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Texas-style BbqNulu
Feast BBQ on East Market in Louisville runs a counter-service NuLu pit, slicing brisket and pulled pork until the smoker runs dry for the day.
OrderA brisket plate with two sides and a side of pickles.
TipGet in before 14:00 on weekends. The brisket sells out fastest.
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Nashville-style Hot ChickenNulu
Royals Hot Chicken on East Market in Louisville has fried Nashville-style hot chicken from Ryan Rogers's Eternal Optimist group since 2015, the NuLu counter.
OrderThe hot chicken sandwich at medium heat, with a side of tachos.
TipOrder at the counter. Heat levels run from southern to plain-clucking insane.
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Kentucky BbqSaint Matthews
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.
OrderA pulled-pork plate with two sides and a cup of burgoo on the side.
TipOrder ahead by phone for catering trays. Burgoo runs heartier in cooler months.
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Nashville-style Hot ChickenFrankfort Avenue
Joella's Hot Chicken on Frankfort Avenue in Louisville cooks Nashville-style hot chicken across six heat levels with hormone-free birds, a family-friendly.
OrderThe hot chicken tenders at Southern style, plus pimento mac and cheese.
TipOrder at the counter for the dining room or call ahead for pickup.
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BurgersDowntown
Mussel and Burger Bar in Louisville pours pots of steamed mussels and grills smashed burgers at a casual American bistro counter on South 7th Street downtown.
OrderA pot of mussels in white wine and garlic, plus the house burger.
TipBook on OpenTable for the dining room. The bar runs walk-in and pours craft beer.
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Soul foodGermantown
North of Bourbon on Goss Avenue in Louisville cooks Louisiana-rooted Southern plates with over 300 bourbons in a Germantown room named to The New York Times.
OrderCornmeal-fried catfish and gumbo, with a bourbon flight from the 300-bottle wall.
TipClosed Sunday and Monday. Happy hour runs 15:30-17:00 Tuesday to Saturday; kitchen stops at 22:00.