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Paula Deen's Family Kitchen in Pigeon Forge

Paula Deen Is Coming to Pigeon Forge!

Have you heard the news? The famed chef and restaurateur, Paula Deen, recently announced that she will be opening up another of her delicious restaurants in the heart of the Smoky Mountains!

Slated to open April 2015, the new Paula Deen’s Family Kitchen will be located at The Island in Pigeon Forge. Have a dish you want to see on the menu? Let us know in the comments below!

Paula Deen’s Family Kitchen

As reported by the Fort Mills Times, the new $20 million Pigeon Forge restaurant will be called Paula Deen’s Family Kitchen. According to our math, this price tag makes it one of the highest invested restaurants in the area.

Paula Deen’s Pigeon Forge restaurant encompasses a total of 20,000 square feet, split between two levels. The downstairs level is dedicated completely to being a retail area, similar to the Paula Deen store in Gatlinburg.

Upstairs is where guests will find the huge dining area for the new Pigeon Forge restaurant. Not only can this area sit up to 300 guests at a time, every seat in the house has a clear view of The Island’s synchronized fountain show through the large glass windows that makeup and entire wall of the restaurant.

True fans of Paula Deen should be excited. Officials with the new Pigeon Forge restaurant say that the Southern chef, along with her two sons, plans to be heavily involved in the management and operation of the new eatery. This means that you have a really good chance of spotting Paula at her new restaurant when you and your family decide to visit.

Restaurants at The Island in Pigeon Forge

Margaritaville in Pigeon Forge signThe new Paula Deen’s Family Kitchen is the newest in popular restaurants moving to Pigeon Forge. Other national brands that will soon call the Smoky Mountains home include Jimmy Buffet’s Margaritaville and Dick’s Last Resort. A Mellow Mushroom Pizza Bakers and Timberwood Grill are already open and operating at the thrilling Pigeon Forge attraction.

Local developers Bob McManus and Darby Campbell will spearhead the construction and development of the new Pigeon Forge restaurant.

“We know that sharing Paula’s love and hospitality with her beloved fans and friends will be a great addition to our new development in Pigeon Forge,” said Campbell.  “Together, we can develop Paula Deen retail and restaurants that capture the imagination of Paula’s massive fan base and Pigeon Forge’s huge tourist community.”

It is important to note that Paula Deen is not the only Food Network star to call The Island in Pigeon Forge home. Owners of The Sweet Shoppe of the South in Pigeon Forge, located across the fountain from Paula Deen’s Family Kitchen, is owned and operated by two women who won the network’s show Cupcake Wars.

Click here to learn more about Susan Catron and Nikki Gribble, the owners of The Sweet Shoppe of the South in Pigeon Forge.

Recent History

The brand new Pigeon Forge restaurant is the first new restaurant hat Deen has announced since her recent controversy this past summer.  With the help of her new partners with Paula Deen Ventures, we are sure that this new restaurant will be just as fun and ‘down home’ as Ms. Paula herself!

Looking for other great Smoky Mountain restaurants that you and your family are sure to enjoy? Visit My Smokies offers guests tons of delicious restaurant suggestions on our Smoky Mountain Restaurants page on our website. With the ability to divide your search between Sevierville, Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg restaurants, your new favorite place to eat in the Smokies is just a few clicks away!

Comments

  • Avatar for Christa Lane
    Christa Lane

    I did not know, she was a Chef. Well, that’s right down the road from me.

    February 26, 2014 at 12:37 pm
    • Avatar for Mal Alder
      Mal Alder

      That’s so exciting to hear, Christa! Thanks for reading!!

      February 26, 2014 at 12:50 pm
  • Avatar for Robert Lawrence
    Robert Lawrence

    let me know i’m packin my bag’s now for paula’s home cooking

    February 26, 2014 at 1:18 pm
    • Avatar for Mal Alder
      Mal Alder

      Robert, be sure to keep following Visit My Smokies’ blog and Facebook page for all the latest information on Paula Deen’s new restaurant. We look forward to seeing you in the Smokies!

      February 26, 2014 at 2:45 pm
  • Avatar for disqus_JpgIS4DIYk
    disqus_JpgIS4DIYk

    I wish it would be like the Paula Deen Buffet in Tunica. The Paula Deen Kitchen like the one that was at Harrahs in Cherokee was not good at all but the buffet in Tunica was wonderful

    February 26, 2014 at 2:49 pm
  • Avatar for Nicholina Lemmo
    Nicholina Lemmo

    A couple gluten free options would be nice so the whole family can enjoy. It is so hard to find anything that the one person in our family can eat due to gluten intolerance.

    February 26, 2014 at 2:54 pm
  • Avatar for Lauren
    Lauren

    I went to lady and sons and had the pot pie.. It was amazing… Please have it on the menu 🙂

    February 26, 2014 at 6:38 pm
  • Avatar for Anita Johnson
    Anita Johnson

    Well I live in the Smokies and go to PF/Gatlinburg about 10 or 11 times a year. I have eaten in about every place there, but will skip over this one. I don’t like her and will not support her place!!

    February 26, 2014 at 10:54 pm
    • Avatar for linda brewer
      linda brewer

      Well Anita just stay home then…. Sounds like you have been listening to Hollywoooood to much……. hummmmm

      February 28, 2014 at 11:04 am
  • Avatar for Ginger McClendon-Nix
    Ginger McClendon-Nix

    I hope that the menu will be similar, if not the same, to Paula Deen’s Buffet at that Casino in Tunica, MS that shall remain nameless! I will be vacationing in the smokies when this is built!

    February 27, 2014 at 7:32 am
  • Avatar for Anita Colwell
    Anita Colwell

    Can’t wait until she opens her new restaurant I know the food will be great I love country cooking. Good Luck With Your New Business

    February 27, 2014 at 1:27 pm
  • Avatar for linda brewer
    linda brewer

    Well Anita just stay home then…..Sounds like you been listening to Hollywood to much!!!!!!!!!!!

    February 28, 2014 at 11:01 am
  • Avatar for Kathy McCollister
    Kathy McCollister

    I moved to the Smokies, from Savannah, where I loved Paula’s restaurant plus…she is a really nice lady! I am looking forward to her new place in Pigeon Forge. PLEASE have the Friday night “Low Country Boil” on the menu. Good Luck Paula.

    February 28, 2014 at 6:14 pm
  • Avatar for Pat Williams Zeigler
    Pat Williams Zeigler

    I can’t wait for it to open. Two things I love! The smoky Mountains and Paula Deen’s cooking! Road trip soon!

    March 18, 2014 at 2:01 pm
  • Avatar for Linda Gilbert Dinsmore
    Linda Gilbert Dinsmore

    I can’t wait for her restaurant to open…..

    March 29, 2014 at 11:09 am
  • Avatar for Ann Bradshaw
    Ann Bradshaw

    So excited Paula Deen is coming to Pigeon Forge. We have had a log cabin rental here for 10 years and this place has amazed us with all the new attractions. If the food is as good as Lady and Sons she will do fantastic, which she DERSERVES with all the bull crap she was put through. Love Paula Deen, would love to meet her since everybody says I look like her.!

    May 21, 2014 at 10:38 pm

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