Our first great food find of our recent trip to the Smokies was the Bear Camp Grill in Sevierville, TN. We had lunch there on Mother’s Day. For anyone who has heard our tales of woe about trying to find lunch in Gatlinburg last year on Mother’s Day – you’ll understand how thrilled we were to find a great place to eat this year.
(c) 2008 Patty Hankins
We started the morning photographing at Cades Cove in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. We headed out of the park on Rich Mountain Road. One of the photographic opportunities along the road is a view of the Cades Cove Methodist Church surrounded by trees. The drive is worth it just to see this view. Someday, I hope to get back and take a similar photo with the church surrounded by colorful fall leaves.
Cades Cove Methodist Church (c) 2008 Patty Hankins
After exiting the park, we drove along Rt 321 – and eventually came upon the Bear Camp Grill. Knowing we weren’t far out of Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg – we figured it was time for lunch.
(c) 2008 Patty Hankins
The decor of the Bear Camp Grill is an old camp lodge – the type of place hunters would go to eat while bear hunting in the Smokies. The menu is good basic southern cooking.
Bill had the pulled pork BBQ lunch – which was excellent. I had the fried chicken special. The fried chicken was incredible – probably the best fried chicken I’ve ever had. The coating was light, the chicken moist – and not greasy. I couldn’t eat both pieces for lunch, so I took the second piece back to the hotel for supper that night. The fried chicken was just as good cold as it was hot – still moist – not soggy or greasy.
The Bear Camp Grill was a wonderful find on our trip – great food, great service and very reasonable prices (lunch for 2 was under $ 25 including tip). We’ll definitely be eating at the Bear Camp Grill on future trips to the Smokies.
The Bear Camp Grill is located at 3275 Wears Valley Road, Sevierville, TN. Hours are 11 AM – 9 PM Monday – Friday, 8 AM – 9 PM on Saturday and 8 AM – 3 PM on Sunday. Phone number is 865 453 0181. Their full menu and more info can be found on their website.