The Rice Wagon

4.7 (59 reviews)

Hawaiian

Open • 11:30 am - 8:00 pm

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The Rice Wagon - Hurricane chicken - Hawaiian Near Me - Cherokee, North Carolina

The Rice Wagon - Hawaiian Near Me - Cherokee, North Carolina

The Rice Wagon - Chicken Katsu - Hawaiian Near Me - Cherokee, North Carolina

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The Rice Wagon - The Big Kanaka - Hawaiian Near Me - Cherokee, North Carolina

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Alayne L.

Loco Moco so good I swear I was on the Big Island!! Ube cheesecake amazing!!! Very clean very friendly staff!! Fantastic find in the middle of the mountains!! Must stop!!!

Mansi R.

Delicious chicken. We stopped on for lunch, and both the regular size and mini plate were perfect for us. The chicken had so much flavor, the rice with sauce & seasoning was good. We even liked the side macaroni salad.

Sarah J.

Incredible food Amazing service right in the heart of Cherokee! This area looks like it's a beach town and there's all kinds of cute shops. I got the chicken Katsu and it was so flavorful! The whole table was quiet while eating the tuna was amazing as well! It was authentic Hawaiian and I'll be back!

Stacie B.

Loved my visit to the Rice Wagon! The food was excellent, service was prompt and friendly making it an overall great experience. We were able to have our dog on the patio with us as we were driving through. This will probably be a repeat stop for us when in the area, so excited to have found it.

Ricardo S.

The food was very salty. Pork was gamey and smelly. The service was very good. Cool music/vibe also.

Addie R.

Stopped here for lunch after staying the night in Cherokee. Definitely a locals place and I can see why - the food is delicious. I ordered the Shoyu Chicken mini plate and it was delicious. The chicken fell off the bone, was well marinated and the rice was coated in the sauce as well. I'm picky about my Hawaiian Mac salad and it was very good. We come to this town occasionally and I'd happily return for lunch!

Best food we have had on our Smoky Mnt NP trip! Mixed plates just like in Hawaii! A must stop in Cherokee!

Erica S.

I would've never expected to find such a wonderful Hawaiian restaurant in Cherokee, NC. The authenticity of the food was truly spectacular. I had the chicken Katsu sandwich with Mac salad and it brought me right back to being in Hawaii. We took friends who had never eaten Hawaiian food before and they were shocked at how good it was. We will definitely visit this restaurant the next time we're in Cherokee.

I want to disclose I've lived in Hawaii half my adult life. I stumbled across this place passing through Cherokee and all I can say is WOW. It couldn't be more authentic plate lunch and the quality was incredible. I felt like I was grabbing lunch in Haleiwa between surf sessions. IYKYK and if you don't it will still blow you away. The food, service and ambiance are 10/10. This place is an absolute gem.

Chicken katsu (foreground); kalua pork (background)

Stephanie B.

I LOVED my chicken katsu. Nicely breaded and cooked; the chicken was moist. The sauce was great. It got spicy after several bites. The Asian-inspired slaw was delicious -- lightly flavored purple cabbage. I want the recipe! And I want to go back. It's easily the best meal we've had in Cherokee. Spouse had the kalua pork, which he enjoyed (though he thought it was similar to NC pulled pork).

Heather W.

The food here was spot on! Delicious, fresh. I had Ahi Tuna and my husband loco moco. Don't miss out

Kasey M.

We had to wait 40 minutes for our food because they ran out of cooked rice but its ok because the food was fire . I had the full plate of hurricane chicken and it came with mac salad and 2 scoops of rice. Just as good as some of the places i had on big island.

We were passing through Cherokee and decided to try the rice wagon. When we arrived, Peyton welcomed us, gave us her recommendations, and helped us order. The food was delicious. I was full before I ate half of my plate. My husband got some of the sauces from the chicken katsu to put on the shoyu chicken since he liked it so much. The environment was very clean and welcoming. It was a modern restaurant with outdoor seating available.

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Macarena R.

