Smoky Mt Market The Old Number One LR
April 14, 2020
When it opened just south of the Henley Bridge in 1936, the Smoky Mountain Market on Chapman Highway may have appeared to be just another convenience store. But one of the store’s most popular items, the hotdog (added almost as an afterthought) was so popular it contributed to the store’s longevity.
According to a store press releases celebrating its 50th anniversary in 1986, those original five cent hotdogs were cooked on a steaming hot kettle in the back of the store and, and over the years, drew locals by the score. A few celebrities came in for them too, including Conway Twitty, Senator Howard Baker, the Harlem Globetrotters, and one time the entire Brady Bunch. Porter Waggoner, a vegetarian, also came in on occasion when he stayed at a motel across the road.
After being owned by Howard J. Johnson for many years, local businessman Virgil Rushing bought the store in 1974 and created a chain of 31 Smoky Mountain Markets. But the Chapman Highway Store remained the “Old Number One” until it closed in 2002.
Shared by Todd Rushing.
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10 Comments
Hello:
We are interested in obtaining the hot tamale recipe sold at the Smokey Mountain Market. We are willing to pay for the tamale recipe.
Please advise,
Lisa Zirke
I have tried to replicate the chili that was on their hot dogs. We would go to A bar on Chapman highway and afterwards stop and get some chili dogs. They were the best tasting dogs I have had. The chili without beans was great and I have come close to replicating the recipe. Though some people like my family recipe with beans better it is I like them both and change back and forth thanks for the memories
Yes I would love to have the hot tamale recipe and the chili recipe too!!!!
Your Chili Hot Dogs are the best!
I’m interested in obtaining the chili recipe. I’m willing to pay for it.
My father Ray Mull Co-Owned Smoky mountain markets For many years. The Trick to the hot dogs is the chili receipt and the hotdog itself both were only made for Smoky mountain markets under protected receipts.
Please open back up
is the chili recipe available
Hi Rick,
You are not the first to ask! We are currently not aware of it being available anywhere.
Someone’s got to have the chili recipe? I would also pay $$ for it.