We ate at a restuarant right there at the light in Cherokee. A buffet with home cooked type food, can't remember the name now though. Just remember that the food tasted like momma cooked it. Big selection too.

 

Clydes in Waynesville. On Hwy 28 going up to Deals Gap in Stecoah, used to be Tooties,at the turnoff to go to the Iron Horse Lodge, not sure what the name is now. In Sylva, O'Malleys, Nick & Nates (should be reopen in their new location). Bryson City has a good Mexican joint, Guayabitos. In Highlands, on top of the hill there is a good BBQ place called Rib Shack which also has a sports bar.
On the parkway going toward Asheville, north of Waynesville, the park service operates a restaurant and a hotel, Good food and great view.
In Cashiers, The Grill at Ingles shopping Plaza and Carolina Smokehouse on Hwy 64 W. just past the crossroads.

 

Bryson City NC. We stay at the ridgetop, and it's a short ride down town to
"across the tracks", Anthony's, Evertte St diner, BBQ wagon, filling station
Plus for the frugal, there's Arbys, and Bojangles etc

 

Sounds like the Princess Restaurant. In Maggie there's also the Salty dog. Biker friendly place since day 1. J. Arthurs is great, try the gorgonzola salad. Butts on the Creek is good BarBQue. If you don't want to wait in line for Joey's (worth the wait), a half mile north on the right is a good place with a unique way of doing a breakfast buffet. They bring the food to you and don't stop, even when you ask them to.

In Robbinsville coming south on 129 from Deal's Gap look for a sign on your right to Phillip's Restaurant. A few blocks off the main drag right next to the Phillip's Motel. A typical Southern "meat and three" place, but a real good one.

If you are going to be on the Cherohala, a mile or so from the Tennesee end there is a couple of places right on the river. Ones a nice sit down place that has gone by various names over the years. good BBQ and the usual. The other is Tellico Beach which is essentially a hamburger and hotdog stand right on the river. Good place for people and bike watching.

Depending on your route north you may want to stop in scenic Union County for lunch. Of course there's TWO in Suches with the best burgers this side of heaven, or if you are just going up 129 try Poppi's BBQ about 2 miles north of Blairsville on the right. Look for something that looks like an old gas station after you leave town. Real old style pig. The Ribs, tenderloin and portk are the best around. If you cross the lake you've gone too far.

 

And that Shoney's is sad. Won't waste my money there again.

If over near Dillard, GA, word is The Dillard House is great place to eat. Voted in top 10 by Southern Living magazine. We're going to check it out next trip up that was as we pass right through Dillard.

In Robbinsville, there is(might be gone by now) family restuarant in town. We ate there and while passable, cost was too much for the quality of food. Should have known better when the owner of motel(San-Ran Motel) went to Murphy, NC for dinner.

Bryson City, there is a small bbq joint right as you're leaving town heading toward Cherokee that's pretty good.

If you're talking about the place right outside the casino at the light, you are correct. Great food at decent price. Lunch menu is cheaper than dinner.

 

The Dillard House in Dillard GA. on 441 is a great place to eat. Family style AYCE. Eat there for late lunch and you will not want to eat again for the rest of the day.

You will definitely feel like a HOG riding a HOG after that meal.

 

SALTY DOG (at Maggie Valley) has a good steak and their seafood is as good as you'll find...also have a small bar and they love bikers. It's not fancy and the prices are very fair. The Raymond Fairchild live show is also next door.