Elite 26

82

145

327

2 months ago

We had heard so many people recommend Rice Wagon while visiting Bryson City that we had to give it a try--and we're glad we did! We ordered the Chicken Katsu and the Bankai Chicken Katsu. Both dishes were similar, with one served with macaroni salad, rice, and crispy chicken, while the other came with rice, furikake, chicken, and a fresh cabbage salad. The menu is simple, but every bite was packed with flavor. The service was outstanding. The young man working the food truck provided service that honestly rivaled what you'd expect at a full-service restaurant. He was friendly, welcoming, and genuinely cared that we had a great experience. The setting is another bonus. The food truck is tucked behind a brewery, making it the perfect place to grab a drink, relax, and enjoy a delicious meal in a quiet, laid-back atmosphere. Out of all the places we tried during our trip, this was some of the simplest food--but also some of the most flavorful. It proves that you don't need a huge menu to make memorable food. We 100% recommend Rice Wagon if you're in Bryson City. Great service, delicious food, and a wonderful atmosphere! read more

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Hans A.

155

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77

2 months ago

The wife and I just came from the Blue Ridge Highway national Park. This restaurant is tucked away in a small little town called Cherokee. We were looking for a place that was open and simple and we could eat outside. We had the Eddy Burger and it was fantastic and the Hawaiian pork. Both items came with a Mac salad that was very tasty. The burger was cooked perfectly and was substantial size probably 7 or 8 ounces. This isn't a fine dining restaurant. It's a counter spot where you walk up place your order and they'll buzz you when your food is ready. Don't expect phenomenal service, but expect phenomenal food. Definitely worth the price and absolutely delicious. read more

The Rice Wagon - This is the patio area in the walkway entrance. - Hawaiian Near Me - Cherokee, North Carolina

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Sophia X.

0

2

0

5 days ago

Found this cozy Hawaiian restaurant and fell in love with the ahi tuna meal. It you don't like sugar in your food, you got to try this meal. Even the rice was so delicious to the point I wanted to order it to go. The boss was so kind and didn't charge me for that. read more

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Nicole H.

19

10

0

8 days ago

Recommended to us at the museum and highly recommend checking it out. Tasty food, good prices, great lunch spot. Adults and teens all Loved what we ordered. Big and small Portions available to order read more

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Alayne L.

18

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26

2 months ago

Loco Moco so good I swear I was on the Big Island!! Ube cheesecake amazing!!! Very clean very friendly staff!! Fantastic find in the middle of the mountains!! Must stop!!! read more

The Rice Wagon - Loco Moco and Ube cheesecake!! - Hawaiian Near Me - Cherokee, North Carolina

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Jay R.

0

19

0

17 days ago

Overall, the entrées were marginal Chicken Katsu and Garlic chicken We're not very appealing We found the garlic chicken to be especially salty read more

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Mansi R.

Elite 26

134

463

1313

6 months ago

Delicious chicken. We stopped on for lunch, and both the regular size and mini plate were perfect for us. The chicken had so much flavor, the rice with sauce & seasoning was good. We even liked the side macaroni salad. read more

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Sarah J.

Elite 26

35

158

635

1 year ago

Incredible food Amazing service right in the heart of Cherokee! This area looks like it's a beach town and there's all kinds of cute shops. I got the chicken Katsu and it was so flavorful! The whole table was quiet while eating the tuna was amazing as well! It was authentic Hawaiian and I'll be back! read more

The Rice Wagon - Tuna - Hawaiian Near Me - Cherokee, North Carolina

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Stacie B.

Elite 26

49

251

214

9 months ago

Loved my visit to the Rice Wagon! The food was excellent, service was prompt and friendly making it an overall great experience. We were able to have our dog on the patio with us as we were driving through. This will probably be a repeat stop for us when in the area, so excited to have found it. read more

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Jesus C.

331

43

5

2 months ago

Everything we ordered was amazing. I had the burger and my son had the Aji tuna fresh tuna in North Carolina honestly, I couldn't believe it. The place is awesome. The service is on point because you order your food at the counter and the ambience is legit. Good choice of beers to pick from and they also have great drinks from Hawaii. Place is a 10 out of 10 if you ask me. read more

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Ricardo S.

Elite 26

1

72

37

11 months ago

The food was very salty. Pork was gamey and smelly. The service was very good. Cool music/vibe also. read more

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Addie R.

