Wonderful spot for a fish boil and better than the more touristy options in the area. This small restaurant serves traditional fish boils and cajun fish boils on alternating days. We arrived without a reservation just after one of their boils, and the owner and hostess were gracious enough to make room for us. We thought we’d be served leftovers, but the owner went outside and freshly boiled an order for us! We missed the official show but instead got to watch from the warm interior. Reservations are expected, don’t assume you’ll get lucky like we did.
The restaurant is really cute and clean. There is a lovely view over the harbor and the boiling kettle itself. As far as I’m aware, there is no menu and no options. If you’re there on a traditional or cajun night that is what you’re getting. They did have a nice variety of alcohol. The price was a bit high but fair for the experience and quality. The staff were only okay, but I thought their slight edge was fair given the end of an exhausting tourist season. The owner was very personable and took the time to help many patrons debone their fish.
The traditional fish boil is served with the fish itself, potatoes, a sweet onion, corn, coleslaw, and bread. The bread was pretty good. The meal looked simple when served but ended up being delicious. The fish had a good flavor to it and came from nearby waters. The potatoes were livened up by the melted butter. The owner makes his own cajun seasoning and sauce. The liberal application of both made the meal even better. The corn and sweet onion were great. The owner described the onion as taking on a candy-like flavor and he wasn’t wrong. The coleslaw was great (my companion described it as the best she’d ever had). This meal is a lot of work to eat given the inevitable picking of bones. Therefore it’s probably not a great first date spot, but very cute for couples who know one another and can deal with some fish bones. They served cherry pie for dessert, which was the weakest part of the meal. Overall this was a...
Read moreWe had an amazing unexpected time at the Kettle Black tonight! I was with my husband and searching for a place to eat And since I have a lot of food allergies sometimes that's not easy! It was getting late in the evening and I had not really planned very well for what I was going to have And I was standing on Main Street waiting for him to pick me up as we were looking for a place And I turned slightly to the left and there it was! I walked over to inquire And saw they were doing fish boils and ask if I could just have a simple plate of fish Since it was so spur the moment we did not have a reservation! The 2 ladies that greeted me were amazing and so welcoming! One the owner's wife and the other his sister! They immediately Welcomed me in warmly and said right away they would fix me a plate of The fish boil meal that was already going on with no problem! My husband joined me shortly thereafter And I enjoyed the most delicious white fish, onions and my husband enjoyed all the delicious sides of Bread, coleslaw, corn on the cobb red potatoes! Not to mention the scrumptious cherry pie! The food was amazing and the view of the fish boil and and water Was wonderful! One of the most memorable parts was meeting the owners and staff They are all so nice and we would recommend this place to everyone! So cute you can eat inside or outside! Our personal conversations With them and connections with other people we know in the area we will always remember! This place just opened 5 days ago and while we know it's going to be so successful! We loved it so much that we are returning tomorrow evening for another fish boil and We can't wait! Thank you everyone at The Kettle Black! See you soon...
Read moreMy wife and I were absolutely amazed by our experience at the Kettle Black Cajun Shrimp and Lobster Boil on a Saturday night. It was a delightful departure from the traditional fish boil that Door County is famous for. The flavors were impeccably balanced, and the ingredients used were of the highest quality. The Shrimp and Lobster were cooked to perfection, but don’t forget to request Paul’s (The owner)’s “secret” spicy sauces- fantastic!
What truly stood out was Paul’s dedication to his establishment. He took great pride in personally engaging with his guests, passionately sharing the scientific intricacies behind his cooking methods. Additionally, he shared captivating stories of his upbringing in Door County, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere.
Without a doubt, the Cajun Shrimp and Lobster Boil at Kettle Black is the best restaurant we have experienced in all of Door County. While the search for exceptional dining options can be challenging, with so many highly rated restaurants, Kettle Black truly deserves a 5-star rating not only within the county but anywhere in the world.
We're eagerly looking forward to our return visit, and not just because we accidentally left our sweaters behind. The fact that they took the initiative to personally call and remind us speaks volumes about their exceptional customer service. Kettle Black has won our hearts, and we can't wait to be back for another unforgettable...
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