Used to LOVE this place, before it got new owners and new managers and new location. Guess they are cooking way more food and have new cooks, but it is NOT the same. Also they are not even in Pigeon Forge, but in Sevierville. The Smokin' Ed's on Conner Heights in closed down. I really wanted the new place to be good because the old Smokin' Ed's in Pigeon Forge was the ONLY place to get BBQ in this area, but it is not the same. My chicken was overcooked and gritty on my first visit. I thought maybe it was an off day, so I tried again, this time ribs. They were HORRIBLE. My boyfriend really didn't believe me when I told him about the difference in this store and the old one in Pigeon Forge so I tried it a third time with him. EVERYTHING was BAD! Our meats were cold. We thought we would play it safe with pulled chicken and pork. The chicken was dry. The fries were disgusting. My slaw was more like soup. And the Texas toast they serve now instead of a bun is awful. The butter they use is rancid tasting. These new owners really need to take a step back and look at how things were being done before at the old place if they want to stay in business. The one in Pigeon Forge may have been smaller and not as decorated, but the food was perfect. Now that we've given them so many chances we will not be back.
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