Kentucky Restaurant reviews | Genuine Kentucky

The Front Porch: Deliciously Off the Beaten Path Restaurant in Marion, KY

June 30, 2018 by Joi Sigers 2 Comments

The Front Porch Restaurant in Marion, KY

There are few things in this world I enjoy more than trying new restaurants. While having to eat gluten-free makes this somewhat like taking my stomach through a field of land mines, I have very few incidents, surprisingly.

I can’t tell you how excited I get when we pull into a Kentucky restaurant that we’ve never tried before…. and the excitement, somehow, reaches new heights when it’s an “off the beaten path” restaurant. The local vibe of such restaurants fascinate me and they always have. I got this from my dad, actually. Whenever we’d travel, he’d find the most obscure places to eat! My vacation memories almost never involve a chain restaurants… in fact, did we ever go to chain restaurants?!?

On the way home from Kentucky Lake a few weeks ago, we planned to stop by Feed Mill Restaurant in Morganfield, KY (wonderful restaurant in its own right!). We happened to drive past The Front Porch along the way and looked at each other like, “Hmmm…” Sure enough, my husband asked if I’d like to grab my iPhone and check their menu. It’s a routine we’re forced to go through to see if there’s anything I believe would be safe for me to eat, given the fact that my body believes gluten and wheat are poisonous.

Ridiculous body.

I saw that they had grilled catfish, beans, potatoes, salad… you know, non-poisons, and told him I’d love to check The Front Porch out.

The Front Porch – As Charming Inside as it is Outside

Although we’d never stopped before, I’d always admired the charming restaurant and its adorable sign from afar. It’s one of those restaurants we always meant to “check out” (as in find the menu online and give it a once over) – I’m extra happy, now, that we finally just went to check it out in person.

So much funner… and tastier… that way!

Before I had to give up wheat and gluten, my favorite food in the world was fried catfish. Still is, actually, it’s just harder to find gluten-free catfish in restaurants than it is to find a white Tic Tac in a snow storm. Sure, I can make it at home, but unless we’re seated in Catfish Kitchen, ordering fried catfish in a restaurant is O-U-T. So, I’ve fallen in love with grilled catfish – if it’s done right. Wrong is dried out and tough. Right is moist, tender, and flavorful.

The Front Porch’s grilled catfish redefines right, if we’re being completely honest. It is phenomenal. It’s ties for the best grilled catfish I’ve ever gotten at a restaurant (tying with Cracker Barrel’s, which I’m obsessed with). It was simply seasoned (the route to go, more times than not, when dealing with catfish or shrimp, for that matter), tender, moist, and absolutely delicious.

Three bites in and it occurred to me, grilled catfish can be (and should be, by gosh!) just as delicious as fried catfish IF it’s done properly. I have a confession to make – 9 times out of 10, when I order grilled catfish, there’s tiny voice in my head that sobs because she’d rather be ordering fried. This grilled catfish was so ridiculously good that she stopped sobbing and said, “What? What a minute? Is grilled catfish supposed to be this good?”

Fried Catfish at The Front Porch

Okay, as you can see from the picture above, my husband IS able to order, eat, and enjoy every single bite of fried catfish. Enjoy? Well, that’s not quite the word with this particular fried catfish.

With each bite, he exclaimed that it was the best fried catfish he’s ever gotten out. Given that he has eaten fried catfish at every restaurant around the lakes and beyond, that’s saying something.

I mean… take my word for this one, we know our catfish.

At one point, he even asked to speak to the cook – to tell him how wonderful it was and to double-check and make sure that there was flour involved. I think he hoped against hope that the breading was only cornmeal so I could have had some.

Funny thing is, my grilled catfish and I were having a moment all our own!

Beautiful, Fresh, and Delicious Tossed Salad

Okay, so you probably can understand (and possibly even relate to) my obsession with catfish, but I may lose a few of you here. I normally do! I am also incredibly obsessed with salads. Yes… salads. A great tossed salad makes me perfectly giddy.

