What Makes the Johnson Family of Restaurants So Darned Good?
Decades ago, Bruce Johnson opened his first BBQ restaurant and fulfilled his dream of owning a restaurant. Now, Johnson Family Restaurants has grown by leaps and bounds in the Smokies and features restaurants offering just about any type of food your family is looking for. No matter which restaurant in the Johnson Family you choose, you will find the friendly service, comfortable atmosphere, and fresh food they have become famous for.
Check out each of these Johnson Family Restaurants and see what they have to offer.
[Note that all the restaurants close on Wednesdays.]
Alamo Steakhouse
Images courtesy of Johnson Family of Restaurants
Locals have voted this steakhouse the best maker of steaks in the area for six different years. The food here is so good that even the Washington Post recommends it!
Taking the family out to a fantastic dinner just has a way of making you feel like you’re on vacation, and both locations of Alamo Steakhouse offer refined yet casual ambience, friendly service, and delicious food that make them worth a visit. Every steakhouse worth its salt better have quality beef cooked to perfection, and Alamo Steakhouse allows you to choose from a variety of cuts such as Ribeye, Porterhouse, and Filet Mignon and have them prepared according to your preference. The steaks come from Black Angus beef and are hand-cut and aged in house for maximum flavor. The steaks aren’t the only star of the show at Alamo, however, and those in your group looking beyond the beef will find an extensive menu full of inventive appetizers, a variety of seafood and chops, and much more
Black Angus beef is the specialty, but delicious appetizers, seafood, chicken, and other dinners are available too. There’s a menu just for the kids, private booths, and a large private dining room that holds up to 50.
705 E. Parkway, Gatlinburg, TN 37738
(865) 436-9998
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3050 Parkway, Pigeon Forge, TN 37863
(865) 908-9998
http://www.alamosteakhouse.com/
Bennett’s Pit BBQ
If you love hickory-smoked BBQ, Bennett’s is the place to be! Winner of 2013’s “Best Ribs, Best BBQ in the County”.
If you’re craving real, hickory-smoked BBQ during your trip to the Smoky Mountains, then you need to make your way to Bennett’s Pit BBQ in either Gatlinburg or Pigeon Forge. They have been doing BBQ the right way for over 25 years, and the dedication to the craft and care show in the fall-off-the-bone tender meats, some of which are smoked for up to 14 hours, and in their signature sauce. All of your BBQ favorites including pork shoulder, beef brisket, chicken, and baby-back ribs are available, many of them as a platter or a sandwich. If you’re really hungry you can opt for one of the combos that gives you a taste of several of their signature BBQ classics.
You can’t go wrong with any of the sumptuously tender BBQ meals at Bennett’s. They use their own secret sauce, and smoke your pork, chicken, or beef up to 14 hours before serving. Many customers swear they’ve had the best BBQ in the world at Bennett’s.
714 River Rd., Gatlinburg, TN 37738
(865) 436-2400
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2910 Parkway, Pigeon Forge, TN 37863
(865) 429-2200
http://www.bennetts-bbq.com/
Big Daddy’s Pizzeria
Fresh ingredients, hand-made dough, and blazing hot wood-fired ovens are the benchmarks for great pizza, and Big Daddy’s pizzeria has them all. The toppings and sauces they offer are so fresh, they don’t even keep a freezer in the restaurant!
Pick from among their creative specialty pizzas or build your own, and maybe add some of their famous homemade meatballs as an appetizer. All Big Daddy’s pizzas are homemade, and get topped off with their own sauces and ingredients.
If you love thin-crust pizza, you’ll love Big Daddy’s! And when the kids are done, let them have a blast in the arcade at the Pigeon Forge location.
1820 Parkway, Sevierville, TN 37862
(865) 908-1123
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714 River Rd, Gatlinburg, TN 37738
(865) 436-5455
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3053 Parkway, Pigeon Forge, TN 37863
(865) 429-7171
http://www.bigdaddyspizzeria.net/
Mama’s Farmhouse
Ever been to a restaurant without a menu? At Mama’s, you have no choice but to enjoy a great meal every time!
