Apple Barn Restaurant - Chicken Strip Dinner - Gatlinburg

Apple Barn Chicken Strip Dinner

Right to the main course this time. The Apple Barn restaurant was a favorite place of mine in Pigeon Forge. Imagine my delight when they opened one right on the strip in Gatlinburg. It looks exactly the same outside and inside of the original restaurant. And the food and service, yes, just the same. Excellent.

As you can see, I ordered the fried chicken planks with all the fixins. The chicken was golden brown and tasted excellent. An ample portion was served. You were not going away hungry from this restaurant.

Also with the main course was a baked potato with real butter, a bowl of macaroni and cheese, which was creamy and delicious, and a hot fresh roll with butter.

Apple Barn Menu

Of course, this is the menu, which was clean and easy to read. I hate receiving a menu that has dirt or crud on it. It makes me suspect the food they are preparing in the kitchen. If the menu is dirty, more than likely so is the food.

Apple Barn Apple Fritters

Brought out first were the apple fritters and juice along with several rolls with jelly and butter. Not wanting to fill up before the main course, I only had one.

Apple Barn Chicken Noodle Soup

Although the picture is a little out of focus, the chicken noodle soup was right on. It tasted like home made, with big noodles and chunks of chicken and carrots in a thick broth all steaming hot. A cold, crisp coke completed the meal.

Over all, the waitress was very friendly, helpful, and professional. We were seated quite quickly, and on a busy evening, that doesn't happen all the time. The cost was very reasonable, about 15 dollars before tip.

The Grassy Knoll Institute awards 4.5 out of 5 shots to the Apple Barn restaurant and recommends eating lunch and dinner there.

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Maxwell's Restaurant - Grilled Chicken

Maxwells Of Gatlinburg

Maxwell's Restaurant is located right on the Parkway in Gatlinburg, Tennessee. Being in the mood for something different to eat, we ventured in and were greeted by a huge fish tank with apparently our dinner swimming inside. We were met by the hostess and seated right away. (Not a good sign on a busy week during the Smoky Mountain trade show in Gatlinburg) Our waitress took our drink order, (Diet Coke) and then our dinner order which was the grilled chicken in a lemon sauce.

Potato Soup

Instead of the salad, I opted for the soup, which was a wise choice for it was potato soup. A huge assortment of bread was brought to our table with plenty of butter. The potato soup was exquisite, the best potato soup I have ever had. Big chunks of potato, carrots, celery, a hint of bacon, onion, and a very steamy broth that made my mouth water. The bread I passed on.

Grilled Chicken

The main dish came out minutes after our soup and salads were done. The chicken was plentiful, cooked just right, and several added lemon slices were on hand just in case more was needed. A steaming hot baked potato in butter completed the meal.

The chicken tasted great. (It tasted just like chicken!) Very tender, juicy, and just spicy enough. As baked potatoes go, this one was very good.

The cost was just under $30 not including tip.

The Grassy Knoll Diner awards 4.25 out of 5 shots to Maxwell's Restaurant in Gatlinburg and recommends them for dinner.

Addendum: 10/24/2011: Sadly, Maxwell's restaurant has closed. The reason is not known. The sign is still up but no new restaurant seems to be going in anytime soon.

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1. 
   

   Contessa Confessa said

   March 5, 2008 at 11:12 pm e
   I just love a man that delivers… *wink*
   Reply
2. 
   

   LOTGK said

   March 5, 2008 at 11:40 pm e
   There’s plenty more where that came from.
   I was at Stack, Kokomo’s, California pizza, and Carnegie Deli twice this trip. But I’m lazy, it will take a little while to get them posted.
   Reply
3. 
   

   Eddy said

   March 6, 2008 at 1:36 am e
   I thought you were in Las Vegas. or are you behing again.
   Reply
4. 
   

   Jungljim69 said

   March 6, 2008 at 7:25 am e
   You know what gets me LOTGK? You and I both travel extensively. When I look at the meal listed above and add up the cost of the ingredients, (.60 potato, .30 diet coke, 1.00 potato soup and MAYBE .99 worth of chicken and they have the nerve to charge 30.00 for it. I can see maybe charging 10.00. BASTARDS!
   Reply
5. 
   

   LOTGK said

   March 7, 2008 at 12:19 am e
   Excellent point Jim.
   I always wondered the same at the service garage for my car. You can buy the part needed to repair the car for 10 bucks, but then have to pay a mechanic 150 dollars to install it.
   I guess the same goes with restaurants.
   You pay the cook 30 dollars to cook it.
   Plus tip….
   All of them bastards.
   Reply
6. 
   

