My niece sent me here while I was visiting and I shall forever be grateful. Best doughnuts and soft…read morepretzels I have ever had anywhere. ANYWHERE! The doughnuts are double the size of most doughnuts and doubly good. The pretzels are huge, butter basted, warm and delicious. It's not inexpensive but the tastes will cure you of any sticker shock. I spent $40+ for 1/2 dozen regular-1/2 dozen chocolate dipped doughnuts and 6 pretzels with dipping sauces and didn't regret a penny of what I spent. Came back on my way out of town and got a pretzel dog and pretzel for breakfast as well as some doughnuts for later. The food trailer in some of the pictures has been replaced by a building on the edge of Troyer's parking lot. You order at the window and most times there's going to be a line. It's a takeout business so you are on your own if you want to eat right away. The folks are friendly and efficient and orders are filled quickly once you get to the window. If you want to get a preview just search Auntie Ruth's on YouTube and enjoy. It's how I learned that there are a bunch of them in East Tennessee. I just know that if I didn't have enough incentive already to visit my niece then Auntie Ruth's finishes the job.

If you're expecting a typical every day donut coming here you're very wrong... These donuts are…read morehuge and they're a little different than a regular donut shop. It seems that they glaze all of them and then they top it with which ever one you decide. I got the espresso one but ended up wiping off most of the frosting because it's just too sweet. But it was very good. I also got the pretzel which is also ginormous. Next time I'll ask for it without salt because even wiping off all the salt it was still very salty but it was very very good and soft. If you don't have time and your rush then don't bother coming here because it was probably about a half an hour wait in line.

The best donuts you can get in the area! Hands down! The place stays packed from open to close, but…read morethey do move you through the line pretty quick. The place is a little small for the amount of business it does. You always seem to be running into someone. But even with the overcrowded store, this is by far my favorite spot to grab a snack in Johnson City!

We stopped in at Auntie Ruth's for a hand-rolled pretzel and a glazed donut and I had no idea it…read morewas an Amish establishment! What a great surprise. The shop is clean, bright, and modern. You can watch the pretzels being hand-rolled behind the glass, and the donuts hanging in the background while the glaze sets. I truly wanted one of everything. They don't offer a huge variety, but I'm perfectly fine with a place that focuses on doing a few things exceptionally well, and "well" doesn't even begin to cover it. It was busy (always a good sign), so everything was incredibly fresh. We ordered a pretzel, vanilla glazed donut, chocolate glazed donut, honey bun latte, and a strawberry lemonade. We grabbed a table after the manager let us know it would be about 10-15 minutes, but it definitely didn't take that long. The pretzel was warm, fluffy, and perfectly buttered with just the right touch of salt. The cheese dipping sauce was cold-it would have been nice if it were warmed slightly. The "honey" mustard came in a prepackaged pod and wasn't actually honey-based, which felt like a missed opportunity, especially given all the delicious local honey and mustard options in the area. The honey bun latte was delicious!!! Flavorful without being overly sweet. The strawberry lemonade was on the sweeter side but still refreshing and I can imagine it being perfect for a hot day. I added a little water since I can't handle too much sugar at once, and it was just right. And the vanilla glazed donut? It was like biting into a warm, fluffy cloud!! Pure comfort in donut form. My only regret is not stopping in sooner so I'd have more days to come back again and again.

I was a solitary diner on my birthday and had a hankering for German food. There aren't many…read moreGerman restaurants in my home state so I was surprised that I could find one in Pigeon Forge. I ordered the traditional schnitzel (pork cutlet that was pounded thin). It was not breaded, but it was coated with egg and flour and prepared well. I had the German potato salad and red cabbage side orders. Both were served warm as is custom. I was a bit upset that the waiter gave me the bill when the meal was finished. I told him it was my birthday and that I had wanted coffee and cake. He took the bill and crumpled it in his hand. The portion of cake that he presented could have easily served three! I left the top frosting. The chocolate cake was moist and the frosting between the layers was German chocolate. Available seating offerings were a booth, table, or a table al fresco. It had the beer garden appeal. I opted to sit inside. The restaurant is also very family oriented (as are most things in Pigeon Forge). Prices were reasonable, food was served at the correct temperature, portions were prodigious. The venue was also immaculate. I would recommend this tavern to anyone who appreciates German fare.

Dont go after 7pm, as they are not interested in really serving you as they close at 9 and it comes…read moreacross clearly in their attitude. Food on chalk board by door [pork shank] was not avail. Smoked drink also not available, and other things as well... spaetzle with cheese sauce was not good, mushy... wish was just with butter. At 8pm Waitress presented bill while we were finishing main course without asking if we wanted dessert and left quick. When I had to flag her down and mentioned we wanted dessert like apple studel waitress, she spun and walked to kitchen but didn't ask if wanted anything else, dropped off updated bill with 1 strudel on it before dessert landed then never saw that waitress again... eventually bar tender came over to take our credit card. Cant recommend.