44

22

15

5 months ago

Stopped here for lunch after staying the night in Cherokee. Definitely a locals place and I can see why - the food is delicious. I ordered the Shoyu Chicken mini plate and it was delicious. The chicken fell off the bone, was well marinated and the rice was coated in the sauce as well. I'm picky about my Hawaiian Mac salad and it was very good. We come to this town occasionally and I'd happily return for lunch! read more

The Rice Wagon - Shoyu Chicken - Hawaiian Near Me - Cherokee, North Carolina

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Renea R.

0

5

3

2 months ago

Best food we have had on our Smoky Mnt NP trip! Mixed plates just like in Hawaii! A must stop in Cherokee! read more

The Rice Wagon - Kalua pork Mini plate - Hawaiian Near Me - Cherokee, North Carolina

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Erica S.

Elite 26

149

56

34

1 year ago

I would've never expected to find such a wonderful Hawaiian restaurant in Cherokee, NC. The authenticity of the food was truly spectacular. I had the chicken Katsu sandwich with Mac salad and it brought me right back to being in Hawaii. We took friends who had never eaten Hawaiian food before and they were shocked at how good it was. We will definitely visit this restaurant the next time we're in Cherokee. read more

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Ivie Jo B.

0

13

0

3 months ago

I was so excited to eat here because the reviews were great. I was really let down. I would say we ordered 5 things on the menu. It was mediocre... the rice was mush. The "mac & cheese" is like a mayo dressing or something. It was just a big let down. My food looked nothing like the photos. I'm shocked that the reviews were so great.. maybe I went on a bad day. read more

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John C.

0

1

3 months ago

I want to disclose I've lived in Hawaii half my adult life. I stumbled across this place passing through Cherokee and all I can say is WOW. It couldn't be more authentic plate lunch and the quality was incredible. I felt like I was grabbing lunch in Haleiwa between surf sessions. IYKYK and if you don't it will still blow you away. The food, service and ambiance are 10/10. This place is an absolute gem. read more

The Rice Wagon - Kalbi Garlic Chicken Bankai Katsu - Hawaiian Near Me - Cherokee, North Carolina

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raffaele p.

Elite 26

11

201

168

9 months ago

I am so glad we discovered this spot! We brought our dogs, and their outdoor seating was absolutely perfect for us. I ordered the Kalbi and it was amazing, while my wife easily found great gluten-free options. read more

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Stephanie B.

Elite 24

11

118

49

9 months ago

I LOVED my chicken katsu. Nicely breaded and cooked; the chicken was moist. The sauce was great. It got spicy after several bites. The Asian-inspired slaw was delicious -- lightly flavored purple cabbage. I want the recipe! And I want to go back. It's easily the best meal we've had in Cherokee. Spouse had the kalua pork, which he enjoyed (though he thought it was similar to NC pulled pork). read more

The Rice Wagon - Chicken katsu (foreground); kalua pork (background) - Hawaiian Near Me - Cherokee, North Carolina

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Stacy

0

2

0

1 month ago

Garlic chicken was great but a bit salty. Friendly staff. Casual setting. Suggest larger signage.

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Heather W.

2

22

15

10 months ago

The food here was spot on! Delicious, fresh. I had Ahi Tuna and my husband loco moco. Don't miss out read more

The Rice Wagon - Ahí Tuna - Hawaiian Near Me - Cherokee, North Carolina

The Rice Wagon - Loco Moco - Hawaiian Near Me - Cherokee, North Carolina

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Kasey M.

0

27

66

9 months ago

We had to wait 40 minutes for our food because they ran out of cooked rice but its ok because the food was fire . I had the full plate of hurricane chicken and it came with mac salad and 2 scoops of rice. Just as good as some of the places i had on big island. read more

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Lacianna B.

0

6

8

4 months ago

We were passing through Cherokee and decided to try the rice wagon. When we arrived, Peyton welcomed us, gave us her recommendations, and helped us order. The food was delicious. I was full before I ate half of my plate. My husband got some of the sauces from the chicken katsu to put on the shoyu chicken since he liked it so much. The environment was very clean and welcoming. It was a modern restaurant with outdoor seating available. read more

The Rice Wagon - Shoyu Chicken and the Chicken Katsu - Hawaiian Near Me - Cherokee, North Carolina

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Miguel P.

