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Review: The Feed Mill in Morganfield, Kentucky

February 7, 2017 by Joi Sigers Leave a Comment

The Feed Mill Fried Chicken, Coleslaw, and Green Beans
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.

The Feed Mill Morganfield, KY
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!

The Feed Mill Salad with French Dressing
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.

The Feed Mill Citrus Peppercorn Tilapia, Coleslaw, and Baked Potato
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.

The Feed Mill Fried Chicken, Coleslaw, and Green Beans
 

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!

The Feed Mill Morganfield, KY

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!

The Feed Mill Morganfield, KY

Filed Under: Best Catfish, Dining Out Gluten Free, Off the Beaten Path, Restaurant Reviews Tagged With: best Kentucky restaurants, Kentucky Restaurant reviews, Off the Beaten Path Kentucky Restaurants, restaurant reviews

Blackened and Grilled Catfish at Willow Pond in Aurora

May 25, 2014 by Joi Sigers Leave a Comment

Willow Pond Restaurant in Aurora, Kentucky

Imagine Cookie Monster finding out he could no longer eat cookies, or Popeye being told, “Buddy, spinach is making you sick. If you want to feel better, you can’t ever eat spinach again. Ever. Sorry, bro.”

That’s pretty much the way it was for me when I had to give up fried catfish. Fried catfish had become a great chunk of my culinary identity.  Put another way, it was a glorious addiction.

Was.

When I first realized I could no longer eat fried catfish (because of an unkind thing called gluten intolerance), I honestly felt a loss. Think about your own favorite food for a minute – now imagine you couldn’t eat it anymore.

Sucks, right?

The thought of giving up bread, on a scale of 1-10, hurt around a 2.  Pizza measured around a 5 and doughnuts were an oh so painful 8. Cookies would have been a 10 but there are tons of gluten free cookie recipes that are just as good, so I’m okay there.

Then there’s fried catfish… the pain threshold exceeded 10. Blew right past it and hit upwards of 100.

I even wondered if I’d ever go to my favorite restaurants in Kentucky for catfish anymore. I figured, why bother?! However, we happened to be around Kentucky Lake a short while back and, for us, that means Willow Pond. My husband and one of our closest friends have always ordered the blackened and grilled catfish and have never (once) left a single bite behind on their plates, so I figured it’d be worth trying.  So we decided to go to our beloved Aurora Willow Pond.

As luck would have it, plate after plate of fried catfish passed by my table on their way to other diners. “Lucky dogs!”, I kept muttering under my breath.

Willow Pond (Aurora) Grilled Catfish
However, as soon as my blackened catfish came and I took a bite, I realized that I was as lucky as anyone in the restaurant. The blackened seasoning is out of this world and each bite was a whole new experience with catfish.  I also tried my husband’s grilled catfish and it was equally delicious.

Ge this: I think I actually prefer catfish grilled and blackened – and I would have NEVER thought that was possible.  While fried catfish is still one of the most delicious things in this world, when it’s blackened or grilled, you can actually taste the juicy and tender catfish better.  There’s no breading to get in the way – just the best fish in the world and you.

Just how it should be.

Blackened Catfish at Willow Pond (Aurora, Ky )
As always the white beans (with their amazing red pepper relish that’s always available on each table), baked potatoes, and coleslaw were extra delicious. Naturally the hush puppies (some of the best in the world) were as off limits to me as the fried catfish (how can gluten intolerance be so hateful?!?!) but my husband assured me they were as delicious as always.

Let me say this in my husband’s defense – if I’d wanted him to, he’d have asked the server not to bring ANY hush puppies to the table. Fortunately for him, I’m nowhere nearly as mean as gluten intolerance is – well… maybe right after a UK Basketball loss… but only then.

Everything about the Willow Pond Restaurant in Aurora is perfect. Everyone is warm, friendly, and genuinely glad to see your hungry face walk through the door. The food is absolutely delicious and you can’t beat the prices – no way, no how.  I love the quirky, down-home country charm of the decor almost as much as I do the food.

Almost.

As we were enjoying our meal on this most recent visit, I realized something else I love about Aurora’s Willow Pond:

  • It’s quiet.
  • It’s peaceful.
  • It’s relaxing.
  • It’s the ideal setting for enjoying a meal.

A lot of restaurants play so-called background music so loud you find yourself chewing to the beat – not exactly relaxing.  Some are also just, somehow, incredibly loud.  You know the restaurants, right? Where it seems you can hear everything going on in the kitchen and everything the people at the next table are talking about.  If you add the “background” music on top of that and the clamoring of the servers buzzing around, it isn’t any wonder that we all tend to quicken the pace of our eating to keep time with our busy surroundings.

