Thursday 4pm – 8:30pm, Friday 4 -10pm, Saturday Noon-10pm, Sunday Noon-8:30pm
  • Starbucks: Drive-thru and Take-out only
  • Sweet Frog: Closed
  • Sweet Retreat: Closed – 4/3
  • Taco Bell: Drive-thru only
  • Texas Roadhouse House: Business as Usual, Sunday – Thursday 11-9pm, Friday and Saturday 11-10pm
  • Zaxby’s: Drive-thru only 10-30- 7pm
  • Zoe’s Kitchen:  Take-out only Monday – Sunday 11-8pm

Brown Bag Now

Brown Bag Now at 10649 Hardin Valley Road says they are expanding free delivery to all of Knox County for bulk orders of $50 or more. To place a delivery, call or text 865-228-3283 by 12 p.m. on the day of your order to have it delivered between 4 and 7 p.m.

Blount/Sevier County Restaurants (Full list on KnoxFoodie)

Smokin Joes BBQ Townsend
Dancing Bear Townsend
Elvira’s
Windy City Grille
TC’s Grill
Metro Pizza
The Steel Room
Misty Morning
Big Daddy’s Pizzeria
Bennett’s Pit Bar-b-que
Alamo Steakhouse
Mama’s Farmhouse
Joe and Pop’s Sub Shoppe
Mama’s Kitchen
Mad Dog’s Creamery & Donuts

Captain D’s at 2714 Airport Rd in Alcoa will offer curbside carry-out in addition to their drive-thru service.

Oak Ridge restaurants

Places offering carry-out or curbside:

Razzleberry’s Ice Cream Lab
The Soup Kitchen
The Other One Deli Diner Dive
Calhoun’s
Applebee’s Grill + Bar
Red Lobster
McAlister’s
Panera Bread
Chick-fil-A (Drive thru)
Winter Farmer’s Market
Burchfield’s
Panda Express
Buddy’s BBQ
Wok N Roll
Miss Betty’s Magic Wok
iHop
Pizza Inn
Aubrey’s
Billy’s Timeout Deli
DosBros Fresh Mexican Grill
Fulin’s Asian Cuisine
Hibachi Burger
Outback Steakhouse
Jett also added that it’s important to remember to tip your to-go server and delivery drivers as they need this now more than ever.

Places offering dine-in:

Razzleberry’s Ice Cream Lab
The Other One Deli Diner Dive
Gallo Loco Mexican Restaurant
Calhoun’s
Crafter’s Brew Market & Social
Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers
Waffle House
Applebee’s
Red Lobster
McAlister’s Deli
Jefferson Fountain
Burchfield’s
Shoney’s
Panda Express
El Cantarito Mexican Restaurant
Buddy’s BBQ
Miss Betty’s Magic Wok
iHop
Billy’s Timeout Deli
Aubrey’s
DosBros Fresh Mexican Grill
Pizza Inn
Fulin’s Asian Cuisine
Hibachi Burger
Home delivery options include GrubHub and DoorDash.

Big Ed’s Pizza is temporarily closed. Dean’s is serving take-out only but is also offering free, boxed meals to seniors (ages 60+), while supplies last. The boxed meals offer is set for Friday, March 20 from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m.

For more information, visit ExploreOakRidge.com or call (865) 483-1321.