0

7

6

4 months ago

Great service, very clean establishment and awesome food! Highly recommended! The Big Kanaka was amazing! read more

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Scott B.

0

7

0

2 months ago

Really good authentic Hawaiian food. Bankai chicken and wings were on point. Quick and good. Would eat here again.

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Emily B.

0

37

15

3 months ago

Sooo delicious, nice little to-go spot and there is some outdoor seating as well. We got the Eddie burger and the Tanaka sandwich, both were excellent, and I'm not a mac salad person but even that was tasty. Definitely will be back. Highly recommend. read more

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Layna P.

0

4

0

2 months ago

Food was delicious, guy was friendly. The best fall of the bone marinated chicken with a fresh noodle salad! Was clean and had delicious pacific native drinks, cold AC and a beautiful view. read more

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Chandler H.

0

19

8

5 months ago

The best Hawaiian food I have ever had!!!! Service and staff were incredible, helped me navigate the menu items! 20/10 would recommend read more

The Rice Wagon - Bankai Chicken - Hawaiian Near Me - Cherokee, North Carolina

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Stefanie R.

85

24

6

8 months ago

Great place to eat in Cherokee!! We had the loco moco and the hot Hawaiian honey popcorn chicken. Both were phenomenal dishes. Service was great and food is cooked fresh to order. We will definitely be back. read more

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Sai S.

0

8

27

1 year ago

Outstanding Chicken Katsu! We tried both the Bankai Chicken Katsu and the Chicken Katsu plate. All of it was incredible. We are new fans of the Rice Wagon and can't wait to come back. With friendly service, quick food preparation - and very reasonable prices - nothing but 5 stars here! read more

The Rice Wagon - Chicken Katsu plate - Hawaiian Near Me - Cherokee, North Carolina

The Rice Wagon - Bankai chicken Katsu - Hawaiian Near Me - Cherokee, North Carolina

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Tiger N.

0

7

0

4 months ago

Not bad at all. If you are traveling in this neighborhood and don't know what to get for a quick lunch, give it a try. We liked it and we had it twice during our 5-day vacation in the Great Smokey Mountain NP. read more

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Alisha S.

0

17

16

7 months ago

I can never get enough of this place!!! The seared Tuna in a mountain town being THIS AMAZING is mind blowing!! So fresh, so good, best quality tuna everrrrr!! read more

The Rice Wagon - Yellowfin Ahi Tuna - Hawaiian Near Me - Cherokee, North Carolina

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Patrick S.

2

39

5

10 months ago

Came in today for some kick ass Hawaiian... food was fantastic.. service was exceptional... great overall vibe.. nice little outdoor seating.. definitely get there early because some of the favorites do sell out.. could not have been more stoked.. will definitely be back.. read more

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Erik F.

Elite 26

28

256

14

2 years ago

Nice find in Cherokee! Who couldn't use some moko loco today? Large portions. The Mac salad is on point. The gravy had a fresh sage leaf in it. A step above much of the quick offerings in the area and no line like some of the popular sit down spots along the river. read more

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Emily C.

252

12

2

1 year ago

I travel to Hawaii often and this taste just like the Hawaiian plate lunches you can get at many restaurants in Hawaii. I was surprised and delighted. We have a cabin not too far from Cherokee, we're closer to Bryson City. We first tried the Rice Wagon food truck in Bryson City and decided we needed to try the location in Cherokee as well. I especially love the Loco Moco! And the musubi is a close second. I will definitely be going back on my next trip. read more

The Rice Wagon - Kulua pork and musubi - Hawaiian Near Me - Cherokee, North Carolina

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Boomer R.

0

1

0

4 months ago

Love the food here, was trying to place a to go order.....no one would answer. I drove to the store, got there before closing time tried to order and got nothing but attitude from the employee. Wouldn't let me order. Apparently closing time of 8 means 7. read more

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Aguelines B.

0

3

0

10 months ago

I stumbled onto this place mistake. But boy am I happy I did. This has got to be one of the best plates I've ever had. I was not expecting it to taste soooo good. The staff is amazing! Glad I decided to walk in. A must if you're ever in Cherokee read more

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Andy S.

