Posted by Brian Eads and Joey Isabell
on March 08, 2004

For the past several years, one of our very favorite places to get a great meal has been the restaurant located inside Cumberland Mountain State Park in Crossville. For those of you who have never eaten there, you are really missing a treat. The first thing you will notice after finding your table is the great view overlooking the lake. Beautiful scenery and great homemade food is a combination that is difficult to beat.

There are so many delicious choices to make, and the salad bar and buffet allow you to sample as many and as much as you like. The salad bar has always contained the freshest of ingredients. A couple of great soup choices are always available as well. When you visit this restaurant, you will love the famous made from scratch yeast rolls. They are awesome!

The buffet menu changes daily. Throughout the week many mouth-watering dishes are served. Including Chicken & Dumplings, Meatloaf, Pork Chops, Pork Ribs w/ Sauerkraut, Barbecue Beef, and Roast Beef w/ Gravy. This is also the place to find some of the best Fried Chicken you will ever eat. Everything you try is as good as Mom used to make, and there are no dishes to wash when you finish your meal.

There are a few specific times during the week that really standout. If you are a Seafood fan, you will want to visit on Tuesdays for dinner when one of the best Seafood buffets in the area is served. They offer Stuffed Salmon, Crab Thermidor, Peel & Eat Shrimp, Fried Shrimp and more.

If you are looking for a nice place to have lunch on a Saturday, this should be the place. Baked Chicken & Dressing and Ham w/ Pineapple Sauce will tempt you to go back for a second helping…and maybe a third.

Our absolute favorite time to visit the restaurant at Cumberland Mountain State Park is on Friday. Whether it be lunch or dinner, you will be treated to the very best Catfish we have ever eaten. There are a lot of places that serve Catfish in Tennessee. All of them are competing for second place, because first place is taken.

For those of you with a sweet tooth, you will find many fine dessert choices. The house specialty is the homemade Banana Pudding. We also love many of the cobblers and cakes.

You can visit the restaurant any day of the week between 11 a.m. and 8 p.m. If you need more information, call them at 931-484-7186. When you visit, tell them that you read about them in Eating Tennessee. We are so happy to be able to help the readers find new places for great food in this area.

Please send us your questions and comments to eatingtennessee@yahoo.com or write to us at P.O. Box 156 Monterey TN. 38574. We love your e-mails and letters. Some of your best comments and questions will find their way onto our Web Page. Until next week, we wish you health, wealth, and a good appetite.