Don’t come to Gatlinburg without your appetite. This little mountain town is filled with eateries – from Mexican cuisine to Italian, American, breakfast and everything in between. Our editorial staff tries out every new restaurant that opens in town and has the beat on what the local food scene. If you’re looking for something unusual, then this article is for you. These are three of the most unusual items you will find on Gatlinburg menus – and they’re all delicious!
Log Toast Burger from Timbers Log Cabin Restaurant
Timbers Log Cabin is an eccentric little restaurant tucked away in the Arts & Crafts community. To find it, drive up Parkway toward the Greenbrier area (away from the entrance to the Smoky Mountains), turn left onto Glades Road, then look for it on your right. You might not expect an eatery of this nature to specialize in burgers, but that is exactly the case. The one that got our attention – that we absolutely had to try – is the Timbers Log Toast Burger, which is a third-pound burger served on two slices of Cinnamon French toast, cheese, fried egg and bacon. It comes served with syrup for dipping. Now that’s a strange burger! But somehow it works. The flavors work together. If you’re a cheese burger lover looking for something different, then this is the burger for you!
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Dyin’ Man Sandwich from Tom & Earl’s Back Alley Grill
Tom and Earl’s Back Alley Grill is a Gatlinburg staple located down an alley right on Parkway in the heart of town. It’s a great place to hang out, drink a beer, and grab a bite to eat. On a nice day, you can even sit outside. If you’re in the mood for some meat…this place delivers! One of the more interesting items on the menu is the Dyin’ Man, which consists of a thick slice of fried bologna, which is then covered with a pile of pulled pork, and then topped off with bacon. Dyin’ man is right! As long as you’re not some kind of health nut, then you will love this sandwich.
www.tomandearlsbackalleygrill.com
The Crazy Mason Milkshake Bar
The Crazy Mason exploded onto the Gatlinburg scene last year, as evidenced by the lines to get into the place that sometimes extends well out the door and down the street. Shortly after it opened, we literally stood in line for an hour…to get a milkshake! The Crazy Mason specializes in milkshakes that are little works of art. There could candy bars, whole bananas, donuts, cookies, lollipops and other food items sticking out from the shake in all directions, somehow magically attached to it. We had the shake called Bananas over You, which consists of vanilla ice cream blended with fresh bananas and peanut butter sauce, Nutella, granola, strawberries and whipped cream.
www.thecrazymason.com/our-locations/gatlinburg
If you’re hungry and feeling adventurous (and why would you come to Gatlinburg if you’re not feeling adventurous?), we recommend you give any of the above options a try. You will not be disappointed!