K & M Seafood Market and Grill — Restaurant in Sylva

Not just awesome seafood… true New Orleans Cajun! Trust me, if you’re staying anywhere close to Sylva (which is an awesome place to visit for a day of small town eclectic shops, coffee houses, and breweries) and a fan of Cajun food like me, you HAVE to make the drive to try this out! You will thank me later. It’s 15 minutes from Harrahs Casino & a lot of the employees recommend it highly.

First visit I met Barbie when I walked in. I asked what was good and she went into detail about lots of different choices. In the end I had the blackened scallops she recommended, hush puppies, and coleslaw. The scallops were the real deal and grilled perfectly. Everything was delicious… even the cocktail and remoulade sauces. I think she realized I’m a Cajun foodie and she just brings me a sample of their boudin bites to try. Thank you ma’am… I’m hooked now lol. Before I left Ken, the owner, came out and asked how I liked everything and I of course told him it was all great.

So a couple of days later I have some free time and the weather is beautiful so I take a drive back for an early dinner mainly because Barbie had suggested the Shrimp Po Boy earlier & I had to try it. Ken’s there and asked if I want a half or a whole one. I know my Po Boy’s so I just got a half and it was still a lot of sandwich! Added coleslaw and of course the Cajun bites. It was beyond my expectations and was just like eating one in New Orleans, but wow, the bread…. Ken told me he ships it in fresh with his seafood from N.O. And it’s Gambino style, which is a soft, melt in your mouth type of sandwich roll that makes it deliciously authentic. Of course he gets me a sample too, The Crab Rangoon, which I also highly recommend.

I was thoroughly satisfied both times I visited this establishment when I left. The food is unbelievable, the staff is friendly and takes pride in what they offer, and the atmosphere is great. It’s like a cool little sports bar in the French Quarter (with Cajun music playing in the background even lol). I’ll be headed back here again with my friends later this week on a Thursday to show off my find, and to have the house special that day, Jambalaya!! I...

Decided to visit K&M Seafood tonight. I ordered their spin on Surf & Turf, Jumbo Wings and Shrimp with two sides. Decided to try their Mango Habanero wings with hush puppies and grilled veggies on the side. I placed my order and settled in to wait, amused and impressed by the serious assistance the young apprentice waitress was providing the staff. I was especially impressed with her artistic skill, decorating the signage with several happy crabs.

As I waited, they brought out their free appetizer, fried and battered cheese balls with remoulade sauce. They were amazing and did not last long.

Not too long after my food came out. The veggies- a blend of fried peppers, onions, and zucchini- were well-seasoned with a little kick and still held a nice chew- they weren’t overdone or soggy. The hushpuppies were excellent as well, dense little nuggets with a hint of sweetness. The fried and battered shrimp were excellent, at home in both the remoulade and cocktail sauces.

The wings were jumbo, as advertised, with plenty of meat on their bones. The sauce was tangy and flavorful with a nice bite. However, this is where things went wrong- the drumette I bit into was not as cooked as I would have preferred.

This was the turning point in the meal and, I have to say, K&M did it right. The owner came over- having picked up on my body language- and asked if everything was okay. When I shared about the wings he apologized and said he would cook me up a fresh batch, suiting action to words and heading back into the kitchen. He also said it was fine if I just wanted to take them home, he understood.

That was exactly the correct thing to do. Mistakes happen and it’s how you respond to them that matters. The wings came out and I got a to go box. At the end, as she took my card up to ring me up, the young apprentice waitress gave a heartfelt apology, which was appreciated. I’m guessing she heard the adults talking in the back and decided to make it right if she could.

A mistake was made but they made it right. I was...

I’ve been in the restaurant business for more than 20 years and I’ve always been fond of ‘fish camps’ and local seafood restaurants along the coast or in the bayou. Never in a million years would I think the best would be nestled in the mountains located in Sylva, NC. My Mother and I had to travel to Sylva every weekend for several months while my Grandfather was in a nursing home nearby at Hilltop. Going to this restaurant after seeing my Grandfather was our little escape from the last few months of my Grandfather’s life. The staff and owner were perfect in every way and the food is out of this world. I rarely write reviews and am usually disappointed about fish and seafood spots that are not near the ocean because the quality and freshness of the seafood is almost always sub par which is what makes it great. I don’t know how or where this place gets their seafood but it was as good or better than some of my favorite spots in Louisiana and the panhandle. It’s Mothers weekend and I’m driving up from Atlanta, Ga so if that doesn’t say enough I don’t know what will. Sylva altogether was a surprise blessing in a not so good time with my Grandfather but the people in this area and accommodations we had at Best Western in the river was unlike anywhere else I have traveled. That’s coming from a lifer in the service industry. This place is in my top 10 all time favorite restaurants alongside the world renown’s in the US and abroad. In no way am I affiliated with anyone from the restaurant. This is a genuine review!!!! Trust me, I would love to help...