Dustin Cochran is not new to the Knoxville food scene. He began making the famous Myrtle’s Bakehouse cookies and popping up in markets and eventually the Marble City Market Food Hall in 2021. He also bought Richy Kreme Donuts in Maryville and later opened one in West Knoxville. He also purchased Donut Theory and has been running it as a successful food truck since 2021/2022. Though he left Marble City Market, you can find Myrtle’s at many local markets and in Kern’s Food Hall alongside Richy Kreme Donuts. And now, this serial food entrepreneur is bringing his latest culinary concept to Kern’s Food Hall.
T. Ralph’s Burgers is now open for business! Named after Dustin’s grandfather in the same way Myrtle’s Bakehouse is named after his grandmother, this new burger joint pays homage to his strong family ties and commitment to doing the job well. The concept has been in the works for a while and has finally reached Kern’s Food Hall customers. These double-patty smash-style burgers are made with Grainger County’s Mitchell Family Farm’s beef (you can find them at the Market Square Farmer’s Market every Saturday!) and put on housemade brioche buns with a myriad of toppings sure to please the masses. There are gluten-free buns available upon request.
I sat down with Dustin and his new manager, Robert McClain, to talk about the new burger joint and what they want patrons to know. I was instantly drawn to Robert’s joyful attitude and excitement about the new food stall and how it would run. He has a background in the service industry and is ready to bring his expertise and positivity to T. Ralph’s.
During our conversation, Dustin and Robert emphasized their unwavering commitment to ensuring a positive customer experience at T. Ralph’s. From the moment you step up to place your order to the instant your food is served, they are dedicated to providing top-notch service. Their focus on a small, quality-driven menu and quick service is a testament to this commitment. And to top it off, a soda fountain machine serving Coke products is sure to please every customer.
They serve up regular and sweet potato fries created in-house through a process of hand cutting, soaking and soaking again to remove the starches that can interfere with the perfect fry texture. All sauces are housemade as well. I love a sauce and had the Git Down sauce and the Maple Dijon Siracha. Both are now at the top of my list of faves. There will be a malt vinegar aioli for the fries. Every menu item will come with a sauce, and if you want more, you can add it on.
At T. Ralph’s, the excitement doesn’t end with the regular menu. They also offer housemade pickles and plan to introduce seasonal specials that reflect the fresh food items available at the farmer’s market. And for the little ones, there’s a kid’s meal featuring a single-patty burger and fries. Plus, the budget-friendly Farmstand Burger and fries combo is priced under $15, making it a win-win for parents and kids alike. And don’t forget to search the menu for a hidden item that you’re sure to love!
Dustin grew up around his grandfather’s dairy cow farm and his stepfather’s beef cattle farm. He understands that quality beef matters. You will see nods to this on the creative wrap on the food stall by Maryville Wraps. Avery Harper with Vanity Designs created the logo, and they worked with TAC Design and Pannell Construction to bring it all together.
Kern’s offers catering services through a robust catering menu for groups, so look out for that. You can also contact Monday Night Brewing to book spaces and order catering. T. Ralph’s is one of those options.
T. Ralph’s is open now! Regular hours will be M-Th, 10:30-9:30, and it will stay open later on Friday and Saturday.
Update on parking at Kerns: It is free for the first 2 hours, even without a purchase from one of their vendors. After that, scan a QR code at the business you visit inside the food hall to keep your free parking beyond the 2 hours. I was not offered the QR code at the stall I purchased from, so make sure you ask when you make your purchase. Once you set up the Metropolis app, it’s easy to park without hassle. All I had to do was scan the QR code and I got a receipt that showed the “discount” for my 2+ hour stay.
Please stop in and tell the T. Ralph’s crew we sent you!
(SHHHHHH….another new thing is coming to Kern’s from Dustin and his crew soon! Stay tuned!)