0

3

0

7 months ago

Ordered hawaii 5-0 sandwich, tasty, service was fast, nice location, bathroom was clean, would go again

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Brianna W.

0

3

2

1 year ago

The chicken Katsu was amazing. The Asian slaw was soooo flavorful. We've been wanting to plan another trip just to have Katsu again read more

The Rice Wagon - Chicken Katsu , Hawaiian 5-0 - Hawaiian Near Me - Cherokee, North Carolina

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Jeremiah C.

0

1

1 year ago

Braddah! Da meanest Hawaiian food. If you know, you know. Going come back and eat everything! read more

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Donna S.

37

58

20

1 year ago

Stopped in after hiking and I will say we were more than pleased with our lunch. I had the garlic chicken and my husband had the kahlua pork. Both served with white rice. He had macaroni salad with his and I had broccoli. Food was fresh and hot and we had plenty to take home. If you haven't tried this restaurant, you should. read more

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More info about The Rice Wagon

35 Big Cove Rd
Cherokee, NC 28719
Directions
(828) 506-5162
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Hours

What time does The Rice Wagon open?

The Rice Wagon opens at 11:30 AM on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

What time does The Rice Wagon close?

The Rice Wagon closes at 8:00 PM on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Mon-Sun 11:30 AM - 8:00 PM

Food & Alcohol

Does The Rice Wagon serve alcohol?

Yes, The Rice Wagon serves alcohol.

Indoor Amenities

Does The Rice Wagon allow dogs?

Yes, The Rice Wagon allows dogs.

Outdoor Amenities

Does The Rice Wagon have parking?

Yes, The Rice Wagon has parking options. Validated Parking

Other Amenities

Does The Rice Wagon have free WiFi?

Yes, The Rice Wagon has free WiFi.

From the Business

Specialties

Authentic Hawaiian Street food served in the heart of the Appalachian Mountains! Delicious meals for the whole family.

The Rice Wagon Reviews in Other Languages

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The Rice Wagon

Best food in Bryson city no doubt, great customer service also! Get the combo with the hurricane…read morechicken and Kalua pork, you wont regret it

We had heard so many people recommend Rice Wagon while visiting Bryson City that we had to give it…read morea try--and we're glad we did! We ordered the Chicken Katsu and the Bankai Chicken Katsu. Both dishes were similar, with one served with macaroni salad, rice, and crispy chicken, while the other came with rice, furikake, chicken, and a fresh cabbage salad. The menu is simple, but every bite was packed with flavor. The service was outstanding. The young man working the food truck provided service that honestly rivaled what you'd expect at a full-service restaurant. He was friendly, welcoming, and genuinely cared that we had a great experience. The setting is another bonus. The food truck is tucked behind a brewery, making it the perfect place to grab a drink, relax, and enjoy a delicious meal in a quiet, laid-back atmosphere. Out of all the places we tried during our trip, this was some of the simplest food--but also some of the most flavorful. It proves that you don't need a huge menu to make memorable food. We 100% recommend Rice Wagon if you're in Bryson City. Great service, delicious food, and a wonderful atmosphere!

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Huli Sue’s

Food, service, ambiance Jess was the perfect server. Food…read moreand beer on tap were explained so well. 5 of us enjoyed every entree.

My husband and I enjoyed a spontaneous dinner date night here and it was terrific! Our server Eden…read morewaited all the outdoor tables and this section was quite busy. Yet we felt well cared for. We ordered a delicious spread, including brussels sprouts, brisket nachos, pulled pork tacos, and the chili shrimp. The generous portions meant there was plenty to take home! I asked her to surprise me with a drink, and she brought over a beautiful mai tai that had a lovely orchid on top, which I slipped behind my ear. We will definitely be back!

Photos

Cute decor

Sampler platter with cornbread and side

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Bar was very nicely colorful and open, they were making mai tais & blender cocktails

Aloha Cafe

4.6

(61 reviews)

42.7 mi

The Poke bowl was absolutely amazing! It was very delicious. My wife and I are kinda picky when…read moreit comes to our Poke and we both highly recommend this place!! You won't be disappointed!

