Tag: Townsend Tn restaurants

Ms. Lily’s Cafe

Ms. Lily’s Cafe in Townsend, TN offers up “Southern Cuisine for the Dicriminating Taste”. Those are their own words, and they more than live up to them. They have some of the best sandwich offerings on the Peaceful Side of the Smokies, especially if Reubens are the taste you’re looking for.

Perusing the menu, Ms. Lily’s sandwich portion starts out with the black & blue, which is delicious, and the Hillbilly Philly – a sandwich, either steak or chicken and smothered in peppers, onions & cheese on hoagie, which sounds delicious and could be the reason no one is reading right now. If you’re on the way to Ms. Lily’s already we don’t blame. We were really close. We’ll see if we can make it down the rest of the menu.

Ham and cheese, a tuna melt, and the aforementioned reuben follow those before you come to something called a “Toadstool”. This sandwich is made up of marinated portabella mushroom with peppers, onions & provolone cheese on a sun-dried tomato focaccia. Geez, this post is getting hard to stay focused on the further down the menu you travel.

Rumbling stomach be darned, BLT’s and burgers follow and bow you’re at the BBQ portion of the show. Between the Smokin’ Pig, Yard Bird Sandwich, Mountain Man, and The Dude, you’re beginning to think you’ve stumbled upon an eclectic collection of music and film rather than south smoked barbeque with all the fixin’s. The Pig is pulled pork – easy enough, the Yard Bird is BBQ’d chicken, Mountain Man is a beef brisket sandwich, and The Dude is smoked turkey. Reading deeper into the descriptions, you really can’t go wrong with any of them. Left up to us, we’d probably go the brisket route first, but that’s just us.

Local favorites include fish and grits, a tomato sandwich, and their own quesadilla…. An interesting selection if you make it past the BBQ, but delicious none the less.

Salads and a kids menu can be found further on down the menu and Ms. Lily’s serves a selection of premium beers for the thirsty hiker out there.

Don’t let us forget the deserts now. Between the Italian Creme Cake, Chocolate Ganache Torte, Coconut Creme Pie, Fudge Brownie Sundae, Apple Pie, and Key Lime Pie, we have no way to advise anyone on which delectable desert to choose. That’s a problem you’ll have to solve. We’re sure you’ll come up with an answer.

Next time you’re in Townsend, visit Ms. Lily’s Cafe and leave knowing that your taste in southern fare just got a little bit more distinguished.

Ms. Lily’s Cafe
122 Depot Street
Townsend, Tennessee
865-448-1924

Back Porch Restaurant

In the mood for some good ole Southern cooking like your grandmother used to make? Well, whether you’re coming off a mountain, or just meeting your family for dinner, the Back Porch Restaurant in Townsend, Tn has just the type of country fixins’ you’re yearning for.

Located in the heart of Townsend and right up against a peaceful creek, the Back Porch is open from 8 am to 9 pm daily and serves breakfast , lunch, and dinner. If it’s one thing they know how to do, it’s how to start the day off right with a heaping, hearty breakfast. Country ham, eggs, bacon, grits, biscuits and sausage can all be found on their breakfast menu, all cooked to your liking. On down you’ll also find an incredible selection of Belgian Waffles, pancakes, and french toast. Each can come as is, or pair them up with eggs, bacon, whatever you like. Here, breakfast is made how you like it.

Coming in for a bite to eat for lunch? Back Porch’s various steakburgers and cheddar steakburgers will definitely hit the spot. Maybe a BLT is more to your liking, or just a simple grilled cheese sandwich? They’ve got it on the menu here and you couldn’t go wrong no matter what you pick. The Reuben is pretty tasty as well if you don’t mind a little personal opinion. Each comes with a side of french fries and a dill pickle.

For dinner, the Back Porch Restaurant has quite a spread planned. From appetizers like buffalo chicken wings, fried mushrooms, cheese sticks, and onion wings to their various soups and salads, things are starting out pretty well. On down to the entrees and you’ll find such favorites as ribeye and Filet Mignon, as well as wild boar pork. Baby back ribs and chicken strips round out most of the major meats. Seafood offerings consist of clam and shrimp platters, catfish and rainbow trout. Also on the dinner menu are a few pastas – spaghetti with meat or marinara sauce  and fettuccine with alfredo sauce.

Bring the kids too, the Back Porch kid’s menu includes chicken tenders, corn dog nuggets, a junior steakburger, and spaghetti with meat or marinara sauce – all served with french fries except spaghetti.

Fill yourself up with some good southern cooking at the Back Porch Restaurant in Townsend, TN. You’re guaranteed not to leave hungry and with the savory offerings you’ll be back before you know it, or at least the next time you’re in Townsend.

The Back Porch Restaurant
7016 East Lamar Parkway
Townsend, TN 37882
(865)448-6333

Picnic Pantry Cafe – Lunch, Brunch and On the Go

Townsend, Tennessee’s Picnic Pantry Cafe offers a wide variety of sandwiches and coffee shop fare for anyone looking to stop by for breakfast, lunch, dinner, or just to grab a snack before hitting the trail.

For many, coming through Townsend means a quick bite to eat on the way to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, or fueling up before hitting the trails for a few days. And that’s just the way Townsend, Tn restaurant the Picnic Pantry Cafe would have it.

Not only do they welcome visitors in for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, they’re always ready to send you on your way with a salad, sandwich, or other to-go snack in order to get you out in nature all the more sooner.

Those of you seeking breakfast, the Picnic Pantry Cafe offers a variety of breakfast sandwiches, wraps and yogurt. Daily specials include ready-made sandwiches and soups, as well as salads. Paninis, roast beef, turkey, ham, and pastrami are piled high on top of 9 grain wheat, marble seedless rye, croissants, freschetta, and sourdough bread. If you’re there in the afternoon, or evening, maybe it’s a refreshing glass of wine (try with a fruit or cheese tray) that’s more to your liking, or an ice cold beer. Expresso, lattes, and various hot coffees are also available.

As mentioned, for those of you looking to beat the crowd in the national park and hit the trail, the cafe offers numerous baked goods that can be wrapped and saved for later. Trail mix, crackers and jerky are also offered for numerous hiking junkies that make the pantry the final stop before getting back to nature.

The Picnic Pantry Cafe’s special events including cookie decorating classes for kids are always a hit around town. Every month the cafe seems to be offering something new and different, and July is no different. June featured a wine tasting event and July will feature one as well on Tuesday, July 14 at 6 p.m. This will be a four course meal that is paired with four wines. Reserve your spot by calling the Picnic Pantry at 865-738-3183.

Starting June 30th, the Townsend Farmers Market will be located in Trillium Cove Shopping Village next to the cafe.  It will run every Thursday, starting June 30th.

Picnic Pantry Cafe operating hours: Sunday and Monday : 11 am to 5 pm – Tuesday -Thursday: 8 am to 8 pm – Friday and Saturday: 8 am to 9 pm