   Scott said

   April 6, 2009 at 3:47 pm e
   My wife and I try to always get to Maxwell’s every time we are in Gatlinburg. I have always been happy with the quality of the service and the food. Given that it is a local restaurant we weren’t expecting a lot the first time we went in and honestly only did so because it was open later than most other places.
   The trout is good and the beef loin, excellent. The bananas foster is a kick but it’s definitely a dessert for two or more. I agree they are overpriced (what isn’t in Gatlinburg?) but for a couple’s night out I am willing to splurge a little.
   I recently tried getting to their website but the one I found had expired, I went to a to get the phone number to make sure they were still open for business.
   Reply
7. 
   

Aunt Mahalia' s Caramel Apple - Gatlinburg

Aunt Mahalia's Caramel Apple - Gatlinburg

Doesn't this caramel apple look good? Yes, it was. While walking the parkway in Gatlinburg, Tennessee I saw this apple in the window of Aunt Mahalia's candy shop. It was actually calling my name. I replied.

In a nutshell, this caramel apple was one of the best I ever ate. The Grassy Knoll Institute awards 4 out of 5 shots and recommends Aunt Mahalia's caramel apples with a deduction of one point for the price, $2.00, seriously, two bucks for an apple. I guess location, location, location, is the price increase.

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Smoky Mountain Brewery And Restaurant

Gatlinburg, Tennessee has literally dozens of fabulous restaurants to choose from and the Smoky Mountain Brewery and Restaurant is an excellent choice.

The Brewery is of course a micro brewery that has hundreds of brands of beer and spirits but I was there for the food. And the Brewery did not disappoint.

Another nice feature were the many TV sets tuned to all the NFL games and the angles were perfect. Any game we wanted to watch were in eye shot.

After getting seated, the place was packed, but we only waited about 20 minutes, I ordered the Chicken Parmigiana with a side of spaghetti. Toasted garlic bread was also part of the meal.The chicken was excellent, hot, juicy, spicy, and a hearty portion. The spaghetti, supposedly a side order, was huge and delicious. The garlic bread was hot and sealed the deal. The entire meal was almost perfect, including the service, which was fast, courteous, and correct.

The price was very reasonable, around 18 dollars without tip. The Grassy Knoll Institute awards 4.5 shots out of 5 and recommends Smoky Mountain Brewery for dinner.

PS: This is also the restaurant where I stapled up my dollar bill with my LOTGK logo enblazoned on it.

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Ober Gatlinburg Sno Cone (Cherry Flavored)

At the top of the Smoky mountains lies a cozy little amusement park called Ober Gatlinburg. Plenty of rides to have fun including the Alpine slide and the Go-Karts, but today's post is all about the cherry. As in flavor. Cherry flavored sno-cones.The beauty above hit the spot on a warm summer day. The shaved ice was not clumped in a big chunk, and there was an ample amount of cherry syrup to give the sno-cone great flavoring. All in all, a pleasant experience.

The cost is the only drawback. Being on top of the mountain, you are literally a captured audience. You either pay the price, or you go thirsty. I opted in and shelled out $3.00 for this sno-cone. (Ahh yes, I remember as a little kid buying sno cones for a nickel at Idora Park and Geneva on the Lake.)

Ober Gatlinburg cherry sno-cones receives 2.75 shots out of 5 and recommends them on hot summer days.

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Texas Roadhouse Restaurant

Texas Roadhouse Restaurant Of Gatlinburg, Tennessee

Located on the Parkway, the popular Texas Roadhouse Restaurant really packs em in. Upon arrival, you receive a beeper and when your table is ready, it begins to hum and red lights flash alerting you that your table is ready. (Expect at least a 45 minute wait on weekends.)The wait was very minimal, and we were seated at a nice table. Rolls to die for were delivered right away. They were hot, fresh, tasty, and served with a cinnamon butter.

A bucket of shelled peanuts was waiting for us on the table. You kind of just swept the peanut shells on the floor when you were finished.

I ordered the chicken strips with bacon and cheese fries and of course a Coke.

The entree was of biblical proportions. Six big pieces of chicken and a moutain of artery clogging cheese fries. The chicken was crunchy and spiced just right. The fries were heaped with bacon and cheese and were crunchy and hot.The service was very good and the order right. The rolls were fresh and hot with cinnamon butter. I have to say that the rolls were the best I ever had at a restaurant.

The cost was just under $20.00 without tip. The Grassy Knoll Institute recommends the Texas Roadhouse and awards 4 out of 5 shots.

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Peddler Steak House - Gatlinburg

The Peddler Steakhouse of Gatlinburg, Tennessee

The Peddler Sign welcomes you to the best steakhouse in the South. The restaurant is packed every night of the week, and for good reason. The steaks and chops are legendary and delicious. There is always a good 1-2 hour wait depending on the time of arrival. The trick is to eat in the open bar and lounge area. We walk straight in and find an open table. Most people are sipping drinks waiting for a table to open up down stairs but we just inform the waiter that we are eating here.

