Pigeon Forge is an interesting place, if only because it looks and feels like the Branson of the Smoky Mountains. That’s not necessarily a bad thing, depending on who you ask, but it doesn’t often lead to places like Local Goat New American Restaurant gaining steam.
The idea of sustainability and locally sourced ingredients isn’t something that tourist restaurants typically embrace, opting for the lavish or gimmicky side of the business to attract more customers. Yet this idea is what separates Local Goat New American Restaurant from the rest of the pack.
It’s one of only a handful of restaurants that specializes in craft beer, wine, and cocktails, as well as fresh ingredients from local farmers and vendors. Even the artwork on the walls comes exclusively from area painters and mixed-media artists. If you’ve been to Pigeon Forge but haven’t been here, it’s the little slice of local life you’ve been missing.
From the farm to your table, the food here is of the finest quality. The beef is hand-cut by the chefs, aged for a minimum of 28 days, and never frozen. Local Goat bakes all the bread, buns, and burger rolls on-site every morning, and none of its food contains GMOs, steroids, antibiotics, or high fructose corn syrup. Taking it one step further, 99 percent of the menu is crafted in-house.
When you’re in the mood for a cocktail, beer, or wine, you won’t find a better selection of craft options. Of the 24 beers on tap, 22 are from local and regional breweries. Experienced bartenders make the mixers and squeeze the juice daily for that fresh, delicious cocktail. If you love a glass of wine, Local Goat has an extensive global wine list featuring reds, whites, and blushes from California, New Zealand, and Italy.
Once you’ve settled in with a drink, you can’t afford not to try a few of the starters, especially if you’re with a sizable crowd. The jumbo chicken wings come in seven flavors, including Sriracha honey and Thai peanut, as well as traditional. If you aren’t a chicken wing fan, opt for a Southern classic such as fried green tomatoes or the interesting, yet super delicious, fried deviled eggs.
For your main course, a burger is always a fine selection, and the beef is ground daily. The authentic Tennessean Elvis features a burger with peanut butter, smoked bacon, and fried bananas, while the Farmhouse burger comes piled high with cheese, garlic aioli, bacon, and a fried egg. Match it with french fries or onion rings for the perfect American meal.
Established in 2016, Local Goat is a new chapter in Pigeon Forge’s culinary landscape. Make sure to hop on board before the secret gets out.
Insider Tips:
-If you’re 21 and in the mood, don’t miss out on the happy hour, which gets you $1 off wines and draft beers from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesdays get you $1 off draft beers all day, Wednesdays feature $1 off all glasses of wine, and on Saturday, all bottles of wine are half-off.
-Local Goat has an eight-person maximum allowed at one table without reservations, so call ahead if you have a larger party.