Kentucky Derby dining guide: Celebrate the race with themed takeout or dine-in

When the 146th Kentucky Derby is run on Sept. 5, odds are you will be watching from home, unless you’ve got a direct connection to a horse in the vaunted race for the top 3-year-old Thoroughbreds.

Even though the race was moved from the first Saturday in May to September, the surge in cases from the coronavirus pandemic forced Churchill Downs to eliminate spectators from the Run for the Roses.

Only participants will be allowed at the Louisville track this year.

But you can still enjoy the pageantry at home with some local goodies.

Here are places that have special treats you can serve guests or use to treat your family.

Crank & Boom Craft Ice Cream

3101 Clays Mill Rd.; 859-682-3035; crankandboom.com; The ice cream shop is offering a couple of treats you can pre-order for curbside pickup. You can get Chocolate Bourbon Pie Ice Cream, infused with Buffalo Trace Bourbon and housemade pie for extra goodness. It’s $10 a pint and benefits The Nest Center for Women, Children & Families.

Or order a Derby Party Sundae Pack for $25 that includes your choice of two pints of ice cream, choice of two toppings, a sauce and a pack of rainbow sprinkles.

Order online on Crankandboom.com and pickup on Sept. 4.

One other option, Bourbon Ball, is also available on goldbelly.com for shipping nationwide.

The Mousetrap

3323 Tates Creek Rd.; 859-269-2958; mousetrapky.com; This deli is offering a special Kentucky Derby menu with a charcuterie tray for $30; a cocktail shrimp tray for $30; relish tray for $25; pimento cheese tray for $24; and a party roll tray for $30.

The Stave

5711 McCracken Pike in Frankfort; 859-879-0101; thestavekentucky.com; This restaurant just outside Frankfort near the Woodford Reserve Distillery will have special Derby boxes to go. Check the Facebook page for details.

Azur

3070 Lakecrest Circle; 859-296-1007; azurrestaurant.com; Azur always hosts a special dinner ahead of the Kentucky Derby and this is one tradition that is continuing. Their ninth Annual Bourbon and Bets dinner will be 7 p.m. Sept. 3 and once again feature The Ubercapper Ellis Starr to help you handicap your Oaks and Derby picks (you can still bet online through TwinSpires.com.)

Seating is even more limited this year, so you will need a reservation for the four-course dinner, paired with four Kentucky bourbons. It’s $55 per person and the menu includes classic deviled eggs, Kentucky Hot Brown, Cajun fried catfish and Photo Finish Pie, a version the famous chocolate bourbon pie.

Jeff Ruby’s Steakhouse

101 W Vine St.; 859-554-7000; jeffruby.com/lexington; The steakhouse is hosting a special lunch event for the Oaks and Derby featuring Jeff Ruby dishes and Derby favorites. Country ham and biscuits, Kentucky hot brown, steakhouse burger, and Derby prime cheesesteak with shaved prime ribeye, truffle cheese fondue, foie gras mousse, wagyu au jus, and Italian truffle are some of the offerings. Keeneland betologists will be on hand each day to give tips. Reservations recommended.

Engine House Pizza Pub

9 W. Lexington Ave. in Winchester; 859-355-5021; facebook.com/enginehousepizzapub;This new Winchester pizza restaurant is celebrating the September Derby with a “Dolly & Derby” party. There will be food and drink specials, a Dolly Parton look-alike contest and Dolly Parton movies, as well as the race.

This story was originally published August 31, 2020 at 6:00 AM.

Janet Patton

Lexington Herald-Leader

859-379-5233

Janet Patton covers restaurants, bars, food and bourbon for the Herald-Leader. She is an award-winning business reporter who also has covered agriculture, gambling, horses and hemp. Support my work with a digital subscription