If there is one thing East Tennessee understands on a spiritual level, it is comfort food. Not “tiny portion with decorative drizzle” comfort food. Not “deconstructed casserole served on a square plate” comfort food.
We’re talking about the kind of meals that arrive at your table and immediately make you want to loosen your belt one notch before taking the first bite. East Tennessee comfort food is built on a few sacred principles:
- butter is not optional
- gravy can go on nearly anything
- and if your plate doesn’t make you consider a nap afterward, someone has done something wrong
Whether you live here or you’re just visiting, there are certain Southern food spots that deserve your attention—and probably your stretchy pants. So if you’re looking for places where biscuits are fluffy, sweet tea is practically syrup, and nobody is afraid of carbs, here are some Southern comfort food spots in East Tennessee you absolutely cannot miss.
The Old Mill – Pigeon Forge
If East Tennessee had an official “welcome to the South” restaurant, it might be The Old Mill Restaurant.
Located right beside the famous historic mill in Pigeon Forge, this place is about as Southern as it gets. Walking in feels like stepping into a postcard where everyone has accepted that calories do not count on vacation…