Papa Leone’s does it all: superb New York-style pizza, cannoli that elicit eye rolls of bliss, and the sort of cozy-casual atmosphere that makes you feel right at home the second you walk through the door. Sometimes you just want to get away from the mainstream chains and try a family-owned restaurant that puts its own spin on traditional favorites, and Papa Leone’s has done just that with flying colors.
When you first walk up to Papa Leone’s, you’ll see the same type of shop-front that’s so traditional in the Pigeon Forge/Sevierville area: wood tones, a steeply-pitched roof, stone/brick accents, and a general cabinlike feel. The interior is clean but cozy. The atmosphere is casual enough that families with small children don’t have to fear letting the pizza sauce flow.
And with a wide array of toppings and sides, practically everyone–even the non-pizza-eaters among us–can find something to love on the menu.
Some of our favorite menu options include…
Signature Pizza
Papa Leone’s Signature Pizza combines the perfect large, foldable pizza construction that you’d expect of NY-style pizza with fresh toppings, impeccably-seasoned sauce, and the toppings of your choice. Opt for house specialties like BBQ chicken pizza or Philly cheesesteak pizza, or choose your own toppings from a long list of options. Either way, you can’t lose.
Fried Mushrooms
Just one of the mouthwatering apps on the menu, Papa Leone’s fried mushrooms pack a powerful punch. Crispy and fresh-tasting with a few different dipping sauce options on the side, these little morsels are a favorite among many local customers.
Cannoli
The perfect cannoli can be hard to find. And while we’d be hard-pressed to label this one perfect (what is perfect, anyway?), we can’t think of much you could improve about Papa Leone’s cannoli.
Caesar Salad
Papa Leone’s has several salads on the menu, and they’re reliably fresh and well made. But the customer favorite is the Caesar salad, which somehow nails that romaine/parmesan/crouton/dressing ratio every time.
Papa Leone’s also offers subs, wings, stromboli, and calzones that hit the spot when you just want something savory to enjoy at the end of a long day. Their menu isn’t expansive, but what they do, they do well.
Location
Papa Leone’s is easy to find and convenient to all of Sevierville and Williamsburg’s big attractions; they’re located right on Upper Middle Creek Road in Sevierville and provide a refreshing alternative to the crowds in downtown Gatlinburg. They offer curbside pickup, delivery to the local area, and dine-in options, as well–so they’re a great option for those end-of-day vacation meals when you just don’t want to have to think too hard about dinner.
Insider Tips:
-Don’t hesitate to ask for dipping sauces to go with your order. Papa Leone’s has a good variety–and they’ll also provide parmesan and pepper flake packets if you ask for them.
-Papa Leone’s has an online ordering service that makes it easy to get your order just right; it’s a great way to plan ahead for dinner when you have a free moment during the day.