My First Impression of Split Rail Eats in Gatlinburg

My tour of unexplored eateries in Gatlinburg continued with Split Rail Eats. It was always on our list of places to try, and I decided to make a “split-”second decision to have a late lunch here on my day off. What strikes me most about this restaurant are the reviews it receives—they are glowing. Another tidbit that grabs my attention is the location. Its spot at The Covered Bridge in the Glades is like a business graveyard, if I’m being completely honest. Before the fires in 2016, this used to be full of fantastic local businesses; some of them have moved, but others had to close their doors permanently. It’s really sad to see. However, Split Rail Eats remains the seemingly lone bright spot thriving in this nice little complex.

A nice touch when you first walk up to the doors is the patio area, (pet-friendly) which has tables with umbrellas so you can enjoy the great outdoors without too much discomfort from the East Tennessee heat. You can also enjoy a game of cornhole, which is a favorite of many family gatherings. Once inside, I was amazed at how big the space actually was. It seems to have opened up from at least 2 separate spaces in the building. There’s a window of souvenirs, an electric fireplace with a couch and chairs, and also a beer wall which I’ll get to later.

The order process is pretty simple. You have a menu board where you can choose your drink or choice of food; you then pay, and you take the number of your order to your preferred choice of seating where they will serve it to you. Despite it dimly lit atmosphere, I actually found it quite inviting. There’s a bar located just around the cashier ordering station with a variety of selections without feeling too overwhelming and large. I could see myself sitting here and not being intimidated. Yes, I’m funny about bar seating, which is why I prefer the high top seating area next to the bar at Smoky Mountain Brewery. It’s a personal space issue, but then again, it doesn’t bother me at Gatlinburg Brewing Company. Yes, I’m weird.

What did I order? Well, after almost going for the Quesadilla, I went lower carb with the House Salad with Blackened Chicken. Again, the only real service—which was good and friendly—is them serving you when your food is ready following your order. The salad was solid! I mean, for $14, I couldn’t be too mad about the value. I liked the similarity compared to Gatlinburg Brewing Company, both boasting spring mix, the healthier base option. The Jalapeno Ranch was nice, even though I don’t believe it is made in-house (I could be wrong). The Blackened Chicken was delicious and generously seasoned. You could definitely do much worse…ahem, Cumberland Jack’s. SRE doesn’t have the best salad in Gatlinburg, in my opinion, but there’s a high bar for top marks. I would definitely not hesitate to order it again on my next visit.

The entirety of Split Rail Eats’ menu is a hodgepodge of American classics with a dose of originality. One such example is their Pickle Me Pimento Burger, which was the runner-up sandwich in the “Gatlinburger Week” competition that Gatlinburg Tourism puts together. This burger is made with two patties, pimento cheese, bacon, lettuce, tomato, red onion, and a whole order of fried pickles with ranch. I’m not a fan of pickles or even pimento cheese much, but I think I would try it.

Now, on to the beer wall. If you’re a newbie, it’s good to know how this works before visiting, but they won’t hesitate to explain how this process works during your visit. Step 1: Grab a wristband from the server and open your tab at the counter. Step 2: Head to the beer wall room. Step 3: Grab a glass to taste, or build a flight. Step 4: Select your choice(s) from the beer wall and pour. Step 5: Tap your wristband on the logo. Step 6: Pour your beer. The website shows you the correct method of tap-pouring. The rest is up to you with how much you want. You can try as many as you want, or enjoy your favorite. Each tap has the price you pay per ounce.

Photo from the Split Rail Eats Facebook Page.

Split Rail Eats opened in the Covered Bridge in the Glades in the summer of 2018, and against some daunting odds, have survived as a popular mainstay in this area of The Great Smoky Arts and Crafts Community that have seen better days. Don’t let that stop you! I recommend you head off the beaten path and visit this establishment. Based on one visit, I’m giving it a solid 4.5 out of 5. They also have a brunch menu they only serve during Sunday hours, which is 10-3. Also, Split Rail Eats features live entertainment. Check out all their information below!

Website: splitraileats.com

Facebook: Split Rail Eats

Address: 849 Glades Road, Gatlinburg, TN

Thank you for reading my latest restaurant review! Stay tuned for more first-time experiences at restaurants and other small businesses here in Gatlinburg. I am looking forward to sharing it with you, and I appreciate all of you for subscribing to my publication as well! Until next time!