Fannie Farkle's

The name on the menu is the Ogle Dog, the house corn dog that gives the place its reputation. Beyond that, the kitchen serves all-beef hot dogs, cheesesteaks and sausage subs. This is quick, filling food that you eat with your hands, and it suits a family that wants to stay on the Parkway without a long sit-down dinner. Prices fall in the single-dollar-sign range for the strip, which is useful in a town where a table-service meal for four adds up fast.

The arcade is the other half of the draw. Games run on an electronic game card that tracks points automatically, so there are no paper tickets to lose. When you are done, you turn in the card at the counter and pick a prize from the selection there. The floor mixes classics such as skee-ball and Pac-Man with newer racing games, so there is something for every age. Set a budget before you walk in, since a card loaded for the whole family can disappear faster than you expect.

The shop is in the middle of the Parkway's busiest block, so foot traffic is heavy on summer evenings, holiday weekends and during the October color season. Mid-afternoon on a weekday is the easiest time for a short wait. Hours are not posted on the website, so call (865) 436-4057 or visit the Fannie Farkle's site before you plan a late-night stop.

Parking in Gatlinburg is the real headache. The city's garages charge a flat daily rate, and the free trolley runs along the Parkway, so many visitors park once and walk or ride. Our Gatlinburg guide covers the garage and trolley options.

• Counter service, so there is no wait for a table and no reservation to make.
• A good fit for a quick lunch between the Aquarium, the SkyLift or the shops along the Parkway.
• Young children will want to stay for the arcade, so build in extra time.
• For a sit-down meal after the arcade, the Parkway has dozens of full-service restaurants within a few blocks.

If you are hiking in the national park the same day, Fannie Farkle's makes an easy fuel stop on the way back into town, when everyone is hungry and nobody wants to wait for a table.