You should see the masterpieces I create at home. I throw a little bit of everything in my cart in the produce aisle and come home and make like Rembrandt. But getting a great tossed salad at a non-chain restaurant is generally uninspiring. You know the drill – it’s normally straight out of a bag – iceberg lettuce, rubbery radish slices, and tiny little orange strips that claim to be carrots.

The tossed salad at The Front Porch came to the table looking like something I would have assembled at a salad bar! See the proof in the picture above. Colorful, beautiful, fresh, and delicious.

The Front Porch just kept making me happier and happier.

Even the sweet tea was outstanding.

{Review Concludes Below the Beans…}

White Beans with a Delicious Red Relish

Last, but certainly not least, the sides. If you read many of my restaurant reviews, you know I love good sides. Actually, it’s more than that – I love good sides with personality. Don’t just trot out the predictables, give something that sets you apart. The Front Porch has the traditional catfish sides like baked potatoes, coleslaw, and beans and they’re all good. Like The Pond, in Aurora, they have a delicious red pepper relish for the beans that floats my boat. It’s a lovely extra that I’m in love with. It’s served on the side, so you can add it or not… though I have no idea why anyone would choose not. Unlike most restaurants, they also serve both corn muffins and hush puppies with their meals. My husband loves both, so he couldn’t have been happier.

Something else that made them stand out was really simple, yet deliciously cool – a pickle spear and bit of onion accompanies each catfish meal. Maybe I’m a simple kind of gal, but this really made the experience even cooler for me.

I am ALL about restaurants flaunting their individuality – giving their guests more than they’d expected or hoped for. Sadly, it’s pretty tough to find these qualities in restaurants (or anywhere) these days. The Front Porch proves that these old fashioned traits still, in fact, do exist.

Sometimes you just have to get off the beaten path to find them.

The Front Porch is a very friendly and charming little restaurant with food that’ll blow your mind. It’s located at 914 S Main St in Marion, KY. It is definitely worth the trip!

The Front Porch Fried Beans Cornbread Muffins and Hush Puppies

Majestic Pizza & Steakhouse in Benton: One of the Best Salad Bars in the Kentucky Lake Area and BEYOND!

June 5, 2018 by Joi Sigers Leave a Comment

The Majestic Salad Bar Salad and Iced Tea

When you’re in the Kentucky Lake area, you should check out The Majestic in Benton. Whether you’re looking for a delicious lunch or dinner, this restaurant is one of our favorites. Read on and I’ll tell you why!

You know how some restaurants are simply more enjoyable to dine in than others? They’re spacious, comfortable, and have an ambiance that’s in all ways enjoyable. The servers are friendly, the food delicious, and the experience… well, as perfect as it gets.

That’s Majestic Pizza & Steak House in Benton (the “mailing address” is Benton, but the physical location is Draffenville) in a nutshell!

Ironically, one of the things I love best about Majestic is a ridiculous simple one: Most of the times we’ve eaten there (which is numerous, numerous times) they allow you to sit wherever you want to sit. The times they do seat you, they’re better than most places in that there isn’t a host/hostess who seems bent on sitting all of the guests pretty much on top of one another (PET PEEVE!).

Some of my favorite restaurants tend to do this and, holy catfish, do I wish they’d see the error of their ways. People want to enjoy their meal without being able to hear every single thing the diners beside them are saying.

Majestic seems to “get this” when so few do.

If we’re being honest, I love pretty much everything about this restaurant. It’s beautiful, the workers are friendly, and the food is consistently delicious. Majestic (like most all non-national-chain restaurants) does not provide a gluten-free menu, but I have gotten pretty good at knowing what I can and cannot eat. If you (like me) have to eat gluten-free for health reasons, please know that they do not claim any of their food as being “gluten-free.” If you’re in the boat I am, you’ve come to expect this with the majority of restaurants – we simply make the smartest choices we can make and pray over the food we’re served!

Majestic Cheeseburger “Off Bun” with Mayo and “Fixings”

You can actually order a burger (either on or off bread) with the salad bar – it’s more expensive, of course, but it makes a delicious dinner. Their burgers are wonderful – you can honestly taste the quality.

Their steaks and baked potatoes (white or sweet) are also fantastic. I mean… extra extra extra fantastic!