This is clearly a family owned business but my experience was subpar. The young lady who took my…read moreorder was friendly and efficient but the restaurant was not inviting for me to stay. A TV show was blasting at top volume in the kitchen area and it was not enjoyable for me to sit and enjoy my lunch. I felt pressured to take my meal to go and was ultimately disappointed by the small portion size and the rickety unlevel table out front. I am obsessed with poke bowls and I live locally but I won't make a point to go back unfortunately.

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Customer bowl

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Maggies Galley Seafood & Oyster Bar

Let me start by saying our server was great:) It was the food that wasn't good for us. I ordered…read morethe shrimp sandwich , now my fault for thinking it was going to be on a hoagie roll ‍ who would make an actual sandwich with shrimp well I ordered it my fault. Yes it was 2 buns with lettuce & tomatoes & grilled shrimp. I took the one bun & folded it up & shoved my shrimp in it lol The best thing was their fried onion pedals. The shrimp could have used some seasoning. My friend got the broiled fish. She said it was not hot but not warm either. I was very disappointed visiting from out of town & I saw a lot of locals loved this place but it's not for me.

I love the seafood chowder! It's amazing! The seafood lasagna is fantastic and the seafood…read morecasserole is awesome. This place is great. The hush puppies are delicious. I usually get the desserts to go because I'm so full. Everything I've had is delicious. Staff is friendly. The place is cutely decorated.

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Captain Jim's Seafood Buffet

I ate here a couple of hours ago. When I walked in I was looking for the checkin desk and there was…read morea step up I did not see. I dropped hard on both knees. No one from the restaurant staff came to see how I was even tho I continued to lay in the floor. Happily 2 customers helped me to get up. We ate our meal. The crab legs were par. The waitress was very nice. They asked me to fill out an incident report. Then when I left no one even offered to comp anything. With the exception of the waitress, I truly felt that they could not possibly have cared less. Very disappointed

This place is very outdated and is dank and grungy inside. We were seated in a booth with our…read morefriends. We had to move, because our friend was literally sitting in a hole in the seat! Why would the hostess even put anyone in that booth! Our friend said we have to move. I can't sit like this i will throw my back out! The food was mediocre. A lot of breaded shrimp and fish. Overcooked salmon. The side dishes were bland. I really only enjoyed the hush puppies and cold shrimp. I also had a bbq rib, which wasn't that great.I don't recommend this place. There are plenty of other seafood places to go to near by. Save your money and time.

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Stuffed flounder, pretty good

Seafood buffet.

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Q Korean Steakhouse

Every time I've come here I never had to wait, and the servers are always very helpful & nice! I…read morelove the selection of meats/poultry/seafood to grill. They now have an area so you can self-serve the small side dishes but they can still bring the rice and other sauces to the table if you request them. I love how they always have K-pop music videos playing in the background too!

It was my first time at such a spot. The service and staff were great! All very attentive,…read moreprofessional and personable. I enjoyed the food and variety by getting the unlimited dinner. I thought the beef bulgogi and anything with the teriyaki or sweet flavor were best. The spot is very conveniently located and easy to find. It was clean and pleasant.

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The Hoke Poke Noodle Bar

3.7

(23 reviews)

43.9 mi

What a surprise! We've driven past this restaurant,…read moreliterally, dozens of times and have never stopped! However, last week we decided to stop at the Hoke Poke Noodle Bar and check it out! Amazing menu and the food is even better. I had the chicken teriyaki noodle bowl and my wife had the chicken fried rice! (I almost licked my bowl clean), It was that delicious! The server was knowledgeable of the menu, friendly and provided excellent service, which always adds to the dining experience! We will definitely be returning to try other menu items! I hate giving 5 star reviews to local restaurants, because it's like giving up your favorite fishing spot to other fishermen!

I had very good ice tea at lunch the other day. It was half & half, but the best I've had. The…read morechicken noodle bowl was good. The salmon was undercooked per my husband. My husband also noted the walls & baseboards were very dirty. Not sure I'll get him to go here again. Service was good!

