I'm feeling pretty conflicted about this review because my experience at this restaurant was a…read moremixed bag--some aspects were great, and others definitely need attention. Let me start with the positive:
The Good:
When I first pulled up to the building, I was impressed. The exterior looked nice, the parking lot was clean, and the place was buzzing with activity. There were a lot of cars outside, and there was a line for seating, which let me know this place is pretty popular. Since I was in a bit of a hurry, I asked if I could place an order to-go, and they were more than happy to accommodate.
I ordered the catfish dinner, which came with French fries, coleslaw, hush puppies, a warm buttered roll, and even a couple of beignets. The catfish was decent--not the best I've ever had (I've got a pretty high bar for that), but it was tasty enough that I'd go back if I had the chance. The hush puppies were on point, and I appreciate that they didn't skimp on the portions.
The inside of the restaurant was decorated with a cute, Ozark-lake theme, which added a charming touch. They also have a small gift shop with reasonably priced, locally made souvenirs, which I thought was a nice bonus. The young lady who took my order was polite, had a sweet smile, and was very friendly--definitely added to the positive experience.
The Not-So-Good:
Now for the part I don't like writing--the negatives. While I don't like focusing on the bad, there are some things that need to be addressed, particularly the cleanliness. The condition of the bathroom was a letdown, to say the least. There was a disposable toilet seat cover with feces on it lying on the floor, and that was enough to make me do a double take. On top of that, the door handles, doorjambs, and the entryways into the kitchen looked like they hadn't been properly wiped down in a while.
There was a vent cover in the men's bathroom that was in rough shape, and, most importantly, there was no soap available to wash your hands. For a busy place like this, you'd think they'd be on top of those things. It wasn't a dealbreaker for me, but it's definitely a concern that needs to be addressed for the sake of cleanliness.
Final Thoughts:
All in all, the food was decent, the prices were good, and the staff was friendly. The bathroom situation didn't ruin the experience for me, but it's something that definitely needs improvement. I would go back again if I'm in the area, but I hope they address these issues for the sake of future customers.