Paula Deen -- Riding Dolly Parton's Coattails to Cook Up New Restaurant

Paula Deen's hitching her wagon to Dolly Parton to try to bury her n-word scandal ... forging ahead with a new restaurant right next to Dolly's amusement park.

Paula Deen's Family Kitchen will open later this summer next to Dollywood in Tennessee -- her first new business venture since last month ... when a businessman pumped $75 mil into Paula's comeback.

Sources connected to the restaurant tell us besides the usual family-style portions of Southern food staples ... Paula's new joint will also feature a retail store to hawk her wares and books.

We're told Paula's spent the last 4 months focusing on all aspects of her business ... and this restaurant is a top priority.