Steeped In Smoky Mountain History

The Peddler Steakhouse History

Discover the history and tradition of our restaurant in Gatlinburg.

The Structure

The original Ogle cabin was constructed of timber, cement, and stone. This combination forms the core of the building you will see when you visit The Peddler Steakhouse today. The inside of our restaurant still pays tribute to the Ogle family with the original stone chimney. The dining room was constructed around a rock patio that was the most unique feature of the home. While keeping the tradition of the Ogle family alive, we were also able to build our popular bar area in 1983, which hangs over the Little Pigeon River.

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The Foyer/Lobby

The paneling inside The Peddler Steakhouse is made from rustic cypress wood found only in the swampy areas of the Southeastern United States. There are pockets that are formed in the wood that give it a distinct look. Some of the other wood you will see on the interior of our Gatlinburg restaurant include oak, maple, pine, and sycamore. The combination of the different types of wood and rock give our restaurant the traditional cabin feel the Ogle family enjoyed when they built it.

The Mural

When you enter our restaurant, the first thing you’ll notice is the mural located above the host stand. It was painted by Knoxville artist Ann Lorimer in 2006. The painting is a portrait of the Little Pigeon River that runs behind The Peddler Steakhouse. Be sure to take some time to admire the mural and see if you can spot all the different forms of wildlife in the portrait.

The Stained Glass

Another brilliant feature of our restaurant in Gatlinburg TN is the stained glass on the doors in the front entrance. They were designed and installed by artist Chuck Ottolini when the restaurant was remodeled in 1988. While you are enjoying our delicious salad bar, be sure to check out the stained glass design located above the bar. It features a stream of trout that was created by Bill May in 2006. He also designed and installed the stained glass in the bar area as well. 

The Millstones

One of the most unique attributes of The Peddler Steakhouse is the stone chimney in the middle of the dining room. Fun fact — it was once used to grind corn into meal and flour! Earl Ogle once collected old millstones, and several were still around when the property was acquired. Two of them are now used in The Peddler sign you see at the front of the building.

The River

In addition to the delicious food, one of the things that bring our guests back again and again is the view from our restaurant. From the dining room and bar areas, you can have a spectacular view of the Little Pigeon River. There is also a large pavilion located off the side of the parking lot that guests can relax under while they are waiting for a table. The pavilion was once an enclosed playhouse for the Ogle’s daughter. While you are enjoying the views of the river, don’t be surprised if you see some trout enjoying a swim or maybe even a bear looking for some dinner along the bank of the river.

The Peddler Tree

If you need a place to take a group photo, there is a large tree near the front parking lot that makes for the perfect place to pose. The Dawn Redwood tree was once one of the most common trees on the planet. It evolved on Earth more than 65 million years ago. At one time, it was thought that this amazing tree became extinct during the Ice Age. However, seven of the trees were discovered in a remote village in China. According to Beth Ogle, a family friend had brought six of these trees back from Washington in the late 1950s. He gave her one to plant in her front yard. Once standing at just over two feet tall, it has now grown to the amazing 80-foot landmark of The Peddler Steakhouse.