All Fried Up

Why go: Hand-battered fresh seafood and Southern fried chicken near Oconaluftee Island Park, with over-sized fish fillets, generous family meals, and a wide menu that runs from seafood nachos and coconut shrimp to chicken and waffles, all served daily until 9:00 PM.

About All Fried Up

All Fried Up is a fast-casual seafood and Southern fried restaurant at 22 Nickeh Drive in Cherokee, near Oconaluftee Island Park. The concept is straightforward: fresh, hand-battered seafood and chicken cooked to order in a family-friendly counter-service setting, with a menu that draws on Southern coastal cooking and expands with dishes like the signature Shrimp and Grits.

The fish program anchors the menu. Flounder fillets and Alaskan Pollock are the primary fish options, with fillets that arrive noticeably larger than what most casual spots serve. Calabash shrimp, fantail shrimp, and a seafood combo round out the core seafood offerings. Chicken runs alongside the seafood in full pieces and tenders, with family meal packages available in multiple sizes for groups.

The appetizer program is more developed than many comparable casual spots, with fried green tomatoes topped with pimento cheese, feta, and a balsamic glaze standing out as a signature starter. Coconut shrimp, blooming onion, seafood nachos, and hand-breaded mushrooms round out a strong starter lineup. Shrimp and Grits is a permanent menu item and the restaurant’s third most-liked dish, with a 96% approval rating from online ordering customers. The build is grilled shrimp over cheddar grits with a jambalaya sauce.

Getting to All Fried Up

All Fried Up is at 22 Nickeh Drive in Cherokee, near Oconaluftee Island Park and within easy reach of the main visitor corridor. The restaurant has on-site parking. It is open daily from 11:00 AM to 9:00 PM, making it one of the more accessible dinner options in Cherokee for visitors on an evening schedule.

Why Choose All Fried Up

All Fried Up fills a specific gap in the Cherokee dining landscape: a dedicated seafood and Southern fried option that operates daily with extended evening hours, generous portions, and a menu broad enough to accommodate most family groups.

• Generous portions, particularly on the fish. The flounder fillets arrive noticeably larger than comparable casual spots, and the overall value-to-quantity ratio is a genuine differentiator in a tourist market where portions often skew small.
• Fresh hand-battered seafood and chicken cooked to order. Not a reheating operation.
• Family meal packages cover chicken and fish in multiple sizes, making All Fried Up a practical choice for groups who want a single-stop dinner without the logistics of a full sit-down restaurant.
• Open daily until 9:00 PM. One of the later kitchen close times in Cherokee, which matters for visitors arriving from the national park in the early evening.
• Appetizer program runs wider than the concept might suggest. Fried green tomatoes with pimento cheese and balsamic glaze, coconut shrimp, calamari, and seafood nachos are all worth ordering ahead of the entree.
• Kids meals available. Family-oriented counter-service format with a clean, casual dining room.
• Delivery available through DoorDash. Practical for Harrah’s hotel guests or anyone staying within range.
• Beer, draft beer, and wine available. A full drink accompaniment for a seafood meal, which is not standard across casual Cherokee dining options.

Menu Favorites

The fish and seafood are the reason to go. Everything else on this list is worth building a meal around.

• Flounder Fillet. The top fish entree. Fillets arrive oversized and fried to a clean, light crisp, making this one of the better fried fish options in the broader Smokies region.
• Shrimp and Grits. Grilled shrimp over cheddar grits with a jambalaya sauce. Rated 96% on the online ordering platform and the third most-liked dish on the menu. A strong first order if you have not been before.
• Calabash Shrimp. The traditional Southern coastal preparation, lightly battered and fried. A good alternative to the fantail for those who prefer a lighter breading.
• Coconut Shrimp. Coconut-breaded with a pineapple pina colada dipping sauce. Worth ordering as a starter or alongside an entree.
• Fried Green Tomatoes. Lightly fried and topped with pimento cheese, feta, and a balsamic vinegar glaze. The most distinctive appetizer on the menu.
• Seafood Nachos. Shrimp and scallops over nachos with queso, tomato, and black olives. A substantial appetizer that works as a shared plate for two.
• Fish Tacos. Three tacos with lettuce, pico de gallo, cotija cheese, and a house secret sauce. A lighter format than a plated entree and one of the more versatile picks on the menu.
• Chicken and Waffles. Two chicken tenders with a waffle and maple syrup. The waffles are a genuine standout.
• Mac and Cheese. Rich and creamy, and the most-ordered side. Elevates any plate it comes with.
• Fried Okra. A Southern staple done well. A natural companion to the fish entrees.
• Key Lime Pie and Cheesecake. Both available as desserts. The cheesecake is notably large. Worth leaving room for if your group wants a sweet finish.

What to Expect

All Fried Up is a counter-service restaurant. You order at the counter, take a number, and staff bring your food to your table. The format is casual, the dining room is clean, and the pacing is efficient.

• Counter service format. Order and pay at the counter. Staff deliver food to your table when ready. No table ordering, no separate check.
• Food is cooked to order. This is not a heat-lamp operation, and there is a short wait after ordering, particularly during peak visitor hours.
• Family meals are a practical option for groups. Multiple package sizes cover chicken and fish in quantities that work for four to eight people.
• Cornbread muffins, hushpuppies, and coleslaw are included with fish orders. A detail visitors sometimes discover as a pleasant surprise.
• Beer, draft beer, and wine are available. Worth knowing if you are planning a seafood dinner with a drink.
• Open daily until 9:00 PM. Arrive by 8:30 PM to allow comfortable time to order and eat before close.
• Delivery available through DoorDash for guests staying nearby.

Nearby Restaurants in Cherokee

• Qualla Java Cafe. Native-owned specialty coffee shop roasting Free Trade Organic Colombian beans in-house on Tsalagi Road, with riverfront seating on the Oconaluftee.
• Granny’s Kitchen. Southern buffet-style cooking on US 19 since 1984, with hand-carved roast beef and fried chicken at honest family prices.
• El Cajelito Mexican Restaurant and Bar. Family-owned Mexican directly across from Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort, with house-made corn tortillas and a daily lunch buffet.

Explore More

My Smoky Mountain Guide Cherokee is a great resource for finding things to do and places to eat.

• Cherokee Food & Beverage Guide. Discover restaurants, cafes, breweries, and other local dining favorites.
• Attractions and Entertainment. Check out all the attractions in Cherokee.
• Outdoor Adventure. Explore all the great outdoor adventure in Cherokee.