By MYSTERY DINER May 30, 2024
It isn’t often that north Johnson City’s restaurant scene witnesses a unique event, but that is what happened this past April Fools’ Day, when Blue Moose Burgers & Wings opened its doors across from The Mall in Johnson City.
Although Blue Moose has all the trappings of a sports bar, it is unique in that it is only the third instance of a Blue Moose venue being opened, anywhere.
The flagship of Blue Moose locations is in the quaint little sprawling metropolis of Pigeon Forge. Contrary to most restaurants of this ilk, the second Blue Moose operation opened, not in Gatlinburg as you might suspect, but rather in Alcoa, Tennessee.
Getting there
From where it joins with Johnson City’s John Exum Parkway, take Roan Street (US Highway 11-E) north towards Kingsport. As you approach the stoplight at Canary Street, you’ll pass Blue Moose Burgers & Wings on your right. At Canary Street, get in the right turn lane. Turn right into the parking lot and again towards Blue Moose’s front door. There is ample parking available all around the restaurant.
Once inside
The double front door opens into a front hall that features a cashier and carry-out desk on your left. There’s a hostess station just beyond. On your right is a tidy little arcade with some retro table-type video games (at 25 cents a play) while waiting for your table.
Currently, reservations are a must if you want to get a table.
The hall connects with a well-stocked bar area that would do credit to a classic saloon anywhere. Beyond the bar are several dining areas, each serving fifty or more patrons at a series of tables and large booths. In keeping with the sports bar theme, there are a number of sports memorabilia on the walls, together with such a quantity of flat-screen TV’s.
Selections
Dining at Blue Moose Burgers & Wings has you using their friendly and professional wait staff. Our server Jacob was quite personable, giving each of us a gentle education in guiding us through the unfamiliar Blue Moose menu,
I chose a Blue Moose grilled chicken salad together with an a la carte order of their spicy street corn as my side order.
Our friend the Retiree, back from her latest jaunt abroad, picked the Moose’s All-American burger together with a side order of sweet potato fries.
My dining partner’s choice was a Blue Moose “Moosewich” signature, the “Brotherly Love” cheesesteak sandwich sided with some Blue Moose French fries.
How it tastes
I was very pleased with my Blue Moose grilled chicken salad. The greens still had their fresh-picked “green taste” to them, the tomatoes were cubed, ripe and red and the chicken was cooked in a remarkably astringent marinade that took nothing at all away from the chicken. The spicy street corn made a good counterpoint the the flavor bouquet that my salad brought to the table.
The Retiree was also pleased with her All-American Cheeseburger; an 8 oz ground patty of 100% lean beef cooked medium and topped with two slices of American cheese, some fresh lettuce leaves, slices of tomato but no mayonnaise. Her sweet potato fries were also good, though made un-necessarily sweet with an additional dusting of granular sugar.
My dining partner proclaimed that her Brotherly Love cheesesteak hoagie was the star of our little get-together. This is a Philly-style cheesesteak, made from thin-sliced and stacked roast beef together with melted American cheese, sautéed mushrooms, grilled onions and light smear mayo on a hoagie. I had a bite of it and, with fries on the side, there truly was no improvement needed.
Final thoughts
The addition of Blue Moose Burgers & Wings to the main drag of Johnson City’s North Roan Street is going to have the rest of their nearby neighbors looking to their menus and clean-up crews to stay current and competitive with the new arrival. The Blue Moose décor is more friendly than frenetic, the menu is both classic and up-to-date and the staff, personified by Jacob is capable and pleasant.
Two things I want from you, my dear readers.
1) stop in and give Blue Moose Burgers & Wings a try, and
2) keep an eye on them.
North Roan Street’s main drag just got real interesting.
© Copyright 2024 Kingsport Times News 701 Lynn Garden, Kingsport, TN
