Rainbow trout is as tied to the Smoky Mountains as the black bears that are the unofficial mascot of the National Park itself. To that end, people want to eat trout while they are in the mountains and the trout they want to eat, even though it is not native to the area, is the rainbow trout. Since 1975, the Smoky Mountain Trout House has been serving the freshest, best tasting trout in the Smokies. It has become one of those restaurants that you don’t want to miss when you visit Gatlinburg.
The trout that the Smoky Mountain Trout House serves is raised in crystal clear waters. The trout are raised until they are the perfect size for eating and then they are dressed and ice packed to be served as soon as possible to the people tha line up at the door every night to experience the trout creations from this traditional restaurant. The purity of the fish, the freshness of the fish and skill of the cooks brings out all of the flavor that a mountain rainbow trout has to offer.
Highlights from their menu:
- Trout Eisenhower – This is a crowd favorite. Cooked the old timey way, it is pan seared coated in corn meal. Served with bacon and butter sauce it also comes with a dish of sauteed mushrooms and onions.
- Parmesan Trout – Dippe din a secret sauce, covered with parmesan cheese and then sauteed in peanut oil.
- Dilly Trout – Butterflied trout, fried with dillweed seed and lemon juice. If you love dill you will not be able to get enough of this dish.
- Green Bean Almondine Trout – A trout filet basted with lemon juice, it has been stuffed with green beans, almonds, onions and chopped tomato and the whole thing cooked in wine.
- Mountain Trout Specialties Cakes – Imagine crab cakes but with trout instead of crab. These are one of the best items on the menu.
And to top off the wonderful selections on the menu, they also have some of the best hushpuppies in town. These hush puppies are light, fried perfect, reminding you of eating at a fish fry in your backyard. And like any good restaurant in the Smokies they have fritters. These fritters are trout fritters and they are a must.
A visit to Gatlinburg is ot complete until you have had rainbow trout. In fact, you have to have it when you come tot he Smokies just so you can experience everything that there is to offer. Over the years, thousands of people have been getting their trout from Smoky Mountain Trout House. They are located right after you get into town if you are headed in from Pigeon Forge. Look for Best Western Zoder’s Inn and you will see the Smoky Mountain Trout House right next to it. Walk from your hotel or park in the parking garage right down the road, either way this place needs t o be on your list of places to eat.
Smoky Mountain Trout House
410 Parkway
Gatlinburg, TN
865-436-5416
http://www.gatlinburgtrouthouse.com