Applewood Farmhouse Grill Review

(Guest post by Amanda)
 
If you want to eat some good southern food during your next vacation to Pigeon Forge and the Great Smoky Mountains, visit Sevierville’s oldest restaurant: Applewood Farmhouse Restaurant & Farmhouse Grill. Although connected, the Farmhouse Restaurant and Farmhouse Grill are two distinct restaurants. Today I’m reviewing Applewood’s Farmhouse Grill.

Location:
 
If you head South on the Parkway, just past the Tanger Outlets you may notice a picturesque orchard on the right-hand side. Nestled between the orchards and the West Prong Little Pigeon River, Applewood Farmhouse Grill sits on the aptly named Apple Valley Road. The complex that houses the Farmhouse Grill also holds the Applewood Farmhouse Restaurant, Apple Valley Creamery and Bake Shop, Apple Barn Winery, and Christmas & Candle Shop.
 
If you are coming from one of Peaceful Cabin Rentals three luxury cabins, you can take Wears Valley Rd. to the Parkway, then make a left onto Apple Valley Road.
 
Environment:
 
The southern charm catches your attention before you even enter any of the restaurants or shops. Although the facility is large, the building runs longways. This keeps the parking close to the restaurants and stores. The architecture is beautiful and features gazebos, an outdoor fire pit, and porches covered in rocking chairs.
 
When you enter the Farmhouse Grill, there is a cozy waiting area. We ate there at the start of the year, during the off season, so we were seated immediately.
 
The atmosphere is homey, reminiscent of Cracker Barrel, but larger and brighter. Although the interior is large, it is sectioned into nice, neat little rooms so as not to feel overbearing.
 
The large fireplace in the center of the room and cute country décor justify the name; you truly feel like you are dining in a farmhouse! We sat at a booth beneath a lovely painting of the mountains in fall, and were soon brought a basket of Apple Fritters and Apple Butter along with glasses of Apple Julep.

Apple Fritters

Food:
 
From the start, the food is delicious! However, the Apple Fritters definitely steal the show. The crisp-on-the-outside, soft-on-the-inside fritters are the ideal vehicle for that sweet apple flavor. The best way to describe the Apple Fritters is like little apple cakes sprinkled with powdered sugar. Dip it in the Apple Butter, and your taste buds will thank you!
 
The Apple Julep, a blend of fruit juices, is also delicious, but I was satisfied after one glass. If you can’t get enough of the fruity drink, though, they freely share the simple recipe on the wall of the waiting area.
 
The food is a little pricey but comparable to many of the restaurants in the area. At the time of writing, their website mentions a $9.99 weekday lunch special, so there are ways to eat at the Farmhouse Grill while staying on budget.
 
I ordered the Apple Julep Grilled Chicken, which came with soup, potatoes, and a Farmhouse Side. I chose their creamy Loaded Potato Soup, swapped my potatoes for green beans, and settled on Mac & Cheese for my side. Between the portion sizes and multiple sides, the food was plenty to fill me up. The Apple Relish was a delicious take on grilled chicken, and the sides did not disappoint.
 
While I can’t remember what other members of my family ordered when we ate there, I do know that my mom (who, by the way, does a fabulous job ensuring guests have a wonderful stay at our cabins!) ordered the veggie soup. This side is a hearty soup filled with veggies, and she enjoyed it.
 
Service:
 
The friendly locals are part of the appeal of Pigeon Forge, and Applewood Farmhouse Grill staffs several! Service was prompt, and our food arrived quickly. Now, it was the off-season when we ate there, so there might be a wait during the summer or on peak weekends. If you do find yourself waiting to be seated, the porches provide plenty of seating for your party.
 
Summary:
 
Applewood Farmhouse Grill has a distinct charm, evidenced in both the setting and the food, that captures the essence of Pigeon Forge. We had a late start to our day, so although it was almost noon Applewood Farmhouse Grill was the first meal of our day. This was the perfect jump start to our day as we prepared to run errands and perform maintenance on the cabins.
 
I would definitely eat at the Farmhouse Grill again. I would also love to explore the other shops on site and compare Applewood’s other dining options with the Grill. Sadly, the other shops weren’t open when we were there since it was the off season. But I guess exploring more of what Applewood has to offer can be an excuse to come back to the area soon!
 
Have you eaten at Applewood Farmhouse Grill? Share your favorite menu item in the comments!
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