8 BEST DISHES TO TRY ON YOUR PIGEON FORGE TRIP

Tennessee is home to some of the best southern foods in the whole country. The simmering barbeque, the smell of fresh cornbread, and the famous Nashville hot chicken are worth every penny. And if you wish to experience the best southern food, Pigeon Forge should be on the top of your list. This mountain town is not only famous for its adventurous attractions but also for all-American comfort food. From grilled classics to the best corncobs you’ll ever taste, Pigeon Forge has it all. However, to ensure you don’t get overwhelmed by the culinary choices, we’ve compiled a list of these must-try dishes in Pigeon Forge.

1. A Pancake Heaven:

Pancakes are the last thing that comes to mind when discussing Southern cuisine. But apparently, Pigeon Forge can stimulate and gratify your sweet tooth. There are almost as many pancake shops in the town as steak houses. You can chow down several varieties of homemade pancakes in Pigeon Forge, but they serve it best at Smoky’s Pancake Cabin. We recommend going for their local signature dish, the Pineapple Upside Down Pancakes, served with the topping of your choosing.

2. Good Old “Smoky” Mexican:

Pigeon Forge may not be the ultimate destination for Mexican food, but it sure does considerable justice to the cuisine. On your quest to look for a good Mexican restaurant in Pigeon Forge, we recommend tapping into local eateries rather than high-end restaurants. Pigeon Forge’s famous Enchiladas and nachos will fire your taste buds like the Fourth of July. Mexican restaurants in Pigeon Forge are famous for serving authentic Mexican food, including mouthwatering dishes like Nachos Fajitas, Chimichanga, Cheese Quesadillas, and PF special Burritos.

3. Signature Corn Chowder:

It’s criminal to plan a trip to Pigeon Forge and not try their famous Corn Chowder. If you ask the locals, almost everyone will recommend starting off their Pigeon Forge cuisine experience with Old Mill’s rich corn chowder. The Old Mill Restaurant is one of the oldest restaurants in town and was built back in 1830. It offers a large variety of cuisines, starting from breakfast to the town’s best country-fried steaks. If you are lucky enough to try their corn chowder, don’t forget to have it the local way with freshly baked bread.

4. Pigeon Forge’s Cuban Sandwich:

For a town located on the foot of the Smoky Mountains, Pigeon Forge is impressive when it comes to food. If you’re craving some authentic Cuban food on your Pigeon Forge vacation, grab your wallet, head down to Smokies Cuban Café, and order their local pride, the Cuban sandwich. Oozing with fresh ingredients and generations of family cooking, this is one dish that you wouldn’t want to miss. Complimented with an intimate setting and traditional Pigeon Forge backdrop, their Cuban cuisine will take you straight to the Caribbean. While you’re at it, don’t forget to drink their famous Cuban coffee.

5. Crafty Beers and Whiskeys:

The rare delights and international cuisine distributed throughout Pigeon Forge are worth your money. But what you really shouldn’t miss is the town’s famous brewery. The town is particularly proud of its local distilleries and the countless varieties of drinks that it makes from scratch. Did you know that Pigeon Forge has some of the best moonshine in the entire area? It’ll be a cardinal sin if you don’t try or at least bring back Tennessee Whiskey as a souvenir.

For the best experience, we recommend going down to Ole Smoky Moonshine or Junction 35 Spirits. The latter has some of the best local variety of moonshine, including handcrafted cocktails, best served with delicious comfort foods like grits or barbeque nachos. Our recommendation? The kitschy Bubbletini is a bomb of flavor made with a fruity vodka martini and a smoke bubble on top.

6. Grilled Delights of Pigeon Forge:

All the great places to eat in Pigeon Forge aren’t located on the main street but tucked away in little corners of the town. If you want a true “grilled food” experience, we recommend soaking your taste buds with a little grilled surf-and-turf and juicy steak at the Bullfish Grill. You can’t really resist the local favorite – eggs with well-seasoned flame-grilled salmon and hand-cut sirloin. Pigeon Forge is up to the brim with staple grilled dishes from traditional to contemporary ones. Note it now, but you really shouldn’t miss Pigeon Forge Deli’s grilled cheese sandwich, Bullfish Grill’s chargrilled oysters, and the Park Grill’s New York strip.

7. Traditional Southern Steakes:

Is there any place better to eat steaks than in Tennessee? And if you specifically want the juiciest and most seasoned ones, Pigeon Forge is your stop. Hand-cut steaks are a Pigeon Forge staple, and you’ll find the best ones in family-owned restaurants hidden from plain sight. If you simply love the smell of burnt wood and charcoal, the porterhouse steak at The Appalachian is your go-to place. You’ll find it all in this town, whether it’s aged steak, hand-cut ribeye, country-fried or traditional American. However, we want you to have the absolute best taste of Pigeon Forge, so the recommended steak dish is *drum rolls* the Tennessee T-Rex served at J.T. Hannah’s Kitchen. The hand-cut grilled 12 oz ribeye is a banger when served with sautéed mushrooms, peppers, and onions.

8. Wrap It Up With Huck’s Catfish:

Looking for the absolute best seafood delicacies? Try Huck Finn’s Catfish, a family-owned restaurant sitting at the heart of Pigeon Forge and serving the best seafood menu in town. The restaurant specializes in all sorts of country-fried steaks, shrimp, catfish, grilled chicken, and tons of side dishes. Ol’ Miss Fried Catfish is a local favorite from the restaurant, which includes fish fillets wrapped in the restaurant’s secret cornmeal mixture and served with the best seasoning. Apart from their scrumptious a-la-carte menu, Huck Finn’s all-you-can-eat dinners are worth killing for where you can eat all the catfish and chicken in the world.

Conclusion:

Pigeon Forge is more than just a tourist attraction. Its rich culture, people, and cuisine offer mind-blowing experiences, especially if you go for everything local. As for the food, Pigeon Forge’s culinary variety will make you want to come here again and again. Just let down your guard and flow with the tastes of local dining that will probably come with a gigantic glass of beer or some great old wine!