What style of restaurant does this town need?

Let's see...
Varanese. Lilly's. Bourbons Bistro. Majid's. Avalon. 60 West. Equus/Jack's. Jack Fry's. Bistro 301. L&N.

As a matter of fact they just serve food for dinner, but not breakfast, brunch or lunch.

Lilly's, Jack Fry's, Bistro 301, and Avalon do in fact serve lunch.

[Let's see...
Varanese. Lilly's. Bourbons Bistro. Majid's. Avalon. 60 West. Equus/Jack's. Jack Fry's. Bistro 301. L&N.

Steve the problem with these is they aren't really casual or "affordable".

Does anyone really know what casual is anymore? I've been to all these places save Majid's (It's on the list!), and have never had to dress any particular way.

As far as affordable, you should take a look at the menu of the Lula's place provided as an example. My list is comparable.

Still, I don't wish to divert your quest for locals in the lower end of casual dining. So, please carry on!

[Let's see...
Varanese. Lilly's. Bourbons Bistro. Majid's. Avalon. 60 West. Equus/Jack's. Jack Fry's. Bistro 301. L&N.

Steve the problem with these is they aren't really casual or "affordable".

Ken, see my first post in this thread. I'm with you. We need more "American" restaurants that take on the chains head on. There souldn't be a line at Chili's or Cheesecake Factory or wherever. The problem is it's not like a family can roll up on Chili's see an hour wait and say, "hey, the wait is too long here let's just head over to Limestone". Limestone is a great place, but does everyone see how that doen't work? Am I alone on this? Now if there were a Baxter Station (I just use them as an example because I like it) right around the corner...that's a different story...that works.

What about the Bristol (5 locations!), KT's, Austins, Blackstone Grill or North End Cafe?

[Let's see...
Varanese. Lilly's. Bourbons Bistro. Majid's. Avalon. 60 West. Equus/Jack's. Jack Fry's. Bistro 301. L&N.

Steve the problem with these is they aren't really casual or "affordable".

Ken, see my first post in this thread. I'm with you. We need more "American" restaurants that take on the chains head on. There souldn't be a line at Chili's or Cheesecake Factory or wherever. The problem is it's not like a family can roll up on Chili's see an hour wait and say, "hey, the wait is too long here let's just head over to Limestone". Limestone is a great place, but does everyone see how that doen't work? Am I alone on this? Now if there were a Baxter Station (I just use them as an example because I like it) right around the corner...that's a different story...that works.

I'm definitely in agreement with what you're saying! And it's certainly a category we've got some holes in it that need filling. With North End being the notable exception.

[Robin Garr]

North End being the notable exception.

Cafe Lou Lou? Ditto's? Uptown?

North End being the notable exception.

Cafe Lou Lou? Ditto's? Uptown?

http://www.dishonmarket.com/

Ahhhhhhhhhh Baloney (Fried please)...We've got contemporary-Italian-comfort-American-affordable-French-Bistro-Gastro-Pub-frou-frou coming out of our butts in this town. THIS is the kind of restaurant Louisville REALLY needs...and if someone finds me a spot, I'll open it.

Mug and Bun.jpg

Dalton Dari-ette.jpg

Dog and Suds.jpg

...And THIS is what these places ought to be servin'. Good ol' no holds barred, artery clogging AMERICAN food.

CheeseBurger.jpg

Coney Dog.jpg

frosty-mug-root-beer.jpg

North End being the notable exception.

Cafe Lou Lou? Ditto's? Uptown?

http://www.dishonmarket.com/

Cafe Lou Lou probably fits the bill, Uptown is IMO a little fancier than what I'm thinking and Dittos and Dish aren't in convenient locations for us. We've only been to each of them a couple of times, Dittos was OK but we did really enjoy Dish.

When I was growing up out in the nether reaches of Valley Station, there was a Dog 'n Suds located on Dixie at Johnsontown Road, where Moby Dick's is now located after cycling through Burger Queen and Druther's.

Flash forward to the early 2000's, and someone built a new Dog 'n Suds just south of there. It didn't last a year, and was shortly converted to a do it yourself car wash, with special facilities to wash dogs.

Interestingly, the place is still called Dogs 'n Suds using the original sign.

Flash forward to the early 2000's, and someone built a new Dog 'n Suds just south of there. It didn't last a year, and was shortly converted to a do it yourself car wash, with special facilities to wash dogs.

The problem with places like I identified is that in terms of employees they're too damn "kid" dependent...and my observation is that it's pretty damn near impossible to find enough kids these days who can fit a part time job into a full schedule of parentaly-supervised-don't-forget-your-helmet-and-knee-pads-after-school-activities...and then we've got the issue of finding enough kids who can put their phones down long enough to hold down a part time job...But I regress. Sure would be nice to have a few of this type of establishments around though.

[Let's see...
Varanese. Lilly's. Bourbons Bistro. Majid's. Avalon. 60 West. Equus/Jack's. Jack Fry's. Bistro 301. L&N.

Steve the problem with these is they aren't really casual or "affordable".

Ken, see my first post in this thread. I'm with you. We need more "American" restaurants that take on the chains head on. There souldn't be a line at Chili's or Cheesecake Factory or wherever. The problem is it's not like a family can roll up on Chili's see an hour wait and say, "hey, the wait is too long here let's just head over to Limestone". Limestone is a great place, but does everyone see how that doen't work? Am I alone on this? Now if there were a Baxter Station (I just use them as an example because I like it) right around the corner...that's a different story...that works.

What about the Bristol (5 locations!), KT's, Austins, Blackstone Grill or North End Cafe?

I mentioned Bristol in my first post. It certainly fits the bill. But the quality at Austin's and KTs is definately below what I'm looking for. I've never been to Blackstone. North End fits the bill for those of us inside the Waterson, but for some reason I view it more as an "adult" place than a family place...but I do see some kids in there occasionally for brunch.

I think you're missing my point a little though. My point isn't that there aren't any casual family friendly non-dive locals (heh)...it's that there is room for improvement. It drives the businessman in me nuts that people are spending all this money at the casual chains and so few locals are trying to get in on the action. You named four...how many successful chains are there on Hurstborne alone? Of course, the same businessman in me tells me not to go into the restaurant business, ever! I have a lot of respect for those of you with the guts and passion it takes to be in that business, but it's not for me.

[Robin Garr]

if someone finds me a spot, I'll open it.

I'm thinking someplace out around Taylorsville, but not so urban.

[Robin Garr]

the quality at Austin's and KTs is definately below what I'm looking for.

+3

Ahhhhhhhhhh Baloney (Fried please)...We've got contemporary-Italian-comfort-American-affordable-French-Bistro-Gastro-Pub-frou-frou coming out of our butts in this town. THIS is the kind of restaurant Louisville REALLY needs...and if someone finds me a spot, I'll open it.

Mug and Bun.jpg

Dalton Dari-ette.jpg

Dog and Suds.jpg

These type places seem to thrive all over S Indiana, but can't get across the creek for some reason.