AJ’s Hearth & Kettle

AJ’s Hearth & Kettle in Townsend, TN has some of the best home-style cooking in the Smokies. Come for their breakfast bar and never leave hungry.

Trying to find that mom & pop spot that only the locals know about? Well, here’s a little Townsend, TN secret: If you want good, home cooking like you remember from trips to your grandmother’s house, AJ’s Hearth & Kettle is just the place for you.

And if it’s breakfast you want, they’ve got it. AJ’s famous breakfast buffet has kept Smoky Mountain visitors and locals alike coming back for years. Try it for yourself and see. The bar is loaded with southern breakfast favorites – bacon, eggs, sausage, grits, hash browns, pancakes, biscuits, french toast, fruit, and much more. Makes you wish you were smack dab in the middle of Townsend, Tn right now.

If breakfast is what you want but you’d rather have it served up to order to your table, AJ’s can do that as well. Eggs, biscuits, ham, and sausage in whatever order you’d like. add a pancake or two, or three, if you’d like. They also make some delicious omelets. Hey, you don’t have to convince anyone here, they know it’s good. They’ve even got cereal, or they can heat some toast for you. At AJ’s, the guest comes first.

Sticking around for lunch? Their lunch menu has a number of delicious sandwiches you can eat there or take out in the park with you. They have a number of hamburger platters to choose from and they all come with fries. If you’re just in the mood for a sandwich, each is served with chips and a pickle. Other sandwiches include fish, chicken, BBQ pork, roast beef, and the Hillbilly steak burger. They’ll even grill you up a wonderful grilled cheese like your momma used to make.

Dinners at AJ’s Hearth & Kettle get served with a choice of baked potato or fries and two vegetables. From the chicken strip dinner to grilled pork tenderloin to rainbow trout to chopped sirloin, AJ’s has something for everyone on their dinner menu. Every bite is cooked to perfection and the ribeye steak is good enough to write home about.

Next time you’re in Townsend looking for the place where all the locals eat, remember AJ’s Hearth & Kettle and taste what the Smoky Mountains are really about.

AJ’s Hearth & Kettle
7767 East Lamar Alexander Parkway
Townsend, TN 37882
(865) 448-6059

Foothills Milling Company

Fine Dining in Maryville, TN

Are you looking for a fine dining opportunity while you are vacationing in the Smokies?  Or maybe you are a local to the Smoky Mountains and you want to try something new?  Give Foothills Milling Company (FMC) a try.  They provide fine dining in a casual atmosphere.  They also provide fantastic service that is second to none in the Smokies.  This family owned and run restaurant has been providing dining experiences that keep people coming back year after year for special occasions and celebrations.

The owners and staff of Foothills Milling Company try to bring something different to the tables of their restaurant while still keeping the southern location of their restaurant in sight.  Their blend of the unusual and down-home cooking makes them one of the places for every foodie that visits the area to eat.

Let’s cut to the chase and look at the menu:
For appetizers:  goat cheese tarts made with Vidalia Onions, fried green tomatoes served with a tomato pepper chutney and pulled pork spring rolls – fried spring rolls filled with pulled pork – eclectic and very southern.

For Entrees:  venison on the menu (try finding that anywhere else on the Tennessee side of the Smokies), Shrimp and Grits, Foothills Choucroute Garni (duck leg, knackwurst, braised pork shoulder) and of course Steak & Potatoes done Foothills Milling Company style.

Foothills Milling Company is located near downtown Maryville.  If you are staying in the Townsend area or spending time in Townsend, on the Peaceful Side of the Smokies, you are not very far from Maryville.  Follow Lamar Alexander Parkway out of Townsend and watch the signs for Maryville.  Call ahead for times and reservations.  You can even make reservations online and save yourself some time and a phone call.

FMC has gathered a loyal following.  Their dedicated staff wants to thrill your tastebuds.  They want to satisfy both your appetite and your need for a great night out.  Check their specials when you arrive, the chef chooses the special depending on what is in season and available at the time.  Remember, if you want great food in a great environment there is only one place you need to look:  Foothills Milling Company.

Foothills Milling Company
315 S Washington St
Maryville, TN
865-977-8434
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Brown Trout Fishing on the Little River

Best Sport fish in the Smokies

If you are looking for a different fishing adventure in the Smokies, look no further then the Little River in Townsend, TN.  The Little River is full of large, brown trout and they are ready to be caught!

