While the state name of Kentucky is synonymous throughout the world for chicken, this state has many other foods that were created here and are unique to this part of the world. Although it’s right in the center of the eastern United States, the local foods have a distinct southern comfort quality.
Most of Kentucky’s cuisine is incredibly rich and filling, but heavy foods are not all that it’s known for. The diversity of the cuisine is what continuously leaves locals and visitors craving more. This list is meant to serve as a guide but it is not all-inclusive, there are plenty of other items to try but these are certainly the most famous.
Here are among the best foods and drinks in Kentucky, in no particular order:
Bourbon Whiskey
Kentucky bourbon whiskey is a specialty of Kentucky. With more than 90% of the world’s bourbon supply coming from central Kentucky alone, one could say that bourbon is one of the beverages that Kentuckians have perfected over the years.
To be considered a bourbon, a whiskey needs to have at least 51% corn, which is what gives bourbon its sweet flavor. In addition to this mostly corn ‘mash’, bourbon needs to be fermented in charred oak barrels. All bourbons are whiskeys, but not all whiskeys are bourbons due to these specifications.
A favorite activity throughout Kentucky is to visit distilleries on the Bourbon Trail. This is a group of bourbon distilleries that are within driving distance of each other, although some locations are farther from each other than others. There are several distilleries that visitors can go to at all times of the year.
Some distilleries require reservations ahead of time for tastings while others are first come first serve. Some distilleries truly stand out from the rest based on the appearance of the grounds as well as the full experience that a visitor receives while doing a tasting there.
One of the most famous distilleries in Kentucky that has the full package would be the Woodford Reserve Distillery. Woodford Reserve is located in Woodford County, just a few miles away from the capital of Kentucky, Frankfort.
Some other locations that are worth visiting would be Four Roses Distillery, Maker’s Mark Distillery, and Buffalo Trace. All of these distilleries have great tours, pristine lands to explore while visiting, and excellent tasting experiences.
Bourbon Cocktails—Mint Julep & Old Fashioned
If you’re unable to make it to a distillery to taste where Kentucky bourbon was created, consider getting a cocktail that is crafted with locally curated bourbon. One of the most famous cocktails in the Kentucky area is the Mint Julep. The Mint Julep is the official drink of the Kentucky Derby and is regularly served at horse racing events throughout Kentucky.
This drink is made with bourbon, fresh, muddled mint leaves, and simple syrup. It’s incredibly simple but this drink is a staple for the horse racing season and is a must-try for anyone visiting.
Another cocktail that was rumored to have been created in Kentucky is the Old Fashioned. The Old Fashioned is the official cocktail of Louisville, Kentucky’s largest city. An Old Fashioned is made with bourbon, simple syrup or sugar, bitters, with an orange peel and a cherry garnish.
Most restaurants that have a full-service bar will be able to prepare either the Mint Julep or the Old Fashioned, just make sure to ask for Kentucky Bourbon for the drink to be truly authentic.
Ale-8-One
Ale-8-One is a caffeinated ginger beer that has been created in Winchester, Kentucky since 1926. The name, Ale-8-One, is meant to be said like “A Late One”. The creator of Ale-8 named it this way because he arrived late to the soda industry and the beverage was created much later than other sodas like Coca-Cola.
Ale-8-One is sold throughout the state in grocery stores and gas stations, but it can be shipped across the country through the distributor in Winchester. The taste of Ale-8 is excellent and there are a variety of flavors that are sold.
Some flavors are seasonal, like the orange cream variety, but the classic ginger flavor is always available. There are sugar-free and caffeine-free versions of Ale-8-One as well so that everyone can enjoy this classic, local soda.
Beer Cheese
Many places throughout the United States offer something similar to beer cheese, but no one does it quite like Kentuckians do. Typically created with sharp cheddar cheese and beer, this dip can be creamy, thick, and have a mild to spicy flavor.
Beer cheese is said to have been created in Winchester, and every year this part of Kentucky has a beer cheese festival to celebrate the dish. There is even a beer cheese trail that takes visitors to several different restaurants that serve different varieties of beer cheese.
One of the best places to go to get beer cheese would be Hall’s on the River. This restaurant is said to be the birthplace of beer cheese and still has it on the menu to this day. While Hall’s beer cheese is the most famous, there are a ton of local brands that all have their unique flavor and consistency.
With so many different options to try, there is certainly a type of beer cheese for everyone.
Benedictine Spread
Benedictine Spread is a cucumber, cream cheese dip that is common with high tea. It is a very light and refreshing dip that was created in Louisville in the 1890s by a caterer named Jeannie Carter Benedict, hence where the name for the spread originates.
It’s typically served on white bread, but it also can be served as just a dip with vegetables. The exact recipe requires cucumber juice, onion juice, and cayenne pepper in addition to the cream cheese added.
