Day 2. Some place you are grateful for.

Oh myyyyyyyyy.

Right now I’m grateful for all the places. All the places I can go (home, work, Food City) and all the places I used to could go. (Yes, that was intended to sound redneck. Cause I AM.)

I know.

I’m grateful to Holston’s. Sevierville needed them so badly and we didn’t even know. We needed a sit down lunch spot on this side of town, without having to go plumb up to Pigeon Forge or getting out on 66. We needed a place that served good food for a reasonable price, nothing fancy and some different dishes from what Ruby Tuesday’s has had for a thousand years. We needed a place to gather for a relaxing drink after work and a good spot for little groups and still private enough for a dinner date. Holston’s remains virtually undiscovered by the tourists, so you’re bound to run into someone you know when you go. The waitstaff doesn’t have a huge amount of turnover, and so they learn your preferences on where you want to sit and your favorite libation. I always feel welcome and appreciated under their care.

It seems like I’ve eaten there at least once with nearly everybody I know. It’s my go-to. I like their catfish and coleslaw better than anywhere. Any time someone is unfamiliar with our city and best lunch spots, I feel safe recommending Holston’s fare to them. It’s a little dark in there, and seems like everything is polished concrete, but it’s still so warm. At Christmas, there’s a tree up front and the mood is light, and the waiters dash around with big smiles from (hopefully) big tips. But no matter the season, there’s always a burst of laughter from someone every few minutes.

Aubrey’s didn’t seem to put too bad of a hurtin’ on them after they opened, so that’s a good sign, too. I’m glad they finally expanded their parking lot (what were they waiting on all these years? I’ve had to park plumb across the street at the church more times than I can count). And speaking of signs, they got a new one of those! So, judging from the looks of things outside, it looks a tad highbrow, but I promise you it’s not. You can sob in the corner of your booth and slide off the bench and nobody will bat an eye. Other than to give you a fresh napkin. I’m pretty sure I lived on their turkey & cranberry wrap for a solid two weeks there a couple of summers ago. I love sitting on their patio, sipping drinks and giggling with girlfriends, I love hugging goodbye out front next to the fire pits. I love sitting on the back wall and surveying the groups in the room, there for a date, for a birthday, for just a night out with a friend. I love Holston’s. And I can’t wait for them to open.

Well. All this did was make me miss them more than I realized.