Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    Ole Red

    3.2 (1.2k reviews)
    Closed 11:00 am - 9:00 pm
    Updated 2 months ago

    Ole Red Photos

    OLE RED ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Touristy
    Live music
    Loud

    You might also consider

    Recommended Reviews - Ole Red

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    Reviews With Photos

    Brooke B.

    Let's be honest, you come here for the experience. It's in a very touristy area, and part of the appeal is being able to say you've been to Blake Shelton's restaurant. The food is fine, nothing bad, but not the main reason to go. The atmosphere is really what stands out. We visited during the off season, and the live music was great with only a small crowd, which made it much more enjoyable. The decor is well done and adds to the overall vibe. There's also a small gift shop, but it's definitely on the expensive side. This feels like more of a one or two time stop rather than somewhere you'd go regularly. If you're a Blake Shelton fan, it's worth checking out at least once. I wouldn't go out of my way for it, and I definitely wouldn't come during peak season, but in the off season, I would stop in again.

    Belle N.

    Stopped here for dinner on a Tuesday night. There was live music playing and no wait at 5pm. We were sat upstairs with a party of 4. We couldn't see the live music from where our table was, but there was a tv that we could watch. The menu has GF items marked. I informed our server of me being celiac and asked if the beyond burger was GF. She confirmed with the kitchen that it was. I ordered that on a GF bun with a side of cheddar mashed potatoes. They do not have a dedicated fryer for fries. When my food came out, the bun looked very suspicious and seemed like their normal potato bun. I asked the server to confirm with the kitchen. She took the food, came back with a GF bun and confirmed the original bun was incorrect. I asked her to remake everything since I cannot have cross contamination. The person who brought us our food came out and said he is going to have everything remade including the mashed potatoes. When my food did come out, he had gloves on and gave me new silverware. I still ended up not feeling well after so I must have had some cross contamination. I didn't eat anything from the first plate though. The server was not very knowledgeable and didn't really check on us after the fact. Would not recommend for celiacs.

    David H.

    Food quality/price (value) rating 9. The atmosphere is Country Concert Hall. This venue is backed by Blake Shelton and features live country music all day long. I had the grilled Cajun style chicken sandwich with avocado and bacon. It was excellent. The wife had the Taco salad and said it was very good, especially since it didn't have the big taco shell but instead had the corn chip strips. The drinks were well made and the service was good. Definitely a great vacation experience.

    Honest J.

    Destiny was awesome!!! While we weren't quite ready for lunch, we enjoyed music by Nathan Morgan. We've been to the Nashville location and gatlinburg did not disappoint!

    The singer was great, lots of great old country and classic rock covers
    Chris B.

    Back in Gatlinburg for a weekend visit, wife and I decided to stop in here to take in some live music with dinner. The music was great, however, my wife ended up with food poisoning and we had to cut the weekend short. Next time we're in Gatlinburg we will likely eat someplace else and only stop in here for live music and drinks

    Tinamarie S.

    Keep on walking... We were starving after a long hike and saw this place and it wasn't busy (I know why now) - one and done place. Live music is great but there wasn't any when we were there. We ordered a chicken sandwich and a Bluetick Burger both with the tater tots. Burger is supposed to be cooked medium per the menu. Chicken sandwich was the better of the two but sadly the chicken was DRY. The bun doesn't hold up to the avocado and slaw. The burger/ I honestly can't believe they even served - shame on the cook and the server. The meat was so overcooked and add a 10 day old dried out bun... I asked for some BBQ sauce because the burger comes with no mayo no ketchup no mustard just a dried out (literally) bun - I was charged for the BBQ sauce. Service was OK - it's really disappointing when you spend hard earned money and feel cheated. That's all I have to say about this place.

    Curtis Stone - The Realtor ®.

    We stopped into Ole Red for lunch while walking through Gatlinburg, and the moment I stepped inside, I felt like I'd been transported straight to Nashville. The vibe is undeniable, great layout, solid service, and live music that's genuinely hard to pass up. On atmosphere alone, Ole Red delivers five stars easily. The food, however, didn't live up to the setting or the price tag. I ordered the Pulled Pork Bar-B-Que Sandwich with house-smoked pulled pork, vinegar slaw, pickles, Ole Red BBQ sauce, on a potato bun, plus a side of fully loaded tater tots with white queso, taco meat, and sour cream. The BBQ pork itself was a major disappointment. Honestly, I've had better pulled pork reheated from the grocery store. It lacked flavor, depth, and anything resembling "house-smoked" character. The fully loaded tater tots were solid and easily outshined the sandwich. The surprise star of the table was the cornbread. We tried to sub it instead of fries and were told it had to be ordered separately... once it arrived, I understood why. It came out in a massive cast-iron skillet and was some of the best cornbread I've had in years. Warm, rich, and absolutely worth it. All in all, Ole Red feels a bit like a tourist stop: great energy, live music, and a fun experience, paired with mid-range, predictable food. I probably wouldn't go back specifically for a meal, but there's nothing wrong here.. just don't come expecting the food to match the hype.

