“The perfect blossom is a rare thing. You could spend your life looking for one, and it would not be a wasted life,” says Katsumoto in “The Last Samurai”
“Yeah, same thing. But about pancakes,” says John Gullion on the website you’re reading right now.
The search for the perfect, best pancakes in Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg and Sevierville is both a fool’s errand and a noble pursuit. It’s like seeking the perfect blade of grass in a two-acre lawn, like devoting your life to identifying the best grain of sand.
It is an impossible task but not because they are so plentiful.
At the end of “The Last Samurai” (spoiler alert), as he is dying after being shot 7,000 times by a Gatlin gun that somehow manages to only graze Tom Cruise, Kasumoto asks his friend to run him through to preserve his honor. Kasumoto uses his last sentient seconds to see the blooming cherry trees in the distance.
It’s at that moment he realizes they are all “perfect”.
Surely, they could have shot that scene and substituted pancakes. Like cherry blossoms, everyone is perfect in their own way.
So as we set out on the impossible task of identifying the best places to get pancakes in Sevier County, we’re going to start with a caveat.
Furthermore, Pancake Pantry has been removed from the competition. Of course, we’ve written about the Pancake Pantry here and there. And frankly writing about them again just seems like we’re rubbing it in. Those crazy Hoosiers came down here in 1960 and started a trend. So to make the question a little more interesting, they’re out!
Now, let’s talk about the pancakes.
7. Flapjack’s Pancake Cabin (6 locations)
Flapjack’s Pancake Cabin offers just about every type of pancake you could imagine, including pancakes that accommodate some gluten sensitivities.
Importantly, Flapjack’s has been serving up tall stacks of pancakes for more than 50 years, and these scratch-made pancakes are some of the best, classic pancakes around.
This restaurant has one location in Kodak, Sevierville and Pigeon Forge and three locations in Gatlinburg.
6. Crockett’s Breakfast Camp in Gatlinburg, Tenn.
You know what happens when you assume? Nothing, they’ll still serve you the pancakes but you’ll just be ill-informed.
No.
This is not Tennessee legend Davy Crockett’s breakfast camp. Therefore, if you want some of his flapjacks, I reckon you’ll have to go to San Antonio or Greeneville or some other place sponging off his legacy.
This here breakfast camp honors the legacy of David C. “Crockett” Maples, a frontiersman who served with the Union Cavalry in the Civil War.
Fun fact, much of upper East Tennessee sided with the Union in the war and the region swayed back and forth between Southern and Northern control.
After the war, Crockett and his wife Mary R. Ogle – a name familiar to all in Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg – returned to the area and set up a supply store at the base of Mount LeConte. And they served hungry travelers home-cooked breakfast there.
According to legend, and the Breakfast Camp website, Crockett also served as a mountain guide, got caught in a blizzard and nearly died.
Instead, he lost part of both legs to frostbite. Undeterred, he built himself a pair of boots with wooden feet inside that he latched to his legs. With the help of two canes and his wooden feet he stayed active until 1928 when he died at the age of 88.
What does all of that have to do with the quality of the pancakes? Nothing, but you don’t read a story with that much, if you’ll forgive the phrase, meat on the bone and simply walk (I may be going to hell) away.
Crockett’s offers a wide array of breakfast fare, but the griddle cakes are what keeps ‘em coming back. Served with a wide variety of toppings, they are fluffy, filling and certainly delicious.
For a change of pace, try the Aretha Frankensteins Pancake, a famous recipe from the temporarily closed coffeehouse in Chattanooga.
Why is it called Aretha Frankensteins? Honestly, I don’t know. And after the episode with Crockett Maples’ wooden feet, I’m a little too shook to Google it.
5. Sawyer’s Farmhouse Restaurant in Pigeon Forge, Tenn.
Locally owned and operated, Sawyer’s has a giant chicken wearing a cowboy hat outside which happily allows me to quote the “Young Guns” peyote scene to my kids until they’re ready to stab me with the cutlery.
“You guys. You guys. D’ja see the size of that CHICKEN?”
Comedy gold.
For pancakes – and crepes – Sawyer’s skews to the sweet side. There are a variety of fruity options as well as chocolate chip and M&M varieties.
Serving just breakfast and lunch, Sawyer’s is able to focus on doing those two meals right.
There’s not a lot of extraneous business, except for the giant chicken. However, it is just good breakfast food done right.
4. Frizzle Chicken Farmhouse Café in Pigeon Forge, Tenn.
We’ve also written about Frizzle before, here and there, so we won’t belabor the point.
But for a place whose hook is a bunch of singing animatronic chickens, the pancakes are really, really good.
