Mo' better food, mo' better fun and a mo' better dining experience. Mo Girgis and his wife, Seham, offer a delightfully authentic Egyptian menu in the most unlikely of places, south Knoxville. In a region known for its cheese grits and red eye gravy, the tiny unpretentious block building that houses King Tut's is surprisingly stuffed with Middle Eastern fare.
Egyptian specialties include a nicely spiced Baba Ghannoug and a deliciously irresistible hummus both served with freshly baked pita bread Or try the Greek salad, which includes the basics plus tangy feta cheese, hard-boiled egg, olives and a few pepperocini thrown in for good measure.
Entrees include the falafel and the foule mudammas sandwich. For the vegans in the crowd, Mo will subtract the yogurt sauce and add some spicy Egyptian salad. If you like the kick of the salad, you can order it as a side to go with your sandwich - it has a nice bite with lots of fresh tomatoes for balance.
For the less adventuresome, diners can choose from a basic American menu offering such Southern favorites as meatloaf and fried okra. And for good measure, ice tea and soda are served in huge flower vases. You won’t need a refill.
Bring your own bottle but don’t expect matching wine glasses. The charm of this establishment is in its eclectic nature. Mo does his best to entertain his patrons with jokes, karaoke and even puzzles. If you’re lucky, you might even get to hear your host sing.
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