Cielito Lindo

Cielito Lindo sits right on the Parkway, and honestly, we were skeptical at first — another tourist trap Mexican place? But the portions here are absolutely ridiculous in the best way. We're talking burritos the size of your forearm that'll easily feed two people, which is a lifesaver when you're trying not to blow your entire vacation budget on food.

The place has this vibrant, colorful vibe that actually feels authentic rather than cheesy theme-park Mexican. Our kids love it here because there's enough room to spread out and they don't have to whisper like at some of the fancier spots in town. Plus they've got high chairs and a decent kids' menu.

Here's the weird thing though — there's a big margarita sign out front, but they don't actually serve margaritas. I know, confusing. We found that out the hard way on our first visit when Shandi was really looking forward to one after a long day at Dollywood. The bar does have beer and other cocktails, just not the margaritas the sign promises.

Best tip I can give you: go for a late lunch or early dinner if you can. The Parkway gets absolutely nuts after 6pm, and while they do take reservations, you'll still be fighting tourist traffic just to get there. We usually hit it around 4:30 and it's perfect timing.

The free parking lot is clutch too. You don't realize how much of a pain parking can be on the Parkway until you're circling blocks looking for a spot that doesn't cost $10.