About Five Guys
Five Guys on the Pigeon Forge Parkway is the chain's burger-and-fries counter for visitors who want a fast meal they already know. It is not a local original, and it does not pretend to be, but it is a dependable stop on a strip where lines at sit-down restaurants can stretch past an hour on weekends.
What you order
The menu is short. Burgers are made to order and come as a double patty unless you ask for a "little" one, and you choose from a long list of free toppings. Fries are cut fresh from potatoes and cooked in peanut oil, and the portions are large enough that many tables split one order. Hot dogs and grilled cheese are available for anyone who does not want beef. Because the burgers are cooked through, expect a short wait at the counter while your number comes up.
There are free roasted peanuts in the shell at the door, and the shells end up on the floor, so wear shoes you do not mind. The peanut oil is worth knowing about if anyone in your group has a peanut allergy, so ask staff about it before you order.
Where it fits in a Pigeon Forge day
Pigeon Forge's Parkway is a long strip, and the traffic crawl between Dollywood and the outlets can be slow. A counter-service stop like this one lets a family refuel without committing to a two-hour meal. Pair it with a morning at the Island, a round of mini golf, or an early dinner before a dinner show. The restaurant is on the Parkway itself, and the city's Fun Time Trolley runs along the same road if you want to leave the car at your lodging.
Practical notes
- Counter service, no reservations needed.
- Prices are in the single-dollar-sign range for the Parkway, though a burger, fries and a drink for a family of four can still add up.
- Phone and hours vary by season, so check the chain's restaurant locator before you go.
- Weekend lunch and early dinner are the busiest times. Arriving at 4:30 or 5 p.m. usually means a shorter line.
For hikers and day-trippers
If you are driving back from the national park on a Friday or Saturday evening, expect the Parkway to be heavy with traffic and the restaurants full. A quick order here can get a hungry group fed in under half an hour at an off-peak time, which is hard to say for most sit-down restaurants in the area.
Gluten-free and vegetarian guests can build a bowl or a lettuce-wrapped burger, and the toppings bar is generous. For something distinctly Smoky Mountain, the pancake houses, barbecue joints and country buffets nearby are the better choice, but for a no-surprises burger, this one does the job.
Good to know
- What kind of food does Five Guys serve?
- Burgers, Fries. It’s known for cheeseburger and fresh-cut fries.
