Best catfish I've ever eaten! Hands down and the tartar sauce is delicious. My husband loves the gumbo. We usually do take out bc our cabin is 10 minutes away. Service is wonderful at the restaurant and they are the nicest people ever! Highly recommend!! read more

Food was outstanding!!! I definitely plan to go back tje next time I'm in the area. The owner and staff also were very friendly.

Seafood basket with fried catfish! Mmmmm. Let's not forget the gator bites. Just a simple down home place with a little southern charm. Speedy service and great fried food on a basket! read more

Great food- authentic Cajun- love the catfish! Have not tried the pi boys or gumbo but will next time!

fantastic food, great service! way better than anywhere else out in the main strip downtown. small quaint restaurant of quality

Best catfish around this area! We try to eat here as often as we can! The service is excellent and the food comes out promptly and served hot! We have tried catfish at other restaurants but no one comes close! You always get nice white fish with a crispy crust! read more

We drove by and seen parking lot full and after looking at great Yelp reviews we decided to try this. It did not disappoint. The portions were large, fried to perfection and served hot. The bread on the Shrimp PoBoy was delicious and complimented the fried shrimp. The staff was friendly and very prompt. If you are in the area give them a try. read more

Great way to end a fabulous scenic Fall ride, catfish 100% quality portion size huge and perfectly lightly breaded..... 3 delicious Crabcakes in creole sauce with 8 Cajun shrimp... and even one of the best coleslaw sides read more

"Tennessee" Cajun Cooking at its best - I mean that in the most sincerest of ways. I grew up in Louisiana and I have eaten and cooked cajun food my entire life so I feel reviewing Pawpaw's is in my wheel house. I was very excited to try out this cute little restaurant with a New Orlean's theme, the folks here are extremely friendly and accommodating and it had a "welcome to my home" feel to it. I thought it was very clean and clutter free and the restroom was immaculate. The simple setting does give you the feeling that you could be in any small town in southern Louisiana and the efforts in the kitchen should be applauded although Cajun cuisine is a culture not easily learned even if you're the most talented Chef. The layers of seasoning can't be measured in a measuring cup or with a spoon - it's all about taste and adjustments as you go, it's also about textures and color each layer must be completed before moving to the next step so you get the complexity, these are the things not always taken into consideration, it's like trying to learn your grandmothers favorite dish if she speaks a different language and doesn't have anything written down - ce n'est pas si difficile si vous faites attention. I can't go to a cajun restaurant without trying their gumbo, it's definitely the barometer for measuring cajun food. I tried the traditional chicken and sausage gumbo - it was just okay the roux was a little light and it was thin and really lacked any seasoning so it was a little bland in my opinion. The chicken was good the sausage was weak it lacked any smoky flavor and was the diameter of a Slim Jim and evasive (almost non-existence). We really stopped in for the fried catfish, and we each ordered the basket the fries were meh - I was hoping for those frozen crinkle fries honestly - the basket was loaded with 3 large fresh fillets, the breading was perfect and it was cooked perfectly but again no seasoning the Chef needs to understand people are expecting it to be seasoned, that's the theme here. I jacked up the ketchup with lots of Louisiana Hot Sauce and used it to dip verses using the tartare sauce. Don't take my criticism as a negative its just my descriptive nature and opinion, I'd eat here again - this restaurant has definitely separated itself from any other restaurant in the area so it should be on your to do list if you're looking for something unique to the area... read more

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Can I get a "Heeeee Haaaaaw!!!!" for Pawpaw's?Shoot, this place is downright good. If you find better fried catfish, post about it, 'cause this is the gold standard for me now. Wife, who hates feline fish, said it was good (even asked for a second bite.) I told her hands off, so she went back to her yummy shrimp po'boy. Fries had a good crisp and were creamy inside, perfect. Also tried the slaw (fresh and good), and alligator bites (tasty); their red beans and rice were on point. Somehow with the big portions, we found room for their bread pudding with white chocolate...omg. Located in beautiful Wears Valley, with awesome food and a friendly staff, it's a good destination spot. read more

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It was a treat to eat here, the food and service was amazing. My wife had the catfish basket and I had the catfish orleans, both were some of the best food we had in life! I you want authentic New Orleans cuisine in the south this is definitely the place to go! read more

Paw paws catfish kitchen, is what it is. Opens up starting Thursday and open during the weekend. Food is really good and the catfish is fried to perfection. I'm from New Orleans and this restaurant reminds me of home. From the wall decor "Saints" to the Rouses King Cake. Highly RECOMMENDED. read more

Pawpaw's Catfish Kitchen - Cajun/Creole Near Me - Sevierville, Tennessee

Recommend times 10000000. Found this place by looking at the map nearby our Airbnb on our trip and was so glad to. We didn't have to go into town to have a great meal. It is a small restaurant, so we called beforehand to let them know about 12 of us coming and they were very accommodating. Service was GREAT, and food was delicious. I got the crab cakes and they were beyond what I expected. Very delicious. We also tried the fried oysters, catfish acadiana, appetizer sampler and more. Not one person in my party disliked their food. Highly recommend if you're in the area! read more

Deep in the Tennessee woods, we found ourselves happily among locals, not tourists. No frills, great New Orleans / creole cooking.

