Jim Oliver's Smoke House Restaurant — Restaurant in Monteagle

Where do I even begin? We stayed in the cabins for 3 days (which are great- no complaints there) and there isn't a lot of option for food. We opted to eat at the resteaunt all weekend because we'd heard good things. The first day the service was mediocre and the food was "okay" but not great. Place was neat and it was a Wednesday so we figured we'd give it a go the next day (places have off days you know). Breakfast the next morning was delicious, but our server continually acted as though it was a bother to serve us and kept saying things like "I'm sure you'll make me run around some more" But again, I didn't hold it against them and returned for lunch with my husband. He can't eat cheese and made it clear that he wanted a plain hamburger with only bacon.. I got the buffet (it was sad to say the least), the waitress (who was rude the whole time) finally brings his burger out and it has cheese (no big deal we deal with this a lot) so we kindly ask her if we can have it remade. They hold his plate in the back for about 5 minutes to make us think they're remaking it, scrape the cheese off, and flip the patty over so he won't notice. Of course he did, and when I explained what happened and that it needed to be remade she tells us that he ordered it wrong, rolls her eyes and and argues with me while she walks away and talks about us rudely to the cook loud enough that we can hear. At this point we decide to leave. We went to the front to pay for my meal (that I didn't get to finish) and the woman in the front was ALSO rude. She also did not apply the 10% discount that you get for staying in the lodge or cabin. Needless to say- we headed to McDonald's where they were kind, did not put cheese on his burger, and had service with a smile!

Editing to add that they have now charged our card THREE times over a meal we...

Waited in line with about ten other patrons for about 30-40 minutes because they had no tables available although I was standing by one about five feet away that nobody noticed to clear. Finally was able to be seated and noticed that two parties behind us were seated and received their food before we had even got our drinks because our waitress had disappeared.Finally what seemed to be a manager out of the kitchen asked us if out drink orders had been taken and proceeded to retrieve them.At this point we had been there for over a hour and also at this point the two parties that were seated after us had already finished their meal and we're wrapping up.The food finally arrived with excellent presentation,took the first bite of grits and they were cold so they were sent back to the kitchen and I dug into the catfish that I was hoping to consume along with my grits,but by this time I was already half full from helping myself to the salad and soup bar before I starved.The grits returned scolding hot as we were told that the kitchen remade them although it was obvious that the initial bite I took of the cold ones were still apparent.By this time needless to say we were ready to go and asked for some to go plates,it was at this time that we noticed that I didn't receive my corn muffins that were supposed to accompany my catfish.Despite my urge to just leave my dinner guest convinced me to stay to receive them.My belief is that it was part the fault of management but the bulk of responsibility was on staff.The only reason I would ever consider returning is because despite the problematic service the ambiance is great and the food is of high quality.The bread pudding is...

Overall my stay at Jim Oliver's has been quite pleasant. I stayed in one of the "newer" cabins which had a king size bed, full bath, small kitchen, and a pull out sofa. Cable tv was available so I had no trouble watching some march madness games. WiFi was available and I also had no trouble with cell service (Verizon). The grounds leave a little to be desired (Not a standard KOA type area) but they do have some basketball courts and a tricycle course for the kiddos. Jim Oliver's is also right off the highway with a piggly wiggly, wine and spirits store, dollar General, mountain outfitters, and another general convenience type store (I think it was called Freds) so all your creature comforts will be covered. Pizza hut nearby as well. If your vegetarian or vegan you'll probably be making the short drive to Sewanee if you desire to eat out but if you like smoked meats and good ole southern faire you'll do just fine eating at the smokehouse which is basically connected to the main lodge. Overall my cabin was clean and stocked with basic needs (cutlery, coffee, soap, shampoo, clean towels). There were some ants that made an appearance in the kitchen but I've stayed in enough cabins to know that sometimes you get that. Just a few though and not enough to deter me from staying here the next time I come for a bluegrass underground concert at the caverns. Staff has been extremely friendly as well and I also enjoyed the Saturday night music at...