    Melvika S.

    This is your typical Tennessee local bar, but it's packed with tourists. I stopped by on a night when Joe Lee Stevens was performing, playing some great old school country tunes. He was the main reason we decided to pop in, as we love live music. The place was pretty crowded for a Sunday night, especially during spring break, with lots of families and kids around. I can't say the bartenders left a particularly friendly or welcoming impression, which made things feel a bit awkward. Still, we ordered two drinks, enjoyed the music, and made our way out quickly. I had the Hillbilly Breeze, and my babes had the Dirty Tractor. Both drinks were refreshing, but honestly, they seemed a bit light on the alcohol, more like juice than a proper cocktail. We both choose the option with the souvenirs glasses, 2 sinks with glasses came out $48, kind of steep is you ask me.

    Diet Coke

    See all

    1 month ago

    Amazing service from Destiny! Food and music was great as well. Would 100% recommend eating here to any of my family or friends.

    Business owner information

    Photo of Cate A.

    Cate A.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 month ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    16 days ago

    Great place and great service. Larue was great. Ordered a drink, taco salad and listened to some live music.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 month ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Cate A.

    Cate A.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Cate A.

    Cate A.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of David H.
    6
    504
    2935

    5 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Honest J.
    201
    83
    10

    11 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 days ago

    Great food & great live music. Our server Jimmy was amazing, she took great care of us

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    28 days ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Cate A.

    Cate A.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    16 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of J C.
    0
    152
    25

    11 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 days ago

    La Rue was our server and she was a hoot! she supplied us with great service And we had a great time.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 days ago

    LaRue was absolutely wonderful! Alot of fun and the food was top notch. I highly recommend.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    10 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Cate A.

    Cate A.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 day ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    2 days ago

    The food was amazing. Our waitress was so sweet and funny and friendly and her service was great and I can't wait to visit again

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    Business owner information

    Photo of Cate A.

    Cate A.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Cate A.

    Cate A.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of MK W.
    22
    183
    2037

    1 year ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Dawn F.
    464
    388
    2142

    1 year ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    1 month ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Cate A.

    Cate A.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 days ago

    Larue was an amazing waiitress!!! Great service and food. Will definitely come back to see her!

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    5 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 month ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Cate A.

    Cate A.

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Cate A.

    Cate A.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of H S.
    0
    4
    2

    3 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Cate A.

    Cate A.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 month ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Cate A.

    Cate A.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 month ago

    Destiny was so friendly and attentive! Love the live music and the environment. We got the tots. Yum.

    Business owner information

    Photo of Cate A.

    Cate A.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    10 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Cate A.

    Cate A.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Jeff C.
    0
    14
    12

    5 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Cate A.

    Cate A.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Cate A.

    Cate A.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Cate A.

    Cate A.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    Page 1 of 30

    Ole Red Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Ole Red

    Can you take children there?

    Yes it is a restaurant with a bar part as well

    Do I need reservations?

    Hi Joelle! Unfortunately, we do not place reservations. All seating is first come, first served. During prime mealtimes, we do encourage our guests to come approximately 1 hour prior to when they would like to be seated to put their name on our… Read more

    Are there vegan options?

    Yes

    Is this a family friendly place?

    I went this past weekend and there were families at the restaurant. They have live music and it's an enjoyable atmosphere.

    View All 5 Questions

    Review Highlights - Ole Red

    Great experience- very busy, chaotic Thanksgiving week but our bartender Rachel and server LaRue were excellent.

    Mentioned in 24 reviews

    Read more highlights

    You might also consider

    Applewood Farmhouse Restaurant

    Applewood Farmhouse Restaurant

    4.1(1.8k reviews)
    8.6 mi
    $$

    We went on Christmas Day and were looking for a place that truly felt like a home-cooked meal, and…read moreApplewood Farmhouse was absolutely perfect. From the moment the apple fritters and apple butter hit the table, we knew we were in for something special, they really set the tone for what turned out to be a great meal. Everything was served family-style, which only added to the comfort and experience. It was our first time, and we were genuinely surprised by how much we enjoyed the food across the board. Hearty, comforting, and exactly what we were hoping for on a holiday The servers were also very attentive and quick to take care of whatever need we had.

