Joey's Pancake House in Maggie Valley, NC: Is It Worth Visiting?

Every year, we try to make a trip to Maggie Valley, especially in the fall. It has become a tradition for our family and is one of those places that we never get tired of visiting.

One of my favorite things about Maggie Valley is that it still has that small mountain-town feel. There are plenty of locally owned businesses and restaurants, and one place we've returned to more times than I can count is Joey's Pancake House.

I've been eating at Joey's for years, and even though the restaurant changed ownership a while back, the new owners have done a great job keeping the tradition going. The food still tastes great, the atmosphere is welcoming, and it remains one of my favorite places to eat breakfast when we're in Maggie Valley.

Joey's Pancake House has been doing things right since 1966. They have a huge following, and this can be seen on any morning you are in Maggie Valley by the wait in line to get into the place.

My Joey's Pancake House Review: Is It Worth Visiting?

For me, the answer is yes.

I've eaten at Joey's Pancake House more times than I can count, and I've never had a bad meal there. That's one reason we continue going back whenever we're in Maggie Valley. Restaurants have come and gone over the years, but Joey's has been serving breakfast in Maggie Valley since 1966. It's one of those places that has become part of our trips to the mountains.

Another thing I enjoy about Joey's is the people. We've always been treated well when we've eaten there, and that friendly atmosphere is part of what keeps us coming back. When you walk through the door, you're greeted with genuine Southern hospitality, and we've even been offered coffee while waiting for a table.

Maggie Valley may not have all the attractions of nearby Pigeon Forge, but that's part of what I enjoy about it. It still has that small mountain-town feel, and places like Joey's Pancake House are a big part of what makes it special.

If you're looking for breakfast in Maggie Valley, Joey's is one of the first places I'd recommend trying. After all these years and all the meals we've eaten there, it's still a place we make a point to visit when we're in the mountains.

For me, the answer is yes.

Where Is Joey's Pancake House?

Joey's Pancake House is located right on Soco Road in Maggie Valley, North Carolina, making it an easy stop if you're staying in town or exploring the surrounding mountains.

Joey's Pancake House
4309 Soco Rd. (Hwy 19)
Maggie Valley, NC 28751

One thing to keep in mind is that Joey's is a popular breakfast spot, especially during the busy fall season. We like to get there early when we can because it can fill up quickly.

What Should You Order at Joey's Pancake House?

Obviously, you can't go to a place called Joey's Pancake House without trying the pancakes.

Joey's Pancake House menu has plenty of classic breakfast choices, including pancakes, eggs, sausage, grits, corned beef hash, omelets, and other traditional breakfast favorites. I've tried quite a few of them over the years, but some of my favorites are the blueberry pancakes, grits, eggs, sausage, and corned beef hash.

One thing I really enjoy at Joey's that might get overlooked is the coffee. I think they have one of the best regular cups of coffee I've had at a restaurant in the area. There's just something about a hot cup of coffee with a big mountain breakfast that hits the spot.

If it's your first time visiting, I'd definitely recommend trying the pancakes, but don't overlook some of the other breakfast items either.

The Pancakes at Joey's Pancake House

Pancakes are what you expect to find at Joey's, and they're one of the reasons people keep coming back.

Blueberry pancakes are one of my favorites. A stack of pancakes topped with blueberry compote alongside a hot cup of coffee makes for a pretty good start to a day in Maggie Valley.

There are plenty of other breakfast choices on the menu, but if you're visiting Joey's for the first time, pancakes are a good place to start.

Don't Skip the Grits

One of my favorite things at Joey's might actually surprise you: the grits.

Many years ago, I was eating at Joey's and asked our waitress, "How do you get your grits so creamy?"

I thought for sure they were adding cream or something else to them. Her answer was much simpler. She told me they just stir them a lot.

I went home and tried it myself, and sure enough, it worked.

That little tip actually changed the way I make grits at home. If you check out my grits recipe and the YouTube video that goes along with it, you'll see that I make a point of continually stirring the grits to help make them creamy.

It's a cooking tip I picked up from eating at Joey's all those years ago, and I still use it today.

What Is It Like Eating at Joey's Pancake House?

Joey's has the kind of casual, welcoming atmosphere that fits Maggie Valley perfectly. It's the type of place where you can come in, sit down with your family, drink a cup of coffee, and enjoy a good breakfast before heading out for the day.

We've eaten here as a family many times over the years, which is part of why Joey's means more to me than simply being somewhere to grab breakfast.

It's become one of those places we associate with visiting Maggie Valley.

Does Joey's Pancake House Get Crowded?

Joey’s can definitely get busy, especially during the fall and other popular times to visit Maggie Valley. We’ve learned over the years that it’s usually better to get there early rather than waiting until later in the morning.

Even when there's a crowd, I wouldn't let that keep you from eating at Joey's. We usually just plan on getting an earlier start so we can beat some of the breakfast rush.

More Things to Do in Maggie Valley

Of course, there is a lot more to Maggie Valley than just finding a good place to eat. When we visit, we love exploring the mountains, riding the Blue Ridge Parkway, visiting Soco Falls, looking for elk in Cataloochee Valley, and just enjoying the slower pace of this little mountain town.

If you're planning a trip, check out my guide to 20 Things to Do in Maggie Valley, NC. I've put together some of our favorite places to visit and things we've enjoyed doing over the years.

More Places to Eat in Maggie Valley

Joey's may be one of our regular breakfast stops, but it isn't the only restaurant we've enjoyed in Maggie Valley.

Over the years, I've eaten at quite a few places around town, including barbecue, Italian food, pizza, steaks, and more.

If you're trying to decide where else to eat while you're visiting, check out my guide to the Best Restaurants in Maggie Valley, NC. These are restaurants I've personally eaten at and places I would go back to.

Visit Nearby Waynesville, NC

When we visit Maggie Valley, we always have to visit nearby Waynesville, NC. Not only do they have awesome shops, but they also have dining. I have compiled a list of my favorite restaurants in Waynesville, NC from that area. I also have to visit the Mast General Store every time I go.

Final Thoughts on Joey's Pancake House

I've eaten at Joey's Pancake House more times than I can count, and it's still one of my favorite places to eat when we visit Maggie Valley. Even after changing ownership, Joey's has managed to keep the food and atmosphere that have kept us coming back over the years.

For me, Joey's is just part of a trip to Maggie Valley. I love a good plate of pancakes or eggs and grits, and I still think they serve one of the best regular cups of coffee I've had at a restaurant.

If you're visiting Maggie Valley and looking for a good breakfast, Joey's Pancake House is definitely worth getting up early for. And I do mean early—this place can get busy!

You can also watch our visit to Joey's Pancake House in the video below.

Let's Get Food Junked!

FAQ