My Updated Top 4 Breakfast Restaurants in Gatlinburg: An Addition and a Subtraction
Back in September, I provided my favorite restaurants for breakfast in Gatlinburg. Naturally, I got a lot of positive and negative reactions on something that is definitely not fact, only my opinion. I imagine I will receive more on this post as well, but I’ve long learned it comes with the territory. I believe most of us have a hard time deciding which place to visit when we’re here. Sure we have our favorites, but all it takes is a little curiosity—and maybe a little convincing—and off you go to another one you heard fantastic things about.
All it took, in my case, was one visit to a place we hadn’t been to in about six years. I started being a little more conscientious about my food choices at the beginning of the day; plus an increasing desire to grab something quick; or the decreasing intent on my wife and son to eat a sizable breakfast. It was a little unfair we ignored this particular restaurant for so long, but it was relegated to the bottom of the pile, and their payback came in the form of an unforgettable meal that ensures it won’t be nearly as long between visits.
Now, here my updated list…
4. Tennessee Jed’s
No, they’re not a true breakfast restaurant. And yes, they’ve been knocked down a peg because they no longer serve breakfast downtown (Tennessee Jed’s 321 does), but it stays on my list. The nostalgia for their morning grub right across from The Village—strange for a place as relatively new as this one—is strong. I’m sure their other location does the same superb breakfast we received in town. Best Biscuits and Gravy I’ve ever had, and the amazingly savory Bacon, Egg, and Cheese sandwich keeps Tennessee Jed’s on my list. No small feat for an establishment known mostly for their Reuben sandwich, which I’m sorry to say I probably won’t try, because my taste buds disdain sauerkraut.
3. Little House of Pancakes
Little House of Pancakes has been our last breakfast in Gatlinburg for several years. They’ve wowed us with their wonderful pancakes and basic breakfast that locals and tourists can appreciate. Value has probably been the biggest attraction for our repeat visits. I can’t put them higher than third because the value has started to fade a bit. Everyone has increased their prices, but none more than LHOP. In just two years, the short stack my wife orders has gone up almost 50 percent, and the omelets are priced only slightly below or even with the others. The food quality and service are still great, so I can’t punish them too much. They won’t fall off this list anytime soon, I suspect.
2. Pancake Pantry
The biggest jump and addition to my list is Pancake Pantry. The reason is largely due to the fantastic breakfast my son and I enjoyed on a Saturday morning. I haven’t ordered pancakes since I last ate here, so I went with the more savory Continental French Toast. The presentation and flavor gloriously surpassed expectations. I trust my son’s honest opinion about omelets, and he said they were the best he’s had in Gatlinburg. He’s not a big pancake person either, so he substituted them for toast. It was a delicious way to start the day, and I might have to do a proper review on another post, but it firmly jumps into the two spot.
1. Log Cabin Pancake House
Hanging on to number one is the Log Cabin Pancake House. It stays there because all three of us were plenty satisfied when we ate here shortly after we arrived in Gatlinburg. Crispy bacon, golden brown homemade biscuits, and an above average omelet keep it in the top spot. Overall, we find everything to be more than reasonable, price-wise, and I’m starting to sound like a broken record, but service—like most places in Gatlinburg—is pleasant and timely. However, they have stiff competition for best breakfast if Pancake Pantry polishes another dazzling gem.
The Subtraction
Once our favorite breakfast in Gatlinburg, Crockett’s Breakfast Camp is a shocking no-show on my list. The portions were big, but they were also really, really good. It’s hard for me to explain why they’ve been sub-par to average the last three or four times we’ve been here. Maybe we’re ordering the wrong things? But the Cathead Stacker—a previous favorite item to order—has been sloppy and not as tasteful, including the Cathead biscuit. The eggs have been…well, ordinary, and the service has been scattered and a bit off for us. The consistency just hasn’t been positive. I’m still rooting for them to get it together, and I know most of you will disagree. Remember—this has been our experience and our opinion.
Don’t beat me up too much. My favorite breakfast restaurants in Gatlinburg can all be interchangeable based on each excellent visit. It is sometimes hard to choose because they’ve all been so good to us. Thanks for reading, and I welcome your subscription to my publication if you haven’t yet clicked on that subscribe button!