These 9 Amazing Kentucky Restaurants Are Loaded With Local History
By Jenn Shockley|Published February 26, 2016
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Jenn Shockley
Author
I am somewhat a cliche'. I grew up running around barefoot on a farm in Kentucky.
I love writing, art, sunshine, all animals and my incredibly patient husband, who tolerates my "crazy animal lady" side.
There is a lot of history throughout the Bluegrass State. An abundance of old buildings still stand, but have taken on a new purpose in life. Some buildings remain what they always were, such as courthouses. Great places to eat are always good to know about, and Kentucky restaurants with history, even more so. A little research has led to some great restaurants that offer a glimpse into history, as well as a tasty meal.
Here are 9 memorable Kentucky restaurants with history:
9. Claudia Sanders Dinner House at 3202 Shelbyville Road in Shelbyville
Almost everyone is familiar with Kentucky Fried Chicken, and this is the home Colonel Sanders and his wife moved to from Corbin. They turned part of their home into a dinner house, and the legend grew. Fire caused much destruction in 1999, but the restaurant has since been refurbished and the food is still great, especially the chicken.
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8. Bell House Restaurant at 721 W Main Street in Shelbyville
The Bell House itself was built in 1902, however the bell that resides there is a fire house bell from the mid-1800s, thus the name. The home was renovated into a restaurant in the early 2000s, and is now a favored spot to soak up some history and enjoy great food.
7. Boone Tavern Hotel and Restaurant at 100 Main Street in Berea
This renowned tavern and restaurant in Berea has been around since it opened in 1909. It offers a touch of mystery, a lot of history and some amazing food, especially their freshly made desserts. The rooms are comfortable and make for a unique stay with a possible touch of paranormal, depending on the day.
6. Greyhound Tavern at 2500 Dixie Hwy in Fort Mitchell
This historic location was initially deemed "Dixie Tea Room" circa 1921, and was a favored ice cream stop. Now the menu offers delicious fried chicken, cod, their famous onion rings and a variety of chef specialties.
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5. Old Stone Inn at 6905 Shelbyville Road in Simpsonville
This building was completed around 1817 and is one of Shelby County's oldest preserved buildings still in use. Their menu is flexible and offers a variety of meals, including dishes such as the steak with apple chutney and burgers. The "everything fried burger is piled 4 inches high + with fried bacon, pickles, green tomatoes and onion rings.
4. Mike Linnig’s at 9308 Cane Run Road in Louisville
This famed restaurant is a landmark in Louisville. It began as a 1925 riverside fish joint and has continued to thrive throughout the decades as the same. The menu has expanded over the years and the food has just gotten better.
3. Tousey House Tavern at 5963 N Jefferson Street in Burlington
Erastus Tousey bought this land in 1817 for $25 and this home/restaurant was built in 1822. Over the years it has been many things, but in 1987 it became the grand restaurant it is today, serving soups, salads, sandwiches and delicious entrees such as Bourbon and Brown Sugar Pork Tenderloin, Duck Breast, Walleye Pike and more.
2.Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill at 3501 Lexington Road in Harrodsburg
Starting in the early 1800s, this was a thriving community that fed their families off the land. Now the Shaker Village is a restaurant that features delicious farm-to-table food.
This 16th-century hotel and restaurant is beautifully decorated and on the National Register of Historic Places. It is also the home of the original Hot Brown, created in the early 1900s and a favorite dining experience among any who have tried it. Many diners mimic the Hot Brown, but there is no substitute for the original. The rest of their food is also amazing, from the freshly made pastries to the steaks, grilled to perfection.
It is always nice to have a quality dining experience, but to do so in the heart of some Bluegrass history is extra special. Looking around, envisioning the types of individuals that once wandered the halls and eating home grown foods is truly special. Now, we can only eat and imagine in our famed Kentucky restaurants with history that runs deep.
Our state is so filled with history, I know there are more restaurants worth mentioning. What is your favorite historical restaurant in Kentucky?
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