Paula Deen's Family Kitchen at The Island in Pigeon Forge TN | An Honest Review

I visited Paula Deen's Family Kitchen at The Island in Pigeon Forge, TN to to try some southern comfort food and experience the hospitality that Paula Deen is famous for!
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As we step into Paula Deen's Family Kitchen, you can immediately feel the warm and welcoming atmosphere. The restaurant is located at The Island, a popular entertainment complex in Pigeon Forge, TN, known for its lively atmosphere and attractions. The Island is one of the hidden gems of Pigeon Forge and an absolute must see when you're visiting!
Now, about the food. Paula Deen's Family Kitchen offers a selection of classic southern dishes, from fried chicken and collard greens to biscuits and gravy. Each meal is served family-style, so you can share the experience with your loved ones and sample a little bit of everything. The question I'll answer today though - is it any good? So come with me as we dive into the menu and experience of Paula Deen's Family Kitchen at The Island in Pigeon Forge, TN.
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[@VisitingGatlinburg-PigeonForge]

Discover the top 5 mistakes families make when planning their trip to Pigeon Forge: get.shangrilaviews.com/mistakes-to-avoid/

[@deborabagby4477]

My husband and I went when they first opened. They gave us the light up thing, we waited forever, it was fairly new and at a high traffic time. So after about 45 minutes, the lights started blinking, and we got excited. Went to the desk, and they sent us to the elevator. The door opened, and then we realized we were at a second waiting area. At that time, I did not remember escalators, and there was no seating anywhere for anyone. So after another 20-minute wait, we were finally seated in a 2 seated booth, and there were 4 people seated in a booth just a little lower than us, but we could hear them talking. When the waitress finally came, at least it was just us 2, so we pretty much agreed on the same items. They had our same waitress since there were 4 of them they had to agree on the same item's, you could tell that was uncomfortable for them. So you could not order just for each couple you had to order for the whole table. So we received our food, I couldn't agree more with you they potatoes were awful. we asked for butter by the time we got the butter. The potatoes were cold. It was the blandist food we every ate it was awful. We, too, only ordered an additional order of chicken asking for a thigh and a breast. We got a thigh and a leg, and some vegetables. The dessert that was told to us before we ordered dinner. They were out of it, so we got some kind of pudding with a dab of whipped topping on it. It was one of the worst meals, especially the cost for the type of food we ate at the Peddler cost twice the price but totally worth it. The 4 people below us were almost comical. They reordered the chicken, and they brought them 3 pieces for 4 people, I heard one of the women say well who doesn't eat this time! It was really awkward for them. When the waitress came back now, all they reordered was the chicken. They brought them pudding, too. Then she said, "Here's your ticket when you're ready." The ladies were mad, and the men said this was over a hundred dollars, and we are stopping at McDonald's to get something to eat. I am sure they were like us. They made 2 trips, their 1st and their last! There have been mixed reviews from our friends 75% dislike it and will never go back, and 25% thought it was great! I am glad to see 👀 a newer post that feels the same way as we did. Because we won't give it a second chance now and waste more money! I appreciate your honesty, and I am clicked to follow you now! Thank you! Yes, the island is a very unique place. We love it! ❤

[@VisitingGatlinburg-PigeonForge]

Oh wow! Thanks for sharing your experience and the follow - that means the world! I totally understand how opening week might be a little crazy for the staff, but I don't think the quality of the food has improved much since then unfortunately. 😕 I wonder who ended up at the table next to you going without the chicken? 🤣

[@MEw650]

I was actually glad to hear your review, as my husband and I felt exactly the same way. I’ve heard from so many about how great it is, but that just wasn’t our experience. We were somewhat disappointed in the food. Like you said, the view was great, but I think we overpaid for our food, considering it was just “okay.” My husband says I cook better than what we got any day of the week.

[@VisitingGatlinburg-PigeonForge]

Lucky husband!!! Thanks for sharing your experience!

[@myawalker3026]

I went about 8 yrs ago and I loved it. The chicken reminded me of my momma’s and the ooey gooey cake was to die for! I’m going back soon and I hope it’s still the same

[@VisitingGatlinburg-PigeonForge]

I hope so too!!! Thanks so much for sharing your experience!!!

[@kevinlee6245]

I totally agree with your review.

[@VisitingGatlinburg-PigeonForge]

Thanks Kevin! Glad I'm not the only one. LOL! I honestly wished the food had been a little better when I visited...

