This All-You-Can-Eat Southern Restaurant Has People Crossing Tennessee For A Table
Ready to loosen your belt a notch and lean into true Southern comfort? Paula Deen’s Family Kitchen in Pigeon Forge serves bottomless classics with a view over The Island that makes every bite feel like a vacation. You order for the table, then the refills keep coming until you say when.
If you love crispy fried chicken, ooey gooey desserts, and lively service, this spot is worth crossing Tennessee for.
1. Why Everyone Crosses The State For This Table
When you sit down at Paula Deen’s Family Kitchen, you are signing up for all you can eat, family style. That means choosing a lineup of hearty mains and classic sides, then letting the refills roll as long as you want. It feels festive, like a Sunday dinner with extra helpings guaranteed.
Located at 131 The Island Dr, the upstairs dining room overlooks the dancing fountain and Great Smoky Mountain scenery. Service moves quickly once you are seated, and the staff is friendly and upbeat. Expect a wait during peak times, but the downstairs gift shop and views help the minutes pass.
The price lands midrange, and the quantity makes it feel like a win. Bring your appetite.
2. The Can’t Miss Southern Staples
The menu leans into comfort legends. Fried chicken is a crowd favorite with crackly skin, while chicken and dumplings bring spoonable nostalgia. Many praise the fried fish and garlicky starter bread, and there is always a pitcher of sweet tea nearby.
Sides rotate from creamed corn and green beans to mac and cheese and creamed potatoes. Portions arrive in shared bowls, encouraging you to taste everything and call for refills when a favorite runs low. It is simple, straightforward, and satisfying.
Dessert is part of the ritual, with the famed ooey gooey butter cake stealing the spotlight. Some bites can run salty for certain palates, but overall, this is classic, feel good food that warms the table.
3. Breakfast Worth Setting An Alarm For
Arrive when doors open at 8 AM and you will find breakfast that locals rave about. French toast gets frequent love, while chicken and waffles, breakfast casserole, and crispy potatoes round out the morning lineup. The format remains family style, so everyone can dig in without food envy.
Sweet and savory plates arrive hot and generously portioned, with refills available if your table falls for something. Coffee flows, and the windows brighten the second floor with mountain morning light. It is a slower, happier start than a grab and go line.
Weekends fill fast, so reservations help. If you like beginning a Smokies day stuffed and smiling, this breakfast delivers simple joy on repeat and sets a comfortable tone for the rest of your plans.
4. Make The Most Of The Wait
Lines happen, especially on weekends and holidays. Thankfully, the entrance level doubles as a gift shop packed with Paula Deen cookbooks, candles, kitchenware, and quirky photo props. You can browse, sniff a few scents, and pick a souvenir while waiting for the text to head upstairs.
The Island itself is entertainment. Watch the fountain, peek at the Ferris wheel, or stroll nearby boutiques. The point is to relax, because the meal is unhurried and generous once you are seated.
Pro tip: use the restroom downstairs before moving up, since facilities below are tighter and the dining level gets busy. Your table will be ready soon, and once you sit, refills, friendly banter, and panoramic views carry the show.
5. Service, Vibes, And Views
Part of the draw is the upstairs view across The Island, from the dancing fountain to the Ferris wheel. Big windows flood the room with light, giving the feel of a perch above the action. It is cheerful, clean, and perfect for families or groups.
Servers tend to be upbeat and quick with refills, and some become local legends. You will likely trade tips with neighboring tables about favorite sides or desserts. It is that sort of place.
Service can lag during surges, so patience helps. Staff works hard to keep the bowls coming, and when the rhythm clicks, the experience feels like an old school Sunday supper with modern polish. Comfortable, hearty, and happily social from start to finish.
6. Know Before You Go
Hours run 8 AM to 9 PM most days, stretching to 10 PM on Friday and Saturday. Expect $$ pricing and bottomless refills that make larger parties a good value. Reservations cut down peak waits, and you will receive a text when it is time to head upstairs.
Use the address 131 The Island Dr #8101, Pigeon Forge. The phone is +1 865-366-1510, and the website lists current menus. Parking is plentiful around The Island, with easy tram access.
Plan for crowds during holidays. If someone in your group has accessibility needs, note the friendly staff and escalator access. Bring a hearty appetite, share generously, and budget time to shop downstairs before or after you feast.
7. What To Order First
If you are new, start classic. Pick fried chicken, chicken and dumplings, and fried fish to cover crispy, cozy, and flaky. For sides, order creamed corn, green beans, mac and cheese, and creamed potatoes.
It is a comforting spread, and you can refine on the second round.
Watch your table’s favorites disappear first and request refills there. Leave room for ooey gooey butter cake or caramel cake because dessert seals the memory. Sweet tea or fruit lemonades add a refreshing counterpoint.
Not every dish hits every palate, and some report saltier bites, but variety wins. The joy is mixing and matching until your crew finds its rhythm. Keep it simple, share freely, and enjoy the bottomless promise.
