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You are here: Home / Archives for Kentucky Cities / Benton

Catfish Kitchen at Kentucky Lake (Make. A. Reservation.)

August 7, 2017 by Joi Sigers Leave a Comment

Gluten-Free Fried Catfish at Catfish Kitchen

Gluten-Free Fried Catfish and Baked Potato at Catfish Kitchen

My husband (Michael) and I take a lot of “daycations” – during each of the four seasons, not just summer. We don’t play favorites, after all. A daycation, simply put, is a vacation packed into a single day. Some people take week-long vacations but we kind of beat the system. By taking one 3-4 times a month, we have a lot more actual vacation time than most people.

Our daycations are usually on Saturdays, but occasionally we’ll take one on a Sunday (not during NFL season, though – I mean, that’s just not done from what I hear).

We’ll wake up, have our Bulletproof Coffee, feed our cats (while promising to bring them something back), map out the route (him), and grab a large tumbler of sweet tea (me) – then off we go. As I’ve mentioned before on the Kentucky blog, I have to eat gluten-free for health reasons. So, unfortunately, our daycations and destinations have to take that bit of information into consideration.

If I were to end up in an area or at a destination where I couldn’t safely eat lunch or supper, it would not make for a lovely daycation or a happy me. Quite frankly, years ago, we used to visit a lot more places (remote State Resort Parks, for example) that are pretty much off the list these days.

There just aren’t a lot of restaurants that will or are able to take the extra measures to provide “gluten-free” food. Thankfully, one of our favorite daycation destinations (Kentucky Lake and the Land Between the Lakes) has a couple of delicious options. Catfish Kitchen actually has gluten-free fried catfish (it isn’t listed on the menu, but you can certainly order it – goodness knows I do often enough!). Paired with beans, coleslaw, green tomato relish, and a baked potato – it’s one of my favorite meals.

Beans and Green Tomato Relish

Beans and Green Tomato Relish

There are bottles of relish on the tables for the beans, but I prefer the Green Tomato Relish (it is ridiculously delicious). It’s less than $1 and is the perfect accompaniment to the beans.

Take it from me, just because you have to eat a certain way doesn’t mean you don’t thoroughly enjoy dining out as much as the next person!

The pictures in this post are from our last visit to Catfish Kitchen. The fried okra and hush puppies may be off-limits for me, but that doesn’t mean my husband can’t enjoy the heck out of them.

Fried Okra

Fried Okra: Not Gluten-Free (Unfortunately!)

Here’s a word to the wise, MAKE RESERVATIONS. Call the restaurant as soon as you possibly can and set a reservation. The restaurant has limited seating but unlimited popularity – when those two combine, there’s only one thing you can do to make sure you get to eat before you’re ready to eat your own shoes… MAKE RESERVATIONS. On our last visit, there was a very, very disappointed and unhappy lady who had apparently driven a long way to visit Catfish Kitchen and who was, understandably, upset about having to wait at least an hour.

The nicer the weather, the more vital it is to make reservations. A few weeks ago, when my husband called to make a reservation, it was already too late for a “reasonable” dinner hour. This restaurant is incredibly popular and people just seem to come out of nowhere to pull into the parking lot. MAKE RESERVATIONS!

Hush Puppies

Hush Puppies: Also NOT Gluten-Free

Catfish Kitchen is located at 136 Teal Run (between Kentucky Dam Village State Resort Park and Benton). Their phone number is (270) 362-7306.

Catfish Kitchen Hours
Monday: Closed
Tuesday: Closed
Wednesday: 4–8PM
Thursday: 4–8PM
Friday: 4–8PM
Saturday: 4–8PM
Sunday: 11AM–8PM

Green Tomato Relish

Green Tomato Relish: Trust Me, You’ll Want to Order This Every Time!

Filed Under: Benton, Best Catfish, Dining Out Gluten Free, Kentucky Lake, Kentucky Lake Restaurants, Restaurant Reviews Tagged With: Catfish at Kentucky Lake, Catfish Kitchen Benton, Catfish Kitchen Kentucky Lake, where to eat at Kentucky Lake

Catfish Kitchen: A Legendary Kentucky Lake Restaurant

September 22, 2014 by Joi Sigers 7 Comments

Catfish Kitchen Review Collage

Beautiful Catfish Kitchen at Kentucky Lake

When it comes to Restaurants near Kentucky Lake, the choices aren’t just pretty good, they’re DANG GOOD. One of the restaurants that give it such a distinction is a legend Kentucky legend: Catfish Kitchen.