Come for the bizarro-world Tiki Room, stay for the pancakes. The family loved it.
Read Also: Frizzle Chicken Review: Go for the pancakes, stay for the singing chickens
3. Reagan’s House of Pancakes in Pigeon Forge, Tenn.
The breakfast spot is so nice, they built it twice. I like to imagine a family coming to Pigeon Forge to get a little breakfast and see a few sites.
They pull into Reagan’s House of Pancakes, which I like to imagine is built upon as sturdy a foundation as hoecakes will allow.
They sit down; maybe some try the buffet while others order off the menu. Dad has the caramel nut pancakes. Mom gets a Belgian waffle.
They have a hearty, satisfying meal and load into the car only to be confronted by horrendous traffic. A few hours and 1.4 miles later, they begin to feel a little peckish and what do they see?
Reagan’s House of Pancakes No. 2 conveniently located six laps of a high school regulation track away.
Whether you go to Reagan’s No. 1 or Reagan’s No. 2, you’re in for a great pancake and look, don’t take my word for it. Building a second location less than two miles away – that’s the Starbucks model, folks.
2. Smoky’s Pancake Cabin in Pigeon Forge, Tenn.
Not as hifalutin as some of your other establishments that build their flapjacks into houses or palaces or whatnot.
This is a simple pancake cabin. For instance, if Abraham Lincoln came to Sevier County to eat pancakes, this would be the kind of down-home, wholesome pancakery he would choose.
Seriously, the Pancake Cabin may have the single greatest menu item in the pancake kingdom. Indeed, the Pineapple Upside Down Pancakes are phenomenal.
It can’t possibly be healthy and there’s a good chance after breakfast you’re going to need to rest awhile before you start your day, but that’s the price you pay for greatness.
1. Pancake Pantry in Gatlinburg, Tenn.
Sorry. I just couldn’t do it. I couldn’t leave them out. The original and the best.
This is pancake perfection. All hail.
Read Also: Tennessee’s first: Pancake Pantry holds the key to local hotcake obsession
Where’s your favorite place to eat pancakes in the Great Smoky Mountains? Leave your vote in the comments!
Ate at JT Hannah’s twice and got sick both time’s.
Mel’s Dinner has the best pancakes…i have tried most of the ones you named…and I know over half them we don’t like….but love Mel’s Dinner pancakes….
Love smoky’s pancake cabin in pigeon forge. The best pineapple upside down pancake EVER! Service is good. Staff is friendly. I highly recommend this place.
Smokeys pancake cabin is the best and excellent service, should be number one!!
Love the Pancake Pantry but I will have to say, they’re not nearly as big as they used to be but prices keep going up. I love their light airy pancakes though so will go there today often as I can. You won’t be disappointed!
Log cabin pancake house in gatlinburg. Also Mel’s is good for a diner.
Most definitely The Pancake Pantry hands down the best!
We eat there every morning when we visit Gatlinburg.
Log Cabin Pancake House in Gaitlinburg has the best pancakes by far! This is our favorite breakfast place in the area! It is a must everytime we are in the area.
Sawyers Farmhouse gets my vote!!
I hated Crockett’s due to very slow service and pancakes that were way too large and heavy. Pancake Pantry is very good, will go back.
Lil house of pancakes 807 east parkway Gatlinburg is the best of the best…
Pancake Pantry, pancakes are my favorite breakfast tried them alot of places in the Smokies but none better than Pancake Pantry. Love their sausage patties also.
Atrium pancakes ! Great food super friendly people.
Smoky’s Pancake Cabin in PF is the best, hand’s down! Food, people, service is fantastic!!!
We loved Reagan’s Pancake House, buffet style breakfast or order off the menu. Great food and service!
Love Pancake Pantry. It is a must stop w hth en I’m in the area. Also have a great Pancake Pantry in Nashville which we also have eaten at often.
The Old Smokey Pancake House in Gatlinburg Tennessee. Best there is.
IT HAS TO BE SMOKY’S IN PF. THE PANCAKES ARE SO AWESOME !!! THE PEOPLE AND SERVICE ARE AMAZING 🧡🧡🧡
Log Cabin. By far.
The Log Cabin Pancake House in Gatlinburg is the best! Great variety and the best staff!
We loved the Pancake Pantry, The Log Cabin, and Crockett’s Breakfast Camp. The serving sizes are very large and actually huge at Crockett’s. We could definitely split a meal, if the choices were not so tempting!
