Local Goat - New American Restaurant

Burgers and sandwiches are cooked with more care than the format usually gets, and the entrees lean on regional produce and proteins. The farm-to-table idea shapes what is on the plate, so the menu moves with the seasons. Prices are in the middle of the Pigeon Forge range, in line with most sit-down restaurants on the strip.

If you have been eating at buffets and chains all week, a table here is a change of pace without the cost of a special-occasion dinner. It works after a day hike in the national park, and it works for a dinner out that is nicer than the usual Parkway default.

Local Goat lists daily hours of 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., and a happy hour runs every day from 3 to 6 p.m. Reservations are required for parties larger than eight. The phone number is (865) 366-3035, and the restaurant's website is local-goat.com. Confirm hours by phone around holidays and in winter.

The 2100 block of the Parkway is in the main stretch of Pigeon Forge, which means heavy traffic on summer weekends and during October. Parking at the restaurant can be tight at dinnertime. If you are staying along the strip, the Fun Time Trolley is $1 a ride and can save you the search; the city's trolley page lists routes.

• The happy hour is the easiest way to try the restaurant at a lower cost. Go between 3 and 6 p.m. and ask what is on the happy hour menu.
• If your group is large, call ahead; a party of nine or more needs a reservation.
• Ask your server what is local and seasonal that day. The kitchen's supply changes, and the best dishes may not be the permanent ones.
• Dinner on Friday and Saturday is the busy time. Arrive before 6 p.m. or after 8 p.m. for a shorter wait.
• Kids are welcome, though the room is aimed at adults and older children.

Local Goat gives you a change from the usual Parkway dining. It is not a fine-dining destination, and it does not need to be. A good burger, a craft sandwich or an entree made with ingredients from nearby farms is a solid dinner after a day in the Smokies.

If you also plan time in the national park, remember the parking tag ($5 daily, $15 weekly, $40 annual) is required for any vehicle parked longer than 15 minutes; see the NPS fees page.