I’ve even gotten to my car after a particularly loud meal and just wallowed in the quietness and stillness of my vehicle!

Willow Pond (Aurora, Ky) is the complete opposite of the typical busy bee restaurant. It’s a lovely step back in time to when the meal and the conversation over the meal were the main event.

Again, just as it should be.

No matter where you live, a trip to Aurora is always a beautiful idea.  Not only does Aurora have the famous Hitching Post Country Store and Kenlake State Resort Park,  it’s also mere minutes from Land Between the Lakes and Kentucky Lake.

After a day enjoying all the area has to offer, just look at what you have to look forward to! The best catfish you ever ate and…..

Willow Pond Restaurant in Aurora, Kentucky

 

Willow Pond’s ridiculously delicious hush puppies, vinegar coleslaw, and white beans (with red pepper relish available).

  • Read more about the best catfish restaurants in Kentucky.
  • Find more restaurant options for Eating Gluten Free in Kentucky.

Filed Under: Aurora, Best Catfish, Blog, Restaurant Reviews Tagged With: best Kentucky restaurants, Catfish restaurants, Kentucky Lake restaurants, Kentucky Restaurant reviews, restaurant reviews

Picture of the Day from The Feed Mill in Morganfield, Kentucky

November 22, 2013 by Joi Sigers Leave a Comment

The Feed Mill Restaurant in Morganfield, Ky

I was recently recovering from a nasty cold, and my wonderful husband Michael offered to take me out to eat. When he asked where I’d like to go, the answer was out of my mouth before the question was out of his. I am obsessed… obsessed, mind you… with the Feed Mill in Morganfield, Ky.

Below are the top 10 + 1 reasons why I can’t get enough of the Feed Mill:

  1. Catfish makes my culinary world go round and the Feed Mill has arguably the best fried catfish in the state of Kentucky.  It’s consistently big, beautiful, juicy, and delicious. I’m telling you, this catfish sets the bar for others. Out. Of. This. World.
  2. I’m as wild about good onion rings as I am catfish and the Feed Mill has great onion rings. We get an order to share as an appetizer each time we go. As I’ve said in previous reviews of the Feed Mill, their ketchup is a brand that’s not particularly good, so I smuggle in packets of Heinz or Hunt’s.  On our recent trip, our VERY friendly server asked if we’d like to try their “In House Made” Honey Mustard Sauce with the onion rings. Ridiculously delicious! Michael saved some for his fried chicken.
  3. The Feed Mill’s ambiance is unlike any other.  The last time I was there, I looked around for a picture that’d capture the unique spirit of the place. I wanted to convey the Feed Mill’s charisma, charm, and eccentricity to people who’d never been there.  When I saw the “Bayou Band” members on the wall (above), I knew I’d found my picture.  Yep, I’d say they prove my point.
  4. The baked beans are some of the best baked beans I’ve ever had.
  5. The green beans are some of the best green beans I’ve ever had.
  6. The fried chicken is some of the best fried chicken I’ve ever had…. make that THE best.
  7. The mashed potatoes taste homemade – creamy, smooth, and delicious. The Loaded Mashed Potatoes are so good you’ll fall out of your seat.
  8. The yeast rolls taste EVEN better than they smell.
  9. The menu is one of the most diverse menus you’ll ever find. They have a little bit of everything. And it’s all Heavenly.
  10. The best restaurant dessert in the state is at the Feed Mill. The Bread Pudding is something you have to try to believe. The Sauce on this amazing dessert is one in a gazillion and you’ll never forget it.
  11. In a word: Consistency.  If you eat out regularly, you know what an issue consistency can be. Restaurants have off nights – that’s to be expected. Sometimes a hash brown casserole may be over-done, while on the next trip, it’s fantastic. That’s normal – after all humans are involved in the kitchens and we humans aren’t perfect. Somehow… and I can’t explain how… the food at the Feed Mill is always exceptional. Always a perfect 10. The servings are always the same – they never scrimp.  Consistent. Consistent. Consistent. Maybe they don’t have humans in the kitchen. Maybe they’re highly proficient aliens.  I’m okay with that.

The Feed Mill Restaurant is located at 3541 U.S. 60 in Morganfield, Ky. Click HERE for their official website for the menu and hours.

