Genuine Kentucky

Kentucky Pictures, Events, Restaurants

You are here: Home / Archives for Joi Sigers

The Pond at Kentucky Lake: Always a Relaxing and Wonderful Place to Dine

by Leave a Comment

The Pond Catfish and Baked Potato

Baked Potato and Grilled Catfish at The Pond

One of my favorite Kentucky restaurants is The Pond in Aurora, Kentucky. I love the atmosphere, the ambiance, and (of course) the food! Before Catfish Kitchen was destroyed by fire, we’d alternate restaurants when in the Kentucky Lake area because each had their own wonderful strengths….

  • Catfish Kitchen (also rich with atmosphere and ambiance) had gluten-free fried catfish – fried in its own separate fryer. Given that fried catfish is my complete and utter obsession, this meant the world to me!
  • The Pond has a delicious red pepper relish for their beans that is always one of the highlights of my visit. It’s even available to buy in jars – which I HIGHLY recommend!
  • Catfish Kitchen had a delicious appetizer/side, green tomatoes, that I still think about to this day. It was delicious and a perfect accompaniment to their beans.
  • The Pond’s coleslaw is consistently good… Catfish Kitchen’s never was lmao! It was so bad,  I always wanted to ask the server, “What’d I ever do to you?!” when she’d ask if I wanted more. Having said that, now that the restaurant is gone, I think I’d eat that coleslaw with bells right about now.
  • The Pond has grilled shrimp that’s absolutely delicious. The seasoning is outrageously good!

Two historical and wonderful restaurants and I wish so much both were still standing. While I’m wishing on a star, I also wish The Pond had gluten-free catfish, fried in a dedicated gluten-free fryer.

A girl can dream, right??

When you’re in the Kentucky Lake area, I hope you’ll stop in and enjoy a great meal at The Pond. Their prices have gone up this year, as the sign in the foyer states, but if you’re like us, you really don’t eat out that often AND it’s always wonderful to support Kentucky businesses and Kentucky’s workers.

~ Joi (“Joy”)

The Pond Catfish and Baked Potato

Beans and Red Pepper Relish at The Pond


Genuine Kentucky… Recovering from a Whirlwind of Changes!

by Leave a Comment

Kentucky Lake - Winter at Lighthouse Landing

Lighthouse Landing at Kentucky Lake

If you were a regular reader of Genuine Kentucky, you know all too well that we’ve been very  inactive on the Kentucky blog (and Twitter for that matter!) for some time now. The Pandemic rocked most of our normal lives and knocked us out of our regular routines. Masks, mandates, closings, restaurant restrictions, increased prices, etc has made a lot of people look at where they place their time, energy, efforts, and money.

I’m sure you’ve noticed a big increase in prices at restaurants. The portions seem to stay the same (or, in some cases, get smaller) but the prices have gone up considerably in a lot of restaurants. Frankly, it’s very often easier and less expensive to cook at home – plus, for those who are still scared of catching COVID, they reason that they’re safer at home.

Ironically, it’s the perfect storm for restaurants to suffer, yet most aren’t doing anything to entice visitors. Telling them your bills have gone up, so they now have to pay more for their food doesn’t exactly scream, “Welcome! We’re Glad You’re Here!”

Seriously, I understand some businesses are fighting to stay alive, but a little concession (such as free drinks… a very small thing that would at least be something).

Just a thought.

Also, personally, I think that if you have price increases, you should be as forthcoming as you can possibly be. Let your visitors know they will now have to pay more… and, by all means, let them know what they’re now expected to pay. Simply saying, “You’re going to have to expect to pay more now” isn’t worth much because “more” could mean anywhere from a dime more to two dollars more.

Big difference… and if restaurants “feel the pinch” of the economy, don’t they realize their visitors feel it every bit as much?

I got kindly off track there, but given that I’ve always done restaurant reviews on Genuine Kentucky, it ties in.

Not only are restaurants higher than ever, one of my personal favorite restaurants in the world, Catfish Kitchen, burned down! This was a terrible blow to the owners and  staff, obviously, but it is also a huge loss to the Kentucky Lake region. This was a beautiful, delicious, and historic part of the area and I can’t even begin to tell you how much I miss it. It was the one place in the entire area where I could get gluten-free catfish.

It is so very missed.

On top of all of the pandemic and economy-related struggles, my computer had to be repaired and I lost every single photo I had stored on the computer. All of my Kentucky photos, restaurant pictures, State Park pictures… etc. Every bit, completely gone. A lot of the photos had already been added to the Kentucky blog, but many had not. They were waiting for their big moment.

Sigh.

But, life goes on and it is, after all, (to a very large degree) what you make it. So, let’s get going!

I am committed to reviving Genuine Kentucky because I love my state so very much. Although we don’t travel often and pretty much eat at the same restaurants (when we do go out to eat!), I will do my best to provide Kentucky news, updates, events, Kentucky pictures, and restaurant reviews and news as well.

I am sorry for the absence but excited and happy to be back! ~ Joi (“Joy”)

Catfish Kitchen

Catfish Kitchen… I miss you A LOT!

Hot Dog Days of Summer at the Kentucky Legend Cafe in Owensboro (Located in the Convention Center)

by Leave a Comment

The Kentucky Legend Cafe

Photo Credit: The Owensboro Convention Center

My youngest daughter, Stephany, often talk about squeezing as much joy out of each season as possible. Actually, we don’t just talk about it, we do it!

