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

The 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!