Aurora | Genuine Kentucky

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

October 16, 2022 by Joi Sigers Leave a Comment

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”)

Beans and Red Pepper Relish at The Pond

10 Christmas Gift Ideas at The Hitching Post in Aurora, Kentucky

September 11, 2017 by Joi Sigers Leave a Comment

I have a confession to make. I think about Christmas year round. In fact, before Christmas day is over, I’m already thinking about what I want to bake, cook, and buy for the next Christmas. Mind you, I’m not saying I’m normal (that’s something I’d never even think about saying) – it just is what it is.

Since we have a large family, it’s actually a good thing that I have Christmas on the brain every day of the year. After all, if I waited until November and December to do all of my Christmas shopping, I’d never make it.

Neither would our bank account.

Right after Christmas, I begin buying Christmas gifts and hiding them away. You know how people are always saying they wish the Christmas Spirit could last all year long? I’m here to tell you, it CAN.

On a recent trip to Kentucky Lake and Land Between the Lakes, we (as we always do) stopped by The Hitching Post in Aurora. We always take the opportunity to browse around and stock up on jams, Kentucky food, homemade fudge, and bottles of vintage soda pop.

I kept seeing perfect Christmas gifts for my husband, our daughters & sons-in-law, and grandbaby (our first… he’s due in January!). Literally everywhere I turned I saw something that “so and so” just “has to have” and things that “such and such” would “absolutely flip sideways for.”

That’s when the idea for this post came about. I figured if my such and suchs and so and sos would flip sideways, yours will too. Below are just some of the gift ideas I spied on this trip. Trust me, we’ll be going back again soon and I’ll find more.

In other words, there’ll be future posts just like this one…. Christmas on the brain, you know.

The first gift idea of the 10 is the RC and Moon Pies gift set at the top. The “Redneck Six Pack” has 2 RC Colas and 4 Moon Pies. This would, obviously, be a perfect idea for anyone, whether their neck is red or not. I mean, everyone loves delicious RC and Moon Pies.

Gift ideas number 2-10 are below.

Christmas Gift Idea for Teachers, Principals & Childcare Workers

The adorable Colored Pencil Frame (above) would be ideal for teachers, principals, or anyone who works with children for that matter.

It’s even cuter in person – very well made and affordable.

Gift Idea for Grandparents

As I said, above, we are expecting our first grandbaby in January and we couldn’t be more excited. I cannot wait to get my hands on him and spoil him like any self-respecting grandmother should! The sign, above, would make a wonderful (and downright honest) gift for any grandparent.

Gift Idea for Pet Lovers

Whether the pet lovers in your life are owned by cats (like me) or are owned by dogs, the pet lovers sign, above, would make them nod in agreement and maybe even give a few, “AMEN”s – I know I did when I read it.

Gift Idea for Proud Kentuckians

Okay, this one probably applies to all of us. This beautiful “Happiness is a State of Mind” (with our beloved Kentucky in the middle) sign would make a wonderful gift for all Kentuckians. Whether they are still blessed to live here in the Bluegrass OR they’re Kentuckians who now have to call somewhere else “home.” Then again, even when we Kentuckians have to live in another state, only one comes to mind when we hear the word “home.” When we temporarily lived in Florida, whenever I’d hear the word “home” – I didn’t think of the beaches, dolphins, and pelicans, I thought of the hills, horses, and cardinals.

There really is NO place like home.

Gift Ideas for Fishermen and Women

The picture above is just a fraction of the great gift ideas for people who love fishing (or hunting, for that matter). There are countless books, trinkets, signs, and fun gifts for people who spend a lot of time fishing and even more time thinking about fishing.

Elmwood Inn Fine Teas for Tea Lovers

A few Christmases ago, my husband gave me a glorious gift basket that included a container of Elmwood Inn Fine Tea bags (like the ones pictured above). I’ve been obsessed with this beautiful tea since. People who aren’t tea lovers (what do you people even drink??) might not believe it, but there is a HUGE difference in different teas. You can taste the quality in really special tea and Elmwood Inn Fine Teas is a perfect, perfect, perfect example. A container or two of this wonderful tea in a bag with a lovely teacup would be a gift any tea drinker would love.

