Blog for Zip line Attraction in the Smoky Mountains
Located in Pigeon Forge, TN and near Gatlinburg and Sevierville.
The Flavors Of The Smokies - Part One
By Ross Bodhi Ogle
Posted on February 9, 2021
The restaurants of Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge and Sevierville serve up a wide variety of foods, including cuisine from all over the world. But when you visit the Smokies, it almost goes without saying that you're going to have to sit down to at least one meal that taps into the area's Southern roots. The good news is that dining options abound throughout the area when it comes to down-home cooking and all the classic dishes associated with it.
This week, let Smoky Mountain Ziplines introduce you to some of our favorite places to go when we're in the mood to feast on the flavors of the South.
Old Mill Restaurant
This Pigeon Forge eatery has a lot of ambiance. Guests dine overlooking the Little Pigeon River, but the restaurant was also designed to match the feel and architecture of the historic Old Mill next door. The mill has been around since 1830, and although the restaurant itself is only a few decades old, it was constructed to blend right in with its historic sister. Oh, and the food is pretty good too, whether you're stopping by for breakfast, lunch or dinner. For lunch and dinner, you'll want to consider one of their Southern-fried specialties like chicken, beef liver, country ham, steak or boneless pork chops. The Southern-style specialties are enticing too, from the homemade meatloaf and turkey with dressing to their chicken and dumplings and chicken pot pie.
Applewood Farmhouse Restaurant
Another visitor fave. Located in a peaceful farm-like setting (yet still in the heart of Sevierville), this restaurant has all the Southern dishes you crave. For breakfast, the Farmhouse Special features two eggs, home fries, grits, sausage gravy, cinnamon apples and a biscuit plus the meat of your choice. Or you might try an omelet or a Farmyard Special like Smoky Mountain Biscuit Benedict. For lunch and dinner, entrees like fried chicken, meatloaf, grilled pork chops and sugar-cured ham are always in demand. And as always, you won't get away without trying their signature apple dishes like their apple fritters, homemade apple butter and Applewood Julep.
Paula Deen's Family Kitchen
You'll find this popular eatery at The Island in Pigeon Forge. They serve up a variety of classic Paula Deen recipes for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Meals are served family style, so you choose either two or three Down Home Dishes plus four side items, and they're served in unlimited portions (although to-go boxes are not allowed). Main dishes range from beef pot roast and chicken-fried pork chops to spare ribs and Georgia-fried catfish. Sides include Southern classics like collard greens, candied yams, black-eyed peas, broccoli casserole and creamed corn. And you're practically legally obligated to try a Paula Deen dessert like Ooey Gooey Butter Cake or banana pudding.
Aunt Granny's All-You-Care-To-Eat Buffet
There's only one catch to eating at this Southern-food restaurant. You have to pay admission to Dollywood first. That's because it's located inside the Pigeon Forge theme park. But it's a great place to take a meal break in the middle of the day. They feature favorites like fried chicken, mashed potatoes, biscuits and more, and it's served buffet-style. Also look for a salad bar, kids items and a tempting array of classic Southern desserts. By the way, “Aunt Granny” is the nickname given to Dolly Parton by her nieces and nephews.
Next week, we'll share a few other local restaurants that are known for their Southern cooking. Until then, we hope you'll keep some of these places in mind for your next trip back to the Smokies in 2021. Any would make a suitable dining destination after spending some time with us on our ziplines. Pigeon Forge, TN, has it all, from Smoky Mountain fun to Smoky Mountain food.
