Louisville's timeless classics: What are they?

[Robin Garr]

Okay, a little help here ... please nominate local eateries with at least 10 years in place (but preferably many decades) that fit this criterion:

"A restaurant with timeless appeal, beloved in its region for quality food that reflects the character of its community ... a modest place with an undeniable regional specialty, and extra credit if it's something more offbeat than seafood, fried chicken, and diners."

The Brown Hotel and the Hot Brown come to mind, of course, but it's such a cliche about Louisville.

What else have we got?

The Oakroom
Lilly's
Equus
Jack Fry's
Seviche/Jicama Grill
Captain's Quarters
Mike Linnigs

EDIT: Missed that modest part.

Bristol . . . Corner Cafe . . . August Moon . . . Oriental House (tho > 1 owner) . . . Lynn's . . . Ramsi's . . . Uptown . . .

I would also say Corner Cafe. Modestly priced, been here 30 years, hasn't it? Food is always good. Not trendy, but I always leave happy.

And the original Bristol. Green chili wontons seemed so exotic 20 years ago . . .

chek's

People tend to overlook Ditto's and KT's. Both are still going strong after all these years.

Leah,
I'm with you for the Bristol's Green Chili wonton.

Has Baxter Station been there that long?

Can we branch out to Shelbyville?
Deb

[Robin Garr]

Nice suggestions, folks, but I'm bound by strict criteria here. "Modest." "Regional speciality." "Reflects the character of its community." Check's is probably the closest so far, considering that a bunch of contenders have closed (the original Chick Inn, Kaelin's) or changed or lost stature (Cunningham's, maybe Linnig's). I'm hoping for some alternatives to Check's, though. Wagner's?

John E's and Pat's both come to mind...

Wagner's Pharmacy
Frank's Meats
ZA's Pizza
Cottage Inn
Valley Diary Freeze
Jessie's
BBC

Mazoni's woulda been a contenda!

Okay, Food Dad - Time to chime in! It sounded like you were looking for specifics:

a modest place with an undeniable regional specialty

- So I'mma do my best.

Ramsi's - Original Foccacia or Jerk Chicken Sandwich

Baxter Station - Pan Seared Mussels or Warm Goat Cheese Salad

Irish Rover - Scotch Eggs, Potato Puffs, or Cashel Blue Salad

Equus - Mushroom Fume

El Mundo - Dippity Do

Jack Fry's - Shrimp and Grits

Stevens and Stevens - Matzo Ball Soup

Cottage Inn - Fried Chicken Dinner (Been smelling it on Bradley Ave for over a decade now, because my Dad lives in the neighborhood)

Cafe Mimosa - Lemongrass Combo

BBC - spinach veggie burger, handmade using Pat's wife's recipe from ages ago.

The Cafe - Tomato Dill Soup


Sorry I can't think of many places that have been around for more than a decade or so, but they seem few and far between with all the recent closures . If I think of more, I'll post 'em.

Okay, Food Dad - Time to chime in! It sounded like you were looking for specifics:

a modest place with an undeniable regional specialty

- So I'mma do my best.

Good job!

I think we can just close the thread now.

I did leave out the Bristol on Bardstown Rd, only because others mentioned it. But when I think of Louisville-Centric dining experiences, a basket of 1/2 green chile wontons and 1/2 artichoke fritters pretty much takes first place (it's on the POS screen so don't feel bad if you ask for one even though it's not on the menu). I've always friggin' loved the remoulade they serve with the fritters.

Okay, Food Dad - Time to chime in! It sounded like you were looking for specifics:

a modest place with an undeniable regional specialty

- So I'mma do my best.

Good job!

I think we can just close the thread now.

Well aren't you just a sugar!

Is a whizzburger an undeniable regional whatever? My parents met on a blind date at the Dizzy Whizz like 56 years ago. There's some staying power for you.