During a recent visit to Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, I checked out Dolly Parton‘s Hatfield & McCoy Dinner Feud show.
I’d been to her nearby Dollywood theme park many times while in the area — and Parton’s other dinner shows — but this was my first time visiting this particular venue.
Hatfield & McCoy Dinner Feud is loosely based on the real-life feuding families from the 19th century. Operating since 2011, the two-hour experience features a live show and multicourse meal housed in an extravagant theater.
Adult seats start at about $60 each, though visitors can pay more for VIP perks. Reservations can be made online, over the phone, or in person at the box office.
I booked two adult tickets in advance for $135. Here’s what the dinner show was like.
First, we explored the merchandise shop.
Before showtime, we walked around the venue’s large merchandise shop. I’d heard about the dinner show’s famous soup, so I couldn’t resist purchasing an at-home mix and branded soup bowl.
Before heading into the theater, we also passed a bar selling alcoholic beverages, like moonshine cocktails.
The theater’s seating setup offered great views all around.
After we checked in, we were seated in the theater. The seating was stadium-style, meaning you could have a great view of the stage from just about any vantage point.
We were immediately greeted by our server, who offered unlimited Coca-Cola, tea, or coffee, included in the cost of the experience. Dinner was promptly served after.
The first course was the famous soup.
I couldn’t wait to try the show’s famous starter, which is simply called the original creamy soup.
It was deliciously rich and savory without being too heavy.
The Southern-style main course was next.
The main course was a homestyle Southern meal featuring bread, coleslaw, mashed potatoes, buttered corn on the cob, fried chicken, and pulled pork. I couldn’t believe how large the portions were.
Dairy-free, vegan, and gluten-free meals were also available by request.
The fried chicken was my favorite.
I enjoyed everything but was especially impressed by the fried chicken, which was crisped to perfection with a juicy interior.
It ended up being my favorite of the main course, along with the extra creamy and garlicky mashed potatoes.
The show began after the meal and was extremely entertaining.
The elaborate stage was impressive, featuring water and fire elements, as well as a 24-foot-deep diving pool.
The show, which featured dozens of talented performers, was engaging and funny. It also had pyrotechnics, stunts, dancing, and live music.
At the time of booking, diners choose which side they’d like to be seated on, either Hatfield or McCoy. So, the audience was split and encouraged to root for their respective side.
Overall, the content felt family-friendly, making it perfect for audience members of any age.
The meal ended with dessert.
By the time we got to dessert, I was pretty full.
Still, the pudding and whipped cream were refreshingly light, which was perfect after a heavy meal.
I’ve been to Parton’s other dinner shows, but this was my favorite.
I’ve dined at Parton’s other shows, including Pirates Voyage and Dolly Parton’s Stampede, but the Hatfield & McCoy Dinner Feud show is now my favorite.
From the delicious food — especially that fried chicken — to the engaging entertainment, I thought it was worth the $165 price tag for two tickets.
I definitely recommend checking it out if you’re in Pigeon Forge.
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