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Posted by Jon Hoffman in Pigeon Forge
Anyone familiar with down home cuisine is acquainted with both the persona and recipes of celebrity chef Paula Deen, also known as the “First Lady of Southern Cooking”. Though healthfully tempered in recent years, her rich ingredients are enhanced with farm-grown flavors and sometimes surprising seasonings. Recently opened, Paula Deen's the Bag Lady Cafe at the Island in Pigeon Forge takes Paula's cooking back to its origins.
Paula and her two sons began her home-based commercial business in the late 80's, with an express lunch delivery service to Savannah, Georgia area office workers. What became Paula's food dynasty began as simple, delicious catering to fill a local market need. There is still a similar need in today's market for convenient food that is created homemade fresh. Those same sandwiches, salads and sweets that made Paula famous are now delightfully available in a cafe environment, to be purchased as grab and go, or enjoyed on site at your leisure. If you have ever lived in the business box lunch catering world, this is cuisine that you already understand.
All menu items at The Bag Lady are created from Paula's recipes, are freshly made inhouse, and include seasonal items to keep things interesting. A variety of sandwiches include standard meat and cheese offerings, along with tuna melts, chicken and egg salads, and homemade pimiento cheese. There are also healthy salad options and a kids menu.
Whether on your diet plan or not, strongly consider the Ooey Gooey Butter Cake dessert, which is an original signature Paula item that helped to drive business volume all those years ago. You really must taste it for yourself!
A thoughtful tip for your shopping day-though single drinks appear a little expensive, free refills are allowed for the entire day. This is very attractive on those steamy days ahead as you explore all the shopping, dining, and entertainment the Island complex has to offer.
The restaurant represents a more casual, quick meal offering of “Paula fare” in addition to the Paula Deen's Family Kitchen: a family style, sit down country meal, also located at the Island complex.
As options for casual dining increase throughout our area, don't overlook those that strive to provide standard quick fare done one step better. Sure, you can always choose the familiar chain store submarine or hoagie. You can also save money by visiting the new Publix grocery store in Pigeon Forge to stock up on sandwich items to assemble in the kitchen of your Pigeon Forge cabin rental.
But at least once during your stay, come visit the venues of the Island and make a stop for a great quick fix from the Bag Lady: the Paula Deen experience without the long wait.
Don't expect fancy. Do expect to enjoy the eating. Don't forget to chase it with sweet tea and some dessert, y'all!
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