Rails. Why -wouldn't- someone name a restaurant in La Grange "Rails"...It's so obvious a 5th grader could have come up with it. Same thing with the hand painted sign outside the restaurant that looks like the same 5th grader created it using the old Microsoft "Paint" program. Stepping through the door one realizes that all is not elementary with this newest edition to the hinterland dining scene. The old "Rover Too" has received a -long- over do face lift from the dining room, to the kitchen and right down to the restrooms. The decor, while a little kitschy for my taste, is not unpleasant and certainly a step up from what it was in it's previous incarnation.
Getting to the crux of the biscuit so to speak, I've been here twice now...lunch and dinner and have come away (for the most part) suitably impressed. Despite only having been around for a month or so, the service during both of my visits was spot on...friendly AND efficient. That and there does NOT seem to be that disconnect between the kitchen and the front of the house as is so common when a restaurant first opens. Meals were served as ordered and in a timely manner.
OK...so...before moving on to other opinions and impressions, let me just state matter of factly that there is now a new player in town when it comes to the battle for "Best Burger". With apologies to such "powerhouses" as Shady Lane (who's burger I will -always- love) and Mussels and Burgers (who's burger I think -based on my one and only visit- is highly over rated)....Well, Rails is right up there with the best of 'em. Mine was the "KY Proud" Beef Burger served on a Brioche bun with a simple "dressing" of spring lettuce and tomato, a bit of mustard and mayo and served to a precise "medium"....nothing "fusion" about this burger just an honest to God Rockstar on a bun. Simply put it is one of the best I've had anywhere, at any time. The "Ky Proud" Cheese plate was also quite good and well presented....as was the (again KY Proud) appetizer beef tenderloin skewer (with mushrooms). Also of notable mention was the "corn pudding" which was quite tasty. There are numerous other sandwiches and entrees to explore and if the quality and presentation of those is as good as the burger, well they've got a winner.
Moving on....Lunch was enjoyable and the service was prompt and friendly but the check (mid 40's including tip for three of us) came in about half a notch above the price point than we would have preferred...this for a standard soup and half sandwich with soft drink lunch. The lunch menu is a stripped down version of the dinner menu and as I recall the prices (burgers, salads, etc) were right in line with those on the dinner menu....i.e. not much in the way of relief in terms of price/portion size....sans the previously mentioned soup/half sandwich. I'm certain they will do a good business with the visitors to the nearby court houses but they won't replace the Red Pepper when it comes to being the "go to" lunch place for all the grunts who work in the courthouse/s and nearby businesses.
Anyway...bottom line...This IS one of those places you "inside the Watterson" folks should check out. Definitely one of the better choices we here in the hinterlands have to offer.
GET THE BURGER !!!!
DOH !!! I just had a huge brain fart...I'm gonna talk to Bill and Susie and try and talk 'em into opening a Shady Lane out here !!!! 