My Feed Mill Restaurant Reviews on Genuine Kentucky:

  • The Best Fried Catfish in Kentucky, the Feed Mill Restaurant in Morganfield (Review)
  • The Feed Mill in Morganfield, Read the Review, then Rush to the Restaurant!
  • One of Kentucky’s Best Restaurants: The Feed Mill (Morganfield, Ky)
  • Picture of the Day: One of the Best Desserts in Ky is at the Feed Mill

Bread Pudding at the Feed Mill (Morganfield, Ky) Bread Pudding at the Feed Mill �  Fried Catfish and Sides at the Feed Mill (Morganfield, Ky) Fried Chicken and Sides at the Feed Mill (Morganfield, Ky)�  Onion Rings and "In House" Honey Mustard Sauce at the Feed Mill (Morganfield, Ky)

Filed Under: Best Catfish, Kentucky Picture of the Day, Off the Beaten Path, Restaurant Reviews Tagged With: best fried catfish in Kentucky, best Kentucky restaurants, The Feed Mill in Morganfield

Mama D’s Italian Restaurant in Calvert City, Kentucky

August 27, 2013 by Joi Sigers 4 Comments

Mama D's Italian Restaurant in Calvert City

Mama D’s Italian Restaurant in Calvert City, Kentucky – Amazing!

You cannot judge a book by its cover. You cannot judge a book by its cover. You. Cannot. Judge. A. Book. By. Its. Cover.

We spend a lot of time in the Kentucky Lake and Land Between the Lakes region of Kentucky.  Beautiful Lakes, several Kentucky State Parks, fried catfish, the Elk & Bison Prairie, The Homeplace – some of our favorite things in the world are in this beautiful area. Just try and keep us away!

We have countless (COUNTLESS) times driven right by Mama D’s on U.S. 62.  We had never even looked at the words that are clearly (CLEARLY) hung on the front of the restaurant – Mama D’s Authentic Italian, and yet – there they are in plain sight. We each had simply assumed it was a diner-meets-dive type of place.

Boy was I wrong. In fact, I don’t know when I’ve ever been so wrong. In my defense, Mama D’s Italian Restaurant is only 6 years old this year. So, before they turned this spot into a little piece of Culinary Heaven, maybe it was a diner or a dive or something in between.

I’m not sure words can even describe how far removed Mama D’s actually is from this type of place, but I’m going to summon up all the words I know in this restaurant review and give it a go.  I’ll give you a map with directions at the end –  believe me, you’ll want it.

Mama D's in Calvert City

When we walked in, my first impression was, “Wow! How pretty!” The colors, decor, and murals on the wall were very unique and, somehow, relaxing and soothing.  Whoever was in charge of choosing the color scheme did a bang up job – it’s lovely.  There were quite a few people dining in Mama D’s that evening, so I had to wait a little bit for a few tables to clear out before I could snap a few pictures – I didn’t want anyone thinking I was some kind of a nut job.

Another impression left upon me was how incredibly clean and spotless everything was. Sure, I’ve seen clean restaurants before (in fact, most are) but I would have eaten off of the floor , baseboards, or wall. Don’t ask how you can eat off a wall… frankly I have no idea. But you get the point. C-L-E-A-N.

Holy cats, this restaurant is spotless.

Mama D's in Calvert City

I also loved our server. She was equal parts sassy and sweet and if I owned a restaurant, I’d want an entire staff just like her. She knew the menu and foods inside/out and was able to make fantastic suggestions.  She wasn’t just “on her game,” she improved upon the game.  I was even more impressed with her than the beautiful colors!

The decor, food, and vibe in general defied what you’d expect when you walk through the doors.  I love it when a restaurant catches me off guard and that’s exactly what this one did.  Mama D’s Restaurant is one in a billion. It’s amazing, authentic Italian food with plenty of everyone’s favorites mixed in.  Their Facebook page describes their culinary team as “New York Pizza Man and the cook moved from Italy to New York.”

