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
Does Dollywood’s All-you-care-to-eat family-style restaurant live up to the hype? I’ve had a standoff-ish relationship with Dollywood’s signature dining experience. Yet, it is ranked by USA Today as a Top 10 theme park restaurant in the country. It’s not because I don’t like it. I get why USA Today ranked it so, though I might quibble slightly. I have a
Breaking down two favorite restaurants that have underwhelmed recently I can’t imagine what it’s like running a restaurant in the Smokies. I know a lot of places have competition and the restaurant business is notoriously hard. But in the Smokies where new competition arrives seemingly weekly and any success is met with a dozen copycats, the work of sustaining excellence,
Famed Michelin Guide gives stamp of approval to restaurants in the region When you think about dining in the Smokies and beyond into the mountains of North Carolina, certain staples spring to mind. You’ve got your pancakes. There’s tons of barbecue. And the number of places selling down home, farm approved fare are too many to count. But upscale dining?
We tried the “Design Your Own” kiosk at Goo Goo Clusters on the parkway and we’d do it again I couldn’t help but think of Willy Wonka.The kids had finished designing their candy bars at the kiosks in the next room and were ready to watch the Goo Goo artist, like a Subway sandwich artist, but with candy – bring