Sometimes the best food can be found at the little places you had no idea even existed. The following restaurants may not have hundreds of Yelp reviews and all the hype as some of the more popular spots in the state, but the locals know that doesn’t matter. Check out these 10 Kentucky restaurants that are truly hidden treasures, and have your taste buds blown away.
- Back Home Restaurant, Elizabethtown
Yelp/Shawn M.
Yelp/Matt R. Back Home Restaurant started 30 years ago when the owners sold crafts and antiques out of the back of their car. Now, they are a full service restaurant that offers delicious country cooking. However, you can still buy crafts and antiques, among several other items, at Back Home Restaurant. It is located at 251 W. Dixie Avenue, Elizabethtown, KY 42701.
- The Smith House, Owenton
TripAdvisor/management
Yelp/Caitlin M. This is one of those great neighborhood places where it seems like everyone knows your name. They have delicious country food in a cozy atmosphere, and some pretty good pie too!. The Smith House is located at 1640 State Highway 22, Owenton, KY 40359.
- Blue and White Grill, Hazel
Yelp/Business Owner
Yelp/Business Owner The Blue and White Grill is right near the Kentucky and Tennessee state line in western Kentucky. They serve all your favorite American classics, like catfish, pork chops, and fried okra. The Blue and White Grill is located at 318 Main Street, Hazel, KY 42049.
- Harper’s Restaurant, Scottsville
Yelp/Chloe M.
Yelp/Benjamin M. This place is famous for its catfish and is a local favorite because of it. It may be a little bit hard to find (it’s located down a gravel road), but you will be so happy you did the searching. Harper’s is located at 3085 Old Gallatin Road, Scottsville, KY 42164.
- The Kentucky Depot, Stanford
Yelp/Charles B.
Yelp/Charles B. Not only is the Kentucky Depot known for their yummy home cooking and burgers, but they have a reputation of having some of the best customer service around. Stop in here for a great meal and you will no doubt be treated like family. The Kentucky Depot is located at 119 Metker Trail, Stanford, KY 40484.
- Joe’s Drive-In & Chicken, Isom
Facebook/Joe’s Drive-In Chicken Joe’s Drive-In & Chicken is a classic drive-in restaurant in eastern Kentucky. Visit this place for a trip down memory lane. It is located at 85 State Highway 1148, Isom, KY 41824.
- Mama D’s, Calvert City
TripAdvisor/Regina R.
Yelp/Amber T. If you’re looking for hearty and delicious Italian food, then head to Mama D’s. They have all your favorites, ranging from pasta to pizza. Mama D’s is located at 3885 US-62, Calvert City, KY 42029.
- Southern Red’s BBQ, Water Valley
Facebook/Southern Red’s BBQ—aka Pilot Oak Grocery
Yelp/Kevin L. Western Kentucky is famous for its barbecue, and this little place will not disappoint. The restaurant is in an old gas station and is an awesome place to get some pulled pork or a slab of ribs. Southern Red’s is located at 5085 KY-94, Water Valley, KY 42085.
- Spencer’s Dairy Bar, Booneville
Yelp/Malika O.
Yelp/Malika O. Not only can you get all sorts of frozen treats here, but you can make a full meal out of it and also order a classic hamburger and fries. This place has a real old-fashioned feel to it. Spencer’s Dairy Bar is located at 1 Mulberry Street, Booneville, KY 41314.
- Sunset Grill, Warsaw
Facebook/The Sunset Grill
Facebook/The Sunset Grill If you’re driving the scenic route along the Ohio River and need a place to eat that overlooks the water, then the Sunset Grill is the place for you. The view from the deck is absolutely beautiful, especially at sunset. It is located at 1160 US-42, Warsaw, KY 41095.
Has anyone ever been to these places? Do you know of any other little known restaurants that we should try?
Yelp/Shawn M.
Yelp/Matt R.
Back Home Restaurant started 30 years ago when the owners sold crafts and antiques out of the back of their car. Now, they are a full service restaurant that offers delicious country cooking. However, you can still buy crafts and antiques, among several other items, at Back Home Restaurant. It is located at 251 W. Dixie Avenue, Elizabethtown, KY 42701.
TripAdvisor/management
Yelp/Caitlin M.
This is one of those great neighborhood places where it seems like everyone knows your name. They have delicious country food in a cozy atmosphere, and some pretty good pie too!. The Smith House is located at 1640 State Highway 22, Owenton, KY 40359.
Yelp/Business Owner
The Blue and White Grill is right near the Kentucky and Tennessee state line in western Kentucky. They serve all your favorite American classics, like catfish, pork chops, and fried okra. The Blue and White Grill is located at 318 Main Street, Hazel, KY 42049.
Yelp/Chloe M.
Yelp/Benjamin M.
This place is famous for its catfish and is a local favorite because of it. It may be a little bit hard to find (it’s located down a gravel road), but you will be so happy you did the searching. Harper’s is located at 3085 Old Gallatin Road, Scottsville, KY 42164.
Yelp/Charles B.
Not only is the Kentucky Depot known for their yummy home cooking and burgers, but they have a reputation of having some of the best customer service around. Stop in here for a great meal and you will no doubt be treated like family. The Kentucky Depot is located at 119 Metker Trail, Stanford, KY 40484.
Facebook/Joe’s Drive-In Chicken
Joe’s Drive-In & Chicken is a classic drive-in restaurant in eastern Kentucky. Visit this place for a trip down memory lane. It is located at 85 State Highway 1148, Isom, KY 41824.
TripAdvisor/Regina R.
Yelp/Amber T.
If you’re looking for hearty and delicious Italian food, then head to Mama D’s. They have all your favorites, ranging from pasta to pizza. Mama D’s is located at 3885 US-62, Calvert City, KY 42029.
Facebook/Southern Red’s BBQ—aka Pilot Oak Grocery
Yelp/Kevin L.
Western Kentucky is famous for its barbecue, and this little place will not disappoint. The restaurant is in an old gas station and is an awesome place to get some pulled pork or a slab of ribs. Southern Red’s is located at 5085 KY-94, Water Valley, KY 42085.
Yelp/Malika O.
Not only can you get all sorts of frozen treats here, but you can make a full meal out of it and also order a classic hamburger and fries. This place has a real old-fashioned feel to it. Spencer’s Dairy Bar is located at 1 Mulberry Street, Booneville, KY 41314.
Facebook/The Sunset Grill
If you’re driving the scenic route along the Ohio River and need a place to eat that overlooks the water, then the Sunset Grill is the place for you. The view from the deck is absolutely beautiful, especially at sunset. It is located at 1160 US-42, Warsaw, KY 41095.
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