Any suggestions for good places to eat in the Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge area? Nothing fancy - we'll have small children w/us; however we do appreciate GOOD food! This will be our first visit to the area so any suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks!
Lisa

The Park right before the entrance to the park, The Peddler for amazing steaks, Pancake Pantry for breakfast.

If you want to chow down on some good country cooking....go to The Log Cabin Pancake House in Pigeon Forge...If you are travelling from Pigeon Forge to Gatlinburg, it is the last restaurant on the left. Most people think it is only for breakfast...but they have a great small buffet every day...that always includes fried chicken and country ham and one of 2 other meats...about 4 or 5 country vegetables...soup, small salad....and peach cobbler...It's a very small restaurant where lots of locals eat (especially on Sunday...when they also have deviled eggs and banana pudding)..It's a non-smoking restaurant and they are cash only.
By the way.....their breakfast is also very very good.....but their fried chicken and country ham are superb!!
Another thing, you might want to do with the children is The Black Bear Jamboree.....It's a dinner show and is about $35 or so, but kids are free...and the food is actually pretty good and the show is outstanding.
If you are going to Dollywood,,,the food in the park is good in lots of the places.
Have fun.

Bennett's BBQ in Gatlinburg. Unlike some BBQ joints, this is a nice restaurant that has both a menu and buffet.

I bought some of their steak seasoning and it's better than anything I've ever bought. I'm going to have to see if I can have some shipped to Texas when I run out!!

When we were there in March, you could get two lunches for the price of one.

Have I got the perfect place for you guys!Applewood Farmhouse Restaurant-located in Pigeon Forge.It's not just a restaurant-it's like a giant apple-happening! The apple groves are on-site-they have 2 restaurants, serving B,L and Dinner daily.Plus there are several large shops there-the big Barn offers all sorts of tasty treats and tons of souvenirs, and there's a Christmas shop too.They offer a variety of menu items-from dumplings to trout to fried chicken, wonderful country side vegetables and heavenly sweet tea.
We wouldn't drive to Sevierville without stopping at Applewood! You'll love the apple fritters!

Another excellent choice is the Burning Buch-located at the end of the main drag in downtown Gatlinburg. They offer a great "bountiful breakfast", as they call it. You can even get fresh mountain trout to start your day!Served family-style, nice portions and a lovely strawberry smoothy-type drink to start your meal.Mighty good eatin' in the hills of TN.

The Peddler in Gatlinburg.

Sorry, mispelled , that was the Burning Bush in Gatlinburg.

Bryarsmom is right on with The Applewood Farmhouse and The Burning Bush..forgot about them.
The only time we tried Bennett's,,,neither of us liked it...For good BBQ, out choice is Corky's..Krispy Kreme should not be missed when the HOT Doughnuts now light is burning!!

I like the chicken salad plate at the Old Mill in Pigeon Forge. It would be fun for the kids, too.

I second the recommendation for the Park (can't remember the whole name). The waiters are dressed like forest rangers and the whole place is "woodsy" but the food is good and so is the wine list.

I can't believe no one mentioned the Ritz Carlton. Yes, it's hotel food, to be sure, but RC is known for its very nice restaurants. A bit pricey for the Smokies, but worth it. The other places being suggested sound very good indeed, but the RC might be an option for that special evening.

Why be like that?........There are many good places to eat in Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge. Snowrooster, there is no Ritz Carlton...Someone is just showing their ignorance for no apparent reason.
There are also lots of chain restaurants - Friday's, Ruby Tuesday's, Outback, etc. that are good. I also understand The Open Hearth has reopened on Hwy. 321 in Gatlinburg, but we haven't been there yet.

You are correct - there is no Ritz (well, except for crackers maybe). I suppose the Ritz poster thinks he/she is so high brow and messing around w/us rednecks that choose TN for a vacation. Well, my friend, you are wrong. My husband and I rented a house on St John, USVI this summer and left our kids w/the grandparents, so we thought it would nice to get away with them for a few days as well - hence the trip to Gatlinburg. We are experienced travelers and appreciate high end vacations as well. However that doesn't mean we can't enjoy some down home laid back country fun as well. Variety is the spice of life; but I guess you wouldn't know that!

Thanks to all the others for great feedback - keep it coming!

Lisa

Well, apparently no one has clued you in on the new Ritz at Clingman's Dome. Coming from Gatlinburg, take 41 to Newfound Gap, past the towel and bed spread shops, up to where the AT crosses the road, and hang a right. It's about 8 miles, and while out there, go up the tower. Don't overlook their bear burger specials on Wednesday. If we cannot help fellow travellers, what's the point.

I checked the Ritz Carlton website before my last post and perhaps they need to be clued in as well - they don't have any locations listed in TN or NC. I apologize if you were truly trying to be helpful. Like I said, I tried to find the location to which you are referring but no luck.

