Hot Dish Review

Once again, our group went out for breakfast. This time LC opted to join us rather than eat our leftover pancakes. I mean flapjacks. Whatever.

Naturally, the kids ordered sugar, in the form of French toast for little T and a cute bear shaped pancake for little A (note the actual ice cream scoop of butter!). The adults tried a smorgasbord of fat-laden breakfast items like cheese grits with butter, sausage and Southwestern omelettes, country ham, and the ubiquitous pancakes, slathered with butter and syrup. It is common knowledge that I hate cake. Same goes for pancakes….I just don’t care for anything fluffy, doughy, or cakelike. I do like crepes, though. That’s what my Mamma used to make!

I must commend Flapjacks for their healthy menu section. I almost ordered an egg white omelette, but instead was drawn to the bacon and egg sandwich on toasted sourdough with lettuce, tomato, and mayo. Unfortunately, I failed to notice the sandwich lacked the all-important cheese.

But it would have sucked even with cheese. I have a thing about toasted bread. It should be crunchy, not soggy. It should be toasted! This sandwich was slopped on soggy sourdough. The copious amount of chewy bacon was awesome, so I ate it with the fried egg, lettuce, and tomato.

Luckily, I also ordered an extra-crispy waffle to be brought out after I ate my sandwich. It was delivered right on cue. I like my waffles almost burnt, so this one could have used another minute in the press. Dipped in syrup, it was a decent breakfast dessert.

Flapjacks is homestyle country cookin’, which in these parts, is the only kind of cookin’. Just put a pat of butter on it, honey.

2734 Parkway, Pigeon Forge 865-908-6115

LC and I arrived in Pigeon Forge in the Smoky Mountains late Saturday and met up with his daughter little T and her aunt DC, her daughter little A, and lifelong friend C at Cirque de Chine, a Chinese acrobatic show….a poor man’s Cirque de Soleil, after which we had a late dinner at TGI Friday’s. Grilled shrimp and veggies was the least offensive menu item which LC and I both ordered. I was proud of him for abstaining from the fried cheese sticks!

DC had rented a great condo for us at a resort with its own lazy river. We had a full kitchen, laundry, and balcony overlooking the golf course. It was really very comfortable. The next morning, LC slept in while us gals headed down the street to the Red Rooster Pancake House, a well known breakfast place on the main drag.

Flapjacks. Pancakes. Whatever you call ‘em, they are a staple for breakfast in Pigeon Forge. Pancakes come with everything on the menu at Red Rooster. You want ham and eggs, honey? That comes with an order of pancakes. How about an omelette with cheese grits? Ditto on the pancakes.

Our group ordered a variety of dishes including C’s Southwestern omelette and little T’s strawberry pancakes. I had a boring yet somewhat healthy plate of scrambled eggs, bacon, and wheat toast with butter on the side (instead of pancakes!). DC ordered her favorite, country ham, grits, and eggs scrambled with cheese. Plenty of pancakes went home for snacking later.

The day would be spent at Dollywood, riding every ride. And later that night we were in for a real treat….Dolly Parton’s Dixie Stampede.

And to think, a year ago I was staying in a $4000 a night condo in Cabo San Lucas overlooking the Gulf of Mexico, eating lobster and drinking champagne.

Have I lost my mind? I’m sure of it.

3215 Parkway, Pigeon Forge 865-428-3776

Ah yes, brunch with the ex. We used to go to brunch most every Sunday when we were together so when SS suggested it I agreed it would be nice, for old time’s sake.

And what better place to go than Ria’s? Back in our punk rock days, she was the big lesbian that would kick any guy’s ass (and I’m sure she still could). Now she is a successful restaurateur….we’re all so proud!

Ria’s Bluebird is in a small building on Memorial Drive, across from Oakland Cemetery. Breakfast and lunch are served daily but it’s her brunch that has everyone lining up on the weekends, from old folks with walkers to tattooed young parents.

The bluebird motif is found throughout the restaurant. A bright blue painted ceiling and matching wood chairs paired with well-worn wood tables give the space a homey, kitschy vibe, perfect for this progressive ‘hood.

A covered patio on the side provides a pretty yet eclectic seating alternative.

Anything but average, Ria’s menu is a combination of Southern and Southwestern flavors with numerous vegetarian options like the country fried tempeh with house gravy, grilled tomato and sauteed spinach atop a grilled buttermilk biscuit. But SS and I are unrepentant carnivores so we opted for hearty meat and egg dishes.

I chose one of the specials, chipotle chicken gravy benedict. It is almost impossible for me to resist benedict, although my preference is the traditional hollandaise sauce. The promise of spiciness from the chipotle plus the sweet potato cake for my side sounded scrumptious. I didn’t realize it was served on a split biscuit when I ordered it, and I’m not a big biscuit fan. The gravy wasn’t nearly spicy enough so I had to request Texas Pete’s, but I loved the sweet potato cake flavored with cinnamon. A dab of the homemade applesauce on the table was yummy with it.

SS wanted something that would stick to his ribs so he ordered the biscuits and gravy. Ria’s gravy is called pepper milk gravy, a vegetarian version of red-eye gravy. He also got a side of two fried eggs and a side of bacon. Ria’s is generally quite affordable but despite being on a budget, with all his sides SS’s breakfast added up to $12, the same as my special. Math was not his best subject.

Other than eggs and bacon a la carte, Ria’s offers an array of unusual sides like spicy tofu cubes, sliced avocado, and a cup o’ beans, allowing guests to be creative. And, according to The NY Times, they serve the “world’s best pancakes”. I saw another diner’s pancakes and they were fluffier than my bed pillow!

The atmosphere alone is worth a visit and if you love biscuits and pancakes, ya just gotta go!