Lexington, KY - Unfortunately, when I'm racking my brains for places to eat, Winchell's Restaurant & Bar usually flies under my radar. Don't let this oversight be a reflection of my impression of the establishment; I'm always elated when this Southland Drive eatery pops into my consciousness.
To the unfamiliar stomach, the abundant athletic memorabilia and paraphernalia and NTN Trivia boxes might send up some red flags. Make no mistake - Winchell's is not your typical burger and fry sports bar, and the owners have taken standard "bar food" to new culinary levels. That being said, with over a dozen televisions strategically placed throughout the large dining rooms (not just in the bar area), Winchell's is a great place to catch a game, especially with March right around the corner.
You can always gauge a good restaurant by taking a quick survey of the clientele. Winchell's has the golfers, the families, the punks, the squares and the hippies, and those like me: the hungry. You only need to look at the menu to see what is bringing this eclectic group of people together.
A handful of your basic items round out the appetizer list: chicken wings, nachos, chicken fingers; as well as some surprises: pork quesadillas, fried green tomatoes, Kentucky beer cheese platter. These items range from $7.50 to $$11 for a dozen Buffalo wings (and though I've never tried, I've heard that the 'hot' is, well, incendiary). My guest and I ordered the fried banana peppers, which is what will always be ordered if offered on the menu - I'm a glutton for fried, sour things served with cocktail sauce.
The entrÈe selection, which consists largely of what we've come to associate with regional, country fare (country fried steak, pulled barbequed pork, chicken livers, catfish, fried chicken, country ham steak), is nuanced with a few flavorful flares: bourbon marinated pork chops, grilled salmon with cucumber dill sauce, almond crusted trout, blackened salmon topped with homemade crab salsa. The entrees are priced between $12 and $16, and the chefs offer nightly specials. My guest ordered the grilled salmon and I took a stab at the Kentucky Hot Brown (if you run a Kentucky restaurant and you can't get this one right - it's probably time to hang up the apron).
Winchell's also has a lengthy and diverse sandwich menu (over a dozen), with items such as an open face beef brisket, Reuben grill, country ham and Fontina melt and a country fried steak and egg sandwich appearing alongside the burger, club and B.L.T.
As far as the fodder went, the mashed potatoes and green beans sides were uninspiring, but the grilled salmon was a real treat with the added bonus of the cucumber dill sauce. The hot brown didn't disappoint, at all, especially with the shredded Parmesan cheese on top - it was hot, thick and hearty for a cold winter night, just like it's supposed to be. The fried banana peppers were a little hefty with the breading - but every one of them got eaten, if that's any indication of how good they were.
With the two entrees, appetizer, two soft drinks and a scoop of ice cream, our bill came to $44 prior to tipping, which seemed a little pricey for what we got, but it's hard to complain on a full stomach. Winchell's also has a cult-like breakfast following every morning, so you may need to make two visits before you make your decision about Winchell's.