Smoky Mountain. Pancake. Cabin ! We have been to. Smokies. 40 times during our marriage so we have tried alot pancake places this is the topsTheir. Blackberry topping. On pancakes are so good. Also. Their crepes filled with lots of peaches. Or. Blackberries. Topped also with topping. Whipped. Cream and confectionery sugar sprinkked on top. Oh. My Goodness. Takes like a good cobbler tastes.
Absolutely love Pancake Pantry, not only for the food but for the atmosphere! So beautifully decorated and every type of pancake under the sun! They even have fabulous crepes! But my hands-down favorite is their whipped hot chocolate with marshmallows!❤️I have been going here for many years; my family loves it too!❤️
Log Cabin. That Royal Sauce!!!
Great service and atmosphere.
This is not in pigeon forge nor Gatlinburg but in Cherokee.Peters pancakes is great!!!
My family’s been going to the Pancake Pantry since the 70’s. We try to go once or twice a year. We eat there every day we are in town. We even have a special waitress we ask for who immediately comes up and gives us hug. Great place with great food and service.
Westgate in Gatlinburg has the best pancakes
Log Cabin in Gatlinburg is our favorite.
First Mels diner is the best end all be all of food. When youre talking pancakes though Pancake Pantry has no competition within the same galaxy. That is why there is a very VERY! Long line to get in there. They are ONLY and I mean ONLY!! Open for breakfast. Let me tell you that it IS worth the weight.
Love the pancake pantry awesome food
Sawyers Farmhouse is my favorite breakfast place by far!
We love crockets with pancake pantry running close 2nd we have been married 7 years and go at least twice a year and always make sure we stop in at both our favorite pancake places !!
The pancake pantry Is #1 they have the best of everything in there. And the service is phenomenal… it’s a must I go there everytime I’m in Gatlinburg.
Went into Pancake Pantry once and was ignored by the hostess.She didn’t ask me if I wanted to be seated or anything. She completely ignored me. Good pancakes and service though if you ever get seated.
Log cabin pancakes in Gatlinburg. Beats them all..try their Belgian waffle
Log Cabin Pancakes in Gatlinburg is the best and they aren’t even mentioned.
Regan’s is a great place for a hearty fill-up , before the traffic madness but the key is getting up early lol …easier said than done I know but… we were there New Year’s Day and it was 65 deg out and crazy busy but it was all worth the madness.
Flapjacks is my favorite.
They have great gluten free pancakes!!
I agree with several others here – it’s an absolute travesty that not only is Log Cabin Pancake House not #1 on this list, but even far worse that (a) they’re not on the list at all while worst of all (b) Flapjacks is.
I used to swear by Pancake Pantry for years until I finally got around to trying Log Cabin PH…and I’ve never gone back to the Pantry since. They’re overpriced for not nearly as quality of food by comparison.
And Flapjacks?! They don’t even deserve an honorable mention.
Love Reagan’s. I’m a weirdo and not a fan of pancakes, but oh my, they have everything else I 💕. Cinnamon rolls, home fries, gravy, biscuits. Wonderful staff.
Little House of Pancakes
Have you ever had their All You Can Eat Pancacks ! ENOUGH SAID! They should at least be on the list !!!!
DAVEY crockett breakfast camp HAS CAKE SIZED pancakes. Same with the cinnamon rolls. Always a huge wait… so worth it.
A bright would drive 3hour to eat at Reagan house of pancakes 28 July 21
A&J will drive 3hours to eat at Reagan’s house of pancakes
Pancake Pantry is perfection! I have been going there for years. Have tried other places and some are good but not as good as the Pantry. The best pancakes ever !
The Little House of Pancakes and The Log Cabin are both great. The Little House of Pancakes is the very best pancake restaurant! END OF!!
Little Black Bear Cafe is #1 for pancakes. Wonderful!! The only place we will now eat breakfast, everything is cooked to order, so fresh & special attention to every bite. Lenny you rock!!
Always eat a breakfast at Log Cabin in Gatlinburg!! Our favorite for pancakes!!
Always Pancake Pantry!
Love Pancake Pantry! The best pancakes anywhere!
Also, best coffee anywhere! These two items are without exception worth going to Gatlinburg for!
Log Cabin has the absolute best pancakes and super friendly staff. We go at least once every time we visit.
Red Rooster has great breakfast
I’ve been having pancakes at the Pancake Pantry for a little over 50 years and I wouldn’t think of going anywhere else. For me and the rest of my family,a trip to Gatlinburg isn’t complete without eating there at least once or twice. Hands down THE BEST!
We visit Gatlinburg often and the only pancake place we eat at is The Pancake Pantry. In our opinion “The Pancake Pantry is the standard by which others should be judged.”
Little House of Pancakes on East Pkwy In Gatlinburg, are the best!
