
Cue the confetti and crank up the Taylor Swift soundtrack, because Disco Chicken and Donuts (formerly Donut Theory) is strutting its way into Kern’s Food Hall, and honey, it’s a long time coming!
Picture this: you walk through the main doors and ta-da—the two-foot disco ball overhead and bold neon pink‑and‑black décor set the scene. Friendly faces and celiac-safe foods are now as easy to access as a drive over to Kern’s. No more waiting on the food truck pop-ups. You can find them open seven days a week. But don’t distress; you can still find the food truck at the market and other pop-ups around town.

Once upon a time, Laura Crawford dreamed up Donut Theory—a gluten-free haven in Knoxville. In 2022 she passed the torch to Dustin Cochran, and now? While he’s been working on his other concepts, Richy Kreme and T. Ralph’s Burgers, he’s leveled up this concept with a full-on rebrand. Enter Disco Chicken and Donuts: funky logo, unforgettable vibe, and so much more than just donuts.
What’s on the menu? Fried chicken, crispy fries, fresh donuts, slaw, mac ’n’ cheese—and yes, all gluten-free. Plus, Cochran’s signature sauces (you might recognize a few of them from his other spot, T. Ralph’s Burgers, just around the corner).
They plan to open next week so, keep your eyes and ears on their Facebook and Instagram to be the first to know when you can get your gluten-free fix at Kerns. Those chicken and biscuits knock it out of the park, which is a nod to my next piece of big news for T. Ralph’s and Disco Chicken and Donuts. They will be opening in the Delaney building at Covenant Health Park later this year or early next. I’ll let you know more on all of this soon.



Disco Chicken is not the only new business in Kern’s this year.

Keith visited Eggspectation during its opening weekend recently, and here’s what he had to say about this new eatery:
Eggsspectation has now opened in Kern Food Hall, and I got to attend the opening VIP event. The experience was elevated. When you enter, you are greeted by an elegant host stand and waiting area with a mural of the Sunsphere and Smokey. Enzo Renda, CEO at Eggspectation Restaurants LLC, showed me the mural and stopped by my table to discuss the food, which was amazing.

Eggspectation has two menu options: the day menu from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. and an evening menu starting at 4 p.m., which features some additional upscale dishes. Renda described the food as an integration of several international flavors, including Mediterranean, South American, French, Italian and Greek. Eggspectation is open from 7 a.m to 8 p.m. on Sundays.


During the opening VIP event, guests were treated to 15 different dishes. I didn’t make it through many as the sample portions filled me. My favorite dish was a beet-based Chimichurri side dish with beets, corn and asparagus that came with the lamb. Renda told me that the dish came from the Argentinian chef at the Qatar location. The lamb came in a Greco-Romano marriage pesto.
I also tried the New York Strip with chimichurri and fries on the side. The steak was so tender the knife wasn’t really necessary. I had a Montreal Poutine with a gravy for a kick. The chicken schnitzel had panko breading with greens and carrots marinated in white wine. My first dish was crab cakes in Old Bay seasoning and slaw greens.
On the sweet side, the Gooey Goose Bread, which has a sourdough base with cinnamon, sugar and sauce was incredible. The French Toast had a bourbon glaze with walnut, strawberry and banana.

The bar features a Mimosa Flight, which has four different flavors of mimosa in a colorful holder.
I asked why Eggspectation chose to come to Knoxville and Kerns. Developer Tim Martin told me that he felt they chose Knoxville because of the city’s growth. He said, “Don’t you want to get a stock while it’s on the rise?”
Renda said Eggspectation was a “fun place but serious about food.” Come try them out.

A couple of other delights have also opened in the food hall over the last few months.

Aunt Nazzira Hummus Bar has officially landed at Kern’s Food Hall—and still in local markets too! With both a cold bar and hot bar, it’s your hummus heaven: build-your-own bowls from hot chickpea curry or Egyptian garlic chicken, or scoop from a spread of fresh-flavored hummus at the cold counter.

Choose single servings for a quick bite, or stock up with take-home batches—perfect for sharing or meal prep. I popped by and was wowed by the range of toppings and bases: think roasted veggies, protein-packed chickpeas, zesty olives and artisan pita chips (their chips are next-level with the hummus). The flavors are vibrant and the ingredients feel thoughtfully selected.

In short: Aunt Nazzira’s elevates the hummus bar concept. Whether you grab a warm plate of garlic chicken over creamy hummus or a cold mezze bowl, you’re in for something that feels fresh, fun and full of flavor.

I’m a dedicated dessert-first kind of person—my kitchen even boasts a sign that declares “Eat Dessert First.” So when I learned The French Cookie, the beloved Cookeville macaron shop I stumbled upon during a TN Tech visit, was setting up shop at Kern’s Food Hall, I practically did a happy dance. Their macarons—yes, mack-ah-ROHN, not that coconut cookie—are a next-level treat. These petite flavor bombs include house favorites like Brookie (think fudgy brownie meets chewy macaron), the ultra-smooth Caramel Macchiato (espresso-kissed and sophisticated), and Strawberry Cheesecake (sweet, tangy, and creamy). And that’s just the beginning—seasonal delights rotate in, so you can always expect something new and utterly delicious.

What I love most is how their macarons deliver both in taste and looks: beautifully filled, vibrantly colored, and perfectly portable snacks that feel like a food-hall must-have. The packaging is elegant and makes these a perfect treat for yourself or a special someone who needs a little love. With these yummies in the food hall, dessert-first isn’t just a motto—it’s a celebration.
F45 Training is opening its South Knoxville location soon inside Kern’s right behind Irvey’s Ice Cream, giving members a new place to get their workout for the day.


You may also have noticed that there is more construction going on near the entrance. Burger Boys officially closed, and the hut moved off the lot in preparation for the long-discussed entrance relocation to the traffic light on Chapman Highway. Construction began at the beginning of June, and the hope is to have it completed by the end of the summer. This will give folks an easier entry and exit for the food hall, especially those turning left toward S. Knox.
Kern’s also hosts many events, trivia nights, concerts and happy hour specials. Sign up for email updates or follow them on their social media pages for more!
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