From skillet cornbread and chicken and dumplings to funnel cakes and cotton candy, the beloved country star's theme park takes the crown for most delicious food to eat between rollercoaster rides.
Who Has the Best Amusement Park Food in the World? Ask Dolly Parton.
Updated on May 13, 2024
There’s a whole heap of things to love about Dollywood, the Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, amusement park owned by country-music legend Dolly Parton (known as the Dreamer-in-Chief to park employees). It has more than 40 thrilling rides, 15 knee-slapping shows, a 35-acre water park, and the best amusement park food in the world. Really!
For the fourth time in seven years, Amusement Today—the global trade magazine for amusement park news—has awarded the Smoky Mountain destination a Golden Ticket prize for the best food in the business. Dolly herself has gushed about her love of food, and that passion shows right down to the sit-down restaurants and niche food carts tucked throughout the grounds. But what makes the theme park’s fare stand out above the rest?
Wes Ramey / Dollywood Company
Naturally, Dollywood excels at stick-to-your-ribs Southern comfort food, from the meat loaf and skillet cornbread at Granny Ogle’s Ham ‘n’ Beans to the saucy barbecue ribs at the Hickory Smoke BBQ restaurant to the creamy banana pudding at Front Porch Cafe (it’s Dolly’s own recipe, you know). And Grist Mill’s cinnamon bread is famous for a reason—if the sweet aroma doesn’t lure you in as it wafts through the park, just one look at the butter-soaked pull-apart bread will hook you in an instant.
Dollywood’s even known for having typical theme park fare that stands out above the rest, like sugar-dusted funnel cakes, footlong corn dogs and fluffy cotton candy at the Midway Market.
While it deserves top marks for its food alone, Dollywood also took home Golden Ticket Awards for having the Best Shows, Best Christmas Event and for being the Friendliest Park overall—no wonder why it attracts more than 2.5 million visitors each year. Between the entertainment and the mouthwatering grub, there’s a whole lot to love about Dolly Parton’s theme park. You may want to sit a spell before hopping on the next thrill ride, but when the food’s as good as it is at Dollywood, it’s as much of an attraction as any rollercoaster.
Check out Dolly's all-time favorite recipes
Smoky Grilled Corn on the CobDolly Parton's theme park, Dollywood, has a lot more to offer than rides. It has a great assortment of restaurants that highlight southern cooking. Each of these restaurants has an abundance of side dishes available, and corn never fails to make that list. A staple of Tennessee meals, nothing beats a classic corn on the cob.
Roast PorkThis hearty roast pork recipe is made in the oven with red potatoes and sliced onions, resulting in a juicy and flavorful bone-in pork loin roast.
Truly Tasty Turnips with GreensAs a side to roast pork, Dolly Parton loves to serve turnip greens. Turnip greens have a bit of a kick to them and this recipe accentuates these natural flavors.
Southern Fried OkraDolly Parton has confessed that in addition to turnip greens, okra is another one of her favorite southern side dishes. This recipe would go beautifully with a roast pork or ham.
Banana PuddingDolly Parton has said time and time again that her mother's banana pudding is one of her favorites. According to Dolly, one of her neighbors near her family's Tennessee home owned a store. They would tell Dolly's mother when bananas were going bad so that she could buy them for a cheaper price. The family knew that on these days, her mom would make her famous banana pudding.
Spiced Baked CatfishOne of Dolly Parton's cookbook recipes is a catfish dinner like this one. Her pan-fried recipe relies on cornmeal, shortening and a lemon wedge. She keeps it simple and we love her for that!
Jalapeno Buttermilk CornbreadAny of these ham, chicken and pork dishes would go well with a good skillet of cornbread. Dolly Parton's cornbread recipe is simple and relies on bacon drippings and buttermilk. This cornbread is similar, but adds a bit of heat that we think Dolly would appreciate.
Creamy ColeslawAnother classic side dish. This one accompanies many of Dolly's dishes at her restaurants in Branson, Missouri and Pigeon Forge, Tennessee.
Cinnamon Roll BreadAll the delicious flavors you can't resist in a cinnamon roll are packed into this way-easier-to-make cinnamon roll bread recipe. We usually make this quick bread without a glaze, but you can easily add a glazed topping to take it to the next level.
Smooth Sweet TeaSweet tea is called the "house wine of the South" in Steel Magnolias and we've never forgotten it. Make this smooth recipe for your next "wine" night!
