Off the beaten path dining in the Mountains: Holston’s Kitchen

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 box, even though that’s probably what it is? I guess Holston’s just looks like a comfortable place to dine, especially the Sevierville location with its outdoor seating.

You want to know what Holston’s serves? It’s right there on the front of the building. Steaks * Chops * Burgers * Pastas * Salads. Typical American restaurant fare for a typical American Restaurant. But is Holston’s worth it? Read a little further and find out.

What is Holston’s Kitchen?

It is a member of the KBS Family of Restaurants that includes the iconic, excellent Greenbrier and the bafflingly bland No Way Jose’s Cantina. I didn’t rate it particularly high on the KBS ratings. However, a lot of that is preference for the restaurants at the top of that listing.

In addition to the building, Holston’s location is often handy for certain situations. For instance, if you’re staying on the Sevierville side of the Smokies and don’t want to battle Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge traffic. Holston’s is part of a growing restaurant scene along Dolly Parton Parkway and in Sevierville in particular.

Holston’s has two locations. The one in Sevierville on 639 Dolly Parton Parkway has a more robust app, salad, and entrée menu. But the location in Morristown, at 1836 W Andrew Johnson Hwy, has a lot more sandwiches, burgers, and wings to choose from. The Morristown location launched as a dual concept restaurant. One half is Holston’s, while the other is a No Way Jose’s. The two restaurants briefly shared a kitchen, but No Way Jose’s didn’t last particularly long while Holston’s soldiers on. 

The themes of both locations’ menus are decidedly American-style dining, drawing on a variety of cultures. I don’t think you’d find anything overly unique on either menu, with the exception of the Tavern Peppers appetizer in Sevierville. While Tavern Peppers are typical pub fare, especially in the Northeast, these are stuffed with sausage, marinara, and cheese. 

Both locations offer a variety of salads. But Sevierville offers several styles, many of which feature fruit, salmon, or the like. I’m surprised the Cobb salad is only available in Morristown – as are the Creek Sliders App – but maybe they figure the Sevierville location has enough.

The Sevierville location has a couple of burgers and sandwiches – called Sammies – as well as grilled flatbreads, but you’re really going to want to dive into the entrees. Speaking of which…

What should I order at Holston’s?

Holston’s has a nice variety of steaks, seafood, and more. The Pork Chop is a Gullion family favorite. Other entrees run the gamut from Shepard’s pie to Gemelli Bolognese to Hawaiian Chicken to Country-fried steak. Holston’s a nice place to target if the members of your party can’t agree on a single culinary style. 

I personally stay away from the Fajitas. But that has more to do with the whole No Way Jose’s of it all. I can’t really recommend or not recommend Holston’s version, since I’ve never been brave enough to order it. 

The platters in Sevierville, however, are a strong option. There are a couple of ribs platters, a BBQ platter, and a Fisherman’s platter, all of which represent good value. 

Ultimately, the nicest thing about Holston’s – other than the exceptionally well-designed building aesthetic – is the variety. So, I would lean into that in ordering. Try a little bit of everything for yourself. 

On the one hand, while I think it’s nice that the two locations have such distinct menus, it’s kind of a bummer when you go to one, and something you wanted is not offered. As mentioned before, I really like the Creek Sliders – grilled steak with onions and bleu cheese – in Morristown. You can’t get them in Sevierville.

Is Holston’s worth it?

Yes. The term I use for Holston’s and restaurants like it is aggressively fine. Unless your expectations are set too high, you’re going to visit Holston’s and have an enjoyably good meal. You’re less likely to have to battle traffic and crowds – not that you won’t find a wait in the busy season. Holston’s does a good job with a variety of flavors and can deliver an acceptable experience across a range of cooking styles. Or you could take the easy path and get a steak. 

The Holston’s experience is well-designed as part of a tourist town that doesn’t really have a signature dining style. There are several places along Dolly Parton Parkway where you can spend your dining dollars, and Holston’s is worthy of your consideration. 

Do you enjoy dining at Holston’s Kitchen? Did you know there is a location in Morristown? Let us know in the comments and on the socials!