The Fox and Parrot Tavern is the real McCoy for serving British cuisine and capturing the atmosphere found in a UK pub. There is a stark distance between American bars and a British pub. Sure, they both serve alcohol and may get a wee bit rowdy during football games, but that is where the similarity ends.
Brian, the owner, has gone out of his way to capture all the nuances one would find in a pub. First and foremost is that The Fox and Parrot Tavern is suitable for families. You can even bring your dog! You can’t say that about too many American bars! If you need to host a party, special occasion, or a wedding reception, have a chat with Brian. He has the know-how and the experience.
Second, Brian is passionate about serving beer as they do on the British Isles. Authentic pubs offer draught (draft) beer (although he has 120 bottled beers, too), of which The Fox and Parrot Tavern proudly pours 33 varieties. Brian even built a state-of-the-art cold facility beneath the bar to chill the kegs to the perfect temperature. How perfect? He researched what temperature to serve Guinness and, you guessed it, followed the instructions to a T.
Third, the ambiance. Adorned with banners, flags, and pictures of anything and everything British, you would swear you were Across the Pond and not sitting in Gatlinburg. A big-screen TV pipes in English “football,” the jukebox has a bagpipe rendition of “Amazing Grace,” and there is a dartboard when you’re ready for a game. The Fox and Parrot also has a 500 square foot covered porch for eating outside when the weather is prime.
Fourth, but not least, is the food. Cooked fresh from recipes discovered on trips to England, these are heaping-helpings of deliciousness. Not into British fare? No problem. Try the Chicken Tenders or the Parrot Wings. Fear not! These are chicken, not parrot wings. For the kids, there is everything from PB & J to cheese sticks to grilled cheese.
Everything on the menu is delicious, but here are some of our favorites:
Welsh Rabbit
This appetizer hales from Wales and, for the record, doesn’t contain rabbit. It consists of toasted bread drenched with Newcastle Brown Ale cheese sauce. Like just about everything on the menu, chips (french fries) are served on the side. Be advised: the Welsh Rabbit is big enough to share.
Fish & Chips
Ahh! The flagship dish of British pub food. Alaskan Pollock is bathed in a Newcastle Brown Ale batter then deep-fried to crunchy perfection. The chips are the beefsteak type and not the thin variety we Americans consume. All this is served in newsprint like they do in England.
Chicken Pie
No, not a dessert item, but similar to what we call pot pies. This heaping meal consists of shredded chicken, carrots, onions, peas, and gravy served in a flaky pie crust. Chips come on the side.
Spotted Dick
The name may make you giggle, but this classic dessert is a favorite among Brits. Sponge cake with raisins, thus the “spotted” reference, that is covered in homemade custard.
When you are ready to unwind, head on over to The Fox and Parrot Tavern, grab a pint, have some chips, and share some laughs.
Insider Tips:
– Tucked away in the Arts and Crafts Community, The Fox and Parrot Tavern is rustic on the outside, but you will discover a warm, inviting pub inside. Be sure to check out Brian’s Celtic pub in the area, The Rampant Lion.