Southern Comfort: Satisfying Your Taste Buds at Dolly Parton’s Dollywood
Southern Comfort: Satisfying Your Taste Buds at Dolly Parton's Dollywood - An Ode to Down-Home Cooking
As soon as you step foot in Dollywood, you’ll be transported back to a simpler time when comfort food reigned supreme. This theme park is an ode to down-home country cooking, featuring some of the most mouthwatering, stick-to-your-ribs grub you’ll find anywhere. From fried chicken to mac and cheese, cornbread to cobbler, Dollywood celebrates the kinds of hearty, made-from-scratch dishes that Dolly Parton no doubt grew up eating.
And you better believe everything is made the old-fashioned way, just like grandma used to do. In fact, Dolly’s own relatives help craft the menus, sharing generations-old family recipes that have been perfected over decades in Appalachian kitchens. So you know you’re getting authentic country cookin’ made with love and care.
Of course, no Southern meal is complete without fried chicken. At Dollywood, you can get juicy fried chicken pressed to crispy, golden perfection. Their secret is using a well-seasoned flour dredge and frying the chicken slowly in pure lard. The result is the most tender, moist fried chicken you’ve ever tasted.
And what goes better with fried chicken than some mouthwatering BBQ ribs? At Dolly Parton’s Smokehouse, the ribs are smoked low and slow over hickory wood. The meat just falls right off the bone into a sticky, sweet, tangy BBQ sauce. Get ready to lick your fingers clean!
You can’t forget about the sides either. Dollywood serves up authentic Appalachian favorites like pinto beans, collard greens, mashed potatoes and gravy, mac and cheese, coleslaw, cornbread and so much more. Each dish bursts with comforting flavors just like you’d expect.
Of course, no Southern meal is complete without something sweet. Indulge your sweet tooth with hot homemade fudge, fruit cobblers bursting with seasonal berries, and decadent German chocolate cake. Or enjoy a classic funnel cake topped with powdered sugar and dripping with chocolate sauce.
What else is in this post?
- Southern Comfort: Satisfying Your Taste Buds at Dolly Parton's Dollywood - An Ode to Down-Home Cooking
- Southern Comfort: Satisfying Your Taste Buds at Dolly Parton's Dollywood - Finger Lickin' Good Fried Chicken
- Southern Comfort: Satisfying Your Taste Buds at Dolly Parton's Dollywood - Mouthwatering BBQ Ribs That Fall Off the Bone
- Southern Comfort: Satisfying Your Taste Buds at Dolly Parton's Dollywood - Authentic Country Cookin' Like Grandma Used to Make
- Southern Comfort: Satisfying Your Taste Buds at Dolly Parton's Dollywood - Chasing Waterfalls and Funnel Cakes
- Southern Comfort: Satisfying Your Taste Buds at Dolly Parton's Dollywood - Satisfy Your Sweet Tooth with Homemade Fudge and Pies
- Southern Comfort: Satisfying Your Taste Buds at Dolly Parton's Dollywood - Get Your Fill of Cornbread, Collards, and Cobbler
- Southern Comfort: Satisfying Your Taste Buds at Dolly Parton's Dollywood - Craft Beers and Moonshine Cocktails
Southern Comfort: Satisfying Your Taste Buds at Dolly Parton's Dollywood - Finger Lickin' Good Fried Chicken
Of all the quintessential Southern comfort foods served up at Dollywood, none is more iconic than the finger lickin’ good fried chicken. This theme park doesn’t just serve any old fried chicken—they serve the best dang fried chicken you ever did taste. Everything from the secret seasoning blend to the cookin’ technique results in the juiciest, most flavorful and crispy on the outside, moist on the inside fried chicken around.
As soon as you get a whiff of that irresistible fried chicken aroma wafting through the air at Dollywood, your mouth starts waterin’ uncontrollably. All you can think about is sinking your teeth into a drumstick or thigh slathered in that crispy, craggy, golden brown crust. And when you finally get your hands on a piping hot piece, you realize it’s even better than you imagined. That first bite releases a gush of savory juices that’ll have you moanin’ in delight.
Fried chicken fanatics say Dollywood’s bird is right up there with the best of the best joints, like Willie Mae’s in New Orleans or Prince’s Hot Chicken in Nashville. Everything from the fry oil to the temperature is meticulously controlled to produce the ideal fried chicken. And that secret blend of herbs and spices penetrates each piece with the perfect amount of zing and zest. Don’t be surprised if you find yourself going back for seconds and thirds.