[@derekk6906]

We always enjoy Paula Deens Restaurant. People need to realize, Restaurants are like music, just because a KZbin Vlogger doesn’t like a particular Pizza Joint or Restaurant doesn’t mean the Restaurant is terrible and should be avoided. Everyone has different tastes and expectations. I do really like this channel but others may have a different opinion….See how that works? lol.

[@VisitingGatlinburg-PigeonForge]

😂 - great example… and an awesome perspective!!! Thanks so much for sharing your experience! It’s so true that you can’t let one persons experience from one visit to a restauarant decide for you!

[@marebear2027]

We have been to this location several times and we have always had a great experience and enjoyed the food so much 🤗 definitely have some fun memories made there😊

[@VisitingGatlinburg-PigeonForge]

That's so awesome! It's totally possible I caught them during an off night. I went in February... so there's not many people and I think restaurants will usually do lots of training during the "down" time. Maybe I just went on a bad night?

[@lauriepoole6353]

It wasn’t that great to us either! Very overrated, the food was not that great, one of our sides we got broccoli casserole, it was terrible, they used large stalks of broccoli and wasn’t cooked all the way! We also tried her Nashville location and it was the same! I really like Paula Deen but not going back to her restaurants, and we thought it was overpriced as well.

[@VisitingGatlinburg-PigeonForge]

I'm sorry to hear that. It's interesting because I think restaurants like Paula Deen's have to overcome most people's most nostalgic memories of what their families country cooking was like growing up _just to meet_ expectations. I don't know about you... but I still haven't had gravy made better than my mom's gravy. 😋

[@dorannlatarski6234]

Food wasn’t bad and thought the price was good for what you got! The dressing on the salad was delicious, we liked the fried chicken and chicken fried steak. We didn’t go to Paula Deen’s for a healthy dinner, so it was what we expected it would be. We have been twice and both times had to take our dessert home with us and the biscuits were great!!

[@VisitingGatlinburg-PigeonForge]

So awesome!!! ❤️ I'm glad to hear you had such a great experience! I totally could have just been there during an off night! It's great for people to hear not every visit is disappointing!!!

[@karlgoethe2961]

I agree with what you said about the food. I am from Savannah where her original restaurant (The Lady and Sons) is. It used to be phenomenal!! We tried here store in Branson in '19 and then at the Island in '22 and, while the food was good, it just didn't blow us away like it did in the '90s in Savannah.

[@VisitingGatlinburg-PigeonForge]

That's interesting! My family always wanted to try the one years ago in Savannah - we heard for years how amazing it was. That's why I was so surprised at my experience at the one here in Pigeon Forge.

[@user-qn5tq4jy6w]

Enjoyed your review. My wife and I have eaten at Paula Deen's several times. I agree that the atmosphere is fun and enjoyable. Honestly, we have never had bland food there . We have tried most of the options and of course have our favorites. Value wise, we think it may be slightly over priced, but it hasn't deterred us from return visits.

[@VisitingGatlinburg-PigeonForge]

Thank you so much for sharing!!! It’s great to hear from people who have had great experiences!

[@munchyroadhippopotamus]

Thanks for the review, it's very probably still on the list for us just becasue it's Paula Deen's and we feel like we should "do" it but it's not as high as it was. The view may sway us though!

[@VisitingGatlinburg-PigeonForge]

Yeah - the view is killer! 🙌 When you go let me know what you think! You may have a much better experience than I did!

[@zabajart]

I wonder if they do not allow large purses or bags in the restaurant for those that may want to sneak some out, and if not wondering what they do with the leftovers ?

[@VisitingGatlinburg-PigeonForge]

That's a good question. I actually dont think they have a bag policy. Guess you could fill up a purse with some fried okra if you wanted too. 🤣 I will say that's probably the worst part about the "no to-go" policy... I'm sure there's more food that gets wasted than normal. My family almost aways takes food home from a restaurant. Especially my younger boys.

[@edithroberts8959]

I agree with your review

[@VisitingGatlinburg-PigeonForge]

Thanks so much for your feedback!

[@worldtraveler3044]

Yeah, ours here in Savannah used to be way better when it was an actual buffet, but now it’s the family style model which is just fast food. We don’t go anymore & notice it’s usually empty.

[@VisitingGatlinburg-PigeonForge]

That’s so interesting! I remember members of my family ALWAYS wanting to go to the one in Savannah when we were passing through… but the wait line was always CRAZY long! I guess they’ve switched to this model for all their reataurants.