The waiter brought out a basket of hot delicious rolls with butter. He took our order and we proceeded to the salad bar. My Salad was fantastic with big chunks of ham, real bacon, hard boiled eggs, green olives, celery, carrots, several varieties of grated cheese, tomato, and of course lettuce.

The main entree, Filet Mignon, was prepared medium well and I asked for it to be butterflied to ensure it would be done. It was perfect. Absolutely zero fat on the filet and it was very tender and juicy.A baked potato came with the filet and I smothered it with butter. The cokes were bottomless and crisp.

The service, considering the crowd was exceptional. Our meals were promptly served with a smile.

The cost is a little pricey. The Filet dinner was just over $50.00 without tip.

The Grassy Knoll Institute recommends the Peddler for dinner in Gatlinburg, Tennessee and awards 4 out of 5 stars deducting only for the crowd and the cost.

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Parkway Pancake House - Gatlinburg

The Hash Browns Are To Die For

Parkway Pancake House is right on the main drag and Airport road in Gatlinburg, Tennessee. We make sure to always stop and have breakfast when visiting this great town.

As you can see, I had scrambled eggs, sausage, pancakes and hash browns. Hot maple syrup and butter completed the meal. The eggs were cooked well, not runny, not burnt. The sausage was cooked well also. And oh, the hash browns, cooked perfectly. To the pancakes. Light, fluffy, with butter and hot maple syrup were fantastic.

The service was excellent. We were seated right away even though there was a crowd. The waitresses were friendly, well trained, and curteous.

The cost, I was amazed, it was under $9.00 without tip. Keep in mind, we were in tourist trap city and all the prices are higher.

The Grassy Knoll Institute recommends Parkway Pancake House and rates it 4.25 shots out of 5.

Sadly, the Parkway Pancake House is closed. It is now Bubba Gumps.

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Open Hearth Restaurant

While in Gatlinburg, Tennessee this past November, I found that the Open Hearth restaurant had closed it's doors. Perhaps they had lost their lease, couldn't afford the property taxes, or just had a bad business plan. Whatever the reason, here is a last meal from the now defunct Open Hearth.

We walked to the foothills of the Smoky Mountains and saw the sign, Open Hearth and walked in. It was very eloquent inside and we were waited on right away. For being a busy evening in Gatlinburg and waiting lists of an hour or more at the other restaurants, this was a pleasant surprise. I asked what the soup of the day was and the waiter said that they didn't have any soup today. Oh well, I went for the Loaded Potato Skins and for the main course, Chicken Parmesan with spaghetti.

My fellow Grassy Knoll Institute scientist tried to order several different appetizers but none were available. Even the main courses were not available. he settled for the prime rib. Five minutes later, the waiter came back and said that he was sorry but the prime rib was also not available that evening. Reluctantly, he settled for the fish.

The potato skins were cooked just right, plenty of bacon, cheese, and no sour cream which I asked to be left off.

The chicken parm was very good as well. A very generous portion with plenty of tangy sauce. The spaghetti was average, a little to rubbery, and almost cold, like they forget to warm it up. But I was so full from the skins and parm, that the spaghetti was left on the plate and not touched.

The cost was just under $30.00 without tip which was reasonable, but not the best. The Grassy Knoll Institute rates Open hearth 2.75 stars out of 5 shots and barely recommends Open Hearth for dinner.

The lights are on, but no one's home.

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Duffs Smorgasbord

Duffs Smorgasbord Of Pigeon Forge

You guessed it. We are staying with the Gatlinburg, Tennessee cuisine for a few more entries. This time, we went to Duffs Smorgasbord in Pigeon Forge. It was Saturday night and Gatlinburg was packed with the lighting of the Christmas lights ceremony plus the Smoky Mountain Gift Show was in town packing the city to above maximum capacity. Hence, all the restaurants had a minimum of one hour wait time. So we set off to the Forge. We spotted the Duffs Sign and pulled in.

The line was short as it was a self serve set up. I quickly paid my $11.95 and got in line. I selected Mac and Cheese and a salad for starters and then went for the main entree pictured above. The fried chicken was crispy, not greasy, hot, and very good. The mashed potatoes were real, not flaky, and the rolls were fresh, hot, and tasty.

For dessert, there was Strawberry Shortcake and Brownies. And you could go back as many times as you wanted. The cokes were bottomless as well. It was a feast indeed. Duffs receives 4.5 out of 5 shots and the Grassy Knoll Institute recommends Duffs Smorgasbord.

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$3.00 Hot Dog

This is what a $3.00 hot dog at a typical trade show looks like. Yes, 3 bucks for a hot dog. And not even a foot long, or a chili dog, just a plain hot dog.

