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You’re on a family vacation and enjoying the exciting attractions in Pigeon Forge.  There’s so much to see and do in the Smoky Mountains, and there’s an adventure for kids and adults alike.  When hanger hits hard, you want to find a place to eat fast.  Some little ones (and adults, too!) may be picky eaters and it’s just easier to be able to go to one place and find food for everyone.  If this sounds daunting, fear not! Our handy restaurant guide for the best family friendly dining in the Smoky Mountains is just what you need to help keep the hunger pangs at bay and keep the peace on your vacation.  

Boy enthusiastically getting ready to eat a large stack of pancakes

Big Daddy’s Pizzeria

Nearly everyone loves pizza.  Big Daddy’s hits the spot with their extensive menu and toppings list.  Their 550-degree, wood-fire flame brick oven cooks up their fresh, handcrafted dough.  Without a single freezer on any of their premises, you’ll be sure to find a fresh and tasty meal for any member of the family. Big Daddy’s has three locations in Sevier County – Sevierville, Pigeon Forge, and Gatlinburg.  

Their menu features more than just pizzas, too!  For the adults in your group, salad choices include classics like a garden or house salad with homemade crostini.  Or, opt for the antipasto with pepperoni, ham, salami, provolone, mozzarella, olives, tomatoes, and mixed greens.  

If a sandwich is more your speed, check out The Primo – shaved prime rib with provolone, roasted red peppers, onions, mushrooms, tomatoes, and a creamy horseradish sauce.  A Cuban sandwich – with marinated roasted pork, black forest ham, swiss, pickles, and stone ground mustard is sure to hit the spot.

For a kid-friendly pizza you can order a personal kids’ pie for only $6.99.  With sauce, cheese, and one topping, this meal also comes with a drink and a cinnamon sugar donut for dessert.  Even the pickiest of kids will love this option!

If your family is ready for more excitement after a feast, be sure to check out Big Daddy’s Pigeon Forge location.  They have an arcade right on the property!  

Huck Finn’s Catfish

Huck Finn's CatfishIf your family loves southern style home cookin’, Huck Finn’s Catfish is the place you want to check out.  This family-owned and kid friendly restaurant in Pigeon Forge opened in 1995 and has been going strong since the beginning.  Huck Finn’s is famous for their all-you-can-eat catfish and chicken dinners. Their catfish is pond raised, grain fed, and from Mississippi.  The restaurant claims to serve more than 50 tons of boneless fillets every single year.

Menu items include frog legs, fried & grilled shrimp, chicken livers, fried chicken, and country fried steak.  Don’t forget the side items! Their All You Can Eat Vittles include scratch made white beans, fresh fries or mashed potatoes with gravy, coleslaw, and their signature famous hush puppies with pickles and onion slices.  Appetizers include fried gator tail, fried green tomatoes, and country fried bacon!

The kid’s menu includes catfish strips, popcorn shrimp, and chicken fingers and includes a free drink and sides.  Kids under 3 eat free (two free kids per paying adult)!

Located between traffic lights #6 & #7 in Pigeon Forge means you’re still close to all the things your family wants to do after a tasty meal. Be sure to check out their live music schedule, too! From 5-9 p.m. for much of the busy season Blake Robinson, a singer/songwriter, as been their main performer since 1999.  

Blue Moose Burgers and Wings

Burger and onion rings with chicken wings at Blue MooseBilled as Pigeon Forge’s only family sports grill, Blue Moose is a favorite among tourists and locals alike.  They’ve got 20 flat panel TVs meaning you won’t miss a minute of the big game, no matter which sport is your family’s favorite!

This casual restaurant is famous for jumbo chicken wings.  More than 16 flavors, ranging from dry to wet rubs, super mild and plain to the 5 pepper-rated atomic wings.  Get just one flavor or pick a family platter of 50 wings in up to 5 different flavors for everyone in your crew.  

If chicken wings aren’t your speed, don’t worry!  Blue Moose serves up plenty of other casual American-style food as well.  Tasty sandwiches on the menu include The Boss Hogg – a slow cooked BBQ pulled pork sandwich with coleslaw and pickles.  Blue Moose even offers up ¼ hot dogs – the Tennessee dog is smothered in chili, onions, coleslaw, and mustard. The Bad Dog is wrapped in bacon, deep fried, served with melted American cheese, mayonnaise, and caramelized onions.

