Longtime Knoxville chef Bruce Bogartz, shortly after announcing his new brunch-style food truck, is back to the drawing board after last week’s “triumphant return” failed to meet expectations.
The food truck is still set up at 114 Carr St. behind U Brew Coffee Co., an upscale coffee lounge where experts guide guests to find their “next favorite bean.” The collaboration was supposed to benefit customers of both businesses, but U Brew owner Andrew Ellis told Knox News the setup wasn’t sustainable.
Bogartz will keep the food truck at U Brew for two more weeks. After that, he will be looking for a new location.
“It’s unfortunate because it really had great promise,” Bogartz told Knox News. “The truck is amazing. The food is beautiful. I just need a place to do it.”
The chef left Knoxville in 2018 to open Bogartz Food Artz in Atlanta and returned a few years later for family reasons, Knox News reported in 2024. His Knoxville background includes a variety of restaurant roles at places like Bogartz Café, Harold’s Kosher Style Deli and Rouxbarb. He also was affiliated with Harry’s by Regas, Primo at The Sunsphere, Southbound at the L&N and Tata’s on Broadway. His most recent previous venture, a fine-dining restaurant in Bearden, closed in September 2025 after only a year in business
Bogartz said he is actively looking for a new spot for his food truck and wants to stay near Homberg Drive in Bearden.
“You’ve not seen the last of me,” he said.
Bogartz will post food truck hours and a grab-and-go menu on his Facebook page for the final two weeks at U Brew. Some items that have been available are beignets, praline pancakes, smoked salmon carbonara and spiced sticky buns, along with a farmer’s frittata and steak and eggs.
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: Knoxville’s new Bruce Bogartz food truck already planning U Brew exit
Dining and Cooking