Red Oak Bistro: A local’s honest review There are several ways the Red Oak Bistro stands out. For instance? Its (669) Glades Road location is not in the traditional areas of the Gatlinburg culinary scene. Beyond that, the menu – based on what is available through local farmers and producers – changes so often, they don’t even bother trying to put it up on
DŌ Scratch Made Pizza and Pasta, an honest review As someone who remembers when Downtown Sevierville was a utilitarian part of town – there are still paint shops and hardware items sold there – I have enjoyed its transition to the foodie capital of this side of the mountains. Excellent restaurants that approach the culinary arts from a variety of angles
Going whole hog in a locally historic culinary location Barbecue in the Smokies has become something of a cottage industry. BBQ joints – or joints that also sell BBQ – are everywhere. I haven’t done a full survey, but I think BBQ is now more omnipresent in the mountains than even the fabled pancake, upon which the region’s culinary traditions
Holston’s Kitchen: An honest review Is it bad that the first thing I think of when I think of Holston’s Kitchen – part of the KBS Family of Restaurants – is the design of the building? Holston’s looks like a good place to eat. Strong brick design on a building that doesn’t look like somebody put a façade on a
Hankering for a hunk of beef? How to choose between Graze Burgers and Blue Moose Burgers and Wings There’s a saying that all pizza being good pizza but some pizza is better than others. I don’t think that’s exactly true with burgers, but I think it’s close. Look, if you take a nice hunk of beef, season it, cook it
Ranking the restaurants in Downtown Sevierville You ever have an idea that seems really good in the moment but when it comes down to it you realize you have bit off more than you can choose? Today, I have given myself a culinary Sofie’s Choice – which is a bit dramatic but closer to the truth than anyone is likely
East Tennessee icon Calhoun’s is facing a challenge from BBQ legend Myron Mixon BBQ Co. in Gatlinburg Before there were reality cooking shows and competitions in grocery store parking lots, there was a single restaurant in West Knoxville with a handful of smokers and a dream. It was the fall of 1983 and Calhoun’s was about to take off like
In search of the best pizza in the Smokies Pizza is a culinary oasis on vacation. It is the answer to every dining conundrum. Got a group who can’t decide on what they want? Pizza. Do you have a picky eater? Pizza Tired, hungry and need something that can be delivered quickly and still be good? Pizza. And many of today’s
A Georgia BBQ legend has joined the fray in the battle for smoked meat supremacy in the mountains It takes a certain level of chutzpah to bring your BBQ game to an area with a well-established identity. And when I learned Myron Mixon was bringing a BBQ concept to Gatlinburg to replace Crawdaddy’s – a Cajun place and oyster bar
Eat like the locals at this Rustic River getaway near Cumberland Gap National Park Living up and down East Tennessee, I’ve found that there’s a certain gravity to the geography of the region. If you live near the middle part of the state, you go to Knoxville, Pigeon Forge, and Gatlinburg when it’s time to explore. When you start heading