AMAZING!!! This place is a ray of sunshine. We got the hush puppies, crab cakes over pasta with cajun sauce, the catfish poe bow and finished it off with the banana pudding with white chocolate on top. Every single thing was the best I've ever had. HIGHLY recommend the banana pudding with white chocolate on top, it was so decedent and delicious. The servers were very nice, there was an amazing musician playing when we were there, and the food was spectacular. We enjoyed the food so much that we forgot to take photos. But rest assured, it was all amazing. If you're ever in the are, please go here! It's so worth it. read more

This has to be the absolute BEST catfish Ive ever had in my life. Came here off a recommendation and it was well worth it. It was not only the catfish was good,...the shrimp was good ....the fries were good , the coleslaw...the baked beans....hell even the water was like Holy water. And make sure you get some bread pudding read more

Papaws has excellent catfish, shrimp and many other items. Food is always great and some of the Cajun dishes like gumbo and boudin balls I think are amazing. Nice local atmosphere with nice staff and great service. Always a pleasure to go dine with these folks or order takeout. read more

Highly recommend! Great service! Very laid back, homey atmosphere. The food was served immediately and had great flavor.

Absolutely delicious. Wonderful service. Couldn't ask for a better experience! We had heard of Pawpaw's from TikTok, of all places. We've been coming to pigeon forge for the past 14 years, but somehow this never popped up on my searches!! We LOVE catfish, so we decided to give it a try. Y'all. It was so good!! We have 5 kids, so we got the Family special, which was 12 pieces of catfish, 2 large sides, and 5 hush puppies. We left with at least 4-5 pieces of fish and fries. It was a great deal. Red beans and rice was good as well. Fried shrimp was awesome. My hubby loved the white chocolate bread pudding, too. Definitely one of our new area staples. read more

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YOU WILL NOT BE UPSET!! The food is so good. My husband, myself and our girlfriend stopped to eat here on the way back to our friends cabin for his birthday on a whim It was great and the waitress was very nice too! We had left overs and they heated up even better later that night Highly recommend.. it was seasoned well great seafood read more

Pawpaw's Catfish Kitchen - Cajun/Creole Near Me - Sevierville, Tennessee

We didn't get past the person at the door because she was incredibly rude. I hope it's just an issue of not knowing English well enough, but then again they should have someone seating people who can interact with customers in a reasonable way. As a Louisiana native I'd expect more hospitality than "Drink, Out!" Maybe "Excuse me, we don't allow outside drinks, thanks." Hopefully the food makes up for the horrible atmosphere and rude service, but we never found out. read more

This was a super small place. It kind of gives a mom and pop feel. Everything was home made from scratch. It didn't take very long to get serviced. Gator bites were bomb. The homemade sauce was tasty. The gumbo was so good. The catfish was really fresh and crispy. The roast beef poboy was super tender and the bread was crispy. read more

Pawpaw's Catfish Kitchen - Gator bites - Cajun/Creole Near Me - Sevierville, Tennessee

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You know when you go to a restaurant that you spot on the side of the road and you don't expect much but then you go there and it's an astonishingly wonderful meal? That's Paw Paw's. You ever have fried cat fish that's cooked to perfection, light, not oily and delicious in only the way that catfish can be? That's Paw Paw's. You know how a crab cake is supposed to be seasoned gently but not overpowering to the crab meat in the cake? That's Paw Paw's. You know how when something simple like cole slaw is done right it stands out and makes an already outstanding meal even better? That's Paw Paw's. Seriously, this place is really wonderful. The folks that work there are super nice. Prices are reasonable and the food is absolutely outstanding. read more

Food and service were phenomenal. We had catfish, hush puppies, fries, and red beans and rice. Everything was so good we went back the best day for more. This was the best food we ate during our vacation in Pigeon Forge. read more

We decided to stop here after browsing Yelp for a good local restaurant in Pigeon Forge. I have to say, it was fantastic. Don't expect anything fancy, but you can guarantee the food will be delicious. I ordered the Catfish Orleans, my date ordered the fried catfish and shrimp combo. Both meals were delicious! The fish was cooked perfectly, the breading is delicious, and the seasoning are just right. For dessert, the famous bread pudding. I normally don't order bread pudding, it's not my thing. Paw Paw's bread pudding takes the cake. It was sooo good! We'll be back next year! read more

Pawpaw's Catfish Kitchen - Catfish Orleans & fried Catfish/Shrimp - Cajun/Creole Near Me - Sevierville, Tennessee

Most amazing catfish we have ever had. This is out of the way on a country corner. Will be going back.

