Biggies Raw Bar & Tavern

Biggie’s tries to make itself a nicer bar for the over 40, beer-​drinking, blue-​collar crowd (lots of NASCAR memorabilia). Perhaps, its because I am not part of that demographic, but my wife and I did not enjoy our time there or food served. Even for a sports bar, the amount of TV’s is excessive. There seems to a TV over virtually every booth, and when we were there it appeared the sound sound was on for every TV, making it far too loud. I enjoy seafood and fish, but virtually every seafood/​fish dish was fried, which as a healthier eater gave me few options. The dish I did order was bland, and tasted like it had been dipped in butter.

Here for a business trip and Biggies was on a recommended list of restaurants from the hotel and Unilocal reviews. I was craving seafood so this seemed right up my alley. Came here on a Monday and we were literally the customers there at 7:30 pm. The staff was friendly.
I got an oyster as an appetizer, which was delicious. Then seafood fiesta in diavolo sauce, which was advertised as spicy, garlicky tomato sauce. Definitely not enough spice or garlic but a heaping portion of mixed seafood (scallops, mussels, jumbo shrimp, calamari and oyster) and linguine. My colleague got baby back ribs and friends and was very pleased.
Overall decent experience, mediocre food.

Shocked this place averages 3.5 stars… It’s a 2 star place (if 3 is average, a thing Unilocalers tend to forget) that’s getting 1 star from me because: 1.) someone has to help the average, and 2.) perhaps the poorest management I have seen in a while.
Honestly, the food is OK. Typical bar food. Half a notch above a chain, but not nearly as good as bar/​restaurants that actually give a damn…
As far as management… just plain dumb and uncaring… .So I guess Wednesday is their Trivia night. OK. I’m not in to it, but others are. They cancel it at the last minute for some motivational speaker who walked cross country or something (which is pretty impressive). I saw 3 different tables (totaling 9 people) ask/​complain about it. Maybe there were more. I get it — the only reason they were there was for trivia. To schedule both on the same night and then cancel the trivia was a dumb decision as they certainly had room for both. I can understand the decision, but I think it was dumb… What was «negligently dumb» (I think I made up that term) was how they handled the folks who fussed. Two tables complained…“That’s why we are here.” The right thing to do would have been to comp them a drink or an app — something that would have cost Biggies next to nothing… Nope. Nada. zilch… That’s big-​time stupid… and if that’s the leadership, then you can only assume this place makes other bad decisions daily… So a guy (the speaker) that brought in almost no traffic, and the management decision on how to handle the folks who were there for trivia, has probably cost them future business. They pay the trivia guy to be there. but he may have less players now… so they’ll maybe stop trivia… which means… (you see this spiral)
Biggies probably doesn’t need more traffic… Oh, wait… the place was EMPTY… and according to the two tables I spoke with, they will now be more empty on Wednesday nights… In a town that is honestly now looking pretty depressed, Kingsport can’t afford stupid… And that’s what Biggies is (or was last night)… There are simply too many better alternatives out there…
The positive: The bartender is a good guy… and the food was solidly OK…

Awesome service from Randy behind the bar. But the food… The Thai-​chili shrimp were soggy, and the breading on the chicken tenders tasted like it had been cooked once, put in the fridge, and then reheated in the micro. Was disappointed with food, but great service and superb beer selection.

what happened? ?
Went here with a relative for dinner last night. They usually have very good seafood, but i wasn’t very hungry, so I ordered the pizza. I have had their pizza before and it was very good, so I don’t know why I got. the disaster on a plate I had.
It was basically a flour tortilla with tomato sauce and very little vegetables. I was VERY disappointed!
They apparently just slung together this inedible cardboard with sauce and called it a «pizza» and charge $ 7 for it. I used to like Biggies, but seriously doubt I’m going back. You’re an Italian and you serve THIS? you should be ashamed. I’m ashamed for you.

Quick Summary: A drinking hole for the over 35 crowd in a small town that just so happens to serve some food.
Ambiance: On a main strip, large joint, bar is the center of attention. Back patio overlooks the heart of industry in the valley, the wonderful smelling paper mill. It is fairly clean inside and they do seem to take care of their separate dining area.
Service: Service is great. They will make some recommendations. Somewhat disappear after the food comes out, but nothing that should make you turn into a Unilocal bitch and demote a food establishment 4 stars because you want to be waited on hand and foot.
Food:
Some highlights and some lowlights here. The highlights give it the second star, the lowlights took away the other three.
Highlights: Anything they don’t cook
1. Raw Clams: Fresh clams, real horseradish. Sweet and tasty.
2. Raw Oysters: briny and good.
Lowlights: Anything they cook except spinach
1. 16 oz ribeye. It was cooked correctly, but it wasn’t the best cut of meat I have ever had. Think western sizzler, but a little more made to order. The sautéed spinach they presented with it was very good though. Might be more of an ingredient issue but hey, that is part of the business.
2. The special of the night: Meatballs in a rosemary cream sauce with pasta. I can’t stress how overdone the meatballs were. They were like rocks of beef. The rosemary cream sauce was overbearing. Pasta, extremely overdone.
Summary: People go here to party in this small town. Place was packed to the brim with ³⁰⁄₄₀ /​50 somethings ready to throw down. Drinks are whats for dinner, so any food tastes good at that point. I probably would try something else next time if I am up this way.
One positive note though, they have decent beer. So if it was drinks I was after, I might turn up.

