• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Genuine Kentucky

Kentucky Pictures, Events, Restaurants

  • Home
    • About
    • Contact
      • Advertise
    • Facts About Kentucky
      • Kentucky Geography 101: Where is Kentucky?!
      • Kentucky’s Lakes (Listed Alphabetically)
    • Famous Kentuckians
    • Kentucky Birds
      • Joys of Bird Watching
      • Bird Watching: Keeping a Journal
      • Backyard Birds Love Water!
      • Create a Backyard Bird Watching Haven
      • How to Attract Hummingbirds to Your Yard
    • Kentucky Food
    • Kentucky History
    • Sitemap
  • Pictures
  • Restaurants
    • Best Catfish Restaurants
    • Best Pizza in Ky
    • Best BBQ in Ky
    • Bowling Green Restaurants
    • Gluten Free in Kentucky
    • Kentucky Lake Restaurants
    • Off the Beaten Path
    • Owensboro, Gluten Free
    • Owensboro Restaurants
    • Where to Eat Lunch in Owensboro
  • KY State Parks
    • Carter Caves State Resort Park
    • Cumberland Falls State Resort Park
    • Dale Hollow Lake State Resort Park
    • Kenlake State Resort Park
    • Kentucky Dam Village State Resort Park
    • Lake Barkley State Resort Park
    • Rough River Dam State Resort Park
    • Pennyrile Forest State Resort Park
    • Pine Mountain State Resort Park
    • John James Audubon State Park
    • Lake Cumberland State Resort Park
    • More Kentucky State Parks
  • Things to Do
    • Grand Rivers Variety
    • Kentucky State Parks
    • Kentucky Lake
      • Kentucky Lake Pictures
    • Land Between the Lakes
      • Elk & Bison Prairie
      • Golden Pond Planetarium
      • The Homeplace
      • The Nature Station
      • LBL Pictures
        • Elk and Bison Prairie Pictures
    • Windy Hollow Campground and Speedway
    • Western Kentucky Botanical Garden
    • Smothers Park and Owensboro’s Riverfront
    • The Hitching Post
  • Events
You are here: Home / 2008 / Archives for May 2008

Archives for May 2008

Willow Pond Southern Catfish in Aurora: As Good as It Gets

May 25, 2008 by Joi Sigers 14 Comments

Willow Pond Catfish in Aurora, Ky

Fried Catfish at The Willow Pond, Aurora

Read a more recent Willow Pond in Aurora Review by clicking the link!

I had the sublime pleasure of eating at Willow Pond in Aurora, Kentucky last night. It was the first time for me, but you can be certain that it won’t be my last. When we were leaving, our very friendly waitress told us to “Come back soon,” I nearly fell over myself assuring her that we would do just that.

As I’m writing this review, all I can think about is my next trip to this beautiful restaurant  with its Southern charm and delicious food.

Before I go any further, I want to say a little more about our server.  Although she was very young, she was actually one of the best servers I’ve had in a while. She couldn’t have been older than 18 but she did her profession proud. She was personable, sweet, checked on us often, and had an amazing knowledge of the menu and food.  A great restaurant wants their staff to represent them well.  After all, the service is as associated with a restaurant nearly as much as the food is.

If this young lady was an indication of the other servers, the owners of Willow Pond “get” that.

Like I said, I’d never eaten at Willow Pond before, even though I’m a frequent visitor to Land Between the Lakes.  You hear so much about some of the other restaurants in the Lake’s region – some of them are as famous as the lakes, themselves.  Willow Pond may not have the publicity, but what they do have is… well, everything else.

This is the sort of restaurant that makes you want to try everything on the menu.  Everything. Was.  Amazing. We started off with Fried Green Tomatoes as an appetizer.  They were deliciously battered and deep fried.  So southern!  They were piping hot, firm, thickly cut and served with a fantastic Ranch Dressing.  We knew, instantly, that we were in for a very memorable meal.
Willow Pond Southern Catfish

I ordered the Fried Catfish meal which came with a choice of baked potato, fries, or wedges.  I chose the baked potato, which I was very happy with.  Unlike a lot of restaurants, Willow Pond served a baked potato that was large – just like you’d want it to be. They also did not commit the Cardinal Sin – nuking the baked potato in a microwave. They baked that baby and it was delicious.

You also get perfectly seasoned and wonderful white beans and the best hush puppies you’ll ever eat.  The menu boasted of the hush puppies, “The best hush puppies you ever put in your mouth!”  They weren’t lying! Hush puppies are one of those things that I always sample first.  A lot of restaurants treat hush puppies as an after thought, something they hope people won’t pay too much attention to.

Willow Pond treats them like the stars they are.

