About Old Dad's General Store & Deli
Old Dad's General Store of Gatlinburg describes itself as a "Deli, Grill & Grocery" on its official website, and that three-part label is a good summary of why it is useful. Part sandwich counter, part grill, part grocery, it covers the gap between a sit-down restaurant and a gas-station snack.
Where it fits
The store's listed address is 120 Historic Nature Trail in Gatlinburg, on the road that leads out of town toward the Roaring Fork area. That puts it on the way to the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail, which the National Park Service lists as open mid-April to November 29 in 2026 (see the seasonal roads page). The loop is one-way, very steep, and closed to vehicles over 25 feet or towing a trailer, so travel light and stock your cooler first.
Check the website or call before you rely on an early opening. If you need breakfast before a sunrise hike, confirm the store is open first.
Why stop
- Sandwiches for the trail. A deli counter lets you build a lunch you can eat on a rock beside a stream, which beats a Parkway restaurant bill at lunchtime.
- Groceries. The grocery side is handy for water, snacks and cabin basics when the nearest big supermarket is a drive away.
- A quick grill meal. For a family that does not want to sit in a long dinner line, grill items are an easy answer.
The store's own site lists sections for grocery, deli menu, location and contact, but those pages did not load for this check, so no menu items are named here. Look at the site for the current deli menu.
A day in the Smokies
Pack lunch, then head into the park. Great Smoky Mountains National Park has no entrance fee, but any vehicle parked longer than 15 minutes needs a parking tag: $5 daily, $15 weekly, $40 annual. America the Beautiful and other federal passes are not accepted, and the tag must be physically displayed, not shown on a phone. Check the park's closures page before choosing a trail, since Laurel Falls is closed through 2026 and is expected to reopen in 2027.
The free Gatlinburg trolley (city page) is useful for downtown. This store is on the outskirts, so plan to drive.
Tips
- Buy picnic items and water before you reach the park, because food options inside it are limited.
- On fall weekends, traffic into and out of Gatlinburg slows noticeably, so shop early in the day.
- Keep food stored properly in the car or cabin. Bears in the Gatlinburg area are active, and the park asks visitors to secure food.
For a quick, practical sandwich or grocery run, it is a sensible stop. Confirm hours before you go.
Good to know
- What kind of food does Old Dad's General Store & Deli serve?
- Deli, grill and grocery.