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
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
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 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 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
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 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 is amazing place to dine. The owners, Wes and Judy Davis, are welcoming and friendly, and provide a great atmosphere for their guests. You feel as if you are visiting a friends home for dinner. The food is top notch too. I often get the Cajun baked fish (I call ahead) as I am attempting to eat healthy! However, I do partake of the beans and slaw (a girl has to have a few vices) and I also recommend the fried pickles for an appetizer. We eat there almost weekly, and look forward to the food and fellowship with each visit. Put Catfish Kitchen on your “to do” list when visiting the Kentucky/Barclay Lakes region. You won’t be disappointed.
Mitzi, I totally agree! Catfish Kitchen is a very special place. It’s the only place around Kentucky Lake or Lake Barkley that I can get Gluten Free fried catfish – and it’s delicious! My youngest daughter is obsessed with fried pickles, I’ll be sure to tell her to try the ones at Catfish Kitchen! – Joi
We are back in Kentucky after fifty years. First stop to eat fish was Catfish Kitchen. There is nothing better than the food and the service there. I especially like the beans! Yummy food. Thanks for making us feel welcome!
Hi, Alma! Catfish Kitchen is out of this world – I totally agree. The fact that they have gluten free fried catfish available makes me happier than happy. In fact, I’d LOVE some right now! – Joi
Eat there all the time but usually take out. The food is delicious always. If u are in the area you need to stop you will not be disappointed. Great Great place to eat.
Trying to find out hours for Catfish Kitchen On highway 641 Benton , Ky.
Jean, Because of the fact that they don’t have a website, it’s very hard to find out sometimes. There is a Facebook page, but even it is only managed by a fan and not the restaurant owners, themselves. When we are headed that way, sometimes we use Google to see if they are open – but we always call first. I really wish they had a better online presence, it would make things a lot easier!