As a matter of fact, I think that’s what separates Willow Pond from a lot of other restaurants.  They don’t just focus on their catfish or other meats (they also serve chicken, steak, and shrimp) – they, obviously, treat each and every menu item as though it were the cornerstone of the restaurant.  Even the coleslaw was the best I’ve ever gotten at a restaurant.  You’re given a choice between vinegar or mayonnaise coleslaw, and I guarantee you that you’ll love the vinegar one.  I’ll probably try the mayonnaise coleslaw on my next visit.

Nah, on second thought, why mess with perfection. The vinegar coleslaw is just ridiculously delicious.

Now for the star of the show: the catfish was beyond amazing. I knew, after just one bite, that writing a restaurant review was going to be tough. There simply aren’t enough adjectives in the English language to cover this fried catfish.  It was seasoned perfectly and had a traditional Southern style breading made from cornmeal. The breading was just right – enough to add to the flavor but not so much that the catfish flavor was lost in the mix.  It passed the “no need for tartar sauce” test I always give fried catfish.  For the sake of this review, however, I did sample the tartar sauce – perfect, of course.  It had a dill flavor that made me almost wish the fish needed it.

But, alas, it would have been a crime to have covered up the flavors going on with this fried catfish.

You’re served all the beans and hush puppies (did I mention how freaking amazing these hush puppies are?!?!) you can eat with your meal.  Again, our lovely young waitress didn’t allow us to run low on anything.

{Review continued below.}

Willow Pond in Aurora, Ky - Beans and Coleslaw
Willow Pond Catfish in Aurora, Ky
Willow Pond in Aurora, Ky - Beans and Hush Puppies

Some of the other menu items are below:

SPECIALTIES:

  • Blackened Fish
  • Frog Legs
  • Country Fried Shrimp
  • Rib-eye
  • Sirloin Tips
  • New York Strip
  • Grilled Chicken Breast
  • Chicken Tenders
  • And a lot more!

APPETIZERS:

  • Cheese Sticks
  • Onion Rings
  • Green Tomatoes (!!!)
  • Jalapeno Poppers (our server said she loved these)
  • Fried Dill Pickles
  • Breaded Mushrooms
  • Sampler Platter

DESSERTS:

  • Fruit Cobblers (We had the Blackberry cobbler and it was amazing – even the ice cream was something to write home about.)
  • Pecan Pie
  • Brownie
  • Cherry Cheesecake
  • Turtle Cheesecake (Next time, my friend!)

Willow Pond also features some beautiful salads, burgers, sandwiches, and a children’s menu (“For the Lil’ Tadpole”) which includes Pizza Sticks, Fish Strips, Grilled Cheese, Shrimp, and Chicken Tenders.  Each is served with fries and hush puppies.

But don’t get me started on those hush puppies again.  I’m actually dying for one now.

I’ve saved something deliciously unique for the closing.  Each table has, of course, the standard Salt, Pepper, and tartar sauce.  Willow Pond, however, has something else that we flipped for.  It’s a sweet pepper relish to put on the beans.  You will not believe just how delicious it is.  Fortunately, the gift shop in the front of the restaurant carried this relish, so a jar came home with us!  It is delicious, of course, on beans, but it’d also be pretty amazing on cornbread, or on a hamburger or hot dog.

Aurora’s Willow Pond is a restaurant that you MUST visit. It’s located on Highway 68 East near LBL and Kenlake State Park.

Parking is available for buses, vans, and even motor homes!  Call for questions, comments, or reservations – (270)474-2202

Tell them  Genuine Kentucky sent you!

Read a more recent Willow Pond in Aurora Review by clicking the link!

More Willow Pond on Genuine Kentucky:

  • Best Fried Catfish at Kentucky Lake
  • Best Kentucky Restaurants
  • Where to Eat Fried Catfish in Kentucky
  • Where to Eat at Kentucky Lake (Slideshow)

Willow Pond Map - Aurora, Kentucky

Filed Under: Aurora, Best Catfish, Kentucky Lake Restaurants, Restaurant Reviews Tagged With: best catfish in Kentucky, Kentucky Lake restaurants, Kentucky Restaurant reviews, restaurant reviews, where to eat at Kentucky Lake, Willow Pond

Welcome to Genuine Kentucky!

Genuine Kentucky is a Kentucky Blog and online magazine celebrating the beautiful Bluegrass State. We shine the spotlight on Kentucky with pictures, restaurant reviews, news, tourism, Things to Do in Kentucky, and more.

We’re proud Kentuckians and the non-profit effort you see before you is a labor of love.

E-mail me anytime!

Kentucky Blog Updates

Happy First Day of Spring, Kentucky: Even if Winter Hasn’t Gotten the Memo Yet….

Beautiful Green Turtle Bay in Grand Rivers As I'm typing this, snow is falling outside of my window. While it's beautiful … [Read More...] about Happy First Day of Spring, Kentucky: Even if Winter Hasn’t Gotten the Memo Yet….

