From inventive concepts to reimagined campus craves, refresh celebrates Volunteer tradition with a fresh culinary edge.
Knoxville, TN – Vol Dining at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, is thrilled to announce a dynamic lineup of new dining experiences and revitalized spaces launching this fall. These updates reflect our continued mission to serve the Volunteer community with exciting flavors, fresh ingredients, and enhanced convenience — all while celebrating the Volunteer spirit.
Crust
Located at Fred Brown Hall, this all-new pizza and wing concept offers 10″ personal pizzas with your choice of create-your-own or craveable specialty combinations. Paired with crispy wings, Crust is the go-to spot for casual comfort food with a fresh twist.
Hillside Café
Located in the new Nursing building, Hillside Café serves up build-your-own breakfast sandwiches and omelets in the morning, followed by Mediterranean-inspired flatbreads, bowls, and pitas for lunch. The café also features a “We Proudly Serve Starbucks” for your daily caffeine needs
Keoke Coffee Bar
A campus favorite food truck is opening its first permanent location at Stokely Hall. Known for handcrafted coffee and energy drinks, the reimagined Keoke Coffee Bar will now feature a lineup of refreshing dirty sodas alongside its traditional offerings.
Snackin’ Wagon
Rolling into Fall 2025, Snackin’ Wagon makes a debut in the Vol Dining food truck program as a new co-branded local partnership between the University of Tennessee, HT Hackney, and Hackney brands.
Stationed at the AMB Amphitheater, this spirited new offering delivers regional favorites with a Volunteer twist. Highlights include the Nashville Crispy Chicken Sandwich, deep-fried PB&J, and other Southern classics for a quick, satisfying lunch on the go.
1817 Taqueria – A newer fan favorite, 1817 Taqueria returns this fall in a prime new spot at the Student Union beside Big Orange Grill. Formerly at Fred Brown Hall, it’s now more central than ever—serving up vibrant, street-style tacos, burritos, and bowls with fast, customizable options for every palate, including vegetarian and vegan choices.
Volunteer Hall Renovation
A complete interior refresh has reimagined Volunteer Hall’s dining spaces, bringing new energy, comfort, and school spirit. Featuring updated interiors, enhanced seating, and dynamic new flavors, the renovation introduces multiple exciting concepts:
- Traditions Deli – Rooted in the spirit of Rocky Top, Traditions Deli celebrates UT heritage with a menu of crave-worthy classics. Guests can enjoy stacked sandwiches, melty grilled cheeses, and custom hot dogs surrounded by historic Volunteer photos and memorabilia — a true homage to campus tradition.
- Southern Kitchen – The beloved campus comfort food destination has received a stunning facelift. With a refreshed dining area and the same hearty menu students know and love, it remains a go-to for Southern favorites and home-style meals. Students can enjoy a hearty meal using a meal swipe, making it a convenient and satisfying option for breakfast, lunch or dinner.
- Vol Market – The first of Vol Dining’s on-campus market rebranding, Vol Market sets the tone for what’s next in campus convenience. This refreshed space bleeds UT orange — from its vivid interior design to its commitment to serving the Volunteer community. Offering convenient grab-and-go options, snacks, beverages, and everyday essentials, Vol Market delivers everything students need with speed, ease, and a whole lot of school spirit.
Cumberland Food Hall
Launching later this fall at the base of Hub Knoxville on Cumberland Avenue, this brand-new dining destination brings a cutting-edge ghost kitchen model to campus using the Grubhub ordering platform, featuring:
- Athenian Grill – This Mediterranean-inspired, build-your-own concept offers customizable gyros and grain bowls with bases like pita, saffron rice, or romaine. Choose from proteins such as classic gyro, chicken, falafel, or vegan Greek meatballs, then layer on house-made dips and flavorful toppings like roasted corn, kalamata olives, and pepperoncini.
- Big Orange Grill – Known for its crave-worthy UT farm-fresh burgers, Big Orange Grill expands its menu with a new lineup of Philly Cheesesteaks. Choose from classic, chicken, or vegan. Guests can also enjoy smashburgers, chicken tenders, and vegan burgers — all customizable with add-ons like gluten-free buns or extra meat.
- Zen Sushi & Wok – This full-service counter brings bold Asian flavors to Cumberland Food Hall with fresh sushi rolls, fully loaded poke bowls, and hot WOK entrées. The menu also features bubble and fresh fruit teas, as well as crispy dumplings and egg rolls, for a complete and satisfying experience.
Cumberland Food Hall accepts Dining Dollars, Flex Plan, VolCard account, credit, and debit for seamless access by on-campus and off-campus guests alike.
Limited locations will remain open through the summer, and new concepts are scheduled to open the week of move-in, August 10-16. For more information about the new dining options, hours of operation, and meal plan information, please visit our website at dining.utk.edu.
“We’re proud to continue investing in Vol Dining to better to serve the evolving tastes and needs of our campus. These new openings and renovations are rooted in feedback from our students and campus community and reflect our commitment to providing flavorful, flexible, and forward-thinking dining solutions.”
Amanda Hough
Director of Vol Dining
About Vol Dining
Vol Dining is dedicated to providing an exceptional dining experience for the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, community. With a focus on quality, variety, and sustainability, our dining services offer a diverse range of delicious and nutritious options to suit every palate. From fresh, locally sourced ingredients to innovative dining concepts, Vol Dining strives to create a welcoming and satisfying environment for the entire Volunteer community. Our commitment to excellence extends beyond the plate, fostering a sense of community and enhancing the overall campus experience.
