12 Food and Drink Experiences To Have in Kentucky Before You Die
IF YOU’RE LOOKING to travel someplace where you can order a très bien duck confit mere hours after destroying a paper plate full of awesome BBQ, put Kentucky on your “to-eat-and-drink” list. You’ll find plenty of round-the-world influences, a whole lot of “down home,” and several world-famous drinks and dishes that have their roots right here in the Bluegrass State.
Kentucky fare is as complex as any palate, and these 12 experiences will make that crystal clear — though deciding exactly what to put in your mouth first might be as tricky as ever.
1. Sampling tapas that feel straight out of Spain
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The first spot any non-Kentucky-native should beeline to is
The menu itself may overwhelm you at first glance due to the sheer volume of options, but it’s a safe bet that whatever you order, it’s going to be good. My humble opinion: You absolutely can’t leave without trying the datiles rellenos (stuffed dates), full of goat cheese, wrapped in savory bacon, and covered in red sauce and sweet honey. And “mojito” is in the restaurant name for a reason, friends. Theirs are phenomenal.
2. Ordering a Hot Brown at the Brown Hotel
Frequently recognized as Louisville’s most famous dish, the
The sandwich is sold all over the state, but Louisville is home to the
3. Biting into the Miss Madison at the Red Pepper Deli
Growing up in Kentucky, one of my favorite spots to eat was the
The deli has two locations in Oldham County — one’s in Crestwood, the other in La Grange. I’m partial to the latter, set right in the middle of La Grange’s Main Street, a microcosm of the area’s small-town charm. Main Street is home to shops and restaurants housed in buildings from the 1800s, and the street has train tracks cutting
I recommend the Miss Madison sandwich, if lunch is what you’re after. It’s stacked high with turkey, cucumber cream cheese, and plenty of toppings. What I love most, though, is the homemade pasta salads, like Chipotle Chicken Pasta. For the best of both worlds, substitute your chips for pasta — and have your cake and eat it, too.
4. Sipping a Mint Julep at Churchill Downs
The
The
5. Sliding into a booth at Hometown Pizza
Many Kentuckians become absentmindedly accustomed to
The menu is full of options beyond pizza — bacon cheese fries, salads, pasta — but if you’re looking for a good pie, you’ve come to the right place. I always order the Maui-Maui (their version of the Hawaiian pizza), though if you asked my family, they’d probably steer you towards the Hometown Special. And no Hometown experience would be complete without a glass of wine or bottle of beer off the daily specials list, which varies store to store.
6. Taking on the dynamic duo that is Goodfellas and Wiseguy Lounge
Photo: Chad Schweitzer for
Wiseguy is perfect for a low-key rooftop bar experience. There’s couch-like seating outside, and they often have a fire pit going so you can enjoy the city views year round. There is indoor seating, but for the full experience, get a spot outdoors. Oh yeah, and the drinks are to die for — my favorite is the one named after Audrey Hepburn, but they have all the classics, too.
7. Grabbing a bottle of true Kentucky spirit
A few years back, Kentucky became one of the first states to open a legal moonshine distillery. Now, a number of producers are bottling and selling their moonshine throughout the state. Wherever you’re visiting, you should try to find a bottle of apple pie moonshine; there’s nothing like it. Trust a local. Check out
You probably also know about Kentucky’s connection to the bourbon world — that is, we’re the birthplace of “America’s native spirit.” There are so many stops across the state, it’s nearly impossible to recommend just one. Which is why the
8. Enjoying Mexican food made by your second family
If there were ever somewhere that made you feel right at home as soon as you walked through the doors,
Gustavo and his family can be found running their three restaurants in Prospect, La Grange, and Crestwood. They genuinely take the time to get to know their customers, their orders, and about their lives — it’s the kind of place that frequently holds fundraisers for local causes and supports the community. Gustavo is even known for becoming part of his customers’ families and is often invited to high-school graduation parties across the county. It’s hard not to love him!
9. Going late night at the Silver Dollar
Meet the
10. Mixing beer and BBQ at Frankfort Avenue Beer Depot
As mentioned in the name, Frankfort Avenue has plenty of beers to try, but it also offers a selection of wine, cocktails, and all the normal bar necessities (and since we’re in Kentucky, remember that “normal” means an apocalyptic stock of whiskey and bourbon). Pick your poison, and don’t miss the Frankfort Avenue Philly or the half rack of ribs.
11. Visiting a local bakery for a bourbon ball — or 10
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Kentucky, home of bourbon, likes to include its signature liquor in its food — glazes for chicken or steak, adding a kick to sauces…the list is long. But if you ask me, the best creation featuring our famous bourbon is the
12. Stocking up at a farmers market
If you’re looking for a true Kentucky farm-to-table experience, a
Not only will you find local art and products from homegrown businesses at each of these locations, you’ll enjoy some of Kentucky’s freshest and finest food and drinks, too. Pick up some samples and stock up on your favorites — you can go home with anything from homemade cheeses and pastas to fresh sausage and herbs. Think of it as an opportunity to fill every last square inch of your suitcase before you head home.