If that wasn’t a sufficient enough hint for my family, I’m losing my touch.

Gift Ideas for Cooks

It takes a cook to know what cooks want… what they really, really want… so you’re in good hands with me. I cook, therefore I am. Does that sum it up enough? I am as passionate about cooking as Garfield the cat is about napping and I always find SO many wonderful foods, spices, seasonings at The Hitching Post as well as the Old Country Store right beside it. Bourbon Smoked Sea Salt and Pepper are absolutely delicious on and in just about anything. The flavor and aroma is out of this world and I know they also make Bourbon Smoked Sugar but honestly can’t remember if I saw it at The Hitching Post or not.

Another favorite that I have trouble living without is something called Taste Elevated Sweet and Tangy Mustard Seeds (badly pictured below… my old phone sucked at taking pictures). I cannot even tell you how delicious it is. Why I’ve never taken a better picture of it is beyond me, but it is phenomenal – we love it on hamburgers, hot dogs, corn dogs, in egg salad sandwiches, on deviled eggs, on crackers…. one of the best ways to enjoy it, however, is with pretzels. This delicious spread/dip is one of those things you have to try to believe how delicious it is.

It’d make a great gift idea for any foodie or cook, but be sure to grab yourself a jar while you’re at it.

Trust me.

The Hitching Post also has a lot of Christmas ornaments and decorations throughout the store as well. I’d imagine that they’ll even have more as we get closer to Christmas. I mean, even I realize it’s still a few months away.

Writers, Students, Note-Takers, and Planners

The adorable journals pictured above are extra, extra special. I wanted just about every single one – except for the retirement journal… I mean, retire from what? You could find a perfect journal for just about anyone on your list. Seriously, these are super cute.

Gift Ideas for People Who Love to Laugh!

Last… but far from least… you’ll find endless gifts for people who love to laugh. If you ask me, it’s downright dangerous to take life too seriously and the people at The Hitching Post seem to really get that. I mean they seem to really, really, really get that!

The sign above and the “Mug Shots” below are just a few of the hilarious gift ideas. You will, literally, find yourself surrounded with hundreds of great gift ideas.

Until the next 10, I have supper to cook and Christmas to think about…

~ Joi (“Joy”)

P.S. Did I mention we’re expecting a grandbaby???

Antique and “All Things Vintage” Collectors: You’ll Find Heaven on Earth in Aurora

May 19, 2017 by Joi Sigers Leave a Comment

Americana at The Hitching Post and Old Country Store!It’s no secret that we love the Hitching Post & Old Country Store in Aurora. They’ve been in the “Playing Favorites” spotlight on the Kentucky Events Page for months. I set it up to be a one month spotlight but, what can I say, time got away from me… to the tune of about 8 months!

One of the uncommonly cool things about this Gift Shop/Antique Store/Legendary Kentucky Lake “Museum of Fun” is the fact that you see something different each time you go. As you’d expect, we go frequently – many times throughout the year – yet, there are still new Kentucky food products, fudge flavors (YUM!), toys, gifts, mementos, etc each time we’re there.

Classic Candy at the Old Country Store in AuroraIf you collect antiques and love anything and everything vintage, you’ll want to move into the Old Country Store. The new owners have put SO much work, time, money, and effort into renovating this wonderful old country store into what is very much like a vintage museum – except you can buy the exhibits!

The classic candy is one of my favorite sections…. remember Astro Pops? You can buy a couple and show your kids what all the fuss was about. The last time we were in there, I got a kick out of listening to a grandfather tell his granddaughters all about the games, candy, books, and toys. They were fascinated with the candy cigarettes. Remember those? I could tell by the look on his face, he was a kid again… and THAT is what makes this place a kind of Heaven on earth – because when it comes to traveling, no trip can compare with the one you take back in time.

I noticed that the grandfather was buying a few things and I thought, “Smart man. Take that kid feeling home with you!”

Classic Candy, Toys, Books, and Games

Continued Below…

Vintage Toys Games and Books at the Old Country Store

Click each picture for a closer look.

There are also countless other vintage and antique collectibles – pretty much any category you can think of is covered. The vintage collectibles I collect are kitchen gadgets, dishes, historical books, and cookbooks – So I am WILD about these sections.

