Tom & Earl's Back Alley Grill — Restaurant in Gatlinburg

Wasn’t my first time in Gatlinburg but it was the first time eating at this place and I do not regret that decision. I’m giving 5 stars to the food and the service. Our server was Polly and she was exactly the right amount of friendly and she was right on top of the refills and follow up inquiries (as in asking if anything else was needed, etc.). I wish there was a way to rate her directly because she would get our 5 stars as well (perhaps a word can at least be given to her by her superiors if anyone from the business sees this). The food gets 5 because it was just as good as she was. It didn’t take an outlandish amount of time to receive and it was very good. I had a chicken breast sandwich with everything and that was a really great piece of chicken! Great size, great quality and great flavor. I elected for two sides and originally it came out with the beer battered fries which I hadn’t ordered but since I had them I was free to eat them. Although it was a mistake, it does not at all affect my 5 star feeling because it was very minor and wasn’t anything that had anything to do with the food quality or the service received. They very promptly brought the two sides I had ordered but it did allow me the opportunity to add to my review that if you eat there and you’re a fry kind of person, you must try them. You will not get fries like that from a window anywhere and probably not even other dine in places. Even if you don’t really want a whole order of fries, I’d recommend ordering some just to share with the table. They were SO good that I was actually shocked by it because fries are usually not my choice unless it’s fast food. The last thing to remark on would be the money. I didn’t find it to be overly expensive at all for what it was. You could easily spend $11 or $12 a person at a window these days and even though you might get it 10 minutes faster (if you’re lucky) the quality is NOT this kind of food. When I think about it like that, what’s another dollar or two in order to have good quality food with flavor and great service to go with it? If you’re looking for a good place to eat, you should consider trying this place out. It’s not like you have to go back if your experience isn’t...

This was my first time at the Back Alley Grill, however, the company I was with has been there several times and spoke highly of establishment. We came to listen to music, and have some drinks. And that did NOT HAPPEN! As soon as we got there we sat on the two benches out front. I went inside to order a few drinks, I was told “it Would be a few minutes.”

I told the bartender, “that was fine” I then moved down the bar to an open chair. The bartender then walked up and asked what I needed? I told her “I would like to order a few drinks.” She said, “Well, it will be a few minutes, and that she needs everyone’s ID that needs an alcoholic Beverage, and I said, “okay”. I grabbed everyone, and we walked back in to order a drink. We were then told we have to put our name on the list outside in order to Get an alcoholic beverage . So they refused service and refused to get any drinks at the bar. And told us someone would come out to get our drink order. (That never happened) then the host (don’t think he was the actual host)

Bless his heart, he has no idea what he was doing. He did try his best. And did get my gold friend an ice cold water. But no waitress or bartender came out front to get our drink order. We sat outside for 30-45 min hoping to enjoy ourselves at a nice establishment. I’ve never seen a bar turn away service. We are good people that would’ve spent good money.

All we received was terrible service, and the worst customer service I’ve ever seen. The owner of this establishment should be ashamed of how this business is ran. There was several customers that came to enjoy themselves, but ended up marking their name Out and leaving. This business is losing money with how they’re running things.

I highly recommend someone reevaluate the way this business is ran, because whoever is managing is going to run this business...

We are visiting from out of town. A large party of us were scrambling to find a place to eat after white water rafting. Came across Tom & Earl’s Back Alley Grill online. My family arrived first. The male server standing outside kindly greeted us immediately. Offered to seat us, but out of respect for their policy to seat whole parties only, I told him that we were part of a large group. The waiter informed that the max party they could accommodate at one time was 8. Our party size was well above that number. So I offered that we could just split up in smaller groups as folks arrived, and as they could accomodate, rather than serving us all at once. (We planned to be in the area for a while.) The waiter said he needed to confirm with his Mgr. The female Mgr. came out a few minutes later, already with an attitude. She restated the 8-person policy, then retorted something about a 45-minute wait after serving 8-12 guests at a time. (There was plenty available seating inside and outside the restaurant.) So after some back & forth which I calmy, yet persistently asked questions so that I could understand why breaking up our large party into smaller ones that would not overwhelm her staff was still an issue… the Mgr flat out admitted that she did not want to fill the entire restaurant with just one party. She then headed back inside as the balance of our party arrived. A “little bird” who was standing outside the restaurant overheard the conversation recommended that we all walk over to Jason Aldean’s. BEST advice ever!!! Service, atmosphere & menu MUCH more suitable to our tastes. (Also no smoking and no dogs.) Another great alternative within walking distance is Best Italian Cafe & Pizzeria in Elks Plaza. PLENTY nearby options—no need to deal with unprofessionalism when you are trying to...