This year we went to Biggies for my birthday. Cake AND a birthday cake shot. As usual, great food, great staff and entertainment

3 words– Shrimp and Grits! The only downside is that it’s so much food you have to come with your game face on to polish it off. (2 attempts– 2 fails).
Prices are good service is good. I’m out of towner but will make this a regular stop every time I’m in Kingsport.

You get what you get and don’t throw a fit. The Thai shrimp appetizer was really good, the Philly Cheese Steak just OK. I should have tried one of their seafood signature dishes, but they were proud of their Philly so I gave it a try. All that being said the service was very good southern hospitality so don’t pass this place buy if you want some good solid food with exceptional service.

Disappointing. I hate disappointing meals.
We went on a Sunday night. I worked in the industry for years, and don’t expect A-​game on Sunday night, but this was pretty bleak.
The good: clams and oysters from the raw bar tasted fresh (especially for a Sunday). Service at the bar was friendly and competent and accommodating.
The bad: TVs everywhere with volume super-​loud, especially for a quiet evening. I realize part of the shtick is sports bar, but do you really need a dozen TVs drowning out conversation so patrons can watch a bunch of men on steroids wearing pads and running into each other? The pizza. Awful, just awful. The thin-​crust pizza is touted as a specialty. We ordered the margherita. We got a woefully undercooked, oversauced slab that was still cold in the middle. The basil was dried powder from a shaker, and the cheese was rancid. I very rarely send anything back to the kitchen, but I sent this back for refiring. I think it sat under a heat lamp for five minutes, as it came back even more insipid, with soggy, underdone crust, and watery sour cheese. We couldn’t finish it. The crab cake came unsauced, dry, and crumbly.
I’d give this place another shot, maybe. The raw bar was good, and there were a few things on the menu I’d still like to try. I’m willing to consider this was an off night, because I’m forgiving of what could have been a one-​off disappointing experience. Two of these will bump it down to one star though.

Good food and service. Great selection of local craft beer from all over the region. The BBQ shrimp was as close to authentic New Orleans style BBQ shrimp as I have had outside of NOLA.

A co-​worker and I came here for dinner. I ordered the Thai shrimp tacos and they were really tasty. My co-​worker ordered the shrimp and grits. That was a real winner. Huge serving for a very good price. And loaded with shrimp and sausage. The waitstaff was great. Overall, great time.

If your going to this biggies as night life entertainment just make sure you get a seat at the bar. Last night we had no waitress wait on us. We had to keep going up to the bar to order food and drinks even though there was a waitress for our table. She just «chose» not to serve us. Horrible server service.

It’s been hit or miss so far in several trips. Mostly hits. When they hit, the food, service, and drinks are top notch. When they miss, they may be out of one or two menu items, service is slow or inattentive, and drinks sluggish. I love clams and oysters and grateful we have Biggies. The bar regulars i know are big fans. They have a nice patio which fills up early in good weather.

Biggies Biggies Biggies can’t you see? All those dranks just hypnotized me.
I always have a blast here. Service is solid, food is always fresh, and of course the bartenders got their A game goin on! Baby Beer’s? Haaaay yo… What in the world is in that? Sure wasn’t beer. But delish and easy goin down.
FYI. They do have a large dinning area that seems quite busy. Understandably so. I’ve never ventured to that area. But looks nice.
So check out Biggies if you’re in the mood for a good time, good food and good dranks.

visited this area on vacation: Bays Mountain Park and Natural Tunnel VA.
Biggies handled my party of ten with no problem. They assigned us a new waitress, we joked as her final test, but she had an experienced waitress helping her.
All the food was excellent: oyster rockefeller, thai coconut shrimp, fried clams, even the cole slaw was good, not too creamy or liquidy.
The experienced server recommended a beer made with whiskey barrels when I couldn’t make up my mind. It was great and I had two!

The food was fantastic and the service was friendly and helpful. They have a pretty decent beer selection as well.

Had a great time here. The roasted clams were yummy. The calamari was decent. I prefer tentacles and there were none to few.

Travelling to Kingsport for business and ate here for dinner. I ordered a half dozen clams, fried scallops, risotto, wine and coffee.
All was extremely good. The scallops were very fresh and wonderful. The risotto was perfectly prepared. I have never had clams before (had oysters multiple time). I prefer oysters over clams but the clams were good and tasted very fresh. Even the coffee was very nice.
Overall it was better than I thought. If it wasn’t for the exquisite fried scallops I would given it a 4 star.

Every now and then I have to attend engineering site visits out to Kingsport, TN:-(The majority of those visits come in a 4 week cycle, occur every other week, and I am usually alone. Yep, fun times.
I’ve had about 3 months of this back and forth to seek out this place, but it really didn’t take me long at all. Once I did, I was pretty hooked. After I get through any semi-​extensive, 10hr workday, I tend to frequent this establishment.
Great happy hour. $ 1 off all drafts, great food discounts. Numerous brews on draft, including a fan favorite of mine, Brooklyn seasonal. And where else can you get a fried pickle happy hour special of only $ 3.50? Just one of the many menu items I tell ya.
Atmosphere is great for a bar. Full bar (pretty decently sized I might add), low lighting, tv’s, jukebox, great outdoor seating area, etc. Live radio broadcasts and motorcycle events here are pretty cool.
Food is pretty decent, great grilled salmon lunch special, like $ 8. Haven’t tried the clam/​seafood bar, but heard good things.
Overall, great bar. Looking forward to checking out the original in Jersey sometime.