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Southern · Comfort Food · Pigeon Forge, TN

Nellie's Southern Kitchen Menu: Full List, Signature Dishes & Info

The full Nellie's Southern Kitchen menu — every category and dish, from signature fried chicken and mac and cheese to peach cobbler and sweet tea. Kenny Rogers' tribute to his mother brings classic Southern comfort food to Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. Scroll for the complete menu, must-order dishes, what to know before you visit, and answers to common questions.

Pigeon Forge, TNSouthern comfort foodKenny Rogers' tribute restaurantFamily friendlyNear Dollywood
Jump to full menu Cheapest items
Sample · $$

Signature items

Nellie's Fried ChickenSignature
Mac and CheeseMust-order
Shrimp and GritsSouthern classic
Peach CobblerDessert
Nellie's Sweet TeaHouse drink
Jump to: Signature dishes Must-order sides Desserts Full menu About the restaurant FAQ
Quick answers

What to know about Nellie's Southern Kitchen menu

The four things people most commonly ask about the menu — answered at a glance.

Signature item
Nellie's Fried Chicken

House-brined, seasoned, and fried golden. The dish the restaurant is built around.

Must-order side
Mac and Cheese

Three-cheese baked mac with a crispy breadcrumb top. Ordered at nearly every table.

Best dessert
Peach Cobbler

Warm peach cobbler with vanilla ice cream. A Southern dessert staple done right.

Vegetarian pick
Sides + starters

Collard greens (smoked), mac and cheese, biscuits, and fried green tomatoes are all vegetarian.

Must-order dishes

Nellie's Southern Kitchen signature dishes, ranked

Six dishes that define the Nellie's experience — from the fried chicken the restaurant is named for to the desserts that send guests out happy. If it's your first visit, start here.

  1. 1Nellie's Fried ChickenBone-in, brined, house spice blend — the menu's centerpiece.Signature entree
  2. 2Mac and CheeseThree-cheese baked, golden breadcrumb top.Side
  3. 3Shrimp and GritsGulf shrimp over cheddar stone-ground grits.Entree
  4. 4Peach CobblerWarm with vanilla ice cream — order it.Dessert
  5. 5Chicken Fried SteakWith white pepper cream gravy.Entree
  6. 6Buttermilk BiscuitsMade-from-scratch, served with honey butter.Side
Southern sides

Best sides at Nellie's Southern Kitchen

At a Southern comfort restaurant, sides carry as much weight as entrees. Nellie's side selection covers the full canon of Southern cooking — here's how they rank.

  1. 1Mac and CheeseThree-cheese baked mac — the crowd favorite.Side
  2. 2Collard GreensSlow-cooked with smoked ham hock.Side
  3. 3Buttermilk BiscuitsMade from scratch with honey butter.Side
  4. 4Sweet Potato CasseroleWith candied pecans and toasted marshmallow.Side
  5. 5Whipped Mashed PotatoesWith housemade gravy.Side
  6. 6Fried OkraCornmeal-battered, served with ranch.Side
  7. 7CornbreadCast-iron skillet, honey butter glazed.Side
  8. 8ColeslawClassic creamy with apple cider vinegar.Side
Desserts

Southern desserts at Nellie's

Leave room. The dessert menu leans into the Southern canon — peach cobbler, banana pudding, and strawberry shortcake are the picks most recommended by visitors.

Must-order

Peach Cobbler

Warm cobbler made with seasonal peaches under a buttery crust, served with vanilla ice cream. The dessert that most visitors order first.

Southern classic

Banana Pudding

Layered vanilla pudding with fresh bananas, vanilla wafers, and whipped cream. An old-school Southern favorite done in the traditional style.

Light choice

Strawberry Shortcake

Housemade biscuit topped with macerated fresh strawberries and fresh whipped cream. A lighter way to finish a hearty Southern meal.

Indulgent

Chocolate Brownie Sundae

Warm fudge brownie, vanilla ice cream, hot fudge sauce, and crushed pecans. Best for the table to share.

Browse the menu

Jump to a category

All menu sections at Nellie's Southern Kitchen.

Starters & Shareables5 itemsSoups & Salads3 itemsSouthern Classics (Entrees)7 itemsSandwiches & Burgers4 itemsSouthern Sides8 itemsDesserts4 itemsDrinks & Sweet Tea5 items
The full menu

Nellie's Southern Kitchen — complete menu

Every category and dish. Tags flag vegetarian items. Seasonal specials may vary — confirm with the restaurant for current availability.

About pricing. Nellie's Southern Kitchen does not publish menu prices on its official website or through verified third-party sources. Prices listed at the restaurant may vary. For current pricing, visit nelliessouthernkitchen.com or call the restaurant directly before your visit.
Dietary guide

Vegetarian, gluten-aware & dietary notes

Nellie's Southern Kitchen offers a range of vegetarian-friendly sides and starters — mac and cheese, fried green tomatoes, pimento cheese dip, hush puppies, biscuits, cornbread, coleslaw, mashed potatoes, sweet potato casserole, and fried okra are all vegetarian as served.

Note that Southern cooking often uses lard, animal fats, or meat stocks in traditionally "vegetarian" dishes (such as collard greens cooked with ham hock). Confirm specific preparation methods with the server if you have strict dietary requirements.

Cross-contact is possible in the kitchen. Always inform your server of allergies before ordering.