Where else will you find a menu that includes the following mixture:

  • Chicken Tenders
  • Meatloaf w/ Red or Brown Gravy
  • Fried Catfish (What?!?! OMG, I just looked at the picture I took of the menu and registered that they have fried catfish.)
  • Pork Chop – Grilled or Breaded
  • Hot Open Roast Beef w/Gravy
  • T-Bone Steak
  • Chicken Carbonara
  • Lasagna
  • Seafood and Pasta
  • Cheeseburgers
  • Hamburgers
  • Philly Cheese Steak
  • Chicken Salad on Sub
  • Chicken Alfredo
  • Chicken & Pasta
  • Penne alla Vodka 2w/Chicken
  • Chicken alla Francese
  • Chicken Primavera in Pink Sauce or Garlic & Oil
  • Chicken Scarpariello
  • Chicken Parmigiana
  • Chef Salad
  • Caesar Salad
  • Caesar Salad with Grilled Chicken
  • Garden Salad or Garden Salad with Grilled Chicken
  • French Fries
  • Tater Tots
  • Onion Rings
  • Mashed Potatoes
  • Spaghetti
  • Broccoli in Garlic & Oil
  • Penne Arrabbiata
  • Pasta Mama D’s
  • Pasta Primavera
  • Fresh Spinach in Garlic & Oil
  • Heroes
  • Calzones
  • Sausage Bread
  • Baked Ravioli
  • Stuffed Shells
  • Baked Ziti
  • And more!

Traditional Pizza:

  • Neapolitan Pizza
  • Sicilian Pizza

White Pizza:

  • Ricotta, Mozzarella & Garlic
  • Spinach, Ricotta, Mozzarella & Garlic
  • Broccoli, Ricotta, Mozzarella & Garlic

Specialty Pizza:

  • Supreme (sausage, pepperoni, onion, peppers & mushrooms)
  • Rustica (fresh tomatoes, pesto & mozzarella)
  • Lasagna (ricotta, meat sauce & mozzarella)
  • Chicken Parm (diced breaded chicken, sauce & mozzarella)
  • Tri-Color (diced breaded chicken, tomato, broccoli & pesto)
  • Stuffed Pizza (sausage, pepperoni, ham, salami, beef, sauce & cheese)
  • Veggie Delight (fresh veggies, peso & mozzarella)
  • Topping Choices: pepperoni, Italian sausage, ground beef, ham, mushrooms, green olives, broccoli, spinach, onions, garlic, banana peppers, anchovies, black olives, and a lot more.

 

For Kids:

  • Spaghetti & Meatballs or Meat Sauce
  • Grilled Cheese & French Fries
  • 3pc Chicken Tenders & French Fries
  • Hot Dog & French Fries

Garlic Knots with Mozzarella Cheese

I ordered the Lasagna, while Michael went with Chicken Parmesan. He chose Linguine as his pasta. We both got a side salad and bread with our meals and ordered “Garlic Knots” (with mozzarella cheese added) as an appetizer.  Just feast your eyes on this gorgeous appetizer in the picture above. They were beyond amazing.

The appetizer was out almost immediately and it was super, super fantastic. The bread was obviously homemade and the flavors were straight up Italian – just what you’d expect in an authentic Italian restaurant. There was a wonderful flavor of garlic that made it even more extraordinary.  The mozzarella cheese was a wonderful addition, but make no mistake about it, the knots would have been just as fantastic without them.

The beautiful loaf of bread (served with real butter, always a beautiful touch) was also delicious. As I’ve said many times on Genuine Kentucky, I love to cook and baking bread is one of my favorite things – so I can tell when bread is fresh and homemade and when it was frozen in a previous life. This was, quite honestly, some of the best bread I’ve ever had in my life.

At this point – with an appetizer that blew us away and bread (with real butter… get the idea that that’s huge for me?) that was mouth-watering – I knew we were in a special place and that the “main event” would be something we wouldn’t soon forget.

Ding! Ding! Ding! I nailed that one.

Mama D's Freakishly Good Lasagna

First up, my lasagna. The lasagna was what I can only affectionately call, “Freaky good.”  It looked completely unlike any lasagna I’ve ever seen (or baked) in my life.  Just look at the picture above – I’m almost certain it’s unlike anything you’ve seen as well.  After eating the garlic knots and bread like I’d been cut off from food for 4 months, I knew enough to trust whomever was in the kitchen, so I didn’t bat an eye. I just dove right in.

OH – MY – GOODNESS.

The flavors and deliciousness of this lasagna were even more unique and original than its looks. Ironically, the same can be said for the restaurant the lasagna’s made in. 

This freakishly fantastic lasagna wasn’t just one of the best lasagnas I’ve ever had, it was one of the most memorable foods I’ve ever gotten in a restaurant. Anywhere. Anytime. Yes, it is that good.  The flavors defy description – suffice to say they’re genuinely Italian.

I guess Mama D’s lasagna is a two-story condominium whereas others have three or more stories. Whatever, all the key components are there – ricotta, meat, pasta, mozzarella, and the best sauce you’re going to find anywhere. So much deliciousness, you won’t be able to believe it. Even our side salads were fantastic.