The brown trout is not a native fish to the Smoky Mountains.  They were introduced into the area during the 1930s as a game fish to increase fishermen traveling to the area to fly fish.  And though the brown trout has not been good for the brook trout that were native to the area they are still a lot of fun to catch.  Brown in color, aggressive and fun to catch, the brown trout has thrived in the lower elevation waters of the Smoky Mountains.  They tend to grow a little bigger then the rainbow trout and they are just as much fun to catch.  The Little River is a perfect habitat – mildly rocky, quick water, a few rapids and the food is plentiful.

Where to Fish
If you are in Townsend wanting to fish the Little River during the summer, you have to watch for tubers.  Yes, there will be people wading, swimming and tubing in the Little River after the water gets warm.  But – the fish are dodging the tubers as well.  They are looking for more quiet places to spend their time, you need to do the same.  Look for those places that are between the more used waters.  In the case of the Little River , this means going to the spots after the tube take-outs and before the local swimming holes.  You have a good stretch of river that is not as used and ready for you to pull out as many trouts as the fishing regulations allow.  Of course the fact that the fish eat the food that the tubers drop in the water means that getting the brown trout to bite is easy.

If you are fishing the Little River during the spring, fall or winter, you are going to have an easier time finding a spot to fish.  Without the tubing going on, the fish expand their range to cover the whole length and width of the Little River.  Look for those areas directly downstream from the rapids – this is where the brown trout hangout.  If you work your way up stream, taking your time, you are bound to find some good fishing and a lot of fun.

What to Bring
You can either fish for brown trout with a fly rod or a spinning reel, the fish don’t care and they will bite as long as you have the right bait.  Now, if you are a bit of a traditionalist, then you can always find what flies the fish are biting on at a local outfitters but if you want something guaranteed to get a bite, I have another suggestion – corn & bread.  Yes, you read that right – corn & bread.  Get a can of corn and a loaf of bread.  The nibblets of corn fit easily on the hook and once you roll the bread into little balls they will stay on the hook. Brown trout eat corn and bread balls like they were going out of style.  Hook into a brown trout, reel him in and add to your Smoky Mountain story with a great catch and potentially a great meal.

Troutfest 2012

Townsend plays host to another big festival in May (19 & 20), this time welcoming anglers of all ages to Troutfest 2012 – a flyfishing expo/fundraiser. Troutfest organizers say they expect another big crowd this year, upwards of 4,000 attendees.

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park Fisheries Department, Friends of the Smokies Fisheries Scholarship Fund or other youth educational conservation projects all benefit from the money raised through Troutfest. This year, the event looks to be one of the largest held for fly anglers in the Southeast United States.

Throughout the weekend, some of the best fly tyers from the region will be demonstrating their skill and imparting their knowledge on flyfishing. Demonstrations are FREE and the tyers specialize in flies for bass, panfish, saltwater, and trout. Get up close and talk with such notable fly tyers as Mike Adams, Walter Babb, Ray Ball, Troy Basso, Jack Gregory, Rex Wilson, and more.

Notables including Lefty Kreh, Bob Clouser, Jason Borger, Zach Matthews as well as other fly fishermen will be featured in free seminars both days. This is a great chance to meet and talk shop with a few of the legends in the sport.

All the year’s new fishing gear will be prominently displayed as national fly tackle manufacturers will be on hand in Troutfest’s national exhibition tent.

Also on hand in the exhibition tent will be local and national fly shops, artists, non-profit organizations and government fish and game agencies including Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

The Little River Chapter of Trout Unlimited puts on Troutfest every year. The Chapter entity provides funding with other sponsors to underwrite this event. The Chapter holds all funds and disperses profits to Great Smoky Mountains National Park Fisheries Department and Friends of Great Smokies National Park Fisheries Scholarship Fund. Profits will be also be used for youth education fishery programs. Some funds will be retained as seed money for next year’s Troutfest.

Many of the volunteers are LRCTU members but many more come from other non-profit organizations such as other TU Chapters, The Fly Fishing Federation and individuals who are not connected with non-profit organizations. You do not need to be a TU member to volunteer or participate. All donations are tax deductible.

Troutfest 2012 in Townsend, Tn will be held on the grounds of the Townsend Visitors Center.

