The former pro basketball player behind K-Town Krack seasoning is opening his first standalone Knoxville restaurant this weekend in the former home of Sweet P's Downtown Dive.
The grand opening for Chick-N-Sack, a sports bar and wings restaurant from James "Boo" Jackson, runs through Oct. 24.
Jackson came up with a business plan for the brand in 2013 but didn't launch until nearly a decade later with a food truck. Chick-N-Sack became a vendor at Marble City Market in 2022 before leaving the downtown food hall two years later when its lease expired.
"It’s wild how a vision from over 10 years ago can turn into something real right in front of us," Jackson posted Oct. 16 to Instagram. "This wasn’t instant—it was patient, purposeful, and powered by
every lesson along the way. ... Downtown Knoxville, we’re finally here."
Jackson announced earlier this year his plans to move into the former barbecue spot just west of the Old City. Sweet P's left downtown in 2025 but still operates a restaurant near Fountain City.
A retired pro basketball player and former nightclub owner, Jackson envisioned success for himself in the restaurant industry at a young age. He cooked in his Eastern Michigan University dorm room for friends and teammates using his own special seasoning, a blend of spices stored in a container labeled "Boo Magic."
Boo Magic is now known as K-Town Krack and is available on Amazon, as well as in 30,000 stores nationwide, from Publix to Walmart.
Jackson previously told Knox News he wants to make Chick-N-Sack a go-to destination for sports fans and athletes alike.
Knox News reporter Joanna Hayes covers restaurants and retail for the business growth and development team. Email: joanna.hayes@knoxnews.com; Instagram: @knoxeat65. Sign up for Joanna's Eat65 email newsletter to get the latest drink and dining news, as well as restaurant recommendations, at knoxnews.com/newsletters.
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This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Make it a wings weekend, as Chick-N-Sack makes its downtown Knoxville debut
