Former Big Dave's Outpost to reopen in June

More on the small world, Deb, I may have been your server a time or two .

I personally loved the Grilled veg platter (on the appetizer menu - ridiculously large and with chayote squash), the seafood bisque, and the seafood burrito (smothered with the bisque). Good freaking steaks, too - that's where I 1st learned to love the beef, all natural, dry aged and what not. They also received awards from Wine Spectator in the "short list" category, so all in all, I think it was an awesome restaurant in the hood. Odd space, though, difficult to keep up and somewhat falling apart it seemed. Fyi for anyone new to the subject, the owners (Neil and Will) moved on to open Browning's and what was once Wellinghurst's, now Park Place. Good guys from the CIA - fun place to work. The upstairs apts were catering and event rooms where the touted tastings were hosted. I "MAY" have had a few fun times up there.

Ok, so dare I ask: what's a "Wall of Foam"?


Deb

Well if you're asking me ~ I dunno. It was a Fat Cat's thing, not a JRB thing. BUT, JRB had an awesome tap selection. They took beer as seriously as they took wine. Rotating taps and great server knowledge. I worked on and off at BBC three times over fours yrs and focused a lot on training myself and new hires on brewing, and JRB was a true challenge. No Wall of Foam, but definitlely the best non-frosted mugs to graze the location.

'Wall of Foam'? I'm intrigued and will be watching this space.

I hope the place is not cursed, by the way. My husband and I met at Judge Roy Bean's.

I hope the place is not cursed, by the way. My husband and I met at Judge Roy Bean's.

I don't think its cursed. Bardstown Road is just a really competitive bar scene. Outside of the Baxter corridor, it seems that almost everything that thrives is a dive. Bambi Bar, The Back Door, Hideaway Saloon, etc. Maybe they can change that trend.

Outside of the Baxter corridor, it seems that almost everything that thrives is a dive. Bambi Bar, The Back Door, Hideaway Saloon, etc. Maybe they can change that trend.

Hmmm....so you're saying some of the places I hang my hat in sometimes are "questionable" public houses ??

I'm still waiting for someone to enlighten us on the "Wall of "Foam" thing...
Dan??

Deb

[Robin Garr]

I'm still waiting for someone to enlighten us on the "Wall of "Foam" thing...
Dan??

I loved Fat Cats but wasn't a regular, but to my recollection it was one of those deals where if you drank one of every beer on their list (or at least a target number), you got your name painted on the wall. Am I on the right track here, old-timers?

Yeah, all the regulars got to paint their name on a brick, If I recall correctly. Lots of bricks with lots of names.

You guys are close. They had more than a hundred varieties of beer, most bottled imports, along with regional US micros of the time like Anchor Steam. Pretty sure Sierra Nevada as well, exotic stuff then. There was a checklist for competitors when they bought a beer and upon completion your name was painted on the upper border around the main bar room. This included the approx foot wide sections crossing the ceiling. They'd include your nickname if you had one. It was getting really full by the time they closed for the last time. They closed for a period in early '85 I think for tax payment problems, reopened after a month or two and packed it in - was it 1987? Never was a contestant myself as I just am not that much into pilsner style lagers. There was no place in town that came close to their selection in that time but still a number of the choices were of that type and I'd rather suck on an EKU dark than get my name in the Hall of Foam.

You guys are close. They had more than a hundred varieties of beer, most bottled imports, along with regional US micros of the time like Anchor Steam. Pretty sure Sierra Nevada as well, exotic stuff then.

Sierra Nevada didn't make it to Louisville until '99. I remember the anticipation. I also remember the 100 or so beers checklist at Anthony's / Bearno's by the Bridge was very similar to what you're describing. Definitely a dominant import lager presence.

I love these old stories!

I remember my sister used to go to Fat Cats back in the day. She was in the "industry" so this all makes sense.