Top 5 Restaurants in Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge for a Quick Meal
When you’re in town for a tournament at Rocky Top Sports World, you’ll definitely want to try some of the wonderful restaurants in Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge! With everything from traditional Southern eateries to pizza joints, you’re guaranteed to find a restaurant that you love in the Smoky Mountains.
Of course, we are well aware that athletes and their families are often on a tight schedule during their visit to Gatlinburg. To help you make the most of your time in the Smokies, we have put together a guide to five restaurants in the area that are perfect for a quick and delicious meal.
1. Fannie Farkle’s
Located in the heart of downtown Gatlinburg, Fannie Farkle’s is famous for its country fair-style food. Popular menu items include the all-beef hot dogs, sausage subs, cheesesteaks, and their legendary Ogle Dogs (hand-dipped footlong corndogs). All of the food at Fannie Farkle’s is served from a window facing the Parkway, which makes this eatery ideal for a quick snack when you’re walking The Strip. If you do have some time on your hands, be sure to head inside to play Fannie Farkle’s awesome arcade games!
2. J.O.E. and Pop’s Sub Shoppe
J.O.E. and Pop’s Sub Shoppe is another one of our favorite restaurants in Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge. This superb sandwich spot has developed a loyal following for its tasty subs, which can be ordered cold, toasted, or steamed. Standout sandwiches at J.O.E. and Pop’s include the Reuben, Buffalo Chicken Sandwich, Italian Sub, and the Tuna Salad Sub. Depending on how hungry you are, you can order a regular “J.O.E.” sub or a large “Pop” sub.
3. Mama’s Chicken Kitchen
Sharing a building with J.O.E. and Pop’s Sub Shoppe, Mama’s Chicken Kitchen is a fantastic option for a quick lunch or dinner. Inspired by the dishes prepared by the Johnson family’s great-grandmother (a.k.a. “Mama”), this restaurant serves mouthwatering fried chicken and all of your favorite Southern sides. When you need to feed the whole family in a hurry, nothing beats a big bucket of fried chicken!
4. CiCis
CiCis in Gatlinburg is always a crowd-pleaser! This fun buffet offers all-you-can-eat pizza, pasta, salad, and dessert for extremely reasonable prices. Guests will find a wide variety of pizza toppings, with everything from Ham & Cheddar to Mac & Cheese in the mix. Make sure you try some of CiCi’s irresistible cinnamon rolls when you visit!
5. Golden Corral
The Golden Corral in Pigeon Forge never disappoints. This epic buffet features over 150 made-from-scratch items, including steak, meatloaf, fajitas, flatbread, ham, chicken, and just about anything else you can think of. After a full day on the court or the field, Golden Corral is the perfect place to replenish your energy for tomorrow.
On-Site Dining at Rocky Top Sports World
In addition to all of the excellent restaurants in Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge profiled above, athletes and their families can also take advantage of the great on-site dining options at Rocky Top Sports World. Our Champs Grill and Courtside Cafe offer all of the classic foods you would expect at a sporting event, including hamburgers, hot dogs, chicken tenders, french fries, and tater tots. Rocky Top Sports World also offers healthy catered lunches that you can preorder for your youth sports team.
About Rocky Top Sports World
Situated minutes away from downtown Gatlinburg, Rocky Top Sports World is one of the very best tournament destinations in the U.S. With seven fields, six basketball courts, 12 volleyball courts, and team rooms, our 80-acre athletic campus has everything you need for an unforgettable sports event. To see a complete list of our upcoming tournaments, browse the Rocky Top Sports World Events Calendar!
