HomeCraft Art of the Kitchen & Cocktails

Elevated Smoky Mountain heritage cuisine with handcrafted cocktails inside the Meadowlark Motel on Soco Road, HomeCraft pairs Chef Chris Sandos’s creative kitchen with The Skylark speakeasy lounge and live weekend music in an intimate 30-seat dining room.

About HomeCraft

HomeCraft is an elevated Southern restaurant and craft cocktail destination located at 2878 Soco Road inside the Meadowlark Motel in Maggie Valley. Co-owned by Joseph McElroy and led in the kitchen by Chef Chris Sandos, HomeCraft opened in November 2022 with a clear concept: Smoky Mountain heritage food with a twist. The restaurant takes the flavors and traditions of the mountains and elevates them with creative technique, locally sourced ingredients, and thoughtful presentation in an intimate 30-seat dining room.

The menu is deliberately small and focused, built around dishes that tie back to the region. Braised beef short ribs in a red wine reduction with cornmeal cakes and cream corn is the most popular item on the menu. Pan seared mountain trout with rice pelau and braised kale keeps the focus on local ingredients, and Boyd’s award-winning elk chili, made with farm-raised elk from the area, is a standout appetizer. The Za’atar chicken with stewed tomatoes and black-eyed peas brings global seasoning to Southern roots. Chef Sandos, who worked his way up through kitchens in Arizona before falling in love with Maggie Valley, brings a creative edge to every plate.

Below the dining room sits The Skylark, a speakeasy-style lounge serving the same menu alongside handcrafted cocktails and live music on weekends. The atmosphere throughout has been compared to something out of a boutique hotel scene, with carefully curated lighting, warm decor, and an intimate feel that makes it the only late-night dining experience in Maggie Valley. Reservations are recommended, especially on weekends, and parties of six or more should call ahead.

Getting to HomeCraft

HomeCraft is located at 2878 Soco Road, Suite M3, inside the Meadowlark Motel along the main commercial corridor through Maggie Valley. The restaurant is easy to find on the primary highway through town, and parking is available on the motel property. Its central location on Soco Road puts it within easy reach of Maggie Valley’s popular attractions, shops, and lodging options.

Why Choose HomeCraft

HomeCraft fills a niche on Soco Road that no other restaurant occupies. This is not a casual diner or a family buffet. It is an intimate, chef-driven dining experience that takes Smoky Mountain food traditions and gives them a creative, elevated treatment. The braised short ribs are a signature for a reason, the mountain trout keeps the focus on local ingredients, and the elk chili adds a unique, regional twist that you will not find anywhere else in the valley. The menu changes with the seasons and what is available locally, so repeat visits bring new discoveries.

The cocktail program is equally intentional. The Skylark speakeasy downstairs serves handcrafted cocktails from talented mixologists in a lounge setting with live music on weekends. It is the only spot in Maggie Valley where you can enjoy a late-night dinner with craft drinks and live entertainment under one roof. The intimate 30-seat dining room means every table feels like the best seat in the house, and the service matches the atmosphere. For a special night out on Soco Road, HomeCraft delivers a dining experience that stands apart from everything else in the valley.

Menu Favorites

• Braised Beef Short Ribs. The most popular dish, slow-braised in a red wine reduction and served with cornmeal cakes and cream corn.
• Pan Seared Mountain Trout. Locally sourced trout with rice pelau and braised kale, a signature mountain dish with a creative twist.
• Boyd’s Award-Winning Elk Chili. Made with farm-raised elk from the area, a unique regional starter you will not find elsewhere in the valley.
• Za’atar Chicken. Global seasoning meets Southern roots, paired with stewed tomatoes and black-eyed peas.
• Handcrafted Cocktails. A curated cocktail program with creative originals and expertly mixed classics from The Skylark speakeasy bar.

What to Expect

• An intimate, 30-seat dining room with warm lighting, curated decor, and a boutique atmosphere.
• Chef-driven, elevated Southern cuisine rooted in Smoky Mountain heritage and locally sourced ingredients.
• The Skylark speakeasy lounge downstairs with handcrafted cocktails and live music on weekends.
• A small, focused menu that changes with the seasons.
• Reservations recommended, especially on weekends. Parties of six or more should call ahead.
• Dinner only. No lunch service.

Nearby Restaurants in Maggie Valley

• J. Arthur’s Restaurant. A fourth-generation family restaurant on Soco Road serving slow roasted prime rib, steaks, and their famous Gorgonzola salad.
• Valley Tavern at Smoky Falls Lodge. A laid-back tavern with craft beer, pub fare, and creekside seating at Smoky Falls Lodge.
• Pop’s Butts on the Creek. Slow-smoked barbecue served creekside on lower Soco Road, a go-to for ribs, pulled pork, and Southern sides.
• Sippers in the Valley. A cozy coffee shop and cafe on Soco Road with premium espresso, fresh pastries, a game room, and a pet-friendly patio.

Explore More

HomeCraft is your gateway to a full Maggie Valley experience. After your meal, explore the area’s many attractions and outdoor activities.

• Things to Do in Maggie Valley
• Attractions in Maggie Valley
• Outdoor Adventure
• Food and Beverage Guide