Overlook Restaurant & Lounge

Hey Overlook —
featured your restaurant in an interactive map about cheap eats across the country! Check it out @
. @Forbes also picked up the map– you can find it at
!

I’ve been coming to Louisville for ten years for annual weeklong conferences, and the first time I was here I was told to come to the Overlook for the view. And that was precisely right: the view of the bend in the Ohio is glorious, especially for one who spends the remaining 51 weeks of the year in Southern California. Yesterday was the last time I’ll be there, since the conference changes venue next year, and I will miss this place, especially since the food has improved over the years. The fried chicken was lightly battered and the breast meat moist. They follow the Hippocratic oath with the sides: «they do no harm.» Our server, April, was an absolute charm, embodying the genuine hospitality of the environment. The one caveat: this last time I was there, the distinct odor of gas was present; I hope it’s something they can address soon. But, again, if you’re near this small community in Indiana, it’s worth pulling over.

Well mothers day reservations there. They did not even tell you need it. Until I showed up.

I have been here about five times, each time with my family (usually a group of ten or more) because my family absolutely loves this place, and for good reason.
First and foremost, we drive at least 45 minutes each way for THE VIEW. No matter the season you’re going to have a stunning view of rolling hills, green grass on farmland and of course a huge bend of the Ohio River. There isn’t a bad seat in the house, and the patio area is even better! The staff does try to accommodate to ensure each guest has a great view.
Second, the staff. So like I’ve said I’ve been here numerous times, however my family has been here lots more times, and the wait staff has remained the same each time we’ve visited. They even have plastic placards with their names printed on it they’ve been there so long! They are excellent with large groups, the drinks remain filled, condiments are quickly retrieved, extra napkins brought promptly and very patient attitudes are always exhibited. No seriously, my family is very hard to deal with. For example: one member (who shall remain nameless) orders an app, a salad, an entrée, a soda, wine, coffee AND dessert… thirty minutes before closing… no seriously. We’ve had Mary Jane many times as our server and she’s excellent, even as my 50 year old uncle makes marijuana references about her name THE ENTIRE VISIT. I’m sorry Mary Jane, you’re a sweetheart.
Okay, so on to the next part: the food. The food is very classically southern, fried chicken, ribs, mashed potatoes, cobbler, so if that’s you’re thing you’re in heaven. I HATE fried chicken, so why do I always get it here? Because its that good. Seriously. Get it, you have a ton of options for what you want, dark, light, two, three and four piece options, very cheap. I’ve also had their cod, wow, that’s amazing. I’ve had it both fried and baked, both excellent! You MUST get a dessert, just get any, seasonal cobbler with ice cream or their Death By Chocolate cake are my favorites. The food is Southern at its best in a classic perspective, its not elevated in any way, its as if you walked into a farm house and sat at the table before supper.
Overall: An excellent date night spot and a favorite for families for the service, food and the view. Now, this place is a little pricy for me for what it is and the drive is FAR from me, so I wouldn’t come on my own accord. They close very early. They close by 8:00PM on a Friday which seems like it’d be bad for business to me, but hey, they’re doing just fine.

My wife and I went for dinner and a view for the first time here. We loved it. Wendy had the fried chicken and I had BBQ Rack of ribs. After the first bite we were hooked. The chicken was moist and tasty and the ribs, close to the best I’ve ever had.
The workers were very kind and easy going. Family friendly. They treat you almost like family.

As other reviewers have stated, it’s all about the view whether you dine inside looking out from large picture windows or outside on a large deck overlooking the Ohio River.
You can see quite a way down the Ohio River as it curves and you’ll probably see barges pushing their load while dining.
The indoor décor lacks, however. It’s pretty plain and really wish it were up a notch or two even to match the view.
Food and service were good. As others have mentioned, the fried chicken is a hit — crispy and very juicy. My husband ordered that and I opted for the ribeye steak with green beans. The steak was good but not the best I’ve ever had. The green beans were what I expected from a menu that touts southern fare — they were cooked and cooked and cooked with I’m sure a little bacon fat. Yum, just the way I remember and that I love best — no squeaky, crispy beans for this meal!
And, as other viewers have already mentioned, ya gotta get the cobbler for dessert. I did and was pleased — blackberry cobbler warm with vanilla ice cream and a good portion of both.
Service was pleasant and prices were reasonable.
I’m a fan, mostly for the view but the food is decent, too.
Note that they only take reservations for large parties but they do take call-​ahead seating up to an hour in advance — meaning they’ll put your name on the list. We did that and were seated right away when we arrived.