[@mandimarlow9271]

I have been to the one in Myrtle Beach multiple times! For us, we loved it. We were able to get multiple choices for dinner (mains and sides) and are able to satisfy different tastes. It is nice for my son who is super picky, he could get refills on what he wanted. I love the biscuits, fried chicken, ribs, pot roast, poppy seed salad, mashed potatoes, corn, green beans oh and the dessert!!!!! Is it gourmet? No. Is it mom and pop? No. But at the beach it isn't worth it for us to go to a buffet (not big seafood people) so the price at buffets are extremely expensive. This gives us the feel of choices of a buffet without the stuff we wouldn't eat.

[@VisitingGatlinburg-PigeonForge]

That's such great feedback! Thank you so much for taking the time to share! It's important for people to know if another location is worth going to... or what situations going to Paula Deen's would make a lot of sense!

[@vitsteele-lz2hn]

Enjoy

[@VisitingGatlinburg-PigeonForge]

Thank you!

[@heartofjesusdj]

My husband and I went to The Lady and Sons in Savannah years ago and it was very good. I can’t comment on the other restaurants.

[@VisitingGatlinburg-PigeonForge]

That’s awesome! Thank you for sharing your experience! I’m glad it was great for you guys!

[@user-jy6jx1cz1q]

We were at The Island location in April and left very disappointed. Had better meals at lesser known places. First the food was cold. The Mac n cheese was tasteless and the pot roast was so salty we couldn’t eat it. We also saw people taking dessert to go so asked our waitress for this as well. She very rudely said she’d have to take our food away before giving the dessert to us. Then came back and threw the bag on the table. I guess they’re worried about people stashing the food in the dessert bag which was knotted. Never again. I guess my expectations were too high.

[@VisitingGatlinburg-PigeonForge]

How interesting! Never would have thought about taking food home in the desert bag. 😂

[@kellispreppingkitchen]

I agree. It was a fun but gimmicky, one time experience but the food was sub par. If the food tasted better, it would be worth the per person price but because the food was bland, it was like going to Golden Corral in my opinion. I did like the butter cake though for dessert but there are definitely way better restaurants in Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge area. Thank you for video.

[@VisitingGatlinburg-PigeonForge]

You're so welcome!!!

[@VisitingGatlinburg-PigeonForge]

Think I was too harsh or spot on? Lemme know! 👇❤

[@deborabagby4477]

No, not at all. Read my post!

[@DSJ72]

I’m with you… her food seemed pretty basic to the restaurants in the other restaurants there. I would think she would be serving different food other than mashed potatoes, fried chicken, etc.

[@VisitingGatlinburg-PigeonForge]

Right?!? I was kinda expecting dishes I would have drooled over watching her show...

[@patriciap8323]

I’ve heard the food isn’t the best, consistently, so I wasn’t surprised. Looks like a lot of ultra processed food which isn’t the best for health.❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@VisitingGatlinburg-PigeonForge]

Thanks for the feedback! Yeah - the food definitely wasn't the healthiest. 😂 It would have been a lot different had the ingredients been a little fresher.

[@jeffk5386]

I ate at the Paula Deen‘s in Branson, Missouri. I too felt it was overrated. The food was bland. The best part was the dessert they started out, giving our food to the wrong table behind us and the couple started eating it not saying anything we kind of figured out what they did. I guess the couple got their meal comped. We are on the other hand, waited and waited for our food. I felt they should’ve comped us too. Probably won’t go there again.

[@VisitingGatlinburg-PigeonForge]

Oh no! That's awful! I'm sorry to hear it wasn't better in Branson!

[@janasheets890]

Loved the gift shop! The food was mediocre to poor. Not worth the price when there are so many other amazing restaurants. We are glad we did it, but we wouldn't do it again.

[@VisitingGatlinburg-PigeonForge]

That’s the rub! There’s so many great option in Pigeon Forge…

[@zabajart]

We have one in Savannah and found it overrated, A lot of food that was not all that great and probably unhealthy to much breading , flour etc…

[@VisitingGatlinburg-PigeonForge]

Yeah, I think it's really tough for a lot of "celebrity restaurants" to live up to the expectations that most have of them. That being said - I thought the food was ok. It's not bad... just not what I was hoping for!

[@JP-js4gx]

I liked it when we went but we just did the little buffett they had upstairs, her peach cobbler was yum yum! Still got a stick of butter magnet somewhere!

[@VisitingGatlinburg-PigeonForge]

Oooo…. I love peach cobbler!

[@pattyhosea9068]

Your review sounds on point. Same in Savannah at Lady and Sons. The family style buffet was bland Too many $$$ for the food. Off the menu was better but still too expensive. I’d rather eat local

[@VisitingGatlinburg-PigeonForge]

Thank you so much for watching! I wish I could have tried the Savannah location back in the day. I heard it used to have lines out the door all the way down the street!