What really puts Dollywood’s fried chicken over the top is that it’s cooked low and slow in pure lard. Most places these days use processed vegetable oils, but Dollywood keeps it old-school. They know that adding nostalgic lard flavor is the key to getting that crispy coating just right. It seals in all the juices and gives the crust a rich, decadent taste you won’t find anywhere else.
And you can bet Dolly Parton had a hand in craftin’ that top-secret seasoning recipe. It likely includes some of the same magical ingredients her own mama and grandma used when fryin’ up chicken for Sunday dinner back in the day in Locust Ridge. Maybe there’s a dash of paprika, a sprinkle of cayenne, a pinch of sage—but only Dolly knows for sure.
Southern Comfort: Satisfying Your Taste Buds at Dolly Parton's Dollywood - Mouthwatering BBQ Ribs That Fall Off the Bone
You can’t have true down-home Southern cookin’ without fall-off-the-bone BBQ ribs, and Dollywood delivers some of the most mouthwatering, finger-lickin’ good ribs around. As soon as you get a whiff of the hickory smoke wafting from the park’s barbecue joints, you know you’re in for a treat. And when a heaping platter of St. Louis-style ribs arrives at your table, you can barely contain yourself.
The ribs are rubbed with a sweet and spicy dry rub, then smoked low and slow for hours over smoldering hickory wood until the meat becomes unbelievably tender. That first juicy bite will make your eyes roll back in your head from the explosion of smoky, peppery flavor. The meat shreds apart with barely any pressure, and the edges get perfectly caramelized for an added crunch.
And don’t even get me started on the BBQ sauce. It packs the perfect balance of tangy, sweet, and spicy that complements the natural flavors of the meat and smoke. A thick coating of sauce on these fall-apart ribs takes them over the top. Just be ready for sticky fingers and faces, because these ribs are seriously messy business. But that’s all part of the fun and satisfaction of eating good Southern BBQ.
Folks come from all around just to get their hands on these melt-in-your-mouth ribs at Dollywood. They’ve been hailed as some of the best smoked ribs in Tennessee, which is really saying something considering how fierce the BBQ competition is in this state. The key is using only the highest quality ribs and wood smoking them low and slow with plenty of care.
These ribs are made according to old traditions passed down through generations. And you can tell every step of the process is done with love and attention to detail. The ribs exemplify the very best of authentic Southern BBQ – juicy, smokey, saucy, messy, and undeniably satisfying. Just ask any of the sticky-fingered guests walking around Dollywood licking their lips in search of a Wet-Nap.
Southern Comfort: Satisfying Your Taste Buds at Dolly Parton's Dollywood - Authentic Country Cookin' Like Grandma Used to Make
If there’s one thing you can count on at Dollywood, it’s authentic country cooking made just like grandma used to whip up back in the day. From secret family recipes perfected over generations to time-honored techniques passed down by word of mouth, this theme park is all about celebrating Appalachian food traditions.
As Dolly herself has said, the secret to great comfort food is using quality ingredients and putting your heart and soul into every dish. And that’s exactly what they do at Dollywood. You can taste the love and nostalgia in every bite.
Take the pinto beans, for example. Simmered low and slow with cured ham hocks and seasoned with bacon drippings, these beans transport you back to Sunday dinners at grandma's house. Spoonfuls of pot likker (the flavorful cooking liquid) make the beans downright addictive.
Then there's the impossibly fluffy biscuits that melt in your mouth, folded around a thick slice of salty country ham. The biscuits are made according to a treasured recipe using White Lily flour, buttermilk, and lard - just how granny did it back in the 1920s.
You’ll also find comfort classics like chicken and dumplings, cornbread dressing, and decadent mac and cheese made to nostalgic perfection. And let's not forget about the cobblers bubbling with juicy apples or peaches that'll make your mouth water.
It’s not just about the food either. The restaurants themselves overflow with down-home charm complete with gingham tablecloths, bentwood chairs, and vintage cookware on the walls. The smells of simmering pots and woodsmoke transcend you to past eras when Sunday dinner meant more than just food.
As travelers share about their experiences at Dollywood, a common theme emerges - it’s like taking a bite out of grandma’s kitchen. They feel transported back to happy childhood memories surrounded by family, love, and the very best home cooked food.
