You’re excited to explore the Smoky Mountains but worried about your budget. Thankfully, there are plenty of great strategies for keeping costs to a minimum.
One of the best solutions? Replacing a few restaurant visits with home-cooked meals. Why not take advantage of local grocery stores? They make it easy to save money without sacrificing the quality of your meals.
A few chains dominate the Smoky Mountain grocery scene, including Food City, Kroger, and Publix. Familiar names such as Aldi and Walmart are also available.
These stores differ from one location to the next, so it’s worth your while to do a little research. To help, we’ve highlighted several of the area’s most important grocery stores, along with the top features you can expect at these locations.
Sevierville
Food City
- 741 Dolly Parton Pkwy, Sevierville, TN 37864
- 2339 Newport Hwy, Sevierville, TN 37876
- 2946 Winfield Dunn Pkwy, Kodak, TN 37764
Food City is a dream come true for Sevierville shoppers. These locations provide everything you need to create the meals you crave — and then some.
The quality is exceptional, with produce, in particular, standing out as compared to other local stores. Take advantage of the ValuCard, which will score impressive discounts on a variety of products. All stores have pharmacies and gas stations.
Kroger
- 702 Winfield Dunn Pkwy, Sevierville, TN 37876
Kroger should easily live up to all your preconceived notions of the ‘typical’ supermarket. Its prices aren’t the highest in the Smoky Mountains, but nor are they the lowest. The selection is decent, with the fresh produce always encouraging healthy eating. While the selection can be limited for certain types of snacks, there’s no denying that this store is amazing when you want to shop the perimeter and cook from scratch.
Unfortunately, service at this store can be hit or miss. Most staff members are friendly, but some customers have reported long waits, rude service, or a combination of the two. Opt for the self-checkout area when you only have a few items and are in a hurry. This will get you out of the store and on your way in a brief minute or two.
Publix at Smoky Mountain Gateway
- 750 Winfield Dunn Pkwy Ste 100 Ste 100, Sevierville, TN 37876
People who live near Publix tend to take it for granted, but this chain is the stuff of legends outside of the southern states in which its stores are primarily located. Many vacationers enjoy shopping here simply because it’s so well-stocked with regional items that are difficult to find back home.
A variety of excellent ingredients are available if you want to cook in your cabin or condo, but the store’s real strength lies in its prepared foods. The subs at this location are especially tasty, easily living up to all the hype about these made-to-order sandwiches.
Aldi
- 538 Winfield Dunn Pkwy, Sevierville, TN 37876
Looking to cut down your travel costs a bit? You’ll get a lot more bang for the buck at Aldi, where you can score amazing deals on produce, frozen treats, and more. This location is bright, clean, and easy to navigate. Of course, it comes with all the usual Aldi caveats: you’ll need to bring your own bags, plus a quarter if you want a cart.
Walmart
- 1414 Parkway, Sevierville, TN 37862
From toys to clothing and even major recreational equipment, you’ll find everything you need at the Sevierville Walmart. It’s definitely not as clean or as well-stocked as higher-end stores such as Publix or Kroger, but it can deliver savings when you want to travel on the cheap.
Amish Creations & Country Market
- 1235 Parkway, Sevierville, TN 37862
If your grocery list calls for a Hillbilly Shot Glass or locally jarred preserves, then your best option is Amish Creations & Country Market. Sure, you may not be able to do all of your vacation grocery shopping here, but it’s the perfect spot to pick up some tasty local treats as well as a souvenir of your trip to the Smokies.
Lila’s Market Grocery Store and Carniceria
- 727 Eastgate Rd, Sevierville, TN 37862
Craving an authentic, home-cooked Mexican dinner after a long day on the go? Stock up on everything you need at Lila’s Market — a beloved destination among locals. There, you’ll find fantastic produce and a vast selection of authentic Mexican ingredients.
Pigeon Forge
Kroger
- 220 Wears Valley Rd, Pigeon Forge, TN 37863
Another Kroger worth exploring, the Pigeon Forge location resembles its Sevierville counterpart in most respects. Again, it’s an amazing place for stocking up on produce.
