It has long been said that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. So, visitors to Gatlinburg have plenty of options to be sure they get their days started in the right direction.
For starters, there’s Crocketts Breakfast Camp. Named for David C. “Crockett” Maples, an horiginal frontiersman, honored soldier and devoted family man, this favorite spot pledges to deliver quality food and service to everyone who visits. Known for serving the best home-cooked breakfast in the Smoky Mountains, their food and service stand to honor a true American hero who made his mark in the mountains over 150 years ago. And when you visit Log Cabin Pancake House, you take a nostalgic step back in time to when life was simpler, meals were hearty and the people were friendly and sincere in their willingness to be helpful to those they met. Be sure to save room for the biscuits and gravy.
Since 1960, when the Pancake Pantry became Tennessee’s first pancake house, visitors to Gatlinburg have made dining there a tradition. What keeps them coming back? It’s the real butter, the honest-to-goodness fresh whipped cream and everything made from scratch. And it’s also the warm atmosphere of century-old brick, rich oak and rustic copper. Atrium Pancakes is a long-time Gatlinburg favorite which has been featured in Taste of Home Magazine. They offer 25 varieties of pancakes, as well as Belgian waffles and homemade syrup. Bring a hearty appetite for the Happy Hiker Breakfast or the Two X Four. If you just want to grab a breakfast biscuit or sandwich, you can pick up a passel of them at Old Dad’s General Store. And then there’s Little House of Pancakes, a low-key daytime joint serving up ample portions of American breakfast and lunch classics.
At the other end of the day – and equally steeped in American tradition – is the thrill of the grill. And Gatlinburg is chock-full of spots to satisfy your inner carnivore.
Cherokee Grill presents an upscale mountain lodge atmosphere with an exterior built with stone and brick, and an interior accented with granite and walnut. Featuring fresh fish and seafood, rotisserie chicken and a tempting assortment of appetizers, sandwiches and salads – and, of course, great steaks! Crystelle Creek Restaurant and Grill is one of the most unique Smoky Mountain restaurants, offering something for everyone; including families, groups, children or a romantic dinner for two. They serve up serve some of Gatlinburg’s finest trout, steaks, seafood, ribs, chicken, catfish, seafood and signature Italian dishes, as well as great appetizers, soups, salads, burgers and sandwiches, ribs, BBQ, daily chef specials and homemade desserts. The Peddler Steakhouse promises to serve great food – wholesome, flavorful dishes, fresh salad bar and naturally aged, never frozen steaks grilled over real Tennessee hickory charcoal that guests from all over the world enjoy time and time again.
The Downtown Grill & Chili Co. keeps it simple, with a concise menu featuring half-pound burgers, hot dogs, chili and combinations thereof. The 4-Way Chili with Spaghetti will definitely fill you up! And it’s no mystery why Bennett’s Bar-B-Que meals are so moist, tender and packed full of flavor. First, their pork ribs, chicken, chopped pork and beef briskets are basted in their own special sauce, then they’re set over smoldering hickory wood and smoked for up to 14 hours! The heat and sauce penetrate deep into every layer of meat, turning it a perfect pinkish color while enriching every juicy mouthful with rich, smoky flavor.
Finally, to cap things off, Gatlinburg’s offerings are sure to give your sweet tooth something to sing about. Stop by Mountaineer Kandy Kitchen for some of the best taffy in Gatlinburg, not to mention chocolate-covered Gummi Bears. Fudge Shoppe of the Smokies offers a dozen different flavors of the decadent dessert, while CarmelCorn presents a variety of popcorn snacks, along with nuts, fudge and more.
Is your mouth watering for a trip to Gatlinburg – or any of our other 40+ delicious destinations? Then drop us a line at [email protected] and get ready to dig in!