Several good places to eat in Gatlinburg

1) Go to Calhouns for BBQ...Calhouns is a very small Tennessee chain and has EEXCELLENT food...don't go to Bennetts...I get sick everytime I eat there.

2) The only place to go for breakfast is the Burning Bush at the entrance of the park. My wife is a Smokies junkie and loves the whole G-burg tacky experience. I'm ready to go home after 2 activities hiking in the park and eating the Bountiful Brekafast at BB. Many people would argue that Pancake Pantry is the best place for breakfast in G-burg...but I don't like pancakes (which makes me a Nazi/Communist in the eyes of most G-burg tourists)...however if you like them...Pancake Pantry is a tried and true G-burg insitution

3) A hidden treasure in G-burg is "Best Italian" restaurant. A very small mom-and-pop looking establishment in the Elks? Plaza. You MUST get the Garlic rolls. You will be stuffed after eating just a small portion of your meal. The kids would like this for the pizza, spag, etc.

There are also several good restaurants on 321.

Do a search for a thread called "hiking in the Smokies" from awhile back. It got off on a tangent of restaurants in the G-burg area that was very informative.

Also...PLEASE get out of town and into the park while you're there. You'll love it

Hello! We just love Gat/PF, we go every year. Here is a list from us:

Burning Bush-Breakfast in Gatlinburg

Log Cabin Pancake House-breakfast in Gatlinburg(on airport road)

45 Types of Breakfast-in Pigeon Forge

Bennet's BBQ-Breakfast/lunch/dinner-in Gat or Pigeon Forge

Linebergers Seafood Co. Inc-lunch/dinner-in Gat (lobster tails only $10.00)

The Apple Farmhouse Rest & The Apple Barn Grill-in Pigeon Forge

On the strip in Gat. a small outside shop with corndogs, polish sausage dogs, french fries, onion rings, etc.--great for a quick and cheap meal while walking strip at night or during the day.

Kimberley

Okay, here's my list... just tabulate the votes as my choices go along with many others:

Gatlinburg:

Best Italian - some of the best Italian I've ever had. Those rolls! Share the large portions and save some bucks with the kids too.

Log Cabin for breakfast - Not to be confused with the Pancake Pantry on the main drag. A Gatlinburg institution.

Mountain Lodge on 321 - Local hangout, good food. Good breakfasts and lunches. Not sure if they stay open for dinner.

Calhouns - My parents eat here all the time, I personally don't think it is 'terrific' -known for strawberry shortcake, has free parking! (Can also sneak parking in here and walk a few doors down to eat at Best Italian.)

Park Vista is what someone was trying to remember - quite expensive as I recall from my one visit there. I went years ago when the place first opened. It was Gatlinburg trying to do intercontinental - didn't quite work for me. Perhaps it has changed since they first opened, in fact, it probably has. I'd love to hear an update of this place if anyone has been there recently.

Burning Bush - I only had dinner there once and thought it was a HUGE rip off. Never tried their breakfast, as is being written up here by others.

Open Hearth on 321 - Has never been the same as it was when it was at either of its two former locations on the parkway (anyone remember the big cow outside the original location?). This 'newest' location is just so-so IMHO (and expensive for a family).

Greenbriar Inn - also up 321 - the views! Enjoy a nice relaxing dinner in this historic location. Off the beaten path, worth the find.

Artist Community - There's a little restaurant across the cement statue place that is pretty decent. Forget the name, believe it is next to the Owenby's Store. You will find it with these hints.

Pigeon Forge:

Connor's - located out front of the outlet mall, next to restaurant Chops. Connor's was EXCELLENT.

The Old Mill. Excellent. Kids will love it, as will you. Usually very busy. Try and hit it at an off time, or leave your name and shop at the many stores across the street. It's worth the wait just 'cause the area is so interesting... just be prepared for it to be busy quite often. Take pictures!

Applewood Farmhouse. Don't miss it. Take pictures of the kids at the river across the street.

Enjoy your stay in the area. Gatlinburg has been a favorite of mine. I have terrific memories of my parents taking me and my brothers there as kids. I'm sure you will all love it too.

For a very simple hike with small children - try the hike at the Sugarlands Visitor Center as you enter the park. Short and Very Sweet! You will all love it. Not difficult, in fact I know 80-year olds who walk it.

Happy Trails,
Paul

Actually, Paul, it's the Park GRILL, not to be confused with the Park Vista, which is a hotel. But that's okay, since you got about all the good restaurants anyway. Of course Gatlinburg has the normal chain places too, such as Applebees, O'Charlies, TGI Friday's, Hard Rock Cafe, etc.

Right Randa... The Park Grill. Have you been there recently? I knew it had the possibility of being pretty good, yet haven't been there since it first opened. Also, is the Applebee's still there? It seems like last year they had taken it down. I am not a big fan of chain restaurants, but that particular Applebees at the curve was very good on several visits. I didn't make it to the mountains yet this year. - hopefully this fall. I miss 'dem heils!'
;-)