The Joy Squeezing Includes…

  • ENDLESS lemonade in the summer months – we literally try every fast food and sit-down restaurant’s lemonades (and faithfully put our favorites on repeat). We also make our own.. I mean, summer calls for all the lemonade you can get your lips on!
  • Planting seeds in the spring and taking long drives through the country to see daffodils and other beautiful spring flowers and trees.
  • Sampling every restaurant and coffee house’s hot chocolate and chai lattes in the winter! When my husband and I are in a different town during the winter months, we seek out every chai latte in the area. It’s pretty hard to compete with Starbucks’, but a few come dangerously close.
  • Turning into hot dog and hamburger fanatics ALL summer, EACH summer! Seriously.. along with lemonade, it just isn’t summer without them.

Which brings us to something extra delicious and fun the Kentucky Legend Cafe is… excuse the pun on a bun… cooking up.

The following is a press release from the Owensboro Convention Center:

Ready for a taste of summer? OVG360, the provider of Venue Management to the Owensboro Convention Center is proud to partner with Kentucky Legend for a delicious take on a classic favorite!

Drawing upon July being National Hot Dog Month, the Hot Dog Days of Summer will feature a specialty hot dog Lunch Special at the Kentucky Legend Café for the remaining Fridays throughout July. Guests are invited to come and try them all!

Friday, July 8 – The Texas Dog:  Topped with chili, cheese, and jalapenos

Friday, July 15 – The Pastrami Dog: Topped with pastrami, Swiss cheese, mustard, and a pickle

Friday, July 22 – The Junkyard Dog: Topped with chili, mustard, grilled onions, and French fries

Friday, July 29 – The Seattle Dog: Topped with cream cheese, grilled onions, jalapenos, and Sriracha sauce

“I love the creativity of our Food and Beverage team!” stated Director of Marketing, Jeanette Goins. “Most people know the Chicago Dog, but these are also varieties you’ll find on menus all across the U.S. It’s great to be able to bring a taste of that here locally.”

“Obviously National Hot Dog Month is near and dear to us at Kentucky Legend! We couldn’t be more thrilled to be a part of this creative celebration with the Owensboro Convention Center. We hope everyone can find some time to come on over and try one of our delicious hot dogs with a fun twist!” says Brooklyn Maple, Brand Manager for Specialty Foods Group, LLC.

The Kentucky Legend Café is located inside the Owensboro Convention Center and is open for lunch from 10am to 2pm Monday through Friday for dine-in and carry-out. All Daily Lunch Specials are $10 and come with choice of a side item or make it a combo with a drink for $12. Garden salad bar and soup of the day are also available. All major credit cards are accepted and prices include tax. For the complete menu, click here.

I hope you get a chance to try each one! They all sound wonderful.. in fact, they’re inspiring me to come up with one for my family this summer, an Owensboro Dog – complete with barbecue, sauce, onions, and chopped pickles. Add a little coleslaw to the situation and I think we’re on to something.

Learn more about the Owensboro Convention Center by visiting the link.

Golden Pond Planetarium and Observatory: Activities for Astronomy Day (May 7, 2022)

by Leave a Comment

Golden Pond Visitor's Center and Planetarium

The Golden Pond Visitor Center Planetarium and Observatory

International Astronomy Day is Saturday, May 7, 2022 and The Golden Pond Planetarium and Observatory in the Land Between the Lakes has a special day planned for visitors.

The Planetarium will have activities for the kids, solar viewing, and a special program hosted by The WKAA (West Kentucky Amateur Astronomers): Beginners Tips on How to Choose a Telescope.

Shows on International Astronomy Day (Saturday, May 7) will be free and will be available throughout the day! Astronomy Day will also be the day the grand opening for the new Planetarium projector, SkyExplorer.

The West Kentucky Amateur Astronomers will also be offering free solar viewing in the observatory.

Space science crafts will be provided, along with free posters and stickers.

The 360-degree, surround-sound, 40 foot domed planetarium theater is temperature controlled and has very comfortable high back seats. Surround sound adds SO MUCH to the experience. The new SkyExplorer projection system provides the best rendering capacities and delivers a wonderful, realistic image quality for an immersive experience throughout the domed theater.

Solar viewing will (of course) be weather dependent.

For show schedules and more information, please visit www.landbetweenthelakes.us/planetarium.

 

Kentucky Legend Café: Delicious Place to Enjoy Lunch in Owensboro, Kentucky

by Leave a Comment

Some of the more popular posts we’ve done on Genuine Kentucky have been the ones under the category “Where to eat in Owensboro, Kentucky.” Seems like we’re very fortunate here in Owensboro that we receive a lot of visitors from all around the area and each very much wants to know where the best places to eat are!

When it comes to eating lunch in Owensboro, there are lots of options but I want to highlight one, today, that’s kind of off the beaten path.

The beautiful Owensboro Convention Center isn’t just a great spot for activities and events here in Owensboro, it’s restaurant (The Kentucky Legend Café) is apparently an extraordinary place to eat!

Allow me to say, right up front, that I have never (personally) eaten at The Kentucky Legend Café. For health reasons, I can only eat gluten-free/wheat free and, to my knowledge, the wonderful café doesn’t have a gluten-free menu.

Sigh.

I have had several members of my family (including my husband) eat there and have given it glowing reviews.

The Kentucky Legend Café is open for lunch from 10am to 2pm Monday through Friday for dine-in and carry-out. All Daily Lunch Specials are $10 and come with your choice of side item.  Upgrade to a combo with a drink for $12.

Salad bar and soup of the day are also available.

While you can (and should) enjoy lunch at the beautiful Café anytime, they have something extra fun going on next week! See Lunch Specials at the Kentucky Legend Cafe for more information about this creative week.

More information:

The Owensboro Convention Center is located at 501 West 2nd Street.

You can find The Owensboro Convention Center on Twitter.

"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")

Flowering Tree in Bowling Green
Fraley Music Festival
Maddox