Michael’s Chicken Parmesan and linguine were absolutely delicious.  Even if you took the sauce, cheese, Italian seasonings, and pasta away – the chicken was so fantastic, it alone would have been worth the price of admission, so to speak.

Speaking of prices, Mama D’s is incredibly fair.  They offer different specials at lunch and dinner which make them EVEN more affordable. You get a great deal of delicious food for a very fair price. What more could you ask for?

Italians are known for living large – and when you eat genuine, authentic Italian food, that attitude comes through in every single bite. I’ve never, ever, ever seen this truth played out more beautifully than at Mama D’s.

You simply have to find your way to Calvert City, Kentucky as soon as you possibly can and enjoy an authentic Italian meal that’ll leave you utterly speechless.

Chicken Parmesan and Linguine
Mama D's Bread with Real Butter
Side Salad with Blue Cheese Dressing
Side Salad with French Dressing
Garlic Knots with Mozzarella Cheese
Mama D's Freakishly Good Lasagna

Directions to Mama D’s in Calvert City:


View Larger Map

Mama D’s Authentic Italian Restaurant
3885 U.S. 62, Calvert City, KY
(270) 395-0229

Mama D’s Facebook Page

Mama D's in Calvert City

Don’t even think of passing this sign! Turn in and enjoy Italian food the way it’s meant to be enjoyed!

Filed Under: Best Pizza, Calvert City, Kentucky Lake Restaurants, Off the Beaten Path, Restaurant Reviews Tagged With: best Kentucky restaurants, Calvert City restaurants, Kentucky Lake restaurants, Mama D's, restaurant reviews

One of Kentucky’s Best Restaurants is in Lewisburg… Yes, Lewisburg

August 5, 2013 by Joi Sigers Leave a Comment

Shady Cliff Restaurant on Lake Malone

The Restaurant has a gorgeous view of the Shady Cliff Marina on Lake Malone.

When I sat down to write this Kentucky restaurant review I, literally thought, “I have no idea how to begin.”  Then I thought, maybe that’s where I begin.  The Shady Cliff Restaurant on Lake Malone (Lewisburg, Ky) leaves me speechless, flabbergasted, and chomping at the bit to go back.

If I owned a restaurant, that’s exactly the effect I’d want to have!

Beware: This review is pretty long, so be sure you continue reading beneath each picture… In fact, there is now a second review beneath the first.

Why would a restaurant completely overwhelm someone who regularly does restaurant reviews? Because this is the type of restaurant I love and the type of experience I live for.

  • I love off-the-beaten path restaurants…locally-owned – without all the corporate advertising and backing.
  • I love restaurants that are cozy, beautiful, clean as a whistle, and staffed with friendly, smiling, uncommonly friendly people.
  • If a restaurant’s food causes me stop in my tracks and make that, “Oh, man, is this ever good!” face, it has a friend for life.
  • As a proud Kentuckian, I get flat out excited when I find people, places, and/or things that make that pride grow even stronger.

The Shady Cliff Restaurant on Lake Malone hit every nail on the head – even nails I didn’t know existed. For example, I never knew how much I really cared about a restaurant having a great view until I sat looking out at Lake Malone while eating lunch at the Shady Cliff Restaurant.

Shady Cliff Restaurant

Shady Cliff Restaurant has plenty of seating – a MUST when you’re one of Kentucky’s best restaurants.

The entire ambiance exudes warmth and charm.  Even the bathroom is a beauty. I don’t take pictures of bathrooms because my husband would think I was even nuttier than he already considers me to be, so you’ll just have to trust me on this one. Potpourri, southern decor, fairy lights… beautiful.

Everything was so beautiful and everyone was so friendly that I found my inner voice whispering, “Please be good… please be good…”

I’ve had it happen quite a few times – a restaurant is a perfect 10 right up until you take that first bite.  Then the numbers start dropping like an aging baseball player’s stats.

I ordered sweet tea because, given the adorable southern decor, it seemed like the right thing to do. Great call – it was outstanding.

Shady Cliff Salad with French Dressing

Shady Cliff Salad with Fantastic French Dressing

Michael ordered grilled catfish, a baked potato, white beans, and coleslaw. I (of course) ordered fried catfish and chose the same sides except for the coleslaw – I went with a tossed salad with French dressing. Our tea, coleslaw and salad were brought out immediately.  As soon as I saw Michael’s face after tasting the coleslaw, I knew it must have been off the charts.  With a smug look, he said, “You chose the wrong thing..”

