Every Town Needs a Local Goat

I received food samples from the Local Goat in exchange for my fair and honest review; all opinions are my own.

Food is far more than something you eat. To break bread together is a form of bonding, a form of love. Nestled in the heart of the Smoky Mountains is the Local Goat, a restaurant that exemplifies everything we love about dining. It has made from scratch foods, a caring staff, and a sense of belonging for everyone. The Local Goat in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, is one of the best restaurants our family has experienced.

Pigeon Forge is a tourist town, and for a good reason. You can zip line, view shows, visit theme parks, tube down a river, and shop till until your heart is content. Our family loves to visit Pigeon Forge because there is something for all of us to enjoy. In fact, we have visited four times within the last year and a half. I am not sure how we missed the Local Goat on the other three trips, but after this one, I can say that we will never miss it again.  

The Food

We are really picky when it comes to dining on vacation. When Sean and I plan trips, we want to experience the best of what the locals have to offer. Sean, Jackson, Lucy, and I quickly noticed the quality of the food while dining at the Local Goat. The food is locally sourced, and everything is made from scratch, from the hamburger buns to the ketchup, and all sauces, marinades, and seasonings in between. The beef is grass fed and farm raised, and the seafood is wild caught. All steaks are marinated for 48 hours before they are grilled. The restaurant believes in serving fresh, never frozen.

After viewing the menu, we first ordered an appetizer. It was hard to pick from the array of choices including deep fried deviled eggs, fried green tomatoes, and N’awlins Style BBQ Shrimp. However, we chose the cheese fondue, and it was perfect. The dip was a beer cheese that was a mix of creamy with a tinge of tart. It was served with apples, fresh bread, and the most buttery homemade pretzels.

For dinner, Lucy chose the Patriot Burger topped with American cheese and served with hand-cut fries.  

Jackson chose 10 Jumbo Honey BBQ Chicken Wings. However, when he saw how delicious those fries looked, he began stealing them from everyone’s plate!

Sean chose the Elvis, a burger (which Sean kept commenting how juicy and delicious the meat was) topped with peanut butter, fried bananas, and smoked bacon. I am usually the risky one, but Sean took a chance with the Elvis, and now says that he will choose it again.

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I asked Dave, our waiter, what he recommended, and he led me in the right direction. I had the Teriyaki Kabobs; pieces of teriyaki marinated tenderloin served on a bed of rice with a side of freshly steamed broccoli. The pieces of tenderloin were plump and juicy. Everyone at the table sampled them.

For dessert, I again asked Dave for the house recommendation, and we were served a White Chocolate Bread Pudding with homemade salted caramel ice cream and caramel sauce. The ice cream is made at the Apple Valley Creamery, and the rest is made in house. The bread pudding is marinated for 24 hours. I can honestly say that we are not bread pudding fans, yet there was none left on the plate when we finished. Whether you are a bread pudding fan or not, you have to try this when you visit!

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The Owners

Tom and Sandye Horne opened the Local Goat in July 2016. The husband and wife team were in the restaurant industry for 30 years. The Horne’s knew what a quality dining experience should feel like, and they wanted to create this for their patrons. Tom is a self taught chef, and he took the utmost pride in creating each recipe on the menu. The Horne’s specialize in family experiences. Their mantra is making every guest who graces the doors of the Local Goat feel like family because it is a family-owned restaurant. Their beliefs show throughout the quality and care that is served with every dish.

The Service

Our first night in town, we passed the Local Goat, and the parking lot was packed. Although reservations are not required, if you are visiting in the evening, give them a call and tell the hostess what time you are coming so it will cut down on your wait time.

We have dined at many restaurants throughout the United States and this was among the best service that we have ever received. Our server was Dave, and he took the time to explain items on the menu and ensured that we all were satisfied with our meals. Our glasses never reached anywhere near empty, and we were cared for diligently.

“We want each guest to feel like it is the most special experience they have ever had.” – Emily, General Manager

The restaurant relies on word of mouth, and when people come to visit, every staff member wants to give the customers a dining experience that comes from their heart. In turn, it is the guests that tell others to dine here. Servers spend time with the guests and inquire as to why they chose to vacation in Pigeon Forge and eat at the Local Goat. If asked, the servers will also provide suggestions for activities in town based on your interests.

“I have been in the restaurant business over 27 years, and this is by far the most exciting place I have ever worked. There is so much love that goes into the food and from the owners, and we are prepping from morning to night to give our customers the very best.” -Dave, Bar Manager

Why You Should Visit

Sean and I know what it is like to work hard, or in our case, teach hard, for the money we earn. We would never direct people to spend their hard-earned money frivolously. I can honestly tell you; the Local Goat is worth every penny.

When we arrived, the hostess had no clue that we were going to write an article about the restaurant. However, she told me all about the freshness of the food and the care that goes into each plate. When our dessert arrived, a server from across the dining room asked us how we liked the bread pudding and ice cream because it was a personal favorite of his as well. Listening to the waiter’s conversation with the couple behind us warmed my heart because he made sure that the couple had the best dining experience possible.

Pigeon Forge is not filled with Porsches or Maseratis; it is filled with Fords, Chevys, Toyotas, and Hondas. This is one of the draws of the town; it was made for middle America to enjoy and relax in the picturesque mountains. Our truck was right at home in the parking lot. When dining at the Local Goat, all of the customers are appreciated. Isn’t that what we all want, to feel like we are on vacation while we are on vacation? People work hard all year, and they chose to visit Pigeon Forge and to dine at the Local Goat on their week(s) off. Their choices are recognized, valued, and appreciated during their Local Goat dining experience. For this, we are now returning customers.

We know that the Local Goat is catchy and has a fun name, but after dining, it is apparent to Sean, Jackson, Lucy, and myself that the restaurant is so much more. It really is the Greatest Of All Time. As we left in our pick-up truck, we felt like royalty. This is why we keep returning to the Pigeon Forge and now the restaurant, and why we wish that every town had a Local Goat.

To read our article on Pigeon Forge, click HERE.

Would you like to rent an RV and tour Pigeon Forge and the Great Smoky Mountains? Click HERE to learn about Outdoorsy’s selection of available RV rentals in Eastern Tennessee!

Have you ever visited Pigeon Forge? How about the Local Goat? We would love to hear from you. Please drop us a line in the comment section below!