ADVENTURE AWAITS IN THE SMOKIES AT HARPOON HARRY'S CRAB HOUSE

Enclosed Patio

     There are many fun, interesting and tasty adventures to pursue in the Great Smoky Mountains of Tennessee. Trying different foods and restaurants is a delightful and delicious way to explore the Smoky Mountains from the culinary side. So book your hotel, cabin or condo on the Smoky Mountains Lodging Guide at http://smokymountainslodgingguide.com/, and then start your appetite adventure!

Unique carvings

     You have many restaurant options in Gatlinburg, Sevierville and Pigeon Forge, and one of those - Harpoon Harry's Crab House - is located in the heart of Pigeon Forge at Traffic Light 2B. The owners of Smuggler's Cove in Punta Gorda, Florida, upgraded their decor with antique trucks, huge carvings, hand-polished wooden bars, stone walls, old pictures from the National Park, different designs throughout the interior, an enclosed porch that can be opened up in good weather, and a sushi bar. All of this stunning decor is the setting for a fun, exciting and adventurous food, beverage, retail and entertainment operation. But it is the food that is the star and the delicious menu is served in beautiful presentations that enhance the flavor of the food.

Sushi platters

Crab Bucket

     As you would expect, Harpoon Harry's offers fresh and delicious seafood like oysters, shrimp, scallops grouper and buckets of King, Jonah, Dungeness and Snow Crab with sausage, corn, onion and red potatoes. But they also serve-up several pasta dishes - like Shrimp Cavatappi - and steaks, tenderloin tips, sliced pork and sandwich favorites like cheeseburgers and grilled chicken, plus Lobster Rolls, Oyster Po'Boys and Soft Shell Crab Hoagies.

1926 Chevy Truck Bar

     Harpoon Harry's Crab House rocks on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights with live music, and you can always get a good meal from their Late Night Menu, which includes Sushi! Their bar pours over 100 kinds of whiskey which you can enjoy in the main floor restaurant, or in the Truck Bar upstairs. That's where you find the 1926 Chevy Truck that serves as the bar. And as a remembrance of your appetite adventure, you can take home Harpoon Harry's merchandise.

     To find out more about other eating encounters in the Smokies, check out the Best Read Guide Dining page at www.bestreadguidesmokymountains.com/dining.html.

HIT THE ROAD TO THE SMOKIES AND REFUEL AT LOGAN'S ROADHOUSE

     The Great Smoky Mountains of Tennessee offer so many fun and exciting options to couples, families and groups going on vacation, and if you can schedule a trip before or after the summer or fall season, you can take advantage all of the options that the mountains present, the attractions and the shopping and dining with smaller crowds and less traffic.

     Dolly Parton kicks off the Dollywood season with the 31st Annual Dolly's Homecoming Parade that goes up the Pigeon Forge Parkway the first Friday in May. Yes, Dolly is the Grand Marshall and her smile, good nature and welcoming spirit make you glad that you are standing on the side of the road in Pigeon Forge. Her parade is a grand event with marching bands, floats, appearances by area theater entertainers, Shriners, equestrian clubs and more. Speaking of Shriner's, they have their own FunFest Parade Saturday morning on the Parkway in Pigeon Forge. You can also drive over to the Smoky Mountain Antique Toy & Pedal Car Show at Country Cascades, or join in the Annual Yellow Mustang Registry Cruise In at the Diner in Sevierville.

     There is always good shopping at either the malls, like Tanger Outlet, the Great Smoky Arts & Crafts Community outside of Gatlinburg, or the hundreds of unique shops throughout the Smoky Mountain cities of Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, Sevierville and Kodak. The same goes for dining, with hundreds of options for restaurants and types of food.

     For example, Logan's Roadhouse offers down-to-earth food like burgers and ribs, plus your choice of beers, ales, wines and cocktails. There is always something new cooking at Logan's along with their signature steaks, American food options,seafood, salads and desserts.