St. Patrick’s Day Events Planned at Beautiful John James Audubon State Park

The Gorgeous John James Audubon Museum One of the most beautiful Kentucky State Parks can be found in Henderson, Kentucky. … [Read More...] about St. Patrick’s Day Events Planned at Beautiful John James Audubon State Park

2018 Easter Buffets at Kentucky State Resort Parks

Kenlake State Resort Park's Lodge As I'm typing this information about Easter Buffets at Kentucky State Parks, I am … [Read More...] about 2018 Easter Buffets at Kentucky State Resort Parks

Cumberland Falls Offers Campout at the Fire Tower

'' Dupont Lodge at Cumberland Falls State Resort Park Enjoy an evening camping with a great view on four special camping … [Read More...] about Cumberland Falls Offers Campout at the Fire Tower

My Old Kentucky Home State Park Celebrates Federal Hill’s 200th Year With Culinary New Tours and Additions to Collection

My Old Kentucky Home State Park is celebrating the 200th anniversary of the construction of Federal Hill mansion with new … [Read More...] about My Old Kentucky Home State Park Celebrates Federal Hill’s 200th Year With Culinary New Tours and Additions to Collection

Time to ‘fess Up!

I've always prided myself on consistent Kentucky restaurant reviews, Kentucky pictures of the day, events, news, and all … [Read More...] about Time to ‘fess Up!

Valentine’s Events at Kentucky State Parks

Island View Restaurant at Dale Hollow Lake State Resort Park While winter is a pretty slow time when it comes to Kentucky … [Read More...] about Valentine’s Events at Kentucky State Parks

Fort Henry Anniversary Program at The Homeplace in the Land Between the Lakes

We were at this event last year and loved every minute of it. Few things history buffs love more than sitting and talking … [Read More...] about Fort Henry Anniversary Program at The Homeplace in the Land Between the Lakes

Follow Genuine Kentucky on Twitter!

Tweets by @GenuineKentucky

"When reading about a Kentucky event, please be sure you check the date. Old events are not always deleted from the website. If you have an event you'd like to see on Genuine Kentucky or a 'Made in Kentucky' food or product you'd like reviewed, please contact us! " ~ Joi ("Joy")

Maddox
Pennyrile Forest State Resort Park Trail Through the Forest
Owensboro Cool Sky

Kentucky News and Events

  • Happy First Day of Spring, Kentucky: Even if Winter Hasn’t Gotten the Memo Yet….
  • St. Patrick’s Day Events Planned at Beautiful John James Audubon State Park
  • 2018 Easter Buffets at Kentucky State Resort Parks
  • Cumberland Falls Offers Campout at the Fire Tower
  • My Old Kentucky Home State Park Celebrates Federal Hill’s 200th Year With Culinary New Tours and Additions to Collection
  • Time to ‘fess Up!
  • Valentine’s Events at Kentucky State Parks
  • Fort Henry Anniversary Program at The Homeplace in the Land Between the Lakes

Kentucky State Parks

We have a special passion for Kentucky State Parks, so you'll find many articles and reviews centered around the beautiful state parks in Kentucky.

A personal goal is to visit, photograph, and enjoy each and every one of our state parks and eat at each of the state resort parks. Make no mistake about it, we're well on our way!

Bird Watching in Kentucky!

One of our greatest passions is birds and bird watching is an absolute favorite pastime. If you love our feathered friends and want to learn more about bird watching and attracting birds to your own backyard, be sure to check out our section dedicated entirely to Kentucky birds.

Kentucky Restaurants and Reviews

Kentucky Restaurant Reviews

Where are the best Kentucky restaurants?! Find out in our Kentucky Restaurant Reviews.

Also See: Best Fried Catfish in Kentucky
  • Email
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Kentucky Blogs Database

If you have a Kentucky Blog - or you're simply a Kentuckian who blogs! - you might want to consider adding your blog to a new KY Blogs Database. It's run by "one of us," as in a fellow Kentuckian! Click the link to check it out. I've added Genuine Kentucky and will be adding my other blogs as well.

Kentucky Pictures

Kentucky Pictures
Check out the beautiful Pictures of Kentucky in our photo albums!

Advertising & Reviews

If you are interested in advertising on Genuine Kentucky, please contact us: e-mail Joi Sigers.

Also, if you have a resort, condo, golf course, restaurant, or even a cup of coffee (LOVE coffee!) you'd like for us to review, please contact us at joi@genuinekentucky.com.

Genuine Kentucky Disclaimer

We do not work for any Kentucky service or organization. We are simply proud to have been born and raised in the greatest state in the country and are thrilled to call it home. This site serves as our tribute to Kentucky and its warm and wonderful people. Our mission is to bring more travelers to Kentucky and keep more Kentuckians home! See our Privacy Policy.
Copyright Genuine Kentucky 2017