Puleo's Grille Reviews

John was the server did a real good job and take care of us. I had the prime rib and it was excellent.

Love that fish tacos are $5.99 on Mondays for lunch!

Went for my first time and had Daniel W. as our waiter. First of all, when you are a waiter and don't have a solid memory of how to steel trap an order in your mind, then carry a notepad, instead of looking like an unprofessional waiter using more talent on trying to overact the experience.

My rating overall is not all about the waiter, but the mistakes were enough to never even step foot in a Puleo's Grill ever again. Thought it was bad service, but the food quality is even worse. The wife and I ordered the tuna for an appetizer, but we had decided between the asparagus or that. When we ordered, we had decided on the tuna and was suggested to have it medium rare. Waiter came back a few minutes later and asked if we ordered the asparagus or the tuna. That was a understandable mistake, but still a good reason to carry a notepad. When it arrived, the taste was good, but was dry from being over cooked. Decided to let it go and remain optimistic about our entrees. We had the chicken and ribs dinner, and the king prime rib at jus. One with a garden salad and the other was a Caesar salad. We receive our salads, and I received the wrong salad. He brought 2 garden salads, but when the waiter realized the mistake, I was already eating it, and it was better than waiting another 15 minutes for another salad. So by the second blunder, we just came to the conclusion that this might have been a bad place to go for a good meal.

I don't tend to write bad reviews, and nor do I want to slam a chain that seems like it started with good intentions of customer service and an enjoyable eating experience, but I left out the entree food quality for last. When we received our entrees, it was the last straw. We just wanted to finish the meal and get out of the place and never look back. The ribs were most likely pre-made and just had a coating of bottled BBQ sauce, not to mention the waiter never brought us our chicken. When we did get the chicken, it was a hockey puck that was dry and covered in the same sauce. It was definitely old chicken, because any cook would know that when you cut into a fresh, well cocked piece of chicken, there is always steam and some moisture left in it, but in our case, it was dry, over cooked, and just not even edible. The other entree was the prime rib. The meat was cooked, but there was no taste, and a lack of a crust. It seemed like it was in a bath to stay warm, hence the reason for no crust and taste. Was a disappointment to a blue collar worker, who spends $80.00 for a decent meal. Hate to be as disappointed as we were, even after some positive reviews and researching. Could have went to Krystal across the street and spent a third of the money for a better meal, but decided on this restaurant. For a first impression, not a good one.

This place is always pretty good. The service is always great and the food is good. Nothing to rave about this visit, but consistent.

Absolutely amazing food and service....will DEFINITELY tell about this place

Used to go to this location many times when it had different management. Menu changed and haven't been back since.

Good seafood plus Southern comfort plus handcrafted Italian cuisine equals Puleo's. The staff was very helpful and patient with our crazy children and our indecisiveness. The food was amazing, from the fried green tomatoes and shrimp and grits, to the grilled scallops to the classic pasta.

My mother and I are here from Orlando Florida on vacation and are very glad we picked Puleo's for dinner. The food was excellent and the service was even better, are server Michael was very nice. We are already talking about eating there tomorrow. It is most definitely a great place to eat and have some cocktails.

I had the fish tacos with a side order of sweet potato fries! Not lying It was one of the best fish tacos I have ever had, I loved the special sauce with it too. Coming from Louisiana but visiting here in Tennessee, I would soo come back. Definitely a good restraunt , the service was really good also. And the food was fast!!

I've eaten at Puelos since I was about 6, and will eat here until I'm 66! Always delicious, always consistent. Great for special occasions or just going out for supper. I cannot recommend Puelo's enough!

I order the lasagna dinner, unfortunately the portion was small and I left the place still hungry.

This place has the most amazing food! My server Grace was awesome! Im stuffed. Get the fried green tomatoes! And dessert!!

The food was very good,the waitress was making sure we didn't need for anything. I was setting with a former employee and they were happy to be eating there again ! What more could you ask for?