Townsend Visitors Center
7906 East Lamar Alexander Parkway
Townsend, TN
37882
865-448-6134

Townsend Spring Festival and Old Timers Day

This is Townsend’s week – the annual Spring Festival and Old Timers Day, May 4 and 5, 2012! It’s that time of year when bluegrass, clogging, arts and crafts, BBQ, storytelling, and wildflower walks, all come together in harmony and at the foot of the Great Smoky Mountains.

On Friday, May 4 at 7:30pm join us for a free concert featuring a young bluegrass band, performing at the Great Smoky Mountains Heritage Center.

Tentative Schedule: (Subject to change.)

Friday, May 4:

9-11am: Wildflower Walk on Chestnut Top Trail with Tom Harrington; limit 15 (call 865-448-6134 to reserve a spot). Meet at the Trailhead at the “Y”.

9am-5pm: Featured Authors and Booksignings

10am: Hedgewood Gardens Tour. Meet at Hedgewood Gardens on Bethel Church Rd.

1:30-3:30pm: Wildflower Walk on Chestnut Top Trail with Tom Harrington; limit 15 (call 865-448-6134 to reserve a spot) Meet at the Trailhead at the “Y”.

2pm: Hedgewood Gardens Tour. Meet at Hedgewood Gardens on Bethel Church Rd.

6:30pm: Knoxville Pipes and Drums Concert and Parade: Highland music in celebration of Scottish heritage. Visitors Center

7:30pm Concert: Special entertainment at the Great Smoky Mountains Heritage Center.

Other festival events and goings on:
– Bluegrass Music on the stage from 12:00pm-until 10:00pm, and pickin’ on the porch and in the grove.
– Arts and Crafts Booths in the back field from 10am-6pm
– BBQ vendors, ice cream, specialty sandwiches, hot dog booths, kettle corn, and other good food.
– Cake Raffles and Bake Sale for Hearts and Hands Scholarship Fund at 1pm, 3pm, and 5pm.

Artisan Demonstrations in the Exhibit Room from 9am-5pm
– Basketry: Karen Kenst and Bonny Kate Sugg
– Woodcarving: Lendel Abbott
– Quilting: Maetta Conrad and Marcella Emrick
– Rug Hooking: Carol McBride
– Spinning and Weaving: Sue Mason
– Spinning on the Great Wheel: Dale Liles
– Charcoal/Pencil Art: Andy England

Old Fashioned and Portrait Photos around the grounds with Mary Grace and Bud McCaffery.
Family Art Fair: Arts activities led by Townsend Artisan Guild from 9:00am-5:00pm. Storytelling Tent
Pottery Demonstrations: Hand building and wheel-throwing with Carol Ware. Storytelling Tent

Appalachian Demonstrations around the grounds
Mountain Berry Basket Making and Poetry: Bill Alexander
Bee Keeping and Bee Hive Observation: Tony Holt
Cornmeal Making: Ronald Fowler
Oak shingle-making: Sam White
Cades Cove Preservation Association Exhibits
Appalachian Bear Center activity Booth

 

Saturday, May 5: “Old Timers Day”

Bill Leistner, a festival favorite, dmeonstrates how to drink from a moonshine jug.

10am-5pm: Old Fashioned Kid’s Games. Behind the Visitors Center.

10am: Hedgewood Gardens Tour. Meet at Hedgewood Gardens on Bethel Church Rd.

11am-7pm: Demonstrations of Cast Iron Cooking by members of Blount County Fire Protection District. Corn bread, biscuits, beans, greens, cobbler.

9am-5pm: Featured Author and Booksigning: Roy Oliver, Last Man from Tremont

2pm: Hedgewood Gardens Tour. Meet at Hedgewood Gardens on Bethel Church Rd.

2-5pm: Young Pickers Talent Contest. Bluegrass music contest for musicians18 years of age and under. Held at the Great Smoky Mountains Heritage Center. Call 865-448-6134 for entry forms.

1-3pm: Storytelling Program.  Lendel Abbott and Mistress of Ceremony Robin Goddard. Storytelling Tent.

3:30-5pm: Old Harp Sing: Shape note music with the East Tennessee Old Harp Singers in the Storytelling Tent.

8pm: Square Dance with caller Don Tipton and music by the Carolina Bluegrass Boys. Stage.

