9 Downtown Gatlinburg Restaurants Missing From My Checklist: April 2024 Update

I’ve lived here for over 8 months, and have visited Gatlinburg dozens of times, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t places I haven’t visited. In fact, there are still a handful of eateries right here on the main drag I’ve never walked into. It is my every intention to visit each and every one, even if it goes against everything I think about a few that cater specifically to the tourist population, receiving mostly mediocre reviews. I at least owe it to myself, as open-minded as I am, not to be so closed minded about a few of these. Without further adieu, here is my list without a check mark, as of April 2024.

Jason Aldean’s Kitchen & Rooftop Bar

I’m going to start with the newest addition to the downtown Gatlinburg restaurant family, and that’s the new Jason Aldean’s K&R Bar. Look, I wasn’t thrilled about this when I first learned what they were doing to this building, but I’ve educated myself to not be so short-sighted and old-time-y, because…you know, progress. Some are insufferable about their disdain for what Gatlinburg has become; they just can’t resist letting their feelings known. I may not be a huge supporter of this new restaurant and bar, but at some point, I will break down and give an honest review of the food and experience here, despite my own desdain, unlike some who won’t ever accept any changes in Gatlinburg.

Sun Diner

Only slightly more appealing to me is Sun Diner, which opened right beside and before Jason Aldean’s restaurant. Serving carbohydrate and fat-rich breakfast and lunch fare, it’s not a shock why I haven’t eaten here either. Look, I’m not perfect. Despite my thirty-year-old diabetes diagnosis, I still splurge once in a while. People may laugh at my salad eating ways, but I’d be dead years ago if I followed everyone else’s “diet.” One day I’ll break down and make this one of my infrequent blood sugar spike meals. The easy choice would be an omelet, but for $15, I think I’d rather have something significantly more sinful, like their Creme Brulee French Toast, Burger Melt, or maybe their Hangover Biscuits, Eggs, and Gravy…we’ll see.

Ole Red

I’m a bit more open to trying Ole Red than the first two, and yes, I know it’s another venue geared toward visitors. When they first opened, I couldn’t find much of anything appealing about the menu I couldn’t drastically alter in a single dish. Since then it’s changed slightly toward the more appetizing side, but it’s mostly the reviews that have kept me outside the doors. Don’t get me wrong, it looks like a fantastic place for live music. When you walk by, it almost invites you inside. The performers they book aren’t generally stars, but could be in-the-making types. This is a definitely-maybe situation.

Crawdaddy’s

Crawdaddy’s is located in the middle of downtown Gatlinburg up a flight of stairs, but if suffers from my seafood avoidance. Most of it has a Louisiana flair, which makes it all the more appealing to my curiosity. I, like most people, have found fish frys to always be delicious. The only wrinkle is breaded, bad-oil fried foods, which may be worse for me than simple carbohydrates. Still, they are worthy of a splurge at some point during my ongoing restaurant journey here in Gatlinburg.

Smoky Mountain Trout House

Smoky Mountain Trout House saw an ownership change, but this guy hasn’t been here to taste the difference. As with Crawdaddy’s, I'm pretty selective with seafood choices here in Gatlinburg. Being in a land-locked state has its set of challenges for getting quality fish food. When it comes to trout though, the rivers here are often stocked with it, so maybe, just maybe, this could be a gem I might discover once I finally jump in the cold waters.

Bubba Gump Shrimp Co.

Seafood, seafood, seafood. Yep, here’s another one we’ve avoided. Add to the fact it’s…here we go again…catered more toward tourist destinations, this is a more obvious miss for us. I’ve heard and read many reviews about Bubba Gump’s that were mixed, and that’s always a bit of a red flag. Anyway, it’s going to be tough dragging myself in here for an honest review. But again, I AM open-minded…right?

Dick’s Last Resort

Okay, so maybe I lied…a little. I honestly don’t think any amount of neutrality can get me in here. The premise of this place isn’t to be offended, and I’m certainly game for some offensive comedy here and there. But when it involves your food, it’s one-sided. If you complain about the food (which many people have), you’re still the butt of their jokes. At what point are they being serious about making it right? No thank you. I will stay away. It seems food prices are high, not because they’re good, but rather for the fact they can get away with treating you like poo-poo on a platter. Some joke.

Mountain Edge Grill

Mountain Edge Grill is located upstairs in the Baskins Square shopping area across from The Village. I only recently ate at another esteemed restaurant in the back—New Orleans Sandwich Company—so it only makes sense I’ll be trying more traditional American fare here real soon. Known for their lean Bison burgers, in addition to their 100% USDA ground beef steaks, Mountain Edge Grill deserves to be visited in the near future. Somehow, it gets forgotten, even as a local. It’s about time for this continuous ignorance to be remedied.

Parton’s Deli

I saved the most surprising missed place to a lot of folks for last—Parton’s Deli. Most of you know this as the area of the famous Parton lawyer’s BMW that sits awkwardly parked in his own tiny dirt space beside the building (if you know, you know). Like the Trout House, they are under new ownership, but the good news is they kept everything as traditional as it always was. It’s a shame I haven’t eaten here yet, but that shouldn’t last much longer.

That’s it. Nine (Ed Rooney voice from Ferris Beuhler’s Day Off) restaurants separate me from trying them all on the Parkway downtown. I know it still seems like a lot, but I’ve checked off five since we moved. Obviously, I haven’t eaten at every restaurant in Gatlinburg. I didn’t include a few notable ones—Split Rail Eats and Delauder’s BBQ—both in the Arts and Crafts Community. Also I didn’t include a few walk-up eateries serving nothing more than cheap carnival-type foods. And no, I’m not referring to Fannie Farkle’s. Their Ogle Dogs and massive sausages with peppers and onions are state fair worthy indulgences!

Let me know what you think about these places in the comments, as I’m sure you all have varied opinions on what we’ve been missing. Thank you for reading and subscribing to my publication as well. You are always appreciated for taking time out of your busy days to follow along with my story, along with tips and recommendations from my home at the gateway to the Smokies! Stay tuned, everyone!