Gator, kangaroo, eel: What Lexington restaurants, stores offer for adventurous eaters

Are you brave enough to step out of your eating comfort zone and try diverse, unusual, or unfamiliar foods?

Only the most adventurous food connoisseurs need apply for this unique Lexington culinary challenge. Warning: These foods will not be popular with picky eaters.

Here are several daring, bucket-list worthy options available across the city for an exotic gourmand experience — should you choose to try them. The restaurants and grocery stores in this list and guide that offer them are listed alphabetically along with their respective uncommon food item.

Some of you may find these extreme foods tempting and enticing and tantalizing to your taste buds, while others will no doubt recoil in deep-rooted repulsion at the mere thought of eating such unconventional delicacies. Either way, this guide will help find stores and restaurants if you are looking to try something different.

How many of these unforgettable foods in Lexington are you willing to try to broaden your palate and expand your culinary horizon?

Agave & Rye: Kangaroo

“The Big Thumper” taco at Agave & Rye is made with Peppercorn Kangaroo, macaroni and cheese beignets, roasted corn, sweet and spicy bacon crumbles, green onion, habanero maple syrup, queso, served in crispy puffy flour and soft flour shells. $13.50. Warning, this taco is subject to availability according to the menu.

Kangaroo is lean and low in fat and high in protein and tastes similar to venison or lamb. In Australia they are even known to eat Kangaroo as a pizza topping.

▪ Agaveandrye.com, 3535 Nicholasville Road, 859-800-5334. Hours: Sun.-Thur., 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Fri. and Sat. 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. And 123 North Broadway, 859-523-1170. Hours: Sun.-Thur. 11 a.m.-11 p.m.; Fri.-Sat. 11 a.m.-midnight.

Asian Market: Durian, Duck Eggs and Alligator

The Asian Market specializes in Asian products such as seafood and vegetables, and you can find durian, a delicious tropical fruit and popular delicacy native to Southeast Asia. It is widely known as the “King of Fruits” due to its unique sweet flavor and creamy, custard-like texture. It is renowned for its incredibly pungent, sometimes putrid smell. In some cities in Southeast Asia, it is reportedly forbidden to bring durian into public buildings or on public transportation. $4.99 each.

At this Woodhill Circle Plaza market, you will also find duck eggs — a traditional Asian delicacy — by the box for $3.99. You’ll also find alligator, complete with the feet, but you’re supposed to eat the meat, not the feet. Even though the feet are not meant to consumed, an alligator’s foot is a prized protective charm in parts of the Southern U.S. It is also said to increase gambling luck. $18 lb.

▪ Asian Market, 1555 E New Circle Rd Suite, 859-266-6688. Hours: Everyday, 11 a.m.-9 p.m.

Azur: Char Grilled Octopus

A Lexington dining staple recently reopened with a new chef and some new menu items.

Chef Nathan Vazquez, a native of Puerto Rico, has introduced touches of the cuisine of his native island to Azur’s menu, including new spices and savory items. This includes a Char Grilled Octopus appetizer. The dish ($22) is served with crispy potato mochi, sauteed sweet bell peppers and manchego aioli.

▪ Azur Restaurant and Patio, 3070 Lakecrest Circle #550, 859-296-1007. Hours: Monday through Thursday 4-9 p.m., Friday and Saturday 4-10 p.m., Sunday 10:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. for brunch and 4-9 p.m. for dinner.

Brasa’s: Cow Heart

Anticuchos are skewers of marinated beef heart and according to the Brasa’s menu it is one of the most famous street foods from Peru and also known as literally “the heart of Peruvian food.” Its existence dates back to the Inca Empire culture.

Brasa’s dish consists of marinated beef heart skewers in traditional Aji Panca sauce, served with golden potatoes, Peruvian corn, and rocoto sauce on the side. $20.25.

▪ Brasasrestaurantlexington.com, 565 E. New Circle Rd., 859-681-8242. Hours: Wed.-Sun. 11:30 a.m.-8p.m.

Charlie’s Seafood: Alligator

In addition to selling the largest fish sandwich in town, Charlie’s Seafood sometimes offers American alligator by the pound. The dish is popular with fans of the History channel reality television series, “Swamp People,” which follows the day-to-day activities of alligator hunters stalking the apex predators in the swamps of Louisiana and Texas.

Fans of the show seek out gator meat at Charlie’s Seafood to give a try. You can try it too for $22 lb.

▪ Charlie’s Seafood, 926 Winchester Road, 859-255-6005. Hours: Tue. 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.; Wed.-Fri. 9 a.m.-6 p.m.; Saturday 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

Columbia’s Steakhouse: Lamb Fries

For those of you inexperienced with this traditional Kentucky dish served at Columbia’s Steakhouse, it is lamb testicles. Sliced and fried in batter until golden-crispy and served with a white cream gravy. The texture can be described as almost identical to that of a succulent scallop.

In the 1988 comedy movie, “Funny Farm,” actor Chevy Chase made eating them famous in a hilarious and memorable scene by breaking a local record when he ate 30 of them only to realize afterwards what they were.

If you are courageous enough to sample this Southern “delicacy,” Columbia’s is the place for you.

▪ Columbiasteakhouse.com, 201 N. Limestone, 859-253-3135. Hours: Fri-Sat. 4-9:30 p.m., Mon.-Thur. 4-9 p.m., Sun. 5-8:30 p.m. And 2750 Richmond Rd. 859-268-1666. Hours: Mon.-Thur. 11 a.m.-10 p.m., Fri.-Sat. 11 a.m.-11 p.m., Sun. 11 a.m.-9:30 p.m.

