Paula Deen's Family Kitchen at The Island in Pigeon Forge TN | An Honest Review 

Discover the top 5 mistakes families make when planning their trip to Pigeon Forge: get.shangrilaviews.com/mistakes-to-avoid/

I think it is a waste of food . You should be able to take out what you can't finish if you didn't get a refill on the food .

My husband and I went when they first opened. They gave us the light up thing, we waited forever, it was fairly new and at a high traffic time. So after about 45 minutes, the lights started blinking, and we got excited. Went to the desk, and they sent us to the elevator. The door opened, and then we realized we were at a second waiting area. At that time, I did not remember escalators, and there was no seating anywhere for anyone. So after another 20-minute wait, we were finally seated in a 2 seated booth, and there were 4 people seated in a booth just a little lower than us, but we could hear them talking. When the waitress finally came, at least it was just us 2, so we pretty much agreed on the same items. They had our same waitress since there were 4 of them they had to agree on the same item's, you could tell that was uncomfortable for them. So you could not order just for each couple you had to order for the whole table. So we received our food, I couldn't agree more with you they potatoes were awful. we asked for butter by the time we got the butter. The potatoes were cold. It was the blandist food we every ate it was awful. We, too, only ordered an additional order of chicken asking for a thigh and a breast. We got a thigh and a leg, and some vegetables. The dessert that was told to us before we ordered dinner. They were out of it, so we got some kind of pudding with a dab of whipped topping on it. It was one of the worst meals, especially the cost for the type of food we ate at the Peddler cost twice the price but totally worth it. The 4 people below us were almost comical. They reordered the chicken, and they brought them 3 pieces for 4 people, I heard one of the women say well who doesn't eat this time! It was really awkward for them. When the waitress came back now, all they reordered was the chicken. They brought them pudding, too. Then she said, "Here's your ticket when you're ready." The ladies were mad, and the men said this was over a hundred dollars, and we are stopping at McDonald's to get something to eat. I am sure they were like us. They made 2 trips, their 1st and their last! There have been mixed reviews from our friends 75% dislike it and will never go back, and 25% thought it was great! I am glad to see 👀 a newer post that feels the same way as we did. Because we won't give it a second chance now and waste more money! I appreciate your honesty, and I am clicked to follow you now! Thank you! Yes, the island is a very unique place. We love it! ❤

It wasn’t that great to us either! Very overrated, the food was not that great, one of our sides we got broccoli casserole, it was terrible, they used large stalks of broccoli and wasn’t cooked all the way! We also tried her Nashville location and it was the same! I really like Paula Deen but not going back to her restaurants, and we thought it was overpriced as well.

I totally agree with your review.

I was actually glad to hear your review, as my husband and I felt exactly the same way. I’ve heard from so many about how great it is, but that just wasn’t our experience. We were somewhat disappointed in the food. Like you said, the view was great, but I think we overpaid for our food, considering it was just “okay.” My husband says I cook better than what we got any day of the week.

Family style is dumb. My wife doesn't eat nearly as much as me, and agreeing on what the foods are would be a challenge. And the kids, too? Shelling out $25 per person (plus drinks and tip) for food we're not all excited about is not a recipe for my business. Sorry, Paula, but it's a no for me. Taking that tourist dollar, though! Whoop!

I wonder if they do not allow large purses or bags in the restaurant for those that may want to sneak some out, and if not wondering what they do with the leftovers ?

My friend and I went to see Paula Deans Pioneer Freud dinner show. We were disappointed. We expected it to be better, like you said, it carried Paula Deans name. They handed us a box dinner to eat at a picnic table outside. It wasnt that great of a meal. The show was better then the food, but not that great either. It seems that most of the shows out in Pigeon Forge serve pulled pork, which my friend and I neither one like. Our favorite show among all the shows we saw ( and I think we all but the bibical one. We wanted to see that one too, but ran out of time.) was the Pirate dinner show, Array, and Murder Mysterty dinner show. Dollys Stampede dinner show, and Hatfied and MCCoy was pretty good too. We enjoyed Comedy Barn also. Memories and Motown was pretty good too. Paulas Deans was our least favorite.

I went about 8 yrs ago and I loved it. The chicken reminded me of my momma’s and the ooey gooey cake was to die for! I’m going back soon and I hope it’s still the same

We have one in Savannah and found it overrated, A lot of food that was not all that great and probably unhealthy to much breading , flour etc…

Take your hat off at the table. Weren't you taught any better?

We went not long after it opened. We waited for two hours to get in and then were disappointed. I love Paula Deen but don’t care for the restaurant. Plus, it was very expensive. We won’t go back.

We have been to this location several times and we have always had a great experience and enjoyed the food so much 🤗 definitely have some fun memories made there😊

Loved the gift shop! The food was mediocre to poor. Not worth the price when there are so many other amazing restaurants. We are glad we did it, but we wouldn't do it again.

Thanks for the review, it's very probably still on the list for us just becasue it's Paula Deen's and we feel like we should "do" it but it's not as high as it was. The view may sway us though!

