mammoth cave eateries?

I know this is a bit off the Byte's usual beaten path . . . but can anyone recommend a decent eatery down around Mammoth Cave?
I've got family coming in for the weekend, and the Cave is on the itinerary . . . and I'm always optimistic that there's a good food joint
anywhere, if you look around a bit. Am I just going over into being naive?

I will be interested to see what the forumites come up with for this. When we stayed overnight at Mammoth Cave about 5 years ago, the only place to eat (besides fast food joints at the I-65 exit) was at the Lodge, which, because it is in a state park, did not serve alcohol and the food was pretty mediocre.

Go to Glasgow and eat at Big Mooses BBq on main street. Best $6 bucks you ever spent. Also check out the Mexican restaurant in Cave City on Highway 90 across from Cracker Barrel... I lived in Glasgow for 7 years and my summer place is there.

GG.

Cave City doesn't really have any place. Gary is right about bbq in Glasgow though. Glasgow also has Little Taste of Texas and a couple decent Mexican places which can now serve booze.

Ok here you go....first off there is no fine dining around Mammoth Cave. I have dined in and around Cave City quite a bit because of family connections to the area.

1. Home cooking style....The Bel Air Restuarant in Cave City right off I-65 to the right towards Mammoth Cave. Family style buffet and a menu I think (we always get the buffet). Country ham is the specialty and is real good in a grandmotherly sort of way. The place is rough to look at and hasn't been updated in years but the food is above average for country style cooking.

2. The Sahara Steak House. Apparently underwent a recent renovation. Used to be more a bar but I've heard they are now very family friendly with "good" steaks. It's in Cave City on the left as you drive towards Glascow.

3. Marios Italian Restaurant. This used to be a hidden gem in Cave City. Mario is an Italian gentleman who relocated to Cave City from New York a number of years ago. I haven't been there in about 10 years but I'm told they are still in business. They had great authentic Northern Italian cuisine. Great pasta with solid marinara...red checked table cloths and plastic grapes...get my drift? They did have some odd combinations at times with fresh "country style" vegatable sides paired with Italian food. (corn on the cob with spaghetti, country style green beans) But you have to consider that they are trying to appeal to the local tastes. This is off the beaten path in an old house on Mammoth Cave Street.

A couple of points. Last few times I ate in Cave City it was like eatting in a smoke house. I think everyone there smokes and I'm not even sure they have designated smoking areas. I would check first if that's an issue.

Other options to consider:

The State Park Lodge at Barren River Lake south of Glascow has above average food and a nice view of the lake. There's a Cracker Barrel in Cave City for what it's worth. It's about 30 minutes to Bowling Green where there are quite a few options both chain and non-chain.

Places to avoid:

The food at the lodge in Mammoth Cave (which is a National Park and not affiliated with KY State Parks) is not so good. There is the old Park Mammoth Resort in Park City that has continued to decline over the years...the food has declined as well.

Great recommendations everyone . . . thanks for the help!
I've become wonderfully spoiled living in Louisville.

Michelle is slightly mistaken about Cave City, there is an outpost of El Mazatlan there across from Cracker Barrel on hway 90 at I65 that is better than about 90 % of the tex mex places in Louisville, you can get at least wine and beer there too. The original one is in Glasgow on Cherry Street and its great also, more to come in Glasgow as they just passed liquor by the drink there. Mario's was great and Mario was a super cook if not the best businessman, unfortunately he passed away a couple of years ago. he had people driving from Louisville and Nashville to eat there.
I'm down there at least every two weeks.

GG.

We gave up trying to find anyplace interesting in the area and instead took the opportunity to visit local deli's here and pack a gourmet picnic basket. The cave area is so beautiful, as long as the weather permits, picnicking can be great.

Michelle is slightly mistaken about Cave City, there is an outpost of El Mazatlan there across from Cracker Barrel on hway 90 at I65 that is better than about 90 % of the tex mex places in Louisville, you can get at least wine and beer there too. The original one is in Glasgow on Cherry Street and its great also, more to come in Glasgow as they just passed liquor by the drink there. Mario's was great and Mario was a super cook if not the best businessman, unfortunately he passed away a couple of years ago. he had people driving from Louisville and Nashville to eat there.
I'm down there at least every two weeks.

GG.

Too bad to hear that Mario passed away. We used to camp at Mammoth Cave and drive to Cave City for pasta!

You've got me Gary, I know Glasgow, my hometown, better than Cave City. I didn't realized there was an El Mazatlan in Cave City. We should have lunch sometime in the great metropolis of Glasgow since we're both down there so often.

We have a place at Barren Lake. We like Big Moose BBQ and Bolton's Landing. There used to be some decent BBQ shacks heading out 31E toward Skaggs Creek, but they seem to vary from year to year. Sliced pork shoulder sandwiches are a popular BBQ item in those parts.

Bolton's Landing is sadly closed now.

crap.

Okay, we're going down . . . I'll let y'all know if anything good/interesting/enlightening comes of it . . . if nothing else, we'll have the cave experience . . . .
Thanks again for the info!