[@pattyhosea9068]

@@VisitingGatlinburg-PigeonForge . It did. Order off the menu and not buffet if you get there

[@laurapereiramalone5257]

I didn’t know it’s was priced that way, I couldn’t even go with my husband... because I don’t even finish a child’s portion..I mean so far Dollywood dinning would be better.. he can go to buffet and I can grab a baked potato.. or just drink my shake... thanks for sharing

[@VisitingGatlinburg-PigeonForge]

Yeah - I was surprised too when I found out it was family style servings. Thank you so much for watching!!! ❤️

[@deborabagby4477]

I heard the buffet at Dollywood Dreammore has been turned into buffet style? Does anyone know for sure? I heard this about 2 months ago?

[@ashleydurham7397]

Can’t even finish a child’s portion lol… sure Jan. 😂😂

[@lorin9532]

I agree with you. The food was bland. And much better food someplace else.. I just like to go in the store when we’re there

[@VisitingGatlinburg-PigeonForge]

The store is awesome! I love to cook for the family so it was fun to browse around.

[@lynnepoole3105]

I like the breakfast at this restaurant the best. Some Paula Deen's do not offer breakfast.

[@VisitingGatlinburg-PigeonForge]

No way! Breakfast sounds amazing. I just looked it up. It looks like this Paula Deens serves breakfast until 10:15am.

[@debraphillips8399]

We went not long after it opened. We waited for two hours to get in and then were disappointed. I love Paula Deen but don’t care for the restaurant. Plus, it was very expensive. We won’t go back.

[@VisitingGatlinburg-PigeonForge]

I was hoping for more too! Must have been even tougher waiting for a few hours to just get a table 😢

[@debraphillips8399]

@@VisitingGatlinburg-PigeonForge It surely was!

[@zoesullivan385]

There are much better family style restaurants in town that actually taste good. Everything we asked for tasted like pure garlic. I'm born and raised in the south and our home cooking tasted like food and not chewing a mouthful of garlic.

[@VisitingGatlinburg-PigeonForge]

Right! I didn’t have anything that was overly garlic when I went… but I was hoping for something that was better or at least the same as my family’s nostalgic southern cooking… but it ended up being more like really really good fast food.

[@aregusters]

We went here a couple of years ago. The food was horrible. And, the service was very mediocre. There are a thousand places (including my kitchen) that has better southern cooking. DON'T WASTE YOUR MONEY!

[@VisitingGatlinburg-PigeonForge]

Thanks for sharing your experience!

[@garygardner1321]

Take your hat off at the table. Weren't you taught any better?

[@VisitingGatlinburg-PigeonForge]

Hey Gary! Thanks so much for tuning into the video and sharing your thoughts. We really appreciate the support and the time you took to engage with our content. It's interesting to hear different perspectives on things like table etiquette. Every bit of feedback helps us grow and improve. Hope you found other aspects of the video enjoyable too! 😊

[@joannelarose8198]

They all wear hats!

[@VisitingGatlinburg-PigeonForge]

I do love my hats!

[@paulachannell4296]

Paula's restaurant s are a Major rip off, 😢

[@VisitingGatlinburg-PigeonForge]

I've always heard the one in Savannah was good though!

[@joannelarose8198]

So they waste food.

[@VisitingGatlinburg-PigeonForge]

Unfortunately I would think they do. 😕

[@paulachannell4296]

Absolutely

[@patriciafreeman2822]

Geeze you didn't show us you eating the actual food, what a wasted video

[@VisitingGatlinburg-PigeonForge]

Oh, that’s interesting. I didn’t think anyone would want to watch a video of me eating. 🙃 do you mean you want to see me take a bite and share the reaction? That actually is a good idea! I’ll do that in next video.

[@patriciafreeman2822]

With Mukbangs people love watching you actually eat the food and watching your facial expressions as you're eating. You also will get more views when you're eating keep it at the same normal rate, don't fast speed the tape, that gets to be annoying. I admit I'm nosey and I want to see the entire experience of you eating at the restaurant or even if you do a car Mukbang

[@VisitingGatlinburg-PigeonForge]

Thanks for the feedback! I had to look up what a Mukbang was. I had no idea! Thanks again for watching!

[@patriciafreeman2822]

Your great reviews of the restaurant atmosphere and surrounding area, along with people actually watching you eat the food, your views are going to skyrocket through the roof.