Lexington new restaurant guide: 10 places to try, including some open now
Now that the COVID restrictions have ended in Kentucky, diners are heading back out.
And there are a whole lot of new places to try.
Coming out of the pandemic, some local restaurants are expanding. Others are moving to larger spots.
And there are some completely new dining options as well.
Here’s a guide of what to look for when you’re making lunch or dinner plans in Lexington and Central Kentucky.
Sonny’s BBQ
141 Bizzack Blvd. Sonny’s BBQ is opened June 23 in Frankfort, just off I-64 and US 60 in the former Logan’s Roadhouse, with a full menu of slow-cooked barbecue favorites, including ribs, pulled or sliced pork, beef brisket and smoked chicken and turkey.
The regional chain is expanding in Kentucky and is returning to Lexington as well. The location at 2341 Buena Vista, in the former Bob Evans restaurant spot just off of Winchester Road, is expected to open in late summer/early fall, according to the company. Another location is expected to open in Bowling Green end of 2021 or early 2022.
El Cid
701 National Ave. Known for its birria, the second location of this popular Mexican restaurant opened in mid-June.
El Cid currently serves lunch and dinner, but dine in only, no carry out, with a full bar. The menu includes birria, a kind of Mexican barbecue served with a dipping sauce, in a variety of forms, plus classics like fajitas, burritos and street tacos. There’s even a foot-long taco if you are up for the challenge.
Patio seating available on the sidewalk and on the roof under sun shades.
The Saucy Crab
3029 Richmond Rd. The newest Lexington seafood boil place is finally here. The Saucy Crab plans a soft opening the weekend of June 25 with a grand opening later this summer, according to general manager Michael Qiu. The restaurant, which is in the former Texas Roadhouse spot in front of Kroger on Richmond Road, features Cajun seafood boil, as well as hibachi and sushi.
Sorella Gelateria
591 W. Short St. The gelato store Sorella Gelateria, owned by two sisters, moved in May from its original spot on North Limestone to a bigger space on the corner of Jefferson and Short Street and reopened in mid-June.
Owners Alma Kajtazovic and Selma Sulejmanagic hand-make small batches of Italian gelato and sorbetto daily in inventive and decadent flavors. Vegan options often available. They also sell espresso. Open Wednesday through Saturday 1 to 9 p.m. and Sunday 1 to 7 p.m., with curbside pickup as well as seating inside or under umbrellas outside.
Kenwick Table
201 Owsley Ave. Kenwick Table is a new coffee shop and wine bar coming this summer to the former Thriftway Market. Rett McGoodwin of Rett’s Landscaping and The Garden Vault bought the store a few years ago and has renovated it. He intended to offer it to someone else for a restaurant but recently decided to do it himself. The shop will be opening as soon as they can get all the equipment, he said.
With seating for about 100, including patio seating, McGoodwin hopes Kenwick Table will become a neighborhood gathering spot. It will serve coffee from A Cup of Common Wealth, pastries from neighborhood bakeries including Spalding’s and Martine’s, and he hopes to add Sav’s Chill ice cream as well as craft beer. Eventually charcuterie and even small gourmet pizzas could be on the menu, McGoodwin said.
It will be open Monday-Friday beginning at 7 a.m., 8 a.m. on Saturday and 10 a.m. on Sunday, with an evening presence on Friday and Saturday nights for wine.
OMG Donuts
3449 Buckhorn Dr. OMG Donuts, a new bakery, is going into the former Eiffel Pizza spot, next to Josanne’s Homestyle Kitchen. Owner Chea Hoeung said he hopes to open in July and serve doughnuts, croissants and pastries made daily, as well as smoothies. OMG Donuts will be open Monday-Saturday 5 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday 5 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Tropical Smoothie Cafe
385 Rose St., in Coliseum Plaza across from the University of Kentucky. This will be the second Tropical Smoothie Cafe in Lexington (the other is in Beaumont Centre and has a different owner) when the franchise opens in August.
Tropical Smoothie Cafe has smoothies, including supplements and add-ins, as well as sandwiches, salads, bowls and wraps. Open Monday to Friday 7 a.m. to 9 p.m., Saturday 8 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Sunday 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Roosters
2640 Richmond Rd. The casual sports bar Roosters, known for its chicken wings, opened a second Lexington location in the old Chop House spot on May 10. It’s open 11 a.m. to midnight seven days a week with patio seating and indoor dining.
The menu also features salads, pizzas, subs, burgers and appetizers and there is a full bar.
Agave & Rye
123 N. Broadway. Agave & Rye is opening its second location on July 21, where Saul Good was at corner of Broadway and Short. The Cincinnati-based restaurant has a menu of “epic tacos,” including one featuring kangaroo meat. The margarita menu is pretty epic too.
Freddy’s Frozen Custard
2217 Nicholasville Rd. Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers opened its second Lexington location on Nicholasville Road in mid-June. The menu features fresh frozen custard and cooked-to-order burgers and fries.
This story was originally published June 24, 2021 at 6:01 AM.
