Puckett's Restaurant

Puckett's Restaurant sits on the Parkway in Pigeon Forge, pairing Tennessee-style smoked meats with Southern plate dinners and a regular live music schedule. The smoked meatloaf is the dish regulars keep returning for, and the shrimp and grits earn steady praise beside it. The room is casual and family-friendly, and it suits groups who want a big plate of food without a white-tablecloth setup, closer in feel to quick service than to a sit-down dining room.

Visitors single out the smoked meats and the sides, particularly the Cajun corn cake and the mac and cheese, and at least one vegetarian diner had good luck with the portobello mushroom burger. Service draws a lot of comment: one guest praised a server named Gary for exceptional attention, another was impressed when the counter staff recited a takeout order from memory, and managers are often seen working the dining room to check on tables. Opinions split on seasoning, with some finding dishes too spicy or too greasy, and holiday visits have brought slow kitchen times and uneven plates.

Hours run 11am to 9pm Sunday through Thursday and 11am to 10pm Friday and Saturday, at 2480 Parkway. Prices sit in the moderate range, though extra charges on many sides push the bill up faster than expected. The parking lot fills quickly after 5pm, especially on weekends, so arriving early cuts the wait. Call (865) 285-0155 about catering, which they handle for events including weddings, and check the website for the live music schedule before you go.

One tip: happy hour from 3-6pm Monday through Friday is the best-value window on the Parkway. One caution: the format is partly self-service, with diners getting their own drinks and tipping upfront, which catches some people off guard.