Junction 35 Spirits

Why go: Junction 35 Spirits puts a working small-batch distillery alongside a full-service restaurant inside Tanger Outlets, making it the only stop in Sevierville where you can taste house-made bourbon off the still, then sit down to slow-smoked brisket or a smash burger in the same building.

About Junction 35 Spirits

Junction 35 Spirits takes its name from a chapter in Sevier County’s past. Loggers and moonshiners once loaded illegal shine onto trains that stopped near Latitude 35 North, using the remote railroad junction to move product across East Tennessee without detection. That history of resourceful craftsmanship and local community is the foundation the brand was built on.

The Sevierville location operates inside the Tanger Outlets complex on the Parkway, and it functions as a genuine working distillery with a full-service kitchen and bar alongside it. The spirits lineup is broad: straight bourbon and rye whiskey, a wide range of flavored moonshines (Blackberry, Peach, Strawberry, Watermelon, Bomb Pop, and others), plus vodka, gin, rum, and tequila. Junction 35 claims the title of Tennessee’s first distillery-and-restaurant concept under one roof. The Bam Bam Vodka, which has a distinctly fruit-forward profile, has developed a strong following on its own.

The kitchen covers serious ground. Smash burgers are built from a chuck-and-brisket Angus blend with several creative variations, from the pimento cheese and bacon jam Junction 35 Burger to the mac-topped Mac Daddy. The BBQ trays feature slow-smoked pulled pork and Texas beef brisket served with Texas toast and two sides. Handcrafted sandwiches include a notably generous pastrami brisket reuben and a Tennessee Brisket Dip with au jus. Entrees extend to shrimp and grits, smoky mountain chicken, grilled salmon, and a beef tip stacker. The Brussels Sprouts Skillet has become one of the most-ordered appetizers, flash-fried and finished with caramelized brown molasses and sweet chili sauce.

A kids’ menu is available for guests 10 and under, covering grilled cheese, chicken bites, alfredo, a hamburger, and mac and cheese. Junction 35 is a verified member of the Tennessee Whiskey Trail, and visits to the tasting bar count toward the statewide passport program. Active military and veterans receive complimentary tastings.

Getting to Junction 35 Spirits

Junction 35 Spirits is located inside the Tanger Outlets at Suite 685, directly on the Parkway between Sevierville and Pigeon Forge. The outlets sit on the main tourist corridor and are easy to spot from the road. Free parking is available throughout the Tanger Outlets lot, though the lot and surrounding Parkway can slow considerably on busy weekends and holiday periods, so building in extra travel time is worth it during peak season. Hours shown are from the official website’s Sevierville location listing; calling ahead is a good idea if you are visiting during off-season or on a holiday.

Why Choose Junction 35 Spirits

Junction 35 Spirits occupies a category of its own inside Tanger Outlets: a working distillery that also serves a complete lunch and dinner menu. Whether you want to work through a spirit flight at the tasting bar, anchor yourself for handcrafted cocktails, or settle in for a full sit-down meal, the setup supports all of it without leaving the building.

• House-distilled spirits with on-site tastings. The tasting bar pours samples across the full lineup of bourbon, rye, whiskey, moonshine, vodka, gin, rum, and tequila. If you stay for a meal, your tasting fee applies toward your bill.
• Spirit flights built for comparison. Four-pour flights are available in moonshine, whiskey, mixed, and premium tiers, making it straightforward to compare before committing to a bottle.
• A complete kitchen alongside the distillery. The menu spans appetizers, smash burgers, slow-smoked BBQ trays, sandwiches, salads, entrees, and desserts, with enough variety to satisfy a group with different tastes.
• Tennessee Whiskey Trail stop. Junction 35 is a verified stop on the official statewide trail, so a visit to the tasting bar counts toward your passport.
• Family-friendly with a dedicated kids’ menu. Children 10 and under have their own menu with five options, making this a workable stop for families with young kids.
• Military and veteran appreciation. Complimentary tastings are offered to active military and veterans, a practice that has been noted positively by multiple visitors.

