I wanted to like Mud Creek. I like the name, the restaurant was comfortable, it was unique in its off-the-beaten-path location, and it offered the promise of barbecue and perfectly fried catfish. But restaurants are places to eat food, and overall the food wasn't good. The barbecue was fairly good with a strong smoky flavor and tender, although a little dry. The barbecue was served with spicy, sweet baked beans and yellow coleslaw. Yellow cole slaw is made with mustard and a little Tabasco mixed in with the very finely chopped coleslaw common in North Alabama. The yellow coleslaw was new to me, and while I enjoyed trying something new and it tasted fine, I didn't leave wondering about when I will next have some yellow coleslaw.
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| barbecue plate |
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| catfish plate |
Aside from the barbecue, baked beans, and fries, everything else we ordered was uninspired. The fried catfish, which the menu billed as their specialty, was bland and not crispy. The catfish needed some spice in the batter and a sauce on the side. Both the barbecue and the catfish came with a potato side and we chose fries. The fries were not homemade, were droopy rather than crispy, and were mushy on the inside. The apple pie we ordered for dessert was not homemade and wasn't properly baked because the crust was mushy.
The prices are too high for the quality of food served. A large barbecue plate runs $7.50 and a large catfish plate with five pieces of catfish runs $10.
The service was mediocre. Our waitress mostly ignored us, but other waitresses appeared to be very busy taking care of their customers.
Mud Creek Fish Camp has potential, but doesn't live up to it. I went looking for quality country flavors, and I didn't find them.
Mud Creek Fish Camp
804 County Road 213
Hollywood, AL 35752
256-259-2493
Mud Creek use to be on the main road (US 72) before the DOT built the 4 lane about 20 years ago. So that old country road was US 72
ReplyDeleteThe Food, Land & Business Critic seems to have their opinion before arriving @ Mud Creek. I have enjoyed several visits to Mud Creek with family, friends & business associates to find only Fine Foo, Fine Quality, Fine Service on wide variety of foods. It is cozy, not elaborate establishment with a beautiful natural view. Sorry your experience was not as pleasurable as mine, Southern Living & many many more! You truly seem like a very judgmental person. Surely hope you never try Hollywood, CA , the ghettos & street trash wouldruin your dining there & the 5 Star Must Do Rest Suck! Mud Creek Alabama is A Must Do!!
ReplyDeleteI grew up eating at Leck's, as the locals once called it. We often ate there twice a week... Tuesday and Friday evenings, because that's when the barbecue was cooked.
DeleteMud Creek is still one of my favorite places to eat barbecue! I have never tasted barbecue any better... Anywhere! And, I've eaten at lots of barbecue restaurants all over the southeastern United States!
Their mustard slaw is wonderful! I don't care too much for the mayonnaise based slaws some restaurants provide. However, I suppose you like whatever you're accustomed to eating with your BBQ. But, I think you simply can't beat their version of mustard slaw!
Personally, I prefer my BBQ to be cook thoroughly, and not to have lots of grease with it! Mud Creek cooks their BBQ perfectly and they don't have BBQ 'floating' in grease! That's due to the fact, I'm sure, they use good quality meat that is lean, not fatty.
I honestly think I could eat the BBQ from Mud Creek everyday and never grow tired of it! As a matter of fact, I am going to drive out there now and pick up a couple of pounds, a quart of mustard slaw, and some of their vinegar sauce, right now! Yum! I can't wait!
I'm not sure what the critic was seeking, but it seems likely he or she had decided in advance the place, the food, and the service were all bad. In contrast I went with an open mind. I found the food to be excellent, the service was good, the facility and the atmosphere appealing. I'm not expert on fish nor barbecue, but I know that Mud Creek food was excellent. The service was provided by a staff that seems to turn over very slowly. The atmosphere and the clientele seemed to be a mix of families, fishermen, and business folks. Those dressed in there Sunday best sit next to sportsmen who have been the lake; there are small children and families next to elderly groups. The adjacent lake is beautiful; the facilities are good.
ReplyDeleteBy the way tell the disgruntled critic that when you have successfully operated in the same place for over 65 years you can't always choose your neighbors. I also wonder how someone knew that church building was "one roomed". After three generations the family knows how to o what they have been doing. I recommend it highly.
J.V. Delk, Whitwell, TN
9/06/13