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Grilled Shrimp and Blackened Catfish at The Pond in Aurora

November 2, 2017 by Joi Sigers Leave a Comment

Grilled Shrimp and Blackened Catfish at The Pond

Grilled Shrimp and Blackened Catfish at The Pond

I’ve written about The Pond in Aurora many, many times on Genuine Kentucky and know beyond the shadow of a taste bud that I’ll write about this restaurant many more times in the future.

What can I say, I have a thing for wonderful food, charming ambiance, and uncommonly friendly people.

The Pond Menu

The Pond’s Menu (With the Adorable New Logo)

The problem with writing restaurant reviews for favorite restaurants is the feeling that you can’t possibly cover all of the things you want to cover. Seriously, everything is so delicious and the service is so above par that I have to pause every now and then to make sure I’ve covered everything.

However, due to time constraints (translation: my cats are getting hungry and restless), I’m going to simply stick with a few new (and maybe not so new) menu items we’ve tried.

  • The Grilled Shrimp. I’ve ordered the grilled shrimp many times over the years and it has always been great. See, here’s the thing – I am an avid cook and food blogger. I cook every single day of the week – usually more than once – so, when I go out to eat, I like to eat things I don’t normally fix at home. Shrimp is not on the home menu very often simply because of the price (Have you bought a bag recently? Holy cats, Kroger thinks I have a money tree I guess!), so when I can find it in a restaurant, I order it right away. Problem is, a lot of restaurants don’t have grilled shrimp available. The Pond is one of the few who do.  Like I said, the shrimp has always been fantastic but, somehow, it’s even better than ever. It has a more “grilled” flavor and it is the best shrimp in the world.
  • Blacked Catfish. When I had to give up wheat and gluten, I had to part ways with one of my favorite things in the world (at most restaurants, anyway): Fried Catfish.  I just started getting Grilled Catfish instead, which was also delicious. I’ve fallen hard for the blackened catfish at The Pond however – it’s a total knock-out.
  • Salmon. My husband, who loves salmon like I love catfish, was delighted to see it on The Pond’s menu and has ordered it each time we’ve been for the past few months. I tried it and can certainly see why he has remained so loyal to it. It’s wonderful.
  • Naturally, the baked potatoes, beans, and coleslaw are as delicious as always.

When you’re at Kentucky Lake or the Land Between the Lakes, you have to go to quiet little Aurora and have dinner at The Pond. New logo, new name but same outstanding food and service.

Tell them Joi (“Joy”) at Genuine Kentucky sends her love and will see them and their catfish and shrimp very soon.

~ Joi

P.S. A word about the grilled shrimp – the shrimp comes with a little package of cocktail sauce. DO NOT mess the shrimp up with this cocktail sauce. No, no, no… don’t even think about it.  Not only does the shrimp not need it, the sauce is simply not on par with the deliciousness of the shrimp. It’s a packaged sauce, kind of like the kind you find in stores, and it simply doesn’t deserve to be seen in the company of this wonderful grilled shrimp!

Hushpuppies at The Pond

Filed Under: Best Catfish, Kentucky Lake Restaurants, Off the Beaten Path, Restaurant Reviews Tagged With: Aurora Restaurants, Catfish Restaurants in Kentucky, Restaurant Reviews, The Pond

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

 

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.

Goats in Lewisburg, Kentucky

Filed Under: Best Catfish, Lake Malone, Off the Beaten Path, Restaurant Reviews Tagged With: Kentucky Restaurant reviews, Restaurant Reviews, Shady Cliff Restaurant Lewisburg Ky

Chick Fil A: Perfect For Lunch, Whether You’re Gluten Free or Not

August 6, 2015 by Joi Sigers Leave a Comment

Chick-Fil-A Waffle Fries and Grilled Chicken Nuggets

Chick-Fil-A Waffle Fries and Grilled Chicken Nuggets: Both Gluten Free and Delicious

Chick-Fil-A is just one special restaurant – no matter how you look at it. When one finally came to Owensboro, I was over the moon excited. Turns out the entire town and surrounding area must’ve felt the same way because our Chick-Fil-A on Frederica does exceptional business.

In fact, I know Owensboro could easily support a second location…. say, closer to where I live???

If you have to/choose to eat gluten free, Chick-Fil-A is a dream come true. Their Waffle Fries, Coleslaw, and Grilled Chicken Nuggets make a delicious meal (lunch or supper) and each is gluten free. I’ve never had a single issue at Chick-Fil-A which means cross-contamination isn’t likely (since I’m hyper-sensitive to gluten, I’d know).

Chick-Fil-A Sweet Tea

Even Chick-Fil-A’s Sweet Tea is Fantastic

Not only is the food always perfectly delicious, Chick-Fil-A restaurants are consistently spotless and the service is almost always what you’d expect from such a exemplary restaurant chain.

Even vegetarians can enjoy lunch at Chick-Fil-A. The waffle fries, with a side of coleslaw, is more than filling.

When it comes to dining out Gluten Free, Chick-Fil-A’s waffle fries are a real blessing – they’re some of the only fries that ARE gluten free. They’re also one of the few restaurants where you can actually go through a drive thru and come away with a gluten free meal.

