You Won't Believe the Restaurants We've Never Visited in Downtown Gatlinburg
I’m going to be completely transparent with you in this post. It’s a little embarrassing to admit, especially when you find out that in 12 years of visiting, we haven’t eaten at these places I’m about to reveal. The fact that they’re all walking distance to each other makes it all the more unbelievable. But I think it’s understandable when you think about it. Over time you have your favorites you can’t see yourself skipping, but at the same time, you’re still curious if a competitor will win you over. Well, here is an almost complete list of the restaurants we don’t have an opinion of just yet.
The Park Grill
The restaurant looks like a giant lodge that fits right in next to the Nantahala Outdoor Center, a sporting goods store perfect for the nature enthusiast. What’s also appropriate is the proximity to the National Park entrance. Somehow we’ve never chosen this place, but I believe we’ve strongly considered it during past planned visits. It’s got classic Appalachian items all over the menu, so it figures to be tried sooner than most others on our list.
The Peddler
The Peddler is mentioned quite a bit when I’m on social media with my Gatlinburg NOW page. Every time steak is a topic people will rave about The Peddler, for the most part. I don’t think you’ll find another restaurant downtown with the history and experience I’ve heard you’ll get when you visit The Peddler. Reservations are needed, which is usually not the game we play with restaurants, but we’re bound to make an exception or two soon enough.
New Orleans Sandwich Company
The name won’t confuse you when you learn it’s authentic Louisiana cajun food. The owners are from those parts, and I’ve heard many more positive reviews than negative. The only problem is they are without a website, and their hours aren’t very consistent for a downtown eatery. They are located in the back of Baskins Square across the road from The Village. I’m open-minded about trying them, since I’ve never really had this type of cuisine for a meal. Hopefully we can get the chance to visit.
Ole Red
Ole Red hasn’t been in Gatlinburg for too long, but long enough for you to believe I’ve been here. Obviously I haven’t. The reason? Right off the bat, the menu didn’t speak to us, and hearing such a mixed bag (leaning more negative than positive) of reviews keeps us on the sidelines. I’ve considered a visit solely to sit down, have a beer, and listen to some good local talent grace the stage. And honestly, that will probably be more likely for me than eating a meal.
Smoky Mountain Trout House
Despite being a fantastic source of Omega-3, seafood is not high on our list of food cravings. I want to know I’m getting the good stuff when I do finally order it in a restaurant not by a large body of water. Landlocked Tennessee definitely makes it harder, but that doesn’t necessarily mean this place doesn’t offer it. And if and when we go here, we’re going to have to have a hankering for trout.
Luigi’s
Pizza. Italian name. Those two things should be enough for us to have tried Luigi’s by now, but sadly it hasn’t. Maybe it’s because it’s a small place with a very modest outside eating area. Also, maybe it’s because it doesn’t look like it’s open half the time, and we don’t see people going inside. I know that’s not fair to them, but it’s just me trying to justify why we haven’t visited. Generally, I’ve heard good things, so we’ll have to see if we’re brave enough to venture off the path, because as I’ve clearly stated in previous posts, there’s some excellent pizza in Gatlinburg.
Mountain Edge Grill
It’s funny because I remember finding a Mountain Edge Grill brochure in the first Gatlinburg Visitor Guide we received in the mail. We didn’t go that first trip, but we strongly considered it. Unfortunately, we haven’t given it much thought in the years since. It’s up the stairs in the Baskins Square area, which is convenient, but somehow we’ve mostly ignored them. Lately, we’ve been on a burger binge in Gatlinburg, so the chances they’ll get our business has never been higher since I’ve heard nice things about theirs. Oh, and they are a small family eatery which we can feel good about.
Crawdaddy’s
If the name hasn’t clued you in as to why we haven’t been here before, then you’ll want to read this again. I’m kidding. Well, sort of. Seafood specialty places are just not our cup of tea. Now that doesn’t mean we’ll never eat here. Remember, I haven’t formed an opinion about these places as to whether I like them or not. I may prejudge them a bit, but ultimately, we’ll have to be convinced it’s worth it to spend our vacation money here. There’s a full bar at this upstairs eatery in the heart of downtown, so that might at least get me inside to offer my two cents in the future
Bubba Gump Shrimp Co.
This one is the easiest explanation why we’ve never visited: Seafood. Chain. Touristy. Not Local. End of story. Also explains Johnny Rockets and TGI Fridays, and the next I’ll explain further.
Dick’s Last Resort
Before you judge me on this last entry of my list of places we haven’t eaten at in Gatlinburg…well, I think most of you would actually agree with me on this one. Yes, it has the same deterrent as Bubba Gump’s. You’ll find these at most places that attract tourism, and that is the first red flag for us. I think it’s something cool for those that want an alternate dining experience, but most people I’ve heard from don’t even leave satisfied. They say this: Overpriced, average to bad food, and you’re paying more for the grub just to be insulted and wear their…uh, caps. I’m not easily offended, but there’s way too much wrong with this picture to make us ever want to visit. I guess you can say this is one place I’ve formed a very solid opinion of before setting foot inside. Sorry, folks.
Those are the restaurants in downtown Gatlinburg we haven’t yet visited. Surprised? I know I am when I realized how many I could list. There are a few I didn’t mention that I feel I should explain why: Chesapeake’s, Burg Steakhouse, and Boudicca’s Irish Pub. Quite simply, they haven’t been open for very long, so I left them off. Of all the seafood places, the former is the most likely one we would try first. If you know, you know, and I’ll be sure to give them a full review if we do in fact go on our next Gatlinburg visit.
Thanks for reading my latest installation! You know what to do if you like what you’re reading from this publication. See you again soon!
After having lived in Gatlinburg off and on for about 3 years, and, having visited nearly every year over 55 years, Gatlinburg has changed significantly and not for the better. The quaint, small town feel has vanished and the seemingly endless t-shirt shops are everywhere. Regardless, I still keep coming back because I still feel connected to my late father who created this family tradition in me and, I have introduced it to my daughter who is grown and about to graduate from college. I have eaten at a lot of restaurants, but, many are no longer there and have been replaced with chain restaurants which I detest. The Peddler and Park Grill are owned by the same individual, and have different menus as you noted. I used to work at the Peddler back in 1979 and the food has been consistently good since then as I try to eat there when I'm in town from Louisiana. Reservations are not required but they are very popular and have a long wait time (1-2 hours or more) but is worth it during the peak tourist season.
As far as the New Orleans Sandwich Shop is concerned, the food is definitely authentic New Orleans cuisine and I highly recommend it it as a native Louisianian whose father was a Cajun/Creole chef.
A thank you to Gatlinburg Now for helping people become acquainted with our beloved Gatlinburg through different means such as this.