I said, “Not so fast… taste this French Dressing” (It. Was. Remarkable.) He had to agree that there was no wrong choice.  The coleslaw was ridiculously delicious (he shared a bite… A bite), but so was the salad.  The French dressing simply had to be homemade, no one could bottle anything that delicious.

The coleslaw had us stumped.  Coleslaw has, pretty much, the same ingredients any time it’s made… by anyone making it.  Why then, is some coleslaw amazing while others are mediocre or even frightening?  I don’t have an answer, really. All I know is, whatever the secret to EXTRAORDINARY coleslaw is, the people at Shady Cliff Restaurant know it.  I suspect they’re the ones that came up with it.

See the picture below? It’s “off center” because this is as far as my husband would allow the bowl to get away from him!  I started to “crop” the picture before adding it but I thought, “Nah, the fact that it had to be photographed from afar pretty much says it all.” It’ll also serve to remind stingy pants just how stingy he was!

Shady Cliff Restaurant Cole Slaw

Coleslaw – more delicious than coleslaw has a right to be.

By this point, I was so worked up to taste the fried catfish I could hardly sit still. If you read my Kentucky Restaurant Reviews (or anything else I write for that matter) regularly, you know that Fried Catfish is to me what cookies are to Cookie Monster. I’m ALL ABOUT fried catfish and am always in search of the “perfect fried catfish.”  My brain immediately registered the fact that if they knew how to make coleslaw and French dressing that were possibly the best I’ve ever had… what are they going to do with fried catfish?!?!

Shady Cliff Fried Catfish

Shady Cliff Fried Catfish – Perfection

We didn’t have to wait long to find out. Believe me, they did not disappoint.  Everything was simply perfect.

  • The baked potato was cooked to perfection, with plenty of butter and sour cream.
  • The white beans were fantastic. Perfectly seasoned and not at all mushy or “soupy.” You have a choice between white beans and green beans – no doubt the green beans are fantastic too.
  • The hush puppies might have been the best I’ve had in a long, long time. The only time I’ve had hush puppies AS GOOD was at Aurora’s Willow Pond restaurant a couple of years ago. Their hush puppies used to be extra, extra fantastic. Other than the memory of those delicacies, Shady Cliff Restaurant may just have the best puppies to ever hush. The difference? Onions.  If you don’t put onions in your hush puppies, don’t even bother putting them on my plate!
  • Now for the main attraction – the catfish. Amazing. My fried catfish (two very good-sized pieces) was absolutely wonderful.  I recently had fried catfish in Calvert City, Ky and… honestly… kept taking bites trying to locate the missing flavor.  I finally threw my hands up and decided there wasn’t any to be found. Which is odd because this particular restaurant normally has fantastic catfish. When One bite into Shady Cliff’s fried catfish and I told my husband, “Now THAT’S what I’m talking about!”  I didn’t have to search for the flavor in this fried catfish – it jumped off the plate and met me halfway. Crisp, flavorful (keyword here is flavor) coating and plump, white, and juicy catfish. Outstanding.
  • Michael’s grilled catfish was also delicious. TONS of flavor.  The taste reminded me of blackened catfish, which is all the way fantastic.

Just take a look at the closeup of my fried catfish below. See the beautiful coating? It’s even more delicious than it looks… and, yes, I did just give a closeup of fried catfish.  As a matter of fact, I am obsessed. When it comes to fried catfish, I’m a sick puppy.

Shady Cliff Fried Catfish

While I always, always (always, always, always, always) order fried catfish, I have to admit, the grilled catfish (below) Michael ordered was phenomenal. There was so much flavor! The catfish was perfect – so tender – and the seasoning didn’t over-shadow the fish. It simply drew attention to how amazing catfish DONE RIGHT is.

Shady Cliff Restaurant Grilled Catfish

I noticed , en route to the aforementioned beautiful bathroom facilities, a chalkboard with the magical words “Sawdust Pie” written on it. Other desserts were written as well, but once my eyes saw “Sawdust Pie,” that was it. Naturally, that’s what we ordered for dessert.

Great call. Great, great call.

Shady Cliff Restaurant's Sawdust Pie

Delicious Sawdust Pie!

The crust was obviously homemade (flaky and Heavenly). The filling was warm, chocolate-y, and delicious. Beyond delicious. The whipped topping and sliced bananas on top added a beautiful cool accompaniment to the warm pie. This dessert was just extraordinary – like absolutely everything else we had.

