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Bradley’s Pit Bar B-Que
This place is sure to grab your attention while driving the sweet smell of Bar B-Que is in the air, on Hwy 68 in Sweetwater. About a mile from I-75 is Bradley‘s Pit Bar-B-Que. With many items on the menu, from beef to pork and burgers, so everyone will be happy. My favorite is their “Piggy Back”, which is a baked potato stuffed with your choice of barbeque and sour cream and other favorites, and woo-hoo, that is some “smoking” good eating. Plenty of sides to choose from, this place also makes fresh potato chips to go along with the pork or the beef. Fast and friendly service makes this one a great place to meet at. Plenty of parking and dining for a couple or a large group of riders to enjoy. They also have some good home-made desserts, so save some room, if you can. Be sure and tell them ridetellico.com sent ya!
Dragon Pit Café
Another great place to stop while traveling on Hwy 411, just south of Maryville, down the road from Hwy 129 is this motorcycle friendly establishment. The motorcycle décor and TV’s throughout is sure to entertain the weary traveler. With plenty of parking and tables indoors and out, this place is easily accessible for all. If you like wings, this is the place to be! They offer wings or chicken strips in three different flavors, for the meek or the brave, sure to satisfy every individual. If you like the hottest of the hot, you gotta try the “Screamin’ Strips”! They also have many other items on the menu that you’re sure to enjoy. They also have bike night and ride ins. So if you just rode the Dragon or the Cherohala Skyway, stop in and sit around and tell some tales, while you rest yours. And be sure and tell them that ridetellico.com sent ya!
Fox’s Pizza
A great find in Madisonville is Fox’s Pizza. Located just off of Hwy. 411, Is this biker’s favorite pizza place. The pizza is always fresh and hot. And the Stromboli is my favorite! Loaded with lots of meat and green olives or whatever you may be craving. They offer a full range of toppings, so you can make your own creation, or you may want to try one of their specialty pizzas. They also offer the “Big Daddy” which will feed the whole gang. It is a hand tossed pizza made the way you would like it. The cheese is real thick and yummy. They also deliver in the Madisonville area, just in case you’re staying at a motel there. They also have daily specials; just ask over the phone or when you stop by. Tell them that ridetellico.com sent ya!
Taco Del Mar
Located on Hwy 68 in Sweetwater is this new establishment. Authentic Mexican food makes this place stand out in a crowd. Oh, and the décor and atmosphere of the place, well, nothing like it around these parts…. With surf boards, palm trees, tiki huts and Jimmy Buffet music, you may just think you’re in the Caribbean somewhere, or at least a nice beach with some good friends. They have a big menu, and even offer a Fish Taco, which was actually very good. And their Mondo Burrito is big enough for the heartiest appetite. All of your favorite Mexican dishes cooked fresh and hot, and served quickly without the waiting of traditional sit down establishments. The only way to make this place better, is after you have ate your chicken taco salad, is if they would bring you a Margarita and lead you to a hammock, where you can sleep the day away. But all in all this place rocks, but a biker can “dream”. Check this place out and tell them ridetellico.com sent ya!
Tellicafe
Dinner review
Tellicafe is a great sit down restaurant in Tellico Plains. We just did a dinner review for them to bring to you, as we did with the lunch review done previously. I tried the Mahi Mahi and the wife had the five-cheese pasta. The Mahi was delicious and cooked to perfection. The pasta was hot and plenty of it and the breadsticks were great also. Our girls got the fish and the other had the chicken. I ask them how they liked their dinner and the one said “the fish is great daddy” and the other said “the chicken tenders are as good as McDonalds“, so coming from a Four year old that is a compliment for sure. The key lime pie is so delectable that you can’t even compare. The wife tried the mile high chocolate cake, and well, it is true to its name, many layers of chocolate cake with chocolate fudge frosting in every bite. Needless to say, but we had to have a couple of to go boxes for these awesome dishes to take home for later. The service is always friendly and pleasant, and is enjoyable to dine there. In addition, as always, please tell them that ridetellico.com sent ya!
Tellico Kats on the River
Delicatessen & General Store
The last chance stop before starting up the Cherohala Skyway in Tellico Plains is Tellico Kats, Watch out New York delis, Tellico Kats on the River can show the big boy’s a thing or two! This deli is one of a kind, which offers many different sandwiches, salads, “kold kuts”, beverages and snacks. The outside dining is on a covered porch over looking the beautiful Tellico River, which is very relaxing. They offer breakfast items and daily specials also. I had to try their Rueben sandwich, and it’s the best I have had in a really long time. I have also tried their New Yorker which is very tasty as well. The wife’s favorite is their Chicken Salad sandwich. Sandwiches are served with potato chips and a pickle and the service is fast and friendly. Try their Peanut Butter Fudge it is, as good as Grandma’s and remember to tell them ride Tellico.com sent ya. They are located at 1829 Cherohala Skyway, Tellico Plains, TN
Witherspoon’s
Hog Heaven Resort
P.S. You may even find my wife and girls around the campfire some night, but I will be at the table eating the beef brisket.
