Fuddruckers

You order a burger at the counter, choose a patty size and a bun, then walk to the toppings bar to build it yourself. The bar usually offers lettuce, tomato, onion, pickles, relishes, jalapenos, sauces and cheese. That is the draw for families: picky eaters get exactly what they want, and big appetites can stack it as high as they like. The buns are baked in house at most locations, which is part of the brand's pitch. The menu also includes hot dogs, chicken sandwiches, fries and shakes.

A table with six different opinions can sit down together and everyone gets what they asked for. Kids tend to enjoy the toppings bar as an activity. Adults who want a plain burger can keep it simple, and anyone who wants a pile of jalapenos and three kinds of cheese can have that too. Counter service means there is no wait for a server.

Collier Drive is on the Sevierville side of the Pigeon Forge boundary. If you are staying in Pigeon Forge, the drive takes only a few minutes in light traffic. On summer and October weekends, traffic on the Parkway can slow that trip, so allow extra time. The phone number is (865) 453-2221, and the chain's website lists the current store details.

• Counter service; no reservations.
• Prices are in the two-dollar-sign range, which is standard for a sit-down burger in the area.
• Call ahead for hours, as the chain has been shrinking nationally and some stores adjust their schedules.
• Gluten-sensitive guests should ask about lettuce wraps, since the buns contain gluten.

This is a casual burger place, not a destination restaurant. If you want a Smoky Mountain meal with a local flavor, the pancake houses, barbecue restaurants and farm-style kitchens along the Parkway are better choices. If your group wants burgers that are cooked to order with a toppings bar to match, Fuddruckers fills that spot without a lot of fuss.