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    The Appalachian

    4.4 (330 reviews)
    Closed 4:00 pm - 9:00 PM
    Updated 3 months ago

    The Appalachian Photos

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    THE APPALACHIAN ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Outdoor seating
    Good for groups

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    Jared M.

    I have been excited to get to this place for quite a while and time had finally allowed for it! Unfortunately, we're coming in around a 4/5, and I'm talking myself out of a 3/5 because I really enjoyed a lot of the experience above some of the things that occurred during our specific visit. As far as the inside goes, the vibe was great. We got a frontside view to the chefs in action - and it was awesome to watch the process play out, kind of gave you the experience you'd imagine after watching "The Bear" without all the swearing, ha! The food itself aside from anything I go into below was exactly as I had hoped for, with the standouts being the chicken skins for the app and the chicken for the main (at least for me!). The drinks were good as well, aside from the notes below. So...let's get into it. After having a frontside seat to watch it all it made it easy for a spectator to devise their own theory over what happened. For us, every drink took 10-15 minutes to return, and the delay from appetizer to the main course was at least 55 minutes. We normally understand that things take a while, but we sat and watched our dishes be fully prepared and sit ready to be given for 25 minutes. When we got them, they were warmer hot, not fresh hot. Again, for the price point you hope to receive these things as they come out - especially after all the effort that was made to make them. We were compensated for the mains and given a free dessert - but at that point we were somewhat over the wait. My theory is that due to not having folks only staffed to serve the food once it goes out that the waiting staff is overworked to perform double duty and get overwhelmed managing between the bar and food spots to serve out. I mean no ill will in the above - again, we had plenty of time to observe and really want to be able to come back here to this place thriving - make sure these chefs who are killing it back there get their product out to the people sooner! We will likely come back once more if we're ever in the area. SYOY!

    Hanger Steak
    Ginger L.

    First timers of the restaurant and we were visiting for our 28th anniversary which was a very big deal. Was so outstanding to get to the restaurant and actually have the hostess recognize that it was our anniversary not only did she recognize it, but we also had happy anniversary on our menus. Very nice touch! We were sat in the center front table in front of the grill and kitchen area which I have to say is an outstanding table to sit at and be able to watch , just FYI if you have your back to the grill and you are a cold person it feels great. We had a very great view watching the cooks and the expo working hard as well . We ordered the fried chicken skins, which I have to say was a little funny eating because you're trying to eat very delicately But we just picked them up and ate them! LOL After waiting about 45 minutes for our entrées to come out, the waitress came up to our table and asked us if we had already ordered? I have to say the look on my face was probably not a not a very nice one since she had already taken our order. After that question she was informed that she already took it! She went an placed the order and then went up to the gentleman in the window prepping food, I'm sure to put a rush on it. My husband and I both ordered the Hangar Steak, which was very delicious, except for the potato dumplings that were not cooked all the way, which we kind of figured before we got our plate because we saw the gentleman in the window, actually question them, and turn around to the other associate, but then turned around again and continued plating up our meal after he squeezed them with his tongs. My husband is a cook and so if the waitress would've come back and said it's gonna take a little bit longer, we would've understood because we didn't want our food rushed especially at the price that we were paying! I will have to say it was very nice when one of the supervisors actually brought us a skillet of cornbread free of cost. And we also were given a free dessert on the house for our anniversary, which was homestyle cobbler with ice cream, and it was delicious. The restaurant atmosphere is very cool! The only reason I am giving the restaurant a 4 star is because of the issue with our order which for the price that you pay should not be happening.

    Buffalo Frog Leg
    Amber R.

    While on vacation to Gatlinburg I had to itch my fine dining urges. This place was perfect, we had a cute table on the patio and since we were also celebrating my birthday we had a customized birthday menu with my name and a sweet message which was a really nice touch. They were pretty busy but the food was well worth the wait. I loved the attention to detail the plating and their unique menu items like bone marrow and buffalo frog legs lol!! Their drinks were sweet and strong and our waiter treated us so so well. I would definitely recommend The Appalachian to anyone wanting to elevate their vacation!! This is definitely a date night spot so have your gentlemen take care of it

    David A.

