Gatlinburg, TN

We've got our lovely secluded cabin with a mountain view. We were planning on taking a big cooler full of our own food, and doing most of the cooking ourselves. I've seen a couple of great suggestions, and we will definitely be checking them out.

My wife and I were in Gatlinburg a few months ago. We ate at the Bear Creek Grill one night. Very nice New York-style Italian. Their Web site is http://www.bearcreekgrill.com. I had just come back from a trip to New York and Bear Creek's pizza was a pretty good rendition of what I had up there.
I ate more pancakes during that trip than I'd eaten in 10 years. As someone noted, though, both Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge are starting to be overrun by chains.

We'd planned on avoiding the chains. Why get a Big Mac at McDonald's there, when I can get one at home?

Here is a list of my favorite places to eat in the Smokies. I hope it helps.

The Peddler – Great Steaks (call ahead for reserved seating – ask for creek side table). Nice atmosphere. Your comfortable dressed up or casual here.

http://www.peddlergatlinburg.com/

Pancake Pantry – Pancake and sandwich shop

http://www.pancakepantry.com

Old Mill – Country Cooking

http://www.oldmillsquare.com/restaurant.htm

Applebarn – Country cooking

http://www.applewoodfarmhouserestaurant.com/home.html

Log Cabin Pancake house – many locations throughout the strip.

Smoky Mountain Brewing company: I enjoy the brew here as well as the ribs and wings

http://www.smoky-mtn-brewery.com/

Connors - More like a chain but I enjoy the food and the atmosphere

http://www.thechophouse.com/connors_index.html

Thank you so much for the suggestions! Can't wait to try them out!

At the Peddler, if you eat at the bar area you have a great river view, and it's first-come-first-served . . . in other words, if you don't have a reservation and don't relish waiting, it's a good option. Also, across the main drag from the Peddler is it's sister restaurant (identical menu, larger, not as charming) (can't remember its name)