Written by MomsTribute Inc. Author Katie C
If your kid is like most, it’s almost a given they’re a picky eater in one form or another. My oldest craved tomatoey flavors and only ate chili, spaghetti, and tacos. My middle child loves fruit and meats but won’t touch any type of tomato-based meal. My youngest (thank goodness!) will eat almost anything. Here at Mom’s Tribute blog, the best blog for working moms, we love to share great meal spots for families with kids. We understand each other, after all!
Eating on vacation can be a point of stress, especially if you have picky eaters. Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, is one of our favorite vacation spots, and as it turns out it’s one of the most popular, family-friendly vacation destinations in the country. Mountains are the top draw, promising breathtaking views along with peace and relaxation. The shopping, dining, and entertainment are all high on the list, too.
If you do a quick Internet search for kid friendly venues in Pigeon Forge, you’re going to get hundreds of hits. How are you supposed to weed out what’s a good fit for your family and what’s not? Fear not. I’ve got my family’s top three 5-star dining spots for kids in Pigeon Forge.
We discovered this KidFriendlyVenue.com 5-star spot back in 2016. We were staying along the main strip, and we didn’t want to drive anywhere for supper. We took to the sidewalks and stumbled upon Big Daddy’s only a few minutes from our hotel.
The main restaurant was charming, and their pizza pies are enormous, delicious, and filling. The pizzas are fresh and wood-fired, and their menu goes beyond pizza (they even offer keto-friendly options). Our kids loved this spot. The server brought out dessert dough for our little ones, and the kids each shaped their dough then sent it back to the oven to be baked. Once the dough finished baking, our server returned them to us. This was a big hit with the kids.
Once our meal was finished, we headed to the back of the restaurant. In a separate section you’ll find the arcade. The game selection is fantastic, with a good mix of games for kids big and little. The games earned our kids tickets which they could exchange for prizes.
We’ve since returned to Big Daddy’s multiple times.
This one is new to us, having only fallen into our view a year ago. We ate here once and have been hooked on the three trips since. Their main draw is catfish, but they have a wide variety of foods on their menu. The food is served family style, and your side choices include various combinations of beans, mac & cheese, veggies, potatoes, and hushpuppies. The kid’s menu goes even further, offering corn dogs, fries, and the like.
The atmosphere at Huck Finn’s is laid back and fun. Memorabilia on the walls will keep kids interested, and the food comes out fast and hot. There’s also a fun gift area with Huck Finn merch, old fashioned candy sticks, and other items available for purchase.
One of the best parts of eating here is the price. It is not only delicious but also budget friendly.
Number 3 on our list is Mel’s. This place is almost a staple for visiting Pigeon Forge! Located just off the popular “stop light #3”, Mel’s is an old-fashioned diner complete with thick milk shakes and a juke box. The food here is what you’d expect from a diner—namely piping hot comfort food, and genuinely 100% kid friendly. They serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner, too, which is nice!
As I mentioned, their milkshakes are always a big hit. My daughter orders one every single visit. We always make sure we bring money for the juke box, and your kids will love choosing oldies to listen to while they eat.
We’ve been visiting Mel’s for more than 20 years (long before we had kids!). The food and the atmosphere have been maintained at a top level, and we give it five stars for kids.
In the end, with so much to see and do in Pigeon Forge, you’ll want to keep this locale on your radar. They have five Ripley’s attractions, Dollywood theme park, outlet malls, IMAX attractions, and so much more.
If you’re planning a vacation this summer and are looking for dining locations that are top spots for families with kids, make sure you add these restaurants to your list. You’ll want to remember, too, to download the KFV app to search for other top-rated spots to take your little ones. With venues ranked and rated by other busy working moms, you’re guaranteed to find the places that are perfect for you and your family.
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