    Found a gem in the Smoky Mountains. Dined at The Appalachian in Sevierville, Tennessee. They've got indoor and outdoor dining (that's dog friendly). Upscale establishment with everything farm to table with a menu that changes daily. The GM and executive chef is very involved in operations and visit all the tables. The hostess sat me at the best seat by the kitchen. So much fun to watch the magic happen. They were able to accommodate my dairy allergy. Hard cider, hummus, trout, fries and a complimentary fruit dessert. Staff was constantly at my table with a smile and checking on things. I ordered way too much and they bagged stuff up as I got new dishes and refrigerated it till the end. All dishes were beautifully and creatively plated. Everything zinged. Likely the best meal and experience I've had in 2025 globally. Will come back to do the tasting menu. They need two business days to prepare as there's one sitting. Free parking is abundant. Cute and safe area. Lovely art indoors.

    Inside of Tomahawk

    My family and I are from out of town and saw amazing reviews and photos from the Appalachian, so we couldn't pass it up. Our server--I believe his name was Joe--was incredibly attentive and accommodating. Food arrived VERY quickly. We had multiple people check on us throughout our dinner, all very polite. We ordered the fried chicken skins, buffalo frog legs, and bone marrow as appetizers. The chicken skins were HUGE and deliciously crunchy. The buffalo frog legs were very tender. The bone marrow paired very nicely with the bread it's served with. All were very tasty. For the main dishes, we got the 48 oz Tomahawk ribeye (topped with bone marrow butter and a side of fries), as well as the wood grilled lamb. We asked that the tomahawk be rare, specifying charred on the outside and still mooing on the inside, and they absolutely nailed it. The outside, especially the fat, was seared beautifully--it was absolutely delicious. The fries were very fresh and flavorful as well. We'd never had lamb before, so we asked our server to have them cook it the way he suggested. It was cooked phenomenally, and the flavors with the blackberry reduction were amazing. The goat cheese grits weren't overpowering, they were the best cheese grits I've had. The cornbread went very well with the steak. For dessert, we got the blackberry and blueberry cobbler, and the goat cheese cheesecake. They were both mouthwateringly delicious. I'm still thinking about that cobbler... Overall, there was not a single thing to complain about during our visit--besides it having to come to an end, lol. The food was absolutely phenomenal, and we'd never had a dining experience quite like this one. I absolutely recommend The Appalachian, it's well worth the money.

    Amanda M.

    The.Most.Recommended.Restuarant.in freaking all of Tennessee!? Yes, it's true. We came in here after a day at Dollywood which was super fun and we weren't ready for the great day to end. Well, this place just elevated our experience to another level. Lamb and Elk Filet were so delicious and they served us a complimentary corn bread that could have charged $50 for it was so yummy! Plus, their drinks are top notch. We would go back in a heartbeat. Highly recommend for an elevated dining experience in Gatlinburg/ Sevierville!

    Manish P.

    All I can say amazing experience. From the host to the bartender/server everything was so pleasant and warm and welcoming! The bar area is beautiful. And as with the service the cocktails and then the food was exceptional. Best lamb I have ever had. And the unexpected side of corn bread was heavenly. We also had the burger which was cooked perfectly. Wish we had room left for dessert. If you are in the area this place is worth the visit!

    Pork belly and Fisherman's Stew
    Mandy L.

    Came here for dinner and was blown away by the flavor profile Pros: - The pork belly, fisherman's stew, and shrimp & grits were seasoned very well - The trout was okay, the garnishes definitely made the dish more palatable - Very friendly and cognizant staff - The portion sizes for the apps were essentially the same as the main entrees - amazing - Parking is across the street in the public parking lot Cons: - Cornbread was okay

    Interesting art beside our table
    Sarah B.

    Seriously, a new favorite! Hubby and I visit this area about once a year, and we have several favorite stops. Favorite shopping, favorite sites, and favorite restaurants. On most trips, we always have at least one really nice dinner out. This time a restaurant we visited last year did not have any reservations available, so having read some good reviews on the Appalachian, and went online and reserved here. wow. All the way around wow. Really interesting pimento cheese appetizer, a great quail entrée on grit cakes that were outstanding. Hubby had the fillet and he only needed a butter knife, and sometimes not even that. We were so full, but enjoyed dinner so much - We got a blueberry cobbler dessert to go. definitely, this place is a new favorite. Don't tell anybody else or it'll get too crowded, OK?

    Roasted chicken and fried catfish

    The ambiance was top notch and the food was outstanding! Very reasonable price for a great date night. Would recommend to anyone visiting the area.

    Tomahawk Steak
    Sean R.