Menu Favorites

The menu at Junction 35 bridges the distillery and the kitchen in several places, with house-made spirits appearing in wing sauces, BBQ glazes, and cocktails throughout. The smash burgers and BBQ trays draw consistent attention from visitors, but the appetizer list and the signature cocktail menu are worth equal consideration.

• Texas Beef Brisket Tray. Slow-smoked beef brisket served with Texas toast and a choice of two sides. The centerpiece of the BBQ lineup and a reliable order for anyone coming specifically for the smoked meat.
• Brussels Sprouts Skillet. Flash-fried Brussels sprouts tossed in caramelized brown molasses and sweet chili sauce. One of the most consistently praised appetizers on the menu and a strong vegetarian-friendly option.
• BBQ Nachos. Smoked pulled pork loaded over chips with jalapeños, pico de gallo, sour cream, queso, green onions, and Honey Bourbon BBQ sauce. Brisket substitution available for an upcharge.
• The Junction 35 Smash Burger. Two chuck-and-brisket Angus smash patties with pimento cheese dip, bacon jam, lettuce, tomato, sautéed onions, and J35 sauce. One of the more distinctive takes in the smash burger lineup.
• Smoky Mountain Chicken. Honey Bourbon BBQ-glazed chicken breast topped with melted cheddar, smoked bacon, and onion strings. One of the more popular entree options among repeat visitors.
• Shrimp and Grits. Stone-ground pimento cheese grits topped with sautéed Atlantic shrimp, Andouille sausage, tomatoes, peppers, and onions.
• Spirit Flights. Four-pour flights across moonshine, whiskey, mixed, and premium tiers. The moonshine flight and the Blackberry and Peach flavors in particular draw consistent interest from first-time visitors.

What to Expect

The Sevierville location is smaller and more compact than the Pigeon Forge outpost, fitting within a Tanger Outlets footprint rather than a standalone building. The space divides between a tasting bar area and table seating for the restaurant, and both sides can fill quickly on busy weekend afternoons.

• Walk-in only, no reservations accepted. On busy weekend afternoons and during peak season, a short wait for table seating is possible.
• Two ways to use the space. You can stop for a tasting at the bar without ordering food, or settle in for a full meal. The distillery tasting and the restaurant operate as separate but connected parts of the same visit.
• The tasting fee is credited toward your meal check if you choose to stay and eat, so combining the two is the most efficient approach.
• Staff at the tasting bar are consistently described by visitors as knowledgeable and thorough with recommendations. If you are unfamiliar with the lineup, asking for guidance is worth the time.
• Service can slow during busy weekend periods when the restaurant is at capacity. Patience is useful during peak hours.
• Tanger Outlets parking is free. The lot is large, but the Parkway itself backs up significantly during holiday weekends and summer peak season.

Nearby Restaurants in Sevierville

• Smith Creek Distillery. A small-batch Tennessee moonshine and whiskey producer sharing the Tanger Outlets complex, offering tastings and retail just steps away.
• Tennessee Homemade Wines. A tasting and retail stop for Tennessee-made fruit wines, located inside the same Tanger Outlets building.
• Cruz Dairy Farm. A Sevierville staple for handcrafted ice cream and dairy-based treats, immediately adjacent to the Tanger complex on the Parkway.
• Dave and Buster’s. A large entertainment venue with an extensive arcade, full bar, and restaurant menu a short drive south on the Parkway.
• Big Daddy’s Pizzeria. A New York-style pizza spot on the Parkway known for generous slices and a straightforward, casual setup.

Explore More

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

• Sevierville Food and Beverage Guide. The full directory of restaurants, bars, and tasting rooms across Sevierville, organized by category.
• Sevierville Attractions. A guide to theme parks, outlet shopping, entertainment venues, and other draws throughout the city.
• Sevierville Outdoor Adventure. Hiking, ziplining, whitewater, and other outdoor experiences within easy reach of the Smokies gateway.