Like most legends, Catfish Kitchen’s legendary status has been earned from years of excellence.  As you can see from the pictures in this review, Catfish Kitchen is a beautiful, cozy, restaurant with endless charm. Speaking of pictures, this article will be filled with them, so be sure to continue reading beneath each picture.

Catfish Kitchen: One of the best Kentucky Lake Restaurants

Catfish Kitchen: One of the Best Kentucky Lake Restaurants

We recently visited the beautiful Land Between the Lakes region and decided to eat supper at Catfish Kitchen. It was one of the best decisions we’ve made in a while.  There was absolutely no wait whatsoever – we were seated immediately by a very friendly hostess, who was quickly followed by an equally friendly server.

We got our drinks (one tea and one sweet tea) immediately and they were never allowed to get less than half full. Our server was on her game!

Catfish Kitchen Menu

 Catfish Kitchen Menu

When it came time to order, my husband asked if they had any sort of grilled or blackened catfish and our server said that they did, but that you needed to call ahead first. I’ve actually never heard of that in a restaurant, but after what I soon learned, I didn’t worry about it. Never gave it a second thought, in fact.  You see, when my husband told her he was asking because I had to eat “gluten free,” she told us that they actually have gluten free fried catfish!

My jaw nearly hit the floor and happy tears nearly came to my eyes. Fried catfish (one of my absolute favorite things in the world) is one of the things I’ve missed most after I had to start eating gluten free. To hear that a restaurant actually had gluten free fried catfish (fried with rice flour) made my day. Heck, it made my summer!

While trying to remain (or at least appear to remain) calm, I told her that I’d like the GF Fried Catfish, coleslaw, a baked potato, and beans. My husband had regular fried catfish and fried potatoes with his beans and coleslaw. He (lucky son-of-a-gun) also enjoyed their hush puppies.

I remember them being delicious.

Catfish Kitchen's Gluten Free Fried Catfish and Baked Potato

 Catfish Kitchen Gluten Free Fried Catfish and Baked Potato

The fried catfish was utterly delicious. So flaky and juicy!  The servings were generous, too.  I’ve noticed that a lot of restaurants, when serving what’s billed as a “2 piece” or “3 piece,” actually serve you HALF of a serving. This lies somewhere between dirty pool and completely not cool. Either way, I was thrilled to see that Catfish Kitchen gives generous servings.

Speaking of generous, the baked potato was huge! It was also perfectly delicious as well.  The beans were fantastic and the coleslaw was amazing.

Every single bite made me thrilled with our decision to eat at Catfish Kitchen!

Catfish Kitchen: A Wonderful Kentucky Lake Restaurant

Catfish Kitchen Beans… Delicious!

They make a fantastic “in house” relish that’s AMAZING on the beans. There are bottles on each table and you can even buy some to take home with you. It’s pretty spicy, so go easy at first – unless spicy doesn’t scare you… in which case, go for it! It’s fantastic – but the beans are deliciously seasoned and wonderful without the relish.

Catfish Kitchen Hush Puppies, Coleslaw, and Beans

Catfish Kitchen Hush Puppies, Coleslaw, and Beans

From the wonderful tea to the scrumptious fried catfish (regular OR gluten free!), every single thing at Catfish Kitchen is perfect in every way. The fact that they go out of their way to offer gluten free fried catfish just makes me love them even more. I appreciate this more than words could express. I guess it’d take someone in my shoes to truly understand the special feeling I got when I was able to order and ENJOY fried catfish once again.

I also appreciate the other extra touches like big juicy onion slices and green onions served with your meal.

Catfish Kitchen Fried Catfish

Catfish Kitchen Fried Catfish and Fried Potatoes

Before You Go: 
Always check Catfish Kitchen’s Facebook Page before planning your trip. This is advice I pretty much give to people before they go anywhere, but when it’s Kentucky Lake or Lake Barkley restaurants, it’s absolutely essential. You never know when a restaurant’s “off season” hours will change or what days of the week they aren’t open unless you check first.

Also, if you want grilled catfish, you need to call ahead first.

