Best Themed Restaurants in Pigeon Forge

Follow your nose to kitchens cooking up catfish, golden-fried hush puppies and the most delectable pecan pie this side of the Mississippi. Mix traditional Southern eats with family-pleasing entertainment that ranges from local house performers to extravagant productions. Skip back in time for a nostalgic taste of yesteryear or escape to a tropical-style dining oasis. Many theme restaurants are able to accommodate groups, so invite the clan or a group of friends and co-workers to a grand Pigeon Forge get-together.

1. Huck Finn's Southern Specialties

Hankering for genuine Southern home cooking? Make your way to Huck Finn's Catfish restaurant where a supersized catfish sculpture welcomes you to the dinner table. If you're a newbie to Southern cuisine, you'll soon be a convert. Diners gobble up 50 tons of catfish annually, but you can also fill up on frog legs, 'gator tails, country fried steak and their signature hush puppies. Kids ages 3 and younger always eat free. Buy a Huck Finn's T-shirt and your next dinner is on the house, plus they'll put the family’s photo on the Huck Finn Wall of Fame.

2. Happy Days Diner Rocks Mealtime

Shake, rattle and roll your way to Happy Days Diner for retro dining right down to the malts, milkshakes and red-checkered tablecloths.The Elvis posters and rockin' juke box will carry you all the way back to the 1950s. Even the period-inspired menu revives rock and roll glory with items like the Big Bopper open-face roast beef sandwich and T-Bird chicken dinners. If your appetite is small, try Granny's hand-breaded fried green tomatoes or the Laverne & Shirley soup and chili salad combo. Your little boppers will go for the Deputy Dawg hot dog, named after the beloved cartoon character. Happy Days Diner is next door to The Comedy Barn Theater, so take in a family-friendly show while in the neighborhood.

3. Dixie Stampede Dining Extravaganza

Who would have thought pyrotechnics and a mouth-watering home-cooked feast is the perfect recipe for family dining? Dolly Parton did. Her Dixie Stampede's salute to the Smokies is designed to thrill the taste buds and wow even your techie teen with high-action horse-riding stunts performed in a 35,000 square-foot arena. Artful lighting, dramatic special effects and lively musical productions wake up your appetite for the four-course meal that's included in your ticket price. Expect a generous country-style dinner including a whole chicken, barbecue pork, biscuits, buttered corn, an herb-basted potato, soup and dessert. Kids 3 and younger enjoy the entire experience for free. You'll want to arrive an hour early to get in on the pre-show act at the Dixie Belle Saloon.

4. Old Mill Preserves Taste Traditions

You don't have to be a history buff to savor the true taste of Smoky Mountain heritage at the Old Mill Restaurant. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the mill dates back to 1836. Giant grindstones continue to produce flours used by the local restaurants to create classic stone-ground breads, grits, fritters and to-die-for pies. Enjoy breakfast at the mill-side restaurant beginning with fresh muffins, Smoky Mountain preserves and aromatic sourwood honey. Lunch and dinner start with traditional fritters and maple butter, followed by an appetizer with main courses ranging from country ham to savory pot roast.

5. Margaritaville in the Mountains

Jimmy Buffett'sMargaritaville is a slice of paradise in Pigeon Forge. Open 365 days a year, the colorful tropical decor, outdoor dining overlooking the peaceful Little Pigeon River and a casual ambiance all challenge you to take life at a slower pace. While the facility operates multiple bars serving specialty drinks, like Blackberry Moonshine margaritas, it's family-friendly at all hours. The menu tempts with spicy Cajun jambalaya, jumbo golden coconut shrimp and buttermilk fried chicken with mashed potatoes smothered with gravy. Sandwiches, salads and burgers are other options. Kids go tropical with their own menu and fancy drinks, like Parakeet Punch. To totally unwind, settle in beside the fire pit at the 5 O’clock Somewhere bar and let the live music carry you away.

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