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Lobster Roll with Fried Rice

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Spicy salmon roll (not actually spicy)

Poke Bros - Knoxville

3.1

(20 reviews)

47.3 mi

The first thing we noticed upon entering was the foul smell. We couldn't pinpoint it, but it was…read morean immediate red flag. We reluctantly ordered, against our better judgment, and I'll say up front that it was a mistake. Service was weird. The guy just stared at us with a blank expression. There was no greeting, small talk, or chitchat. I wasn't sure where to order, so I just walked back and forth around the counter, depending on where on the menu I was looking. He didn't make a peep until telling me the total. I've never had the silent treatment from someone on customer service before, lol. I ordered the Tonkatsu Ramen with Chashu Pork protein. The broth was lukewarm, flavorless, and didn't taste like any tonkatsu I've ever had. Was very disappointed. The egg was cold, and overly salty. It's as if they used preserved eggs, soaked them in soy sauce for years, then slated it again before adding it to the broth straight from the fridge. The other toppings didn't seem fresh at all. Half the bowl was spinach, but is wasn't fresh, and was extremely bitter. This is the first time I've ever seen spinach as a ramen ingredient, and it ruined this dish (note: I love spinach, but this was obviously bad). Overall, the did was bad. Nothing seemed to work together, and it seemed to be ill prepared. Lots of flying bugs, and with the majority the food open air... not gonna try the poke. We were the only customers during the entire lunch "rush". That was the final red flag that determines we will not return. I don't think this was an off-day, I think this place is just not good. Our experience was terrible.

Great food, friendly staff but the online ordering needs fixed. Wouldn't let my order go through…read morewith multiple tries.

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Mochi Ice Cream !

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Tonkotsu Ramen with Chashu Pork

Joe's Crab Shack

Everything was good. A little pricey, but that's to be expected. The food came out hot and fresh…read more The server was attentive. There was a fun and lively atmosphere.

absolute worst asparagus i have ever had, i'm not quite sure what exactly was in the scampi dish…read moreother than the shrimp, there was no garlic butter and no butter or sauce given or offered for the grilled shrimp. walked in and we were told there was a 40min wait. I checked the website and booked a reservation for less than 10min out. There were several vacant tables when we were seated (in the corner). It took over an hour from the time we were seated until we received our meals. Honestly I wouldn't recommend stopping here at this tourist spot, they can't handle the crowd.

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Gift shop

Joe's Classic Sampler

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Margaritas

Bubba Gump Shrimp

Good experience for a nice lunch while in the area. There's a lot of options on this street. We…read morechose this one as they're dog friendly and had prior experience in the past with their great food. Pet Friendly: They allowed us to bring our dog in with us. They sat us upstairs. The waitress was very nice to the dog, and us. We got their chicken sandwich which was tasty and a good size to split. Their fries were good as well.

A very meh experience overall…read more I've seen the chain all over but never took the opportunity to try it. Now that I have, I know I wasn't missing much. Everything was good/fine. Nothing worth writing home (or a review) about! The customer service was very transactional.

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Peter's Pancakes and Waffles

Food was really good I had a pancake and an omelette everything was cooked well. I would try and…read moreget here as early as possible the place packs up quickly. Waitress was awesome and very kind despite being very busy. For glueing free options only thing that is available is the gluten free bread everything else is regular just an fyi

Ambiance: casual, Waffle House like, lively Service: prompt,…read moreresponsive and efficient Food: only that many choices for vegetarians but they tried to accommodate the unique requests of holding off ham and bacon. Three egg omelette came piping hot and cooked to perfection. Well seasoned diced potatoes elevated the side of potatoes to a level of an entree. A tidy and modest place for breakfast! Will go back again!!!

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Tables overlooking pigeon river.

Short stack ( 3) blueberry pancakes and side of corn beef hash cooked to perfection!

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Qualla Java Cafe

Cherokee/Bryson City area has been my little vacation spot for the last decade of my life (I grew…read moreup coming to this area in the summers to tube). I've been coming to Qualla Java Cafe since probably 2016. I can honestly say after 10 years, I've never had a bad drink here. They have a bunch of drinks - all with pretty fun names. Again, I've never had a bad drink here so it's fun to just randomly pick one. The service is always really fast and I'm never really in their long. Sorry if my review isn't better - coffee shops are kind of hard for me to review because coffee doesn't really look good in picture form. Just drink it!

