Places to Dine for OAKS/DERBY
 

I am going to the Derby and Oaks for the first time. The Derby is on my 40th B-day. I am looking for suggestion on places to go (dining, must see, shopping, etc) for racing fans the day/night of the OAKS and Derby.

Is there a special breakfast place?


The Derby Trip will be followed by a few days in Keenland. Again, any suggestions for things to do, places to dine, farms to visit would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks John

Wagner's for breakfast.

Dinner: Jeff Ruby's, if you hit a huge pick 4 or Super.
Lots of places to eaat on 4th street, esp Maker's Mark.
4th Street will be packed for Derby weekend, but what won't.

Wagner's Certainly
 

I've heard many folks mention Wagner's. So, this is on the list. What time is best to arrive?

Any other recommendations?

Where should my wife get her hat?

Where do I get pictures and trinkets?

Get your hat anywhere, it is hat. I already got my hat, from Byk's guy in Chicago, Sid's Clothing :)

Dont try to go to Wagners on Oaks or derby morning

F yeah, of course I parked in the lot where you had to pay and not get it validated, hilarious open market the day I went or something

Is the day after alright? Or, wait until Monday?
 

Is the day after alright? Or, wait until Monday?

Where should we park?

I get my hats off e-bay although sometimes you can luck out and find a really nice basic wide brim hat at TJ Maxx or Marshalls.

This place on 4th Street has beer so good even I like it, and I don't really like beer. :D http://www.tavernrestaurantgroup.com/pub_louisville.php

Full guide for dining options on 4th St: http://www.4thstlive.com/dining.cfm

There is another street with a bunch of restaurants that will probably be a little more low-key, Frankfurt Ave, maybe? I forget!

easiest in and out for parking is at Louisville's football stadium. easy walk right down Central to Churchill Downs... Starbucks on the first corner walking is good to hit too.

If you get there early enough, you can also park on the street in one of the neighborhoods near the track. I've also parked my car on the lawn of one of the houses next to Churchill...don't let them charge you more than $20 for it though.

We are going to Sullys on Friday night I think :)

John,

Wagner's isn't what it was since the departure of Kitty. It's fun to visit though because it's an institution, but it's simple. Louisville's don't miss breakfast place is Lynn's Paradise Cafe.

Downtown for dinner, Proof is hard to beat. Jack Fry's on Bardstown Rd., the street Sightseek is thinking of, is a very good chop house.

Porcini's is better Italian than most in a town with poor Italian food.

Wagner's is nothing special other than being across the street from the track -- been there for lunch plenty of times.

Lynn's Paradise Cafe is the place in Louisville for breakfast but good luck getting in during Derby Week.

Otherwise, go to the Cracker Barrel on Crittenden right by the Cardinal Hall of Fame restaurant.

That's the street, thanks! :)

There are lots of chain restaurants near the intersection of Hurstborne and Shelbyville Road (Carabba's, Bonefish Grill, P.F. Chang's).

A lot of people like the Cheesecake Factory at the St. Matthew's Mall at I-264 and Shelbyville Road.

If you really want to celebrate and have some money to spend, most of the locals prefer Max Ruby's.

One of my favorite places (that is not as well known and you do not have to dress up) is the Come Back Inn on Swan Street (there is also one in downtown Jeffersonville).

I'm going to Louisville at the end of May and am looking forward to checking out the Jockey Silks Bourbon Bar in the Galt House Hotel - 120 bourbons available to try really interests me - if you like bourbon check it out... and let me know if there's any you try that you love - I don't think I can get through that many in a couple days!

Jeff Ruby's?

Lolita's tacos on Poplar level just off of the Watterson is secret and good LA style mexican.

August Moon for good asian fusion I think on Lexington rd

Franks on Preston hwy not far from the airport for the best deal on lunch in the midwest though there is no place to sit because it is really a butcher shop.

Z's Steakhouse & Oyster Bar on Shelbyville Rd. is the best I have had in this town.

Pricey but worth it.

My woman works at Jack Fry's, so I never go there. It is pretty good stuff though.

Yes, I meant Jeff Ruby's. I haven't been there yet but hear it has the best steaks in town (better than Morton's and Ruth's Chris).

Got to agree with Proofs. Great experience and connected to trendy museum. Downtown area is noce to check out too.

Did that once while staying there and got to the third one when I had a Blantons and found the winner. Really great flavor and top has a horse on it. It's been my favorite since. They have a liquor store inside the hotel and bought a bottle.

:rolleyes:

as long as OJ doesnt tag along

Bristol on Bardstown Road is a good spot.

My thoughts exactly....Lynns and Jack Frys.

I would also suggest Bristol on Bardstown Rd. That strip is loaded with bars and restaurants. We went to the Lynns Paradise on Thursday of Derby week for lunch last year. Probably waited only 20 minutes. What part of town are you staying? What day do you arrive?

I live here in lville and i think there are a lot of good places to eat but they are gonna be pretty crowded derby week:
Jeff Rubys- really good meal but very pricey great atmosphere and you never know who you will see 2 years ago we were in a booth next to G Gomez and two tables away from Kid Rock, nick lacky and vanessa manilo(so hot!!) Aj foyt walked by and ran into doug o'neil as well. but if you dont have reso by now forget it.
Vincenzos- i think its a pretty good place not as "hip" as rubys but i think good food. if you go ask for big gary to be your waiter.
Z's Oyster bar- very good food and they do have tables available derby week i am eating there Wed night. Not cheap but i think best seafood in lville.

a lot of it depends on where you stay. if you get to east lville where z's is there is a place across the way called Furlongs that has a great brunch on Sunday.

I have not been to Proof but have heard really good things about it.

4th street will be out of control lots of bars Red Star tavern a little bit more upscale as is Makers Mark bar. What ever you do stay out of Sullys unless you want to get wasted!! I swear everytime i go there it gets totally out of control but fun. There slogan should be "Sullys, where bad stuff happens"

Good luck and hope you have a great time in our fair city!!!

I'm going as well for the first time. Would people familiar with it reccomend 4th street or Bardstown for a night out (dinner and drinks after)?

Lynn's Paradise Cafe is a riot for breakfast. Not sure about Oaks/Derby though. Could be a long wait.
*edit* oops, Steve already mentioned it.

Is there a good near track (Keenland) Breakfast place in Lexington with some tradition? We are staying closer to it.

Thanks John

Do you have an address I can put in the GPS for Lynn's Cafe and Jack Frys?

Staying in Lexington. Arriving on Thursday.
Thanks for any help. John

Thanks. I appreciate the suggestions.

One more question; what time should I arrive in town on Oaks, and Derby Day to avoid the crowd and get fairly good parking? We are staying in Lexington. And, what time should I schedule dinner after each day's racing due to the exiting crowd?

Have had a few good meals at the Griffin Gate Hotel in Lexington at JW's Steakhouse. One of the best Marriott has to offer. The decor like most everything else in Lexington is all horse and racing. Outside dining if you catch a nice night. Incredible Lobster Bisque. Probably will be packed all Derby w/e though.

Try Malone's Steakhouse on Derby night. Probably see some of the game's "heavy hitters". I wouldn't schedule it before 9PM though- that would allow you 3 hours from the Derby post to make it back to Lex.

I've done 4th Street on a few Derby nights, and while it's slightly crowded, there are a few fun bars in there and walking around outside when it's nice out with booze in hand is always nice. Bardstown Road is kind of out of the way, in my opinion, but still has quite a few fun spots.

Keeneland's Track Kitchen isn't a bad spot, its cheap and you never know who you might see there, plus you can go and watch the workouts in the morning before you get breakfeast