If you're ever in the Pigeon Forge area of TN, and you like Nascar, then you should visit the Nascar Cafe. It is a restaurant dedicated entirely to the sport of Nascar racing.

The Restaurant

When you first walk in the door, if you walk straight ahead, you will come to the dining area. If you look towards the top of the wall near the ceiling, it looks like a racetrack. It says Bristol Motor Speedway along the racetrack-type walls. (Probably because this is the closest track around.) There are about 8 full-size race cars mounted up there on the track with the #3 car in front. Every so often, you will hear someone announce, "Gentlemen start your engines," and the wheels on the cars will start spinning. It gets very loud, but it only lasts a short time.

There are racing flags everywhere, many of which list particular drivers' accomplishments. You can read these from your seat. There are also many TVs hanging throughout, and a Big Screen on the back wall. They always show a race, and if you're there on Sunday, you can watch the actual race that's on that day. They have a lighted score pole that shows where the drivers stand during the race, just like at the tracks.

The food is excellent. Practically everything on the menu is named after something to do with Nascar. You can get anything from hamburgers, salads, ribs, chicken, etc. You get huge portions. The sandwiches come on the big 5 inch buns, and are piled high. The menu is similar to that of Applebee's. Sandwiches range from about $6.50 to $8.50. Platters range on up to about $15. The food is well worth it, and the service has always been great.

The Memoribilia

Once you leave the dining area, just across the hall is a small shop that sells licensed racing memoribilia. They sell shirts, hats, keychains, and just about anything you can think of with your favorite driver on it. The prices are not outrageous. They are comparable to the amount you would spend at any other store for the same merchandise.

The Racing Wall

If you walk down the hallway past the gift store, you will see a display of many of the top drivers and their accomplishments behind a glass wall. They have many photos of drivers when they first started their careers, and other memoribilia showing their winnings. The largest section belongs to Dale Earnhardt. He is, in my opinion, the greatest driver ever. The wall extends to the arcade.

The Arcade

At the back of the building, there is an arcade. You will find many racing games here. There is also a 'racing similator' ride. This is an enclosed "race car." It has about 4 or 5 rows of seats that hold about 3-4 people each. It costs $5 to ride, and it shows a race on a screen inside. You bounce & crash as you watch from the car you're supposed to be riding along in. It's very similar to motion theaters only you are enclosed in a bus-looking similator.

Overall, I would highly recommend this restaurant. The food alone is well worth the visit. Anyone that is a nascar fan would appreciate the atmosphere.


Recommended: Yes