When it comes to getaways where the finest of foods, fun and recreation meet the best in old-fashioned simplicity and relaxation, Jim Oliver’s Best Western Smoke House is one of the most celebrated hospitality resorts in the Southeast.

Celebrating its 50 year anniversary, Jim Oliver’s Smoke House has set the highest standard in country cooking and leisure living to suit everyone’s taste.

Located on Interstate 24 between Chattanooga and Nashville atop beautiful Monteagle Mountain, Jim Oliver’s Smoke House has it all — 85 oversized, beautiful lodge rooms and suites plus log and timber frame cabins with large private tubs, fireplaces and front porches.

The 25-acre complex has plenty of room for everything from relaxing barbecues, bonfires, hay wagon rides, fishing, swimming and walking trails to the simple pleasures of watching wild life on the pond and playing horseshoes. It also has volleyball courts, tennis courts, basketball and shuffleboard courts as well as a children’s playground all on one property and at no extra cost.

This year the Smoke House has added “Music On the Mountain — the Best of Nashville” where country music artists perform free of charge to a family friendly audience every Saturday at 7 p.m.

“We want people to know there is another place to go besides the Smokies,” said J.D. Oliver, Jim Oliver’s son. “Our cabins are less than those in Gatlinburg and we have a lot less traffic here. With the economy the way it is, this is a shorter trip with long-lasting memories for the whole family.”

The most popular accommodations at the Smoke House are the hideaway cabins. Twenty rustic, timberframe log cabins are located on the spacious property and are secluded enough to offer privacy, but close enough to walk to and from the lodge and the restaurant.

The aromas of country ham, sliced bacon, hickory smoked barbecue, fresh fried chicken and sizzling hot catfish are enough to make anyone stop in their tracks and head to the Smoke House Restaurant where everyone can enjoy full menu selections for breakfast, lunch and dinner as well as their famous daily all-you-can-eat buffet. The hot country meals feature three generations of family recipes served 364 days a year.

Their famous country fried pies defies description. Don’t be surprised if you feel the need for a fried pie crisis intervention to help you wean off this delectable dessert which includes natural peach, apple, blackberry, blueberry, peanut butter chocolate, strawberry and more.

The late Jim Oliver said he started the Monteagle restaurant with the idea of preserving the distinctly Southern tradition of country cooking. His son and daughter, J.D. and Betsy Oliver, said they cherish their father’s legacy and are committed to the same Southern hospitality and high quality of food their father always extended to their customers.

“Betsy and I are here everyday,” said J.D. “We’re not absentee owners. We take pride in meeting our customers and offering the best fresh food and antique items that are hard to find anywhere else.”

The Smoke House also boasts an old-fashioned gift shop from a bygone era with antique displays containing old-fashioned candies, a variety of homemade fudge, rustic furniture, quilts, handmade trinkets, glass bottled soda pops along with a national mail-order service featuring Smoke House meats and other home-baked goods.

“We offer 14 flavors of our special barbecue sauce in three different size bottles. We have 29 flavors of soft drinks, 16 flavors of homemade fudge and 29 flavors of taffy,” said J.D. whose life has revolved around bringing wholesome family fun and recreation to the Monteagle area.

“I grew up working with my dad here everyday since I was five,” said J.D. Oliver, 55. “By the time I was big enough to walk around he had me doing something — cleaning, cooking, washing dishes — until I went to college and got a degree in accounting. When I got out of college I came back here and helped dad with marketing. Then we got into construction and real estate.”

The expansion to their business proved to be a boon for the community as well as the family. In a town with a population under 1,300 people, the Smoke House restaurant packs in close to 400,000 visitors annually. J.D. estimates more than 30 million people have visited their location over the past five decades.

Each cabin features a private hot tub, wood-burning fireplace, mini-kitchen, king or queen bed and a front porch. One and two-bedroom cabins are available for sleeping 4 to 6 people. The deck features rocking chairs, outdoor eating tables and great scenery as the sun sets around you.

“To me, this place is spectacular,” said Marla Sitten, director of Radioactive Promotions. “I’ve seen it all — been around the world and that’s why I’m here. It’s a family-friendly environment where kids are welcome. The dinner show is a good experience as a date night or a weekend romantic getaway. There’s a state park nearby with about 14 entrances, you can hike, go to a natural walk bridge — it has it all.”

When asked about their commitment to offering people an experience they would never forget, J.D. said, “Our goal is for people to enjoy themselves and come back. We want every visit to be like coming back home again. It’s like wanting family to have the best of everything and they’re part of our family.”

For an unforgettable stay at the perfect getaway, Jim Oliver’s Best Western Smoke House is the most flavorful escape to family fun, down-home cooking and Southern comforts in the Southeast. For further information about availability, rates, and reservations call 800-489-2091 or visit www.thesmokehouse.com.