Other festival events and goings on:
Bluegrass Music on the stage from 12:00pm-until 10:00pm, and pickin’ on the porch and in the grove
Arts and Crafts Booths in the back field from 10am-6pm
BBQ vendors, ice cream, specialty sandwiches, hot dog booths, kettle corn, and other good food
Cake Raffles and Bake Sale for Hearts and Hands Scholarship Fund

Artisan Demonstrations in the Exhibit Room from 9am-5pm
Basketry: Karen Kenst and Bonny Kate Sugg
Woodcarving: Lendel Abbott
Quilting: Maetta Conrad and Marcella Emrick
Rug Hooking: Carol McBride
Spinning and Weaving: Sue Mason
Spinning on the Great Wheel: Dale Liles
Charcoal/Pencil Art: Andy England

Old Fashioned and Portrait Photos in front of the hearth with Mary Grace and Bud McCaffery
Pottery Demonstrations: Hand building and wheel-throwing with Carol Ware. In the Storytelling Tent from 9:am-12:00noon.

Appalachian Demonstrations around the grounds
Mountain Berry Basket Making and Poetry: Bill Alexander
Bee Keeping and Bee Hive Observation: Tony Holt
Cornmeal Making: Ronald Fowler
Oak shingle-making: Sam White
Cades Cove Preservation Association Exhibits
Appalachian Bear Center activity Booth

The Young Pickers Talent Contest
Saturday afternoon May 5

New Location: Great Smoky Mountains Heritage Center

Young bluegrass musicians: Compete in the Young Pickers Contest May 5!
For information, call the Townsend Visitors Center at 865-448-6134.

The Spring Heritage Festival and Old Timer’s Day is the first of a few Heritage Days held each year in Townsend, TN. For a complete list of goings-on in Townsend, check out the calendar of events, as well as Townsend cabins if you’re gonna be here for the entire weekend.

The Cades Cove Campground Store

The Cades Cove Loop Road is everyone’s go-to point when discussing a trip to Cades Cove in Townsend, TN. But what about once you’re there, have traversed the loop, and now you’re deciding what to do next? Where can you take a break, or get a bite to eat?

The loop can be an exceptionally long 11 miles at times, something to quench your thirst or your appetite might be in order – especially if you’re traveling with small children Being in the middle of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, most people decide to go to the Cades Cove Campground Store. Most people don’t even know it’s there and that’s a real shame. At the Cades Cove Campground store you can purchase food and drink, convenience items, rent bicycles and get some of the best ice cream around during those hot summer days.

For those of you still thinking, “it’s only 11 miles, it won’t take that long”, you’d be surprised. Depending on the time of year, it could take anywhere from a few minutes to a couple hours. On average, during the summer months especially, the 11 mile loop around Cades Cove is going to take a few hours. When you finish the loop and the kids are clamoring for something to eat, take a right when you come off the loop road. Across from the Ranger station you’ll see the Cades Cove Campground Store. Pull into the parking lot and head inside for something to eat. There is plenty of food for everyone, from burgers and chips to pizza and nachos; they’ve got all the summer staples. The store is also located right next to the picnic area, near River Road. So, if it’s a picnic you’re after, stop by the campground store for all the trimmings and enjoy your next meal in Cades Cove.

Bicycles to rent at the Cades Cove Campground Store.

Another of the perks offered at the Cades Cove Campground Store is bicycle rental. Bikes can be rented by the hour and taken around the loop. The one-way, slow traffic on the Cades Cove Loop Road means that you’re ensured a safe ride. The loop road only allows a meandering pace for cars giving cyclists an easy glide throughout the Cove. Geared bike rentals start at $6 per hour for adults and $4 per hour for kids. This is an ideal activity for anyone staying at the campground that has kids. Wednesday and Saturday mornings throughout the year the road is closed to motor vehicle traffic and bike riders have the loop road to themselves. You can choose to bike the full 11 miles or you can take the Sparks Lane cut off and bike only 4 miles.

Whether you choose to bike or drive the loop road, reward yourself with a snack when you’re finished. Many say that the Cades Cove Campground Store has the best ice cream in the Smoky Mountains. It’s a delicious treat as you’re traveling through Cades Cove. Be sure that the Cades Cove Campground Store is a part of your next Townsend getaway.