Peter's Pancakes & Waffles

Peter's sits right on the creek in Cherokee — not Tennessee like a lot of people think — about a mile before you hit the park entrance. We've stopped here probably a dozen times over the years, and their pancakes really are something special. They're thick and fluffy in a way that makes you wonder what they're putting in the batter, and the blueberry ones come with this perfect sweet-tart syrup that beats the usual corn syrup stuff.

The creekside seating is where you want to be if the weather's decent. You can hear the water running while you eat, which is nice, but get there before 9 AM or you'll be waiting 20 minutes for a table. We learned that the hard way on a Saturday morning last fall.

One thing though — don't expect fancy. This is a no-frills diner where you order at the counter and the coffee comes in basic white mugs. But honestly, that's part of why we keep going back. The Western omelet is loaded with everything and comes with decent grits, and most plates are under $8, which is rare around here these days.

Skip it if you're in a hurry on weekend mornings. The parking lot isn't huge and fills up fast when the tour buses start rolling through Cherokee. But if you're up early anyway and want real pancakes instead of hotel continental breakfast, it's worth the drive from Gatlinburg.