Instragram / Dollywood
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 CompanyWes 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
LISA KAMINSKI/TASTE OF HOME
When PARADE magazine asked Dolly Parton about her signature dish at home, she was quick to say chicken and dumplings. The ingredients are simple, which makes the flavors stand out more. While Dolly uses a stewing hen for this recipe, you can use a whole chicken instead. It's comforting, tasty and will quickly make its way into your dinner rotation.
Go to Recipe
LAUREN HABERMEHL FOR TASTE OF HOME
Dolly Parton's father would make this ham recipe every year over the holidays. This easy ham recipe is glazed and smoked in a charcoal grill and the end result is phenomenal. You'll start planning your winter meals around this dish before you even know it. It's sweet and tangy—the perfect combination.
Go to Recipe
MOLLY ALLEN FOR TASTE OF HOME
This
Dolly Parton recipe is the ultimate cold-weather comfort food. It's said to be one of her signature dishes and we can see why! While the ingredients are simple, it has everyone's favorites; potatoes, beef and peppers. Don't forget the seasoning!
Go to Recipe
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.
Roasted Pork with GravyWhen the New York Times interviewed Dolly Parton, she claimed that roast pork was her favorite dish for entertaining. She loves a good, Southern greasy dish and with a nice fatty pork loin you'll understand why.
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!
NANCY MOCK FOR TASTE OF HOME
Dolly Parton's biscuits bake to be perfectly round and soft. You can have them for any meal of the day, as long as you get creative. Our favorite pairing is with a big bowl of chili.
Go to Recipe
SUSAN BRONSON FOR TASTE OF HOME
When it comes to Southern comfort food at breakfast time, you can’t go wrong with the classic biscuits and gravy. You'll want to serve this with sausage patties and big biscuits to sop up every last drop of this gravy.
Go to Recipe
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.
Southern Fried Chicken with GravyGet a bit of Dollywood at home with this Southern fried chicken. Fried chicken is known to be one of Dolly's favorites and this recipe does hers justice.
Creamy ColeslawAnother classic side dish. This one accompanies many of Dolly's dishes at her restaurants in Branson, Missouri and Pigeon Forge, Tennessee.
NANCY MOCK FOR TASTE OF HOME
Dolly Parton calls this butterscotch pie one of her favorite desserts to make for the holidays. It has a pecan crust that gives every bite a delightful crunch. Try it out for your next gathering!
Go to Recipe
For more Dolly recipes, try out some of her
Duncan Hines baking mixes.
RISA LICHTMAN FOR TASTE OF HOME
Dolly’s preferred way to serve her favorite chicken salad is on a bed of watercress. This makes for a picturesque lunch that tastes as good as it looks. Just like the butterscotch pie, the pecans add a sweet crunch to the otherwise savory dish.
Go to Recipe
NANCY MOCK FOR TASTE OF HOME
You just found your next potluck appetizer recipe. Before you know it the platter will be empty before you even get to the party. This Southern comfort is tangy and cheesy. You can add some hot sauce for even more of a kick.
Go to Recipe
Swirl Cinnamon BreadIf you've ever been to Dollywood you already know about the mouthwatering cinnamon bread. You can make this quick version of
Dollywood's cinnamon bread in your kitchen and feel like you're right in Tennessee.
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!
Updated: Dec. 20, 2022