    The tomahawk was absolutely delicious. Cooked to perfection. Service was good. They could have been a little more attentive. We had the frog legs as an appetizer. They were okay. Tasted like a very breaded wing. The buttermilk ranch is so yummy. The shrimp and grits lacked seasoning. The steak stole the show. We will be back. The bone came with us. Overall very good

    Fried chicken skin appetizer.
    Donna S.

    My husband and I dined at the Appalachian last weekend. I must say it was a restaurant that exceeded our expectations. So good in fact we dined there twice! The selection of bourbons and appetizers set the stage for an enjoyable meal. We tried the mussels and fried chicken skin. You won't be disappointed. We enjoyed the hanger steak and shrimp and grits the first visit. I often order shrimp and grits and these were exceptional. The second night we had the dry aged Kansas City Strip and the trout. Both worthy of another visit. The goat cheese cheesecake and pot de creme we had for dessert was delicious. The service was great. The manager was on the ball and the chef even came around and spoke to us and other diners. The bar area is warm and inviting while the restaurant has a more modern atmosphere. Both were good choices to dine. They also have a nice patio. Don't miss trying this gem.

    Chocolate apple cake

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    Great experience for our anniversary. A great bone-in steak and smoked old fashion.

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    The Appalachian Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - The Appalachian

    Can I bring kids age 9 and 13 if they will eat a burger?

    Already answered.

    Is there a kids menu?

    Yes Kid Hanger with Fries Kid burger with fries… Read more

    What is the dress code?

    People wear most everything but I would say dressy casual. No jackets required or any like that.

    Will the chef accommodate with vegan options?

    Yes but please call ahead

    View All 5 Questions

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    Applewood Farmhouse Restaurant

    Applewood Farmhouse Restaurant

    4.1
    (1.8k reviews)
    2.9 mi
    $$

    This is a full four course southern style restaurant. We enjoyed it, staff was friendly. We enjoyed…read morethe family shareable sides. My favorite part was the broccoli cheddar soup that came with my meal. It was delicious. My country chicken with gravy was a little chewy but the gravy was flavorful. Our waitress was very sweet. This is a nice refreshing change of pace from all the hustle and bustle. There is a beautiful bubbling stream across the street and it's very relaxing environment- less traffic and off on a side road. The apple fritters were AMAZING. We devoured them! The freshly squeezed juice they give you too was yummy! We left stuffed and with a great experience.

    If you yearn for the same-tasting food you could get anywhere else, then maybe i recommend this…read moreplace for you. Service is great, ambiance and atmosphere is phenomenal! But the food? Gordon Ramsey would consider it a threat. As a chewy bacon lover and enthusiast, when my bacon came out charred and demented, i was appalled to say the least. I had to drench it in the white gravy so it would give my stomach the illusion of chewy. Even then, even with the request of chewy, i was let down. The home fries were exceptional.. as exceptional as any other home fry you'll get on the Pigeon Forge strip. And why? They'll all the same refrigerated chips of processed mess. Soggy, not even crisp. So poor you'd hope the microwave would add additional flavors from all the other food they microwaved. I wouldn't even praise the food if paid me, it's sad enough i paid IT to taste like wet squeaky boots. But anyways the atmosphere was just bewildering! They have a big exhibit with birds you can watch. Sometimes they're loud and a bit squawk-y but it doesn't deplete the experience. This is my internal conflict with a certain drink on the menu. The Monster. This satanic abomination soup of a beverage really tempted me. I drink energy drinks and was excited to try a Monster! I mean.. we're all a little adventurous deep down.. human nature! Wrong. Apparently.. With full fledged confidence.. as much as you'd expect at a busy bar playing BINGO.. I asked the waitress for a Monster energy drink. Big. Mistake. I get it.. I took an unsuspecting picture of the beast waiting.. opened it.. and took a sip. If you were to ask me, giving somebody a pedicure with your MOUTH would taste no different than a can of this monstrosity. Maybe I recommend the restaurant.. but I don't recommend the Monster. Don't be fooled by the big print image of the can on the menu. Restaurant - 6/10 Demon Soup In An Aluminum Can - 2/10

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    Applewood Farmhouse Restaurant
    Salad
    Salad
    Wraparound Porch

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    Wraparound Porch
    Mama's Farmhouse

