The canonical version and where to order it.
Kentucky's slow-simmered hunter's stew: several meats, a garden of vegetables and a long afternoon in the pot. Racetrack kitchens and church fundraisers keep it alive, and Stella's ladles it year-round in Lexington.
Burgoo grew out of 19th-century Kentucky barbecues and political rallies, where whatever meat the county could muster went into communal kettles that simmered for the better part of a day. The stew became racetrack food along the way and remains a Keeneland tradition. In Lexington, Stella's Kentucky Deli keeps burgoo on the menu year-round, built on beef, chicken and pork from neighbouring farms with a chicken-stock base.
1 editor pick for Burgoo in Lexington, ranked by editorial score. All Lexington signature dishes · Burgoo across every city.
Also in: Louisville.
Stella's Kentucky Deli ladles farm-sourced burgoo and builds sandwiches in a Jefferson Street cottage, the daytime stop on Lexington's restaurant row.
OrderKentucky burgoo
TipDaytime only, 09:00-15:00. The weekend brunch menu is small; arrive before 10:30 to dodge the queue.
Burgoo makes more sense with someone from Lexington explaining it. These are the classes and tours we have checked, with booking links.
Guided tour · 3 hours
Embark on a journey through the heart of Downtown Lexington, where history and farm-to-table flavors intertwine for an afternoon of fun exploration.
Guided tour · 4 hours
Join us in the Distillery District for Kentucky farm-to-table cuisine, limestone-filtered bourbons, and an exploration into the history behind this revitalized piece o...
Guided tour · 2.5 hours
Sink into your seat and sip unique craft cocktails and locally prepared plates while listening to captivating tales from Lexington's East End.
