On the west end of 30A in the old Blue Orleans location is Ken's American Bistrot. I've eaten there twice now and have meant to post a review for a while. So here's the scoop:
There isn't anything exceptional about the Ken's venue itself. It's a small but clean space in somewhat of a "strip mall? on the opposite side of 30A from Big Daddy's Bike Shop. But once you try the food you'll quickly forgive and forget any shortcomings of its location.
The first time I ate at Ken's was late in 2009. I had my two kids with me and we couldn't reach consensus on what to eat from our list of usual spots so we decided to give Ken's a chance.
I was really hungry so I went with a very wholesome chicken fried steak dinner served with mashed potatoes. The kids each ordered chicken fingers.
While we waited for our food I was evidently very thirsty because I kept finishing diet cokes about one every 3 minutes. And each time I nearly finished one there was a fresh one waiting for me. No one asked. No one made comments about it to call attention to me and no one was annoyed that I was so thirsty. They just happily kept bringing them out and I really appreciated that.
The food arrived in a timely fashion. Let me just say- they far exceeded my expectations. My chicken fried steak was a huge portion (I'm a big eater) and it looked, smelled and tasted like mom or grandma worked on it all day. Everything seemed fresh and homemade- not like Cisco or some other food service prepared the meal.
So here is a little secret for restaurateurs-
Just like many guests weigh the cleanliness of your bathrooms very heavily when forming their net opinions of your establishment, there are many parents like myself who judge you by the food you serve our kids. I was really impressed by the chicken fingers they brought my little dudes. Again- seemed homemade like mom or grandma made them. But wait, it gets better. When they brought the bill I found out that kids under 3 eat free. So not only were the wholesome kids meals way way above par but one of them was on the house. Wow!
So if I have a really good experience or a really bad experience at a new place in Sowal I will try to go again just to make sure it wasn't a fluke before I share a review here. Only problem is Ken's closed for a little while during the off season so I didn't get back until last week.
For my second visit I went alone and I had a bowl of crab bisque and an order of wings. Both were incredible! The bisque was rich and warm and great overall. The wings were the best I've had in Sowal. They were giant- all meat. They had a bit of an Asian flare to them and were just the right spice. I would have ordered something else but the soup and app filled me up and I am a pretty big eater.
Anywho, the verdict-
Ken's is 2 for 2 and I officially recommend Sowallers to give them a shot.
Normally, my review would end here but I feel the need to add the following:
The restaurant business is tough, especially here in Sowal. Sometimes it isn't enough to be great here and that is such a shame. Given that both times I ate at Ken's my party was the only one in the place I worry that this place isn't getting a fair shake. And I don't want to lose this gem.
SO- if you live here or are visiting, certainly go to your favorite destination places (e.g. Red Bar). But for that one night when you are taking it easy- give Ken's a shot. Also- they do carry out and have the only drive thru window on 30A.
I personally think these guys could create a niche by being THE take out/delivery place of the area. But whether you it eat there or eat it at home- you should seriously consider eating their food. And when you do, let 'em know you found out about them in a favorable review on Sowal.com
Enjoy,
Geo
