Ask ten people for the best restaurant in Pigeon Forge and at least half will name Bennett’s Pit Bar-B-Que or Local Goat. They’re both parkway staples, both draw lines out the door on a Friday night, and both show up near the top of every “where to eat in Pigeon Forge” list — but they’re not really competing for the same meal.
This guide covers both Bennett’s BBQ locations (Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg), what’s actually on the menu, exactly what the ribs cost, and how it all stacks up against Local Goat, so you’re not stuck flipping a coin in the parking lot.
Quick Answer
Pick Bennett’s BBQ for hickory-smoked ribs, pulled pork, and classic smokehouse platters in a laid-back, family-style setting at either its Pigeon Forge or Gatlinburg location. Pick Local Goat for a bigger, more creative menu — gourmet burgers, steaks, craft cocktails, and shareable apps — in a livelier bar-and-dinner atmosphere. If ribs and classic smokehouse BBQ are what you’re after, Bennett’s is the more focused choice; if you want more menu variety and a full bar, go Local Goat.
Bennett’s BBQ Locations & Hours
Bennett’s Pit Bar-B-Que has two Smoky Mountain locations, and it’s easy to mix them up if someone just says “Bennett’s BBQ.” The original Pigeon Forge restaurant sits at 2910 Parkway, between traffic lights #4 and #5 — the stretch most visitors already pass walking between the outlet malls and the Island. Call ahead at (865) 429-2200 to check a wait. The second location is at 714 River Road in Gatlinburg, just off the main downtown strip, reachable at (865) 436-2400.
Both locations are built around lunch and dinner rather than breakfast. The Pigeon Forge restaurant runs Sunday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. and stays open later, until 10 p.m., on Friday and Saturday. Hours can shift around holidays and slower winter weeks, so check the official Bennett’s BBQ site before you drive over, especially if you’re aiming for a late dinner.
Bennett’s BBQ Pigeon Forge Menu: What’s Actually on It
Bennett’s barbeque is built around hickory-smoked meat, but the menu is bigger than most first-timers expect. Starters include a pound or two of hickory wings in hot, mild, lemon pepper, or bourbon BBQ, plus deep-fried pickle chips, deep-fried deviled eggs, potato skins, and a trailhead combo sampler. There’s also a soup-and-salad side of the menu — including an all-you-can-eat salad bar — that a lot of visitors don’t realize sits right next to the smokehouse platters.
The core of the menu is the lunch and dinner platters, each served with a garlic biscuit and two sides: BBQ pork shoulder, BBQ beef brisket, BBQ chicken, burnt ends, fried fish, and the jumbo baby back ribs covered in more detail below. Sandwiches cover pulled pork, brisket, fried chicken and pimento, a spicy brisket Philly, and fried fish, all with two sides included. Round that out with chargrilled double-patty burgers, a kids menu for the under-10 crowd, and family-style feasts to go if you’d rather eat BBQ back at the cabin. Sides run through the usual smokehouse lineup — coleslaw, mac and cheese, baked beans, collard greens, fried corn, and potato salad, with baked or sweet potato available as a small upgrade. Menu items and prices shift over time, so treat any specific number as a ballpark and check the official Bennett’s BBQ menu for what’s current.
Bennett’s BBQ Ribs: What to Expect
If you searched for ribs in Pigeon Forge, Bennett’s jumbo baby back ribs are the dish most locals point to first. They’re smoked over hickory wood for hours, basted in Bennett’s own barbecue sauce, and served warm with extra sauce on the side so you decide how much to add rather than having it baked in. On Bennett’s current menu, a half rack platter runs $22 and a full rack runs $32, each with a garlic biscuit and two sides. Ribs also show up in the BBQ Combo ($28, pick three smoked meats) and the Texan Sampler ($32, all five smoked meats). Prices change periodically, so check the official menu for the current rate before you go.
For comparison, Local Goat also serves ribs, described on its menu as fall-off-the-bone, but they’re one item on a much larger New American menu built around burgers, steaks, and a full bar, not the specialty of the house. If ribs are the actual reason you’re picking a restaurant tonight, Bennett’s is the more rib-focused kitchen of the two; Local Goat’s version is a fine backup if your group can’t agree and wants burgers and ribs on the same table.