There are also vintage sewing accessories and gadgets.

Continued Below….

Vintage and Antique Collectors will LOVE the Old Country Store!

Antiques and Collectibles at the Old Country Store

Vintage Dishes and Kitchen Collectibles at the Old Country Store

Click each picture for a closer look.

Everything is set up beautifully – you can tell a great deal of time and effort goes into every single display.

Another great thing about The Hitching Post and Old Country Store is the fact that it’s a wonderful place to find Kentucky Food and Kentucky made products. LOVE that!

Kentucky Food at The Hitching Post and Old Country Store

I hope you’ll go as soon as you possibly can and go through both the Hitching Post and the Old Country Store very slowly. Trust me, you do not want to miss a thing.

The Pond Restaurant in Aurora, Kentucky (Previously Willow Pond)

May 16, 2017 by Joi Sigers 4 Comments

Loaded Baked Potato, Blackened Catfish, and Vinegar Coleslaw

As you can tell from the multiple Willow Pond (in Aurora) reviews on Genuine Kentucky, this is one of our favorite Kentucky Lake Restaurants. The food is consistently delicious and the people couldn’t be any friendlier if they were your own family. None of that has changed (or is it ever apt to), but the name HAS changed. This legendary Kentucky Lake restaurant is no longer Willow Pond…. it is now The Pond.

Some people get kind of confused when it comes to the Willow Pond restaurants near Kentucky Lake – so I’ll just give a brief recap:

There was a Willow Pond in Calvert City that was pretty darn good. While the Willow Pond in Aurora has always been my favorite, this restaurant wasn’t at all bad. Unfortunately, the Calvert City Willow Pond is closed now – for good, apparently, because there now a new business in their old location. This Willow Pond had different owners than the Willow Pond in Aurora.
The Willow Pond in Aurora (my favorite since Day 1) is still standing strong and delicious. It is simply now going by the name The Pond. The signs out front have not changed yet, but trust me… it’s not The Pond. We ate there a few days ago and the overall-wearing frog (pictured below) assured me, the change is a done deal.
There is a Willow Pond in Eddyville that is… for lack of a better word… horrible. The last time we ate there (out of severe hunger and desperation), we actually sat in a shocked kind of silence trying to tally up all the things they did wrong. Everything was cold, everything was bad, and the servers were aloof and acted kind of detached. Not that I wouldn’t try to detach myself from the food served, too, but still. The Eddyville Willow Pond owners are NOT the ones who own the Aurora restaurant. They aren’t even the ones who owned the one in Calvert City (though I wish they were in case we were ever hungry and desperate in that area again).

{Review Continued Beneath My Buddy the Frog….}

While The Pond (this is going to take some getting used to after years of typing Willow Pond in Aurora!) has a little bit of everything on their menu, they are famous for…

Fried Catfish
White Beans
Red Pepper Relish (for the beans)
Grilled Catfish
Grilled Shrimp
Fried Green Tomatoes (appetizer)
Vinegar Coleslaw
Their Hush Puppies

After our recent visit, I’m going to do my part to make sure they become equally famous for their blackened catfish and loaded baked potato, but before I get to that, a few words about the above legends. The red pepper relish and vinegar coleslaw have, literally, ruined a lot of other restaurants for me. I find myself in other restaurants, eating their beans and thinking, “Beans are better with The Pond’s red pepper relish…” Or I’ll take a bite of coleslaw and think, “Not as good as The Pond’s…”

A few years ago, I had to completely stop eating wheat and gluten (health reasons – my body made the decision, not my brain). Before that fateful moment, The Pond’s hush puppies and fried catfish had ALSO ruined other restaurant’s attempts as well.

When I had to give up wheat, I had to give up fried catfish and hush puppies at The Pond. I was quickly and greatly relieved to discover that their grilled shrimp, blackened catfish, and grilled catfish are phenomenal.

In fact, when we were there this past Saturday, the blacked catfish was better than ever. It was simply too good to be true and I told it so.

Yes, of course I talk to my food. Try not to judge me – all I can do is ask you to try.

I also branched out this time and ordered the Baked Potato “loaded,” which proved to be one of my smarter moves of the year. It was extra, extra delicous – the entire meal was, to be honest.

