From Szechuan spicy soup to authentic Honduran dishes, there’s always something new and interesting to try in the Louisville food scene. Check out these three new eateries — plus a few new menus — the next time you dine out in Derby City.
Crazy Bowls & Wraps
City: Jeffersontown
More Info: crazybowlsandwraps.com
J-Town Breakfast, brunch, and lunch destination Wild Eggs is now transforming into a virtual kitchen from 4 to 10 p.m. Dubbed Crazy Bowls & Wraps, the new concept offers 13 menu items, including freshly prepared bowls, wraps, and salads for pickup or delivery. Customers can order directly through the Crazy Bowls & Wraps website or via third-party delivery apps. Try the lobster rangoon, served with sweet and sour sauce; the chicken tex mex egg roll, served with house made creamy buffalo sauce; or a pesto bowl, made with spinach, red pepper, zucchini, and asiago, all stir-fried in a creamy nut-free basil pesto sauce and served with a choice of grain and protein.
Eliana’s Honduran Café
Neighborhood: Phoenix Hill
More Info: gravelybrewing.com
Gravely Brewing Co.’s newest food concept is Eliana’s Honduran Cafe, a permanent food truck run by chef Eliana Lopez. A native of Honduras, Eliana has been honing her culinary talent since the age of 13, and has been sharing authentic Honduran fare with Gravely patrons since September. Appetizers and shareables include queso, guacamole, pico de gallo, yuca fries, and more. For those looking for a full meal, there are also a variety of tacos and burritos, as well as three entrees dubbed Honduran Favorites, including the pollo chico: fried, bone-in chicken served with plantain chips, shredded cabbage, pico de gallo, and red sauce. There’s even a kids menu for the littlest guests. Eliana’s Honduran Café is open from 5 to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday; noon to 9 p.m. Saturday; and noon to 7 p.m. Sunday.
KPOT Korean BBQ & Hot Pot
Neighborhood: Forest Hills
More Info: thekpot.com
This all-you-can-eat Asian hot pot and Korean BBQ spot boasts numerous locations throughout the south and east coast — and it finally made its way to Derby City earlier this month. The restaurant offers an extensive menu, featuring a variety of beef, chicken, pork, seafood, and veggie options for both barbecue and hot pot. There are a variety of soup base choices for hot pot, too, including tomato, healthy herb, Szechuan spicy, mushroom, Japanese miso, and more. It is open seven days a week, with a two-hour limit for lunch from noon to 4 p.m. and dinner from 4 p.m. till close, Monday through Friday. Dinner is served all day on Saturday and Sunday.
Locals Food & Pizza Pub
Neighborhood: Smoketown
More Info: localsfoodhub.com
Developed as a local market aimed at increasing the community’s access to local farmers and locally produced food, Locals Food & Pizza Pub was founded in Frankfort, KY. Its second location is now open in Louisville’s Smoketown, serving a variety of apps, salads, sides, and of course, pizzas. Guests can choose to build their own wood-fired pie — with gluten-free crust and dairy-free cheese options available upon request — or select from one of a dozen other choices. Try the Kentucky Hot Brown, made with house-pulled local chicken, local bacon, mozzarella from Kenny’s Farmhouse Cheese, tomato, parm shave, paprika, and a house-made mornay sauce base. And don’t forget dessert — Locals Food & Pizza Pub offers three options, including house-made chocolate chip and oatmeal cranberry pecan cookies.
FAMILIAR SPOTS, NEW OFFERINGS
Barn8 Restaurant & Bourbon Bar
City: Goshen
More Info: hermitagefarm.com
Executive Chef Seth Kinder and the rest of the Barn8 Restaurant & Bourbon Bar team recently rolled out a few new additions to the Hermitage Farm eatery’s fall menu. One-of-a-kind creations include scallops served with koji-aged, pickled romanesco and daikon, romanesco puree, pomegranate molasses, and gochujang crumble; kvarøy salmon tartare made with sauce gribiche, fried capers, lemon zest, chile oil, and focaccia crisp; the 80 Acres Mesclun Salad, a mix of roquefort, citrus supremes, black walnuts, and citrus vinaigrette; and burrata with apple vinaigrette, Hermitage Farm tomatoes, wine infused apples and pears, and herbs.
High Stakes Rooftop Grill
Neighborhood: Phoenix Hill
More Info: highstakesgrill.com
Louisville’s booming brunch scene is getting even bigger, with Saturday brunch at High Stakes Rooftop Grill. Guests can start their meal with an amuse-bouche featuring deviled eggs with bourbon, bacon and chives; then follow with a main course of loaded baked potato strata with bacon and sausage gravy, avocado toast and caramelized grapefruit with avocado purée and watermelon radish, or ricotta and lemon pancakes with blackberry and bourbon compote and salted butter. Wash it all down with a mimosa, Bloody Mary, sangria, or another brunch cocktail.
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Lennie Omalza
Originally from Hawaii, Lennie Omalza is a Louisville-based freelance writer of over 18 years. Lennie is a yoga-loving foodie who travels as often as she can and enjoys writing about food, homes, and weddings. You can find more of Lennie's work at Eater, Hawaii Home & Remodeling, and The Louisville Courier-Journal.