For a true southern country cooking experience in the Smokies, head to Mama’s Farmhouse in Pigeon Forge. A variety of southern classics such as fried chicken, meatloaf, and country fried steak are all on the menu, but keep in mind that not every entree is available every day. Each selection comes with a choice of down-home sides such as macaroni and cheese, creamed corn, and cole slaw to round out that traditional country dining experience. Oh, and we can’t forget to mention the acclaimed buttermilk biscuits, which won the People’s Choice Award at the 2015 International Biscuit Festival. Mama’s Farmhouse is also open for a hearty breakfast if you need to fuel up for your day of exploration
You get a mix of delicious Southern-style vegetables and meat for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Then, top it off with a strawberry, banana, or peach dessert.
Look for the big silo!
208 Pickel St., Pigeon Forge, TN 37863
(865) 908-4646
http://www.mamasfarmhouse.com/
Mad Dog’s Creamery
Funnel cakes and soft-serve ice cream have just been added to Mad Dog’s menu! But, you can get hand-dipped ice cream 10 months out of the year (closed January and February).
When your sweet tooth hits, nothing satisfies quite like some hand-made ice cream, and Mad Dog’s Creamery and Donuts has just the cure. Whether you want a simple scoop of chocolate or a giant sundae with all the fixings, the selection of sweets at Mad Dog’s will satisfy your cravings. Both locations in Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge now offer light and airy donuts, crispy funnel cake, and much more. Special dog donut treats are also available if you want to bring your four-legged companion.
Make sure you make a pit stop here when you visit Pigeon Forge on your family’s vacation!
3048 Parkway, Pigeon Forge, TN 37863
(865) 774-5558
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731 East Parkway, Gatlinburg, TN 37738
(865) 430-5757
maddogscreamery.com
Mama’s Chicken Kitchen
Sometimes it has to be fried chicken. And when that happens, Mama’s Chicken has it for you, a Tripadvisor Travelers’ Choice offering southern cooking by the plate to eat in, or by the bucket to go – and the location on the east side of Gatlinburg puts you close to some great picnic spots in the national park.
Southern cooking from Mama’s kitchen offers cuts of chicken in full meals, a chicken tender or a southern fried chicken liver meal, chicken and dumplings, chicken fried chicken, and a 3-veggie meal. Wings are available of course, with a variety of special sauces. And there are plenty of fresh and substantial salads to vary the cuisine for the whole group.
The homemade side dishes include French fries (or chili cheese fries enough for two people), mashed potatoes and gravy, creamed corn, green or baked beans, coleslaw of course, and soup or onion straws. And there’s a kid’s menu with grilled cheese and other sandwiches, hot dogs and chicken tenders.
1244 East Parkway, Gatlinburg, TN 37738
(865) 412-1333
mamaschickenkitchen.com
J.O.E. and Pop’s Sub Shoppe
For subs and deli sandwiches, Joe and Pop offer Philly steak and cheesesteak, with a chicken cheesesteak version as well, along with Italian subs, open faced roast beef, club sandwich and the Reuben of course for the corned beef lover, and also a pork cutlet, a shrimp dish, and more. You can build your own sub with deli cheeses and meats and even tuna, and grab a hot dog too, to smother with chili and cheese or other dressings.
Joe and Pop’s is next door to Mama’s Chicken Kitchen, sharing the same building divided into two restaurants, but you can order from Mama’s menu at Joe and Pop’s also, so there are plenty of chicken varieties of meal, as well as salads and sides. Joe and Pop’s serves beer as well as some desserts you won’t find at Mama’s. Prices are reasonable and service is happy and professional.
1244 East Parkway, Gatlinburg, TN 37738
Tel: (865) 412-1333
joeandpops.com
