Willie's Locally Known
Review guidelines:
1 Fork = I would rather eat dog food.2 Forks = I would eat there if I was starving.
3 Forks = Not bad; someplace I would occasionally consider eating.
4 Forks = A good place to eat; I will put it into my rotation of places I dine frequently.
5 Forks = One of my all time favorites!
One caveat to note – I am allergic to fish and seafood, so if you are looking for those recommendations, you will have to consult someone else.
Because I have a daughter-in-law with Celiac and a really good friend who is Vegetarian, I will try to point out whether those options are present when I review a restaurant.
Friday, February 22, 2013 - Lunch
Willie’s Locally Known
805 N. BroadwayLexington, KY 40508
(859) 281-1116
Even though I work right around the corner, I did not know this place existed until I saw it on KET’s Bluegrass and Backroads program. I was intrigued. Willie’s was portrayed as nouveau cuisine of the barbecue world. Their Pork Burger caught my eye. Sooo….I tried it. The Pork Burger was actually a combination of 75% ground beef and 25% ground pork. It was grilled, served on a bun with smoked cheddar cheese, lettuce, Willie’s homemade barbecue sauce, a fried green tomato, and pickled onions. I asked for my onions on the side, because I wasn’t sure I would like them….but they were deliciously sweet and different. The burger was cooked perfectly, not too dry or too charred. The barbecue sauce and smoked cheddar added a nice touch. The sandwiches typically come with homemade potato chips. I opted for a side of hand cut fries with chopped parsley, garlic, white truffle, salt, black pepper and a drizzle of white truffle oil. They were incredibly yummy! I observed other patrons gravitating to the catfish po-boy and the barbecue sandwich. Another signature dish is the Burnt Ends which are basically cubes of barbecue brisket. I will have to try them next time. Lunch including iced tea was $11. Atmosphere was “roadhouse casual” – this is the former location of the legendary Buffalo and Dad’s – a Lexington institution. While the owners haven’t put a whole lot of emphasis on new décor, it is clear they are thinking about different twists on barbecue with an emphasis on made from scratch and locally grown.
Gluten Free Options – none advertised.
Vegetarian Options – pass on the salad and go somewhere else! This is a carnivore’s paradise.
Also of interest - Willie’s is a venue for a wide variety of live music. They advertise an outdoor stage also. For their full menu and music schedule, check out their website:http://www.willieslex.com/
0 comments