Inside Pigeon Forge TN

If you’re in the mood for a little Italian cuisine during your trip to Pigeon Forge, TN then there’s good news and bad news. First off, the bad news is that there isn’t much to choose from when it comes to Italian restaurants in Pigeon Forge. Now, the good news is that what is available is really good! Johnny Carino’s Italian Grill is located on the north end of Pigeon Forge near the Inn at Christmas Place. If you happen to be staying at the Inn at Christmas Place, then you’ll be a very short walk away.

Carino’s Italian is known for their “country Italian” cuisine. The best way to describe this is “Italian without the snoot”. Instead of white, fancy tablecloths you’ll find wooden tables. People aren’t going to wear ties and you don’t have to worry about which fork to use. The locals never cared about that junk, so Carino’s is a nice fit for us!

Food
First up is the bread. When the waiter or waitress starts to pour the oil & herbs for dipping, make sure they swirl the bottle up really well before pouring…this gets the “good stuff” mixed in so you don’t slop the bread in bare oil.

As for the meal…I haven’t been a single time where someone complained about anything they have ordered. I will warn you that the lasagna and Carino’s Combo are absolutely huge. Come hungry if you plan on eating either of those! The food is reasonably priced…especially for the portions they give you.

Service
I would give Carino’s 5 stars, but they fall short when it comes to providing an “authentic” Italian experience. It’s hard to call it Italian when Russians are taking your order and Mexicans are cooking the meals. Granted, this isn’t the case all year long, but the summer months see a flux of Russians come in for work and many seem to get staffed at Restaurants around town. It may be a novelty to tourists, but it gets frustrating to locals when we see it year after year when it’s difficult to communicate in our own town. Don’t get me wrong, I have absolutely nothing against people from different countries and cultures, but when it impacts customer service and quality…that’s when it’s an issue. It comes down to a franchise or “big business” looking to increase their bottom line by hiring employees for as little as possible, which results in high turnover and varying experiences. I’ve experienced long wait times, incorrect orders, miscommunication, cold food, and other minor issues, but the food is usually worth the money and worth taking a chance if you’re in the mood for Italian.

Summary
If you need your Italian fix while visiting Pigeon Forge, TN then I highly suggest Johnny Carino’s. It’s arguably the best option of Italian restaurants in Pigeon Forge.

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Been to Johnny Carino’s? Rate it!: (9 votes, average: 3.67 out of 5)
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Johnny Carino’s Italian Grill
( menu located at www.carinos.com )
2425 Parkway, Pigeon Forge, TN 37863

865-868-0790 Phone
865-868-0795 Fax
865-868-0790 Curbside