But the thing is… with The Pond… I would expect no less.

William Shakespeare said, “A rose by any other name would smell as sweet.” Joi (that’d be me) says, “A Restaurant this good… by any name it chooses… will knock your knickers off.”

I never claimed to be as eloquent as Mr. Shakespeare.

The Pond is located in Aurora, Kentucky – perfectly situated between Kenlake State Resort Park/Kentucky Lake and The Hitching Post and Old Country Store. I hope you’ll make The Pond your dining choice when in the Land Between the Lakes region or anywhere near Kentucky Lake or Lake Barkley.

~ Joi (“Joy”)

P.S. One more example of how good The Pond is and how much we love it: We live in Owensboro, Kentucky and have actually made the trip to Aurora JUST to have dinner at The Pond. What’s more, we’ve done it more than once.

What’s MORE… we’ll do it again!

The Pond (Formerly Willow Pond) in Aurora: What Makes This Kentucky Lake Restaurant So Special?

August 23, 2016 by Joi Sigers Leave a Comment

Blackened Catfish at Willow Pond, Aurora

It’s been a while since I wrote my first Willow Pond in Aurora review (8 years to be exact!) but the review still gets visitors. In fact if you click the link, you can read the raving comments of others who’ve visited and loved this wonderful Kentucky Lake restaurant.

Special note before I continue with this review… I often refer to this particular Willow Pond as the Willow Pond in Aurora – I’m not trying to be wordy (I don’t have to try to be wordy, just ask my husband). There is a Willow Pond in Eddyville and it is nowhere near as good as the one in Aurora. Different people run the place, different people work the place, and different people cook in the place. I want to clearly distinguish between the two because the Willow Pond in Aurora is excellent and the one in Eddyville? Well, you’d be better off at Wendy’s.

Back to Aurora and back to the “right” Willow Pond.

{Review Continued Below….}

Recently, I found myself (yet again) recommending Aurora’s Willow Pond to someone. A woman contacted me, through e-mail, asking for suggestions – she and her family planned to be in the Kentucky Lake area, for the first time no less, and wanted to know where I recommended lodging, eating, and shopping. As I sat typing out a nice long e-mail to her, I found myself raving about the Willow Pond restaurant in Aurora.

After sending the e-mail, I started thinking, What is it about Aurora’s Willow Pond Restaurant that makes it so special? Why do I always feel 110% comfortable and confident sending people their way? What separates them from a lot of other restaurants? Why is it the perfect place to eat if you’re visiting Kentucky Lake, Lake Barkley, or the Land Between the Lakes?

Fortunately, I never task myself questions I can’t handle, so I came up with the answers.

The FOOD Sets Willow Pond in Aurora Apart.

A lot of catfish restaurants (all that I’ve been to anyway) offer deals where you get your choice of meat, white beans, hush puppies, coleslaw, and your choice of fries or a baked potato. Each of the sides at Willow Pond (in Aurora) are superior to other restaurant’s sides. Period. I’m a nice Southern gal, but there’s no way to sugar coat this. Their beans? Better than other restaurants. Their coleslaw? Better than other restaurants. Their hush puppies? Okay, this is where I get sad.. I was always addicted to their wonderful hush puppies until I had to start eating gluten free. But, memory serves me well and their hush puppies are much better than other restaurants. Their baked potatoes are always perfection, as well. They have something else that sets them apart, too – red pepper relish! A bottle sits on each table (and is even available to purchase) and it is Heaven on their white beans. HEAVEN. Mind you, the beans are delicious without the relish, too.

The coleslaw is available two ways – made with vinegar or made with mayonnaise. To be honest, I’ve never had the mayo one in all the countless times I’ve been there. I don’t have anything against mayo coleslaw – but the vinegar coleslaw is so crazy delicious I just can’t wander away from it.

{Review Continued Below….}

Willow Pond (Aurora) White Beans and Red Pepper Relish

Willow Pond’s fried catfish is (again, going by memory) also better than you’ll find anywhere. Fortunately, since I have to eat blackened and grilled these days, their non-fried catfish is also great. Because their fried catfish is the stuff legends are made of, I was honestly broken-hearted about having to give it up. However, one bite of their grilled catfish and my poor catfish-loving heart mended right up. The grilled and blackedned are as delicious as the fried, and that’s really saying something huge.

