It is easy to see why this welcoming American diner is named after the iconic and very cool singer McKinley ‘Muddy’ Morganfield. With the subtle décor, the comfortable wooden benches and tables, the vintage jukebox nestled in the corner, a well-stocked bar and plates appearing piled high from the kitchen, Morganfield’s is a cool place to chill and fill up on wholesome American meals.

The Food

I simply couldn’t stop by the self-proclaimed ‘home of the sticky bones’ without trying these Danish-reared pork ribs for myself, and a platter of Ribs on Ribs provided myself and my fellow diners with a glimpse of just why so many people stream into Morganfield’s for ribs.

The ribs are slow-cooked over a period of two and a half hours to make them tender, and while the sticky bones version were a tad dry and I found I had to abandon them, the meat on the smoked peppercorn ribs literally fell off the bone. The latter were smoky and peppery and very good, and with such whopping serving sizes, rib fiends would do well to stop by.

I had my reservations that the rest of the extensive menu – seafood, poultry, salads, sandwiches and burgers – could not compete with the showcase pork ribs, but the plates that arrived as we were wiping our hands on our rib ‘aprons’ were to prove me wrong. The beer-battered fish fillets served with chips and tartare sauce were a fish ‘n chip lovers’ delight: soft fish encased in a crispy and tasty batter jacket. The unusual tequila-spiked chicken had caught my eye for being unusual, and though there was a whopping portion of tender chicken, the marinade of tangy tequila lime paprika sauce didn’t seem to have given it much favour.

Those who can’t face the American-sized portions of the meaty mains can opt for one of the appetizers or a salad – where there is still impressive choice – and the club salad that we ordered was huge and fresh with a good serving of chicken.

There is a decent selection of all-American puds, and the Bread Pudding we tried was topped with bourbon sauce and ice cream: chewy, stodgy comfort food at its best. Another option I spotted was the Oreo Mousse Pie which looked rather amazing, although I am staggered that anyone has enough space for a dessert after those huge main courses!

The Drinks

Morganfield’s has a full bar and with happy hours running almost all day and with TV screens showing Mr Bean, music videos and various other shows, it is a great place to escape the crowded mall for a beverage. The wine, beer and cocktail list is good, while the non-alcoholic drinkers will relish the great choice of chilled and blended coolers.

As a juice lover, I was in love with my tall glass of a brilliant purple ‘Berry Easy’: a blend of various berries in a healthy smoothie, while the chocolate milkshake we ordered was thick, rich and excellent.

The Verdict

Morganfield’s is a popular place for its chilled ambiance and neat, stylish concept, plus the menu is quite extensive and they serve a lot of easy American food that is a welcome choice when one has over-noodled. The prices are fairly high for the main courses, but they are such huge portions that two could easily share and make a more affordable meal, or stop by a lunch time and take advantage of an impressive set lunch menu: pay just RM16.90 for a main course, a soup or salad and a drink. 

I can certainly see the appeal of Morganfield’s, and for an American food ‘kick’ it is a comfortable and pleasant option, but I do find that it falls into the trap of so many other chain restaurants of lacking personality. It ticks all the boxes and serves up well-made food, but is not a business built on passion for the product and for me, that makes all the difference.

Morganfield’s, Pavilion KL, 168 Jalan Bukit Bintang; +603 2141 3192