A leafy east-side suburb anchored by Plehn's Bakery on Shelbyville Road and the chain rooms locals book on weeknights along Lexington and Brownsboro Roads.
Le Moo in Louisville runs Lexington Road's theatrical steakhouse: a black-walled dining room, dry-aged cuts and a caviar service that arrives on a silver tray.
Signature: Dry-aged steaks, Caviar service
Order: A bone-in ribeye and the caviar service to start.
Tip: Reserve on OpenTable for the dining room. The bar pours a sharp bourbon list with the full menu.
Mark's Feed Store on Shelbyville Road in Louisville has hickory-smoked Kentucky BBQ since 1988, the Saint Matthews counter for pulled pork, brisket and a hearty bowl of burgoo.
Signature: Hickory-smoked pulled pork, Burgoo
Order: A pulled-pork plate with two sides and a cup of burgoo on the side.
Tip: Order ahead by phone for catering trays. Burgoo is the Kentucky stew side worth a try.
Pat's Steakhouse on Brownsboro Road in Louisville has cooked hand-cut steaks for decades, the family-run room locals book for an anniversary on a quiet weeknight.
Signature: Hand-cut steaks, House sides
Order: A bone-in ribeye and the house creamed spinach.
Tip: Closed Sundays. Book on OpenTable for the dining room; the bar runs first-come.
Mark's Feed Store on Shelbyville Road in Louisville has hickory-smoked Kentucky BBQ since 1988, the Saint Matthews counter for pulled pork, ribs and a hearty burgoo bowl.
Signature: Hickory-smoked pulled pork, Burgoo
Order: A pulled-pork plate with two sides and a cup of burgoo on the side.
Tip: Order ahead by phone for catering trays. Burgoo runs heartier in cooler months.