    Mama's Farmhouse

    3.9
    (926 reviews)
    5.0 mi
    $$

    Man, I've been to Pigeon Forge numerous times over the decades and I've always stuck to restaurants…read moreyou see in the main road. Never have I really ventured outside of that and I couldn't actually tell you why. When my kids and I made a quick 1 day Dollywood trip over to Pigeon Forge, 23 we're looking for a place to eat prior to the big day at the park. What's funny is I relied in Googles AI (Gemini) to tell me where to go. I was driving around and was asking for recommendations. It said Mama's Farmhouse was a popular place to eat for families and it was all-you-can-eat. The kids wanted fried chicken and Salisbury steak, which was in the menu for that day. What a coincidence! If I could summarize it, this is basically a local Cracker Barrel-style restaurant but the food is a lot better. It's tucked away off of a side road off of the main highway 321 road and reminds me a lot of the Applebarn Restaurant down the road. The ambiance is this old timey feel, like many of the establishments around the area. The fried chicken (bone-in), chicken tenders, fries catfish, and Salisbury steak was what we ordered for our mains. Everything was delicious! The seasoning had the perfect amount of salt across all the dishes and sides. The chicken was juicy and tender. The Salisbury steak was solid, some of the best I've ever had. Savory, rich brown gravy, and tender chunks of beef. All the sides were amazing too, green beans, mashed potatoes and gravy, and chicken and dumplings. Honestly there wasn't a negative thing about this place. I would go back in a heartbeat!!

    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
    Merchandise
    Merchandise
    Biscuits
    Biscuits
    Banana pudding and Chocolate cobbler and ice cream.

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    Banana pudding and Chocolate cobbler and ice cream.
    Huck Finn's Catfish

    Huck Finn's Catfish

    4.0
    (689 reviews)
    5.5 mi
    $$

    hi guys my first time coming, here's my experience - best…read morehush puppies I have ever been graced with - serve drinks in big jars, but too much ice - gave us hush puppies, beans, pickles and coleslaw as an appetizer we didn't order--not sure if it was free or not but still yum - atmosphere is cute decor, but barely audible but good music. It's too quiet - there is a sign in the dining room that says where the toilets are, very amazing I am overjoyed - ordered food around 12:20, was served by 12:31 - fries are golden and crisp, but bland. Not much flavor, no seasoning - server was Mo, he is very nice, kinda cute. My sister asked if he was British (he was not) and idk if that was offensive so very sorry mo, you can have her firstborn child as a peace offering - grilled cheese is very nice, would be better with American cheese rather than cheddar. But that's just my preference. - I kinda changed my mind, the fries are pretty good - the water is flavorless, which was very disappointing. Uncrisp, but still good cold water I suppose - Kind of cold in here, wish I brought a jacket man - bathroom is clean - cute gift shop 9/10, I'll be back.

    This food was so good... good good. lol. Everything was fried perfectly. They do have all you can…read moreeat, but we did carryout The sides were crazy big portions and every single one was flavorful. Nothing was bland. I ate a good amount of mine. The fried shrimp, fish, and chicken were seasoned just right and fried golden brown and crispy. Not greasy, not soggy just done the right way. They know how to fry food. Customer service was good the food and it came out so fast I would definitely come back here. Yes huck Finn. lol.

    Photos
    Classic American decor
    Classic American decor
    Huck Finn's Catfish
    Huck Finn's Catfish

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    Preacher's Smokehouse

    Preacher's Smokehouse

    4.8
    (228 reviews)
    7.1 mi
    $$

    This is a foodie place. If you like me - finding the local places that are off the beaten path make…read morefor great experiences. The barbecue experience here is definitely worth the visit.

    Staff was very nice and welcoming; food was subpar…read more I was exited to try this place because it was rated 4.8/5.0. I wish it was better but felt I needed to write this review because most of the other reviews are extremely misleading. I've had some amazing BBQ in several different states and this place was a total disappointment. Brisket was wet and mushy with an almost taco seasoning flavor. It did not come sliced. It had no crust or char on the outside. It came almost with the same consistency as a wet and greasy pulled pork. It had no Smokey Flavor and it did not have any BBQ flavor, at all. Mac N Cheese was flavorless and I would venture to say it came out of a can. The noodles were extremely mushy. There was no "pull" to the cheese, indicating real cheese wasn't used to make it. It had no flavor; not even salt. Baked beans were the best part of the meal and they were just okay. They truly reminded me of a canned baked bean. I wound up throwing my entire meal in the trash. I did not want to waste the calories/ fat/ carbs (macros) eating it. Would not recommend the 3 items i purchased, at all. This was by far, the absolute worst Brisket and worst Mac N Cheese I've ever had.