  • Vegetarian starters: Fried green tomatoes, pimento cheese dip, hush puppies
  • Vegetarian sides: Mac and cheese, biscuits, cornbread, coleslaw, mashed potatoes
  • Vegetarian desserts: Peach cobbler, banana pudding, strawberry shortcake, brownie sundae
  • Gluten note: Fried items share oil — not celiac-safe without confirmation
  • Confirm: Collard greens are cooked with smoked ham hock (not vegetarian)
Ordering tips

What to know before your visit to Nellie's

Start here

Order the fried chicken

Nellie's Fried Chicken is the dish the restaurant is built around. Even if you're tempted by everything else on the menu, the fried chicken is the reason to visit.

Sides matter

Mac and cheese is not optional

In a restaurant where sides anchor the meal, the three-cheese baked mac is consistently the most-ordered side. Don't skip it.

Drink

Get the sweet tea

Nellie's sweet tea is the house drink for a reason. Brewed fresh and served in a mason jar — it's the most Southern thing on the table.

Reservations

Book ahead in peak season

Pigeon Forge is a high-tourism area, especially summer and fall foliage season. Call or check online for reservations before visiting during peak periods.

Dessert

Save room for cobbler

The peach cobbler with vanilla ice cream is the dessert most mentioned by returning visitors. Order it before you're too full to reconsider.

Family

Great for groups

The comfort-food menu and warm, music-filled atmosphere make Nellie's well-suited to families, group dinners, and visitors exploring the Pigeon Forge and Dollywood area.

About Nellie's Southern Kitchen

Kenny Rogers' tribute to his mother — and to Southern cooking

Nellie's Southern Kitchen is a restaurant concept created by country music legend Kenny Rogers in tribute to his mother, Nellie. The restaurant brings the Southern comfort food traditions he grew up with to Pigeon Forge, Tennessee — one of the state's most-visited tourism destinations, located at the foot of the Great Smoky Mountains near Dollywood.

The menu reflects the Southern home-cooking traditions that define the region: fried chicken, biscuits, collard greens, mac and cheese, and sweet tea. The dining room carries Kenny Rogers' musical legacy through its atmosphere, making it as much a tribute to the man's roots as to his mother's kitchen.

For visitors to Pigeon Forge, Nellie's Southern Kitchen offers an authentic taste of Tennessee Southern cooking alongside the area's broader entertainment landscape. It's a popular stop for families and music fans visiting Dollywood and the Smoky Mountains.

1Location
TNPigeon Forge
$$Price range
7Menu sections
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Common questions

Nellie's Southern Kitchen — frequently asked questions

Answers to the most common questions about Nellie's Southern Kitchen — location, menu, the Kenny Rogers connection, and what to order.

Where is Nellie's Southern Kitchen located?

Nellie's Southern Kitchen is located at 2525 Parkway, Pigeon Forge, Tennessee 37863 — in the heart of the Pigeon Forge entertainment strip, close to Dollywood. Pigeon Forge is one of Tennessee's top tourism destinations, and the restaurant draws both locals and visitors to the Great Smoky Mountains area.

Who founded Nellie's Southern Kitchen?

Nellie's Southern Kitchen was founded by country music legend Kenny Rogers as a tribute to his mother, Nellie. The restaurant concept honors her Southern cooking heritage and the comfort food traditions Kenny Rogers grew up with. The restaurant captures the warmth of Southern hospitality that his mother embodied.

What kind of food does Nellie's Southern Kitchen serve?

Nellie's Southern Kitchen specializes in classic Southern comfort food, including signature fried chicken, mac and cheese, shrimp and grits, chicken fried steak, pulled pork, collard greens, biscuits, and sweet tea. Desserts include peach cobbler, banana pudding, and strawberry shortcake — dishes that define Southern home cooking.

Is Nellie's Southern Kitchen good for families?

Yes — Nellie's Southern Kitchen is a family-friendly restaurant well-suited to visitors exploring Pigeon Forge and Dollywood. The Southern comfort food menu offers broadly appealing dishes for adults and children alike, and the casual, welcoming atmosphere reflects the hospitality heritage of the Tennessee mountain region.

Does Nellie's Southern Kitchen have vegetarian options?

Yes. Several sides and starters are vegetarian, including the mac and cheese, fried green tomatoes, pimento cheese dip, hush puppies, buttermilk biscuits, cornbread, coleslaw, whipped mashed potatoes, sweet potato casserole, and fried okra. Most desserts are also vegetarian. Guests with specific dietary needs should confirm with the restaurant, as kitchen cross-contact is possible.

What is the signature dish at Nellie's Southern Kitchen?

The restaurant's most iconic dish is Nellie's Fried Chicken — the house recipe that pays direct tribute to Kenny Rogers' mother. Brined, seasoned with a house spice blend, and fried to a golden crisp crust, it's the dish most associated with the restaurant's identity. The mac and cheese and sweet tea are also considered must-orders by regular visitors.

Is Nellie's Southern Kitchen affiliated with Kenny Rogers Roasters?

Nellie's Southern Kitchen is a separate concept from Kenny Rogers Roasters (the rotisserie chicken chain). Nellie's is a sit-down Southern comfort food restaurant tribute to Kenny Rogers' mother, while Kenny Rogers Roasters was a fast-casual chain focused on rotisserie chicken. The two are distinct operations.

How do I make a reservation at Nellie's Southern Kitchen?

For reservations and current hours, visit the official website at nelliessouthernkitchen.com or call the restaurant directly. During peak Pigeon Forge tourism seasons — summer and fall foliage — reservations are highly recommended, as the restaurant can be busy with visitors to Dollywood and the Smoky Mountains.

What are Nellie's Southern Kitchen's hours?

Hours vary seasonally — Pigeon Forge is a tourist destination with peak and off-peak seasons. For current hours of operation, check the official website at nelliessouthernkitchen.com or call ahead. Hours may extend on weekends and during Dollywood operating season.

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