Hungry In The Smokies

Hey Everyone! Happy happy Wednesday!

Continuing with the shenanigans of my “Visit to The Smokies” here comes my second update. Yes, as promised, I am back with more of appealing moments and exciting times from my recent trip to Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge.

For the one’s who’ve missed on to my photographic memoir of the Smokies, you may read it all here. Trust me, it’s panoramic-ally fun!

In addition to the city’s fascinating scenic beauty, breathtaking trails n’ trekking opportunities and all things “natural”, this place also boasts about delectable Southern cuisine, locally owned restaurants serving sumptuous food and mouth-watering ethnic menu! From appetizing pancakes and crepes, heavenly hand-cut steaks to devine pizza, sandwiches, and salads – your taste-buds are in for a treat here! Best part – With hundreds of eateries to choose from, you could spend the whole year dining out in the Smokies and not eat at the same place twice! Here’s the list of our favorite 5 –

WHERE WE ATE

1 THE OLD MILL RESTAURANT

175 Old Mill Ave, Pigeon Forge, TN 37863

History – The origins of The Old Mill Restaurant can be traced all the way back to 1830! It was that year that local businessman Isaac Love and his sons constructed a “grist mill” along the Little Pigeon River and the rest as they is “history”. Gaining fame instantly (since the local farmers used the grist mill to grind their grain into flour) it was the hub of action for the ever-growing mountain community.
The Old Mill is still in operation today even though the iron forge was dismantled and sold for parts in the 1880s. Interestingly, The Old Mill also served as the town’s first Post Office, was a knitting mill during the Civil War, produced electricity in the early 20th century, and was used to produce mattresses at one time; all while it still operated as a grist mill. In the words of the company – “Whatever the community needed, The Old Mill was happy to oblige.”
Today, The Old Mill is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and just as in the 19th century, it’s still one of the most popular places in the Smokies and one of the most photographed mills in the country. (Data Credits for this fun fact – The Old Mill Restaurant)

Food/Drinks ordered – GRILLED SHRIMP ON A SKEWER (Skewered shrimp grilled and seasoned with our special blend seasoning and served on a bed of rice), STIR-FRIED VEGETABLES (made with snap peas, broccoli, cauliflower, red onion, carrots, water chestnuts, bell peppers, mushrooms and cabbage stir-fried until crisp-tender in our special sauce, served over rice pilaf) washed down with piping hot chocolate!
When it comes to country cooking, you can’t beat The Old Mill Restaurant! Known for its old-fashioned, classic Southern cuisine – this place has so much more to offer than just food! The menu here is huge, with each choice sounding more delicious than the others, plus, the VIEW by the window is delightful! Great service and ambiance too!

Highlight – The meals come with home-made corn chowder which are toothsome, a salad with home-made dressings, green beans, your choice of potatoes – home-style mashed or baked potato, french fries or baked sweet potato, awesome corn fritters and a bakery fresh dessert (that you can even carry-out!) Ha! It’s not surprising, that out of our 5 day-hiatus in the Smokies, we visited this place TWICE!

2 PANCAKE PANTRY

628 Parkway, Gatlinburg, TN 37738-3204

The popular “Pancake Pantry” was opened in 1960 when Jim and June Gerding decided that Gatlinburg, with the neighboring Great Smoky Mountains National Park, was the perfect place for Tennessee’s first pancake house. The new signature building with its majestic slate roof, gables, large windows and warm white oak interior was constructed under Jim’s vision and direction in 1975 with the plans of expansion. This massive building seats over two hundred people, but by 9 a.m. a line wraps around the side of the building as people wait for a table. The line itself has become infamous as early risers drive down Parkway and wonder what is happening. (Data Credits for this fun fact – Pancake Pantry)

Food Ordered – Wild Blueberry Pancakes, Veggie Burger, Veggie Omelette with spicy fries and hash browns gobbled with a cuppa hot chocolate. Since we intelligently went at lunch hours, we dodged the long queue and got an awesome place to sit by the window as soon as we walked in. With almost around 24 types of delicious pancakes and crepes to choose from, wonderful, cordial staff, veggie options and that “old world charm” – this place is a “must visit” for anyone and everyone visiting Gatlinburg. Undoubtedly, there is a good reason that this restaurant has been here since 1960s! Worth every dollar!

Note – They only accept CASH so make sure that you carry enough! (For worst case scenario, there’s an ATM on site.)

3 SAWYER’S FARMHOUSE

2831 Parkway, Pigeon Forge, TN 37863-3315

Sawyer’s Farmhouse Restaurant is a locally owned and operated restaurant that opened in 2014 and has quickly acquired a large local following. You need to have some breakfast here at least once to find out for yourself what all the locals have been raving about! Sawyer’s Farmhouse Restaurants serves a variety of delectable breakfast foods, including their mouth-watering “made-from-scratch” pancakes. They even have their own “warm home-made” syrups – that taste amazing on their waffles and pancakes! Open from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. every day of the week, Sawyer’s Farmhouse Restaurant is strictly a breakfast and lunch joint. You’ll find everything from sweet to savory breakfast dishes, and everything boasts plenty of Southern flair. (Data Credits for this fun fact – Sawyer’s Farmhouse Restaurant)

Food Ordered – EGG PLATTER (Two eggs cooked to order, served with three buttermilk pancakes), VEGGIE OMELET (Three egg omelet combined with tomatoes, onions, green peppers, and cheddar jack cheese, served with three buttermilk pancakes or toasts), BISCUITS and a cup of PREMIUM BLEND COFFEE.

Highlight – The food is incredible and the portions are huge. With the best “biscuits” in town this place is a certain “must go!”  The inside of the restaurant is spacious and decorated like a farmhouse which give this place an appealing look. Also, the staff is pretty cordial.

Well, since we’d traveled at the “not-so-appropriate” time in regards with the weather conditions (with occasional snow, sleet and rain!) we opted for home delivery options at nights, ordering pizzas and mozzarella sticks from the nearby local pizzerias.
Papa Leone’s Pizzeria and Papa John’s Pizza were our ultimate choice options, since they were pretty close to our cabin and delivered till late! Easy, quick, appetizing, economical and convenient – these places were a great substitute for typical Southern food at the end of the day.

Other Places To Eat In Gatlinburg – There is certainly no dearth of wonderful places to eat in Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. Whether you’re in pursuit of a modest home cooked breakfast or a romantic high-end dinner, the Smoky Mountain city is guaranteed to have exactly what you’re looking for and doesn’t leave you disappointed! A foodies retreat, Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge offers a variety of food option for everyone. Read more here.

So that was our trip to Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge folks! Phew! It’s been enjoyable, delightful, captivating and taxing!

Leaving you amazed and flabbergasted, Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge have their own unique ways to entice you, pleading for more. These are stunningly beautiful town where anything and everything is possible and yes, everyone is accepted enthusiastically! Indeed, our trip was an experience to cherish and treasure!

Here’s to exploration, discovering new places and tasting the best! Cheers!

Love,