How to Get There:
The official address for Catfish Kitchen is 136 Teal Run, Benton, KY.  Laymen’s terms? It’s on U.S. 641 – between Kentucky Dam Village State Resort Park and Benton. It’s 5 miles south of Kentucky Dam, to be exact!

Also See:

  • Catfish Kitchen at Kentucky Lake (Review)
  • The Best Kentucky Lake Restaurants

Filed Under: Benton, Best Catfish, Dining Out Gluten Free, Kentucky Lake Tagged With: Catfish Kitchen, eating gluten free at Kentucky Lake, Kentucky Lake Restaurant Reviews, Kentucky Lake restaurants, Kentucky Restaurant reviews, restaurant reviews

The Hot August Blues Festival at Kenlake State Resort Park ( August 23rd and 24th, 2013)

July 24, 2013 by Joi Sigers Leave a Comment

Hot August Blues Festival at Kenlake State Resort Park

Although this event has expired, there is always something to see and do in Kentucky. Visit our Kentucky Events  page for up to the minute happenings and be sure to check out our Things to Do in Kentucky  page. Be sure to keep an eye on Genuine Kentucky for information about this year’s Hot August Blues Festival!

Some annual traditions are popular in the state of Kentucky, then there’s the annual Hot August Blues Festival at Kenlake State Park. Popular doesn’t even begin to describe what goes on in this beautiful park each August.

The Hot August Blues Festival at Kenlake State Resort Park is celebrating its 24th anniversary Aug. 23-24 (2013). The wildly popular festival is held at the park�s amphitheater on the shore of Kentucky Lake. The show opens Friday, Aug. 23, with Street Corner Blue at 6 p.m.

The program on Saturday, Aug. 24, starts at 2 p.m. with Nightfish. Advance tickets are $12 for Friday and $17 for Saturday. Two-day advance tickets are $25 a person. Children 12 and under are free. Tickets at the gate are $15 for Friday, $20 for Saturday and $30 for both days.

Advance tickets may be purchased online through Aug. 23 at 10 a.m.

The park will host Neighborhood Night on Thursday, Aug. 22, with blues and rock music on the lawn at the lodge at 6 p.m. The Harper Brothers Band and others will play. This concert is free, but donations are accepted for local charities.

Special lodging rates at Kenlake are available for Aug. 22. More ticket and schedule information is available at www.hotaugustbluesfestival.com. Tickets are available at Kenlake and other locations in the area. The festival is held rain or shine, and guests may bring chairs and coolers (no glass).

Kenlake State Resort Park is located minutes away from the Land between the Lakes, a 170,000-acre nature lover’s paradise and environmental education area. Kenlake offers lodging, cottages, campground and restaurant. For more information about the park, call 1-800-325-0143.

Attractions to See and Things to Do While in the Kentucky Lake Area

We’re pretty familiar with the Kenlake State Park area because it’s one of our favorite places in the entire state. If possible, plan to arrive in the area a day or two before the festival begins and stay a day or more after it’s wrapped up. There are so many things to do and see in this region that two days is never enough.

Below are just a few of the attractions near Kenlake State Resort Park.

  • Land Between the Lakes Recreation Area
  • Kentucky Lake
  • Lake Barkley
  • Lake Barkley State Resort Park
  • The Homeplace
  • The Nature Station
  • The Elk & Bison Prairie
  • The Planetarium
  • The Hitching Post Gift Shop and Old Country Store (Aurora)

Where to eat during The Hot August Blues Festival

Kenlake State Resort Park actually has one of the best lodge restaurants in the Kentucky State Park System – especially when you order “off the menu.” Their hamburgers and fried catfish sandwiches are better than you’ll find in most restaurants – and the prices are very reasonable.

Just a few minutes from Kenlake State Resort Park (in Aurora), you’ll find the following (each of which we HIGHLY recommend):

