The Pond
Nestled at 16814 US Hwy 68 E, Hardin, KY 42048, The Pond offers a delightful Southern dining experience with renowned catfish dishes and warm hospitality in the heart of Hardin. This local staple, once Willow Pond Southern Catfish, has won over residents and travelers alike. On this vibrant Friday, July 4, 2025, at 04:56 PM +07, visit The Pond for a flavorful escape, as seen in The Pond photos.
The Pond carries a legacy of Southern flavor, serving the best catfish in the region—fried, grilled, baked, or blackened to perfection. Each meal comes with unlimited white beans and hush puppies, a hearty treat. My recent fried catfish was a crispy, flavorful delight, complemented by tangy vinegar slaw, echoed in The Pond reviews.
The menu at The Pond is rich in tradition, offering a variety beyond catfish with Icelandic cod, frog legs, shrimp, and chicken to suit diverse tastes. I savored a shrimp plate, its freshness shining through, detailed in The Pond menu with prices.
The warm atmosphere at The Pond evokes classic Southern diners, with a cozy vibe and friendly, attentive staff making every visit feel like home. During my last trip, the team’s hospitality turned a casual meal into a memorable gathering, a charm captured in the welcoming setting.
The Pond shines as a community favorite with rave reviews, praised for delicious food, generous portions, and a welcoming environment by locals and visitors alike. Its longstanding presence reflects a dedication to quality and satisfaction.
For an authentic taste of Southern cooking in a relaxed setting, The Pond in Hardin, KY, is a must-visit. Visit today for a hearty meal that keeps you coming back, with The Pond Hardin KY menu guiding your pick!
The Pond Reviews
Excellent place to eat catfish and frog legs! Hard to find frog legs in a lot of places but they are top notch here!!
Servers do a great job. Food is served promptly. They do a really good job with blackened fish also.
This is southern cooking at its best when it comes to "out of the pond food." We had shrimp, catfish and frog legs. All were the best we've had in a long long while. But the real surprise treat was the regular side fixins! The hush puppies and white beans they bring out were soooooo good. Can't wait to come back.
4.5 Stars: A friend kept talking about this place on the way to the marina so we had to give it a try. The Pond is a local country diner type of feel, nothing fancy, just what needs to be. There is a ton of seating so we walked in and got seated right away. Both the boss and I had the catfish dinner, which was excellent! I had the vinegar based slaw and the boss had the mayonnaise based slaw. The vinegar slaw had a sweet taste and didn't last long - highly recommend! The white bean soup was really bland and needed something else. I tried with hot sauce and their relish, the relish helped some, but still not on my favorite list of food. Shame though, I love a good white bean soup. French fries were hot and the catfish was hot when brought to the table - did I mention the short table time. The fish was lightly breaded, not too much, not too little. The boss said she hasn't had fish this good in recent memory and even compared to her mom's - not a small compliment. The endless hushpuppies was an excellent touch, love the flavor and texture. The boss ordered dessert and said it tasted good. The restaurant was clean and I noticed the servers cleaning all the table condiments. The bathroom, which is located in the entry way, was clean. The service was okay, not good, but okay. I did notice some of the other servers really doing an excellent job so maybe ours just had a bad day. We are already thinking of all the friends we are going to invite out for dinner and take to The Pond. This place should definitely be in the rotation.
The food here is delicious every time we eat here. Always great service with a very friendly staff. I love the hush puppies and pepper relish for the white beans!! Gosh is great of course, but the steak and chicken tenders are great as well.
The food was amazing country cooking just like grandma used to make! The fried catfish was hot and fresh and light and flaky! Paired with unlimited supply of hush puppies and the best white beans (just like my mom used to make!!)! Plus you choose two sides! The vegetable medley was a healthy choice and the fresh coleslaw was a hit! The other folks in our family birthday party had the fried cod fillets and fried shrimp and they loved their meals. The waitress was so kind and the service was quick! Our food was hot and fresh! I recommend you save room for dessert or get one to go as they are fabulous especially the chocolate meringue pie! Great experience and near Kenlake state park resort and LBL
White Beans- Delicious Hush Puppies- Delicious The service is great and all the servers are very nice. Very cool decor and t-shirts.