Our Favorite Places to Get 18 Different Foods...and Drinks in Gatlinburg
Just a little note before I get started with these favorites: My lists are always subject to change. Now that we’re here in Gatlinburg, we are discovering places we never made time for. Currently, these are our favorite places to order all 18 different foods in Gatlinburg. Some of them won’t be a surprise, but some might be a bit controversial. Like I said, a few could change with a single visit, and one actually was deemed a top choice after one try. Let’s get eating…and drinking…uh, different kinds of beverages.
Pancakes
Little House of Pancakes
Controversy #1 is picking Little House of Pancakes as the best flapjacks in town. Look, the others are great too, but there’s something extra about LHOP’s pancakes that give them the nod. Don’t bother with the fruit compote additions. Simple buttermilk fluffy cakes are the standard here.
Eggs
Pancake Pantry
This might be a weird choice, but the eggs from the Pantry put the others to shame, in my book. I’m no expert foodie; I just know what I like and what tastes…well, eggstraordinary (sorry, I had to). I have backup support from my son to strengthen this argument.
Sausage
Fannie Farkle’s
And you thought I was sticking with breakfast. Nope. I’m talking the big boy sausage with peppers and onions at Fannie Farkle’s. Very few smells in town are more indicative of the carnival atmosphere than when these are getting grilled and wafted down the sidewalk. They know what they’re doing, and over 40 delightful years of tickling the taste buds of tourists is hard proof of it.
Coffee
Coffee & Company
Coffee and Company has called me more often than mountains. In fact, I’ve given up finding any other coffee in Gatlinburg that can compare to the beans they use. Coffee is a passion that shows in every cup of joe that is served here. It would take a seismic shift to sway my selection away from C&C.
Ice Cream
Chocolate Monkey
It’s not homemade ice cream, but at least we know where it comes from. Chocolate Monkey uses Ashby’s ice cream, and it is far and away our favorite cold sweet in Gatlinburg. Whether it’s filled with Peanut Butter or vanilla wafers with banana pudding flavors, there’s no denying the icy cold tastiness here.
Chocolate
Ole Smoky Candy Kitchen
This is an easy one. Like all the other sweets on my lists, it’s done only occasionally—and in small doses. Ole Smoky Candy Kitchen has been many visitors’ favorite sweet spot for many years prior to my entrance in this world. Again, there’s good reason the business has lasted this long.
Donuts
The Donut Friar
Was there any doubt? Not in my book. Sure, it’s convenient, but that’s only the tip of the iceberg to explain why The Donut Friar is special to us. I’ve proclaimed this shop as having the best donuts I’ve ever had, and that won’t change anytime soon. It may be hard to mess up donuts, but nothing else compares.
Steak
Cherokee Grill
This is a tough definitely subject to change, as we haven’t visited 4 or 5 other places with steaks that are highly regarded. Cherokee Grill has been a favorite of ours since visit #1 with their Prosperity Steak. Even though I’ve ventured away from this entree in recent history, it’s still a top order choice for my wife and son.
Pork Chops
Calhoun’s
The “Ale” Pork Chop from Calhoun’s is the best pig pleasure in Gatlinburg for me. Topped with Worcestershire butter, marinated in olive oil, mustard, garlic, and one of the Brewery’s house beers, Cherokee Red Ale, it’s a clear choice for best in town. For only $12.50, it’s an amazing deal. You get one side and a bread selection beforehand that includes muffins, cornbread, and dinner rolls. Love it!
Salad
Calhoun’s
When I’m not getting the pork chop from Calhoun’s, I’m ordering their Smokehouse Salad—a clear winner in Gatlinburg in the rabbit food category. There’s so much meat on it, you have to use your fork to find the spring mix. The Cheddar Cheese dressing is unique but delicious. This is one salad that will give you the meat sweats.
Pizza
Best Italian…Elks Plaza and Parkway location
Yep, I mentioned both locations. So much abhorrence has been spewed about the one on the Parkway, but it tastes just as awesome. There is surprisingly massive competition in Gatlinburg for good pizza, but Best Italian still takes the cheese as the peak pizza spot for us.
Rolls
Big Daddy’s Pizzeria
In the appetizer category, the Dough Daddies from Big Daddy’s get you started right. I get some disagreement from family and followers, but I enjoy these even more than their pizza—also a great choice. What sets them way ahead of the others is their homemade marinara sauce you don’t want to skip dipping them in.
Wings
Smoky Mountain Brewery
A possible unsteady choice is the wings from Smoky Mountain Brewery. This is a favorite of my son’s, but we don’t often order wings from other places, so until then, the Brewery takes the top spot; however, they are super good.
Biscuits…and Gravy
Log Cabin Pancake House
No other place we’ve visited has the fluffiness of a homemade Log Cabin Pancake House Biscuit. You may be able to argue about the gravy from another breakfast establishment, but these biscuits are unquestionably the best. I am adamant about this selection, and it’s another one that’s solidly placed.
French Toast
Pancake Pantry
You may be enamored with the pancakes at Pancake Pantry, (rightfully so) but until you’ve had their French Toast—in addition to their eggs—you may get the impression that’s all they perfect. Pancake Pantry is much more than their name suggests, and you would be missing out by not trying other items on the menu. It’s the best French Toast I’ve ever had, bar none.
Burgers
Three Jimmy’s
A surprise pic is Three Jimmy’s. I’m going with my wife for this one. She is more the burger aficionado, and I am giving her credit for this one. She had their Smokehouse burger, and if it looked as good as it tasted, we’ll be back so I can try it myself.
Adult Fruity Beverages
The Daiquiri Shack
Who would think this touristy restaurant would take the top spot in this category. The Daiquiri Shack gets my vote as the most underrated place in all of Gatlinburg for drinks and food. My wife is currently taking advantage of our local discount to try all of their daiquiris, which will probably be accomplished within the next few weeks if she keeps it up.
Moonshine
Sugarlands Distilling Co.
This one isn’t even close. It’s still the only distillery I’ve done samplings since moving here. Yeah, the servers do their same shtick, but it never feels old because of some of their clever improvising at times. The Sippin’ Creams they offer are simply delicious, and they blow past Ole Smoky, in my opinion.
Whew! There you go. As a bonus, I will throw in Chesapeake’s as the best of any seafood you can get in Gatlinburg; also, Three Jimmy’s Beer-Battered French Fries are excellent in the fry category. Again, my selections are subject to change, and I can see a few of these being toppled from the top as we continue our restaurant tours.
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