Takeout getaway: These 5 Ky. dining destinations offer an escape with a scenic drive

In search of a change of scenery? Tired of seeing the same surroundings?

If you’ve been staying healthy at home during the coronavirus pandemic, it might be time for a treat.

The reward for being good is a road trip – don’t worry, it’s not anywhere outside of the Central Kentucky area, and it’s limited to just you or your family unit.

The road trip is a way to safely see some of our most beautiful scenery – exquisite at any time, but especially so in the full bloom of spring.

At the end of the road, you can stop and pick up a meal at one of these spots.

Wallace Station, Versailles

One of the most iconic dining spots in the Bluegrass, this rustic building has had quite the storied past. Beginning as a train depot, then a post office and country store, it’s now an upscale bakery and sandwich shop – a much loved jewel in Ouita Michel’s culinary crown.

Dining at one of the closely packed tables in this intimate spot (or even the outdoor patio) is currently not possible, but you can phone ahead and have your order waiting for you at the pickup table in the parking lot.

In addition to sandwiches, soups and bakery products, Wallace Station offers a daily special (except Sunday) available for pick-up at 4:00 p.m. The schedule is as follows: Monday, fried chicken; Tuesday, closed; Wednesday, meatloaf; Thursday, shrimp & grits; Friday, fish fry and Saturday, pot roast dinner.

On the drive, you’ll be traveling along what has been voted one of the 10 best scenic drives in the U.S. according to Trails.com. You’ll pass a Revolutionary War cemetery; the state’s famous limestone rock walls, and the Offutt-Cole Tavern, where a former occupant, Zerelda James, was frequently visited by her infamous sons Frank and Jesse.

You’ll also be traveling Thoroughbred Alley, where, depending on whether you drive down Midway Road or Pisgah Pike, you’ll see majestic farms such as Three Chimneys, Winstar and Lane’s End.

Wallace Station

Address: 3854 Old Frankfort Pike, Versailles

How to order: (859) 846-5161; wallacestation.com

Hours: 11 a.m. - 7 p.m., closed Tuesday.

Hall’s on the River, Winchester

Since I was in college at UK, I have loved this rustic spot on the Kentucky River. I loved to sit on the screened-in porch and watch the gurgling brook below meander through a tangle of mossy woods as I partook of their famous beer cheese and catfish.

Sorry, no porch for the foreseeable future, but you can make the scenic drive around twisty roads to pick up your order as their full menu is available daily from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m.

If you prefer something with a longer shelf life than one menu item, try their “Heat and Eat” offerings specially designed for up to four people. These vacuum sealed meals come with easy preparation instructions for immediate consumption; can be refrigerated for 5 to 7 days before preparation or frozen for up to six months.

You can get a dose of Kentucky history on your drive. If you come via Athens Road, you can take in some good examples of the commonwealth’s unique rock walls. Or if you come from the direction of Boonesborough, you will pass the spot where Jemima Boone (daughter of Daniel) and two of her friends were captured by Shawnee Indians when their canoe drifted too close to the riverbank.

Halls on the River

Address: 1225 Athens Boonesborough Road, Winchester.

How to order: (859) 527-6620; hallsontheriverky.com

Hours: 1 p.m.-7 p.m. daily

McKinley’s Deli, Shelbyville

If you’re interested in taking a longer drive, it’s about an hour to Shelbyville where two spots may tempt your taste buds.

McKinley’s Deli comes highly recommended, especially the turkey apricot wrap, a combination of turkey, bacon, spinach, whipped cream cheese and apricot preserves in a flat bread wrap.

McKinley’s has a selection of specialty sandwiches, paninis, salads and soups as well as seriously good baked goods so you can stock up.

McKinley’s Deli

Address: 615 Main St., Shelbyville

How to order: (502) 647-1665; mckinleysdeli.com

Hours: 10:30 a.m.-3:00 p.m. Mon.-Sat.

Ken-Tex BBQ, Shelbyville

If you’re more in the mood for barbecue, call in an order at Ken-Tex BBQ.

Described as “a taste of Texas in Kentucky,” it combines the best of both barbecue-loving states. While Ken-Tex uses hickory instead of mesquite to smoke their meats, they barbecue pork, brisket and chicken low and slow just like they do in the Lone Star State.

Ken-Tex BBQ

Address: 1163 Mt. Eden Rd., Shelbyville

How to order: (502) 633-2463; kentexbbq.com

Hours: 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Mon.-Sat.

PapaLeno’s, Berea

If it’s pizza you’re craving, an hour’s drive south to Berea will bring you to one of the best.

Curbside pickup is available for a variety of pizzas, as well as pastas and subs. Be sure to order one of their breadsticks, drenched in garlic butter it’s up there with the ones at Joe Bologna’s.

Place your order as far in advance as you can because a recorded message says they are working hard to fulfill all their customers’ requests.

PapaLeno’s

Address: 108 Center St., Berea

How to order: (859) 986-4497; papalenos.com

Hours: 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Mon.-Thur; 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Fri., Sat; 10:30 a.m.-10 p.m. Sunday

This story was originally published May 7, 2020 at 10:09 AM.