Coal Creek Smokehouse

We'd heard of this little BBQ place in Rocky Top TN and after seeing Yelp reviews had all given it five stars, just had to go and check it out.

It's located in a little house from the 1900's and what it lacks in size it makes up for in personality. 

 There are only about five tables inside, but it has an outdoor seating area for when the weather is nice.

All their meat is dry rubbed and smoked low and slow with hickory, oak, and applewood.  The sauces and rubs are all home made as well.

We don't usually get appetizers, but the reviews raved about the Candied Bacon Bouquet, so we gave it a go.  Yummy!
We cleaned up the candied bacon in no time flat, dragging it through their special white sauce.

The special that day was a Fajita style serving of beef with two sides.  

I went with the mashed potatoes and baked beans.  

The dishes all come with spoon bread...which we hadn't heard of but hey...bring it on.


It's a bit like having lunch at MaMa's house since you can see into the kitchen and the owners come and visit with you.






















This former mining town changed its name to Rocky Top on a gamble that the popularity of the bluegrass standard will bring prosperity.
Tim Sharp, mayor of the town of 1,800 people formerly known as Lake City, confirmed the vote, which came after a failed last-minute bid by publishers of the song to stop the change in federal court.

Here's the Charlie Daniels version of Rocky Top for your listening pleasure.

Long Live the Queen of BBQ