About Paula Deen's Family Kitchen
Paula Deen's Family Kitchen is at 131 The Island Drive, Suite 8101, in Pigeon Forge, not in Gatlinburg as some restaurant roundups suggest. It is inside The Island complex, the waterfront entertainment district on the south end of Pigeon Forge, which is roughly six miles from downtown Gatlinburg. If you are based on the Gatlinburg strip, add fifteen to twenty minutes of Parkway driving each way.
Hours and contact, as of fall 2026
The location page lists breakfast from 8:00 to 10:15 a.m. Lunch and dinner run 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. The phone number is 865.366.1510. A lunch menu is offered from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
How the meal works
The restaurant serves a family-style meal: guests choose hearty Southern dishes and sides to share at the table, and every guest finishes with a dessert of their choice. The official site highlights Southern fried chicken, garlic butter biscuits, baked mac and cheese, Southern-style meatloaf, and a chocolate ooey gooey cake.
Reservations and the wait
The operator states that reservations are not accepted in Pigeon Forge. The company limits reservations per hour at its other locations to leave room for walk-ins, but in this city it is walk-in only. That means a dinner rush in summer or October can mean a wait. Try eating at a slightly odd hour: a late breakfast around 9:30 a.m. or an early dinner by 4:30 p.m. will usually beat the crowds that gather around 6:30 p.m.
Getting there and parking
The Island has its own large parking area, and the Pigeon Forge Fun Time Trolley stops in the area. Most routes are $1 a ride, with a $3 all-day pass, as of 2026. See mypigeonforge.com for route details. Because The Island also holds shops, a Ferris wheel and other attractions, plan to walk off dinner before you head back to your cabin.
Tips
- Skip a heavy lunch if you are coming for dinner. The family-style format means you will want room.
- A group of six or more can share several dishes and compare sides, which is the point of the format.
- If you are heading into Great Smoky Mountains National Park the next day, buy your parking tag online or at a visitor center first ($5 daily, $15 weekly, $40 annual, no federal passes). See the NPS fees page.
Who it suits
Families, reunions and larger groups who want a Southern meal without ordering from a long menu. It is a good fit for cautious eaters and for travelers who want a single stop for breakfast or dinner at The Island.
Good to know
- What kind of food does Paula Deen's Family Kitchen serve?
- Southern, Family Style. It’s known for southern fried chicken, garlic butter biscuits, baked mac and cheese.
- Does Paula Deen's Family Kitchen take reservations?
- Not accepted in Pigeon Forge. Call (865) 366-1510 to check.