We found Pawpaws on Yelp and then his food did the talking! We ordered carry out and everything was awesome (shrimp, catfish, gator tail and shrimp etouffee) Also do not leave without the bread pudding! I will return on my next trip to the mountains! read more

Catfish, hushpuppies and their chicken & sausage gumbo is out of this world!! So dang yummy! Friendly service & great prices! Will def come back! read more

This is a TRUE Cajun restaurant. By far, the best meal I have had in a LONG time. The crawfish are boiled to order with just the right amount of seasoning that makes you feel like you are back in the bayou. Sandra, our waitress has that "home" feeling that just makes ya wanna come back. Le bon temps roule. read more

Fantastic hole in the wall joint! Great southern menu. We tried a little of everything and were not disappointed! Bring your appetite!

Kristina was our waitress she was super sweet and welcoming! We ordered the catfish basket and Cajun shrimp and loved it! First time having catfish was a success! Portions are huge... probably could be smaller but for some people that's not a problem! read more

Our family loves good creole cooking, and this restaurant was perfect. The crawfish was flown in the day that we went, and tasted fresh and delicious. The gumbo was rich, but not heavy, and the shrimp po boy came with at least 5 perfectly cooked shrimp on each half. Our family doesn't always get dessert, but their white chocolate bread pudding is something that you don't want to miss. Though easy to drive by, paw paws is an amazing experience both dining and atmosphere. read more

Great Cajun/catfish place away from the hordes in Pigeon Forge (about a 10 minute drive from the main drag). Small, homey place with friendly staff and ownership. My gf and I had the boudin balls, two 2 piece catfish plates (with hush puppies, fries and cole slaw) and the white chocolate bread pudding. Everything was authentic about this place, from the food to the staff to the clientele. This place won't disappoint. read more

Came here with a party of 10 right as they opened on a Saturday. Amazing experience. The place isn't really that big but the personalities of the owners and staff are. They are great people. We were consistently attended to the entire time by a team of people who just seemed happy to make new friends. The food was great. I had the catfish and shrimp. Classic corn meal breading and piping hot. It was great with the remolaude. The jambalaya rice was a tad overcooked and the gumbo lacked the punch of New Orleans spices that I wanted. Overall, great experience, reasonable prices (all you can eat catfish $16), awesome people. We'll be back next year read more

What a great find. It's a small restaurant but the food is amazingly good. I've never had Cajun catfish but wow it was so good and such high quality. Highly recommend if you like Cajun or catfish. read more

I'm not one for eating out, but if I go out its typically here. I've been coming to pawpaw for a long time and the food is amazing, the service friendly, and the atmosphere cozy. You wait a little time for food because it's always fresh, this is no in and out fast food restaurant. This is a true blue feel good feed your soul piece of heaven. Come by and let them treat you to good food and experience being one of the family, because this is home. read more

Well instead of going to the over rated restaurant in pigeon Forge my husband said let's go here. I have to say when they said it would be about 15-20 minutes that's all it took. The food was good. Service was great. These women were running all over the place. Had the catfish and it was wonderful perfectly cooked not greasy. Bread pudding was to die for. Loved it. Would definitely go back. Not sure if I ever want to go back to Gatlinburg or pigeon forge. It is highly over rated. And way beyond expensive. read more

The food never disappoints and I could enjoy those creamy sauces on top of every meal. Our waitress Ashley went above and beyond to make it an enjoyable experience! The food and staff sure encompass Southern hospitality! We will be back every visit in town! read more

As good as any of the food I've had at similar places in N'awlins, and I've eaten some good food - ask my belt. Appetizer sampler of catfish, gator, boudin balls, and a crab cake was excellent. They had crawfish étouffée as a special. Excellent. The shrimp basket was excellent. Service was better than excellent. It's not big and it's not fancy, but it doesn't need to be. Bring an appetite! read more

This place was awesome!! The catfish was seasoned to perfection! The okra and shrimp gumbo was tasty but I did add a little salt. I loved the southern hospitality we recieved!! It was a very great experience. I even bought a Paw Paws Catfish Kitchen shirt for the memories. Will definitely be back!! read more

Outdoor seating and the food was delicious...the alligator bites were seasoned well and moist not dry and chewy and the catfish po'boy was good too. Would come back here anytime read more

The best seafood I've had in a while! We ordered the crab cake, catfish basket which comes with coleslaw and fries, chicken jambalaya. Was the perfect amount for my hubby and me. Will surely return! read more