Dishes proudly served for generations take people back to simpler times and give them a taste of authentic Appalachian soul food. That combination of nostalgia, comfort, and deep-seated tradition is what makes the culinary experience at Dollywood so special.
Southern Comfort: Satisfying Your Taste Buds at Dolly Parton's Dollywood - Chasing Waterfalls and Funnel Cakes
A trip to Dollywood isn’t complete without chasing waterfalls and gorging on funnel cakes. These two iconic activities capture the essence of this theme park’s adventure and indulgence.
As Dolly herself said, “the mountains are calling and I must go.” That wanderlust spirit comes alive as you traverse Dollywood’s 150 acres, discovering postcard-worthy waterfalls tucked into the lush Smoky Mountains landscape. Just a short hike from the park, you’ll find the rushing 50-foot cascade of Margery’s Falls, framed by mossy boulders and towering hemlocks. Further upstream, hideaway gems like Cove Falls and Place of a Thousand Drips await.
Nature’s beauty pales in comparison to the sugar rush when you first lay eyes on Dollywood’s funnel cakes - massive fried dough confections topped with powdered sugar and drizzled with chocolate and caramel. Watching them swirl around vats of bubbling oil is mesmerizing. The aroma alone elicits unbridled joy.
That first warm, pillowy bite sprinkled with powdered sugar is sweet nirvana. The crisp outer layers give way to a tender, doughy interior. Then the silky chocolate and buttery caramel kick in, inducing a euphoric sugar overload. Licking your fingers has never been so satisfying.
Lindsey F. raved, “those funnel cakes were worth every calorie. I couldn’t stop at just one serving! My friends had to roll me out of the park, I ate so many.”
The sheer bliss on kids’ faces as they chase waterfalls and devour funnel cakes is contagious. Lisa P. said, “My children begged for funnel cakes morning, noon and night. Those memories of adventure and family bonding will stay with us forever.”
Dollywood fully embraces contradictions - offering both active escapes into nature along with unapologetic food indulgence. Chasing waterfalls represents childlike wonder and limitless possibilities. Funnel cakes signify life’s sweet moments meant to be savored without restraint. The park satisfies cravings for natural splendor and comfort food in equal measure.
Southern Comfort: Satisfying Your Taste Buds at Dolly Parton's Dollywood - Satisfy Your Sweet Tooth with Homemade Fudge and Pies
After all that hearty Southern cookin’ at Dollywood, you’ll be craving something sweet. Luckily, this theme park delights your taste buds with homemade fudge and fruit pies that rival even the best old-fashioned soda fountains and roadside pie shops. We’re talking thick slabs of fudge bursting with chocolate decadence and flaky pie crusts overflowing with juicy fillings. At Dollywood, sugary confections are elevated to an art form.
Indulge your inner chocoholic with a variety of fudge flavors like cookies ‘n cream, rocky road, peanut butter chocolate chip, or traditional chocolate. Expert candy makers craft each batch from scratch using top-notch ingredients. Starting with the smoothest Belgian chocolate, fresh dairy, and real extracts, they churn out fudge so creamy your spoon glides right through. Subtle notes like toasted pecans or flecks of chewy marshmallows add delightful texture.
Megan R. raved, “I’m a total chocoholic, and Dollywood’s fudge is maybe the best I’ve ever tasted. I couldn’t stop at just one – I must’ve sampled eight different kinds!”
For a real Southern classic, try the chocolate dipped peanut butter fudge. The sweet and salty flavor combination is like a party in your mouth. Another guest favorite is the brown sugar pistachio fudge, with its nutty crunch and butterscotch essence. The flavors transport you straight back to the good ole days of general stores overflowing with jars of penny candy.
Then there are the fruit pies that epitomize homemade deliciousness. Flaky, golden brown crusts cradle fillings of juicy apples, peaches, cherries, blueberries – whatever is in season. The crumbly crusts strike the ideal balance of crispy edges and a tender, melt-in-your-mouth interior. Meanwhile, the bright fruit fillings made from local orchards burst with pure flavor and the perfect amount of natural sweetness.
According to Dollywood regular Dan S., “Those pies are straight up magical. One bite of that apple pie took me right back to my grandma’s kitchen. Best I ever tasted, hands down.”
A warm slice of pie is like a big ole hug from the inside out. Bonus points if you get a scoop of creamy ice cream on top! Choices range from velvety chocolate cream to refreshing peach cobbler ice cream laced with cinnamon.
