The 10 best bites of bits between two pieces of bread in the mountains
Is there any food that is as ubiquitous but underappreciated as the sandwich? It’s a utilitarian meal you can carry around and eat on the go. It can be upscale or downscale and everything in between. Maybe it’s an artful demonstration of culinary thought, creativity and talent. Or it can be a knife full of peanut butter and jelly haphazardly spread over two heel pieces of a loaf. And, under the right circumstances, either end of the spectrum can be just as satisfying.
How good are sandwiches? Rock legend Warren Zevon, when battling a rare incurable cancer that would inevitably take his life, was asked if he had learned anything he could share with the rest of us.
“Not unless I know how much you’re supposed to enjoy every sandwich,” he replied.
So, in honor of the writer of “Roland the Headless Thompson Gunner” we thought we’d point you in the direction of which sandwiches in the Smokies and beyond, that you should set out to enjoy.
Ranking the Smokies’ best sandwiches
Before we start, there are a couple of rules about what constitutes a sandwich we should discuss. Hot dogs are not sandwiches. End of rules!
However, we should also say that we’re going to try and spread the type of sandwiches around a little bit. If left to my own devices, this list might not be anything but Ruebens and Cubans. So, once a certain type of sandwich makes the list, it’s out of contention from other places. Also, we will not be including BBQ or burgers on this list. They are sandwiches but belong in their own subcategories. However, if a burger or BBQ place does another kind of sandwich, they are eligible for the list.
Also, you will not see the legendary Parton’s Deli – a 50-year Gatlinburg staple on this list. After a change in ownership, there is a rigorous debate about a dip in standards. And, it appears, the owners are looking for new lessees. We are not out on Parton’s. But in this unsure climate, they are not included on this list.
Now let’s get down to sandwich business.
1. The Reuben at Tennessee Jed’s – Gatlinburg
The best sandwich shop in the region and also the best sandwich – in my opinion – is found here. The Tennessee Jed’s rueben is braised corned beef, swiss cheese, kraut & 1000 Island Dressing on toasted marble rye bread.
2. Create any sandwich you want at Yoder’s Country Market – Bulls Gap
Friends, are you willing to drive an hour and five minutes from Pigeon Forge – past dozens of places that sell perfectly good sandwiches and other foodstuffs – in search of one of the greatest sandwiches in your life? No? Then this entry isn’t for you. Go ahead to No. 3 and never let your tastebuds know about your vast betrayal.
Yes? Then let me tell you about Yoder’s Country Market, not far off of I-81’s exit 23. A family-owned grocery store, deli and country store, Yoder’s is stocked with meats, cheeses, bakery goods and more. Locals happily commute 45 minutes or more to shop there. If I ever win the lottery, there won’t be a lot of signs. But if you see me in Yoder’s buying one of everything, you’ll know.
In terms of the deli sandwiches, you can get made to order sandwiches or daily specials at the deli counter. My go-to, however, is the choose your own adventure sandwich. You take one of their order slips, pick a meat and a cheese and the toppings you want.
Last time I was there I went with ham and cheddar and then circled every topping on the list. Tomato, lettuce, pickle, onion, jalapeno, whatever they had, I got it. Within five minutes I was handed a work of edible art. I paid under $7 and walked out with a sandwich I wanted to show to the heavens. Instead, I ate it on the outdoor deck and picnic tables – which have a pretty view of the mountains in the distance. It was wonderful and completely worth the drive.
3. The Holy Bologna at Delauder’s – Gatlinburg
This hefty sandwich is cheating just a little, because it does contain some of Delauder’s pulled pork. Adding Delauder’s pulled pork to any sandwich is the culinary equivalent of Giants-era Barry Bonds. It’s a Hall of Fame caliber player just cheating his butt off – allegedly – to lap the competition.
So, let me introduce you to the wonder that is the Holy Bologna. Take grilled bologna, top it with pulled pork, nacho cheese, onions, pickles, sweet jalapeno mustard and BBQ sauce. Is it a lot? Yes. Is it worth it? Absolutely.
4. The pork tenderloin sandwich at Chubby’s – Sevierville
Allow me to revert for a moment to the old Hoosier who spent part of his youth knocking around the rust-belt town of Ft. Wayne, Indiana. The Hoosier State – my former home – is known to true foodies for two culinary creations. In Southern Indiana, it’s the delicacy known as persimmon pudding, a wonderful moist brownie-like substance that is found each fall at the Persimmon Festival in tiny Mitchell, Indiana. Only real ones know.
