Food at Dollywood : BBQ Guide

Visiting Dollywood has been a dream of mine since I was a child. Dolly Parton is my idol – I love singing her songs and watching her movies (you could call me a super-fan!). So when we were planning our BBQ road trip, I was delighted to be able to add Dollywood to our itinerary. And what better to write about than the BBQ food options at Dollywood!

Disclosure: We were guests of Dollywood, however, as always, all opinions are my own.

Dollywood is so much more than just rollercoasters. In fact, the rollercoasters seem secondary to the atmosphere and over all theme of the park. While the rides are no doubt a huge drawcard, the special thing about Dollywood is the feel of the place – the old time charm, the southern hospitality, the music, the crafts… and of course, the food.

Barbeque & Bluegrass Festival

Did you know that Dollywood hosts the ‘Barbeque & Bluegrass Festival’ every year? This week-long festival sees top notch bluegrass acts perform all over the park; alongside a celebration of the best bbq from around the country. This year the festival is being held from May 24 – June 2! See more about the Dollywood’s BBQ & Bluegrass festival and artists showcased here.

Dollywood BBQ

There are all sorts of cuisines at Dollywood – from kettle corn to hot dogs and ice-cream. But here’s my run-down of the barbecue options on offer:

Miss Lillian’s Bar-B-Q Corner

Location: Craftsman’s Valley

Miss Lillian’s Bar-B-Q Corner is the perfect spot for a grab-and-go bbq snack. Located on the corner as you enter Craftsman’s Valley, it is a great spot to nab yourself some barbecue to eat as you explore the crafts in this area.

Specialising in what I like to call ‘grazing food’ – items you can walk with, Miss Lillian’s Bar-B-Q has lots of great options. Try a hickory-smoked turkey leg or a pulled pork sandwich. They also do corn on the cob, cooked in the husk on the grill – yum!

Miss Lillian’s Smokehouse

Location: Craftsman’s Valley

If you want to have a proper sit-down meal, never fear, Miss Lillian also has a Smoke House ‘all you care to eat’ buffet in Craftsman’s Valley. Serving classic smoked meats such as smoked roast beef and ham, alongside that southern favourite, fried chicken. Get yourself as many plates of green beans, mashed potatoes and chicken as you can handle!

Hickory House BBQ

Location: Craftsman’s Valley

Love pulled pork? Then head to Hickory House BBQ further on up Craftsman’s Valley. Voted the best pork barbecue in any theme park in America, this is the place to come if you want a hearty pulled pork sandwich with slaw on top! This classic combo can be messy, so enjoy the atmosphere in their Craftsman’s Valley seating while you eat.

Dollywood BBQ : other southern comforts

Aunt Granny’s

Location: Rivertown Junction

While not strictly bbq, Aunt Granny’s serves hearty southern comforts that I just had to mention. A lot of the appeal of barbecue food for me is the side dishes, and Aunt Granny’s buffet has loads of these favourites. Don’t miss their cornbread and biscuits – the perfect southern accompaniment.

Make sure to do some of these Gatlinburg scenic drives when you’re in the area!

Dollywood BBQ : Snacks

Don’t forget to try some of the barbecue-adjacent snacks on offer at Dollywood. The pork rinds available from Craftsman’s Valley make for a great mid-afternoon snack to get you through to dinner. Be warned though, they are moorish and once you have one, you’ll want another.

Getting to Dollywood

In order to enjoy all these delicious bbq delights at Dollywood, you need to first get to Dollywood. Easily signposted from the Parkway in Pigeon Forge, follow the signs along ‘Dollywood Lane’ and find yourself a parking spot in one of Dollywood’s many carparks. Take a note of your parking lot name (cutely named things like ‘Applejack’ and ‘Candyfloss’), and head to the tram pick-up point. These nifty shuttles take you back and forth to the expansive carparks easily and effectively.

Don’t miss the Chasing Rainbows Museum at Dollywood – this incredible exhibition has lots of stories from Dolly’s past, her music and her costumes!

Food at Dollywood : BBQ guide

I hope this article has piqued your interest in the Dollywood BBQ offerings. A day out at Dollywood is a magical experience, for kids and adults alike. One thing that helps to make the day out at Dollywood special is the diverse range of food on offer – there is something for everyone. While I couldn’t resist the smoked turkey leg, my husband chose the pulled pork sandwich. The BBQ at Dollywood adds to the rustic appalachian charm that pervades the park. Do yourself a favour, visit this special theme park; and eat some BBQ while you’re there!

I’m here to help – so if you have any trip planning questions, please do get in touch using the contact page above! I specialise in road trips and foodie activities; and love to help people get the most out of their holidays!

All photos & content © Hannah Henderson and may not be used without permission (sharing this blog post is fine, though!). Images shot with a Canon DSLR T3i Rebel + Canon EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM; and an iPhoneX.