Critchfield Meats Family Market: Boar, Camel, Elk, Ostrich and more

In addition to their grass-fed, grain-finished beef, pork, veal, lamb, poultry, and seafood, Critchfield’s — a family-run butcher shop and market since 1969 — also offers an extensive line of exotic meats in their freezer case. A carnivore’s delight.

Choose from items such as ground camel, wild boar and beef andouille sausage, ground ostrich, elk with bacon sausage and even duck bacon.

Critchfield’s has been called a “mecca of meats” and rightfully so.

▪ Critchfieldmeats.com, 398 Southland Drive., 859-276-4965. Hours: Mon.-Sat. 9 a.m.-7 p.m, Sun. 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

Golden Flame Hot Wings: Rocky Mountain Oysters

Considered by some to be an aphrodisiac, this “Cowboy Caviar” or “Calf Fries” hors d’oeuvre is not for the squeamish and should not be confused with seafood oysters. They are, in fact, far from it.

Sometimes simply called prairie oysters or meat balls — and served to unsuspecting victims as a practical joke — this delicacy is made of breaded and deep-fried bull testicles. No bull. Cattle Ranchers have enjoyed them for dinner for decades.

A full order (1/2 lb.) is $17.49 or you can “Dare Your Friends” for $3.99 each.

▪ Gfhwings.com/lexington, 141 Rojay Drive, 859-785-0268. Hours: Sun.-Thurs. 11 a.m.-9 p.m., Fri.-Sat. 11 a.m.-10:30 p.m.

GrandDam at the Manchester Hotel: Venison or Elk Wellington

The popular fine-dining restaurant often rotates its Wellington dish between venison and elk. Currently, its serving Elk Wellington wrapped with puff pastry and country ham and foraged mushroom duxelle, then topped with huitlacoche bourbon demi and served with roasted garlic and grilled broccolini for $69.

Executive Chef Paula Endara notes that the Wellington is the most popular item on the menu.

“A Wellington is a statement of classic cuisine paired with seasonal ingredients. Our Venison Wellington is paired with a green peppercorn and a bourbon demi glace, woodfire broccolini, and roasted potatoes. Granddam is all about unique and adventurous.” $55.

Venison is leaner than beef with a tender texture and a rich, robust flavor.

▪ Granddamky.com, 941 Manchester Street, 859-785-3905. Dinner hours: 5 p.m.-10 p.m., everyday.

Hyderabad House Lexington: Goat

Hyderabad House Lexington “showcases the flavors and spices of the Indian city of Hyderabad and offers a couple of goat dishes on their menu including their House Special Goat Curry, $19; and their Goat Dum Ka Keema, which is ground goat prepared with onion, tomato, and special spices. Available in choice of mild, medium, or spicy. $21.

Goat meat is a lean and healthy alternative to beef or pork and is a great source of protein.

▪ Hhlexington.com, 2220 Nicholasville Road, 859-309-8109. Hours: Tue.-Thurs. 11 a.m.-3 p.m., 5 p.m.-9:30, Fri. 11 a.m.-3 p.m., 5 p.m.-10 p.m., Sat. 11 a.m.-10 p.m., Sun. 11 a.m.-9:30 p.m.

Tachibana Japanese Restaurant: Eel

Eel is high in protein and rich in vitamins and minerals and has been a beloved Japanese meal for ages. It is often slightly chewy and popular for its subtle, sweet flavor when properly grilled and basted.

Caution: Tachibana’s Unajyu — barbecued freshwater eel served on rice ($22.50) — may convert you into becoming an avid eel enthusiast.

They also have several eel sushi options.

▪ Tachibanarestaurant.com, 785 Newtown Court, 859-254-1911. Hours: Lunch, Mon.-Fri. 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.; Dinner, Mon.-Sat. 5:30 p.m.-9 p.m.

Tony’s of Lexington: Beef Tartare

Celebrity foodies from Martha Stewart to Alton Brown to Gordon Ramsey have their respective beef tartare recipes. It is considered by some to be a delicacy and is a staple item on the menu at many high-end restaurants. You will find it available locally at Tony’s of Lexington as Rassati Beef Tartare.

Raw hand-cut beef tenderloin, combined with a mixture of Worcestershire, Dijon mustard, shallots and capers, topped with a raw egg and tomato brunoise. $23.

Rich and savory, bursting with flavor, it practically melts in your mouth.

▪ Tonysoflexington.com, 401 W. Main Street, 859-955-8669. Hours: Sun.-Thurs. 5 p.m.-9 p.m, Fri.-Sat. 5 p.m.-10 p.m.

Zundo Izakaya Ramen, Sushi Robata: Squid

On the menu as an appetizer, Zundo Izakaya Ramen, Sushi Robata features Geso Karaage, a popular Japanese dish made from deep-fried squid tentacles ($10).

Squid is a good source of protein and contains vitamins and minerals. Squid can be somewhat chewier and a bit less tender than octopus. If you like calamari, you will probably enjoy Geso Karaage.

In terms of taste, squid has a mild flavor that brings to mind that of shrimp or lobster.

▪ Zundolexington.com, 127 West Tiverton Way, 859-303-7981. Hours: Mon.-Thurs. 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m., 4:30 p.m.-9:30 p.m.; Fri.-Sat. 11 a.m.-10 p.m., Sun. 11 a.m.-9:30 p.m..

This story was originally published May 28, 2025 at 5:00 AM.