We didn’t set out to go to Tennessee Jed’s Craft Sandwiches for a late lunch on our latest Gatlinburg trip. As we walked around Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies, we discussed our dining options. The Pancake Pantry was mentioned as was the Hofbrauhaus Restaurant in The Village.
And then – because I can never resist the siren song of a great sandwich – we settled on Tennessee Jed’s. And it was nice because I spent the rest of the time in the aquarium with one of my favorite songs running through my head, including – possibly – my favorite couplet in rock history.
“I dropped four flights and cracked my spine. Honey come quick with the iodine.”
And then the world’s greatest chorus penned by Robert Hunter.
“Tennessee, Tennessee. There ain’t no place I’d rather be.”
Where is Tennessee Jed’s?
Located in Baskin Square right in the heart of Downtown Gatlinburg at 631 Parkway, Jed’s is a breakfast, coffee and craft sandwich joint that offers some of the best eating that Gatlinburg has to offer. The hours are from 8:30 am to 3:30 pm each day. Tennessee Jed’s briefly had two locations, but the second is no longer open, according to staff.
While we ate, the music was soft reggae, but it still fits with the overall vibe of the place. The menu is on a giant, colorful chalkboard as you walk in and there aren’t more than two dozen seats available inside the place. I wouldn’t say it’s a great atmosphere, but it’s chill. And all in all, it was a wonderful experience.
What is on the breakfast menu?
Coffee. Beautiful, fresh-brewed coffee. The breakfast sandwiches – The Deluxe Bacon and sausage, ham or turkey with egg and cheese – are pretty basic American breakfast staples. However, when you know how to cook them – and they do at Tennessee Jed’s – those staples transcend to a higher plane.
They also have breakfast croissants as well as blueberry muffins that are perfect with coffee. Homemade desserts are made fresh, so be sure to ask what is on the menu that day.
Also offered is a breakfast Ham & Swiss and a Hashbrown Casserole.
Sounds good. What’s for lunch?
I went with the Cubano, which has pulled Cuban pork, Virginia ham, Swiss cheese, pickles and mustard on a toasted bun. It’s a classically great sandwich. The pulled pork was done perfectly.
Other lunch sandwiches include a classic BLT, a Hot Ham-N-Swiss, Spicy Tofu and a Smoked Chicken Salad.
Articles Related to Tennessee Jed’s Gatlinburg
- Jed’s for lunch – These Are the 10 Best Lunch Spots in Gatlinburg Says a Local
- These 7 Hole-in-the-Wall Restaurants Are the Best in Gatlinburg – Read more here!
- Check it out – I’ve Eaten at 100s of Meals in Gatlinburg, These Are the 3 Best and Worst
- The Art of the Sandwich in the Smokies – Jed’s Reuben made the cut!
- Tired of Chains or High-Concept Restaurants in the Smokies? These ‘Mom and Pop’ Restaurants Are Your Best Bet – Try them next visit!
What’s the best thing to order?
I believe the Rueben to be the best sandwich on the menu. It’s a fact confirmed by the staff when a lady came in to pick up her order and received compliments on her exquisite choice. I’m a Rueben guy, braised corn beef, Swiss cheese, kraut and Thousand Island dressing on toasted marble rye. It’s a work of art.
I was tempted by the BLT. But the Smoked Chicken Salad that each sounds inviting. The Ham-N-Swiss sounds simple, but when it’s perfectly prepared, it is delicious. I’ve never had the Spicy Tofu, but it is available as a vegetarian option.
The menu also has a variety of hot dogs. My wife has had the Classic Chili Dog and I’ve had the Kraut Dog in the past. Important note, these are Nathan’s all-beef dogs. Great for any occasion unless your son is allergic to beef – which mine is. I do wish they had a pork variety available, but alas, most restaurants only do the all-beef.
My teenager, Sofia, ordered the Chef’s Salad with turkey and her choice of dressing. She said it was great.
The kid’s menu includes an expertly made Grilled Cheese – which if you’ve watched the Jon Favreau movie “Chef” you know is quite a thing. There are also kid’s dogs and a BBQ sandwich.
My son, who has multiple food allergies that cause him to break out in hives and a very cautious palette, struggled to find something he’d eat on the menu. So we stopped by the snack stand at the aquarium and let him eat before we headed to our late lunch. He is picky, which may be a defense mechanism.
What else can you get on Tennessee Jed’s menu?
You can also get a Classic Frito Pie, which I grew up calling a Grand Slam. Basically, it’s chili over Fritos. It’s fantastic.
They have seasonal soups – when we were there it was tomato bisque. Other side options include fresh fruit, slaw and baked beans.
Tennessee Jed’s roasts all of its meats daily and makes those meats available by the pound. Prices may vary, so be sure to ask about the options.
Look, there are a lot of great places to eat in Gatlinburg. In fact, I could throw a football from Tennessee Jed’s balcony and hit a couple of them. But Jed’s stands out from the crowd. For what they do, they’re among the best restaurants around.
I know you don’t want a sandwich or a hot dog every meal. But when you do, I don’t think you’ll find a better place in Gatlinburg than Tennessee Jed’s. Honestly? There ain’t no place I’d rather be.
Have you eaten at Tennessee Jed’s? What did you think? Let us know in the comments and on the socials!