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Hours
Sun
11:00 am - 10:30 pm
Mon
11:00 am - 10:30 pm
Tue
11:00 am - 10:30 pm
Wed
11:00 am - 10:30 pm
Thu
11:00 am - 10:30 pm
Fri
11:00 am - 11:00 pm
Sat
11:00 am - 11:00 pm
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What is Travellers’ Choice?
Tripadvisor gives a Travellers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Ratings and reviews
Travellers' Choice 2024
RATINGS
Food
Service
Value
Atmosphere
Food and ambience
Local cuisine, American, Barbecue, Vegetarian friendly, Vegan options, Gluten free options
Does this restaurant serve Tuscan food?
Details
About
Calhoun's is a local, fresh, casual dining establishment specializing in hickory smoked BBQ, hand-cut steaks and seafood, and fresh ground hamburgers. We offer something for every taste. We also have a kids menu, and free parking with receipt. Eat Local, Eat Good!
PRICE RANGE
₹0.00 – ₹1,867.00
CUISINES
American, Barbecue
Special Diets
Vegetarian friendly, Vegan options, Gluten free options
Meals
Lunch, Dinner, Brunch, After-hours
FEATURES
Takeout, Reservations, Seating, Parking Available, Television, Highchairs Available, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, Free Wifi, Accepts Credit Cards, Table Service, Live Music
Contribute
4.5
4,540 reviews
Excellent
2,554
Very good
1,124
Average
548
Poor
192
Terrible
122
truthseeker41
Surfside60 contributions
Jan 2021 • none
Rustic decor and architecture provides a nice ambiance for this restaurant located 1/4 mile from the entrance to Smokey Mountain National Park. We were greeted immediately by the host and shown a table near the four sided open fireplace...a welcomed heat source after a chilly walk on a park trail. Our waitress, Courtney, was attentive to our need to take time to look over the menu and offered helpful advice.
We both settled on the Special of the Day, a Caesar Salad loaded with 15 chunks of Ale Steak on three mini skewers. The steak pieces surprised us with warm juicy tenderness that made chewing an epicurean delight. A complimentary bread basket contained a variety of breads. Courtney returned multiple times to check on us and refill our water glasses. The amount was so plentiful we both requested take home boxes. A 12 point moose head mounted above the fireplace kept watch over us while we ate. Free parking was available in January behind the restaurant. However, during tourist season, a sign indicates parking will be $10. Our total dinner cost for two was $23.00.
Written 14 January 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
American Pharaoh
Orlando362 contributions
Aug 2020 • none
So I love Bar-B-Q and specially Tennessee barbque but this Resturant came under my expectations with the barbque items we ordered , service is nice , we got the ALE steak which was tasty but horrible presentation for a $25 steak , we also ordered the chicken which was good size chicken breast but the taste was lost between the grill or barbque and we had to order extra sauce . The pretzels were the best item on the menu along with their TN brisket chili. Also the white macadamia banana pudding was super good .
Written 3 August 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Darcie M
Huntsville82 contributions
Nov 2020 • family
We spent Thanksgiving week at a Sevierville cabin and opted for a takeout holiday feed pack for the big turkey dinner. We were skeptical about quality, thinking that it wouldn’t compare to a dine-in experience. We were mistaken. The turkey was possibly the best we’ve ever had—incredibly moist and smoky. The sides, too, were delicious. There is definitely room for improvement on portion size of the sides; the feed pack was advertised to feed ten but I’d say it was only enough stuffing and mashed potatoes to feed seven-eight adults. The containers of mashed potatoes and stuffing were only 3/4 full. There were, however, two very large containers filled to the brim of peas, more peas than anybody wanted. Plenty of yummy turkey, though. So perhaps next time fill the mashed potatoes and stuffing containers and offer just one container of peas? Just a suggestion. Otherwise, we were very happy with the decision to order out from Calhoun’s Gatlinburg.
Written 27 November 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MikeEC007
Evansville30 contributions
May 2020 • couples
My wife and I enjoyed two great meals in the last four days. Felt safe and also felt Calhouns did everything necessary to make all customers stay safe. Food was excellent both visits. I had french dip and bbq pork sandwich. Both were excellent. My wife had catfish and a cheeseburger. She enjoyed both especially the catfish. Meals cost the same as anywhere on the strip and are definitely better tasting than most.
Written 9 May 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Chelsea
165 contributions
Aug 2020 • none
Calhoun’s was good, but a tad underwhelming. We arrived around 11:45 for lunch and didn’t have a wait (on a Sunday). They have parking that is free for three hours with proof of a $10 purchase. The food was decent, but nothing amazing. The complimentary bread was very good with four types to try. The service was lacking a little, but by no means terrible.
Written 30 August 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Angela P
Florence50 contributions
Nov 2020 • couples
The steak was so yummy as well as the mixed vegetables. The onion rings were average but really good with the ranch. The mushrooms were average. The loaded baked potato was not hot enough to melt the butter which was very disappointing. I should have sent it back and had it replaced with the mixed veggies. But over all a good experience although some what pricey but in that location watching the snow come down while looking at all those beautiful christmas lights...it was wonderful!
