Five Oaks Farm Kitchen

Breakfast is the headline. The griddle cakes are thick, "ring baked" pancakes, and the morning menu also lists hearty skillet-style plates under the name Harvest Morning Bounty. Supper leans on fresh greens, soups, fried chicken and prime rib. The smokehouse side of the menu covers pork ribs, beef short ribs and pulled pork. The restaurant says it emphasizes fresh produce, quality beef and local pork, and it also sells raw mountain honey and ships country ham.

Portions are generous. A table of four can usually split a couple of sides and still leave with boxes, so order a little less than you think you need.

The dining room is rustic and built for groups, with plenty of communal-style seating, and there are two private dining rooms for larger parties, which makes it a practical choice for family reunions and church groups. It is busy during the October color season and on summer weekends. The restaurant uses a Google waitlist, so you can join the line from your phone before you arrive and avoid standing in the entry.

• Sunday through Thursday, 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.
• Friday and Saturday, 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.
• Holiday hours differ, so call 865-365-1008 before Thanksgiving, Christmas or New Year's.
• Menu and details are on the Five Oaks Farm Kitchen website.

Sevierville sits on the north end of the Parkway corridor, a few minutes past the Pigeon Forge city line. Coming from Dollywood or The Island in Pigeon Forge, follow US-441 north. From Gatlinburg, plan on a drive through Pigeon Forge traffic, which can be slow on weekends, so build in extra time.

Breakfast is the best time to avoid a wait, especially in summer and fall. If you want the prime rib, go for an early supper, since dinner rush on Friday and Saturday evenings is the busiest stretch of the week. The restaurant has its own parking lot.

The restaurant is the right pick for travelers who want a hearty, old-fashioned meal and are willing to pay mid-range prices for it. If you want a quick bite between attractions, the counters on the Parkway are faster. If you are visiting the national park the same day, a big breakfast here sets you up for a long hike, and the prime rib dinner is a good reward afterward.