Pigeon Forge Restaurant Owners Bring Back That Good Southern Home Cooking

A Pigeon Forge restaurant features a variety of specialties that will fulfill everyone’s appetite. You can not visit the South and in particular Tennessee and not expect to find some good home cooking. The problem is deciding which one of the many fine establishments to eat at. There are many choices to suit your taste ranging from southern favorites like catfish and barbecue to International cuisine such as Italian, Mexican and Chinese. There are many national chain restaurants, pancake houses galore, buffets and even 50’s style diners. And the country’s best dinner show extravaganzas.

My wife and I have visited many of these fine restaurants over the years and I would like to share with you a few of our favorites. Hopefully it will help you in selecting some of your dining destinations when planning your trip to Pigeon Forge. You will find that the majority of the restaurants, shows, attractions, well, just about everything is on the Parkway. This is the main road coming into Pigeon Forge and takes you all the way to Gatlinburg.

Alamo Steakhouse – 3050 Parkway, Pigeon Forge (865) 908-9998

I do not hesitate to tell you that I had the best steak in my life at this restaurant! They specialize in oak fired prime Black Angus steaks. They sear in the juices while cooking your steak and it comes out sizzling to your table and they are mouth watering good. The Alamo is one of the higher priced restaurants in Pigeon Forge but it is worth every penny.

Alabama Grill – 2050 Parkway, Pigeon Forge (865) 908-8777

This is the country version of Hard Rock Café and a very popular Pigeon Forge restaurant. If you love country music and in particular the dynamic group, Alabama, then you will love this place! Oh, and the food is great too! While you wait for your food or after you’ve eaten, be sure to stroll around the restaurant and look at all the legendary country music memorabilia. There is plenty of Alabama music and every so often a video show of the group is shown. Be sure to take a tour through Alabama’s first tour bus located in front of the restaurant!

Applewood Farmhouse Restaurant – 240 Apple Valley Rd., Sevierville (865) 428-1222

If you are in the mood for some good home cooked southern cooking then look no further. This restaurant is located next to the Apple Barn and is surrounded by acres of apple trees. They start you out with their famous apple fritters and I know you’ll end up taking a bag home. They are that good! The pricing is modest and you won’t leave hungry. This is a fine Pigeon Forge restaurant, we highly recommend it!

Bennett’s Pit BBQ – 2910 Parkway, Pigeon Forge (865) 429 – 2200

Bennett’s is voted best BBQ and Best ribs year after year including the 2006 Reader’s Choice Awards. They also have a super salad bar! We have eaten there many times enjoying their award winning BBQ and ribs but recently we read that this Pigeon Forge restaurant was also voted best breakfast! On a recent visit we tried Bennett’s breakfast bar and it was very good. This is one place that you can go to for breakfast, lunch or dinner and be pleased with the service and food.

Calhoun’s Restaurant – 2530 Parkway, Pigeon Forge (865) 868 – 1500

They specialize in ribs, and they are good, but for the best ribs you may want to go to Bennett’s. But Calhoun’s has a much diversified menu and the food is great! They also have wines, champagnes and their own specialty brewed beer.

Pop’s On The River – 1426 Winfield Dunn Parkway, Sevierville (865) 453 – 0320

Pop’s is actually in Sevierville which is before you get to Pigeon Forge. If you like seafood and fish, then this is the number one recommended Pigeon Forge restaurant for you. Pop’s On The River specializes in local fish dinners like catfish and trout. And yes, it is located along a river which you can see from inside the restaurant. If you like fish from the sea, you won’t be disappointed. Their oysters, shrimp and crab are out of this world!

Huck Finn’s – 3330 Parkway, Pigeon Forge (865) 429 - 3353

Relive the days of Mark Twain and Huckleberry Finn with some of the best home cooked vittles you’ll have this side of the Mississippi! The Riverboat Dinners are superb and reasonably priced considering how full you are when you leave. Very friendly service!

Mandarin House Restaurant – 112 Community Center Drive (865) 908-5885

By far the best Chinese Restaurant in Pigeon Forge and one of the best Chinese restaurants I have ever visited. This Pigeon Forge restaurant has one of the largest buffets which also includes American items in addition to the Chinese food. It is located just off the Parkway and stop to look at the large goldfish in the pond out front!

Mel’s Diner – 119 Wears Valley Rd., Pigeon Forge (865) 429 – 2184

Mel’s Diner is located just off the Parkway and easy to find. The best thing about this establishment is the atmosphere! You’ll think you are on the Happy Days TV show. Relive the 50’s with a lot of fun and great food!

Pop’s Catfish & Seafood Shack – 3516 Parkway (865) 428 – 8627

Don’t confuse this Pop’s with Pop’s on the River in Sevierville. Although the food was good here it doesn’t quite match the excellent atmosphere and great seafood at Pop’s on the River. But if you’re looking for a place to get some good fish & seafood in Pigeon Forge without driving to Sevierville, then you won’t be disappointed in Pop’s Catfish and Seafood Shack!

Are you tired after a long day of shopping or site seeing? How about cooking something up at your cabin, maybe a cookout on the grill?

How about a show with that dinner? Pigeon Forge is famous for its dinner shows.