Dining

a pulled chicken sandwich from bustin butts

These are the 13 Absolute Best Restaurants in Sevierville, Says a Local

The ultimate list of restaurants not to miss in Sevierville, TN If you’re planning an upcoming trip to the Smoky Mountains, you should know Sevierville is THE place to go in Sevier County for foodies. I, an area foodie and restaurant reviewer, would know. Below, you will find my ranking of the best restaurants – and some of the most popular

The Ice Cream shops of Pigeon Forge Tennessee

9 Best Places To Get Ice Cream in Pigeon Forge, Ranked

The Best Ice Cream shops in Pigeon Forge, according to a local There was a time – for centuries of human existence – when no one alive had ever tasted ice cream. Seriously. Julius Caesar never knew the joys of a waffle cone. But you? You can get a rocky road cone or a bowl of butter pecan or a bucket of

10 Best Italian Restaurants in Pigeon Forge, From a Local

A local’s guide to the best restaurants Italian Restaurant’s in Pigeon Forge Pigeon Forge menus are chocked to the gills with pasta, pizza, salad and sandwiches – all boasting authentic pasta flavors. But do you want good Italian food in the region? Altruda’s in West Knoxville has some of the best Italian food in East Tennessee. It’s worth the drive if

the sevierville tennessee buc-ees aerial shot

Move Over Sevierville, There’s a Newer, Bigger Buc-ee’s in Town

The Sevierville Buc-ee’s just lost its accolade for being the biggest in the world Well. It was good while it lasted. After roughly 11 months at the top, the Sevierville Buc-ee’s is no longer the largest convenience store in the world. That’s right, there’s a new largest Buc-ee’s in town. Although, I say that as more of an expression as

crab legs

I’ve Eaten at Over 50 Gatlinburg Restaurants, These 7 Are the Best

Smoky Mountain native shares secret of where locals eat in Gatlinburg In East Tennessee, we locals keep the secrets that need keeping. The best trout fishin’ holes? You’d better know somebody. But other secrets we don’t worry so much about. For example, where are the best places to eat in town? Heck, we’ll shout directions to strangers on the highway if we

The Absolute 11 Best Restaurants in Gatlinburg, According to a Local

A local’s guide to the best restaurants in Gatlinburg In essence, Gatlinburg’s economy is built upon a three-legged stool of tourism commerce: Lodging, entertainment and food. And it’s probably not in that order. People come to Gatlinburg to do a lot of things, but eating remains dang near the top of the list. As such, there is a cornucopia of options. Indeed, a plethora

Taco places in Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge

Taco Wars: The Battle for Taco Supremacy in the Smoky Mountains

A New Wave of Taco Restaurants Puts the Classic Mexican Dish on the Frontline of the Smoky Mountain Culinary Scene For decades, the Smoky Mountain dining scene has been dominated by the ubiquitous pancake house, all following a similar mode. Open for breakfast and lunch with menus featuring familiar breakfast favorites and a handful of sandwiches and burgers. The model

In the Mountains Full of Mimics, These Iconic Restaurants Stand Out in the Smokies

Celebrating the Unique Dining Spots in the Smokies Mimicry in the Smokies is king. Success breeds imitation. That’s why everywhere you look, it’s pancake houses and go-kart tracks and mountain coasters as far as the eye can see. But the Smokies isn’t all about imitation. Some folks eye the landscape and decide to carve their own path. When everyone else

Mom and Pop Restaurants in Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, Sevierville

Tired of Chains or High-Concept Restaurants in the Smokies? These ‘Mom and Pop’ Restaurants Are Your Best Bet

While many Smoky Mountain Restaurants are marketed as being a ‘mom and pop,’ these are as authentic as you’ll get As a writer, I sometimes become attached to the literal meaning of words or ideas. You spend your life mulling the minutia of second and third definitions – or fourth or fifth – and you can get a little lost

How To Plan the Perfect Smoky Mountain Picnic

A Local Offers Tips for Creating the Perfect Smoky Mountain Picnic While I appreciate the value of a good walk through the woods or a scenic drive through Cades Cove or along the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail, my favorite thing to do in the mountains is a good family picnic. When I was kid, my stepfather’s family would come