Ramsey's Restaurant and Catering, formerly Ramsey's Cafeteria and Catering, was founded in 1975 by J. W. Ramsey and his two sons, Mike and Patrick. Located at 1547 White Ave., they served the UT campus and the City of Knoxville for 27 years. After a year of planning, redesigning, and a lot of hard work, Ramsey's Restaurant opened at the current location of 5331 Central Ave. Pike, on August 22, 2003.
J.W. Ramsey began food service with the C.C.C.'s (Civilian Conservation Corp). He served in WWII as a Mess Sergeant from 1942-1945. In 1946 he married his loving wife Ruth, who has stood by his side for all these years. After coming home form the war he was employed with TVA for 13 years. In 1953 he managed a restaurant in Rogersville for TVA. In 1955 he left TVA and came to Knoxville. He then went into business worth a local restaurant where he was until 1975 when he opened Ramsey's Cafeteria.
For the past 30+ years Ramsey's has been known for the family atmosphere that they provide. They are also known for the moderate prices they have for home cooked food and homemade desserts, including a sugar free dessert, which is served daily on the dessert bar. They also specialize in wedding, birthday, or "any occasion" cakes that are also homemade. When in season, fresh produce is harvested from their garden adjacent to the restaurant. They offer anything from carry-out to full service catering. Private banquet rooms are available and can accommodate 25 to 300 people. Buses are always welcomed and can be assured of a speedy stop with unloading and loading at a private entrance.
The Ramsey's have several employees that have been with them for over 20 years. Employers and employees become like family and they show that they greatly appreciate the work that is done. It is an honor to say that you work for Ramsey's Restaurant.
You will find that Mr. Ramsey, Mike, and Pat are always here and would like to meet you and thank you for choosing Ramsey's Restaurant. So when you have a free moment just ask for one of them and they will gladly come to your table.
CATERING
Ramsey's offer a full line of catering from a casual get together, to a formal sit down dinner, to a formal wedding reception. They offer on and off premises catering for any occasion. They have catered events for Andy Griffith, Alex Haley, Country Music groups, etc. For your next family reunion, class reunion, birthday, anniversary, Christmas Party, etc. just remember no job is too small or too large for Ramsey's to cater.