Food was good but salad was not brought out before dinner. Service was erratic.

Wonderful place. Food was delish and all staff was very pleasant.

We had an awesome waiter, John. The food was as very good.

Italian grilled scallops are delicious. Come with cheese grits. Add a Napa slaw to top it off. Now that's not just good eating, that's great eating.

It's okay at best, recommend going to an olive garden if you want Italian food.

Very pleasant experience this evening! Delicious turkey & dressing & Chopped Chicken Salad. Our server, Joe, was very friendly, thorough & attentive.

Service was excellent, prices are great...food is AWESOME! I had the ribeye...was so delicious, and juicy, cooked perfect the way I ordered it...medium! This place is a must come to eat place! I ate at the bar, and the server was awesome ... he made sure I understood what I was ordering! Nathan, you did an awesome job, you're most of the reason I have 5 stars! You MUST come here to eat!!

Very good service and food. The grilled chicken I had was very fresh and full of flavor. A great varies menu. Looking forward to visiting again.

Two for dinner. Italian and melon margaritas. Calamari. Italian shrimp, salad with spicy avocado dressing and sweet potato fries. Shrimp and grits. We rounded off the check w/ tip to $80. The Italian margarita was vile! We've had better moonshine. Waitress brought a glass of sweet and sour to temper it. The calamari was good and the marinara was very good. Shrimp and grits were a little on the salty side. Think we would have been better off with eggplant parmesan and Nona's sauce, frankly. Not bad. Not great. Meh. $$ Probably won't return. (Amigo's next door is *much* better!)

Absolutley wonderful!! Service was great and food was very tasty and reasonable!!

Like many travelers, we stop in here every time we are passing through Knoxville. I believe my husband determines our trip starting time to make sure we are at Puleo's in time for lunch. He loves the chicken chili and I have to admit it is really good. The tuna, however, is my favorite. I would give Puleo's 5 stars but the menu hasn't changed in the past 8 years. For those of us that only get there once or twice a year, this isn't a problem but it I'd like to see a new dish or two. That said, please never take the chicken chili off the menu. My husband would never forgive me.

good timely service, quality of food and consistent

Service was fast and the price was lower than I expected.

I am a trucker that visit this restaurant for the first time near the Pilot truck stop. My server John was horrible the whole entire time he was trying to make me seem like the typical black guest (coming in complaining trying to get a free food). He was literally making up scenarios Saying things like "what u don't like the seafood ravioli." When in reality the food was great. I came in during happy hour to order $3.50 margaritas and he rang me up for Italian marigita @ $7 a piece. Plus when he came up to my table and saw that I was black the smile went to like a frown. so I can tell he wasn't happy to see me there. when it's all said and done I paid the $28 drink fee and still tipped him 25%. To show that not all black people are the same and hopefully next time he gets it black guest he'll treat them better.

Service was excellent but the food was expensive and very disappointing. I won't be back.

Fish tacos with grilled tuna are very good. Side salad instead of fries and avacado ranch dressing was nice as well. Dressing had a little heat and salad was fresh! I'll definitely return. Robin is an excellent server. he's a people person, pays attention and you don't need to ask for anything.

Italion / American food a touch above, good aumbiance / great service! Want be disappointed.

Always good food and friendly service. We have enjoyed time after time for years. Definitely one of our favorites when in town.

Great food and atmosphere. Quiet place to enjoy a quiet dinner at a reasonable price.

Food is always good. Service is friendly
Home town atmosphere

Omg the rattlesnake prime rib and jumbo shrimp is to die for!

Food and service were amazing. Our server made amazing suggestions.

Puleo's Grill was very good. We are just passing through town and just happened to stop in for some dinner. The restaurant was nice and clean. Service was excellent and the food was very good as well. I had the prime rib which was prepared exactly the way I like it.

Wonderful authentic food in a sea of fast food and reasonably priced!

Great service and delish food. Our server he was amazing sorry I can not remember his name. But that you so much for your hospitality.

