Located in the tiny town of Grand Rivers, Kentucky, Patti’s 1880 settlement reminds us of when time moved at a slower pace, a time when food, family and friendship were intertwined. Once inside Patti’s restaurant, I could see why they had been voted #1 by Southern Living Magazine’s Reader’s Choice Award for Best Small Town Restaurant in Southeast United States and the #1 Restaurant for Tourism by the State of Kentucky. This place was packed with diners enjoying original recipes from Miss Patti, the founder of the restaurant, along with her husband, Mr. Bill and her son Chip. Started as “Hamburger Patti’s Ice Cream Parlor in 1977, the restaurant originally seated twenty people. Today the restaurant has been expanded several times and serves over 350,000 people a year! While this might not sound like a huge amount to some, Grand Rivers is a town of only 350 people. I overheard diners in the room we were in telling friends how they came back to Patti’s time and again and watched extended families celebrating anniversaries and birthdays together.
The decor is rustic; lots of wood, flowers and candles, creating a cozy atmosphere . Within minutes we were seated and our server brought us homemade bread baked in a clay flower pot and served with Miss Patti’s strawberry butter. I was told each flower pot could be used approximately six times before they became too brittle to be used again. There were so many choices on the menu I was unsure what I wanted, but I finally decided on the Cajun Shrimp Diane. Made with shrimp cooked in sun-dried tomatoes, fresh mushrooms and chives with a slightly spicy Cajun Diane sauce, served over a bed of linguine, this dish was not only delicious, it was huge! I could have easily taken half of my portion home for another meal. I chose a salad and loaded baked potato for my sides.
Bryan went with the jumbo fried shrimp, cooked in a dark beer batter, served with a salad, fried and hushpuppies. He has a hearty appetite and even he couldn’t finish the entire meal. I had been trying to save room for one of their amazing desserts, but didn’t have room. I watched in envy as the server brought desserts to tables all around me, including the “Mile high” meringue pies, topped with six to eight inches of meringue. I did get to try Patti’s sticky buns for breakfast the next morning while staying at The Rose of the Lake Bed & Breakfast, also owned by Chip Tullar and his partner, Michael Grimes. Yum!
But the Settlement is much more than a restaurant, it’s a family adventure. They have mini golf, an animal park, gardens, a playground and more. Pattu’s also offers cookbooks of her delicious recipes in the gift shop. This is an attraction and restaurant that is definitely worth stopping by if you are anywhere in the area. It’s also only a short drive from the interstate and 25 minutes from Paducah.
If you go: Reservations are suggested. Patti’s is open everyday from 10:30am – 8:00pm. During the off season (Jan – March), Patti’sis open from 10:30am – 9:00pm.
43 Comments
Love the decor- I’m sure the meal was delish too!
I love the way it looks inside! And the food looks amazing too. I can’t believe there is so much to do there, how fun!
Oh! I’m so jealous! I love places like this. Obviously they’ve been around for so long because they must have great food too! I love the rustic like as it’s a little English, isn’t it? Very cute!
My mouth is literally watering from reading this.I loved the decor it’s feels family oriented. I think it’s cute the population is only 350.
I love the atmosphere and that the decoration is Christian. The food looks delicious too!
Wow! That is such an awesome place! I really hope that we get to visit someday! I wish there was a place like that near me!
It looks so cozy in there!
Oh YUM! I love unique spots like this!!! Looks like a great place to eat!
What a cute little joint. I’m laughing that they stay open until 8 or 9, we rarely go out to eat before those times, but like you said, it is a different way of life.
I would love to go to a place like this. What neat decor and the food looks great!
Meringue pies that high? Looks so amazing, no wonder you need reservations!
I would love to go to a place like that. Great setting and the food looks awesome!
The chicken looks really good. I love Lemon Meringue pie with lots of meringue – YUM!
I love setting of that restaurant! The food looks amazing.
That’s my kind of establishment. The food looks great and the atmosphere is awesome. It’s like a page from a history book.
I just love comfort food! Sounds awesome and a great place to stop.
Oh! That food looks delicious. I used to live in VA and have been gone so long now, but I really miss good old southern cooking.
This is why you order dessert first! So you can’t back out, and save more room during the meal. 😀
I love old style southern style comfort food places. It’s because of that love of food I’ll likely never be skinny! LOL
I need to go. Like now. I am smitten with places like this!
If I make it out that way, I’ll know where to stop!
I like that old rustic look it has!
Mmmm love fried shrimp!
What a gorgeous place. I love it when you post a new destination article. You always find the best places!
We have family in Paducah so next time, we’re in the area I’ll be sure to stop in. The bread is what looks so amazing to me. I’d love to try it.
I will definitely have to check this place out when I’m out there, great photos. But I need to stop surfing the net at night, because now I want some shrimp!
I love the decor it looks so warm and inviting. The food looks great. I would love to try it.
Wow, it seems like a really great place to go. I love things like this.
I’ve never been that way before but if I ever am I am so going to want to stop here. The food looks amazing and I loving the ambiance.
The Settlement sounds like it has so much more to offer than just food! The shrimp look delicious, definitely something I would order.
I have never been to Kentucky. However, this looks like the place to go for good food.
this place looks delicious and love the history too.
This looks like such a nice place! The food looks so delicious!
That is ATMOSPHERE! I love it.
Looks lke good old southern cooking. I used ot pass thur paducah going to Nashville from IL
Looks like a nice Christian establishment. Their menu looks great!
Love the bread baked in a flower pot!
We made some as kids and it turned out wonderful.
Love southern food… making it…eating it!
LOL!
I love the whole setting – and the food? Wish I were there right now! It looks amazing!
What a gorgeous place. I love historical sites like this. They’re so much fun to explore. You add in food, and well… it’s awesome.
The food looks delicious but I love the atmosphere even more. Looks like such an interesting place to dine.
I love places with atmosphere like this. It sounds like a really cool place to eat.
wow. what a pretty cottage look. I like the roses and wood.
If I ever make it out that way, this place will definitely be my first stop! What a neat experience.
I totally agree Robin – I this is a must place to stop!