Can the Kentucky Dog from a new Lexington restaurant stand up to Chicago, NY hot dogs?
In the world of famous hot dogs, there is the Chicago-style dog, the Seattle dog, the New York dog, the Detroit dog, and even the Kansas City dog. Each style of these iconic hot dogs features its own unique twist of ingredients on the classic American hot dog.
But if the folks behind Lexington’s new Boonedogs Bar and Restaurant on scenic Old Richmond Road — the previous home of Judy Ray Food Mart — have their way, the “Kentucky Dog” may soon join the ranks of specialty hot dogs that reign supreme.
The all-beef Kentucky Dog ($8) topped with chow-chow, sport peppers, house pickles, tomato, and “everything” seasoning, is definitely one of the standout items on the Boonedogs menu. There is also the noteworthy Hambassador ($9), smothered with bacon jam, Broadbent ham, pickled red onion, and mustard.
At this past Wednesday evening’s “Friends & Family Night,” I sampled the Kentucky Dog while photographer Silas Walker went with the Hambassador. We were both delighted with our decisions. Both gourmet hot dogs were unquestionably filling and delicious.
The meat lover’s menu features community sourced items from local and regional producers with other dogs such as the Corn Dog ($7), the Chili Dog ($9), the Ranch Dog ($8), the BLT Dog ($8), and the Footlong ($9). Add $3 to substitute a gluten free bun on any hot dog or burger.
Boonedogs describes its offering as “dressed up hotdogs, artisan sausage, craft beer and cocktails.” The menu mix is the creation of local consulting chef Wyatt Sarbacker, who is also the owner and chef at Favor Kitchen restaurant in downtown Lexington. He was also chef for a time at the former Village Idiot in Lexington and worked previously at Marksbury Farm.
“We are pushing the boundaries here,” notes Sarbacker. “We are not afraid to put these menu items together and try something different. We are putting a community spin on it. Elevating it. Taking a familiar format and having fun with it.”
If sausages are more to your liking, check out the chorizo, the bratwurst, the Italian, or the herbed chicken, each coming in at 1/3-lb. ($12). A Vegan Beyond sausage is also on the menu ($13). Sandwiches include the single cheeseburger ($9), the double cheeseburger ($12), and the fried Kentucky bologna sandwich featuring KY Gold Bologna ($7).
Do not overlook the “Build Your Own” option. A smorgasbord of possibilities. You pick your meat and your toppings — and the list of toppings to choose from is extensive; twenty-four options in all, including everything from pickled jalapeno to Ranch slaw to white cheddar, hickory bacon, and country ham. The price varies depending upon your final choices.
Feeling like something more exotic? There is also a Wild Game Sausage Sampler (market price), featuring pheasant, elk, venison, and wild boar.
“We want to introduce (wild game) to people and will rotate them seasonally depending upon their availability,” says Sarbacker.
The open kitchen design means everything is prepared right before your eyes.
A burgoo offering is also planned to coincide with Keeneland’s annual race meets in April and October. Sarbacker notes it features his mother’s recipe.
Side items on the menu include chips ($2.50), waffle fries ($3), Ranch slaw ($4), black bean relish ($4), chili cheese fries ($6), and dry-aged chili ($6).
Salads includes the add sausage ($5), the house salad ($6), the caesar salad ($7) and the cauliflower salad with a vegan caesar dressing ($8).
Food is not the only standout attraction at Boonedogs. There is craft beer on tap and the cocktails are abundant, including “Old Fashioneds Your Way” — in choice of four different variations: Local ($5), New York ($7), Wisconsin ($9), and Oaxaca ($12). In addition, there is the Kentucky Mule ($7), the Malted White Russian ($7), and various other inviting cocktail options.
Whiskey options (Bourbon, Rye, Scotch, Irish, Canadian, and Tennessee) are too numerous to list here. You will not be disappointed.
Boonedogs offers counter service with first-come, first-serve seating for now but the plans are to eventually offer table service. With the current COVID-19 restaurant capacity restriction, seating is limited to a maximum capacity of 36 inside but there is also a free-standing tent outside of the building containing three picnic tables and outdoor heaters.
Picnic tables are definitely plentiful for outdoor dining (I counted 24 in all) and there is also a firepit on the one-acre lot of green space located next to the main building. The owners plan to eventually add a covered stage to accommodate live music. Cornhole and other outdoor games will be offered in warmer weather.
Tim Jones, co-owner along with his wife, Jessica, and Hilary and Charlotte Boone, notes that Boonedogs will officially open to the public on January 23. “The kitchen is ready to go,” Jones said and the building’s four garage-style doors can raise up, and one will be used as a pick-up window for to-go orders.
Located only five minutes from Jacobson Park, the vibe is as comfortable and as welcoming as your favorite pair of jeans, right down to the four wooden rocking chairs on the front porch. The name Boonedogs is a nod to American pioneer and frontiersman Daniel Boone whose Kentucky adventures are legendary.
There is also a retail area inside the restaurant featuring prepackaged Boonedogs’ hot dogs, sausages, homemade toppings, beer cheese, and even Boonedogs ballcaps and t-shirts. Boonedogs also has a retail liquor license enabling them to operate as a package store to sell bottles of Bourbon and cases of beer and wine.
Hilary Boone sums the ultimate goal of Boonedogs Bar and Restaurant in simple terms, “We want to be a favorite hangout spot and a great place to watch the game.”
Boonedogs Bar and Restaurant
Where: 5902 Old Richmond Rd. (at Jacks Creek Pike)
Online: boonedogslex.com; Facebook: @BoonedogsLex; Instagram: @BoonedogsLex
Hours: Wed.-Sun. 11am - 9pm; Closed Mon., Tue.
This story was originally published January 22, 2021 at 6:00 AM.