Frizzle chicken farmhouse is just a fun place with bad food and normal to mediocre pancakes. The kids enjoy the animatronics, but that’s pretty much it.
We tried Pancake Pantry last month. It was delicious.
Log Cabin in Gatlinburg is an institution! What is now Smoky’s used to be a Log Cabin as well. That’s the one I grew up going to as we camped in the campground across the creek from it.
I was reading this article out loud to the hubby. He interrupted me several times saying there’s NO other pancake place like Aretha Frankensteins. When I came to the Crocketts review he said I could quit reading. If you STILL haven’t Googled, you should. The whole place including the pancakes is AMAZING. If you know anything of 80s goth then you’ll fall in love even more!!!!
We had Flapjacks before heading home… really good
Crocketts all the way. OMG we just ate there 9/18/21 and not only was the pancakes out of this world so was the french toast the eggs the grits the pecan roasted trout. Sure we waited a while due to the fact the place serves awesomeness in a 14-16 inch iron griddle. Put Crocketts on your bucket list ASAP.
I fell in love with Flapjacks so I never tried the others. I think I will try Pancake Pantry or Crocketts next time I’m there.
My wife and I have eaten at the Pancake Pantry at least twice a year since we ate there on our honeymoon in 1969. That soon will be 52 years. In my opinion this is, by far, the best pancake restaurant in the Gatlinburg area and I think I tried most of them. I loooove the Wild Main Blueberry pancakes.
Its log cabin off the main strip hands down! Better food! not as expensive as pantry, and usually not as long as wait as pantry, pantry 2nd it is amazing also and no mention of apple barn breakfast? That’s 3rd they have a huge apple orchard huge beautiful barn for shopping for goods and crafts and the restaurant for breakfast or dinner is insane for breakfast they bring you complementary apple julep and muffins and apple fritters homemade from scratch the breakfast is amazing but only serves till 10 or 11 I cant remember but you got to be there early it’s in pidgeon when we stay down there it usually a 3 way rotation starting with Log cabin we were just there over are anniversary oct 21st:)
Listen, we have been going to Gatlinburg with our family for 44 years. Our absolute favorite pancake/ french toast, hands down is the Pancake Pantry. The cinnamon syrup is like sauce over the french toast with a side of bacon. The pancakes are light and melt in your mouth, many come with a homemade warm fruit compote that is so good, you don’t even need syrup. So many to choose from also the crepes are great. All others take a back seat. Can’t wait to get back. Oh, and the coffee is great, too. ❤
LOG CABIN PANCAKE HOUSE they set the standard for pancakes and breakfast hands down. We have been eating breakfast there for years. All the rest just wish they were close to having as good of food as the LOG CABIN. Great food and friendly service every time we eat there and the prices are very reasonable.
Im a big fan of Pancake Pantry, hands down the best. Any trip to Gatlinburg includes Pancake Pantry.
Log Cabin Pancake House!! Love the Pecan pancakes & that big beautiful fireplace on a cold fall/winter morning! They’re great in the summer too! YUM!!
Log Cabin for sure
Pancake Pantry!! Red Light #8 Gatlinburg. Yum Yum!
The Log Cabin Pancake in Gatlinburg has by far the VERY best pancakes in the world. We have been eating there for 41 years. The pancakes are fluffy and absorb the wonderful syrup like nothing you’ve ever seen. The servers are friendly and the atmosphere in the restaurant is like sitting down with a bunch of friends and family.
Log Cabin has the best pancakes!
Lil Black Bear cafe…thick pancakes but light. The best!!
We’ve been coming down (and eating) for years. Best breakfast in Gatlinburg is at The Little House of Pancakes. Can’t beat the food and service for me anywhere else (including Pancake Pantry)
Hands down……..Pancake Pantry! I would drive 4 hours just to eat breakfast. If there is a line wait….it is worth it! The pancake are buttery and light. The best part, you can taste a hint of vanilla in the batter. Pancake perfection!
Little House of Pancakes is the best! I like Pancake Pantry and usually eat there every trip as well but Little House of Pancakes is amazing and great service.
I agee The Applebarn should be on the list! REASON IT’S NOT onbut they hae a great breakfast!! the list is because it doesn’t have the word panake in it’s name? But they have an awesome breakfastt!any wait is well worth it. Espcially since you can spend the wait rocking on their wonderful, huge porch.
Burger King in pidgeon forge makes fantastic pancakes and they cost a whole lot less- but I would suggest skipping their BK syrup and splurging on log cabin maple syrup from the local supermarket. It’s definitely worth it and you can alway bring the bottle home with you to enjoy and reminisce with your family .
Log cabin pancakes the best by far.