I don't typically peruse smoke shops - but when there are fun snacks and food? Count me in! King's is primarily known for vape & other smoke products, but this shop has a whole section on international snacks and an adjoining kitchen. Let's start with the snacks. Rap snacks. Milka Oreo. A variety of Lays flavors from Asia. Anything I had never tried before, I picked it up. On the restaurant side, I got a small order of boneless wings, which were just chopped chicken tenders. They were just OK. A bit dry inside and also not enough sauce outside to compensate for it. The sauce I had was just sweet without much depth. Next time, I'll try the bone-in wings. Grade: B

One of the biggest attractions in Pigeon Forge is Pirates Voyage, Dolly Parton’s pirate-themed dinner show that combines live stunts, comedy, music and a full meal into a huge indoor theatrical production. The show takes place in a massive lagoon arena where two pirate crews — Crimson and Sapphire — battle on full-sized ships with sword fights, diving stunts, pyrotechnics and aerial acrobatics happening all around the audience. We started with the Voyager Creamy Vegetable Soup and Buccaneer Biscuit. Super thick & creamy. Dinner was: Cracklin’ Pan-Fried Chicken, Swashbucklin’ Sugar-Cured Ham, Cob-O’ Buttery Corn and Pirate Herb-Basted Potato. Rum Runner - light rum, dark rum, banana liqueur, banana liqueur, pineapple juice, lime juice and grenadine. The classic dessert is essentially a warm apple turnover called the “Apple O’ Me Eye Pie." It’s a flaky handheld pastry filled with spiced apples (or peach in some versions) and served warm. The meal was fine, but certainly played second fiddle to the over-the-top pirate adventure, with actors interacting with the crowd, cannons firing and performers swinging high above the water. Grade: B

West Virginia doesn't have enough soul food restaurants. So when I learned of one opening in Welch -- at the bottom of the state -- I planned a day trip without delay. Rosco’s Soul Food was a locally owned restaurant in downtown Welch that was known for their plates, which included options like ribs, brisket and pulled pork and sides like mac & cheese, fresh collard greens and yams. It was a fairly small operation with only a handful of dining tables indide. I tried the cornbread, ribs, brisket, pulled pork, mac & cheese and potato salad. All delicious and beyond tender. The mac was a bit dry. Have you been? Grade: B

Boat Bites is an updated food truck that primarily sticks to the Trojan Landing area but has recently been expanding to area events. The menu features hot dogs, chicken strips, chicken sandwiches and burgers. But what caught my eye was the fish tacos - crispy fried fish, pico de gallo, slaw and boat sauce. Plus a side of macaroni & cheese. I love a good fish taco, specifically the juxtaposition between the hot crispiness and a cold sauce. The former was good, the latter could use a bit more work. But still a solid rendition. Grade: B

Heartwood Coffee is a small coffee shop tucked inside the lobby of New Heights Church in downtown Milton. It opened in 2020 and operates with limited daytime hours, primarily serving morning and early afternoon traffic. The vibe leans simple and friendly. It’s understated and functional — but still cute. On the menu, you’ll find the expected lineup of espresso drinks — lattes, flavored coffees and seasonal specials. If you're looking for food options, they offer muffins, brownies, cookies and the like. I enjoyed a caramel frappe, which had a nice balance of boldness and sweetness. For me. A savory biscuit sealed the deal. Have you been? Grade: B

Mellow Mushroom began in 1974 in Atlanta, where three college friends opened a small pizza shop near Georgia Tech with a counterculture vibe. Over time, it grew into a national chain, with each location being locally owned and designed with local art to create an almost '70s retro vibe. While in Asheville, my friends and I ordered delivery:

Buffalo Chicken – Chicken tossed in buffalo sauce with mozzarella, bacon and onions, finished with a ranch drizzle.

Great White – No red sauce; instead uses garlic and olive oil with ricotta, mozzarella, feta, onions and tomatoes.

Pepperoni Mellow Rollz - Dough stuffed with pepperoni and melted mozzarella, then brushed with garlic butter and topped with Parmesan and chives Tangy buffalo sauce leads with mild heat while tender chicken, smoky bacon and a cooling ranch drizzle balance it all out.

A garlic and olive oil base lets creamy ricotta, salty feta and fresh tomato carry a lighter, more subtle mix of flavors and textures. I only wish some of the slices weren't overtaken with giant air bubbles.

Soft, cheesy and brushed with garlic butter, these eat much like my beloved pepperoni rolls. A marinara dipper takes it over the top. Grade: B

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

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