Fantastic!! Great, attentive, friendly service. The food is amazing. Get the appetizer sample bowl! The catfish, shrimp and crawfish etouffe were all outstanding. The white chocolate bread pudding was the best ever. Thanks!! read more

My 1st time having catfish and it was absolutely amazing. Good portions,great service and a great staff. Highly recommend this restaurant to all. Cant wait to come back and enjoy the southern hospitality again read more

Absolutely cannot wait to go back as soon as humanly possible. We stopped in on a Saturday afternoon. Dear Hubby had a huge, huge, gargantuan, let me emphasize: HUGE half muffaletta. (Pronounced "muffa-lotta." And there's a lotta sandwich going on there.) I don't know if he had ever had a muffaletta before, but I did when I was a kid and my New-Orleans-bred mother went back to NOLA to visit her sister and other relatives. That's the real thing at PawPaw's. Not even kidding. The olive salad on the sandwich is *perfect*. The muffaletta is so big, it doesn't come with sides, so Dear Hubby ordered a side of cole slaw. I stole it from him. I got the divine catfish basket. I think -- I think it was the best fried catfish I have ever had. The batter is so, so, so light and airy, it's hard to believe it was fried. It's crispy instead of crunchy. I know I'm barely being coherent. It's very special catfish, I mean, and you should go try it. Especially with the handmade remoulade sauce. OMG. So good. So good, so good. You have a choice of side salads with the catfish basket, and I picked potato salad. It was wonderful and delicious, but it was also spicy hot. The heat was very subtle but it kept building up with each bite. I wanted to finish it, but I just do not *do* well with spicy hot, so I stole Dear Hubby's divine cole slaw, and he devoured the potato salad. We asked what made the potato salad so hot, and the owner said it was a Cajun secret. Then she told us the secret, and we slapped our forehead and shouted, "Of course!" When you know what it is, you can't understand how you ever didn't know. A word about the crinkle-cut fries: PERFECT. Yes, french fries are fairly ordinary, but it's so nice to find them so perfectly perfect, crisp on the outside and fluffy on the inside. No room for dessert. I *said* we have to go back as soon as humanly possible, didn't I? We really do need to go back! read more

Total hole-in-the-wall. Friendliest service you could imagine and just awesome food. Not the fastest folks working the kitchen, but it's worth the wait. My wife and I got shrimp and catfish po' boys and both were excellent. When I asked if the white chocolate bread pudding was any good, the lady at the counter responded, "It's good enough to slap yer grandma!" I'd have to agree!! read more

It wasn't good at all the crab cakes were horrible the catfish was nasty the only think good was the service and the shrimp

Been up here for 20 years, first catfish I've had that ranks with that served in Alabama, Florida and New Orleans, shrimp is really good also, hush puppies are very good, Cole slaw just average but good read more

Paw Paw's is a delicious choice for NOLA cuisine tucked in the valley of the Tennessee Smokies. We shared a couple of the baskets in our party of four along with Gumbo and a the Sampler Appetizer plate. The catfish was beautifully cooked and NOTHING was greasy. The Boudin balls could have used a little more spice, but others in my party thought they were perfect. We opt for the SNOWBALLS instead of bread pudding. The snowballs were a great choice even in the Rain. Our waitress provided great Service and was very friendly. We also had the opportunity to meet and chat with the owners; who were wonderful! If you are like me and don't want CHAIN FOOD....check this lil place out. You won't be disappointed! read more

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My date and I ate here on Friday night. It was very busy but we still felt well taken care of by the staff. They were very attentive and timing of food service was good, even for a packed house. We had the boudin balls, catfish orleans, and catfish acadiana. All were AMAZING! Coming from someone who lived in Houston for years, this is the greatest cajun food I've had since moving back to Knoxville. I could eat here every single night. read more

This place had the best crab cakes I have ever had. The entree included pasta which was mind blowing. Other food items were good too I.e hushpuppies and white chocolate pudding. If you are in Smokies for a visit, add this place for your lunch or dinner at least once. read more

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Ate here again. Another fabulous Cajun meal. Great people Bread pudding is too die for. Better than most Louisiana restaurants read more

This tiny hole-in-the-wall joint is awesome. If you're in the mood for some good fried catfish, you need to stop by Pawpaw's Catfish Kitchen!! It's off the main stretch in Pigeon Forge off Wears Valley Road and it is sooooo worth it. The dining room is tiny, and you'll probably have to wait to be seated, but the friendly staff and delicious Cajun food is worth all the effort. My husband and I got the catfish and shrimp basket to split and an appetizer of boudin balls. This was more than enough food for the two of us! Just an all around great spot! read more

