A battle of two East Tennessee institutions
When it comes to East Tennessee culinary dominance – local chain division – you’ve got a few contenders in the race. Among them is Calhoun’s, a barbecue institution that started in West Knoxville in 1983. The restaurant won the National Rib Cook-off in Ohio shortly thereafter. Another option is Aubrey’s, a less specialized American-style restaurant with a broader menu, which debuted nine years later, in 1992.
Both are among my favorite chain restaurants in the region. Aubrey’s has 14 locations across East Tennessee – including the one in Sevierville and two in Middle Tennessee. Calhoun’s has nine locations, with one in Pigeon Forge and another in Gatlinburg.
What I like about both is that they exude a high quality of experience and an overall comfort and competence that you might not find in less established places. That doesn’t mean everything will always go smoothly at either. This is especially true in Sevier County, where the competition for wait staff is fierce. Nearly every restaurant in the county appears to be in a continuous hiring cycle…