Enjoyed your review. My wife and I have eaten at Paula Deen's several times. I agree that the atmosphere is fun and enjoyable. Honestly, we have never had bland food there . We have tried most of the options and of course have our favorites. Value wise, we think it may be slightly over priced, but it hasn't deterred us from return visits.

Yeah, ours here in Savannah used to be way better when it was an actual buffet, but now it’s the family style model which is just fast food. We don’t go anymore & notice it’s usually empty.

I’ve heard the food isn’t the best, consistently, so I wasn’t surprised. Looks like a lot of ultra processed food which isn’t the best for health.❤❤❤❤❤❤

I’m with you… her food seemed pretty basic to the restaurants in the other restaurants there. I would think she would be serving different food other than mashed potatoes, fried chicken, etc.

I agree with what you said about the food. I am from Savannah where her original restaurant (The Lady and Sons) is. It used to be phenomenal!! We tried here store in Branson in '19 and then at the Island in '22 and, while the food was good, it just didn't blow us away like it did in the '90s in Savannah.

Food wasn’t bad and thought the price was good for what you got! The dressing on the salad was delicious, we liked the fried chicken and chicken fried steak. We didn’t go to Paula Deen’s for a healthy dinner, so it was what we expected it would be. We have been twice and both times had to take our dessert home with us and the biscuits were great!!

Paula's restaurant s are a Major rip off, 😢

I agree. It was a fun but gimmicky, one time experience but the food was sub par. If the food tasted better, it would be worth the per person price but because the food was bland, it was like going to Golden Corral in my opinion. I did like the butter cake though for dessert but there are definitely way better restaurants in Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge area. Thank you for video.

We always enjoy Paula Deens Restaurant. People need to realize, Restaurants are like music, just because a RU-vid Vlogger doesn’t like a particular Pizza Joint or Restaurant doesn’t mean the Restaurant is terrible and should be avoided. Everyone has different tastes and expectations. I do really like this channel but others may have a different opinion….See how that works? lol.

I agree with you. The food was bland. And much better food someplace else.. I just like to go in the store when we’re there

We were at The Island location in April and left very disappointed. Had better meals at lesser known places. First the food was cold. The Mac n cheese was tasteless and the pot roast was so salty we couldn’t eat it. We also saw people taking dessert to go so asked our waitress for this as well. She very rudely said she’d have to take our food away before giving the dessert to us. Then came back and threw the bag on the table. I guess they’re worried about people stashing the food in the dessert bag which was knotted. Never again. I guess my expectations were too high.

We went here a couple of years ago. The food was horrible. And, the service was very mediocre. There are a thousand places (including my kitchen) that has better southern cooking. DON'T WASTE YOUR MONEY!

Think I was too harsh or spot on? Lemme know! 👇❤

There are much better family style restaurants in town that actually taste good. Everything we asked for tasted like pure garlic. I'm born and raised in the south and our home cooking tasted like food and not chewing a mouthful of garlic.

So they waste food.

I ate at the Paula Deen‘s in Branson, Missouri. I too felt it was overrated. The food was bland. The best part was the dessert they started out, giving our food to the wrong table behind us and the couple started eating it not saying anything we kind of figured out what they did. I guess the couple got their meal comped. We are on the other hand, waited and waited for our food. I felt they should’ve comped us too. Probably won’t go there again.

I have been to the one in Myrtle Beach multiple times! For us, we loved it. We were able to get multiple choices for dinner (mains and sides) and are able to satisfy different tastes. It is nice for my son who is super picky, he could get refills on what he wanted. I love the biscuits, fried chicken, ribs, pot roast, poppy seed salad, mashed potatoes, corn, green beans oh and the dessert!!!!! Is it gourmet? No. Is it mom and pop? No. But at the beach it isn't worth it for us to go to a buffet (not big seafood people) so the price at buffets are extremely expensive. This gives us the feel of choices of a buffet without the stuff we wouldn't eat.

My husband and I went to The Lady and Sons in Savannah years ago and it was very good. I can’t comment on the other restaurants.

I like the breakfast at this restaurant the best. Some Paula Deen's do not offer breakfast.

Just went there today! Very disappointed! Chicken fried steak not good at all. Meatloaf,really really bad. Pot roast, like a salt lick. The ribs, just go to a BBQ restaurant that prides themselves in ribs and good sauce. Mrs Dean shame on you.

Your review sounds on point. Same in Savannah at Lady and Sons. The family style buffet was bland Too many $$$ for the food. Off the menu was better but still too expensive. I’d rather eat local

I didn’t know it’s was priced that way, I couldn’t even go with my husband... because I don’t even finish a child’s portion..I mean so far Dollywood dinning would be better.. he can go to buffet and I can grab a baked potato.. or just drink my shake... thanks for sharing

Geeze you didn't show us you eating the actual food, what a wasted video

I agree with your review

Enjoy

Me and my family go there all the time! It’s delicious! 🫶🏻 I will say.. when they first opened the portion sizes were over flowing. Now, it’s less in each dish. And the prices went up a cpl bucks 👍🏼