Bennett’s Pit Bar-B-Que in Pigeon Forge, TN – Worth the Stop?

Mama Bird
Jan 2
3 min read

While exploring Pigeon Forge, we decided to give Bennett’s Pit Bar-B-Que a try after seeing it advertised as having award-winning BBQ and ribs. With how busy Pigeon Forge can get, we arrived close to opening just in case crowds were an issue.

As it turns out—we didn’t need to worry at all.

When we arrived, the restaurant was nearly empty. We spotted one other family at the salad bar, but we had an entire section to ourselves, which made for a relaxed and comfortable start to our meal. By the time we left around noon, more people were coming in, but there was still plenty of room. It definitely felt like a local favorite—especially when the group seated near us was greeted by name as we were heading out.

First Impressions & Service

Service was friendly, welcoming, and very Southern. The food came out surprisingly fast, which is always appreciated when dining with kids. Overall, Bennett’s felt like a great place to escape the heavier crowds and enjoy a laid-back, casual meal.

What We Ordered (and What We Thought)

We sampled quite a bit, so here’s the honest breakdown.

Appetizers

We ordered the Appetizer Combo, which included:

Mild wings
Fried deviled eggs
Fried pickle chips
Pork rinds

The wings were a hit with Big Brother and me—they were tender with a nice smoky flavor. Big Brother would definitely recommend getting them. Papa, however, is more of a wing connoisseur and thought they were just okay.

The fried deviled eggs were interesting, but not a favorite. I’d personally stick with a traditional deviled egg next time.

The pickle chips were pretty good.

The pork rinds were not our favorite—definitely an acquired taste that we didn’t grow up with!

Mains

Papa ordered the ribs, and they were the clear winner. Everyone agreed these were the highlight of the meal and absolutely worth coming back for.
Big Brother got the beef brisket, which wasn’t really to his taste. I agreed—it was a bit on the dry side, and the sauce didn’t help much.
I ordered the BBQ Combo so we could try a little of everything:
- Pulled pork
- Quarter BBQ chicken
- Honey BBQ jalapeño sausage

The BBQ jalapeño sausage surprised me—it was really good and the one thing I finished completely. The chicken was okay, nothing special. The pulled pork was fine, but I grew up in North Carolina and may just be a bit picky! My grandfather even hosted pig pickin’s when I was growing up. That said, the pulled pork was much better with Bennett’s Pickering Pig Sauce, which added a little kick with a touch of sweetness.

Sister ordered the kids cheeseburger and enjoyed it so much she said she’d order it again.
Little Brother stuck with chicken tenders—both he and Sister tend to stay with what they know.

Sides

My meal came with fried corn, which was more oily than crisp. I only took one bite.
The potato salad, which our waitress recommended, turned out to be really good.
Big Brother got a baked potato and declared it one of the best he’s ever had.
Papa ordered the collard greens, which were good but not standout.
Papa also enjoyed the baked beans more than I did.
Little Brother tried the mac and cheese—not bad, but apparently not up to Kraft standards.
The biscuits, however, were outstanding and a definite must-try.

Our Recommendations

If you’re heading to Bennett’s, here’s what we’d suggest:

Ribs
BBQ jalapeño sausage
Wings
Sides: baked potato and biscuits

Final Thoughts

Bennett’s turned out to be a pleasant surprise. Great service, quick food, and plenty of space—especially earlier in the day. It felt more relaxed than some of the busier Pigeon Forge dining spots and was well worth the stop for a casual BBQ meal.