Another hidden gem away from all the tourist traps. Felt like a small Town diner except this one is run by a Louisiana transplant. First off the red beans and rice tasted like someone's creole Grandma made. The catfish were fried up perfectly and the coleslaw was to die for. The hush puppies were homemade, not standard frozen food service items and tasted like we were actually in New Orleans. Our server had us feeling like we were eating at her own home. The food was so good I actually ordered an additional bowl of the red beans and rice to take back to our cabin to have for lunch the next day. This place will be in permanent rotation each and every time we visit The great Smoky Mountains. read more

We ordered a sampler appetizer, seafood basket and a bowl of red beans and rice. It was all cooked to Cajun perfection... definitely authentic Louisiana cuisine. read more

Wow wow wow! What a hidden gem in the smokies! A planned visit for us after stumbling across the restaurant on Google, and glad we did. Great, friendly service, hole in the wall feel, but big flavored food. The shrimp po' boy is mouth watering fantastic and the hamburger steak and potatoes my wife got was surprisingly delicious. This is a place that will be inked on our "to-do" list for future trips to the Smokies. read more

Great food, very friendly people. Kids and adults enjoyed after a morning rafting. What a nice surprise in the Smokies

I don't understand why people eat at chains...great seafood. Awesome selection of Louisiana food. Reasonable prices. Homey atmosphere.

A Must Stop for fresh local family casual dining in the heart of the mountains. Everything on menu is great but MUST recommend the catfish since I was never a fan of catfish but I will return for more if I'm ever back in the area. Family recipes cooked fresh daily & although their dessert of the day was sold out, wasn't let down with their pecan pan. Can't go wrong read more

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16 year Louisiana resident...I hear often that I need to try someone's Cajun food and usually wind up disappointed. Not here...the flavors are on point. We had the gumbo, crab cakes, and shrimp poboy and all were terrific, then came the bread pudding. Wowza. True Cajun food here. read more

In the area, passing through. Wanted some good food and not blow money on average. This place is a hidden gem! Amazing fried catfish, shrimp, crawfish etoufee and THE BEST EHITE CHOCOLATE BREAD PUDDING EVAH! Some true Cajuns cookin' up some of the best. Go if you can. Won't regret it! Smaller place, not great for large groups and service was a bit in the slow side. HOWEVER, fried fish was fresh out of the fryer! read more

If you have ever lived in rural Louisiana or western Mississippi you know what authentic Louisiana cooking is like. I love this cuisine, and consider the Wears Valley/Pigeon Forge fortunate to have PawPaws! I can't find fault with anything on their menu. It's all great. Po' boys of the important varieties, delicate Catfish, dreamy Gumbos, and perfect Hushpuppies ( the only thing they don't make in house) make this my favorite , and my 16 yr old's as well, midday lunch or evening meal. read more

There's a lot of (wonderful) fried food, including the gator which is, surprisingly, the best I've had. However, I highly recommend the jambalaya. It's fantastic and not at all like a soup with rice that you might have had everywhere "north". Genuinely great people who deliver home-style, remarkable food. read more

Great catfish! We'll be back. I want to try everything on the menu. The bread pudding I took home was yummy with a cup of coffee. Out of the way place for such great food. The server was nice and efficient too! read more

Pawpaw's Catfish Kitchen - Yummy! Catfish & Gumbo. This is the real deal! Hot & fresh. Really good service too. - Cajun/Creole Near Me - Sevierville, Tennessee

First time, came in for a late lunch. Three of us had the 2 piece catfish basket, excellent. The 12 piece shrimp basket was just as good. Had a cup of Red beans and rice, that was great. Recommend this place to everyone! read more

Surprised at all the glowing reviews because our experience was very 'meh.' Maybe it's because we're not far from New Orleans and frequently get amazing Cajun food there but Pawpaw's was so overhyped to us. When eating cajun I expect deep, rich, and bold flavors and nothing I tried here had that. I got a bowl of the chicken & sausage gumbo and it was very bland and brothy, I'm not even sure if it was made with roux. It was mainly rice. Red beans & rice were ok, again, nothing special. Everyone who got catfish enjoyed theirs so maybe stick to that if coming here. We wouldn't go back. Our server was nice but it also got very crowded very quickly, no distancing of tables here. read more