With so many indulgent restaurants located in Pigeon Forge, you will be eager to browse this store’s healthier items and give yourself a much-needed break from junk food. If you want treats, however, plenty can be found at the bakery.
Publix Supermarket at Valley Forge
- 2656 Parkway, Pigeon Forge, TN 37863
If you stop by the Valley Forge Shopping Center, you’ll almost certainly spend the bulk of your visit at the mall’s Publix location. As with the Sevierville Publix, you can expect to find an excellent selection of both ingredients and pre-prepared foods — including, of course, the legendary subs that we mentioned previously.
This location is sizable and tends to get busy. Thankfully, the checkout lines move quickly. The prices give some customers pause, but many people are willing to put up with this if it means enjoying access to an amazing deli and bakery.
Taste of Europe
- 3985 Parkway, Pigeon Forge, TN 37863
Who says you need to stay local when exploring the Smokies? Taste of Europe boasts impressive-looking shelves stocked with imported candy, bakery items, and meats. You’ll also discover a vast selection of drinks that are almost impossible to find on this side of the Atlantic.
Food City
- 3064 Teaster Ln, Pigeon Forge, TN 37863
- Express by Food City: 3625 Parkway, Pigeon Forge, TN 37863
Just a few minutes from The Island and Dollywood, the Pigeon Forge Food City places you near all the action on the Parkway. It’s also right by the local greenway, so you’re welcome to stop in for a snack after a leisurely stroll or bike ride. Feel free to grab a coffee from the Starbucks located within the store. The customer service at this location is excellent and the aisles are always immaculate.
On the other side of the West Prong Little Pigeon River, you’ll find an Express location that works wonders when you want to expedite your shopping and only need a few items.
Gatlinburg
Satterfield’s Old Fashioned Grocery
- 849 Glades Rd, Gatlinburg, TN 37738
Throw the shopping list out the window and visit Satterfield’s for a truly incredible food experience. While this location offers a decent selection of standard grocery items, the prepared food is definitely the star of the show. After a long day exploring the Smokies, you can grab a rack of ribs, a brisket sandwich, or a made-to-order pizza.
Yes, it’ll cost more than cooking meals from scratch, but you can still save quite a bit compared to eating in restaurants.
Food City
- 1219 East Pkwy, Gatlinburg, TN 37738
While Kroger and Publix largely dominate the grocery scene in Sevierville and Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg tends to feature smaller specialty stores. Food City is the clear exception, providing wonderfully fresh produce, a vast deli selection, and tasty baked goods. Perfectly situated on the way to the national park, this is a go-to store for hikers and campers.
Whole Earth Grocery and Cafe
- 446 East Pkwy #4, Gatlinburg, TN 37738
If you want a shopping experience that feels more like a vacation outing and less like a chore, stick with Whole Earth Grocery. There, you’ll find a variety of vegetarian and vegan offerings, along with the region’s best organic produce. There’s no better place to visit when you want to eat healthy on vacation.
Other Stores Not Listed Above:
- Sevierville Bargain Barn: 125 N River Blvd, Sevierville, TN 37876
- E-Z Stop Food Marts: 851 Dolly Parton Pkwy, Sevierville, TN 37862
- Clabough Market: 405 Wears Valley Rd, Pigeon Forge, TN 37863
- Rivera’s Market: 2961 Veterans Blvd, Pigeon Forge, TN 37863
- La Catrina Latin Store & Carniceria: 3971 Parkway, Pigeon Forge, TN 37863
- Smokey Mountain Market & Sundries: 638 Parkway #1, Gatlinburg, TN 37738
- Old Dad’s General Store: 1127 Parkway, Gatlinburg, TN 37738
- Greenbrier Grocery: 2406 East Pkwy, Gatlinburg, TN 37738
Whether your goal is to cut your calories or your food bill, you’ll have no trouble leveling up your vacation meals when you shop at Smoky Mountain grocery stores. Live like a local and discover just how enjoyable a simple grocery visit can be.