    I normally never leave bad reviews, but this experience honestly upset me enough that I feel like I…read moreneed to. Our waitress Marsha was incredibly rude from the second I sat down. Her tone, attitude, and the way she spoke to me made me feel uncomfortable the entire time. It felt like we were a burden just for being there. I ended up completely losing my appetite because of how mean and cold Marsha was, and I actually left the table crying over it. (I work in healthcare so I have thick skin). Going out to eat is supposed to be enjoyable, not something that leaves you feeling embarrassed and humiliated. I understand everyone can have bad days, but there's no reason to treat customers with that level of disrespect. I was asking a simple question of getting an order to go and about the lunch. I really hope management takes customer service more seriously because no one should leave a restaurant crying and feeling the way I did.

    Photos
    Applewood Farmhouse Restaurant
    Applewood Farmhouse Restaurant - Salad

    Salad

    Applewood Farmhouse Restaurant - Wraparound Porch

    See all

    Wraparound Porch

    Mama's Chicken Kitchen - Three drumsticks

    Mama's Chicken Kitchen

    4.5(373 reviews)
    2.0 mi
    $$

    My wife & I ate here when visiting the area. Glad we did! The food was pretty great and the…read moreservice excellent. Very friendly staff who made good recommendations. I had the chicken tenders, with mac n-cheese and chicken & dumplings as sides. My wife had tenders with mashed potatoes and green beans. Both plates also included a biscuit w/ jam. Oh, and definitely get the cheese curds if you can! The restaurant has good seating and was very clean when we visited. Very happy we decided to stop in!

    After an underwhelming (but pleasant enough) stroll at The Island in Pigeon Forge, we skipped the…read morepricey dining options and drove back up to Gatlinburg for what turned out to be the real highlight of the night: Mama's Chicken Kitchen. From the moment we walked in, we were warmly welcomed with genuine Southern hospitality. The space is cozy and shared with J.O.E. And Pop's Sun Shoppe, but we came for one thing--the fried chicken. And wow. Crispy, perfectly seasoned Southern fried chicken with truly homemade sides that tasted like Sunday dinner at grandma's. Generous portions, very reasonable prices, and fast, friendly service. I ordered unsweetened tea; they apologized when kit was temporarily out and quickly brewed a fresh batch. It took a few minutes, but it was absolutely worth the wait. Clean, welcoming, and downright delicious. Next time we're in the Smokey Mountain, this stop is Jon-negotiable. Easily some of the best fried chicken in Tennessee.

    Photos
    Mama's Chicken Kitchen - Part of the dining area.  There is many more tables not in view and there is a screened-in seating area as well.

    Part of the dining area. There is many more tables not in view and there is a screened-in seating area as well.

    Mama's Chicken Kitchen - Chicken tenders, Mac-N-Cheese, Chicken & Dumplings and biscuit.

    Chicken tenders, Mac-N-Cheese, Chicken & Dumplings and biscuit.

    Mama's Chicken Kitchen - Iced Tea

    See all

    Iced Tea

    The Greenbrier Restaurant - The only vegetarian meal they had. Pasta was very good but the vegetables on top were not seasoned well.

    The Greenbrier Restaurant

    4.5(381 reviews)
    1.6 mi
    $$$

    Service was a little slow. The French onion soup was burned. The steak was fine. They did take it…read moreoff the bill

    This place is simply amazing! Located just outside of Gatlinburg is The Greenbriar Restaurant. We…read moremade reservations for our anniversary, and this is without a doubt the best steak that I have ever had. Fancy dining, but casual attire is just fine. Our table provided a scenic overlook through the trees. I wish that I remembered our waiter's name, but he was phenomenal and extremely knowledgeable. (I do remember he was from Southern Indiana). My wife had the petit 7-ounce filet (wet-aged Iowa Premium USDA beef tenderloin, center cut, fresh-cracked black pepper and kosher salt) and a Caesar Salad. Her steak was cooked perfectly and she really enjoyed her Caesar salad and the twice baked potato as her side. I had the New York Strip (dry-aged Iowa Premium USDA prime short loin with the bone. Fresh-cracked black pepper and kosher salt), and a chopped salad (chopped baby greens, tomato, pickled onion, artichokes, cucumbers, hard boiled eggs and citrus herb vinaigrette.) The steak melted in your mouth and the salad was fresh with a delicious citrus herb vinaigrette dressing. My side was the asparagus which again, was very delicious and cooked perfectly (I could have had another serving!) They also served some very tasty hot and buttery spoon bread which was very close to the original recipe that was created near my home in Berea, KY. Between the salad and the main course, we were served a lemon sorbet as a pallet cleanser. For dessert, my wife had the crème brûlée and I had the butterscotch budino. Both were very tasty, but personally for me, the butterscotch budino was a tad better -- but you cannot go wrong with either. We don't drink, but there was a great wine menu and over 100 different bourbon selections. We will definitely return again. Reservations are highly recommended!

