The Not-So-Run-of-the-Mill in Pigeon Forge

Just off the Parkway in Pigeon Forge, there’s a collection of buildings that takes you back to a time when families had to make what they needed. They weren’t able to run to the mall or grocery store and pick up a few items. And this place has got a little of everything for the family. It’s known as the Old Mill Square.

What started with a water-powered grist mill in the
early 1800’s has now grown to include a whole variety of stores. There’s the
Old Mill Store, Pottery, Creamery, Farmhouse Kitchen, Toy Bin, Candy Kitchen,
and Sassafras, but for our purposes, we’re going to focus on the Restaurant and
House Café & Grill. The Restaurant serves old-fashioned breakfast, lunch and dinner, and they’ve got traditional favorites like country-fried steak, potpie, chicken and
dumplings, ham, and pot roast. When you come for dinner, be prepared – the
fresh vegetable portions are tremendous. Served family-style, they are a great
compliment to your meat selection. They’re famous for the green beans and the
pecan pies, which are made from scratch daily.

The House Café & Grill
is open for lunch and dinner and features steaks, seafood, local rainbow trout
and a variety of sandwiches with freshly baked breads made from grains stone-ground
at the historic Old Mill. Their artisan breads are made with natural
ingredients such as garlic, olives and cheese, and the homemade desserts are a
great way to finish a meal made with locally. The plates, bowls, salt shakers,
even the bathroom sinks are made next door at Pigeon River Pottery.

The Old Mill Square is
certainly a place unique to the Smokies. And it offers something for all ages
to enjoy. You can spend a whole day watching the potters at work, shopping at
the stores and then finishing with a great meal that showcases some of the best
local food in the area.