So we drove down to this restaurant today Sunday September 20^th. This would have been our first visit. We have a new dog who is being certified as a Service Animal but we are awaiting the paperwork to be sent out. So we call this place to inquire about their policy about bringing dogs. They said that we would have to dine outside and that wasn’t a problem for us as that was what we wanted to do in the first place. I called once to verify that it was OK that we bring the dog and then the girl that I spoke to said call an hour before you arrive to do call ahead seating so I did just that. Neither conversation that I had with the staff there made any mention that the menu for dining outside would be all frozen items that just fell off of a Sysco truck and not the menu that they offer to those dining inside. You already know that we would not have driven 3 hours to their restaurant to eat frozen chicken tenders and mediocre pizza. So we arrive and we go down to the patio area which is called Walter’s Pub which is the same exact owner, so why they would even have two separate menus is beyond me. The patio and the bar was completely empty, not one customer in either place. The lady behind the bar was nice enough but she was the one to break the news to us about the two different menus. So I asked for a manager and she said that she was the manager down in the bar but they had managers in the restaurant. So I go upstairs to the restaurant and ask for a manager so a lady comes out and says she is the manager on duty and I told her that I was very unhappy with the fact that we have driven 3 hours to be told that we could eat on the patio but it was all sub-​par frozen bar food and not the same menu as what they serve upstairs in the restaurant. She somehow though that was amusing and funny. Wrong attitude to take with me after I have driven 3 hours and made two different phone calls and not one person mentioned this, and they certainly had the opportunity to do so as I told both employees that this was our first visit. Then she makes yet another smart remark to me and said «you didn’t think you were going to bring the dog inside our restaurant did you» that was one of about a dozen smart remarks she made to me with a grin on her face as if she was being amused and entertained by all of this. So she told me we were welcome to order food to go and sit out at some picnic tables next door not even a part of the restaurant. I took the menus outside and we were going to order food to go and sit outside but I made it clear that I was upset and not happy about all of this and would for sure go home and write negative review on every website I could find and she again decided to get smart with me and by that time I had enough and told her just what I thought of her attitude from the very beginning and that is when another manager named Chris stepped up and advised me that they didn’t have to serve me at all if I wanted to have an attitude with them. He then told me to leave. When I went downstairs to the bar to ask the lady down there for the owners contact info she advised me that it was against Indiana state law to give that out. I guess the first thing you should do when you open your mouth is know who you are talking to, I work for the state and there is NO such law. Chris the manager followed me down there as well and told her to give me a business card which only had the restaurant phone number and their face book info on it. So now they have a few problems. They refused someone with a disability service and reasonable accommodation, we will see what an attorney thinks of this. I now know why they have very few reviews on here and not many of those are very positive. Also probably explains why they are on their 6^th owner according to their own website. They will regret the day that they harassed and mistreated my family as I will pursue this legally to the fullest extent of the law. It makes perfect business sense to have a restaurant on a cliff that overlooks the river and have a lovely patio and try to serve people frozen bar food. Ingenious.
Needless to say you couldn’t pay us to return to this place!