    Photos
    The Greenbrier Restaurant - Entryway

    Entryway

    The Greenbrier Restaurant - Lemon sorbet palate cleanser

    Lemon sorbet palate cleanser

    The Greenbrier Restaurant - Old Fashioned

    See all

    Old Fashioned

    The Park Grill - Yumminess, hearty cup of the Famous Shrimp Bisque

    The Park Grill

    3.9(713 reviews)
    0.8 mi
    $$

    Our server Brandon was awesome! Literally downloaded this app just to tell y'all to give him a…read moreraise. He had great energy the whole night and accommodated our family's needs without missing a beat and did his best to get our stuff out as fast as it could when something went wrong in the kitchen. Honestly the whole reason our night went as well as it did. Ambiance and decor were all pretty nice but the AI generated looking projection in the middle of the main room felt really cheap. Food was pretty great! my filet was superb, but unfortunately our food showed up late for like half of us to the point where those of us that got it first were done by the time the rest came out. Luckily we were having too good of a time to care lol.

    After a full day exploring the Smoky Mountains (and indulging at Dollywood and Anakeesta), The Park…read moreGrill was the perfect lighter dinner stop on December 8. Yes, it was packed--parking in Gatlinburg always is--but we lucked out with a prime spot just as someone pulled out. The wait looked intimidating, but it moved faster than expected, and the waiting area was cozy and warm, which we appreciated on a chilly night we were here for two things:the AYCE salad bar and the famous bear on the big screen--and both delivered. We started with a cup of the famous shrimp bisque, which was rich, flavorful, and comforting, with fresh-tasting shrimp throughout. The perfect cold-weather soup. The salad bar was a standout: fresh veggie, fruits, and even smoked oysters (a first for me and surprisingly delicious). Everything was well-stocked, clean, and neatly organized despite the dinner rush. The ambience is family-friendly and fun, the dining area (and restrooms!) were impressively clean, and service was excellent--shoutout to Ashley for being warm and accommodating. All that in all, a solid, healthier break from the usual indulgent Smokies fare. We'll definitely be back on our next visit in the offing.

    Photos
    The Park Grill
    The Park Grill - Shrimp bisque

    Shrimp bisque

    The Park Grill - Bear carving

    See all

    Bear carving

    Mama's Farmhouse - Fried Chicken Salisbury steak pork tenderloin

    Mama's Farmhouse

    3.9(922 reviews)
    6.4 mi
    $$

    Walking into Mama's Farmhouse felt like walking into a big Southern kitchen where everyone's…read morealready happy to see you. From the moment we sat down, the food just kept coming . fried chicken that was crispy and juicy, fluffy biscuits, creamy mac and cheese, and sides that tasted straight out of someone's grandma's recipe box. Nothing felt rushed, and the staff was genuinely warm and attentive the whole time. And they had fun games to play outside while you wait. We played cornhole and ping pong. It was alot of fun. What really made it special was the atmosphere loud in the best way,we all were going back for seconds. You don't leave hungry, and you definitely don't leave disappointed. If you're in Pigeon Forge and want comfort food done right, this place is a must.

    Upon planning our trip, I was discussing local restaurants and places to eat with my coworkers, one…read morecoworker of mine is local to the area and highly suggested this restaurant. The online menu gave plenty of eye candy and we were absolutely starving by the time we arrived Friday evening. The staff was very attentive and kind. It's clear that this place is fully operated by word-of-mouth and return guests. It's a huge establishment with several rooms by big fireplaces and Lazy Susan's to pass around the family style meal. The menu was a little difficult to navigate so many options laid out, but only certain options available per day. So ultimately, we were not able to order exactly what we wanted, but we ordered what was available for Friday, which was the Salisbury steak, fried fish, and fried chicken. All of these meats came in a small portion to split amongst our three people, and with unlimited sides. Some of the sides were pretty impressive. I would have to say my favorite side was the broccoli casserole, followed by the mashed potatoes and gravy, which were real potatoes! The mac & cheese was more on the creamy side versus the gooey cheesy side. Unfortunately, some of our chicken was undercooked, and the skin was very thin and not too crispy. The fish was decent, not dried out whatsoever, which is a pretty good compliment. While my coworker said that the chicken and dumplings were her favorite, I failed to enjoy them :( All in all, this was not our favorite restaurant from our trip this weekend and it appears that big groups and big families really do enjoy dining at this establishment.

    Photos
    Mama's Farmhouse - Merchandise

    Merchandise

    Mama's Farmhouse - Biscuits

    Biscuits

    Mama's Farmhouse - Banana pudding and Chocolate cobbler and ice cream.

    See all

    Banana pudding and Chocolate cobbler and ice cream.

    Ole Red - musicvenues - Updated May 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...