Joe Bologna's is an italian restaurant in Downtown, Lexington.
Editorially verified August 18, 2026 by Lewis Vaughan, TableJourney editor. Source.
Signature dishes: Garlic breadsticks, Pan pizza
Tip: The garlic breadsticks are non-negotiable; go before 18:00 on UK game days or expect a long wait.
Address: 120 W Maxwell St, Lexington, KY 40508
Athenian Grill plates gyros, spanakopita and baklava on South Ashland Avenue in Chevy Chase, the sit-down home of Lexington's favourite Greek kitchen.
Signature: Gyro, Spanakopita
Tip: Open 10:30-21:00 daily; the gyro bowls travel well if the small dining room is full at lunch.
Ramsey's Diner has plated Lexington's meat-and-three since 1989, with an excellent Kentucky Hot Brown and pies from its Missy's Pies sister bakery.
Signature: Kentucky Hot Brown, Meat and three
Tip: The Zandale Drive room is the classic location. Save room for a slice of Missy's chess pie.
Winchell's covers Southland Drive breakfasts, beer cheese and UK game days in one room, the Lexington neighbourhood standby that opens at 08:00 every day.
Signature: Beer cheese, Country breakfast
Tip: Breakfast runs until 11:00 weekdays and past noon on weekends; expect a wait after Saturday UK kickoffs.
Blue Door Smokehouse slices Texas-style brisket to order in Lexington's Warehouse Block, selling until the day's smoked meat runs out by mid-afternoon.
Signature: Brisket, Pulled pork
Tip: Go before 13:00; when the brisket sells out they close, whatever the posted hours say.
Bourbon n' Toulouse ladles etouffee, jambalaya and gumbo over rice on Euclid Avenue, Lexington's counter-service Cajun habit and a family business since 2004.
Signature: Crawfish etouffee, Gumbo
Tip: Order at the counter and grab a porch table; vegan and gluten-free pots are always on the board.
Stella's Kentucky Deli ladles farm-sourced burgoo and builds sandwiches in a Jefferson Street cottage, the daytime stop on Lexington's restaurant row.
Signature: Kentucky burgoo
Tip: Daytime only, 09:00-15:00. The weekend brunch menu is small; arrive before 10:30 to dodge the queue.