We stumbled upon the Overlook Restaurant on Labor Day via the Unilocal app as we were taking the scenic route driving back to Indy from Kentucky. What a find! The views alone are worth the trip — and it’s just a short detour off of I-​64 in Leavenworth, IN (off ⁶²⁄₆₆).
We were told that there would be a 40 – 45 minute wait for a table — even at 3pm on a Monday. Perhaps it was because it was a holiday? Anyway, it was fine — we grabbed our pager and went downstairs to Walter’s Pub to grab a few beers and enjoy the enormous deck overlooking the Ohio River. Gorgeous!
Once seated, April took amazing care of us. So friendly and attentive! For late lunch/​early dinner we opted for the 3 piece fried chicken meal (breast, thigh, leg) and the meatloaf (about $ 12 – 13 each). The fried chicken is where it’s at – it was so juicy — even the white meat — and the breading was not too thick and perfectly seasoned. The meatloaf was ketchup topped and pretty good, but not the best we have had (but I make a mean meatloaf at home so the hubs is a tough critic).
I must also say that I was so pleased that the veggie of the day was an okra and tomato mix. SOOOOO good!!! The hubs got the onion rings (previously frozen, but still kinda tasty) and the corn (just meh), so I was stoked that my okra and tomatoes rocked. I also got a baked potato that looked great, BUT I opted to skip my baked potato and go straight for dessert as tummy room was getting limited. Priorities. :)
If you hear nothing else I say — save room for the cobbler! OMG! The cobbler of the day was a warm, yummy blackberry — topped with ice cream. It came out in a HUGE bowl and was deeee-​licious — perfectly flaky and abundant crust but with a perfect crust to fruit ratio. The hubs got the chocolate cake and said it was pretty good too — served cold with a creamy center that he ate around and I finished. Don’t judge me.
Take aways from our visit:
– Great views of the river from any seat — they even sit you on the same side of the table as your company so you can both enjoy the views.
– Ask about drink special pricing if that’s a sticking point. The Sangria special at $ 6.50 was small in serving size and a bit steep price wise in my opinion.
– Get the fried chicken and the cobbler!
– Limited menu, but better than being too extensive/​overwhelming like some other places.
– We learned as we were leaving that you can call ahead (an hour before) to get your name on the list for a table. Mental note for next time.
– Service was friendly from start to finish. Down-​home feel in a no-​frills on the interior type place.
We will totally go back if we are ever in the area again — just to get the fried chicken and cobbler while taking in the views.

Took a detour from our long trip out east last week only to find this place packed on a Sunday afternoon. Rather than wait 40 minutes to be seated, we committed to visit again on the return trip, this time calling 30 minutes ahead to be put on a seating list. Upon arrival, we were promptly shown to a nice table and placed our order. Next came the wait … Our waitress worked tables all around us. We watched as other guests were seated, placed orders, were served and finished eating. Our waitress walked by a dozen times. Only when she was taking dessert orders at the table next to us (45 minutes after our arrival) did we ask, «How much longer?» «I don’t know, I’ll check,» came the reply. She came back and said the cook lost our order. We had no time to spare and got back on the road. We called management to express our disappointment, and were told that the *waitress* had not turned in our order. Apologies and, «We sometimes make mistakes,» we’re the best offerings. What else could she say? Ultimately, we write this review because we really don’t understand how the staff (waitress and hostess) can walk by a table and not think to check on her guests and their food for 45 minutes. Invisible we must be! Maybe our bad for not inquiring sooner. The place was not crazy busy … really only about at 50%. The view is nice, but we came mostly for the food and left with empty stomachs. Caveat emptor.

As other reviewers have stated the view alone is worth the trip. My four year old was very excited the we could see the «ocean» from our table. I can only imagine how beautiful the view is in the fall when the leaves are changing. The food was also very good. I’m a sucker for good old home cookin and that’s what they serve at the Overlook. I had the breaded pork tenderloin sandwich with fries and I also added a cup of the soup of the day because it was a loaded potato and that happens to be one of my favorites. The soup was obviously homemade and was very tasty. The potatoes were not too mushy which sometimes happens in soups and the soup was creamy but not overly heavy which was very nice. I liked that the pork sandwich had the option of toppings and I chose to have mine fully dressed with lettuce, tomato, onion, pickles, and mayo. It was delicious. The pork was tender and the breading was crisp and not greasy. The tomatoes were very ripe and juicy as well just like ones you would pick straight from your own garden! The sandwich was exactly what I was hoping it would be and I would absolutely order it again! I was far too full for dessert but when I heard that there was peanut butter pie I had to get a piece to go. If you’re ever in this area I can definitely recommend that you stop if you enjoy southern style home cookin because this is exactly what you will find here with a gorgeous view to boot!

