How This Cherished Burger Spot Won Locals Hearts in Knoxville, TN

By Jeremy Schwegmann
Best BurgersBlogFoodNewsTennessee

Emma’s Southern Kitchen serves up comfort food magic that has transformed this Knoxville location into a beloved local institution 🍔.

The restaurant evolved from The Burgers on Sutherland, maintaining the same ownership and quality while embracing a broader Southern menu that keeps families and burger enthusiasts coming back for more delicious experiences.

Crispy French fries with cheeseburger topped with melted cheese and mushrooms, served with a hoagie bun, close-up shot.
Haniyfa

How they won local’s hearts

Owner Edward Oliwa’s journey from operating a simple produce stand to creating this thriving restaurant empire tells the story of genuine dedication to the community.

After successfully launching The Burgers concept and opening multiple locations, Oliwa decided to transform this original Sutherland Avenue spot into something special – a Southern kitchen named after Emma, a woman who significantly influenced his career.

Bacon cheeseburger with smoky bacon, melted cheese, and a toasted bun served with creamy macaroni and cheese in a small white bowl.
Jim The Ranger Burger

The transformation resonated immediately with locals who appreciated the expanded menu while keeping their favorite burgers.

Emma’s maintains the same attentive service and quality ingredients that made The Burgers successful, but now offers everything from authentic Southern comfort food to creative tacos that satisfy diverse cravings 🌮.

Food Highlights

  • Burger One: Hand-pattied USDA choice beef with classic pickles, mustard, ketchup, and American cheese on a flour bun – the foundation of their burger reputation
  • Black & Blue Sky Burger: Perfectly blackened patty topped with roquefort-seasoned blue cheese, tomatoes, and onions for bold flavor lovers
Juicy cheeseburger with melted cheese, fresh tomato, and crispy bun, perfect for travel cravings or sightseeing snacks.
Maacah
  • AM Burger: The ultimate breakfast burger featuring tomato, mayo, bacon, American cheese, onions, and a perfectly cooked egg
  • Chicken Fried Chicken: Generous fresh chicken breast fried golden and smothered in made-from-scratch white sausage gravy with mashed potatoes
  • Shrimp Tacos: Award-worthy tacos featuring fried popcorn shrimp with boom sauce, cilantro, and house-made pico de gallo
  • Emma’s Wings: Choose from BBQ, mild buffalo, or dry Cajun rub for perfectly seasoned wings
Crispy fried chicken with creamy gravy, biscuit, and seasoned fried okra on a white plate, showcasing classic Southern comfort food. Perfect for a hearty meal at a Southern or US diner.
Beth

Atmosphere

Emma’s creates a warm, family-friendly environment that feels authentically homegrown 🏠.

The casual self-seating arrangement encourages relaxed dining, while the outdoor patio occasionally features live music for entertaining evenings.

Beautiful outdoor patio at a cozy brewpub with string lights, colorful flowers in metal planters, and patriotic decor, perfect for relaxing and enjoying craft beers.
Lindsay

Dog-friendly policies welcome four-legged family members, and the overall vibe reflects genuine Southern hospitality that makes everyone feel like regulars.

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Bottom Line

Emma’s Southern Kitchen delivers exceptional value through generous portions, quality ingredients, and consistently excellent service that creates lasting memories.

The perfect combination of beloved burgers and authentic Southern comfort food ensures every visit satisfies different cravings while maintaining the local charm that originally won hearts 💕.

Address: 3701 Sutherland Ave, Knoxville, TN 37919
📞 (865) 801-9116
🕔 Open Mon-Sat, 11 AM–9 PM (closed Sun)