The Parkman Resort announces the opening of Ranger’s Smokehouse & Market next week in the historic Carriage House Restaurant space. Developed in partnership with Bryan Lewis, Ranger’s builds on his award-winning Highlands Smokehouse in Highlands, North Carolina, and brings together the craft of barbecue, the flavors of East Tennessee, and the welcoming spirit of the Smokies.
Located on the peaceful side of the Smokies, Ranger’s is a place to settle in for a meal or a drink with friends, pick up provisions for a weekend in the mountains, or find something worth taking home.
The menu pairs slow-smoked barbecue with Southern-inspired dishes, seasonal sides, and house-made sauces, complemented by regional craft beer and wine. Ranger’s will also honor the Carriage House legacy with occasional nods to classics served over the years, such as a Sunday fried chicken special inspired by one of the Carriage House’s best-known dishes.
Chef Matt Kinner leads the kitchen, anchored by a custom smoker from Texas-based M&M BBQ Company. Fueled exclusively by wood, the smoker relies on live fire rather than gas-assisted heat, producing the deep, distinctive smoke flavor that will define Ranger’s barbecue. This piece of equipment brings a level of traditional, wood-fired barbecue craftsmanship rarely found in East Tennessee.
“Great barbecue takes patience, consistency, and respect for the process,” says Kinner. “The M&M smoker is the heart of our kitchen. It gives us the ability to build layers of clean smoke flavor and produce exceptional barbecue throughout the day. It’s something truly distinctive for this area.”
The market extends that experience with freshly prepared grab-and-go meals and provisions for guests headed into the park or on a getaway to the mountains. It will also feature a thoughtfully curated selection of wines, specialty foods, and pantry staples, along
with unique Smokies-inspired apparel and branded merchandise including hats, mugs, totes, and other keepsakes.
“We wanted to create a restaurant that feels at home in Townsend—comfortable, welcoming, and connected to the mountains,” says Bryan Lewis. “First and foremost, Ranger’s is a place to gather over really good food. The market builds on that experience, whether you are picking up some food before heading into the park or finding a piece of the Smokies to take home. We want Ranger’s to be a place people return to again and again.”
General Manager Micah Vitale leads the guest experience, pairing attentive service with the relaxed warmth that makes Townsend special. Ranger’s will o^er catering for gatherings and events throughout the area, extending its signature barbecue and Southern-inspired menu beyond the restaurant.
Ranger’s Smokehouse & Market is expected to begin welcoming guests next week at 8310 TN-73 in Townsend. Hours will be 11 a.m.–8 p.m. Sunday, Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday, and 11 a.m.–9 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Ranger’s will be closed Tuesdays.