3 Ways to Enjoy Summer with Copper Family Restaurants
Summer in East Tennessee can be a magical time, with BBQs, fireflies, Smokies baseball, vacations, and more! But whether you prefer an outdoorsy summer or something a little more indoorsy, this season is ultimately all about good food, great company, and making memories.
Whether you’re planning to grill at home, host a picnic, or dine out more this summer, we’ve got plenty of options for the occasion. Check out these three ways to enjoy summer in East Tennessee to the fullest with help from your friends at the Copper Cellar Family of Restaurants:
1. Swing by for easy meals on busy days and nights.
When you’re in the mood to celebrate in your own backyard or at a local park, but still want the most delicious eats around, we’ve got you covered with two great options:
- For a hassle-free backyard BBQ or picnic, order Family Packs from one of Calhoun’s several East Tennessee locations, or grab a curbside order from Corner16 for another option in west Knox. Plates and napkins included!
- To show off your skills on the grill at home, stock up on Copper Cellar Marketplace meal kits and products. Choose from our premium, fresh cuts of meat and seafood, unique appetizers and sides, house-made desserts, “secret” sauces, and more – perfect for hosting the ultimate feast!

2. Skip the grill and dine in with us this summer.
Sometimes, after a long hard day, you just need someone else to do the planning, cooking, and cleaning. And while we’re sorry to say we can’t do the clean-up for you at home, we’re happy to handle it when you dine with us at any of our restaurants!
For casual bites in a family-friendly environment — with no clean-up required — try:
- Smoky Mountain Brewery (SMB), where our craft-brewed beer, specialty pizzas, and signature burgers are the perfect flavors for a busy, adventure-filled summer.
- For a bit of barbecue with SMB craft brews also on tap, come see us at one of our nine Calhoun’s locations across East Tennessee.
- Cool off after a day in the summer sun with housemade cream sodas, old-fashioned shakes, and Southern-style recipes at Corner16.
Alternatively, check out these restaurant concepts for a more high-end dining experience:
- Dreaming of summer by the sea? Chesapeake’s offers the finest, freshest seafood straight from the Atlantic, Gulf, and Pacific coasts.
- If you’re looking for an experience closer to fine dining (perfect for date nights out), try Copper Cellar for an Old-English inspired atmosphere — dubbed one of Knoxville’s best restaurants for half a century.

3. Plan ahead for these summer holidays & highlights:
Save the date! Make your calendars to join us in celebrating these upcoming summer holidays and event highlights:
- The month of May is National BBQ Month! Stop by Calhoun’s to celebrate with some of America’s most classic summer foods, including burgers, hot dogs, and so much more.
- July 4th: Independence Day is another perfect excuse for BBQ at Calhoun’s or on the grill at home. Signature rubs from Copper Cellar Marketplace can help with that!
- July 20th: On National Ice Cream Day, swing by Corner16 for a sweet treat to complete the day. We’ve got housemade cream sodas and specialty shakes that all ages love!
- August 29th – September 1st: Labor Day Weekend is your chance to close out summer with a bang… and maybe a little surf and turf, too. Savor the season’s end with a fresh seafood feast at Chesapeake’s for coastal flavors in the heart of East Tennessee.

Life tastes better with Copper Foods.
Dining in, carrying out, or grilling out at home — no matter how you celebrate summer, we’ve got the flavors you and your loved ones crave. With seven restaurant concepts in 19 locations across Knoxville, Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, Maryville, and the surrounding East Tennessee area, there’s always a location nearby. No matter where your East Tennessee adventures take you, we hope to see you at our restaurants this summer!
Hosting a large group? If you’re planning for a large group event or gathering, we can help with the heavy lifting. Whether you’re hosting at home, at work, or at one of our event venues, we have a variety of catering packages to keep your summer group activities and adventures free of stress!
Interested in learning more about us and our restaurants? Browse all our concepts here to get a taste of what we offer, and make sure to follow our brands on social media to keep up with summer specials and other Copper Cellar Family celebrations.