Margaritaville in Pigeon Forge is a small world dedicated to Jimmy Buffett, and at the center is a full-service restaurant with: seafood, burgers, sandwiches, and tropical cocktails; a big outdoor deck overlooking the Little Pigeon River; and live music and a lively bar scene. Margaritaville is an escapism lifestyle built around the laidback, beachy world created by Jimmy Buffett. It takes its name from his 1977 hit song Margaritaville, which romanticized an easygoing life of tropical drinks, sandy beaches and not taking things too seriously. Bright tropical decor, neon signage and a steady soundtrack of Jimmy Buffett blares through the space. It’s casual, with guests in flip-flops, drinks front and center, and the experience driven more by atmosphere than the food itself. I ordered the Teriyaki Chicken & Shrimp - Grilled & basted, seasonal vegetables, basmati rice, grilled pineapple, sesame seeds. It may have been a mistake not getting the Cheeseburger in Paradise. The dish was OK. Something crunchy or creamy would have made the dish more well-rounded and exciting. But it is more of a healthier option that still had some flavor - so kudos for that. Grade: C

Nomi's Nibbles is a mobile charcuterie cart with cheeses, meats, fruits and even candy. They were set up recently where I could get a little mix and match of different items. You can get themed options, like one full of bubble gum, gummi worms and blow pops. I went a more traditional route with skewers of grapes, salami, cheddar, colby, tomatoes and more. Have you tried it? Grade: A

Downtown Flavortown is one of Guy Fieri's restaurant, named after his signature catchphrase. Located in Pigeon Forge, the restaurant is more like an entertainment complex, which includes a gaming area, gift shop and huge bar. The menu keeps things big and bold with loaded nachos, wings and fries. Plus, plenty of milkshakes and desserts follow suit. I knew I wanted the trash can nachos, because I've seen viral videos of tbe presentation. They’re built and served inside a metal cylinder, which is lifted at the table so the nachos spill out in a stacked tower. What’s underneath is a layered mix — tortilla chips, queso, seasoned meat, beans, crema and jalapeños. It’s messy, heavy and meant for sharing. I did the BBQ pork version, which lends itself to a nice sweet and savory profile. My favorite part, really, is picking around through crunchy bites, sweet notes, refreshing crema and making the perfect mix of flavors. But the draw here is the larger-than-life experience. The food is fine - it's fun - but it's a background character. Have you been? Grade: B

In downtown Sevierville, The Appalachian is known for its Appalachian cooking. The restaurant builds its menu around regional ingredients, and a wood-fired hearth is the centerpoint of the kitchen. The menu changes regularly, but the throughline stays consistent -- Appalachian ingredients, a lot of creativity and plenty of comfort. You’ll see mains like rainbow trout, dry-aged steaks, pork chops, often paired with seasonal vegetables. Plus, there are starters like fried chicken skins, pimento cheese and cornbread. Inside, the space is full of wood, stone and low lighting. And plenty of bourbon options. I enjoyed a "Prickle Me Pink," which included prickly pear. That intrigued me, since that's a flavor I've typically seen out west. It was lightly sweet and brightly colored. For my entree, I went with shrimp & grits, with andouille sausage, lunchbox pepper, shallot and fermented peppers. The grits were very good and the perfect consistency. The shrimp gave a clean, slightly sweet flavor. The sausage brought some smokiness. The cornbread was risp-edged and golden on the outside, soft and slightly crumbly inside. More savory than sweet. Have you been?

Grade: A

Mochi Ring in is a popular spot for unique, chewy mochi donuts with a wide variety of rotating flavors like Oreo, Matcha and Fruity Pebbles. "As its an ingredient that’s delicate in its flavor yet rich in its structure, mochi is a Japanese rice cake made from glutinous rice, commonly found in many east Asian cuisines. The mochi donut was created to give the classic, traditional donut a new twist to its taste and name. In other words, mochi donut is a unique creation of ingredients found commonly in the east that perfectly matches those from the west," reads the website. The strawberry was chewy and sweet and fun, above all else! Maybe just a bit dry, though.

Grade: B