Eat on Rupp Arena bleachers and get blue, white soft-serve at this new UK-themed deli
Diners now have a new delicatessen option for lunch in downtown Lexington and it’s one that is certain to appeal to basketball fans of the “Big Blue Nation” — bleacher seats from Rupp Arena, sandwiches named in honor of the Cats’ eight NCAA titles and soft-serve ice cream that will have die-hards chanting “Blue and White.”
Big Blue Deli, a University of Kentucky sports-themed deli and restaurant located a short walk from Rupp Arena, is now open at 227 North Limestone in the former Lexington Pasta and Pasta Bodega location.
Look for the large image of UK basketball coach John Calipari’s face that decorates the front window of the small venue, welcoming all visitors.
“In my travels, I always liked the small local delis. Downtown (Lexington) needs that. And I bleed blue. It was just the right time,” owner Zac Wright said.
UK sports memorabilia at Big Blue Deli
Inside, the walls are adorned with a plethora of UK sports-related memorabilia including hats, shoes, foam fingers, bobble heads, framed newspaper articles and autographed jerseys, photos of coaches Adolph Rupp, Joe B. Hall, Rick Pitino, Tubby Smith, John Calipari, and posters and magazine covers featuring various former Wildcats’ players. Replica NCAA Championship banners of the Cats’ eight titles are displayed above the counter.
There is even an album cover on display featuring the late A.B. “Happy” Chandler — former Kentucky governor and a life-long UK fan — “Songs and Memories.” Chandler is remembered fondly by many fans for his heart-felt rendition of “My Old Kentucky Home.”
The joint is “true blue” through and through, right down to the ice cream.
It is like a time capsule of Kentucky basketball collectibles, Wright says.
Wright is a die-hard UK basketball fan and many of the items on display are from his personal collection of Wildcats’ keepsakes.
Big Blue Deli menu
The former general manager of the recently closed Oscar Diggs, Wright is no stranger to the food service business, and worked at Country Boy Brewing for several years prior to that.
The menu features eight signature sandwiches, featuring Boar’s Head meats and cheeses, that are identified by numbers corresponding to the eight years the Kentucky men’s basketball team won the NCAA championship:
- #48: Club ($10)
- #49: Ham or Turkey and Cheese ($9)
- #51: BLT ($9)
- #58: Grilled Cheese ($8)
- #78: Spicy Chicken ($9)
- #96: Roast Beef ($9)
- #98: Reuben ($14)
- #12: Pastrami ($14)
You can make each sandwich a combo with chips and a drink for $3 more. All sandwiches can be made into a wrap.
Should the Wildcats win another championship this upcoming season, Wright is ready to happily add a ninth sandwich to the mix.
On my visit, I tried the Club sandwich which was piled high, enjoyable, and definitely filling.
You can also opt to build your own sandwich ($10) — with choice of locally sourced bread (white, wheat, rye or hoagie); choice of meat (ham, turkey, roast beef or chicken — or brisket corned beef or brisket pastrami for $4 more); choice of toppings (lettuce, tomato or onion — add bacon for $1.50); and choice of condiments (Duke’s mayo, chipotle mayo, mustard, spicy brown mustard or thousand island).
There will also be special of the day or week sandwich. Recently, in honor of Kentucky basketball players returning for this season, the special of the day was “The Big O,” which included ham, turkey, chicken and bacon on a toasted hoagie.
There is a wide assortment of chips available for $2 each. If you like hot snacks, you are in luck. There are Funyuns Flamin’ Hot onion flavored rings, Chester’s Flamin’ Hot fries, Mac’s Red Hot fried pork skins and Zapp’s Hotter ‘n Hot Jalapeno New Orleans kettle style potato chips.
Canned soft drinks, Gatorade and bottles of Ale-8-1 are $1.50. Bottles of Mexican soda are $3 each. Bottled water is $1-$2.50.
Just like at Rupp Arena, there is soft-serve ice cream. Choice of flavors: cookie dough (blue) or vanilla (white), or you can request a blue/white swirl. Available in a cup or cone for $3.
A poster of ESPN basketball analyst Jay Bilas enjoying his stated favorite soft serve from Rupp Arena stands above the deli’s soft-serve machine.
Seating is very limited with room for only about six or eight people. So at peak times, you may want to plan to take your order to go.
The available seating is also a tribute to Big Blue history, featuring two authentic vintage bleacher sections from Rupp Arena which have been converted into makeshift tabletops.
Wright hopes the deli will be popular with hungry tailgaters for the upcoming football season and plans to offer box lunches and catering.
If you don’t wear your favorite Wildcats’ fan apparel when you visit, you may feel underdressed.
Big Blue Deli
Service options: Dine-in, Carry-out, Catering
Address: 227 North Limestone
Telephone: 859-303-4427
Hours: Monday-Saturday 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Instagram: @big_blue_deli
This story was originally published August 15, 2022 at 6:00 AM.