What’s going in the old Newk’s location, plus four more new Lexington restaurants
A new restaurant is moving into the former home of Newk’s Eatery on Richmond Road.
Newk’s Eatery, a popular chain in the south, came to Lexington in 2014, building a 4,500-square-foot restaurant in front of Southland Christian Church’s Richmond Road campus. But it closed the fall of 2022.
Now, a new tenant is moving in: El Jefe Mexican Grill.
Owners Arely Castillo and Edwuardo Rivera Lopez are hoping to open the local Mexican restaurant this fall.
“We are shooting for an opening sometime in October,” Castillo said in an email. The menu is still being developed, she said.
They have two other restaurants — La Isla and Casa Bonita, both in Lawrenceburg, she said.
While the food will be similar, she said, “we’re going to try to add more modern offerings.”
El Jefe Mexican Grill will be open for lunch and dinner; it doesn’t have a drive-thru but takeout will be available.
Human Bean opens new Richmond Road location
Coffee chain Human Bean opened a new location at 2644 Richmond Rd. on Thursday July 27.
The kiosk has a drive-thru and serves specialty coffees, real-fruit smoothies, whole leaf teas and hot breakfast items to go.
The shop is open Monday-Saturday 5 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sunday 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.
There’s also a location at 1946 Harrodsburg Rd.
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New barbecue restaurant on the north side
Chef Adrian Puckett is opening a new restaurant at the Quality Inn (formerly the Four Points Sheraton) just off of Newtown Pike at 1938 Stanton Way.
Puckett, known most recently for his Lexington Chef’s Table pop-ups, said he is opening a barbecue restaurant and a sports bar inside the hotel. The restaurant will use local beef, pork and produce, he said.
He’s starting with dinner during the week, then will add hours. “Eventually I want to be full scale, with breakfast and room service for the hotel,” he said.
Open Tuesday-Friday 4 to 9 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., closed Monday.
New ramen food truck at Void Sake
The Void Sake Co. is adding a food truck: Nebutori Food Truck will be on site at 949 National Ave. Suite 190 with a menu of fresh ramen and traditional Japanese fare.
You can choose your broth, add seasonings and pick toppings, including vegan and vegetarian options as well as pork.
The menu also includes fresh spring rolls, tea eggs, scallion pancakes, chicken karaage and yakitori skewers that are grilled.
The grand opening will be Aug. 1. Open Tuesday-Saturday 4 to 11 p.m., Sunday 2 to 6 p.m., closed Monday.
New Asian restaurant on Nicholasville Road
Dumplings & Noodles has opened at 3695 Nicholasville Rd. #120, at the intersection with Rojay Drive, near the ALDI. It features a menu of handmade bun dumplings, noodles and bone broth, fried rice and entrees.
Open 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily.
This story was originally published July 31, 2023 at 6:00 AM.
