Louisville Must Stop Food Destinations

It is that time of year again; trailers are being packed, cattle are being clipped and exhibitors are gearing up to head to Louisville, Kentucky all with the hopes of coming home with a purple banner from the North American International Livestock Exposition (NAILE). When the dust from arrival has settled and cattle are in their place, exhibitors get to reunite with old friends and talk with breeders. However, at the end of a long day at the show, there is one thing that comes to everyone’s mind…What’s for dinner?

Louisville is a tremendous place to experience some amazing restaurants that will likely become annual stops every year at the NAILE. One of those places is Doc Crow’s, a southern smokehouse & raw bar. Here you can get everything from fresh oysters to the fan-favorite Smokehouse Burger that comes topped with BBQ sauce, and of course, meats straight from the smoker. If you are looking for a Louisville tradition, look no further than the Derby Pie, a staple on any dessert menu. It can be described as chocolate walnut pie, and at Doc Crow’s it comes drizzled with chocolate and topped with whip cream.

Another must-go place if you are in the mood for Italian is Volare Italian Ristorante. Volare was named “Best Italian Restaurant” by readers of the Louisville Magazine three years in a row. From traditional kinds of pasta to uniquely topped pizza, and every Italian delicacy in between, it is likely to be a big hit. Also, for all you cattlemen and women who still want beef for dinner, they offer ribeye steaks, beef tenderloins, and a NY strip steak with an Italian twist.

Sometimes you just crave a delicious burger joint, and when you do, make sure to check out Sidebar. They offer a fun, themed menu with a wide variety of burgers and toppings. They also have burgers of the month. Their November burger of the month happens to be an Angus beef burger, topped with shredded turkey, swiss cheese, sliced ham served on a French toast style bun with a maple syrup sauce to dip.

If you are like me, one of my go-to places at any show I travel to is a good Mexican food restaurant. In Louisville, that place happens to be Las Margarita Mexican Cuisine. With this restaurant being located less than two miles from the Kentucky Expo Center, it may be the go-to place every other night. Las Margarita offers a selection of delicious queso and dips, along with all the favorites including carnitas, burritos, and enchiladas. They also have a portion of their menu dedicated to their house specials that are sure to please everyone.

Another fan favorite is Beef ‘O’ Brady’s. If you are looking for an American food destination this is it. They have award-winning wings that come in over 12 flavors ranging from mild to extra hot. They have an extensive sandwich and burger list to give all their customers a wide variety of options. And if you are looking for some fried comfort food in the form of chicken tenders, fried shrimp, or onion rings, they have that too and more.

Last, but certainly not least, a Louisville staple, Frank’s Deli. Located right outside of the fairgrounds, Frank’s Deli is the perfect place to grab lunch or dinner on the go. Since 1979, this deli has prided itself in offering a large selection of fresh meat and cheeses to make the most delicious sandwiches that are hard to beat anywhere else. You can also get a homemade side to accompany any sandwich, such as a choice between three different kinds of potato salad, coleslaw, pasta salad, and more. Frank’s Deli is a must-stop when you are at NAILE.

We all know that being at a show means being busy, and sometimes that means not having the time or energy to go out to dinner; you just want something fast. For those nights there are a variety of fast-food places right by the fairgrounds including McDonald’s, Taco Bell, Arby’s, Subway, and if you happen to be staying at the Crown Plaza, there is always the Blue Horse Restaurant.