Cherokee Restaurants

Cherokee is slightly off the beaten path when it comes to Blue Ridge pit stops. Expect to sample down-home cooking at the local diners, where hometown favorites such as fry bread and corn, squash and bean combos, called three sisters, are on the menu. When bluegrass music fills the air, be prepared for barbecue, which is referred to as pulled pork in these parts. The vinegar-based North Carolina sauce leaves a pleasant aftertaste that complements the variety of accompanying vegetable and starch dishes. The influence of nearby Asheville, a hotspot for the hip and highbrow crowds, is very much part of the dining scene. Upscale steak and seafood restaurants serving contemporary American, Italian and other cuisine are also part of the diverse dining choices.