Sevierville Showdown: Chubby’s vs Delauder’s

Two iconic restaurants are minutes apart on Dolly Parton Parkway – which is best?

There is an interesting battle shaping up on the edge of Sevierville. Two iconic Sevier County restaurants are located just minutes apart on Dolly Parton Parkway, competing for your dining dollars. Which one deserves your support?

There has been a fascinating development that is changing the face of the Sevierville dining scene, which is getting to be a little like the Roaring ’20s in Paris, just full of absolute geniuses. You’ve got the Downtown Sevierville Renaissance with Pinchy’s, The Appalachian, Seasons 101, Graze Burgers, and DŌ Scratch Made Pizza Pasta!.

But then, as you head down Dolly Parton Parkway, it’s a lot of chain dining and fast food. Even the nicer places like Aubrey’s and Holston Kitchen are parts of local chains or culinary families. It isn’t until you get to the end of the Parkway, where Chubby’s and Delauder’s are, that you can rediscover culinary artistry at work. 

But this is a relatively new development. For years and years, Delauder’s was a Gatlinburg destination, off the beaten path, where they worked in smoked meat as Monet did with shadow and light. However, landlord issues led the artists at Delauder’s to seek a less stressful location. The BBQ cathedral moved to a small spot – possibly a former gas station? – on the Parkway. It’s not far from Chubby’s Restaurant and, ironically, Chubby’s Deli, which is in a current gas station. 

What is Chubby’s?

Chubby’s is a mom-and-pop operation with a devoted following and two locations, both with a 4.8 rating on Yelp!. Chubby’s Deli – as I said – is located in a gas station a little further down the Parkway towards Newport and is especially known for its breakfast. It also has a much smaller menu. Chubby’s Restaurant is located 4.6 miles from the deli, closer to Sevierville proper and all that means. It is a larger place with significantly more seating than the deli.

What does Chubby’s Restaurant serve?

What do you want? This is a jack-of-all-trades place, perfect when you can’t decide on a specific dining style. 

Is it a down-home place? They serve liver and onions, meatloaf, and the like, so yes. Is it a burger place? Also, yes. They have several kinds of burgers. Could a vegetarian eat here? Sure. They have salads and a variety of sides and apps that are meat, dairy, and egg-free. Could I get a steak? Sure, got a nice 12 oz. ribeye that will do you right. 

What about sandwiches? Lord, yes. They have sandwiches from around the world. There’s the Northern Indiana style Giant Fried Tenderloin as well as a Chicken Cordon Bleu, Philly Cheesesteak, and a Reuben. They even have pulled pork and fried bologna, but hold off on ordering those unless you’re getting the Chubby’s Famous Burger, which is topped with bacon, slow-roasted pork, and BBQ sauce, then I’ll allow it. 

What should I get at Chubby’s?

Really just depends on what you’re in the mood for. I would rather cut off one of my fingers than order liver and onions, but that’s not specific to Chubby’s. And, if you want a BBQ or a bologna sandwich, you should probably just go to Delauder’s and get it there. But everything else is fair game. 

What is Delauder’s?

Located a third of a mile up and across the Parkway, Delauder’s is a high cathedral dedicated to the art of smoking meat. It has been recognized as one of the best BBQ places in the country by Yelp! and Travel + Leisure, and ranked No. 7 for its brisket. 

What does Delauder’s serve?

Smoked meat. Excellent, delicious, wonderful, and fantastic smoked meat. Is it a down-home place? No. It is a BBQ place. Is it a burger place? No. It is a BBQ Place. Do they have salads? Technically, they have lettuce, tomato, and a couple of other salad staples, so maybe you could talk them into it. 

Could a vegetarian eat here? Yes, if they don’t include smoked meat in the things they eat, or if they are willing to partake only in sides. You could have a potato and collards, or something like that. Delauder’s HAS vegetables, but Delauder’s does not exist to serve vegetables. They will welcome vegetarians in and happily serve them whatever vegetables they have on hand. However, vegetarians who choose to eat at BBQ places like Delauder’s should probably take a hard look at their life choices. 

Do they have sandwiches? Oh, sure, but most of them are either pulled pork or have pulled pork. The Slaw Dawg? Topped with pulled pork, slaw, and a sweet jalapeno mustard.

What should I get at Delauder’s?

I mean, really, go crazy. All of the sandwiches are good – I’m big on the Holy Bologna – a grilled piece of bologna topped with pulled pork, onions, pickles, nacho cheese, sweet jalapeño mustard, and BBQ sauce. But the Sneaky Pig – pulled pork with Sweet Habanero sauce, lettuce, and onion is more popular.

The honest answer is one of the smoked meat platters, really, get in there. The pulled pork is nationally recognized, as is the brisket. But the smoked sausage, pulled chicken, chicken breast, and pork bellies are wonderful, too. I say go with the five-meat sample platter, but factor in what you’ve got planned for the rest of the day. Or consider sharing. The ‘itis is real, y’all. 

Which one should I choose?

First, let me say this. Choose them both. Drive past the fast-food places along the parkway and support local mom-and-pop shops doing magnificent work. Do you really need to go to Carver’s again? Or the A&W, KFC, or any other place where you’ll get a decent but forgettable meal. Support Aubrey’s. Support Holston’s. Sure, they are larger operations, but they are somewhat local. But, seriously, if you’re dining on the parkway, take the little bit of extra distance and try something truly local and wonderful. 

Delauder’s is at a 4.7 on Yelp! and that’s low. Chubby’s is a 4.8. Both are unique, local dining experiences that will create memories.

When choosing between the two, you’re choosing between two styles. Delauder’s is fairly specific, but there’s something to be said for supporting a genius at work. You will be rewarded with a genuinely great meal, and you can tell the folks back home you had some of the nation’s best BBQ. Chubby’s is both a terrific value and a good destination for when everyone can’t decide on a single place. Or, I suppose, when you have a vegetarian in your group. 

Chubby’s Restaurant is located at 1386 Dolly Parton Parkway in Sevierville, and Delauder’s is now at 1305 Dolly Parton Parkway in Sevierville. Do you have a preference between the two restaurants? Let us know in the comments and on the socials!