Written 30 November 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
GypsyRom
42 contributions
Apr 2021 • friends
We chose to eat at Calhouns based strictly on the reviews. With that said, we were left somewhat disappointed. I, myself, have eaten at restaurants where the quality of food made me want to come back the next day and the next, not so much Calhouns....(One thing you prospective diners need to be aware of, the prices are higher and you’re allowed 1 side only....) I decided on the $17-7 ounce sirloin. Per the reviews, I was expecting a great tasting steak. It wasn’t. It was tough and hard to cut. For the 1 side, I chose the baked potato. It was barely warm, and it was waxy. The garlic rolls were so hard I had trouble pulling them apart. My friend got the barbecue, which was some of the tenderest I’ve ever eaten, but was lacking in flavor. The server was great, she was attentive and kept asking if we needed anything and she was tipped accordingly. For me personally, I won’t be going back, the restaurant doesn’t live up to the hype, but you have to make up your mind whether to eat there or not.
Written 1 May 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
aschrader78
Cayuga383 contributions
May 2020 • friends
We came in for a late lunch. There are these little cinnamon muffins in the bread basket that I could have eaten all day. We ordered the pulled pork tater skins, which were good, but would have been better if we could put the barbecue on ourselves. The sauce swamped the meat, and honestly... the sauce isn't that great. The meat, however, was perfect. My daughter and I shared a combo platter, and it was too much food for the two of us. The meats were all really good... again, a GOOD sauce would have put them over the top. The slaw was completely dry and flavorless, but the loaded baked potato doused in some of their yummy ranch was among the best I have ever had. Friend said mac & cheese was also good. The best part of the meal though, was the banana pudding. It was perfection!
Written 28 May 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ramser
300 contributions
Jun 2020 • couples
We had the Calhoun trio that has chicken tenders, ribs , pulled pork, slaw and a side of your choice. I prefer the spinach Maria it is great. It is a meal plan on taking a to go box. There is a little bit of a wait especially during supper(about 20 minutes) but it is worth it.
Written 29 June 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
JamieandSanna
Georgetown7 contributions
Feb 2020 • couples
Ate here in Knoxville area and good but Gatlinburg Calhouns was worst food I have had in some time. Ribs were tough and burnt tasting, baked potato’s over cooked, thank goodness for salad and bread or would have spent $90 for nothing. Do not order the ribs!
Written 17 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
HBailey_Calhouns
Thank you so much for your feedback. As a company, we would like to know while you are still in restaurant so that we can make your experience great. We will look into your comments, it will only make us better.
Written 9 March 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Laura
2 contributions
Dec 2021 • family
Tried once the first night we were here and service was slow, food was cold, drinks watered down. Got talked into ordering the 3rd night into our vacation. Ordered Togo ordered smoke wings and a smokehouse salad. First the lady charged the wrong meal completely to the card then when I got home had mild fried wings and the smoke house salad was a garden salad with the only meat being 2 strips of bacon.
Written 22 December 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Modell
Akron30 contributions
Oct 2020 • family
We had a party of 6 and it was the weekend so we anticipated a wait, no problem. We were told 1.5 hours would be the wait time, they would text us and we would have 10 minutes to get there which was fine. We got our text, arrived and were seated. Our server took forever to come take our orders, she was not pleasant and almost abrasive. Fast forward another hour and a half and our food finally came out. 4 of the 6 meals were cold, the one chicken meal was so overcooked the chicken was chewy. We were checked on so infrequently that we ended up walking to the bar to get our own refills. We were asked if we would want ketchup, said yes please, then didn’t get any. When we said the one meal was cold, she didn’t apologize she just okay one minute and then told some guy who grabbed the plate. He did almost immediately bring out a hotter meal, and it was good but overall this was just a really bad experience. Long story short, when we come back to town next year we won’t be going back here.
Written 19 October 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kim A
Queen City7 contributions
Mar 2020 • family
We looked at other restaurants before deciding on Calhoun's, we were so glad we chose here. The service was great and the barbeque steak was awesome, the bacon wrapped burnt ends melted in our mouths . We will definitely go back here.
Written 11 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
HBailey_Calhouns
Thank you for your nice comments, we appreciate you dining with us.
Written 15 March 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Jeff
2 contributions
Oct 2020 • none
We flew from out west and the first thought on my mind was "I want to try some amazing BBQ!" We googled "best ribs near Knoxville". We first stopped at Sweet Ps but they were sold out! We then tried Calhouns. As soon as I walked in, I knew I was in a chain. The food was not bad, but the "Award Winning" ribs tasted like they belonged at Chilies or Texas Roadhouse. Not Bad, but the award winning ribs recipe has long been lost in the process of ownership trying to make cash in a tourist town. I have no doubt they once won best ribs in Tenn, but that was long before they stated mass producing ribs that have zero smoke flavor.
Again, not bad food! The lemonade was great, the fries were crispy, and we loved the bread! But as being someone who smokes his own ribs, I was so bummed to get chain ribs.
Written 18 October 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Shannon B
6 contributions
Jun 2020 • couples
We arrived early in the evening (4:30pm) for dinner. Got a table straight away, but server was slow greeting us. Bread basket came out after appetizer. Hubby ordered a large draft beer and had to ask later for a glass of water; thought it was customary to get water with the alcoholic beverage order? Our app and meal meats were not hot. Baked potato was super hard, like it'd been under a heating lamp for hours. Not impressed at all, for what we spent (>$70.00)!
Written 7 June 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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