     So do you need any more reasons to visit the Smokies? Book your trip now and for additional information, maps and coupons click on www.bestreadguidesmokymountains.com/ and let the Best Read Guide magazine help you plan your Smoky Mountain adventure.

WORLD'S GREATEST HAMBURGERS AT HOME IN THE SMOKIES

Burgers are America's great go-to food and Fuddrucker's in Sevierville is the go-to place in the Smokies to get your burger fix. Their slogan is "The World's Greatest Hamburgers" and they seek to make the world happy, one hamburger at a time. Hamburger obsession? Maybe so and that means that every time you go to Fuddrucker's you are guaranteed a great hamburger.

Great hamburgers start with quality meat. Fresh, never frozen, 100% USDA All-American premium cut beef. They offer 1/2, 1/3 and 2/3 pound burgers grilled just the way you want it. Great hamburgers can't go on ordinary buns so Fuddrucker's bake their sesame seed bun from scratch every day in their own bakery to get that crisp outside, melt-in-your-mouth, fresh-from-the-oven taste that compliments your grilled burger.

Then you top off this great burger at the Build Your Own fresh produce bar with a variety of fixin's and toppings to suit your taste. And nothing compliments a great burger than your favorite drink or a hand-blended, rich and creamy shake. And for dessert try some other great American goodies like home-baked cookies, brownies or pastries from their bakery. Chocolate Chip, Oatmeal Raisin, White Macadamia Nut, Sugar Cookies and more.

Stop in at Fuddrucker's on your way to see Loretta Lynn in Concert at Country Tonite Theatre, The Tennessee Smokies Baseball home opener, or the Smoky Mountain Winefest. Or just stop in if you are refueling between activities like Go-Karting, Ziplining or hiking in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. You can win a gift certificate to Fuddrucker's in Sevierville if you go to www.facebook.com/SmokyMountainsLodgingGuide/ the Smoky Mountain Lodging Facebook page at . There you can "Like" the Fuddrucker's Contest Photo and Share and Comment on the picture or contest.

To help you plan your trip to the Tennessee Smokies, go to www.smokymountainslodgingguide.com/ to check out the deals for area accommodations in Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge and Sevierville.

A TASTE OF ITALY IN THE TENNESSEE SMOKY MOUNTAINS

The Great Smoky Mountains are known for many things and great dining is one of those things. You don't normally think of Italian food when you come to the mountains, but diversity is one of the great dining options that you have when you come to the Smoky Mountains.

The Olive Garden Italian Restaurant is family style dining with endless bread sticks and salad, and an ever changing menu of Italian-style appetizers, entrees, wines, drinks and desserts. They serve lunch and dinner and also provide take-out meals. They offer specials, catering, lighter fare options and coloring sheets and games to keep kids busy. Their decor is tastefully Italian with comfortable booths and tables and offset nooks, but it is the food that makes the experience.

After a day of riding rides, hiking or shopping in the Smokies, there is nothing better than sitting down for a good meal. If its lunch the Olive Garden offers their endless soup, salad and bread sticks, the create your own pasta bowls and lunch combinations, and several options of lighter fare meals.

In the evening you can try traditional Italian dishes like Chicken Parmesan, Fettuccine Alfredo, and Shrimp Alfredo, or try one of the specials that Olive Garden offers. There are 9 chicken options, 8 seafood offerings and 4 beef entrees in additional to the delicious specials that keep the menu fresh and exciting. Relax, have a glass of wine and enjoy conversing with friends and family over a fabulous meals prepared and served with style and grace.

Chicken Parmesan

Shrimp Alfredo

The Olive Garden is conveniently located on the Parkway in Sevierville, across the street from Tanger Outlet, and close to attractions, theaters, movie theaters and accommodations. If you would like to win a gift Certificate to the Olive Garden in Sevierville, TN, please go to the Best Read Guide Facebook page at www.facebook.com/BRGSmokyMountains. Simply Like the photo and Share it with  your friends or Comment if you want.

For more Smoky Mountain information and coupons for dining, attractions, theaters, outdoor attractions and deals on accommodations, go to www.bestreadguidesmokymountains.com/.