  • The Brass Lantern – A very classy restaurant with dinners you’ll talk about for years to come. Seriously, the food is THAT good.
  • The Willow Pond (Aurora) – fried catfish, beans, coleslaw, grilled catfish, baked potatoes… good food at really good prices. Like The Brass Lantern, Willow Pond is a “supper” restaurant.  When eating at The Willow Pond (and loving the catfish and hush puppies), you’d probably be surprised for me to tell you this, but it’s true: this Willow Pond used to be even better! The fried catfish and hush puppies are still good, but for years they were so good they nearly brought tears to your eyes.
  • Belew’s Dairy Bar is a little further up the road, but more than worth the couple of minutes it takes to get there. This drive in restaurant is a legend in this area for good reason. The burgers are fantastic and the ice cream, milkshakes and other treats will remind you why we all scream for ice cream in the first place.
  • In front of The Hitching Post (Aurora) you’ll find the best hot dogs you ever had in your life at an adorable little stand owned and operated by a couple of lovable Yankees! These characters are as friendly and personable as their hot dogs are delicious. You HAVE to stop for these hot dogs at least once.  I say “once,” but trust me – you’ll go back again! Here’s the game plan: Enjoy the best hot dog in the world, then head inside the Hitching Post for homemade fudge. What about that plan doesn’t scream YESSSSSS?!

I really want you to make a special breakfast or lunch trip to nearby Benton, Kentucky (mere minutes) while you’re in the area for The Hot August Blues Festival. Why? For an absolutely fantastic lunch that’s healthy, delicious, and served by people who my grandmother would have called, “Good people. Darn good people.”

Come on, how can you pass up an opportunity to meet good people… darn good people?!

Cafe Chas in downtown Benton is a new restaurant that’d be a perfect 10 out of 10 even if it were owned and operated by scoundrels. But the fact that they’re wonderful people sweetens the deal. The wraps, sandwiches, and pasta salad will make your taste buds feel like they’re having their own little festival.  And if (like me), you live for great tea and coffee, Cafe Chas will honestly cause your cup to run over. They give Starbucks a run for their money with specialty drinks, teas, and coffee that are uncommonly fantastic.

Again, I hope you’ll arrive in the area early and stay late. You won’t regret a minute.

If you have any questions about the area (things to do, places to eat…) please don’t hesitate to contact me. Either send me a DM on Twitter on my Personal account (@JoiTaniaSigers) or e-mail me at joisigers @ aim.com.

Dixie Dogs in Aurora Kentucky

Best. Hot dogs. Ever.

Filed Under: Aurora, Benton, Blog, Kenlake State Resort Park, Kentucky Lake, LBL, Summertime in Kentucky Tagged With: Hot August Blues Festival, Kenlake State Resort Park

Gateway Nursery & Florist in Benton, Kentucky

June 5, 2010 by Joi Sigers 1 Comment

 

Hanging Geraniums

A Favorite Flower: Geraniums (St. Louis Cardinals Red!)

One of my greatest passions is gardening. When I’m in my herb bed or one of my flower gardens (working alongside my beloved cats as the birds serenade us with the most beautiful music on earth), all’s right in my colorful world.

I get most of my plants, seeds, seedlings, and so forth here in Owensboro, Kentucky. My favorite Kroger has really been on its game this season, offering some truly outstanding plants. My husband would say that I’ve rewarded them by buying every single one they put out, but I don’t know if I’d go that far.

Okay, maybe.

We were in the Lakes region a few days ago (on route from Aurora, Kentucky to Grand Rivers, Kentucky) and happened to drive past what looked like a beautiful, locally-owned florist.  We’re both all about supporting locally owned businesses and I’m all about shopping, so we stopped.  Besides, I needed some fresh chives for my herb bed and I’m always on the lookout for red salvia or geraniums to attract hummingbirds. The little guys are drawn to red like I am to chocolate.

The name of the beautiful nursery and florist was Gateway Nursery & Florist and they have an incredible selection of plants, flowers, trees, shrubs, and other lovelies for your garden, yard, and home.  The people were extra-friendly (especially a lady who was outside watering the plants at the time – she had that small-town Kentucky charm that makes you proud to be a Kentuckian) and the prices were uncommonly fair.

Gateway Nursery & Florist is located at 960 US Highway 68E in Benton, Kentucky, just east of the Purchase Parkway’s Exit 47 in Draffenville. They are closed on Sundays – as their website says, “Closed Sundays – See you in church!”

I just fell in love with them a little more.

Visit their website (http://www.gatewaynursery.com) for more information and be sure to stop in to say “Hi” and grab some loveliness for your world.

Filed Under: Benton, Reviews, Springtime in Kentucky Tagged With: Benton, florists, Kentucky, Kentucky florists, Kentucky Nursery

"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")

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Also See: Best Fried Catfish in Kentucky
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