In Louisville, restaurants typically serve the dip on a sandwich called Queen Anne, which adds the spread to walnut wheat bread, then adds bacon, lettuce, and sliced cucumbers. This dish is one of the lightest items native to Kentucky and is delicious to serve year-round.
Spoonbread
Believed to have originated as a Native American side dish, spoon bread consists of corn meal and has the consistency of a soufflé or a corn pudding. It is served throughout Kentucky as a side dish but the spoon bread at the Boone Tavern in Berea is world-famous.
When eating at this restaurant, all meals come with spoon bread that is served hot and fresh table side. Berea also has a festival completely dedicated to spoon bread every year where locals and different businesses present their take on the classic Kentucky side dish.
Hot Brown
The Hot Brown is one of the most iconic dishes in the state. This dish originated at the Brown Hotel in Louisville in 1926 and has remained a staple of Kentucky cuisine since its creation.
It’s supposedly a take on Welsh rarebit, which is just an open-faced sandwich with melted cheese. A Hot Brown is typically open-faced, with a piece of bread topped with turkey, bacon, tomatoes, and a white Mornay sauce.
Mornay was developed in France and is a creamy sauce that has a lot of melted cheese in it, usually gruyere. However, when cooking a Mornay sauce for a Hot Brown, typically white cheddar cheese is used.
Once the Hot Brown is assembled, the entire dish is placed under a broiler oven until it is bubbly and the bacon becomes crispy. While the Brown Hotel is still one of the best places in Louisville to get a Hot Brown, the city of Louisville has put together a list, called the Hot Brown Hop, that goes into detail on every restaurant in the city that offers the dish.
If visiting Lexington, the second largest city in Kentucky, the local chain Ramsey’s offers excellent Hot Browns and other local specialties. Because the Hot Brown concept is so popular throughout the state, other restaurants do their take on a Hot Brown as well.
One of the most famous takes on the Hot Brown is the Hot Brown Burger that is offered at Wallace Station in Midway, Kentucky. This burger was rated as one of Guy Fieri’s favorite burgers of all time on his show ‘Diners, Drive-ins and Dives’ and is a favorite of many locals in the area.
Whether eaten the traditional way or in a creative take, this one cannot be missed while on a food tour of Kentucky.
Fried Chicken
While the company Kentucky Fried Chicken is famous throughout the world for having some of the most delicious chicken, it would be a sin to go to a fast food location while in Kentucky. One of the coolest experiences that visitors can do if they want to have an excellent fried chicken meal would be to visit the Claudia Sanders Dinner House located in Shelbyville.
This event venue and restaurant were created by Colonel Sanders and his wife Claudia after they sold the KFC business in 1964. The Claudia Sanders Dinner House was the home of the Colonel and his family for more than 50 years and even served as the headquarters for the chain before it was sold in 1964.
Every weekend there is an all-you-can-eat buffet that features the original KFC chicken recipe and all kinds of other great southern foods. This business is not associated with the KFC chain but is crucial to its history as a company. For chicken lovers or fans of the KFC restaurant, this is an awesome experience that won’t be had anywhere else.
Derby Pie
Derby Pie is a famous local dessert that was created in the 1950s by George Kern and his family. The pie itself is trademarked and the exact recipe is kept under strict lock and key. It consists of walnuts, pecans, and chocolate in a flaky pie crust.
Because the name is trademarked, many places have something similar to Derby Pie on their menus but are legally unable to call it by that name. If a visitor wants to try Derby Pie but cannot get their hands on an original, looking for a variation that consists of chocolate and pecan can be a good alternative.
Derby Pies are sold at most grocery stores in the state of Kentucky. They most commonly come frozen, but are often found fresh around Derby season, which is usually April and May. This dessert is very rich and delicious and the original creation should be tried at least once.
Bourbon Balls
Invented by Rebecca Ruth Candies based out of Frankfort, Kentucky, bourbon balls are a delicious dessert that is enjoyed throughout the state. This candy typically consists of pecans, a creamy filling created with bourbon and it is then dipped in chocolate.
Although the bourbon cream filling does have bourbon that is not cooked, the alcohol content of the candy is incredibly low. It is still not advised to have the candies if pregnant and are not completely suitable for young children.
While Rebecca Ruth Candies is the creator of this confection, many stores sell their own version of this dessert throughout the state. Some variations include using more or less bourbon or different types of nuts and chocolates. Rebecca Ruth Candies sells their bourbon balls at tons of locations, including gas stations and grocery stores if unable to make it to the actual brick-and-mortar location.
With a focus on preserving traditions as well as supporting local businesses, the Kentucky food scene is thriving and is not to be missed. Whether visiting some of the larger cities, like Lexington or Louisville, or some of the smaller towns, there will always be delicious food to be tried year-round.
The cuisines of Kentucky are diverse and delectable and for this reason, should definitely be added to any food bucket list.
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