Spot with big city views is Food Network’s ‘most charming small-town restaurant’ in KY
Once the weather warms and the sunshine returns, Kentuckians might want to check out Food Network’s recent selection for the commonwealth’s most charming small-town restaurant.
In a Jan. 31 article, the popular food-focused cable channel picked Buckhead Mountain Grill, in Bellevue, for its Southern hospitality and key location.
“With just under 6,000 people in this small town, Bellevue, Kentucky mixes big city convenience — it’s just minutes away from Newport — with river town history,” Food Network’s Ni’Kesia Pannell writes. “Here, you’ll find a place with delicious bites and a beautiful view.”
The feature didn’t praise specific dishes, but mentioned the eatery’s long history and from-scratch offerings.
Management with Buckhead did not respond to a message for comment, but the restaurant’s website describes the establishment as locally owned and family friendly.
“We combine a comfortable and relaxed mountain lodge atmosphere with a full selection of classic, delectable foods,” a blurb on the site reads. “From our famous Cheese Boulders to delicious, homemade Pot Pie, guests have been enjoying many of our signature dishes for years.”
The restaurant, at 35 Fairfield Ave. in Bellevue, has indoor seating coupled with an expansive dining deck on the Ohio River, overlooking the water with sweeping views of downtown Cincinnati.
Buckhead has a connection to another iconic Kentucky eatery, as well.
The late former Kentucky Gov. John Y. Brown, who made his fortune purchasing a fried chicken business from one Col. Harland Sanders, was a part owner in Buckhead Mountain Grill, according to previous Herald-Leader reporting. Brown famously pioneered the chicken business’s success as a carry-out operation with an iconic white and red bucket, known internationally as Kentucky Fried Chicken, now KFC.
Buckhead Mountain Grill offers a fairly extensive menu, including highlights like a Bison burger, the classic Kentucky hot brown and Cheese Boulders, an appetizer described as homemade fried cheese balls served with marina for dipping. The spot also offers a children’s menu and a vegan burger. Prices are not displayed on the online menu.
The restaurant has 3.2 out of 5 stars on review site Yelp, which lists the Cheese Boulders among its most popular offerings, along with the buffalo chicken sandwich and the fried chicken.
The restaurant advertises events, drink specials and more on its Facebook page. Business hours are Sunday to Thursday 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Friday and Saturday 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Food Network selected its top charming small-town restaurant for all 50 states. Selections from surrounding states include Campeche Restaurant in Galena, Ill., Market Street Grill in Wabash, Ind., 4th Street Pizza in Hermann, Mo., Ye Olde Trail Tavern in Yellow Springs, Ohio, Culaccino in Franklin, Tenn., The Conservatory at The Inn at Little Washington in Washington, Va., and General Lewis Inn in Lewisburg, W.Va.
Do you have a question about Kentucky for our service journalism team? We’d like to hear from you. Fill out our Know Your Kentucky form or email ask@herald-leader.com.