We had a large group. I called in advance, and they were able to accommodate us well. Molly (Molli?) was our server, and she was wonderful.

Costs a bit more then most restaurants but worth the extra price. Food is delicious with an authentic Italian taste. Portions are a good amount also so bring an appetite.

Very friendly and caring staff. Great lunch menu and the food was great!

Loved it. Fast service and great food. I had the Ahi Tuna and Burgundy Mushrooms and both are amazing. The tuna was cooked perfectly and with the ginger dipping sauce melted in my mouth.

One of the best steaks I have ever eaten. Although last night I ordered fried green tomatoes and a ceaser salad and had a 4 to 5 inch black hair in my salad. Which is to be expected when you eat fast food. There is an 80% chance a hair is in your fast food at least 3 times in a year. But also there is an 80% chance you have eaten a rat hair if you eat fast food.

My wife and I visited Puleo's last year (2018) and it was awesome. We vowed we would return this year for our anniversary and it was a huge disappointment. I'm not sure what happened since last year if an ownership or management change has occurred. My wife's steak was so bad she returned it and the prime rib that I ordered wasn't up to par either but edible. The server was very apologetic but the manager seemed bothered by our situation but did remove the price of her food from the bill. If someone from the management staff wants to contact me, feel free.
Bo Keck (9/21/19)

Phenomenal experience! Service & attention were off the charts, and food was excellent. Every single person in our party of 6 was thoroughly pleased with quality and flavor. Alicia was simply stellar!

It's ok. The food and wine list are both averages, slightly better than what you would get at a national chain.

A little overpriced for the product but still a nice option for the side of town.

It's ok I personally would not go back because it was very expensive and the food was not that good. The restaurant it's self was clean but the bathrooms where disgusting the was pee, water, toilet paper, and paper towels everywhere in the bathroom it was by far worse than portapotties. Overall I would not recommend puleos grill.

Service got order wrong but did not offer to take order off bill.

So delicious! We're just passing through and saw a sign on the highway. Now I wish we lived nearby, because 10/10 I would eat here often if I could. The filet tips were tender and tasty, and the penne they were served on had a delicious hint of red pepper in the creamy tomato sauce. I followed it up with a half serving of chocolate hazelnut mousse cake (not positive that I got the name exactly correct). OMG! Scrumptious! We wound up scraping the last few molecules off the plate. On top of all that, our waitress was really friendly. Thanks for an excellent experience all around.

Excellent food every time. Shrimp and grits best I've ever had. Service has always been above average, even when busy.

Waitress was good. My eggplant parmigiana was amazing, my husbands fish and chips was not tho. It came with 3 very small pieces of fish ,almost the size of a fish stick. He said it was very soggy. Overall good experience.

The chicken chili nachos are always good feel free to try the fried asparagus too. I've never really had a bad experience here. Good food decent prices.

Great service. Loses a star for the chicken & waffles which were $14 and all you get are like three TINY chicken strips. Gimme some decent chicken for that price!

Great food and great service. Had the crab cake with cheese grits. Try the Chocolate Hazelnut Mousse for dessert!

Prime rib chewy'r than an old shoe. Potato's cold. I'd complain more, but that's all you get for $25. Won't see me again!!

The service that was provided was exceptional. If I could rate the service separately it would have definitely been a 5 star experience.
The Burger that was brought to the table was exceptional as well, the fries were great.
However the reason why this is a 3 star review is that the tuna tacos were only edible after scraping the majority of the wasabi off of the tacos. I bit into the tacos expecting it to be mild like guacamole because of how slathered down everything was in the wasabi but instead I was left with a red face and tears in my eyes from the intensity of the wasabi.
Also, the 'Key lime pie' that was brought to the table was very good but was misrepresented on the menus. It was more of a tart cheesecake.
If I am ever in town I will definitely come back to see what improvements have been made as well as experience the exceptional service that was provided.