Mel’s Riverside Bar & Grill

Reviews

• Abby L.

  star star star star star_border 22 June 2026

  Stopped in for a beer while passing through. Nice decor and sitting outside was great. We shared the shrimp tacos and they were very tasty.

• Nathaniel S.

  star star star_border star_border star_border 18 June 2026

  This place is cute and the quality of food is great how ever the level of service is below sub par especially for the price you pay!  Our waitress was awful.  She seemed to be in a rush but never a rush to serve her customers but to chat with her co-workers behind the kitchen door.  In the end when there was only 5 tables seated it took us over 2 hours to seated served and to ask for our check.  My recommendation is to visit elsewhere because you can pay less for better service / food elsewhere .

• Tina R.

  star star star star star_border 5 June 2026

  Stopped in just after 1 for a late lunch with the rest of the Eastwick witches aka my sisters.
  
  We sat out on the sizeable patio to enjoy the river view. Even though it's late August, the weather was temperate, and the breeze was perfect. They serve beer only, but you can bring in a bottle of wine for a $5 corkage fee. Good info for a future visit.
  
  We ordered mushrooms; they were perfunctory, but came quickly. I had buffalo shrimp tacos with medium heat--veggies were fresh, shrimp were sizeable and well-prepared, the sauce was "buffalo" as expected. The cheesesteak was solid enough though admittedly there are no cheesesteak experts among us. The BLT had all the necessary elements, and by all reports was quite tasty. I'll assume that's accurate as the other half of it came home rather than being left on the table. I can attest, however, to the crispness of the accompanying fries. I ate em. They're good.
  
  The nice server young lady was prompt and helpful. She was certainly friendly and well-fitted for the job. I'd do this again. They also have live music. A night on the patio with friends, a good bottle of wine, and some tasty snacks is right up my alley--even in Tennessee. Drop on in.

• Susie R.

  star star star star_border star_border 5 June 2026

  This one's tough....
  
  First time here. I had passed by and seen on the way to my hotel. I checked the reviews and I inquired with my co-workers who recommended.
  Wednesday night 7:15pm. I was told by my waitress they were out of premium draft beer. Opted for a Blue Moon. Wing Special: $.75 cents. I ordered (5) chili lime (closest to my favorite lemon pepper) with an extra order of carrots & celery at $.50 cents; half dozen raw oysters at $9.95 and potato soup on special at $3.99. Waitress comes by minutes later to let me know they were out of chili lime. Opted for hot. My oysters and wings were brought out together. I later deduced the waitress didn't hear my order for the potato soup as I did not receive nor was I charged. The oysters were fresh but they were small. I'm accustomed to being compensated a few extra at other establishments when such is the case. I was glad I thought to order extra celery and carrots but I did have to remind my server who did deliver but with no additional dressing. The wings were good; a mild "hot"- no tongue torcher- with a very good flavor. I loved the sauce.
  I so want to love this place. It's really a neat place; located on the Holston river; however, I felt I kept striking out tonight. I'm not a very assertive person. I tend to go with the flow and not make waves but others would have been less patient I'm sure. The food was good - no complaints with the taste.
  I will try again the next time I'm in town.

• Diane D.

  star star star star star_border 4 June 2026

  Good food.  Friendly service.  We had seafood (mahi mahi, fried clam strip and crab legs).  Every thing was good.  Fresh salads.  Nice find!