I know there is the chili cook-off but besides Fontana Restaurant, where is there to eat while at the Dragon? I am trying to figure out how much food to bring for cooking in vs eating out.

 

There are also local groceries to pick up food when you are there... and there is a decent BBQ place in town (that catered the welcome dinner last year)

 

You cook on vacation?

 

Hey guys, I am new to this mini motoring, but when does everyone meet at the Dragon? I want to start meeting up with people there.. Please let me know. Thanks Jason Aka Spike

 

There's a very well-stocked Ingles supermarket in Robbinsville that carries everything imaginable (except alcoholic beverages). There's a McD's and a few other fast-food joints. Sweetwater BBQ, located near the Ingles, is very good.

Tapoco Lodge has a nice little restaurant, but you have to make reservations to eat there. Fontana has a grill (last time I ate there it wasn't too good) and the Peppercorn Restaurant, which has a full bar!

Also, Fontana has a little general store, but the prices are steep. I go to the Dragon three times a year and got one of the Ingles club cards to get all their discounts! MINItencan gave me that idea!

Hope this helps a little.

 

Not normally lol but I usually go to more populated areas that have lotsa fancy schmancy restuarants when on vacation.
We are arriving Wednesday so I figured I might bring food to cook for 1 or 2 nites depending on the choices for eating out there . I will def be cooking breakfast cause I make some mean scrambled eggs

 

The annual MINIs On The Dragon (MOTD) is May 4-7 this year, Spike. Check out this site and go to the lodging links listed at the bottom of the home page:

www.tailofthedragon.com

 

You bet Nothing like home cooking...especially when we're away from home. We don't hire a chauffer either...we drive on our vacation Imagine that...

 

WHAT? Say it aint true ... I thought you had hired a "driver" for your beast You know, like those guys at NASCAR who are just the owners

Eww ... cooking on vacation ... for some reason thats so ..... so ..... What's the right word? ..... UNVacationlike

 

Not if you have a fully-stocked cabin, Chowsie! Remember, this is up in the mountains and is a rustic experience. It's fun to cook at Fontana. Well, I enjoy it, anyway!

 

I've been here before and the food is as fresh as it gets - I sorta remember
bringing my own beer. Highly recommend.

Tuckaleechee Trout Farm & Restaurant - Order fresh-caught trout from the menu or catch your own from their spring-fed ponds (the spring pumps 1,000 gallons per minute), and the staff will prepare your fresh-caught trout for you. The trout is fried or broiled to your taste and served with fresh vegetables (in season) and hushpuppies. Fresh fruit cobblers are served for dessert. Also on the menu is steak, chicken, fried shrimp dinners and hamburgers


There is another that I can recommend - but I understand they are moving from Veirs valley to possibly Robbisville - Also highly recommend - but upscale. I will post when I have a more definite address

 

Ahh, but remember I be a newbie to all this and I is stuck in a room because I didnt know better So forgive me for not understanding all the nuances ....

4 O'Clock Happy Hour I understand .... Cigars and Beer and music I understand. All the other nuances I got to learn

 

I take it that you've never camped or understand the real reason (zen) for going camping? You don't know what you're missing dOOde

 

You can also eat at the little grill at Deal's Gap, where the Dragon begins. And we love to go to the Homeplace, where 129 meets 72, for down-home breakfasts. You can barbecue at Fontana, if you want to... And come by for snackies... you know you are welcome!

 

I was also a bit worried about the few restaurants in the area getting overwhelmed with 400 + Minis
So I got 1 nite at Fontana Restaurant, 1 at BBQ place, & 1 at the chili cook-off, so I will bring just 1 nite of food. Will probably cook a batch of gumbo & bring it with me
Oh yeah & I plan on bringing beer, lotsa lotsa beer & maybe a litte wine

 

LOL, Oh yeah, we've camped many, many times. But that was when I was young. Now that I am an old man I much prefer a bed to the hard ground.

Best lunch I ever had was after hiking into the Grizzly backcountry in Glacier NP but that's OT and another story.

 

I am arriving Wed with one other. Just look for the cabins w/Minis parked out front & knock on the door

 

You think its going to be 400? I thought it was 400 last year. I would bet from the interest I read its WAYYYYYY more?

 

People, don't start fretting about food yet. If this year is similar to last year, there will be a Welcome Dinner on Thursday, the Chili Cook-Off on Friday, and a Farewell Dinner on Saturday. So really, you only need to figure out breakfast and lunch plans.

 

I read it was 400 last year that's why I put the "+"

 

But that's SIX (6) meals! and I LOVE Breakfast. Now I got to find that Homeplace for breakfast ....

 

Not fretting just wanted to get some info I drove the Dragon this past Thanksgiving but didn't cruise around looking for food so just trying to get my bearings.

 

Wait....you've been there and are still asking about food? Tsk tsk tsk!

 

Well all I did was drive down from knoxville, drive up it & down it. I didn't have time to do any food scouting

 

Ha ha...I'm getting to the point of Motorhome only mode too but never, ever give up on outdoor cooking...food smells and tastes so much better when made out doors