Don’t forget to save room for dessert – the Mile High Peanut Butter Fudge Pie consists of rich vanilla bean ice cream, crunch peanut butter, and an Oreo cookie crust.  Topped with peanut butter cups, fudge, and caramel chocolate lattice. Your family will be stuffed to the brim with a satisfied sweet tooth!

Find Blue Moose on Teaster Lane in the shopping center behind Bullfish Grill.  

Frizzle Chicken Farmhouse Cafe

What exactly is Frizzle Chicken? Well, they just happen to a gentle, quiet, and docile breed of chicken.  Their unique feathers truly make them the superstar of the chicken coop.  These chickens are show-stoppers, and so is this special cafe.

More than 100 animatronic singing chickens are the reason your kids will love Frizzle Chicken Farmhouse Cafe! Their menu is absolutely packed with a variety of choices for breakfast and lunch.  A picky eater in the family is no problem here!

Breakfast favorites include pancake stacks in a variety of flavors, pan-fried egg dishes, and classic omelettes.  Of course, no southern breakfast would be complete without scratch-made biscuits.

A pulled pork sandwich, a triple stacked BLT, and a country fried steak sandwich round out the lunch menu.  Don’t forget to get the fried potatoes as a tasty side dish!

Frizzle Chicken Farmhouse Cafe opens at 7 a.m. and offers both breakfast and lunch until 11 a.m.  Lunch is served until 1 p.m. You can find this tasty eatery next to The Comedy Barn at 2785 Parkway in Pigeon Forge.  

Mel’s Diner

A Classic 50s Diner in Pigeon Forge serving great American-style food is a fun and retro place to grab a bite to eat while exploring the town.  And it’s easy on the wallet, too!

Mel’s Diner serves all the classic meals you’d see in any great American diner car – including serving breakfast all day long.  

If breakfast isn’t your thing, check out some of their original sandwiches, including Darlene’s Fried Bologna and Cheese, or the Elvis Country Club.  All sandwiches come with your choice of a side dish as well.

The real reason people love diner food is the home cookin’.  Mel’s Diner serves a classic Liver and Onions cooked to order, a Hamburger Steak with sauteed onions and brown gravy, and even Pot Roast – slow roasted to perfection for 16 hours to melt in your mouth.  

The kid’s menu includes classics like mac & cheese with fries, two breakfast options, hot dog and chicken tender meals.

Leave room for dessert!  The whole family can split Mel’s Famous Ultimate Banana Split, with 3 or 6 scoops of ice cream!

Open from 7 a.m. to midnight daily, Mel’s Diner is located just off traffic light #3 on Wears Valley Road and is one block from the Parkway.  

Mama’s Farmhouse

Famous for their family style meals and award winning biscuits, Mama’s Farmhouse is consistently known as the best country cookin’ in the Smoky Mountains.  Meals served up family style for breakfast, lunch, and dinner means the food never stops arriving at the table.  Each day of the week features a different main course meat, so make sure you double check the menu before you head over.  

Staples of Mama’s Farmhouse include their famous biscuits and fried chicken every single day.  Your table can choose four of their eight tasty side dishes to accompany your meal, which are also served up on an endless parade to your table.  

No southern meal would be completely without dessert.  Don’t forget to try their incredible banana pudding – ranked as one of the best in Tennessee!

Long wait for a meal?  No problem! Mama’s has a fun outdoor play area with checkers, cornhole, Connect Four, playhouses and more for the kids!  Burn off some energy and earn a few extra bites of tasty family style food.

Kids under 5 eat for free and children 6-12 eat for half of the adult price.  A family friendly meal in the Smoky Mountains has never been easier!

Mama’s Farmhouse is open 8a-11a for breakfast; 11a-3p for lunch, and 3p-9p for supper.  Find them at 208 Pickel Street, between stoplight #4 and #5 in Pigeon Forge.

Book Your Stay

Of course, if you want to stay in for the night, you’re in luck!   All of the cabins at American Patriot Getaways come with fully equipped kitchens to whip up a tasty and affordable meal for your family in no time at all.   Spend family time around the table together on your Smokies getaway.  Why not book your family a Gatlinburg Cabin with a hot tub and get your vacation in the mountains off to an amazing start? Check out all our amazing cabins over on our website and be sure to check our featured deals to make sure you’re getting the best possible price on your next trip!Paws N' Claws

Be sure to check out all of our vacation guides for planning your Smoky Mountain getaway.  You can also follow us on Facebook and Instagram for the latest area information!

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