This one was purchased at the Smoky Mountain Gift Show in Gatlinburg, Tennessee November 6th, of this year. Being a little busy that day, I decided to stop at the kiosk and grab a dog. What a mistake. I re-tasted that hot dog all day long and well into the evening. That was the last hot dog I will buy there. (BURP!)

The Grassy Knoll Institute fires 1 out of 5 shots and does not recommend trade show hot dogs.

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Gatlinburg Brewery Cheeseburger

The Brewery, Gatlinburg, TN

While staying in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, another great place to eat is "The Brewery" found right on the Parkway, the main drag of Gatlinburg. This place sells every kind of beer imaginable. It is also a sportsmen delight as TV's are viewable from every seat in the house.

I ordered the bacon cheeseburger with fries for the entree and for an appetizer, Hot Sam Pretzels with hot beer cheese sauce for dipping. When the pretzels came out, I was amazed. I figured they would be bite size. I was not expecting full size pretzels. Let me tell you, they were delicious.

Now, to the entree. The cheeseburger was excellent. Cooked just right. Tasty, juicy, and hot. The bun was buttered and toasted to a light golden brown. The bacon was cooked, not soggy, and the cheese was melted. The fries were good, crunchy, hot and plentiful.

The service was quick, friendly, and correct.

The cost, again being in a resort town, was quite inexpensive, as I again walked away under $15 dollars before tip.

The Grassy Knoll Institute rates 4.75 out of 5 shots and recommends The Brewery.

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Applewood Restaurant - Pigeon Forge Tennessee

Dinner at the Apple Barn in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. On good authority, (Thanks Mac) I selected the turkey dinner with all the fixins. My source would not disappoint.

As you can see, the main entree was turkey, stuffing, mashed potatos, macaroni and cheese, all doused with home made gravy. And yes, the mashed potatos were not instant. Same for the stuffing. The turkey was carved not processed.

Before the main course, we ordered the soup of the day which of course was Chicken Noodle with home made butter biscuits and apple roll.

The meal finished with Apple Fritters and a little watered down iced apple cider.

The cost was relatively inexpensive with the entire meal with coke coming to $15 dollars. The service was excellent and the ambiance exquisite. The taste, absolutely divine. Real turkey, tender, juicy, and hot. The Grassy Knoll Institute rates the Apple Barn 5 out of 5 shots.

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Gatlinburg Restaurants

Gatlinburg Parkway - View From Blaines

Gatlinburg Restaurants - Gatlinburg, Tennessee, nestled in the foothills of the great Smoky Mountains has hundreds of retail shops and a wide variety of restaurants of which many I have visited. From Filet Mignon to BBQ ribs, even deep fried twinkies. Check out my critiques below.

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Applewood Farmouse Restaurant - Chicken Planks Dinner
Applewood Farmhouse Restaurant - Fried Chicken Strip Dinner
Applewood Farmhouse Restaurant - Potato Soup
Applewood Farmhouse Restaurant - Turkey Dinner
Aunt Mahalia's Candy Store - Cashew Turtle
Aunt Mahalia's Candy Store - Caramel Apples
Ben And Jerrys Ive Cream  - Mint Chocolate Chip
Blaine's Restaurant - Chicken Parmesan
Burg Coffees - Twist Ice Cream Cone
Calhoun's Restaurant - BBQ Ribs And Fries
Calhoun's Restaurant - Cheeseburger And Fries
Calhoun's Restaurant - Chicken Strips
Dicks Last Resort - Cheeseburger (November 2016)
Duffs Smorgasbord Buffet (Closed)
Fannie Farkles - Ogle Dog (Corn Dog)
Flapjacks - Wonderland Breakfast (January 2017)
Gatlinburg Convention Center - $3 Hot Dog
Maxwell's Grilled Chicken And Potato Soup
Maxwells - Stuffed Chicken And Baked Potato (Closed)
Ober Gatlinburg - Cherry Sno-Cones
Old Mill Restaurant - Southern Fried Chicken Dinner
Open Hearth - Chicken Parmigiana (Closed)
Parkway Pancake House - Breakfast (Closed)
Peddler Steakhouse - Filet And Killer Salad
Peddler Steakhouse - Filet Mignon And Baked Potato
Peddler Steakhouse - Filet Mignon With Cherry Cheesecake Dessert
Side Walk Cafe - Ober Gatlinburg - Pepperoni Pizza
Side Walk Cafe - Ober Gatlinburg Corn Dog And Fries
Smoky Mountain Brewery - Cheeseburger
Smoky Mountain Brewery - Chicken Parmesan Dinner
Smoky Mountain Brewery - Chicken Strip Dinner
Smoky Mountain Brewery - BBQ Pizza
Smoky's Sports Pub - Cheeseburger - Fries - Cheese
Texas Roadhouse - Chicken Strips
Texas Roadhouse - Filet Mignon
Timberwood Grill - Bacon Cheeseburger


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