Stopped here after going through the Smokey Mountains. This place is super cute! They have a large…read moredrink menu from teas, coffees, to lemonades and smoothies. I've had their chai tea before and they were really good but I opted for an orange hibiscus lemonade. It wasn't too sweet and was very refreshing. They offer a variety of non-dairy milk alternatives too. There are some bakery items but I didn't see anything labeled gluten-free. They have restrooms available for customers in the back and many different seating areas. There is also a patio outside that overlooks a creek where you can sit as well.

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New laser engraved stainless steel cups.

Grounded Coffee Shop & Food Factory

Looking for a simple and easy breakfast away from the casino. This is walking distance. The coffee…read morewas good and the pork sandwich was flavorful and amazing to the last bite. Cozy space with large windows which made the space feel large. Food was cooked fresh and came out quick. Would definitely go back when in there area.

Was staying in town and wanted to try a local coffee so we stopped in here for a light breakfast…read moreand coffee. It's a cute little place with some photo ops. They unfortunately were out of croissants which was what we both wanted. So she offered to make our sanswiches on bread as a toasted sandwich. The eggs were fresh fried The bacon was microwave bacon and very little on sandwich so that was disappointing Hubbys ham sandwich had a lot more meat on it The sandwiches were simple and like you would make at home. I ordered a Carmel mochiatto and it had a weird taste about it and a burnt Carmel taste definitely would not order again Hubby ordered the cafe au lei there was nothing special about it and it wasn't traditional as they didn't use chicory coffee.

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Interior

Banana toast & chai latte

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Feeling Salty Latte & Italian Toast

Wize Guyz Grille

Oh my goodness! Our 2nd time @ this place! They have…read moreanything for anyone! From pizza to burgers, chicken tenders, wings and so much more! Kaylee took our order at the counter. She was sweet & welcoming & recommended the best for us. We both had the O.M.G burger & it was delicious!! Fries were hot & fresh, the wings were meaty & so good & the cheese curds were great! Really simple, family restaurant. You order at the counter, they give you a number & they bring it out to you. They have plenty of parking, seating & handicap assessable. Don't pass this little clean spot up if passing by!

This was a great find for my family on vacation on a tight budget. Food is super inexpensive and…read morethe staff is so friendly. We enjoyed it.

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Self service bar

Chicken wings

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El Cajelito

4.2

(52 reviews)

0.1 mi

In Cherokee for vacation AGAIN! Absolutely love NC. Had to come to our favorite place. This time I…read moregot the taco salad with beef tips. OMG - seasoned perfectly. I love the service, the staff and the food. Best place in Cherokee.

Amazing prices and excellent quality in their service and food. Atmosphere is casual and relaxing,…read morevery clean and adequate.

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Bean burrito, arroz rojo and mushroom quesadilla

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Menu

Why does Yelp recommend reviews?

Hundreds of millions of reviews are posted on Yelp, and our automated recommendation software works in the background to showcase the reviews that it …

4 reviews that are not currently recommended

The reviews below are not factored into the business's overall star rating.

saab92513584

0

1

0

1 year ago

Super surprising little place with fantastic food. We stopped in for a good change from the standard American, Asian, or Mexican food options. I got the Hulu burger and it was honestly the best hamburger I've had in a long time. Service was prompt, and everything tasted fresh. Also, bonus points for a spotless bathroom that even smelled nice. May be the nicest bathroom I've come across in a week. read more

Dewayne E.

0

5

0

18 days ago

I'll admit, I was skeptical but my negative thought were unfounded. This place is awesome! The dining area inside is small but adequate. The staff is super friendly, and will help you make a decision. The food was great, cooked to order and came out hot. We will definitely be back next time we are in Cherokee, NC. read more

Travis S.

0

1

2

2 years ago

Excellent food, friendly staff, extremely clean facilities. I got the Loco Moco and it was as good as anything I had in KAUAI. We bought 2 entrees and shared a bottled drink for $32. We would definitely recommend and will be going back. read more

Laura O.

0

5

0

1 year ago

Garlic chicken is amazing! Big portions. Good prices. In a cute little part of Cherokee. read more

The Rice Wagon - hawaiian - Updated August 2026

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4 The Rice Wagon reviews that are not currently recommended

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4 reviews that are not currently recommended

The Rice Wagon - hawaiian - Updated August 2026

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