Country Cookin' Calls Vacationers To The Dining Table
Posted by Leif Palmer in Things to Do
One of the great things about taking a vacation is that you get to dine out. That's because one of the things most folks want to take a vacation from is the kitchen. When you take a trip to the Smokies, the restaurant choices are seemingly endless, with a wide variety of cuisine styles available around every corner and on every block.
But when you vacation in the Smokies, it's almost a given that at some point, you must experience the authentic flavors of the South, especially this part of the South, where the mountains reign supreme. This week, we've got several recommendations for area eateries that specialize in authentic Southern cuisine, so if you're staying at one of our Wears Valley cabins in the near future, you'll have plenty of options on hand when it comes to answering that nagging question: “Where do we eat tonight?”
The Old Mill Restaurant
You'll find this long-time restaurant in the heart of Pigeon Forge, just off the Parkway in Old Mill Square. You can't miss it. There's an operational grist mill structure built in 1838 sitting right on the Little Pigeon River, and the restaurant is adjacent to the mill. There are three menus – breakfast, lunch and dinner – that offer up classic country dishes like Southern-fried country ham, homemade meatloaf, BBQ country ribs, Southern-style catfish and more. Morning guests can enjoy off-the-griddle favorites like pancakes, omelets, homemade biscuits and more.
Applewood Farmhouse Restaurant
Located in Sevierville, TN – also on the banks of the Little Pigeon River – this charming whitewashed restaurant is a local favorite thanks to its celebration of the apple. You'll also find menus for breakfast, lunch and dinner here, along with quintessential Southern grub. Dig into the likes of fried chicken, chicken potpie, chicken and dumplings, and farm-fresh local trout. Every meal includes complimentary servings of apple fritters, apple butter, an Applewood Julep and a choice of homemade farmhouse soup.
Mama's Farmhouse
Head to Pigeon Forge to find this country-themed restaurant, located about a block off the Parkway. Each meal starts off with buttermilk biscuits and a choice of soup or salad, and then you'll have a choice of two entrees for lunch and three for dinner. Selections include honey-glazed ham, country-fried pork, turkey and stuffing, and country-fried steak. Sides range from mashed potatoes and green beans to mac and cheese and sweet potato casserole.
The Park Grill
Located on the south end of the Parkway in Gatlinburg, this majestic, mountain-lodge-style restaurant's visuals are as appealing as its menu items. For dinner, you might start off with fried pickles before moving onto fresh rainbow trout, Southern pecan chicken or the eight-ounce Buckshot Sirloin. The desserts are Southern all the way, from the Nanner Puddin' and hot blackberry cobbler to the peanut butter mud pie and the Black Bear Brownie Bash.
Pancake Houses
We're not specifying a specific location of pancake house here, because there are literally dozens of pancake eateries among the cities of Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge and Sevierville. But they all offer Southern-style dining, featuring pancakes and waffles foremost but also including many of the other dishes we've mentioned in conjunction with the other area restaurants.
About Leif Palmer
Leif Palmer loves residing in the Smoky Mountains. He is an avid outdoorsman: rowing for exercise on the lake, trail hiking, and free climbing rocks in the mountains. He indulges his arty side by periodically beating up pieces of marble by sculpting. He is always frustrated by his inability to sink long putts, and hates his curly hair (but his wife loves it). Leif has been known to muster enough courage to change a diaper, and hopes his son will become a chip off the old block.
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Gatlinburg Hiking Pigeon Forge Pigeon Forge Attractions Places To Eat Places To Eat Rental Cabins Seasons Smoky Mountains Sevierville Smoky Mountain Attractions Smoky Mountains Things to Do Wears Valley