Hillybilly Pancakes

I am always on the lookout for new restaurants serving pancakes in and around the Smoky Mountains, so on a trip from Pigeon Forge to Townsend I was excited to come across a new eatery in the heart of Wears Valley. It is hard to stand out among the many restaurants and gift shops lined up along both sides of the road and taking ones eyes off the road could be life threating but it is hard to pass by Hillbilly's without checkout the 194? Chevy Truck perched high above the road.

The centerpiece inside Hillbilly's is another Antique Chevy Truck displaying a moonshine still that once operated in Oak Ridge , TN.

Hillbilly's is fun and compared on many restaurants in the mountains. pretty reasonably priced. I especially liked the menu include a'la carte items along with breakfast specials. Pancakes, my specialty came plain or topped with strawberries, blueberries or chocolate chips. Bacon, sausage or ham is included in the price : 2 for $5.95 0r 3 for $6.95. The Banana Foster French Toast almost turned me into a pancake trader but I thought I would try them on my next visit. Traditional biscuits and gravy come with cathead biscuits for $5.95 and the serving was big enough to share.

Hillbilly's is a great addition to the breakfast scene in the Smokies. The fun was good, service friendly and fast and the décor made me smile. Best of all it's located off the strip and any excuse to take a trip to Wear's Valley is a good thing.

Flapjack's Named as Best Place to Eat Pancakes in Tennessee

Delish.com has announced the top 50 places to enjoy pancakes across America and our own Flapjack's claimed the title for Tennessee. Flapjack's Pancake Cabins are one of the most popular restaurants to eat pancakes in Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg and Sevierville. Flapjack's is always adding new and delicious pancakes to their menu including the S'mores Pancake, Sticky Bun Pancakes and Peanut Butter and Banana Pancakes. Congratulations to Flapjack's Pancake Cabin!!! Check out the Delish page to check out the remaining 49 states and the mind boggling varieties of pancakes representing each state. http://www.delish.com/food-fun/best-pancakes-restaurants#slide-1

Elvira's Cafe

Elvira's Cafe, 4143 Wear's Valley Road, Sevierville, is the perfect breakfast location for anyone trying to avoid the traffic and congestion of Pigeon Forge during the summer tourist season. Elvira's is located between Pigeon Forge and the 'quiet side of the mountain' Townsend, in Wear's Valley. While relativity new to the dining scene Elvira's has become the place to go for breakfast for both local's and visitors. While the name and look may say mountain the food is sophisticated country. Elvira's starts with local ingredients including two of my favorite food purveyors Benton's bacon and country ham and Cruze Farms Dairy. The menu is straight forward; Hot cakes, eggs, ham, sausage, bacon and chicken, biscuits and gravy, potatoes and grits, but then adds an interesting assortment of speciality crepes both sweet and savory. What says sophisticated country more than a Chicken, grits and cheddar crepe? I choose the Palachenka ( Poli-chen-ka) a buckwheat crepe filled with honey, toasted pecans, raisins, chocolate , real butter and Elvira's cafe cream. Elvira's is open daily for breakfast and lunch from 7 - 2 p.m. Prices start at $6.00 and there is a kids menu.

Mel's Dinner

I don't know of anyone that doesn't like a bargain...even on vacation. One of the best breakfast deals in the Smokies can be found at Mel's Diner, turn off the Parkway at traffic light #3 onto Wear's Valley Road. Mel's is the classic 50's diner and offers classic diner favorites. Check out Mel's breakfast special of 2 eggs, 2 pancakes with bacon or sausage for $4.99 served from 7 until 11 a.m. or go online for a coupon to save 10% off your meal. www.melsdinerpf.com

Easter Bunny and Pancakes

It is snowing here in the Smoky Mountains even though Easter is only five days away. Hopefully it will warm up by this weekend in time for the Easter Egg Hunt on March 30 at the Pigeon Forge Community Center. Call the Center at 865-429-7373 for the details. The Easter Bunny will be putting in an appearance at Brunch at the Old Mill Pottery House and Grill, off the Parkway in Pigeon Forge. Brunch will be served from 9:30-11:30 on March 30 and reservations are required @ 865-428-0771 . http://oldmillsquare.com/PDF/Easter_13_web.pdf Free activites for the kids including egg decorating, music and games will take place at the square from 10-2. If you are making pancakes at home or in a cabin in the mountains this weekend try these easy to make Bunny pancakes. Happy Easter!!!

St. Patrick's Day Pancakes

As a little girl growing up in Wilmington, De, and a 3rd (?) generation Irish descent I love celebrating St. Patrick's Day. To celebrate the day I am posting green pancakes from my Pintrest page http://www.pintrest.com/jvhardin/pancakes/. Happy St. Patrick's Day !!! Erin go Bragh :)

Flapjack's Pancake Cabin Pintrest Contest

I love Flapjack's Pancake Cabin or should I say cabins? With six locations around the Smoky Mountains, there is always a Flapjack Log Cabin nearby ready to serve up made from scratch breakfast. Flapjack's, now celebrating ten years of flipping pancakes in the area has announced a Pintrest Pancake Recipe Contest to celebrate. What a great idea! To enter sign up to follow Flapjack's Pancake Cabin on Pintrest. Email a link to your pintrest profile to: Andrew@Collierfoods.com. You will be added to their " Who can pin list". Pin your recipe including the ingredients, directions and a picture and wait for the winner to be announced. The deadline for entering is December 31,2013. The winner will receive a $100.00 gift certificate and the winning pancake will be featured in all six of Flapjack's Pancake Cabins in the Smokies. Check out my Pintrest pancake page at: http://.pintrest.com/jvhardin/pancakes