THE DINER

The Diner on Winfield Dunn Parkway feels like stepping back into the 1950s, and honestly, that's exactly what we needed after driving through all the touristy chaos. The chrome details and vintage vibe hit you right when you walk in, but what caught our attention was how empty it was during what should've been the breakfast rush — apparently they're not as busy as they used to be, which is actually kind of nice if you hate waiting.

We ordered the catfish and biscuits, and while the biscuits were solid, I'd skip the fried green tomatoes. They're over-breaded and pretty tasteless, which was disappointing since that's usually a safe bet at Southern spots. The menu's changed recently too, and some regulars aren't thrilled about how they're cooking things differently now.

One thing though — they've got gluten-free options and vegetarian stuff, which is harder to find in Sevierville than you'd think. The servers we had were friendly enough, though we heard the longtime staff moved on and it's just not the same energy as before.

They're open until 9pm on weekends if you need a late dinner, and parking's right there which beats most places on the Parkway. Call ahead at 865-908-1904 since they don't use OpenTable. Just don't go in expecting the bustling diner experience — it's quieter now, for better or worse.