Pizzeria Venti
While out riding the other day on Hwy 411, I found a very Authentic Italian restaurant named Pizzeria Venti. If you are not hungry when you get there you will be after you smell and see all the wonderful food they have in the display. For starters we tried their Bocce Balls with Marinara sauce, which are very delectable and you also get a very good portion. And make shore you get a plenty (because my eye still hurts, from when I was trying to steal my wife’s when she was not looking). They also have over 20 kinds of fresh hand-made pizza’s, that you can purchase by the slice or as a hole pizza. We got a few slices of “everything” and a slice of pepperoni, they where made with lots of real cheese and baked perfectly. The beautiful décor inside will make you think you are really in Italy. Be sure to try one of their Italian Specialty desserts while your there, they are very good and not to sweet. They are Located at 916 Hwy 411 South in Vonore, TN. And remember to tell them the gang from ride Tellico.com sent ya. Cherohala Market The other day while out riding, I decided to stop in at the Cherohala Market in Tellico Plains. I was feeling a little bit hungry so I tried their Hamburger and French fries…and WOW was it ever great! The hamburger was made with fresh ground meat and the fries were crinkle cut and cooked right. The deli also offers a blue-plate special daily as well as pre-made chicken and potato logs, which is great for a quick bite. With plenty of seating inside your group can all enjoy the food and lots of parking, even for us on motorcycles. The Cherohala Market also offers breakfast items and fresh baked cookies daily (awesome no-bake cookies). This is a great place to gas up and grab a bite to eat. This is a very clean and motorcycle friendly establishment that is worth the stop. Just go out of Tellico Plains headed to the skyway and they are on the right. And remember to tell them ridetellico.com sent ya. The Lodge at Tellico A fine sit down restaurant is the Tellicafe in Tellico Plains. I Stopped in and had a great sandwich and conversation with some bikers for lunch, it was a prime rib sandwich with all the fixing’s on it, it was served with French fries and some sweet potato fries. All of it was very tasty. They offer great food with many menu selections. The staff is fast and friendly. This motorcycle friendly establishment is clean and spacious, enough room for plenty of riders to dine together. If you like great tasting tea, they serve the best in the county. The food was hot and they keep your glass full. Located on Bank Street, right off of Hwy. 68, Tell em ridetellico.com sent ya! And by the way looking forward to there dinner review soon. Tellico Beach Drive-In Ah, The Tellico Beach Drive-In… A Tellico Plains community landmark and family tradition on the banks of the Tellico River. This is the oldest established restaurant in Tellico. This place has been there since before I was even born. “The Beach” as referred to by the locals is the place for awesome hotdogs (you gotta try the slaw) and burgers, plus many choices and flavors of ice cream. Just like in the ol’days, just walk up to a window and place your order, wait for you number to be called and then find yourself a picnic table and enjoy! What better atmosphere than nature? The river in front of you flowing past. You may even see a duck or fish swim by. It’s a great place to stop for a quick bite or just a cool ice cream break before starting over the Cherohala Skyway, because no more restaurants until you reach Robbinsville, NC. Tell them that www.ridetellico.com Recommended them. The Vonore Diner
If you’re in the mood for Bar-B-Que while riding in Monroe County, you should really try The Lodge at Tellico. This place offers you your choice of pork (sliced or ribs) and chicken. You will also enjoy several choices of sides to compliment your meat selection. The grilled Texas Toast was perfectly golden. The salad was fresh and the ranch was the best I have had in a long time. Generous portions will leave your belly full. The Ribs were very tasty and left us licking our fingers. The Chicken was so moist it was falling right off the bone. The bread puddings was great but think it is more like a custard in my humble opinion. The dining room was comfortable and welcoming, as was the service, but you may find the outdoor dining area just as relaxing. When you get the chance to stop in, do not forget to tell them that www.ridetellico.com sent ya! The Lodge at Tellico 9436 New Hwy 68 Tellico Plains, TN 37385
(423)253-2506
Tellicafe
We found a nice little place called the Vonore Diner it is easy to get to with plenty of parking, and is clean and inviting. They offer a variety of items from appetizers to desserts and by the look of it, a good Philly Cheese steak. They have several sandwich choices, as well as, Burgers, Soups, Salads, and Entrees. Also they offer a daily special. Our favorite was the Smothered Chicken, which consists of Marinated Chicken Breast smothered with bacon, Monterey jack cheese, then piled with diced tomatoes and a mixed cheese blend. The sides we tried were awesome, they were a baked potato, long grain rice, and the Potato Soup was homemade and Superb and the special recipe for the fresh onion rings had great flavor. The garlic & cheese biscuits were fresh and warm. The atmosphere was nostalgic with golden oldies playing in the background, but not so loud as to distract from a quaint conversation. A good way to start your meal would be to order some potato skins and finish the meal off with a slice of cheesecake. The Vonore Diner also offers a frequent lunch member card. So go by and visit with Warren and Jonathan and tell them you heard about them from www.ridetellico.com. And for those that need the address for there G.P.S it is 1255, Ste. 9, Hwy 411 in Vonore, TN
Mon. - Fri. 7 am to 8 pm
Sat. 10 am to 8 pm
Sun. 11 am to 3 pm
Town Square Restaurant and Bakery, Tellico Plains, TN.
If your in the mood for some good ol’fashioned home-style cookin’ go see Randy and Carol and the gang in downtown Tellico Plains at the Town Square Restaurant and Bakery. The atmosphere is small town living at its finest. Many items on the menu with great daily specials everyday of the week, and the best thing about this place, is that breakfast is served all day! The Town Square Omelet is my personal pick, though the biscuit and gravy is my wife’s pick. Don’t forget to save room for homemade deserts made fresh daily!
P.S. Don’t forget to tell Randy that Bill from www.ridetellico.com sent ya!
