Relax a Little at This Mountain Restaurant

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 south of Knoxville, there’s a certain point – somewhere around Athens – that Chattanooga’s pull is stronger. In the Northern part of East Tennessee – north of Greeneville – it pulls you towards the Tri-Cities. 

Proximity and familiarity will breed habits, patterns, and even traditions. We live about the same distance to the Smokies as we do to the Cumberland Gap National Park. Specifically, near Townsend and Cades Cove, where I grew up. But over the years, we’ve carved out more pathways to the Smokies than to the Gap. Why? Habit, I suppose, more than anything. Also, in fairness, there’s more to do in Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge and Sevierville than in Harrogate and Middlesboro, Kentucky.

We often overlook the natural wonders to our Northwest in favor of the ones to the East 

But in doing so, we miss too many new experiences in favor of familiar ones. I ruminated on that a little the other day as I set on the deck of the Rustic River Restaurant. It’s located under a steep ridge along a deep bend in the Powell River as it approaches the end of its journey at the Norris Reservoir. I’m a little ashamed to admit that I wasn’t up that way for leisure. We’d had some business up near Corbin, Kentucky and the best way is travelling North on Highway 25. 

As we came back, my stepdad pointed to the big white sign – located at a turnoff between Harrogate and Tazewell. He suggested we grab a late lunch. It’s the kind of sign you pass dozens of times in your life. And – unless you’re bitten by a touch of curiosity – you never stop and explore it. 

It’s not far off the beaten path – somehow the traffic of the big highway fades quickly. A couple of curves on Pine Hill Road, past the remnants of an old bridge or dam on Carmony Lane and then left onto a drive – it would be generous to call it a gravel drive. But that’s where the twin businesses of Rustic River Kayak & Tube Rentals and the Rustic River Restaurant sit. Don’t be dissuaded by the antique truck at the front bearing the mark of the restaurant’s previous name – Shelly Belle’s, as many of the locals still call it – the restaurant is at the end of the lane. 

I thought about the nature of life in East Tennessee as we sat on the enclosed-for-the-season eating area. There was a college football game playing out behind us on one of the restaurant’s large TVs. This one was in a seating area with a bar and couches and gas fire pit. The pit was throwing off more than enough heat to beat back the chill that had arrived in the shadow of the ridge. 

The tourist stuff is fun. We love it, too. The go karts and the mini-golf and all the neon of Pigeon Forge and the tradition of Gatlinburg. But, when I vacation, I make it a point to try and experience some of the local life. As I sat there by the river, I wondered if I should be doing a better job of seeking it out around here, too.

About the Rustic River Restaurant

We arrived in the middle of November with the color drained from the ridge and the mountains presenting themselves in varying shades of brown. I would have called the river languid – which probably isn’t great for the tubing and kayaking business. But a shallow patch just before the restaurant revealed the muddy water was moving at a surprisingly quick pace. 

I don’t know much about their kayaking and tubing business. However, judging by the number of kayaks, vans and other requirements for such work, they must do a pretty steady business when the weather is a little more accommodating. 

The restaurant’s exterior is nothing special, but the location is pretty spectacular. I imagine when the weather is fine and the leaves are green, that it is a pretty amazing spot. Inside, it’s a typical rustic-themed, riverside restaurant. There’s a very nice bar area, but I think if I were there to do a little drinking and watch the big game, I’d prefer the couches out near the fire pit.

What about the food?

The menu also isn’t anything out of the ordinary. It’s burgers, pizza, sandwiches, BBQ, and a handful of entrees, including some seafood dishes. But the quality is very good. I’ll say I loved the breading style on the fried green tomatoes and fried mushrooms. I also got good reports on the fried catfish. I went with one of the Stuffed Spuds – cheese and broccoli – and it was very good. The rest of our party tried a Chicken Bacon Ranch Wrap and the grilled shrimp, both of which received positive responses. 

I’ve heard good things about the burgers – the Summer Popper Burger with cream cheese, bacon and jalapeno strawberry jam – is in my future. And the BBQ, which I will eventually also try. I did hear the pizza is only so-so, maybe put that one on the back burner. 

I will say the prices are quite affordable. They were running a special featuring barbecue, shrimp and a third item – I think the chicken, but I didn’t write it down – for $22. That is pretty close to a steal. 

I didn’t try the drinks but only because I was driving. There was a lady who came in by herself, sat one the couches by the fire pit and ordered some kind of moonshine – I couldn’t eavesdrop the details. But I thought there are a lot worse ways to spend an afternoon than sitting on a comfy couch next to that fire, with a beverage and an app and watching some football, even if it was Texas and Arkansas.  

Should I go to the Rustic River Restaurant?

Yeah, especially if you’re a frequent visitor to the Smokies looking for a new – or maybe more authentic – experience. Look, the food was good – very good. But if you’re staying in Pigeon Forge or Gatlinburg or the Smokies, there’s not a lot of reason to drive past a couple of dozen perfectly fine restaurants to come to this one unless you’re making a day of it. 

What I would do is to drive up 25E, stopping at the scenic Veterans’ Overlook at the top of Clinch Mountain, where the views are breathtaking. I’d go up the Cumberland Gap in the morning and spend the day seeing some of the amazing things that park has to offer. There, you can stand in three states at once!

Maybe swing by Lincoln Memorial University’s surprisingly beautiful campus. You can visit the Lincoln Library and Museum and then stop at the Rustic River Restaurant for a late lunch/early supper. Have a drink or two and soak in some river vibes. You can then make your way back to the Smokies for more regular touristy stuff the next day. 

If there were a major sporting event that evening, like a Vol football game, the Super Bowl, or maybe even the NCAA tournament, I might even stay a little longer. Live and act the life of a local for a while. 

Have you ventured into the Cumberland Gap or Tazewell area? Let us know in the comments and on the socials!