Swamp Tails(Tales)

Hello again everyone, thanks for all the response to my blog and all of the input on the new food finds. Next up for the Southern Dinner, Swamp Tales. I will have to give the credit were credit is due, thanks Izzy! This is not a croc, it’s legit. Actually it’s alligator sold 1/2 pound with fries, one pound, or two pounds if you are really hooked, haha.

Swamp Tales is located on the corner of Rt. 127 and Rt. 161. South of Carlyle, West of centralia and North of Nashville, the crossroads of the bayou. Sorry, not really but they sure do make the trip fun.

Once your inside you feel the clock slow and enjoy the feeling of sitting on grandpas front porch. The menu includes the regulars, burgers and fries, chicken tenders and pork tenderloins, but that’s where the norm stops. Next your hit with the Louisiana twist. Words like etouffee, crawfish and  gumbo start getting slung around.

I started my adventure diving in head first with some alligator. I tried the 1/2 pound with fries, what a different experience then expected. Golden brown crust not quite beer batter, but not corn meal either. The first bite also surprisingly unique, hot crunchy giving way to a chew not flaky bite. They always say it tastes like chicken, not hardly. It was more like pork, but it’s a subtle taste not over powering and to kick it up a notch. The alligator is served with a sauce that the spice lovers will enjoy.

The old stand by next, the cheeseburger. You can always get a good feel for a place by test driving their burger.  Swamp Tales did not disappoint. The fries came out done to perfection and the burger looked like a patty that Dad hand made and threw on the grill himself.  With that said it was no thin piece of meat, on the contrary, thick and juicy, done a nice medium, medium rare.

With our first trip in the books the Southern Dinner give Swamp Tales:

4 1/2 bends in the road

With more trips to come I’m sure our bayou adventure will not quit any time soon!

 

Catfish Kitchen

Hello everyone, back for a new country cruise. Thanks again for all of the interest in the Southern Dinner. This new adventure takes us around a few new bends in the road, to Benton Kentucky. That’s right Kentucky, right by the Kentucky lakes. This is a great location for a weekend getaway.

I will start off right away telling you I’m not a big fan of fish and even less of a catfish fan. Right now your asking the question, has he lost his mind? He is getting ready to write a review on a place called Catfish Kitchen. That is right, and believe me it is nothing short of magic in this kitchen.

The adventure begins on a winding road on the west side of the Kentucky Lakes. When you come over the last hill you see a cabin perched next to a pond. This is the first secret reviled on our culinary journey. The catfish are raised on site, pond to table.

The next secret is you can do several things well or focus on one and do it right! The Catfish Kitchen choose to do the later. The menu consists of Catfish or Chicken with a few sides and for those not still interested shrimp,oysters and frog legs.

Now presenting the star of the show, the catfish. You can order it by the piece or my favorite all you can eat. Because they raise the fish it’s not the normal bottom feeder. NO muddy taste. The crispy golden corn meal crust is so inviting. The tender flakey white fish falls apart in your mouth. The banquet of sides including white beans, coleslaw, hush puppies and your choice of potato.

My grandmother might be the one making the magic happen in the kitchen, I’m not quite sure. But if not, that’s the over all feel you receive,down home comfort and you will never leave hungry.  Last thing before you leave is dessert, peach or my favorite black berry cobbler with or without ice cream.

With all this said and a little over a two hour drive south of Paducah Kentucky. The Southern Dinner gives the Catfish Kitchen:

Five bends in the road

At this time if you have any place you think The Southern Dinner should visit let us know. Thanks again

 

 

Peel Wood Fired Pizza

Welcome back to the Southern Dinner. Thanks for all the activity on the first post, hope you all enjoyed it. The next location is a hidden gem over in the big city of O’Fallon, Illinois. There is another location in Edwardsville if that is more convenient for you.

This fantastic venue was first introduced to us by our daughter and husband and what a find it’s been. Peel is known for its more then twenty different varieties of wood fired pizza, from the simple sausage or pepperoni. To the more complex, Creole Shrimp and Asparagus or BBQ Flank Steak and YES I’m still talking Pizza.

The feast doesn’t stop at pizza, oh no! Up to the plate next is the chicken wings. I feel bad just calling them wings because that can’t come close to preparing you for the taste explosion that awaits. Peel serves nine variations of the wings. Up first is my all time favorite. The Maple Bourbon Black Pepper, hold on I need a moment….. ok I’m back they are like no other. The sweet of the maple hits you first, followed by the heat of the pepper and wait for it. The ride is not over yet. Then the smooth finish of the bacon, WOW. Just think you have five more on your plate, or eleven if you went for an order of twelve. Other favorites are the Brown Ale BBQ or Caribbean Mango.

 

Our other adventures to this fine establishment have included their many fine staples from Ahi Taco to Maple Bourbon Pork Sliders. The choices are all top notch and out of the norm, so the next time your in the mood for a pleasant change from the box stores just start peeling to Peel(Wood Fired Pizza)

The Southern Dinner gives Peel Wood Fired Pizza:

Five bends in the road

Guero’s Mexican Restaurant

This is my first post, so thanks for dropping by. This blog will focus on restaurants in and around Southern Illinois. So stay tuned for future posts.

The first stop Guero’s Mexican Restaurant. It’s located in the old 9th street grill in Mt. Vernon Illinois. The place has an inviting feel and nicely decorated for the Mexican theme. Friendly service, with a well rounded menu.

The meal started with my favorite, an Arnold Palmer. The drink for those who don’t know, a mix of lemonade and tea. The entree’s for my wife and I were Chicken Tacos for her and for myself the Downtown Quesadilla. The chicken in both dishes were done to perfection. My wife Gail was served three soft tacos and three small nachos in the shape of bowls. In one of the nacho bowls was refried beans and cheese. The other two bowls contained pico and tomatillo sauce and by the way the tomatillo sauce is fantastic. The sweet followed by the heat was just what the doctor, I’m sorry taco ordered.

On to the main stage of Guero’s, the Downtown Quesadilla. Bring your appetite, it’s over half of the plate. Filled with chicken, steak and shrimp and if that’s not enough it’s filled with refried beans, cheese, green peppers and onions. Everyone is in the pool! With that said the combination of flavors will make you feel like your suddenly in a small village south of the boarder. On the side of course is the ever present chips and salsa. Don’t take this to lightly though the salsa is outstanding. Use of fresh tomatoes and cilantro gives the excellent favor of made to order.

All in all a great experience that demands a return performance !

The southern Dinner gives Guero’s Mexican Restaurant:

Four bends in the road