Speaking of multiple “fantastic”s – their bread (which comes with outrageously delicious strawberry butter) is as good as you’ll ever see, smell, or taste in any restaurant in the world.

Again, if you eat gluten-free for health reasons, I cannot vouch for any of the food – even the food I regularly eat while there. Having said all of that, I will say that the following foods have not caused me any issues (and I am extremely sensitive to problems with gluten):

Hamburgers/Cheeseburgers “OFF BUN”
Steaks
Baked Potatoes
Baked Sweet Potatoes
Just about everything on their amazing salad bar

If gluten isn’t a concern, you’ll also love their lunch or dinner buffet (different from the salad bar, of course). Something I’ve noticed (even though I never eat off of the food buffet), the price is lower than many other buffets you’ll find.

And the food always looks incredible!

While I always get the salad bar at lunch, I’ve gotten steaks and hamburgers or cheeseburgers (off bun) other times and they’re always amazing.

I can’t say this enough times, however, just because I haven’t had an issue doesn’t mean Jack for anyone else. If you have to eat gluten-free (as with every restaurant), proceed with the knowledge that nothing on their menu is marked or even considered gluten-free. The fact that I’ve never had an issue in a restaurant that serves pizza, for crying out loud, is pretty awesome.

If you’re one of the LUCKY ones who doesn’t have to eat gluten-free…. knock yourself out! This wonderful restaurant has a huge selection of food and it’s all delicious. Before I had to give up gluten, I was absolutely in love with their pizza. If memory serves (and it almost always does when it comes to UK Basketball, baseball, and food), their pizza is phenomenal.

As a salad fanatic, my favorite thing about Majestic Pizza & Steak House is their extraordinary salad bar. It’s possibly the best one in Western Kentucky – possibly even beyond.

My Work of Art from the Majestic Salad Bar

They don’t just have the usual suspects – big beautiful lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, etc… they have “above and beyond” delicacies that rock my very world:

BIG beautiful and delicious pickled beets
Pickled okra
Miniature corn
Green olives (an obsession)
An assortment of cold “salads” that taste like a plus-size Amish lady spent all day making – these are the things dreams are made of. There’s a kraut one and a cucumber one that I could sit down and eat buckets of. BUCKETS. You can see them in the pictures here but words and photos both fail to describe how wonderful they are.

Even their iced tea is fantastic!

The next time you’re in the Kentucky Lake area or Land Between the Lakes, you’ll want to schedule and plan lunch or dinner (or both if you really want to show out) at Majestic Pizza & Steak House.

Address: 244 US-68, Benton, KY

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.

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.

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!

Restaurant Review: Shady Cliff on Lake Malone

August 19, 2015 by Joi Sigers Leave a Comment

Shady Cliff Restaurant in Lewisburg, Kentucky

Baked Potatoes, Green Beans, and the Most Flavorful Grilled Shrimp Imaginable

As I’ve written in my other Shady Cliff Restaurant Reviews, this is one exceptional, off-the-beaten-path, MUST SEE FOR YOURSELF Kentucky restaurant. Located in Lewisburg, on beautiful Lake Malone, this is one of the most consistently mind-bogglingly delicious restaurants in or out of the state.

Shady Cliff Restaurant Salad with Delicious French Dressing

One of My Favorite Restaurant Salads – The French Dressing is Amazing

From their delicious French Dressing (made in house, of course) to their ridiculously flavorful grilled shrimp, everything you put in your mouth is worth an eye roll toward Heaven.

Each time we go to Shady Cliff, I want to branch out and try something different, but I cannot make that CANNOT get past their amazing grilled shrimp and grilled catfish! I do go back and forth between their white beans and green beans, however. Each is delicious.

Their baked potatoes are also perfect in every way.

Normally I can never make up my mind which is more delicious, their tossed salad with French Dressing (absolutely delicious, by the way). On our most recent trip, however, the salad won the battle.

It’s not a knock on the coleslaw, it’s just the fact that this French Dressing is better than any dressing has a right to be.

It’s indecent for it to be so delicious. Sorry, coleslaw, it’s the way it is.

Shady Cliff Restaurant Coleslaw and Salad

To read more about this wonderful (consistently perfect) restaurant, see my Shady Cliff Restaurant Reviews.

