Bennett's Pit Bar-B-Que

Bennett's Pit Bar-B-Que sits on the Parkway in the middle of Pigeon Forge, turning out hickory-smoked meats in a meat-and-three format that suits families, groups and anyone who has spent the day at the outlets or in the Smokies. Beyond the pulled pork and ribs there is a salad bar with soup included, which is unusual for a barbecue house, plus appetizers like the deep-fried deviled eggs.

The thing visitors bring up first is size: plates arrive large enough that many reviewers suggest splitting one meal between two people, and few leave hungry. Sauce comes on the side rather than poured over the meat, and several diners single out the cheese squares and the iced tea among the sides. Staff get credit for being accommodating, with one party naming their server as the reason they planned to come back. Opinions on the meat itself split, with the chopped pork sandwich drawing the steadiest praise.

Doors open at 11 AM every day, with the kitchen running until 9 PM Sunday through Wednesday and until 10 PM Thursday through Saturday. Prices land in the moderate range, and service members are offered a generous military discount. Allow about an hour for a full meal; call (865) 429-2200 or check the official website for current hours, online ordering and daily specials that are not always posted.

Weekday lunch is the calmest stretch and tends to bring the most attentive service. The honest caution is that brisket and ribs draw the most mixed reports, with some diners finding them dry, and food occasionally arrives lukewarm rather than hot, so it is worth flagging to your server straight away.