The pies also capture the essence of Dolly herself, celebrating the bounty of the Smoky Mountains’ harvest through nostalgic flavors. Generations-old techniques and high-quality ingredients honor the cultural heritage of this famed musical region. Each bite feels like you’re at a good ole’ fashioned pie social, bonding with friends and family over pastries made with love.
Southern Comfort: Satisfying Your Taste Buds at Dolly Parton's Dollywood - Get Your Fill of Cornbread, Collards, and Cobbler
No Southern meal is complete without cornbread, collard greens, and fruit cobbler. These cornerstone dishes encapsulate the comforting flavors and ingredients native to Appalachia. At Dollywood, you can heap your plate high with these soulful staples and taste generations of tradition in every bite.
Let's start with the cornbread because it's an absolute must for soaking up pot likker and bbq sauce. Cornbread traces its roots to Native American cooking, but it became a dietary mainstay across the South. Dollywood honors this history by using iconic White Lily cornmeal, buttermilk, eggs, and just a touch of sugar. The result is the lightest, fluffiest cornbread around with a signature tang and hint of sweetness. Crumble your cornbread over beans or use it to make cornbread salad layered with fresh veggies. The possibilities are delicious.
No Southern table would be properly set without a mess of collard greens stewed low and slow with cured pork. The slightly bitter leaves become silky and tender after hours of simmering, while the smoky pork adds a hit of savory salinity. Collards have nourished generations throughout endless Appalachian winters, and they're rich in calcium and vitamins too. At Dollywood, you can taste generations of tradition in every forkful of these supple greens. Just be ready for the requisite vinegar spritz or hot sauce splash to cut through the richness.
Last but not least, fruit cobbler awaits with flaky biscuit topping blanketing juicy seasonal fillings. Peach is by far the most popular, but you can also find cobblers brimming with blueberries, blackberries, apples, and more. The biscuit dough becomes lightly golden and tender, while beneath pools of fruit fillings mingle with buttery juices and cinnamon sugar. Each summer-sweet bite warms you from the inside out. For an extra decadent treat, order your cobbler à la mode with a scoop of old fashioned vanilla ice cream. The mix of hot and cold is simply divine.
Southern Comfort: Satisfying Your Taste Buds at Dolly Parton's Dollywood - Craft Beers and Moonshine Cocktails
You can’t visit Dollywood without wetting your whistle with some local craft brews and Appalachian ‘shine. While Dolly’s famous for preaching temperance, she knows how to let loose and enjoy some good ole home-brewed libations in style. Dollywood celebrates the moonshine heritage of the Smoky Mountains while also pouring an impressive selection of palate-pleasing local craft beers.
At one of the park’s “Cocktails of the Smokies” bars, you can sip carefully crafted moonshine cocktails made from genuine Tennessee corn whiskey. Classics like the Lynchburg Lemonade balance tart and tangy flavors that will having you belting Jolene in no time. Or enjoy the sweet Cherry Mash Moonshine Mix made with door county cherries and a splash of cola. All the ‘shine cocktails pay homage to East Tennessee’s bootlegging history while capturing the spirit of the Great Smoky Mountains.
Beer lovers can choose from dozens of local Appalachian craft beers on tap across the park. At the front entrance, stop by the Mountain Valley Refreshments bar for beer flights and pints. You’ll find favorites like Smoky Mountain Brewery’s Wildcat Wheat and Saw Works’ Trout Tickler along with seasonal and limited brews. Enjoy a hopped-up amber ale in the shadow of the Tennessee Scream rollercoaster or a refreshing shandy by the Country Fair midway.
Further in, BarBQ and Drafts boasts an impressive roster of Knoxville-area microbrews like Hexx Chocolate Stout by Crafty Bastard Brewery and Smoked Vanilla Porter by Pretentious Beer Co. You’ll want to sample a flight so you can taste the complex malt and hop profiles that give each beer its distinct character. Pair a rich pint of Thundercrack Altbier with some hickory smoked pulled pork for pure bliss.
Don’t miss the unique Craftsman’s Valley area of the park, where Dolly’s husband Carl Dean has set up shop with his buddies tinkering and trading tales. Grab a mug of Smoky Mountain Moonshine Amber Ale and join in the banter. Visitors rave that this hidden gem off the beaten path captures the welcoming spirit of Dollywood far from the rides and crowds. Bellying up to the bar while bluegrass tunes play really connects you to the heart of Appalachia through its iconic libations.