Gatlinburg Restaurant Tips by Stephen-KarenConn Top 5 Page for this destination

The Park Grill: Dine in a Grand Old Park Lodge Type Setting

When we first entered The Park Grill I had visions of being at Yellowstone Lodge in Wyoming. This place is much smaller, but still has the same look, with massive wooden log beams forming a rustic cathedral. A beautiful mural, in three parts - separated by the beams - depicts historic Gatlinburg and the Great Smoky Mountains. For that "National Park" feel you will definitely want to enjoy dinner one evening at The Park Grill. The restaurant is open daily for dinner only, beginning at 5 p.m.

Favorite Dish: We enjoyed a Smoky Mountain specialty: "Abram's Creek Rainbow Trout," pan fried with lemon butter caper sauce - grilled over old hickory charcoal - served with lightly seasoned rice.

Comparison: more expensive than average

Directions: On the Parkway, a few doors from the National Park entrance, between lights #9 and #10.

Phone: 865-436-2300

Price: US$21-30

Rating: 5

Theme: American

Website: http://www.parkgrillgatlinburg.com

Calhouns of Gatlinburg: "Best Ribs in America"

Calhouns of Gatlinburg is one of seven Calhouns restaurants in the area, headquartered in Knoxville, TN. We enjoy the ambiance of this restaurant with a big mill wheel at the entrance and large tree shaded windows in the dining room looking out over the Parkway. Both the food and service are consistently very good.

Favorite Dish: Calhouns is famous for their barbecue ribs. In 1984, at a national cook-off in Cleveland, Ohio, Calhoun's ribs were proclaimed the "Best Ribs in America." However, on our most recent visit to Calhouns we had just come off a trail in the Smokies that led beside a rushing, cold, clear trout stream, and we celebrated the end of our seven mile hike by ordering the fresh rainbow trout. It was exceptionally good, with creamy cole slaw and a loaded baked potatoe. I was so dehydrated from our hike that I washed it down with four huge glasses of freshly brewed iced tea - satisfying and refreshing.

Address: 1004 Parkway, Gatlinburg, TN

Comparison: about average

Directions: Near traffic light # 10.

Phone: 865-436-4100

Price: US$11-20

Rating: 4

Theme: American

Website: http://www.calhouns.com

Applewood Farmhouse Restaurant: Authentic Southern Mountain Cooking

On a trip to Gatlinburg in the early spring of 2004, I was surprised to learn that the Burning Bush Restaurant, one of our favorites, was no more. The Burning Bush had been a Gatlinburg landmark since 1975, but as of March 1, it has been changed into Applewood Farmhouse Restaurant. As much as we hated to see the Burning Bush go, we are just as pleased that the Applewood Farmhouse Restaurant, a new Sevierville based franchise, has come to Gatlinburg. The Applewood has also long been one of our favorites, and we have raved about their original Sevierville restaurant in our tips for that neighboring town of Gatlinburg.

One of the things we like most about this Gatlinburg location is that the dining room has large windows which are literally only inches from the boundary to the Great Smokies. Enjoying a meal here can be a visual as well as a gastronomic delight.

Favorite Dish: The Applewood Farmhouse Restaurant is famous for its true southern style mountain cooking. For me, there's none better in the world. Their meals are served in bowls and platters, family style, and their fried chicken is some of the best to be found anywhere.Also, we wouldn't even think of coming here without indulging in a couple of their melt-in-your-mouth apple fritters.

Address: 1151 Parkway, Gatlinburg, TN 37738

Comparison: about average

Directions: On the Parkway, the last building on your right before entering the Great Smoky Mounatins National Park.

Phone: 865-436-4669

Price: US$11-20

Rating: 5

Theme: American

Website: http://www.stokelyhospitality.com/details2.html