I cannot wait to go back and, this time, take other members of our family with us. We’ve told them about it and can’t wait for them to see for themselves: One of Kentucky’s best restaurants is tucked away in Lewisburg, Kentucky – right on beautiful Lake Malone.

Shady Cliff Resort on Lake Malone
Shady Cliff Restaurant on Lake Malone
Shady Cliff Restaurant on Lake Malone
The Marina and Lake Malone behind the Shady Cliff Restaurant
The Marina and Lake Malone behind the Shady Cliff Restaurant
The Marina and Lake Malone behind the Shady Cliff Restaurant
The Marina and Lake Malone behind the Shady Cliff Restaurant
Shady Cliff Resort Lodge
Lake Malone at the Shady Cliff Resort
Shady Cliff Salad with Uncommonly Delicious French Dressing

The Shady Cliff Resort

Shady Cliff Restaurant is actually part of a beautiful resort on gorgeous Lake Malone. The Shady Cliff Resort is an ideal spot for a family reunion or weekend getaway.  I also couldn’t help thinking how perfect it’d be for a honeymoon. Secluded, private, beautiful.. add exceptionally delicious food and who could ask for more? Click the link for more information about the lodge, cabin rentals, restaurant, and even pontoon boat cruises.

A few words about the restaurant menu you’ll find on the website:

  1. The menu actually has a lot more choices. The one online does the actual menu absolutely zero justice.  I dropped the ball yesterday – I should have taken a picture of my menu. You’ll forgive me, I hope, I was simply too busy looking around and feeding my face.
  2. Apparently the restaurant is no longer open for breakfast.

Finally, unless you’re really familiar with the area, you’ll want to study map below.

Address:
Shady Cliff Resort
530 Lake Malone
Lewisburg KY 42256

Phone:
(270) 657-9580

Directions:


View Larger Map
While you’re in the area, you’ll want to take the opportunity to drive around this beautiful part of Kentucky. The scenery is stunning. Also, be sure to check Lake Malone State Resort Park, which is just minutes away. There’s a beach for swimming and sunning as well as plenty of boating (and picture-taking) opportunities. As one man said while we were there, “I just took a picture of the cove from my boat… gorgeous! I’m going to set it as the background on my computer.”

Hmmm, I think I’ll do that with my fried catfish picture…

More About Shady Cliff Restaurant on Genuine Kentucky:

  • Picture of the Day: Chocolate Pie at Shady Cliff
  • One of Kentucky’s Best Restaurants: Shady Cliff Restaurant
  • Best Restaurants in Kentucky for Catfish
  • Coconut Cream Pie at Shady Cliff Restaurant

Another Shady Cliff Restaurant Review is Below!

Shady Cliff Restaurant on Lake Malone

UK Fans know what’s up!

Update: Review of the Much-Anticipated Return Trip to Shady Cliff Restaurant

The minute we left Shady Cliff Restaurant (after our first visit – reviewed above), we immediately began plotting and planning our next visit. Immediately.  We returned a week later for supper and were just as blown away as we were the first time.

Shady Cliff Restaurant Smoked Pork Chop

Shady Cliff Restaurant Smoked Pork Chop

I was anxious to try a few different things from the menu on this trip. Not only would doing so give me more to review, I knew it’d make my taste buds jump for joy.  We tried the smoked pork chop, which was BEYOND amazing. The smokey flavor and juiciness of this pork chop made it one of the best I’ve ever tasted.  I have to admit, the southern girl in me is partial to coated and fried pork chops. In fact, it’s probably the only way I ever eat them.  But this smoked pork chop was easily as delicious as any fried pork chop I’ve ever had.

Words can’t describe how perfect and amazing this smoked beauty was.  Suffice to say, it’s as good a pork chop as you’ll ever have – and better than most. It’s amazing.

We also tried the green beans this time. They were fantastic.  The white beans AND the green beans at Shady Cliff are equally delicious. Like everything else at this Kentucky restaurant, you can’t go wrong with anything you order.

The roll even deserves a mention.  Too many – far, far, far too many –  restaurants are simply plucking their “rolls” out of a bag from Kroger.  I honestly had rather a restaurant not even have bread than to serve something from a bag. If it didn’t come from your oven, I’m not interested.

Maybe it’s because I bake a lot of bread and have a fierce respect for it, but I love when a restaurant’s bread is exceptional. Shady Cliff Restaurant’s rolls and hush puppies are both fantastic.