    Photos
    The eating area, they serve you.
    The eating area, they serve you.
    4 bone rib combo
    4 bone rib combo
    Dining room

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    Dining room
    Paula Deen's Family Kitchen

    Paula Deen's Family Kitchen

    3.6
    (2.3k reviews)
    4.5 mi
    $$

    It has been a year since we've been so we were ready to return for some great food…read more Our server was efficient but... the interaction on her end seemed... flat. Not much personality. Or none. But we've definitely had much worse. It was pretty quiet when we started our meal but it became pretty busy. Parents really need to be mindful that they aren't the only ones present in a bustling restaurant and remove the screaming child making it miserable for the other guests. Twenty minutes of that was too much. Uncalled for. That comes from a parent (me). But I digress. The food was probably the best we've had since coming here. The pot roast and fish were excellent as were the potatoes, creamed corn, broccoli cheese casserole and okra (tons of seasoning which was amazing). Yes. I know it is not traditional southern okra but it's still pretty darned good. Why the four stars? One: they do not bring enough food. Before the server left the table after bringing our food, we had to ask for more potatoes and pot roast. Not enough to go around and we were taking small helpings. Then one has to wait for more. That's not the way it should be. Serving portions should be measured per number of guests per table. Not guesstimates. Two: they've started charging for desserts. What used to come with the meal is now extra. Costs are high enough as it is so we sadly skipped the ooey gooey butter cake and banana pudding. The sole reason for this review is to give a heads up about the change. All in all, the meal was delicious. Will definitely return.

    I have been waiting a hot minute to have the chance to eat at this touted restaurant!! It was…read moredefinitely worth the wait! The food is served family style (and is unlimited). Because of this, no doggie bags allowed. The food was ultra fresh - MOUTHWATERING (especially the collard greens)! Our waitress was so sweet, full of answers to all of our questions, & super attentive (our drinks never ran dry)! The restaurant is situated so that you can watch the water show out of the windows (at the Island; it occurs every 30 minutes).

    Photos
    Store
    Store
    GEORGIA FRIED CATFISH
    GEORGIA FRIED CATFISH
    LEMONADE

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    LEMONADE
    Mama's Chicken Kitchen

    Mama's Chicken Kitchen

    4.5
    (379 reviews)
    10.9 mi
    $$

    I wish I could give this five extra stars…read more The food was hands-down amazing. Those biscuits or something to write home about, and the fried chicken was perfection! The staff are the friendliest I've ever seen. Everyone literally looks delighted to be at their job jobs.

    Sometimes the most frustrating restaurant experiences aren't the terrible ones…read more They're the ones that are so close to being really good. That's how I felt about Mama's Chicken Kitchen. I came in with high expectations. The restaurant has strong reviews, it's part of the Johnson Family of restaurants, and I've enjoyed several of their other establishments over the years. So I walked in expecting a meal that would have me planning a return visit before I even paid the check. What I got instead was one of the strangest cases of missing seasoning I've encountered in quite some time. Let's start with the positives. The people here are genuinely nice. Friendly, welcoming, and attentive. Everyone we encountered was pleasant and seemed to care about providing a good experience. The restaurant itself is clean, comfortable, and inviting. And the kitchen clearly knows how to cook food. The fried chicken was cooked beautifully. Crispy on the outside. Juicy on the inside. Exactly the texture you're hoping for when you order Southern fried chicken. The problem? The seasoning apparently called in sick. This chicken had all the flavor intensity of a weather report. No noticeable salt. No spice. No personality. It tasted like the chef had just completed community service at a nursing home and was legally prohibited from possessing a salt shaker. My piece of chicken was juicy and cooked properly. Unfortunately, my wife's chicken breast was noticeably dry, which didn't help matters. Then came the fried pickles. No seasoning. Chicken and dumplings. No seasoning. Coleslaw. Tasteless. At one point I started wondering if there had been some sort of building-wide seasoning shortage that nobody had told us about. The frustrating part is that none of the food was poorly cooked. Quite the opposite. The techniques were there. The textures were there. The execution was there. It just felt like someone got everything ready and forgot the final, critical step of making the food taste like something. This is a restaurant with good people, a pleasant atmosphere, and a kitchen that clearly knows how to cook. Now they just need to introduce their food to salt, pepper, and a few of their seasoning friends. Three stars. Because the potential is absolutely there. The flavor just never showed up for work.

    Photos
    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.
    Chicken
    Chicken
    Iced Tea

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    Iced Tea

    The Appalachian - steak - Updated July 2026

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