In the restaurant industry, the word “tradition” isn’t earned overnight. It is built year after year, plate after plate, by consistently delivering an unforgettable dining experience. Few places embody this better than The Peddler Steakhouse in Gatlinburg, Tennessee.
Nestled beautifully on the banks of the Little Pigeon River, this award-winning establishment has become a cherished, multi-generational staple for families visiting the Great Smoky Mountains. But behind their famous tableside custom-cut steaks and their reigning title as Gatlinburg’s #1 Steakhouse lies a roaring fire fueled by an unwavering commitment to quality—and a relationship with our grills that spans over four decades.
The Heartbeat of a Legendary Kitchen
Since the 1980s, Owner Geoffrey Wolpert has trusted the Original Champion Grill to be the literal heartbeat of his kitchen. Over forty years ago, Geoffrey recognized that to serve the best Certified Angus Beef in Tennessee, he needed equipment that could withstand heavy, daily restaurant use while delivering consistently flawless results. He chose our Champion Grill, and it has been searing perfection into every cut of meat ever since.
The Secret to the Perfect Steak
At The Peddler, they don’t just cook steaks; they craft them. The culinary team’s secret to that mouth-watering, award-winning flavor? They burn rich, glowing charcoal right inside their heavy-duty wood fire grills.
How it works: The grills are uniquely engineered to handle intense, continuous heat while maximizing airflow. This allows the charcoal to perform at its absolute peak, infusing the meat with a deep, smoky, rustic flavor that simply cannot be replicated on standard commercial gas ranges.
When you pair a charcoal-burning wood fire grill with The Peddler’s famous tableside steak-cutting service, it results in a 5-star culinary experience that keeps guests coming back year after year.
A Partnership Built on Reliability
A commercial grill is only as good as its longevity, and Geoffrey’s trust in our craftsmanship speaks for itself. He didn’t just stop with his very first Champion Grill back in the 80s. As his success grew and he expanded his footprint to include other beloved Smoky Mountain dining concepts—like the highly acclaimed Park Grill located near the entrance of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park—he knew exactly how to outfit his new kitchens.
Over the decades, Geoffrey has continually invested in more of our grills to power his expanding culinary ventures. When a restaurateur of Geoffrey’s caliber comes back to the same builders time and time again, it is the ultimate testament to the durability and reliability of the equipment.
Build Your Own Dining Tradition
We build grills that are meant to last decades, not just seasons. Geoffrey Wolpert and The Peddler Steakhouse are living proof that when you invest in high-quality equipment, you are investing in the long-term legacy of your business.
The next time you find yourself in downtown Gatlinburg, do yourself a favor: reserve a table at The Peddler, request a seat by the river, and order a custom-cut steak to taste the charcoal-fired difference for yourself.
Are you a restaurant owner ready to elevate your kitchen with equipment built to handle the heat for decades to come?
