Log Cabin Pancake House

The old-fashioned pancakes are buttermilk, served with whipped butter and house-made syrup. If you want something lighter, the Parisienne crepes come filled with strawberry compote and topped with powdered sugar and whipped topping. The all-you-can-eat biscuits and gravy is a homemade biscuit with sausage gravy, and it is a good value when you are heading out for a hike.

For a heavier plate, the Meat Lovers Omelet is stuffed with sausage, bacon and ham and comes with three buttermilk pancakes. Lunch is available too, with sandwiches and burgers, including a Log Cabin patty melt of ground beef, melted cheese and sauteed onions on French or whole wheat bread.

The restaurant is in a real log building, which sets it apart from the larger pancake houses on the Parkway. It is smaller and quieter, and it feels more like a home kitchen than a tourist restaurant. Airport Road is a side street off the main Parkway, so you are away from the worst of the sidewalk crowds.

The restaurant's own website lists daily hours of 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. and the phone number 865-436-7894. There is no dinner service, so plan this as a breakfast or early lunch.

• Waits build on weekends, during summer and in October. Arrive when the doors open at 7 a.m. or after 11 a.m. for a shorter line.
• If you are heading to the national park, eat here first and leave early. The park's parking tag ($5 daily, $15 weekly, $40 annual) is required for any vehicle parked longer than 15 minutes; see the NPS fees page.
• The Gatlinburg trolley is free, and the city's trolley page lists routes if you want to avoid parking downtown.
• Ask for the gravy on the side if you want to control the portion.
• Bring a sweater in cool weather; log buildings can run cool near the doors.

Gatlinburg has many pancake houses, and several are bigger and louder. Log Cabin earns its reputation by being small, family run and focused on one meal. It is the place to choose if you want a breakfast with some history to it and a building that looks like the Smokies.

Because it closes at 2 p.m., it also makes a good choice for travelers who want to eat early and start the day. Plan to arrive hungry, order a short stack and a side of biscuits, and you will be on the trail by mid-morning.