The Outback (main restaurant, not the Pub)

This one is going to be a mixed review. I have been coming to the Outback for as long as I can remember. I have photos of me sitting atop the alligator when I was kid. The decor and great food always kept me coming back. That said...the decor hasn't changed in as long as I can remember. Same stuff, same rustic charm. If your looking for upscale fancy dining, then this isn't for you. The tables are wood and kinda sticky from so many years of dirt and cleaning build up. Stuff is dusty and rusted...it's ok...it's supposed to be that way! You really feel like you walked off the street and into the aussie outback.
 Ok, so my first review was when my mom and I decided to stop in one cool day at the beginning of the summer. We chose to sit outside on the patio since it was so nice. The waiter was friendly, the tea good and our hamburgers fresh and tasty. They aren't anything to write home about, but they were basic and good. My husband and I stopped in another day and he ordered the meat pie. He was crazy about it. I didn't taste it but he said it was one of the best things he had ever eaten. It was served with garlic mashed potato's for a side. I got the mushroom swiss burger. Again, nothing super duper, but good. So a few days ago, mom, Jerry and I decided to go there for lunch. He had been craving his meat pie and mom wanted to try it, so in we went. We ate inside this time. Our waiter was nice and seated us quickly and we got our drinks. After that it was a good 15 min. before he came for our order. No big deal, we weren't a hurry. So they ordered their meat pies and I got my mushroom swiss burger again. Now, we waited....and waited...and waited. There were only about 5 tables in the entire place that even had people so they were not remotely busy. After almost an hour, we got our food. While we were waiting two tables near ours had complaints. One table never got their fries, and another had to send something back. It was not boding well. So our food is placed in front of us and right away they saw one problem. They had fries instead of the garlic potato's. This was not a choice on the menu even...it said it came with the mashed potato's. So they flagged down the waiter. He apologized and went to get potato's. I opened my burger to put some toppings on and noticed that my bun was hard as a rock. I'm not exaggerating here either...it was rock hard all the way through. Totally inedible. So when he came back with the potato's I told him about the bun. He went away and came back with a nice fresh bun. So I swapped it out...of course this whole time my fries were setting there getting cold, but still edible. So I take a bite of my burger. EWE!! It was hard, and dry. NO flavor at all. It was like trying to eat sawdust. At this point I was getting upset. We had been in the restaurant over an hour and half and I was yet to get food. So again the waiter was summoned. I told him, and he took it back. Mom and Jerry went on eating but the meat pies were no where near what they had been the other time. He said the flavor wasn't at all the same. They were more like hamburger with lite seasoning shoved in a crust. Mom wasn't any more impressed. They finished their meal and I was still waiting...at this point over a half hour had gone by. TWO HOURS and still no food. We had other things to do besides sit there. Finally I had enough and told the waiter to just bring our check without mine on it. We were done. He said it shouldn't be much longer and he would put it in a to go box. It was over a hundred degrees outside...the last thing I wanted to do was eat substandard food in the car on the go. I informed him that if I had wanted take out I would have gone to McDonalds. He didn't argue any more and brought the check. It was over 24.00 without mine....so they are way too pricey for the food they serve. We left...me hungry as heck and royally peeved. I won't be going back there again. The food, even on a good day, isn't all that great and the prices are outrageous for what you get. 10.00 for a burger and fries...that had better be a good burger!!!

Silver Dollar City

Ok, ok...I know Silver Dollar City isn't a restaurant, BUT it has so many places to eat that I felt I need to mention it. We spent two days there (one is just not enough). Of course I haven't tried EVERYTHING but I sure gave it a good try :D.
 First off, get there early and check out breakfast. There is a bakery that makes their items from scratch. I got a giant cinnamon roll with caramel and pecans. They don't just put a few pecans on it either. It was completely covered! Day two I got a sausage roll. Oh man was that good. Soft warm dough with a not too spicy sausage. My mom got a cherry danish and this cheese thing. I didn't try the danish, but by the speed that it was eaten, I would say it was good! I did get to try the cheese thing and it was amazing. I have gotten some of their homemade breads, cupcakes, cookies...etc...and never had anything that wasn't good. There is also a buffet that I have been told was good but haven't eaten there yet!
 Now for before lunch snacks...(Yes, pre lunch has to happen there) we stopped and got a pretzel wrapped footlong hot dog. OMG.....Never tasted a homemade soft pretzel like that!! Holy cow, that was good!! Soft and salty and amazing. There are snacks all over the park. Slushies, kettle corn ( Got the red white and blue and it's awesome), dippin dots, blueberry icecream (also to die for), roasted corn on the cob, spiral potatoes on a stick and don't forget to top the day off with a funnel cake!
 If your wanting something a bit heartier, check out one of the restaurants on park. Home cookin at it's finest!(my favorite is lumber camp) You can set by a big waterfall while you eat and feed the squirrels french fries! How cool is that? Home cookin' at it's finest! No matter what you try, you can't leave the park hungry. And of course don't forget the candy! (pictures are internet photos and not my property, for demonstrative purposes only)

Greek Gyros & Deli (111 east main street near the landing)

Wow, what a hidden little gem this was!!
 My mom and I were wanting to explore the downtown and came across this small, nondescript looking building nestled between other shops. Mom loves gyros and I was ready to try something new, so we went in. The Inside was really neatly decorated in old style Greek decor. Many photos also adorn the walls of the owners family. The place was virtually empty so we really got to look around.
 We sat down to pour over the menu. I was surprised at the low prices. Salads range from 3.99 to 5.99. Sandwiches range from 3.99-7.99 (gyros are only 5.99). Sides/appetizers are 3.99. Drinks 1.69. Ice cream or baklava 2.50. There isn't a ton of things t choose from, but should suit most. They also have hot dogs and pizza for the kids. (1.99-2.99)
 Mom and I decided to try an order of Dolmas/stuffed grape leaves. We had no idea what we were in for. They served this yummy looking little bundles of seasoned meat wrapped in tender grape leaves and served with a sauce. I could have sat there and ate them all day. Granted, I don't have others to compare them to, but if they got any better I would have never left the place! That sauce was amazing itself. Almost a ranch flavor but not really...hard to compare it to anything... Anyway, moving on, (and I didn't want to), to sandwiches! Mom got a gyro and I got the pastrami. The gyro looked great and she said it melted in her mouth. I did taste the meat and it was super tender. The pastrami was grilled with Swiss and stacked with meat. The flavor was unrivaled. They came with potato salad, and I'm not much of a potato salad fan, but let me tell you, there was not a drop left. It was beyond good. I wish I could explain the flavors to you, but all I can say is, go and try it yourself! (please note, that these are not my images. They are web images and not my property)