Shady Cliff Restaurant Onion Rings

Shady Cliff Restaurant Onion Rings

As you know (if you’ve either seen me in action or regularly read my restaurant reviews), I am obsessed with onion rings. I’m as wild about them as I am fried catfish, which is really saying something.  We ordered an order of onion rings on this trip and I knew – the second I saw them – it was going to be a lovely relationship.  They were perfect. The test? Can you eat one without ketchup.  We both found that we could do so easily because they’re just so darn good.

I was, however, glad to see that they have good ketchup (Hunt’s). I personally think cheap, off brand ketchup is a sin and wish guilty restaurants would repent.  Whenever a restaurant has Heinz (1st place), Hunt’s (2nd place), or even Red Gold (3rd place… albeit a distant 3rd), I immediately think, “Man, these good people are doing things the right way.”

When it comes to condiments, I can be a little judgmental. And preachy.  Sorry… but not sorry enough to stop. 😉

I had a tough time choosing between their coleslaw and side salad, The coleslaw is absolutely amazing but I’d been thinking about their homemade French dressing all week – so I went with the salad.  I heard a server (all of whom are exceptionally sweet and on top of their game) tell someone at a nearby table that all of their dressings are made “in house.”  In case you’ve never had homemade dressing, let me tell you that this detail makes all the difference in the world.

Shady Cliff even has remarkable sweet tea (and unsweet tea too, of course). Every single thing they do is a perfect 10. I don’t think they could do a 9 or 8 if they had to.

Of course we had dessert. When you’re in a first class restaurant, you HAVE to order dessert. The first class crowd knows how to do desserts and it’s such a beautiful thing, tears of joy very well may fall.

Shady Cliff Restaurant Chocolate Pie

Shady Cliff Restaurant Chocolate Pie

The chocolate pie was one of the best desserts I’ve ever had in a restaurant. The crust (obviously homemade with the essential ingredient of a killer pie crust – shortening) was delectable. The kind that could be a dessert all by itself.  The meringue, literally, melts in your mouth and the chocolate filling is the very reason chocoholics like me even exist.  Add in the delicious chocolate syrup drizzled over the top and this is a dessert that you’ll eat slowly just so you can make the ecstasy last as long as possible.

When we were leaving, someone asked if we tried the peanut butter pie. I nearly passed out. They have peanut butter pie?!?! The mind boggles at the thought of what these people would do with a peanut butter pie.  Had I known, we’d have ordered chocolate pie AND peanut butter pie. Sure, I’d have to walk for 2 hours every day for a month – but some things are worth the price, you know?

Shady Cliff has a fantastic selection of desserts on their menu, but always ask if there’s anything “extra special” available that day or look at their chalkboard near the front door when you come in.

I don’t beg often, but I am begging you to check out Shady Cliff restaurant as soon as you possibly can.  I want everyone to experience what a beautiful (and delicious) thing it is when people take great pride in what they’re doing.  You see it in every detail and you taste it in every bite.

Read more about the Shady Cliff Restaurant on their official website.

Shady Cliff Restaurant Chocolate Pie
Shady Cliff Restaurant Onion Rings
Shady Cliff Restaurant Smoked Pork Chop
Shady Cliff Restaurant Catfish and Green Beans
Shady Cliff Restaurant Salad

Also on Genuine Kentucky:

  • Best Kentucky Restaurants for Catfish!

A final piece of evidence. OK, I do A LOT of restaurant reviews.  A LOT. You’d think that, by now, it’d be tough for a restaurant to rock my world…. and in a lot of ways you’d be right.  When you do so many reviews, you tend to see “problems” or “issues” others would simply overlook or miss.  Things like slightly overdone fries, microwaved potatoes, off brand condiments, flat coke, untidy restrooms, etc.

That’s the only drawback to doing a lot of restaurant reviews.  Your mind becomes trained to see the bad as well as the good.

So, yes. It’s tough for a restaurant to blow me away completely.  Yet, a handful of restaurants consistently do just that.  Now they have company in this top tiered honor – Shady Cliff Restaurant.

Here’s a screencap that’ll give you an idea of how impressed I am with Shady Cliff. On my computer, I save pictures of each restaurant I review. I usually file them by city, state, region, or food.  Shady Cliff joined a precious few other restaurants who simply have their own folder!

That, fellow food lovers, is as good as it gets.

Kentucky Restaurants

Filed Under: Best Catfish, Lake Malone, Off the Beaten Path, Restaurant Reviews Tagged With: best Kentucky restaurants, fried catfish, Kentucky restaurant review, Lake Malone, Restaurant Reviews

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