Little Switzerland

All that driving through the Blue Ridge Mountains gave us an appetite. We stopped in this cute, little quaint town called Little Switzerland, population 46, known as the jewel of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Don’t let the small size of the town fool you though.  It embodies what western NC is all about and promotes the region and all that it has to offer. Little Switzerland is off mile marker 334 and is about an hour away from Asheville, NC. If you are a motorcycle fan and/or rider, there is the Diamondback trail that goes along for about 12 miles of the Blue Ridge Parkway and ends in Little Switzerland. The area is also a hiker’s haven with plenty of back trails just waiting to be discovered.

We stopped and ate at the The Little Switzerland Cafe. It was packed, and for very good reason too. The food was fresh, delicious and made in house. They also have a little shop adjacent to the restaurant, for your shopping pleasures while you wait to be seated. The shop is filled with unique items and local artwork.

Since we were in bear country, it was only fitting to have a picture of a black bear in the restaurant too.

We did not get to sit at this table, but I just had to take a picture of it it. I heard it was reserved for a special customer.

If you wanted to wait outside, there were some interesting “farm animals” to look at too.

This is the ONLY kind of snake I like.

And now the food. Larry was hungry for some good Southern style BBQ, and he definitely got some here. He ordered the pulled pork plate, which was overflowing with goodness. I had a little bit too and it was DELICIOUS! It came with baked beans, cornbread, coleslaw and he ordered 2 kinds of BBQ sauce to go with it as well.

I wasn’t all that hungry, and I am trying my darnedest to lose weight (a lot of weight), so I ordered something a bit lighter, though it was every bit as delicious. I ordered the chicken salad made with apricots and almonds with fruit on the side and a strawberry lemonade to help wet my whistle. Some fresh, homemade bread was on the side too. I could have easily eaten the whole loaf of bread. Everything was so good and fresh.

Switzerland Cafe and General Store is located where highway 226A and the Blue Ridge Parkway meet in Little Switzerland, NC. The restaurant offers a wide array of “delectable sandwiches, soups, desserts, pastries, specialty items, coffees and imported cheeses.” You can contact them either by phone at (828) 765-5289 or on the web at either info@swizterlandcafe.com or http://www.switzerlandcafe.com. Either way, next time you find yourself driving along either 226A or the Blue Ridge Pathway, it is well worth it to stop in to the Switzerland Cafe and General Store for a bite to eat and some fun things to purchase as well. We thoroughly enjoyed every bite.