Something else on the menu that’s out of this world is their grilled shrimp. Delicious! It doesn’t need any cocktail sauce – that’s how flavorful it is.

Even the iced tea is consistently great at Aurora’s Willow Pond!

CONSISTENCY Sets Willow Pond in Aurora Apart.

Pet peeve – when you never know what to expect from a restaurant one visit to the next. One week the food’s a 10, the next it’s a 3. This week the people are friendly, the next they’re all but rude. What once was on the menu is now nowhere to be found. (Seriously, though, how is barbecue chicken “seasonal?”)

Aurora’s Willow Pond is as consistent as the word, itself. Consistent is always spelled the same – it never changes. You know what to expect, c-o-n-s-i-s-t-e-n-t. This Willow Pond is delicious each and every single time. As consistent as c-o-n-s-i-s-t-e-n-t. It doesn’t matter what day of the week it is, it doesn’t matter what month of the year it is. The food refuses to be anything but delicious. The prices refuse to be anything but reasonable. The restaurant, itself, refuses to be anything but the very definition of comfort.

{Review Continued Below….}

Willow Pond Grilled Catfish and Baked Potato

The PEOPLE Set Willow Pond in Aurora Apart.

The hostesses and servers are just as consistent as the food. Some of the faces may change from time to time but the “heart” of the restaurant never changes. There is an unmistakable atmosphere of happiness and southern hospitality flows through the air. We’ve eaten at this Willow Pond far too many times to even begin to count and we have never (not once, mind you) encountered a single worker who was rude or seemed in any way less than happy to be right where they were, doing right what they were doing.

They make you feel welcome and the smiles on their faces when guests walk through the door are not fake. They are genuine. About a month ago, we were enjoying a wonderful meal as the restaurant began to fill up. There was an event at nearby Kenlake and apparently there was a great turnout.

The servers and hostesses were incredibly busy but it never registered on their faces. It was as though their smiles and hearts didn’t realize how busy their hands and feet were! A very large group came in (ten people, in all) and the servers worked, happily, pulling tables together and talking to everyone about their visit to Kentucky Lake.

Not one single face “registered” the crazy pace of the evening and not one responded with anything but a smile and kindness to each and every guest. They almost reminded me of how I am when all of my family gets together on holidays.

Mind you, I’ve never been in the restaurant business (even though my kitchen often feels like one!) – but I can’t help but think that the staff often takes on the character, mindset, and possibly even “heart” of the owner. In this case, it would make perfect sense, because the owner is what we call “good people” here in Kentucky. Very, very good people.

It appears to me that the heart of the owner resonates with each member of his staff.

People like that? You bet they set a restaurant apart from the rest.

{Review Continued Below…}

Willow Pond Grilled Shrimp and Baked Potato

The CHARM Sets Willow Pond in Aurora Apart.

We’d been going to this Willow Pond for months before I put my finger on what I loved so much about the restaurant, itself. There are other restaurants in the area that also serve great food. There are even a few that also have ridiculously friendly “good people.” And yet…. Whenever my husband and I would discuss where we were going to eat supper while in the area, we almost always came back to Willow Pond in Aurora.

It feels good to be there.

The restaurant, itself, is spacious, cozy, very comfortable, colorful and… well… charming. Very, very charming. I love the checkered tablecloths, I love the floral tablecloths, I love the fruity tablecloths, I love the country decor, I love the front porch, I love Ole Sam the Resident Buzzard (pictured below) a lot , and I love the I love the down home vibe of the entire restaurant.

I enjoy being there. Period.

{Concluded below Ole Sam…}

Ole Sam, the Resident Buzzard at Willow Pond Aurora

Next time you’re in the Kentucky Lake, Lake Barkley, or Land Between the Lakes area – you know where to go for supper. When you go, say “Hi!” to Sam for me.

Heck… I might even be there, myself.

Check out Aurora’s Willow Pond on Facebook to stay on top of their hours. Like all businesses around tourist areas, the days and hours change throughout the year.