It may seem like a small thing to most people, but to the gluten free crowd, it’s a pretty big deal.

Chick-Fil-A Waffle Fries and Grilled Chicken Nuggets

Chick-Fil-A Waffle Fries, Grilled Chicken Nuggets and Heavenly Chick-Fil-A Sauce!

If you’ve never tried the Chick-Fil-A Sauce, you should just leave your house right now and go get some… unless it’s  a Sunday, of course – in which case, you’ll have to wait a day.

The strongest Chick-Fil-A cravings hit on Sunday, don’t they?!?

The Chick-Fil-A Sauce is a little something we call magic sauce in our family. We eat it with the fries, the chicken, and have even been known to just use our fingers. Good manners fly right out the door when it comes to “magic sauce.”

Chick-Fil-A's Delicious Coleslaw

Chick-Fil-A’s Coleslaw is Some of the Best You’ll Ever Eat

Oddly enough, even though I’m OBSESSED with their coleslaw, I’d been eating regularly at Chick-Fil-A for months before I even realized they had coleslaw. My husband ordered some one day while we were having lunch at the Owensboro location. When I saw him take it off of his tray, my jaw dropped. It was like I had come face to face with Santa Clause.

Michael offered me “a bite” which may or may not have turned into about a dozen bites. I’ve never eaten there without a side of my own coleslaw since.

For which we’re both thankful.

Last of all… if you read my Kentucky Restaurant Reviews regularly, you know I’m a bona fide Ketchup snob. If it’s not Heinz or Hunt’s, I WILL turn all snobby pants. Chick-Fil-A avoids that little scenario by having Heinz Ketchup.

Good on them!

Chick-Fil-A Waffle Fries and Grilled Chicken Nuggets

Chick-Fil-A Grilled Chicken and Magic Sauce (aka Chick-Fil-A Sauce)

The Owensboro Chick-Fil-A is at 4601 Frederica St. and it’s a perfect 10. If there are lots of cars in the parking lot, don’t fret – they move the line along very quickly. The restaurant is so incredibly popular, they’ve learned to move super-humanly quick!

Heinz Ketchup at Chick-Fil-A
Heinz Ketchup… Yay!

Filed Under: Dining Out Gluten Free, Owensboro Gluten Free Dining, Owensboro Restaurants, Restaurant Reviews, Where to Eat Lunch Tagged With: Chick-Fil-A Owensboro, gluten free dining in Kentucky, gluten free dining in Owensboro, Restaurant Reviews, Where to eat lunch in Owensboro

Patti’s 1880’s Settlement in Grand Rivers Wins TripAdvisor Award

June 18, 2015 by Joi Sigers Leave a Comment

Pattis 1880's Settlement
 

Patti’s 1880’s Settlement
Congratulations are in order for Patti’s 1880’s Settlement in beautiful Grand Rivers! The legendary Kentucky restaurant has received the TripAdvisor “Certificate of Excellence Award” for 2015.

“We are honored to receive this award again from our customers,” said owner Chip Tullar. “We strive to make Patti’s “That Special Place” and we are happy that our customers agree,” he added.

The prestigious Certificate of Excellence award recognizes establishments that consistently earn great TripAdvisor reviews from travelers. TripAdvisor is the world’s largest travel site with 340 million visitors each month and offers advice from millions of travelers worldwide.

Started in 1977, Patti’s 1880’s Settlement was originally known as Hamburger Patti’s Ice Cream Parlor. The restaurant was a block building that was part of a 6-unit motel. With 20 seats, the motel units quickly gave way to become dining rooms. In 1990, Mr. Bill’s Restaurant was added to accommodate bus tours and to add more seating.

The two restaurants serve over 350,000 people each year in a town of 350 people!

Filed Under: Grand Rivers, News Tagged With: Grand Rivers, News, Restaurant Reviews

Restaurant Review: Mustang Grill and Steakhouse

March 18, 2015 by Joi Sigers Leave a Comment

Mustang Grill and Steakhouse Shrimp Cocktail

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!

Mustang Grill and Steakhouse in Greenville, Ky

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.}

Mustang Grill and Steakouse 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 Cheeseburger and Fries

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!

Mustang Grill and Steakhouse Cheeseburger and Fries
Mustang Grill and Steakhouse Salad with French Dressing
Mustang Grill and Steakhouse Menu
Mustang Grill and Steakhouse Menu
Mustang Grill and Steakhouse Menu
Mustang Grill and Steakhouse in Greenville, Kentucky
Mustang Grill and Steakhouse in Greenville, Kentucky

 

I’ve written reviews on a couple of other Greenville, Kentucky restaurants on Genuine Kentucky:

  • Philly’s Restaurant
  • My Friend’s Place Restaurant

For more Kentucky restaurants and reviews, click the link.

Filed Under: Greenville, Off the Beaten Path, Restaurant Reviews Tagged With: Greenville restaurants, Kentucky Restaurant reviews, Off the Beaten Path Kentucky Restaurants, Restaurant Reviews

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