Review: The Feed Mill in Morganfield, Kentucky

My last Feed Mill Review on Genuine Kentucky was way back in 2013. Mind you, I never fell out of love with this one-of-a-kind, off the beaten path restaurant. It became one of my favorite Kentucky restaurants on my very first visit and it never fell from grace. Although I haven’t been able to enjoy their fried catfish for years, now, I do recall that it’s in a league of its own.

Not only is the food exceptionally delicious, I love the entire atmosphere – the decorations, the ambiance, the… well… vibe. It’s always Mardi Gras at the Feed Mill, as far as the directions go, and it’s just a really fun place to enjoy a meal.

So why so long between visits and reviews?

A few years ago, for health reasons, I had to completely give up gluten and wheat. That meant giving up many things I loved, including two particular things that were great sources of joy to me – the Feed Mill’s fried catfish AND their fried onion rings. You will not find better fried catfish or onion rings in the world – this, I promise you.

When my body and health kind of turned on me, my husband and I quite frankly stopped going.  Like many non-chain restaurants, The Feed Mill does not have a gluten-free menu or nutritional information on their website. Most independently-owned and/or smaller restaurants don’t have these sources, so it’s completely expected. I would imagine that the procedures for each are time-consuming, confusing, and expensive, so I do not (in any way) fault restaurants for this – I actually expect it.

If you have to eat gluten-free for health reasons, I would (ironically) advise you to stick with restaurants that do have gluten-free menus and/or information on their website. I say “ironically” because I don’t follow my own advice! That’s just so me, you know?  But, in my defense, I have gotten incredibly good at knowing what foods are safe and what ones may pose problems. If I’m ever even slightly suspicious of a food, I avoid it like I would a two-headed man in a dark alley.

Or woman – I do not discriminate with monsters.

Having said that, I list (at the bottom) my own guidelines for eating at restaurants without gluten-free menus.

Onto the deliciousness that is the Feed Mill Restaurant!

Last time we were at the Feed Mill, I remember thinking that their tossed salad was really pretty “average.” Not great, not bad. Average. Which was really completely unexpected because absolutely nothing else in the restaurant is!

When my husband and I went a few nights ago, I was pretty darn hungry when we got there. Since they make everything fresh, I knew my wait would be at least 20 minutes, so I decided to order a salad to hold me over. You may not know this about me, but I’m a salad fanatic – I’m absolutely obsessed with them. When I saw the beauty above approaching my table, I couldn’t believe it. The restaurant has upped their salad game and it’s a beautiful thing… and delicious, too!

The French dressing (my favorite dressing) is perfection, too.

Since fried anything is off my list, for one of the only times in countless visits, I had to order something besides their PERFECT fried catfish. I narrowed it down to grilled chicken, hamburger off the bun, or grilled Citrus Peppercorn Tilapia. I love fish more than the fattest penguin in Antarctica, so I went with tilapia. Later, the server (who was incredibly sweet and friendly) told me that you can also order their catfish “grilled.”

I assured her I would do that the next visit – and I’m really excited to try it.

The tilapia was out of this world. It’s not usually even a fish I get that excited about but the citrus and pepper were extraordinary. It was as delicious as it was pretty, and that’s saying something.

Since coleslaw and baked potatoes are almost always completely gluten-free, I ordered them for my sides. Perfect potato and… well, as for the coleslaw… I said it best in a previous review – it’s why coleslaw was ever invented in the first place.

In my opinion, it’s the best coleslaw you can get in any restaurant. It is phenomenal and worth the visit, itself.

 

My husband, who (obviously from the picture above!) has no issue with gluten or wheat ordered the fried chicken, green beans, and coleslaw (he’d read my review) and thoroughly enjoyed the amazing roll that comes with each meal.

It tugged at the old heart to ask for bread to be left off of my plate, but the deliciousness of everything else more than made up for it.

It has always boggled my mind how one of the consistently best restaurants in the entire state of Kentucky (or any other state I’ve been in, for that matter) is in little Morganfield but I no longer spend time questioning it, I simply enjoy it. Every delicious bite.

I also love the staff at the Feed Mill. Our server on this particular visit was just the sweetest and she was very knowledgeable about the menu and the way the food was prepared. She didn’t seem to mind whatsoever when I asked her a few questions and honestly couldn’t have been more helpful or kind if she’d been one of my own daughters.

I hope you’ll visit the Feed Mill Restaurant‘s website today and check out their menu.  I don’t care where you live in Kentucky (or Indiana, Missouri, Tennessee, Florida, Arkansas, Canada, Italy….), it’s worth the drive and I strongly urge you to make the trip right away.

It’s the only way you’ll find out, for yourself, why this is one of Genuine Kentucky’s absolute favorite restaurants. I take my restaurant reviews and recommendations incredibly seriously. I have had SO MANY people e-mail me (or leave comments) telling me that they’ve taken my advice and eaten at a particular restaurant or visited a particular Kentucky State park. I realize that many people plan an entire weekend around these visits and spend money and time – often driving many miles! – to take me up on my recommendation.

I do NOT take this responsibility lightly and would never recommend anyplace so strongly unless I believed in them 110 percent. When it comes to the Feed Mill Restaurant in Morganfield, I believe in them 110 percent and then some. Amazing food, amazing place… no place quite like it.

Check out the location and the menu at Feed Mill Restaurant!

A Word About Dining Out Gluten-Free

I always recommend for people with health issues such as mine to only visit restaurants with gluten-free menus.  When you visit restaurants that don’t have these menus, you’re dealing with the  great unknown. For me, personally, the unknown can cause two weeks of misery, flu-like symptoms, gut pain, mouth sores, and even five extra pounds.

Good times!

As I’ve said, however, I’ve gotten pretty good at ordering out and very seldom run into problems. Oddly enough, the times I HAVE run into trouble have been in restaurants WITH gluten-free menus when the staff either didn’t follow procedure or the server thought “picking out most of the croutons” equaled “no croutons whatsoever.”

A Few Guidelines I Suggest, If You Do Wade into Unknown Waters….

• Baked potatoes, coleslaw, green beans, grilled fish, grilled chicken, hamburgers (off bun, of course!) are almost always safe.
• Baked beans are a mystery. Some restaurants have gluten-free baked beans and some do not. While I always LOVED The Feed Mills baked beans (they’re fantastic.. very original and just amazingly delicious), I wouldn’t order them now simply because of the unknown.
• Salads are safe, but you have to be careful with dressings. If in doubt, ask what brand of dressings they use – if you (like me) are familiar with which brands are gf, you’re golden. If they’re “made in house,” it depends upon the dressing, itself. If (for example) mayonnaise that isn’t gluten free was used in Ranch or Blue Cheese, you’d be in trouble. Also, always say “no croutons.”
• If it’s a restaurant that provides bread with the meal, ask that it be left off of your plate.
• When it comes to fries, if you avoid gluten/wheat for health reasons, you’d be safe to simply skip the fries. They may be fried in the same oil as breaded food such as onion rings or chicken tenders. Not all restaurants have a separate fryer for fries, but you could (of course) always ask. Personally, I just go with baked potatoes or mashed potatoes when I have the chance. Safer, that way.. plus I think they’re better, so win-win!

If you are also really good at choosing wisely or if you don’t have to eat gluten-free, the Feed Mill Restaurant is one you have to visit ASAP. All caps – ASAP. If not sooner. Please go… you’re going to love, love, love Feed Mill Restaurant!