Directions:

Address: 537 Lake Malone, Lewisburg, KY 42256
Phone: (270) 657-8184

Special Note: If you’re familiar with family-owned businesses and/or small town restaurants, you already know to call first before making a special trip. It’s a beautiful drive – and one in which you’ll want to drive slow to take it all in – but it is the only restaurant for quite a few miles. In other words, make sure they’re open before you find yourself in Lewsisburg among horses, cows, mules, and goats with nothing to eat… because they do NOT share.

Restaurant Review: Mustang Grill and Steakhouse

March 18, 2015 by Joi Sigers Leave a Comment

A few nights ago, Michael and I decided to try Mustang Grill and Steakhouse in Greenville. We’d heard great things about this restaurant and wanted to try it out for ourselves.

I tried to Google the restaurant to see if it had a website with a menu. When you have to follow a special diet, it’s best to have a plan going in.

Unfortunately, there was no website to speak of, so I had to “wing it.” It’s always disappointing when a restaurant doesn’t have a website and/or a gluten free menu. It makes life tougher for a lot of us. In fact, a lack of an online gluten free menu is costing restaurants more guests than they may realize. My oldest daughter (Emily) and I usually only go to restaurants with gluten free menus.

As I said, however, I was starving my face off and HAD to eat pronto.

Fortunately, when we were seated and looked through the menu, I did see several options that I thought looked safe. Again, without a gluten free menu, it leaves you in a pretty vulnerable position, but I’ve learned that sometimes you just have to work with what you have.

First, let me say this – the restaurant is beautiful. Everything about it is just gorgeous and it’s a very cool place to be. You know what I mean, right? Some restaurants just have a great “vibe.” Mustang Grill and Steakhouse has a killer vibe and tons of large screen tvs that sports fans will love. As one, myself, I definitely enjoyed the basketball that was on.

The hostess was very warm and friendly and our server was even friendlier. I don’t recall her name (I’m forgetful when I’m excited by new surroundings) but she had beautiful red hair!

Michael ordered a cheeseburger, fries, and coleslaw. I decided to play it extra safe (because a week-long stomach ache and agony are never fun): I ordered a side salad with French Dressing (no croutons), coleslaw, and an appetizer as my entre – a shrimp cocktail that turned out to be as legendary as Philly’s coleslaw.

As for a review of the food, let’s take the excellent first: The French Dressing was out of this world. It tasted homemade (by someone who knows what they’re doing) and I thought it was perfect. Michael said that his cheeseburger and fries were also excellent.

They certainly looked like works of art.

The shrimp cocktail was gorgeous (it’s pictured at the top in all its glory) and, as I said, it was the stuff legends are made of. The shrimp were big and beautiful, juicy and delicious. They were some of the biggest shrimp I’ve ever seen in my life and, as a shrimp fanatic, I’ve seen A LOT of shrimp.

The cocktail sauce (made “in house”) was fantastic, as well. It had a real kick to it – from the horseradish – and any fan of shrimp cocktails would be blown away by it.

As for the coleslaw, it tasted good… but there was just so darn little of it. There was, literally, just a couple of bites of coleslaw in each of our bowls. When you go, you might want to consider a different side OR order an extra coleslaw!

{Review continued beneath the coleslaw.}

It tastes very good, there just isn’t much of it.

I was really impressed by Mustang Grill and hope that someday there will be a gluten free menu available. I’d love to go back and try other menu items, but I’d need a gluten free menu in order to do so.

Mustang Grill and Steakhouse has a Facebook page (click the link to check it out). While there isn’t a “list” of menu items, you can find pictures of their menu (front and back) in the photos. You can also find other great pics of their food items.

If you don’t have any eating restrictions, I wholeheartedly recommend you try Mustang Grill – you’ll love the atmosphere and the food.

Mustang Grill and Steakhouse is located in downtown Greenville at 107 E Main Cross St. I hope you’ll go as soon as you get a chance. If you’ve been to Mustang Grill before, be sure to let us know about your experience in the comments!

Click the thumbnails below to see more. Words can’t describe how good that salad and salad dressing were!