Tom & Earl's Back Alley Grill

Tom & Earl's sits in this back alley off the Parkway, right across from Ole Smoky, and it's got this whole biker vibe that feels like a secret locals spot. We stumbled on it looking for somewhere our dog could eat with us, and now it's our go-to when we want to escape the tourist chaos. The creek-side patio is honestly one of the best outdoor spots in Gatlinburg — your dog gets water bowls and you get actual peace.

Their wings are massive. Like, 10 jumbo wings that'll fill you up massive. The Dreaded Reaper sauce will wreck you if you're not careful, but the BBQ is solid. Fair warning though — if you order the Love Tractor sandwich, ask them to go easy on the toasting. That bread comes out like sandpaper and will tear up the roof of your mouth for days.

One thing that catches people off guard is the sides situation. You get two regular sides with your meal, but they're tiny — more like tastes than actual sides. If you're sharing, spring for the premium side instead. Also, they'll charge you extra for chips even if you already ordered the starter and just want to add queso. Kind of annoying.

Live music on weekends makes the patio feel like a completely different place. Get there before 6 if you can — after that it gets crowded and you're looking at a wait. Oh and they can't seat parties bigger than 8, which has caught some families off guard.

The Hillbilly Philly is actually really good, and they've got decent options if someone in your group is vegetarian or gluten-free. Just don't expect lightning-fast service — your server might also be the bartender, so things move at mountain pace.