Cheese Cupboard & Hofbrauhaus Restaurant

Hungry for a good reuben? Do not hesitate anymore and visit the Cheese Cupboard and Hofbrauhaus Restaurant in Gatlinburg. The Cheese Cupboard is on the bottom floor of the building and has several different kinds of imported and domestic cheese. Upstairs, however, the building houses the Hofbrauhaus Restaurant, a small restaurant that holds about six small tables. The Restaurant offers a little something for everyone with a menu including reuben sandwiches as well as brats and pretzels and everything is reasonably priced. To see a full menu and learn more about the Cheese Cupboard and Hofbrauhaus Restaurant, visit here http://thegreatsmokeymountainsparkway.com/_rest/gdhofbra.htm

Winter Magic Cook-Off and Chili Cook-Off

Warm, mouth-watering chili during the cool fall: What could be better? On November 4 from 5 to 8 pm on River Road and Ripley’s Aqarium, Gatlinburg will be hosting the 20th Winter Magic Cook Off and Chili Cook Off. The event is highlighted by the LED Gatlinburg Winter Magic lights program and live entertainment. Over 20 vendors gather and serve up kettles of chili for everyone to sample. After sampling, the visitors will vote for the best chili and the winner will be awarded the People’s Choice Award. In addition to visitors voting, the judges will vote and award first place for Best Taste, Booth Presentation, Apron Design, and Most Unique Chili Name. For more information, click here.

Apple Valley Farms

 

Apple Valley Farms makes you believe that comfort food is the way to go. Indulge in some thirst quenching apple cider, or warm yourself up with homemade apple pie. There is something for everyone in the quilt shop and country store, sure to please any sort of taste. Make this experience extraordinary with their unique gifts, crafts and assortment of the Smoky Mountain’s great southern cooking– a stray away from the typical tourist location. The next time you are traveling through Townsend and Pigeon Forge, stop into Apple Valley Farms to experience the laid-back family atmosphere.

 

For directions, menus and other information, visit http://www.tnvacation.com/vendors/apple_valley_farms_country_stores_and_cafe/

McClaran’s Restaurant

McClaran’s restaurant and bar prides itself on being a new and unique neighborhood hangout.   They provide a wide variety of food options with southern touches.  Some of their menu options are Irish Nachos, Greek Salad, Meat Lovers Pizza, Half-Pound Home-Made Burger, Italian Sub, Soon-To-Be-Famous Wet Burrito, Baked Ziti, and McClaren’s Cookie Dough Pizza ala Mode. Their happy hour is every day from 4-7, and they offer $3 draft beers, frozen margaritas and well drinks.  McClaran’s is owned and operated locally and invites people to come have a fun and relaxing time while in Sevierville.  McClaran’s is located at 737-4 Dolly Parton Parkway, Sevierville, TN 37862 and can be reached at (865)429-9889.

Chili Recipes

Below are two great Tennessee Chili Recipes that would please even the pickiest eaters.

Tennessee Pride Chili

1 lb. Tennessee Pride Country sausage
1 lb. ground beef
1 med. onion, chopped
1 clove garlic, minced
1 med. green pepper, chopped
1 (28 oz.) can whole tomatoes, undrained
2 (16 oz.) cans red kidney beans
1 tbsp. chili powder
2 tsp. ground cumin
1/2 tsp. salt
1 c. water

Saute sausage and ground beef, onion, green pepper and garlic until browned; drain excess grease. Stir in remaining ingredients. Break tomatoes with back of wooden spoon. Cover and simmer 1 to 1 1/2 hours.

**Cooks.com

Tennessee White chili

1 tablespoon corn oil
1 onion, chopped
1 clove garlic, minced
1 1/2 lb, or more, ground turkey or chicken
1 tsp. ground cumin
1 tsp. ground coriander
1 15oz can garbanzo beans
1 15oz can white (navy) beans
1 15 oz can white corn
2 cans chicken broth
salt & pepper to taste
2 cans (4 oz) chopped green chilies
1 cup shredded Jack cheese
Salsa

Heat oil in Dutch oven. Add chopped onion, garlic and ground meat. Cook until meat is no longer pink; don’t brown. Add all the rest of the ingredients; cook over low heat 30-45 minutes. Top with cheese and salsa.

**Smoky Mountain Cookbook

Taste of Autumn

For over a decade, Gatlinburg has hosted the Taste of Autumn festival, where visitors can taste the best that over 20 Gatlinburg eateries can whip up. The festival gives visitors the opportunity to pay a little to try a dish they may not be willing to try full price for. Hard Rock Café, Damon’s Grill, Cherokee Grill, and Smoky Mountain Brewery will all be present to tempt your taste buds. Admission is only $25.00. There are two different lots offering free parking and you can also participate in an auction to bid on trips and paintings from local artists. All benefits go to the United Way. The event takes place on Thursday, September 24.

The Apple Barn

If you ever get a craving for homemade apple butter or country home décor, stop by the Apple Barn to satisfy your needs. With two locations, Sevierville and Nashville at Opry Mills, The Apple Barn provides customers with homemade country delights and tours of the barn and cider room. Although it started as a small family owned farm, the Apple Barn now has over 4,000 trees and a cider room where you can watch the apples being pressed into delicious cider. The Apple Barn also includes the original Applewood Farmhouse Restaurant, the Applewood Farmhouse Grill, and the Apple Barn Winery. To set up a tour, call 800-421-4606 or visit their website at http://www.applebarncidermill.com/about_us.cfm.

Best Italian Restaurants

 

Click here to read an article from someone who thought they would not find good Italian food in the South, but found it in Gatlinburg!  

Wild Plum Tea Room

A favorite among locals and visitors, the Wild Plum Tea Room in Gatlinburg, Tenn. serves up delicate lunches in a charming atmosphere. This lovely tea room has items on its menu that includes house salads, specialty sandwiches, wild plum muffins, wild plum tea and delectable desserts such as hummingbird cake, brownie delight and coconut cheese cake. A gift shop is also on site that overlooks the dining area. The Wild Plum Tea Room is located at 555 Buckhorn Rd., Gatlinburg, TN 37738 and can be reached at (865) 436-3808.

Restaurant at Buckberry Creek Lodge

Relax and take a break atop the Smoky Mountains while enjoying your dining and visual experience at The Lodge at Buckberry Creek. The view sits nestled in the hills overlooking a fabulous view of Mount Leconte. This fine dining atmosphere will not only please your stomach, but also satisfy your need for breath-taking views in the heart of the Smoky Mountains. Indulge in their delicious four-course meal selected daily by the chef. The Lodge takes reservations daily and also does private events.