I was out on a field trip with my sweet, 87 year old aunt, and thought this place would be a great treat for her. I know I hadn’t been here since I was in my 20’s and that was a LONG time ago. It was time to see if it was as good as I remembered and as what people still say.
We arrived early and were the first people to be seated for lunch, just after 11. My aunt ordered the fried cod sandwich with fries while I ordered the fried chicken livers. She sandwich was bigger than she was and she remarked it should be re-​named The Whopper but that didn’t stop her from eating the whole thing and all but 3 of the fries! I was simply amazed. My livers were probably the best I’ve ever eaten in my life, lightly breaded and fried until just done so they were soft and buttery. The sides I chose were mashed potatoes and okra and tomatoes, which had a bit of sugar in it that gave it a nice touch.
This is a great place with good food and excellent views of the Ohio River. It’s just a few minutes from Interstate 64 so it’s easy to get to. Give it a try and you shouldn’t be disappointed.

Great traditional food and the view of the Ohio is great.
Service was perfect.
I ordered the Cod platter fried and it was perfectly prepared and tasted fantastic.
It is also a very pretty drive down and worth the time.

A really good restaurant with a view of kentucky foliage across the ohio river. Food is great. Portions are generous and price is a little high nut not for what you are getting. Comfort food great fried chicken, ribs, catfish and all the sides from the south (mostly). Worth the trip to get there

Bison burgers and tater tots!!! We arrived late and they were open unlike the other sit-​down places around. Limited menu but… BISON BURGERS!!! How cool is that?! Hubby ordered rum and cokes from upstairs (a karaōke bar) and they were real stiff… especially the one made by the elder gentleman. The tater tots are a nice change of pace from fries.

The best thing about the Overlook, is indeed, the overlook of the Ohio. We have come here to meet family many times in the past and the service was friendly though the food average. However, don’t ever come in 15 minutes before closing: you’ll be informed multiple times that you need to hurry up and order. Our service during this visit was brusque and altogether rude. We will not be returning.

The view of the Ohio River was impressive and restaurant had a friendly environment. I really enjoyed the baked potato and coleslaw (best coleslaw I’ve ever had). My fiancé seemed to really enjoy the salmon and veggies. I wasn’t very impressed with the catfish or the menu options. This restaurant was very average with an above average view.

Can’t imagine anyone giving this place anything less than 5 stars! We were a party of 4 and all had a different dinners. From burgers to the catch if the day everything was was great. The view overlooking the Ohio river was really great.

Great view! I must admit it was a better view than I anticipated as we drove up to the restaurant. It’s a little ‘off the beaten path’ if you ask me. Not sure you have any reason to be in that area otherwise.
The food was good. Basic country cooking. I enjoyed my fried chicken and baked potato! Only downside was that they were out of nearly everything. Weird. I recommend checking it out if you’re in the mood for food with a view.

I’m a fan of the Overlook. It’s not fancy, but you can’t beat the view in any season and the food is solid as long as you make the right choices.
Their salads with the house made dressings are crisp and delicious. Their beef veggie soup is a total knock out. I have to get it every time I’m there. It’s perfectly comforting.
Fried chicken is good. Sandwiches are solid. Fried chicken livers are a huge win, but I’d avoid the hot brown. Way too much bechamel.

We love to come to this restaurant and sit by one of the windows and watch the barges going up and down the river. Our food has alwaus been very good. The staff is a delight and friendly. My husband had the porkchop with apples, macaroni and cheese and a salad last time we were there. He loved the pork chop, the macaroni and cheese was not from a box and the greens in his salad were fresh. A big thumbs up from him. I had the Ceaser Salad and a baked potato. The salad was fresh romaine and the grilled chicken was delish! Love to sit out on the patio in nice weather. Cant’t wait till we go back!