Cumberland Jacks LeConte Kitchen is one of the newer restaurants owned and operated by the KBS Restaurant Group, an esteemed East Tennessee company that owns nearly a dozen restaurant concepts throughout the area. Now, don’t snub your nose at this not being a small mom-and-pop spot! Sometimes, you want a meal of consistent quality and prepped, cooked, and served by well-trained staff. And having it all done in a beautiful setting! For that type of dining experience, Cumberland Jacks Leconte Kitchen perfectly fits the bill.
You will find Cumberland Jacks LeConte Kitchen in South Gatlinburg, right on the Blueridge Parkway and just three blocks from the Gatlinburg Trail Trailhead. This restaurant is housed within its own large standalone building that was designed to look and feel like a massive log home resort. Step inside and you will find that the decor perfectly meshes with that inviting exterior! In fact, we’d argue that the interior of Cumberland Jacks LeConte Kitchen is one of the best in the area! The walls feature a ton of unique art and there’s even a stone fireplace that’s been outfitted with hanging cast iron pans, cut firewood and a mounted deer head such as you’d find in an authentic log cabin. This atmosphere is continued in the dining ware, with meals served on upscale tin plates and metal saucers.
Of course, this Appalachia log cabin atmosphere isn’t just for kicks. The Cumberland Jacks LeConte Kitchen was named after and is designed in honor of a beloved canine companion. A German Shepherd named Cumberland Jack was the best friend of Paul Adams, a lodge builder and the first caretaker of LeConte Lodge. The pup Cumberland Jack was known throughout town as he’d often go on supply runs with his owner. The Cumberland Jacks LeConte Kitchen has built itself to carry on this companionship legacy, dedicating itself to offering a friendly atmosphere in which to provide hungry travelers with all the good food and nourishment they need for their adventures throughout the area.
Which, let’s talk about food. This is a Southern restaurant that is open for lunch, dinner, and weekend brunches. Some of the most popular items on the Cumberland Jacks LeConte Kitchen menu include:
Home-made Meatloaf
This bacon-wrapped hunk of meatloaf comes smoked with your choice of southern-styled sides, such as Black Bean and Corn Rice, Creamed Corn, or Potato Salad. Which, by the way, the Creamed Corn is one of the most popular side items at Cumberland Jacks LeConte Kitchen.
Fire in the Hen House
This fun-named entree features double-breaded buttermilk fried chicken served with a thick topping of homemade creamy chicken gravy. As with other entrees, the Fire in the Hen House comes with your choice of two side dishes.
Buffalo Jerky Burger
The Cumberland Jacks LeConte Kitchen has a nice array of delicious burgers and pastas to offer as well as their big Southern entrees. The Buffalo Jerky Burger is an excellent example of something delicious if alternative on the menu. This burger features ground buffalo meat blended with chipped jerky. It comes served with thick cheddar cheese and a homemade smoked jalapeno relish.
Insider Tips:
-Check Out Happy Hour! Cumberland Jacks LeConte Kitchen is primarily talked about as a restaurant, but they also have a pretty nice bar and bar menu that shouldn’t be ignored. In fact, go sit at the bar here during mid-day and you’ll enjoy some pretty great specials, including a $5 Brunch Bevie menu that features cocktail favorites for only five dollars.
-Walk Off That Big Meal at Gatlinburg Trail. What’s better after a big meal than a lazy walk by a winding stream? The nearby Gatlinburg Trail Trailhead offers restaurant guests easy access to a laid-back, tree-lined walk through the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains. You could even keep your car parked near the restaurant as the trailhead is only two blocks down from Cumberland Jacks LeConte Kitchen.