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.

Steve Shoemaker reaches into the rows of tea cakes to fill an eager customer’s order.

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.

Rows of Special Cakes greet you as you enter Ham ‘n Goodys.

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!

Steve helps a customer select a Special Cake.

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.

Mike and Vickie Price having lunch at Ham ‘n Goodys!

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.

Betsy fills an order for tea cakes and cookies.

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!

Wishing our daughter-in-law a Happy Birthday with a German Chocolate Cake from Ham ‘n Goodys!

Ham ‘n Goodys

314 Northshore Drive

Knoxville, TN 37919

Phone: 865.584.2246

Fax: 865.584.1574

www.hamngoodys.com

This is post #22 for National Blog Posting Month (NaBloPoMo) 2013.