A Smoky Mountain native offers his opinion on Calhoun’s in Gatlinburg

I remember the first time I set foot in a Calhoun’s restaurant, the iconic East Tennessee dining tradition.

It was 1994 and the NCAA tournament Men’s Regionals was in Knoxville at Thompson-Boling Arena. In fact, basically right across the street from Calhoun’s on the River.

My stepdad suggested we eat there before the games and so we did. I don’t remember what we had but I remember the experience, eating there on the bank of the Tennessee River talking basketball and life and whatever else entered our heads.

It was the perfect spot to hang out and have a bonding moment before going to watch a juggernaut Duke team destroy Purdue.

What makes Calhoun’s special, aside from the simple quality of the menu, is the pliability of the restaurant.......

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