What Local Goat Serves Instead
Local Goat sits on the Parkway near Rowdy Bear’s Smoky Mountain Snowpark and bills itself as a New American restaurant, casting a much wider net than a smokehouse. Expect jumbo wings, deep-fried deviled eggs, salads built around locally sourced greens, fall-off-the-bone ribs, steaks, and a well-known lineup of gourmet burgers — including the TN Whiskey Glazed Burger and The Elvis (peanut butter, bacon, and fried bananas). The kitchen makes its own bread daily, and there’s a full bar with craft beer, cocktails, and specialty drinks, which Bennett’s doesn’t offer. Desserts like the Warm Chocolate Lava Cake round out a menu built for a full sit-down dinner rather than a quick smokehouse plate.
Price, Wait Times, and Atmosphere
Bennett’s leans toward the more affordable, casual end — family-restaurant pricing (most platters land in the mid-teens to low-$20s, with ribs the priciest item on the board) and a dining room set up for turning tables quickly during lunch and dinner rushes. It’s a solid choice if you’re traveling with kids or want a filling meal without a long ordering process, and both locations open at 11 a.m. daily.
Local Goat runs pricier and skews toward a livelier, bar-forward atmosphere with a dining room decorated by local artists and craftsmen. It’s popular enough that the parking lot is routinely full, and long waits without a reservation are common at dinner. Local Goat takes online reservations for parties of ten or fewer (larger groups need to call), while Bennett’s is generally walk-in at both locations and doesn’t require booking ahead. If you’re set on Local Goat for dinner, reserve a table in advance — lunch tends to have little to no wait, but evenings fill up fast.
Tips / Common Mistakes
Don’t show up to Local Goat on a Friday or Saturday night without a reservation and expect a quick seat — book ahead or plan for a wait. Don’t go to Bennett’s expecting cocktails or a full bar menu; it’s a BBQ-focused smokehouse, not a bar-and-grill. Bennett’s doesn’t open until 11 a.m. at either location, so it’s not a stop for an early breakfast — plan on lunch or dinner instead.
Also double-check which Bennett’s you’re calling — the Pigeon Forge number is (865) 429-2200 and the Gatlinburg number is (865) 436-2400 — since wait times and hours can differ between the two. And if your group has picky eaters or wants more than BBQ, Local Goat’s larger menu (burgers, salads, steaks) gives you more to work with than Bennett’s smoked-meat-focused lineup.
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Bennett’s BBQ Pigeon Forge menu, locations, and ribs FAQs
Where are Bennett’s BBQ locations?
Bennett’s Pit Bar-B-Que has two Smoky Mountain locations — 2910 Parkway in Pigeon Forge (between traffic lights #4 and #5) and 714 River Road in Gatlinburg. Both serve the same hickory-smoked menu.
What’s on the menu at Bennett’s BBQ in Pigeon Forge?
The menu centers on hickory-smoked platters — pulled pork, brisket, chicken, burnt ends, and baby back ribs — plus starters like wings and fried pickles, sandwiches, chargrilled burgers, salads, a kids menu, and family feasts to go.
How much are the ribs at Bennett’s BBQ?
On Bennett’s current menu, a half rack of jumbo baby back ribs runs $22 and a full rack runs $32, each with a garlic biscuit and two sides. Prices change periodically, so check the official menu for the current rate.
Which is cheaper, Bennett’s BBQ or Local Goat?
Bennett’s is generally the more budget-friendly option for smoked-meat platters, sandwiches, and burgers. Local Goat’s dinner menu (gourmet burgers, steaks, cocktails) runs a bit higher.
Do I need a reservation at Local Goat?
It’s not required but strongly recommended, especially for dinner or groups larger than eight. Reservations for ten or fewer can be made online; larger parties should call ahead.
Does Bennett’s BBQ have a full bar?
No. Bennett’s is a BBQ-focused restaurant without the cocktail and craft beer program that Local Goat offers.
What time does Bennett’s BBQ open in Pigeon Forge?
The Pigeon Forge location opens at 11 a.m. daily, closing around 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday, so it’s a lunch-and-dinner stop rather than a breakfast spot.
Are Bennett’s and Local Goat both on the Parkway in Pigeon Forge?
Yes. Bennett’s is at 2910 Parkway (between traffic lights #4 and #5), and Local Goat is at 2167 Parkway near Rowdy Bear’s Smoky Mountain Snowpark.
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