If you’re planning a trip to Dollywood in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, don’t pass up on the food. We know – theme parks are about the rides and entertainment, but believe us when we say the grub at Dollywood will have you belting out “I Will Always Love You” after every bite. From classic Southern favorites with a twist to a three-pound slice of apple pie (yes, you read that right), these are the eight dishes to try during your visit to Dollywood.
1. Crispy Pork Rinds with Pimento Cheese
The first stop on your culinary adventure must be Granny Ogle’s Ham ‘n’ Beans in Craftsman’s Valley for the Crispy Pork Rinds with Pimento Cheese. The perfect on-the-go snack, Granny Ogle’s piles your plate high with fresh-fried pork rinds and a creamy pimento cheese dip that’s rich, tangy and oh-so-delicious. We’d happily work 9 to 5 for this tasty appetizer. After you’ve chowed down, check out some nearby attractions like the Blazing Fury, an indoor rollercoaster that will have you on the edge of your seat as you try to outrun a town fire.
2. Three-Pound Slice of Apple Pie
It’s time to loosen your belt a few notches and head to the Spotlight Bakery on Showstreet for the infamous three-pound slice of apple pie. Baked in a cast-iron skillet, this decadent pie is a delicious combination of buttery, flaky crust, sweet apples and cinnamon. If you’re feeling up for a challenge, order the entire pie that weighs in at a whopping 25 pounds! Plan to ask your family or friends for help carrying it to the car, though we’d recommend a forklift. While hanging out on Showstreet, check out the live bands at the gazebo or enjoy a gospel concert at the Showstreet Palace Theater.
3. Key Lime Pie Shake
If you need a perfect treat for a hot summer’s day, look no further than the Key Lime Pie Shake at Jukebox Junction’s Red’s Drive-In. A total blast from the past, this diner is rocking a 1950s vibe that will have you popping your collar and twirling in your poodle skirt. Of course, this shake is the star of the show – a thick and creamy mix of sweet and tart that tastes like a slice of pie in a cup. The diner also serves juicy burgers, salads and wraps. Nearby, check out the Rockin’ Roadway, where you can take a scenic drive in classic cars like a Corvette, Cadillac or Thunderbird.
4. Slow-Smoked Pork Shoulder
Considered some of the best barbecue in the Smokies, Miss Lillian’s Smokehouse cooks up fork-tender meats that will make your mouth water. Order the slow-smoked pork shoulder platter with all the fixings, from maple baked beans to coleslaw. You can even get the pork shoulder piled high on a baked potato. Afterward, check out the Tennessee Tornado, one of Dollywood’s thrill rides featuring a 128-foot drop at speeds of 70 mph (you may want to ride this BEFORE you stuff your face with barbecue).
5. Cheesesteak Sandwich
There’s cheesesteak sandwiches, and then there’s DOLLYWOOD’s cheesesteak sandwiches. Just follow your nose to Market Square BIG SKILLET® in Riverside Junction, where you’ll see steak, chicken, peppers and cheese cooked in front of onlookers in, you guessed it – a massive skillet. Piled into a toasted roll, this cheesesteak is tender, packed with flavor and will have you upping your pant size after just a few bites. Burn some calories while exploring the nearby shops featuring blown glass and home décor.
6. Massive Cinnamon Bread
Don’t take my man? More like, keep your filthy paws off my cinnamon bread, Jolene! This massive portion of world-famous cinnamon bread is baked fresh daily at The Grist Mill in Craftsman’s Valley. Easily enough for two (or three) people, you can dip this sweet treat in buttercream icing or Dollywood’s very own apple butter. Nearby, you can shop until you drop at Smokey Creek Leather or the Valley Forge Blacksmith.
7. Kettle Corn
You really can’t go wrong with kettle corn, and at Dollywood, this sweet and salty confection is popped daily and comes in a multitude of fun flavors, such as strawberry banana, cotton candy and caramel apple. Available at Country Cookers in Rivertown Junction, you can grab a bag to munch on before enjoying a show at the adjacent Back Porch Theater.
8. Loaded Potato Tornado
If you love potatoes, you haven’t lived until you’ve eaten the Loaded Potato Tornado at Market Square Potatoes. A triple threat of chopped bacon, queso sauce and scallions drizzled over a skewer of fried potatoes; this seasonal item rotates in and out throughout the year. Wash it down with a refreshing blue lemonade made from non-alcoholic blue curacao syrup and garnished with fresh blueberries.
