Whether your family visits Pigeon Forge, Tennessee to explore Dollywood or the Smoky Mountains, you’re all bound to have an unforgettable time. Moreover, the area is home to plenty of restaurants to draw you away from your cozy Pigeon Forge vacation rental. Here are the best kid-friendly eateries in Pigeon Forge to check out.
1. Big Daddy’s Pizzeria and Arcade
Combine dining and fun at Big Daddy’s Pizzeria and Arcade, featuring video and arcade games to appeal to all ages. The pizzeria has all the standard pies you expect, as well as specialty pies, such as the Smoky Mountain Cheesesteak and the barbecue sauce-topped Porky Pie. If anyone is in the mood for more than pizza, Big Daddy’s also has sandwiches, salads, and desserts. If you have a group of 12 or more, you can arrange an all-you-can-eat pizza buffet, so everyone can have plenty of their favorite slices.
2. Dolly Parton’s Dixie Stampede
Few dining experiences in Pigeon Forge, or elsewhere for that matter, can compare to the Dixie Stampede’s dinner with a show. While you dine on a four-course, country-style meal featuring meats, such as rotisserie chicken or hickory-smoked barbecue pork loin, a parade of horses and dancers put on a musical feast for your eyes. Arrive early to take the kids to visit the horses in their stables, and if you visit during the holidays, everyone is in for an extra treat with the special Christmas show.
3. J.T. Hannah’s Kitchen
Step back in time when you dine at J.T. Hannah’s kitchen, which features rustic decor based on an old-time general store. With a menu full of Southern fare, sandwiches, and steaks, the restaurant also has kid-friendly favorites, such as burgers and spaghetti with meatballs. House specialties include slow-cooked Saint Louis ribs made with a house secret blend of spices. If you prefer a family meal back at your vacation rental, J.T. Hannah’s has an extensive to-go menu.
4. Corky’s Ribs & BBQ
Satisfy the barbecue lovers in your family with a visit to Corky’s Ribs & BBQ. The small regional chain serves savory barbecue dine-in or take-out, so you can fit your meal around your schedule. In addition to classics such a pulled pork and ribs, Corky’s has unique menu options like barbecue mac and cheese.
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5. The Old Mill Pottery House Cafe and Grille
The Old Mill Pottery House Cafe and Grille provides a welcoming setting for a meal with outside seating by a fountain and inside tables set by a grand stone fireplace. Before or after your meal, tour the grounds of the historic mill on the Pigeon River. Dine on Southern comfort food, such as biscuits and grits, followed by a pie made at the in-house bakery or ice cream from the Old Mill Creamery next door. Work off the meal with some shopping at the Old Mill stores or grab the kids some candy from the Candy Kitchen to take back to your vacation rental.
6. Mama’s Farmhouse
Eat your fill at Mama’s Farmhouse, which provides several all-you-can-eat meals for a single price. Open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, the restaurant has reduced rates for kids aged six to 12, while children under five eat free. Each person orders an entree and dessert, while the table as a whole orders selection side dishes. Mama’s Farmhouse serves a limited menu, but it’s packed with comfort foods like fried chicken, honey-glazed ham, mashed potatoes, and chocolate chip cookies.
7. Huck Finn’s Catfish
After a day building an appetite, there are few places in Pigeon Forge where you can eat your fill like Huck Finn’s Catfish, which serves all you can eat fried chicken and catfish. The restaurant’s decor has a picnic feel – while the giant catfish in a suit and hat outside the building are sure to delight your kids – and even the pickiest eaters can find something tasty, be it fries, baked beans, or hush puppies.
8. Sawyer’s Farmhouse Restaurant
While Pigeon Forge has a lot of southern dining options, few restaurants do breakfast like Sawyer’s. Select from a variety of pancakes, waffles, crepes, and breakfast platters to start your day off on the right foot. A dedicated kid’s menu gives your little ones portions they can handle, and children who like things basic can just go with cereal and milk. The restaurant also serves a lunch menu that’s packed with burgers and sandwiches, including peanut butter and jelly and grilled cheese sandwiches for the kids.
9. Pigeon Forge Deli
For a quick bite, Pigeon Forge Deli has your family covered with a selection of sub sandwiches available to go or to dine-in. Pair your small, medium, or large sandwich with a soup or salad, or try one of the house-made pretzels, which come with your choice of dipping sauce. House specials include an open-faced pepperoni pizza sandwich.
10. Paula Deen’s Family Kitchen
Enjoy some of celebrity chef Paula Deen’s best recipes at the Family Kitchen, located on the popular tourist destination the Island. The restaurant serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner with a heavy emphasis on Southern cuisine. If everything on the menu looks tempting, consider the family-style dining option, which comes with a main dish, sides, and dessert for a single price. Kids can also get the multi-course meal at a reduced rate.
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