My Four Favorite Places to Get a Good Salad in Gatlinburg

For all of you who’ve followed me for a good while, this may seem like a repeat post. Why? Well, you may remember I wrote about my favorite salads in Gatlinburg, not restaurants to get one. That’s how I want to differentiate that particular post with this one. Most of you know that I’m diabetic of the Type 1 variety. That means my pancreas produces none of it, whereas Type 2 diabetics have mostly a problem with insulin resistance, or sensitivity, which is a result of mainly poor dietary choices, leading to cells not responding to the insulin that IS being produced by a Type 2 diabetic. I’m not trying to put anyone down. There are obviously hereditary factors at play, and I believe—much to the disagreement of doctors—that MY food choices as a kid led me to get the Type 1 variety of the disease much quicker than expected. So yeah, my skinny self relies on a steady diet of rabbit food—but not all the time. Here’s a diabetic’s perspective on where to find some quality salads in Gatlinburg!

4. Cherokee Grill

There’s going to be a theme with these restaurants, and I’ll get to that later, but Cherokee Grill kicks off the list at number 4. Maybe it should be higher? I think what hurts CG is that we don’t go here, except for special occasions, and I don’t always get salad when we go. However, it’s hard to argue this visually upscale, but yet quite casual restaurant, shouldn’t get the nod. Their Grilled Chicken Salad and Grilled Asian Steak Salad are scrumptious and satisfying. Bonus points to the former, which seems standard, but the fact they add avocado to it, warms my superfood heart.

3. Smoky Mountain Brewery

Smoky Mountain Brewery gets the edge simply from my regularity of visits to the supreme atmosphere, lodge-style restaurant. Their Tossed Salad is substantial on its own, but the Brewmaster’s Club Salad adds bacon, roasted chicken, and ham to complete this bowl full of desire. What is just as impressive, and maybe even more, is their Grilled Oriental Chicken Salad. Grilled chicken is cut in strips and marinated in Soy Ginger Sauce with broccoli, pineapple, banana peppers, garlic roasted tomatoes, red onion, and cheddar cheese. I would sincerely order this more often if it wasn’t such a sodium explosion—another thing I have to watch in my advanced years, unfortunately. I think this tops the Brewmaster in overall value, taste, and certainty of getting sweaty if you manage to finish this behemoth.

2. Gatlinburg Brewing Company

The new kid on the salad block jumps in at number 2 on the list. But how? I know you’re going to scan the menu and see just a measly Brewpub Salad listed on their puny menu. Obviously, this is not meant as a slight in the least. One freaking salad on the menu makes the number 2 slot because it’s really, really good—surprisingly so. Well, maybe not. Its value is unmatched, in my humble opinion. Leafy greens, cucumbers, croutons, cheese (mozzarella), red onions, and a boiled egg. Bonus points for the egg. SMB doesn’t offer it on any of theirs. What makes it so value-driven is the fact you can get either fire-roasted chicken, (my choice) ham, bacon, or an extra egg for an additional 2 dollars. What!? Yes, TWO DOLLARS. Any other restaurant will gouge you bare minimum $6 for an extra protein topping. So, that salad, plus an extra meat or egg is going to cost you just $11.99. Locals get a generous discount to top it off, so that puts it one step from the best on my list. It’s delicious, especially with a thin slather of their homemade ranch dressing. So good!

1. Calhoun’s

I didn’t have to think too much about this one. Recently, I went to Calhoun’s with my son, and I couldn’t decide if I even wanted food, so I decided to get their plain old House Salad. Mind you, I had actually never ordered this before. Normally, if I’m getting a salad, the Smokehouse is my choice for some serious meat sweats. It’s huge, and still my favorite salad in all of Gatlinburg. I still can’t get over their unique Cheddar Cheese dressing, which also helps propel Calhouns to the top of my salad list. Anyway, I was prepared to be overly underwhelmed with it. But it was very generous. This House Salad had bacon on it, as well as onions, tomatoes, egg, and cheese. I dropped the ball by not taking a picture, but I was so shocked at what they dropped in front of me, that my brain totally let some air out of my ear while my eyes widened. Romaine is my preferred lettuce green, and Calhoun’s hits just perfect with everything I want in garden food. I loved it, and when I want an alternative to my other favorite, Ale Pork Chop, this is an easy spot to eat well and healthy!

Did you see the commonality with 3 of the 4? Yep, they are all in Calhoun’s Village close to the end of the Parkway in Gatlinburg, and a part of the same ownership group—Copper Cellar Restaurants. Chesapeake’s is another of their restaurants that has a location in Galinburg, and solely responsible for turning around my opinion of seafood. And while I haven’t had a salad from there, it’s pretty easy to assume their quality. Everyone else I’ve tried a salad from in town has been fine but nowhere near the excellence on display with these fab four. They all come together nicely, but tomorrow never knows if this boy will let it be in my life.

Thanks for reading and subscribing to my publication. I hope you enjoyed my review of the best salads in Gatlinburg, in my opinion, of course. Stay tuned for more of these, plus more personal stories for paid subscribers. And helpful tips—like this article—which are always free despite what others who try to tear me down may think. I appreciate the kind words and support as always! My goal is always to provide value for the privilege of your time!