Dining at Land Between the Lakes - Ponderosa in Draffenville, Kentucky

 

When you visit Kentucky’s pride,  Land Between the Lakes, you’re faced with an unbelievable selection of restaurants.  We’ve eaten at just about all of them, and I can’t remember ever leaving one unfull or unsatisfied.

One of the best places you can eat, however, is the Ponderosa in Draffenville, Kentucky.  It is just an amazingly managed, clean as a whistle, and over-achieving restaurant.  I consider myself almost a Ponderosa expert - I’ve eaten at Ponderosa’s all over this part of the country (Ponerosa’s, Starbuck’s, and Cracker Barrel’s - I seek them out like a bear seeks salmon.).  The Ponderosa in Draffenville is my absolute favorite, though.  Every single thing I’ve ever eaten there has been perfectly done - from the steak to the Macaroni and Cheese and from the baked potatoes to the tea…flawlessly delicious.

The servers are meticulous, friendly, and…well, happy!  I noticed, on our last visit, how sweet, patient, and helpful they were being with their elderly diners.  That’s something I always notice and am always touched by.

Our own server, Amber, was a lovely young girl who did an amazing job.  She’s the sort of server you’d honestly ask for on your next visit.  I’ve never done that sort of thing, anywhere, I always take whatever server comes my way - but Amber, I’d ask for.

To tell you how good the food, service, atmosphere, etc was - I actually looked for a negative!  I write for a lot…a lot, a lot, a lot…..of blogs.  A great deal of this writing involves reviews.  Something I like to do is to give an honest overall review, including the good and the bad.  My thinking is, if you admit the flaws - however small they are - two things will happen:   1.  Your readers will realize you’re giving them the whole, honest truth - from all angles.  2.  Whomever is in charge of the place or thing you’re reviewing will see what needs to be done and can, then, make their service or product EVEN better.  For that reason, most people truly appreciate an honest review - it helps them get better.

That’s where I ran into a problem with this particular Ponderosa.  Whomever the manager is (I honestly don’t have a clue.) is one of the best at what he or she does because this place was exactly what you’d want a restaurant to be.  I mean, even the salad bar was better than most restaurants!  Usually, a salad bar leaves something to be desired - the tomatoes are too cold, there aren’t enough choices, the lettuce is wilty, the dressings aren’t good, etc.  Not in this case - it was just what I’d want a salad bar to be.

Something else that I always pay close attention to is tea and coffee.  Each were delicious, of course, and Amber never let either get less than half-full - in spite of the fact that she was very, very busy.

The bread was, in itself, worth the trip - even if everything else hadn’t been incredible.  It was the sort of yeast-y bread that your eyes and nose swoon over before it even touches your lips.  HEAVENLY!

My mouth is pretty much watering right now just thinking about it.  And the steak…I’d better not even think about that right now.  Unbelievable!

Again, total props to everyone involved in the Draffenville, Kentucky Ponderosa - it’s everything a Steak House should be.