For 35 years, we’ve treated ourselves and our family with some of the best baked goods in West Knoxville — at Ham ‘n Goodys! As our go-to stop for tea cakes, fresh-baked cakes, and lemon cookies, we just naturally think of the little shop on Northshore that’s won awards for years.
In 1978, Ham ‘n Goodys opened, and it was Leroy Shoemaker who served us our first tea cakes. Made the old-fashioned way with the richness of fresh ingredients (yes, real butter!), tea cakes have caused us to steer into the parking lot and head into the turn-of-the-century house with the maroon awning many times. Tea cakes come glazed or unglazed, but I can’t for the life of me tell you which is my favorite. With a cup of hot tea or coffee, a tea cake brings a whole new meaning to “morning pick-up!” But I’ve also found that they’re good anytime.
It’s the specialty cakes, however, that brought me in this week. Our daughter-in-law’s birthday coincided with an early Thanksgiving dinner (to accommodate travel schedules), so we asked Steve Shoemaker to recommend a best-seller for us. He hesitated. All of our cakes sell well. You just have to think about what kind you like, and we probably have it.
And they probably do. The choices include Red Velvet, Carrot, Chocolate Cream, German Chocolate, Fresh Strawberry, Fresh Coconut, and Italian Cream — rich, delicious, and pretty, too!
We ordered a German Chocolate since that fulfills a number of favorite items: rich chocolate, pecans, and coconut! (My favorite food groups and hopefully those of the Birthday Girl!)
When I went to pick up the cake, Mike and Vickie Price (dressed in Big Orange clothing for the UT/Vandy match) were dining in for lunch. You can’t beat their sandwiches that come with chips and your choice of cheese, Mike told me. We eat here a lot.
Sandwiches include Ham with Honey Glaze, Basted Turkey Breast, Smoked Turkey Breast, EyeRound Roast Beef, and Corned Beef, but there are also salad sandwiches, too, like Chunky Chicken, Ham, Tuna, and Turkey.
The owners call this establishment “The Business That Faith Built,” and I’ve always appreciated the little chalkboard bearing a Bible verse right above the menu.
When I asked if they’d be busy for the Thanksgiving holidays, Steve replied, Ohhhh, yessss. And they will be. Orders are already in for spiral sliced hams and one of their best sellers — Lemon Cookies — that they keep boxed and stacked by dozens, ready to hand to lined-up customers.
If you need a smaller cake, don’t hesitate to ask for one of the creamy, dreamy pound cakes that come in loaf size: Sour Cream, Cream Cheese, Lemon, Five Flavor, or Chocolate. All are great sliced and topped with a scoop of ice cream or fresh berries.
So, whether you have a craving for a Glazed Tea Cake or you need a special birthday celebration German Chocolate Cake, you can head to Ham ‘n Goodys with confidence. No matter what you buy, your take-home purchase will make anyone (especially you!) beam with pride. After all, you’re eating somethin’ special from Ham ‘n Goodys!
Ham ‘n Goodys
314 Northshore Drive
Knoxville, TN 37919
Phone: 865.584.2246
Fax: 865.584.1574
This is post #22 for National Blog Posting Month (NaBloPoMo) 2013.
Sue (Mac's Girl)
Mmmm! Those cakes look delicious!
Rusha Sams
Thanks for taking a look. I can vouch for the German Chocolate — very good!!!
Sherry Galey
Yum!
suzjones
Oh yum. I’ve always enjoyed my tea cakes hot from the oven and sprinkled with cinnamon sugar. 🙂
Rusha Sams
Have never had them with cinnamon sugar! Sounds great! Thanks for sharing that idea!!!
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