For German food in Tennessee this is pretty good place. While I wasn't a huge fan of my schnitzel…read moreas the gravy was too thick not the spatzle as it was burnt and especially the potato skins as just wasn't for me, the rest of my part loved everything and I'm just spoiled from living in Germany for 4 years. The service was great and attentive and knew their menu. The decor was great and in beautiful downtown Johnson city. My son was over the moon for the goulash and I really did enjoy my time. I'd try again and just order different so all my food wasn't on top my other food.

Came in on a whim and didn't have a problem getting a table for 2 on a Saturday night. The servers…read morewere great. Friendly, quick and efficient. The beers were huge and cold. The meals were delicious and the portions were pretty big. I'd recommend splitting an entree if you're coming as a date. Not the fanciest of places but it's a nice place to grab an authentic-ish German meal or a couple of huge beers.

Super nice brewery to hangout located in main area with great views of the area. There's a parking…read morelot, but also parking along main roads in area as well. Super cute decor. Brewery vibes all around! Great indoor seating arrangements, as well as outdoor (with a massive fire pit). They also have massive umbrellas outside to make it even more comfortable which is awesome. They can accommodate larger parties as well both inside and outside. Beer was good. So was the margarita. They do have several options of beers and cocktails. Nice to be able to order either and not just all beer. They do have merchandise available for purchase as well. Very friendly people and staff. They are connected to a taco shop which is convenient if hungry. All around great place. Would return.

If you wanna sit down and feel like you're having a conversation with an old friend over a great…read moredrink while you happen to be traveling solo across the eastern United States, then stop in here and chat with Austin the bartender. He was so knowledgeable and friendly. And the pumpkin apple bourbon drink whatever? 25 out of 10 could not recommend this drink more if I wasn't in the middle of said solo trip I would've stayed drinking them all night. I've always loved Yeehaw and ole smoky but this was a top-tier experience thank you Austin!

We came from 1 hour away and was so impressed with the food and service!…read more We will definately be returning in the near future. We also bought a sour dough bread and it was fabulous!

I didn't know that I liked German food until today. There was 3 of us and we all got separate…read moreentrees and sides and everyone tried everything. Everything was delicious.

Service, food, and atmosphere were fantastic. Can't wait to come back. The Goat Smash burger was…read moreamazing. The onion rings were my husband's favorite. Not greasy at all. So good!!! Great kid options as well!

We had such a great experience at Iron Forge Brewing Co. that we came back later that day with…read morefriends for dinner! The staff was welcoming, attentive, and had great recommendations. Jonathan and I each got a beer flight, and we genuinely enjoyed every beer. My favorites were the lager and the Krush Hazy IPA. When we returned, I ordered the bavette steak, which was a great value and came with delicious green beans and rosemary potatoes. Jonathan got the pork and devoured it so quickly I didn't even get a chance to try it! The cranberry champagne vinaigrette on my side salad was TO DIE FOR - I could eat that with anything. We also shared the hummus and pimento cheese board, which was surprisingly delicious. I'm not usually a pimento cheese gal but this one won me over! The giant pretzel with beer cheese and Dijon mustard was also a hit. The flatbread was a little lackluster but exactly what you'd expect. Great beer, delicious food, friendly staff, and a welcoming atmosphere--Iron Forge Brewing Co. is definitely worth a visit, and we'll absolutely be back.

Working from out of town and stopped here to get lunch, the overall atmosphere when you walk in is…read moreastonishing, order for pizza and wings took roughly 15-20 minutes. Pizza & Wings were 10/10 highly recommended on coming to get lunch or for Kettells handcrafted beer! Service was 10/10.

3 - Good choice if you're in the area. Skip to the end to see my rating scale…read more Made an impromptu trip to Banner Elk and (of course) had to find a brewery in town. Great little downtown area and Kettell is just on the edge of it on the way out of town. It has the three things I look for in a place - outdoor seating/dog friendly, food available, and of course a good selection of beers. Me and the Mrs. each got a flight, but neither of us could find one of the eight that made us want to invest in a full pint. Not that the beer is bad, we just didn't find one that made our taste buds sing. But for sure I'd visit again if I'm ever in the area, but I wouldn't make a special trip out of the way just to come here. 1 - Just don't 2 - You'll survive, but there are better choices close by 3 - Good choice if you're in the area 4 - I'd drive 30 minutes out of my way just to come here 5 - I'd try to convince my wife to drive an hour just to come here