I'm not much for roadtrips but when the endgame involves BBQ and whiskey, that's a gamechanger. Throw in some historic sites and a cool hotel and we've got ourselves a #familyvacation. So, I loosely map out our trip to Louisville and gather a list of restaurants from friends in the industry. 

Roundtrip of our Roadtrip

Silver Dollar
The perfect place to get into the Louisville scene with an awesome whiskey and bourbon menu. Food is traditional and don't miss the fried pickles or chicken and waffles. 

Fried Pickles with arbol ranch sauce, Onion rings with smokey ketchup, 

Bbq pork with coleslaw and fries, Fried catfish with tartar sauce, coleslaw

Chicken pot pie with buttermilk bisquit crusted top,, Housemade waffle with panfried chicken, bone-in, maple syrup, 

Banana pudding with Italian merengue

Proof on Main

An elevated dining experience showcasing American cuisine surrounded by rotating art exhibits in the über cool boutique hotel, 21c Musuem Hotel. Pricey but friendly staff and well worth the visit. 

Grilled Monterey Sardine, baguette, aioli, preserved blood orange, Brussels sprout salad, arugula, sweet onion, parmesan & chicken skin cracklin's, Broadbent country ham falafel with olive oil parsely and preserved lemon, Ricotta gnocchi with fiddleheads, radicchio, meyer lemon, & parmesan, Alaskan Halibut with cranberry bean 'scafata', arugula and bottarga, Crispy fingerling potatoes with bone marrow, vinaigrette and frisee

Milkwood
Chef Edward Lee of 610 Magnolia focuses on small plates at his second casual spot mixing Asian flavors with American comfort food like chicken and waffles. Dishes are layered with various flavor profiles and textures. 

Fried chicken and waffle with radish, chili paste and buttermilk dressing, Octopus bacon with smashed potatoes, sour cream, kalamata and jalapeno cream, Vietnamese lamb sausage with fried green tomatoes, pan-drippings, pickled fresno, green goddess, Crispy skin duck with apricot hoisin and accompaniments, Pork shoulder, black BBQ, coconut rice, edemmame, fried okra, curry oil, Braised oxtail, black bean, spaetzle, horseradish, fried hominy, red onions, Togarashi cheesecake with peanut sea salt, miso caramel, and blackened pineapple. 

Feast BBQ
Just over the border from Louisville, this small BBQ place in New Albany Indiana serves up some of the best BBQ around Kentucky. Hang on, there are loaded tots. Is there anything better than tater tots piled high with pulled pork, BBQ sauce, and cole slaw? It's like Kentucky's middle finger to nachos. 

Fried pickels with ranch, cotija cheese and cilantro, Loaded tots with BBQ sauce, creamy slaw, green onions and pulled pork, 
Brisket sandwich

Decca
Found in the up-and-coming part of Louisville known as NuLu, Decca is a small American cuisine restaurant with a focus on local farm-to-table. This casual spot was filled with filled with locals who seem to appreciate the fresh take on seasonal ingredients. 

Pan Roasted Mussels with Flageolet Beans, Leeks Sofrito, Harissa Aioli, Diver Scallop Crudo with Chive, Sesame, Kiwi Vinaigrette, Kale & Citrus Salad with Pecans, Goat Cheese and Buttermilk Vinaigrette, Spring Pea Risotto with Feta & Mint, Braised Pork Cheeks with Spaetzle, Cauliflower & Mission Figs Jus, Pan Seared Salmon with Beets, Bulgur Wheat & Marcona Almond, Wild Shrimp a la Plancha with Chorizo, Shaved Fennel, Couscous & Labna, Giant Peruvian Lima Beans, Oregano & Bread Crumb, Wood Grilled Broccoli with Almonds & Anchovy, Crispy Russet Potatoes with Chermoula Yogurt, Chocolate Devil’s Food Cake with Chocolate Mousse, Coffee Ice Cream