Fish broiled tasted like a muddy aquarium but the chicken was very delicious along with sides and great sweet tea

Recently visited while in Tennesse. We arrived around 5pm, and our party of 13 was warmly greeted and seated promptly. The server was so friendly and attentive, taking time to offer suggestions and explain menu items. I had the shrimp and okra gumbo for appetizer. It was sooooooo good. I had the catfish for my entree with a side of potato salad....amazing. Other members of our party had cole slaw, fried shrimp, red beans and rice. Everyone loved everything we ordered. The portions we're generous. We had left overs so we were able to experience the yummy goodness the next day. read more

Pawpaw's Catfish Kitchen - Catfish and shrimp basket - Cajun/Creole Near Me - Sevierville, Tennessee

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Fun atmosphere, friendly attentive service and tasty food! Prices are reasonable. We recommend and will go back.

This place is very quaint. If you are COVID conscious you may want to come early as it's a very small place. The servers are VERY nice...and the food is good. I have not tried the catfish yet...but had their crab cakes and shrimp gumbo. Personal taste - the crab cakes exterior tasted a little burnt BUT the filling was AMAZING! Shrimp Gumbo...I like spice so I had to add some heat to mine...but overall really good. This place is very filling so don't over order...unless you want leftovers :) read more

We really enjoyed this place! Service was very friendly and welcoming and food was fresh and great. I had a muffalata, which I've not had a true one before it was delicious. Hubby had catfish and shrimp basket and he said the it was light breading and cooked wonderfully. read more

Pawpaw's Catfish Kitchen - Catfish and shrimp basket - Cajun/Creole Near Me - Sevierville, Tennessee

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Damn! I thought I had already did a review.... Love Paw Paws! The catfish is piping hot and outstanding as well as the ladies that serve. Go here every chance I get. Hard to find good catfish anywhere. Love it here. Small establishments are the way to go. Here, they will get your food to you fast, piping hot and delicious. They do a quick turnaround for a small place. Well done! read more

Love these kind of places, rustic with great home style food. Took our exchange students for their first. Fried catfish dinner and they loved it read more

Kind of out of the way but absolutely worth the effort if you love catfish. A go to spot for my family everytime we are anywhere close.

It was very far off the strip. It's located in the middle of nowhere. I looked up the restaurant. It was suppose to be open but It was closed. We were so disappointed because we drove very far to get there. read more

Best catfish I've ever had. Service was excellent and the food came out piping hot so we knew it was fresh. We will definitely be going back next time we're in the area. read more

We were quite hungry, and this appeared on Yelp with a good rating. It was something different from the other restaurants in Tennessee. The road to get here is bad (a lot of turns in the woods). Be careful at night time. Pawpaw's Catfish Kitchen is a mum/pop shop with a huge private parking lot. The restaurant is small and contains about 7 tables or so. Gator Bites (3/5): I wanted my boyfriend to try this because he never had it before. This was probably the only thing we were fans about. Catfish and Shrimp Basket (3/5): My boyfriend ordered this. He got full quite fast and couldn't finish the basket. If you like fried foods, then get the baskets. Chicken and Sausage Jambalaya (2/5): I've been to New Orleans three times, and I've tried several Cajun items. I was actually disappointed in this. The sausage/chicken pieces are tiny with a rice to meat ratio of 6:1. Where are the vegetables? Where is the Cajun taste? House Salad and Garlic Bread (2/5): How old is this bread? It was stale. I put it aside after my first bite. House salad was just eh. It's just lettuce and cheese with your choice of dressing. Otherwise, the server was extremely nice. She was around often and made sure our waters never touched bottom. Would I come back? No read more

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Great catfish at a small family owned business. Service was very nice Fried Catfish. Meet the owner he is he New Orleans.

We were so happy to have stopped here! The service was spectacular which has been hard to find recently. Our waitress, Sandra was welcoming, friendly, fast, and accurate. The food was delicious and the portions were HUGE. Get the white chocolate bread pudding! read more

Pawpaw's Catfish Kitchen - White chocolate bread pudding - Cajun/Creole Near Me - Sevierville, Tennessee

Gumbo is delicious Catfish is very tasty the fries are nice and crunchy while the Cole slaw is excellent. Topped of with very well seasoned hush puppies. read more