6 Best Delis near Pigeon Forge

“On vacation and was craving a good sandwich. Pigeon Forge Deli did not disappoint! The bread is fresh, the roast beef melted like butter in my mouth and the staff was friendly! My husband was very happy with his club sandwich also. I highly recommend!“

“Great jerky and John and Jay were great! They know the products and are so friendly and professional! Will be back because of them!“

“Wonderful Healthy Food, Great Atmosphere & Friendly Folks!“

“I've been seeing best burgers, of course you see that a lot being in a tourist town, I finally broke down and got a bacon double cheeseburger and I have to say it is definitely one of the best , it's been a long time but I would have to say it was actually better than Dunn's market , it's been a long time since I've stopped in at Dunn's so I'm comparing from years ago . Excellent job I'm sure Frank Allen would be proud considering all the changes to food , quality, pricing etc..“

“The homemade cinnamon rolls, chicken salad sandwich or chicken salad plate are my favorites! Their special on Wednesday, Crispitos are amazing!“

“🥪 Parton’s Deli – Gatlinburg, TN
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (5/5)
“Closed on weekends. Open in your memories forever.”

When I travel, I stick to two sacred rituals:

1. Find the best local coffee shop.

2. Find a sub spot that doesn’t cut corners—or lettuce.

So when I saw Parton’s Deli on Google Maps, the photos practically reached out and slapped a sandwich in my hand. The place had that we’ve-been-doing-this-since-before-you-were-born look. And guess what? They have—since 1974. That’s over 50 years of subs, steamers, and stories.

But heads up: Parton’s doesn’t follow your schedule—you follow theirs.
They’re open Monday to Friday, 10 AM to 3 PM, and closed on weekends and holidays. Translation: if you show up Saturday afternoon, the only thing getting fed is your regret.

I went during Fourth of July weekend, which, as I quickly learned, is peak Gatlinburg gridlock. Parking was... let’s just say creative. I circled more than a hawk over a picnic, but I found a spot. And it was absolutely worth the hunt.

🧑‍🍳 Alyssa: The One-Woman Show

Inside, it’s a cozy, old-school deli with Pepsi memorabilia lining the walls. Clearly, this is not a Coke-friendly zone.

At the helm? Alyssa. She’s the cashier, cook, storyteller, and vibe curator. And she’s doing it all solo, even on the busiest weekend of the year. Instead of stress, she brought kindness, humor, and great conversation. We chatted about our kids (hers are 6 and 9, mine 10 and 7), Gatlinburg’s busy season, and how she beat social anxiety by working here: “You don’t get a choice when you’re the only one making the sandwiches.” Love that.

She also filled me in on the legendary BMW parked out front. I'd seen it on TikTok—millions have—and it turns out it belongs to David, one of the original Parton brothers. He’s lived upstairs since the ’80s, beat cancer twice, and became a local icon after someone made a Facebook page for his car. He still pops in to say hi from time to time.

🥪 Sandwiches That Speak for Themselves

I ordered:

The Italian (cold)

The Reuben (steamed)

Alyssa broke down the menu: top half = steamed, bottom half = cold, and every sub you see was voted in by customer demand over the years. These aren’t gimmicky or overloaded—they’re just right.

The Reuben was hot, melty perfection. The steam blends the meat, cheese, and dressing into a single delicious mouthful. The Italian brought that classic sub shop energy: fresh, salty, and balanced.

They were out of deviled eggs, or as Alyssa calls them, “angel eggs”—because “they’re too good to be deviled.” I was crushed. I’d seen them in reviews and photos. But hey, now I have an excuse to come back.

🔍 Pro Tips:

Don’t go on a weekend. Just… don’t.

Arrive early if it’s a busy week—parking’s a beast.

Talk to Alyssa—you’ll walk out full of food and stories.

Order the Reuben. That’s the one.

If angel eggs are available, act fast. Or don’t. I’ll take yours.“