My Top 10 Favorite Menu Items Among the Two Breweries in Gatlinburg

Smoky Mountain Brewery and Gatlinburg Brewing Company are the two places I visit the most in Gatlinburg. These two breweries are also where I feel the most comfortable and at home. But it wouldn’t mean much if I didn’t truly enjoy the food from either of these fine restaurants. Sure, they are home to great beers; however, they are the best places to get salad or a pizza in this tourist town. It’s no secret I visit both quite often, and I’d like the share my 10 favorite dishes from these two esteemed establishments combined.

10. Chicken Wings (Both)

Yes, both. I can’t decide. I don’t often just order wings, but I have to say… both Smoky Mountain Brewery and Gatlinburg Brewing Company are excellent at wing-making. SMB has a tasty Thunder Road Sauce, and GBC has wings cooked in their brick oven with a Hot Buffalo sauce that’s absolutely delicious. I can’t decide which is better, but for the sake of this article, I’ll lean GBC. You’ll just have to judge for yourself.

9. Roasted Chicken Quesadilla (Smoky Mountain Brewery)

You’re going to be hard pressed to find a better appetizer anywhere else. This is good enough for a meal for one. And while I try not to eat this anymore, (the fried tortilla doesn’t agree with me) it’s a fantastic selection that comes with sour cream and salsa on the side for some delicious dipping.

8. Cheese Sticks (Gatlinburg Brewing Company)

I used to think this was better than the pizza at GBC. I wouldn’t quite go that far anymore, but you’ll be hard-pressed to find a place that does cheese sticks better. My wife’s only wish is that the marinara sauce on the side be served warm. However, they’re good enough to not need it. Again, they prepare these in their New York Brick Oven, which gives them a delicious, crunchy, golden brown crust.

7. Tossed Salad (Smoky Mountain Brewery)

Kicking off the “boring” salads on my list is Smoky Mountain Brewery’s Tossed Salad. Depending on your hunger level, this can serve as a meal for you, despite its lack of meat. This is my choice when I don’t want a lot of food, but still be satisfied. It’s also an option when I can’t decide. Onions, green peppers, banana peppers, black olives (I leave off) tomatoes, and cheese are the ingredients. I always have to remember to leave off the olives. At this point, Oana, Haley, and Danilo—the bar servers—could probably remind me.

6. Grilled Burger Mountain Melt (Smoky Mountain Brewery)

Sorry, no pic found.

When I do want something substantive from the Brewery, the Grilled Burger Mountain Melt is a worthy selection. My newfound love for rye bread has me ordering this more than in my early days of visits. Plus, I much prefer toasted bread, simply because I like more texture and crunch before I sink into that juicy burger topped with grilled onions and Swiss and American cheese. My side is always Broccoli with Beer Cheese, and if I have extra at the bottom, I’ll add another cheese as a dip. Yum!

5. Baker’s Choice Pizza (Smoky Mountain Brewery)

When I’m feeling a pizza, the Baker’s Choice is almost always my option unless their Pizza of the Month aligns with my taste buds. I love that they offer an 8-inch personal size, otherwise I would probably eat more. This is the perfect amount, if you ask me. The Baker’s Choice at Smoky Mountain Brewery is tops on their pizza menu section probably for a reason. Its toppings include pepperoni, sausage, mushrooms, onions, and green peppers. It cuts that middle ground between too much and too little meat and veggies. Also perfect for my fickle nature.

4. Cauliflower Crust Pizza (Gatlinburg Brewing Company)

My favorite of the two breweries’ pizza options is here at GBC. I would’ve laughed if I told myself 10 years ago another brewery in Gatlinburg would offer a better pizza. But it has happened. Yes, again, this is a healthier, lower carbohydrate option made in their amazing brick oven. I’m not a fan of cauliflower, but mostly, you don’t get much hint of the vegetable. My wife even likes it, and she is certainly not a fan of this alternative crust option. While I love their ordinary flour crust, it doesn’t love me, so having this as a tasty diversion is life-changing… at least for me.

3. Brewmaster’s Club Salad (Smoky Mountain Brewery)

Welcome to my Top 3. The diabetic in me will really show with these selections, but you shouldn’t shy away from them just because you’re on vacation. The Brewmaster’s Club Salad from the Brewery is a meat-lover’s best friend, with some veggies thrown in for good measure. This gigantic bowl will satisfy rabbit food lovers and carnivores. There’s a heaping pile of bacon, roasted chicken, and ham, which basically serves as a T-Rex version of their Tossed Salad ingredients. Not many will leave hungry after polishing this off. I know I’m not.

2. Grilled Oriental Chicken Salad (Smoky Mountain Brewery)

This behemoth rivals my #3 in sheer size, only with piles of grilled chicken marinated in a Soy Ginger Sauce (I opt to get this on the side so I can control the amount). It’s a crazy good alternative to the Brewmaster. I love the different salad ingredients which include garlic-roasted tomatoes, broccoli, banana peppers, red onions, pineapple, and cheese. Believe it or not, all of these work amazingly well together, and I actually think this salad tastes better and satisfies me increasingly more their “meat” salad. That’s why it’s #2!

1. Brewpub Salad (Gatlinburg Brewing Company)

Booooring! Booooo! I don’t care. This is my most ordered item in Gatlinburg… easily, and it would be a crime not to put this at #1. I’m sorry, but when you talk about value, this is a perfect meal for under $10. That’s right, you read that right. It’s a meal. A salad with spring mix, cheese, tomatoes, red onions, egg, and cucumbers can be had for less than $10. Add their House Made Ranch and some Fire Roasted Chicken for just $2 more, (for the chicken, bacon, ham, or extra egg) and you’re in for an unbelievable value. I love it, and if you’re eating healthy, go a little easy on the ranch and order this. You won’t be disappointed!

There you have it! That’s my 10 favorite menu items from these two great breweries in Gatlinburg. If you haven’t already tried any of these dishes, I encourage you to do so on your next visit. Taste is obviously subjective, and restaurants can have bad days, but these are pretty consistent across the board, in my opinion and experience. I also welcome your thoughts, of course! Please stay tuned for more lists, news, events, and personal anecdotes from my Gatlinburg home. I appreciate you all!