In Northern Indiana, however, the chief delicacy is the giant fried tenderloin sandwich. You take a pork tenderloin, beat it flat until it’s the size of an elephant ear, bread it, fry it and serve it on a regular size bun so that your sandwich is 97% percent tenderloin and 3% bread. that
Chubby’s, a fabulous down-home deli/restaurant on Dolly Parton Parkway in Sevierville, has its own version of this Northern Indiana classic. The Chubby’s version doesn’t flatten the tenderloin quite as much as they do back home, but it’s still a magnificent creation.
5. The FGBLT at Puckett’s – Pigeon Forge
Puckett’s is one of the more underrated dining destinations in the Forge. It’s a fun little place with roots in Middle Tennessee, Puckett’s offers live music and a variety of Tennessee favorites including a finely done cherry wood smoked BBQ.
Being from Nashville, they have the obligatory Hot Chicken Sandwich but I ain’t out here looking for heartburn. The FGBLT is a fried green tomato BLT with thick crispy bacon on a toasted sourdough bun. It’s a fun twist on the classic sandwich.
6. The lobster roll at Pinchy’s Lobster + Raw Bar – Sevierville
If I’m being honest my favorite sandwich at Pinchy’s is the smash burger, but since we’re not doing burger the Lobster Roll comes in a close second. Pinchy’s has a few different takes on the Lobster Roll including the Nashville Hot, a Wasabi Yuzu and the Connecticut but I prefer the classic Maine style Lobster Roll, 4 oz. of chilled claw and knuckle lobster with a bit of mayo and celery on a toasted brioche roll. Perfection.
7. The shrimp Po’Boy at PawPaw’s Catfish Kitchen – Wear’s Valley
Really was tempted to go with the catfish Po’Boy here because they put catfish right in the name, so you know they’re proud of it. But I prefer the classic Po’Boy, a hunk of french bread filled with fried shrimp and other fixins.
How authentic is it? I’d say there are a few modifications due to available supplies – it’s hard to get New Orleans style baguettes in the Smokies. But Chris Buras, the owner, has one of my favorite origin stories in the region. Did he go to culinary school? Nope. He learned to cook as a deck hand on a tugboat in the gulf. Part of his job was preparing meals for the crew. If it’s good enough for a New Orleans tugboat crew, it’s good enough for me.
8. The Philly cheesesteak at Bigfoot Philly Cheesesteak – Wear’s Valley
Per the official Bigfoot Philly Cheesesteak information, Kevin, the owner, made his way from Philadelphia to Tennessee for work. He quickly decided to capitalize on the lack of authentic cheesesteaks in the area.
These massive and filling sandwiches aren’t cheap – the footlong runs about $24 – but you get a lot of sandwich for your money. A lot of places offer around the mountains offer their version of the classic Philly cheesesteak. This one is the best of the bunch.
9. The schnitzel and egg biscuit at the Wild Bear Tavern – Pigeon Forge
Frankly, the breakfast sandwich category is woefully underrepresented on our list. Part of the problem is the basic lack of variety. Some combination of sausage, egg, back and cheese. But leave it to the area’s chief Germanic restaurant to break the mold.
A cousin of the breaded tenderloin sandwich, this tasty breakfast fare features a seasoned boneless pork cutlet, breaded and fried and served with egg to provide a little balance to the crispy breading. Wonderful stuff.
10. Texas bacon lover’s BLT Sandwich at 2 a.m. at the Waffle House – multiple locations
There are many fine sandwiches at places throughout the mountains that aren’t making the list. Some of you may be wondering why – of all places – we’d look to The Waffle House when so many remain. Friends, I am a newspaperman at heart. And there have been many nights – usually surrounding some election or another or a Friday night football game – that we have turned post deadline to the only beacon of light, hope and joy around at that hour in a small town. The Waffle House.
I can – and have – waxed poetic about the comforting embrace of a good BLT and a side of scattered, smothered, covered, peppered and capped hashbrowns. But allow more eloquent men than me to share their thoughts. Also, you might be asking if this is the second BLT on the list and the answer is no. The other sandwich was a fried green tomato BLT, an entirely different entry.
What is your favorite sandwich in the Smokies? Do you agree with our list? Let us know in the comments!