Supporting local restaurants is more important than ever before. These familiar area establishments run the gamut from fast casual to fine dining. All have adapted business models to continue to serve customers safely with some combination of carryout/curbside/delivery. Take a break from cooking, enjoy local flavor, and please tip generously.
Mark’s Feed Store is celebrating 32 years in Louisville. It all began with the opening of the original Middletown location in 1988. Mark Erwin opened the Bar-B-Q restaurant in the historic location of Hancock Feed Store. There are now four Louisville Mark’s Feed Store locations, one in New Albany, Indiana and one in Elizabethtown, Kentucky. Mary Stebbins, Director of Operations, has been with Mark’s Feed Store for 15 years, is a firm believer in their motto, “Friendly Folks Serving Famous Bar-B-Q!” Two of their employees have been with Mark’s Feed Store since Day One. A few others have been around for more than twenty years. In addition to the friendly staff, Mark’s Feed Store’s regulars set them apart as generations of customers pass down the tradition from family to family.
Unlike many restaurants now focusing on carryout/curbside/delivery, Mark’s Feed Store is still offering an extensive menu selection. Entrée highlights are the Rib Dinners in four sizes, three different Combo Rib Dinners, and Mark’s Famous Honeywings™. With at least 14 side items, simplify the decision with Mark’s Favorites: Sweet “Fried” Corn on the Cob (Barnyard-style adds white sauce and seasoning similar to elote or Mexican street corn) and Red Potato Salad, which has been featured on many families’ holiday tables over the years. Saving room for dessert will be a challenge; but the Homemade Buttermilk Pie is always good to go.
The Mark’s Family Pack feeds 5-6 with 1.5 lbs. Pork, 1 qt. Red Potato Salad, 1 qt. Baked Beans, 6 Buns, and 1 Pint of Mark’s Original Sauce. On Monday nights, dessert is free with purchase of an entrée and on Tuesdays kids eat free! Mark’s Feed Store gives back to first responders and hospital workers with reduced-price, at-cost boxed lunches. Order online at www.marksfeedstore.com
multiple kentuckiana locations | marksfeedstore.com
Salsarita’s original location opened in St. Matthews in 2006 with its fast-casual, fresh food concept. Their ingredients are prepared fresh daily, right down to the “hand-mashed guacamole”, “craveable queso”, and “wildly addictive chips” for dipping. All salsas are made from whole produce, juices, and spices.
A second location in Middletown opened in June 2012 with a drive-through added two years ago. That Middletown drive-through can now be used to order as you pull through and to pick up call-ahead or online orders. Salsarita’s offers contactless curbside service and delivery options. They recently introduced a convenient “Park Here and Order From Your Car” scan option for online ordering.
Owners Pam and Steve Stallings work as a team but approach the business from different angles. Pam is an advertising/marketing pro. Steve is the finance and operations expert with restaurant brand development experience. Salsarita’s has a user-friendly app and partners with DoorDash® and Grubhub.
Start your order off with Chips & Salsa/Guacamole/Queso. The fresh-made chips are sprinkled with a special spice blend customers can’t resist. They also anchor seven different Nacho options. The 2 Taco Combo includes tacos “any way you like” with chips, dip, and a drink. Burritos are also made your way and generously sized. Upgrade to a Quesorito and have it “smothered in creamy queso!” Quesadillas are always a hit. And with eight different options, every member of the family can find a favorite.
Family meals are available, along with Fiesta Packs: a $29.99 make-your-own taco pack for five including rice, beans, protein & toppings, chips and salsa. For $10 more, add queso, guacamole, and dessert for everyone. Enjoy special offers like $2 off all online ordering, free delivery for catering, and Salsarita’s Rewards program. Salsarita’s thanks customers and gives back to the community through various nonprofits.
(502) 897-5323 • 285 N Hubbards Ln
(502) 365-1424 • 12915 Shelbyville Rd
salsaritas.com
The Fat Lamb Modern Kitchen and Bar opened in 2016 as an upscale, neighborhood restaurant in the Highlands by Executive Chef/Owner Dallas McGarity and his wife, Laura. Dallas earned a culinary degree from Johnson & Wales University in Charleston, South Carolina and moved to Louisville in 2004 as a young chef excited by the burgeoning culinary scene. He worked his way up from Executive Sous Chef at Volare Italian Ristorante, then through Equus, Z’s Fusion, and as chef/partner at Marketplace. As sole owners of both The Fat Lamb and Portage House in Jeffersonville, Indiana, Dallas and Laura have the advantage of being more nimble in rolling with the punches the industry has been dealt lately. “If I need to make a fast decision I can,” says Dallas.
As opposed to many fine dining restaurants in town, Chef McGarity has always kept some more approachable items on the menu, such as Lamb Meatballs with tzatziki, peperonata, and feta and Double Cheeseburger with brioche bun, american cheese, lemon garlic mayo, tasty pickles, and kettle chips. These dishes lend themselves well to the carryout/curbside/delivery model and provide customers with familiar comfort food options. Other menu highlights include Curry Spiced Cauliflower, Turmeric & Dill Hushpuppies, Tandoori Spiced Griddled Zucchini, Ricotta Gnocchi & Lamb Ragu, and Seared Pork Tenderloin served with whipped potatoes, sautéed garlic spinach, black bbq sauce, and pickled red cabbage.
At press time, The Fat Lamb is open 11am-8pm Sunday-Thursday and 11am-9pm Friday and Saturday. Be sure to include with your order half-priced bottles of wine or some of Fat Lamb’s batched cocktails now available in to-go cups. Fat Lamb appreciates your patronage and gives back to the community in partnership with Apron, Inc., providing financial relief to food and beverage industry workers, and the Lee Initiative Restaurant Workers Relief Program.
(502) 409-7499 • 2011 Grinstead Dr • fatlamblouisville.com
River House Restaurant and Raw Bar is a premier restaurant serving “Regional Cuisine with a Southern Flair Featuring Fresh Seafood Daily” lovvcated on the Ohio River with riverfront dining and multiple outdoor and private dining spaces. Executive Chef/Proprietor John Varanese is experienced and well-equipped to adapt and augment the business with carryout, curbside, and other conveniences you might not expect from a higher-end restaurant. Originally from Cleveland where he worked in one of its small, but excellent Italian restaurants, John attended Johnson & Wales University in Charleston, was named Executive Chef of Louisville’s Azalea in 1997, opened Varanese in 2007, River House in 2016, and Savor in 2019.
John and staff offer “quality food at an affordable price” by adding menu items, providing safe alternatives to dine-in service, and convenient grocery services for those struggling with finding necessary items and long waits for online/pick-up orders. Grocery items available through River House have included fresh produce and proteins, bread, pasta, and paper products. They are also a one-stop shop continuing their bar program with cocktail packages and beverages available by-the-drink.
Seven different family-style meals for 2 or 4 help vary food planning at home. Top sellers are Grilled Salmon with fresh herb rice, sautéed vegetables, and lemon- caper aioli, Slow-Braised Beef Short Rib with barbeque pan sauce and butter whipped potatoes topped with fried onion straws, and Sautéed Gulf Shrimp over Tasso ham grits and sautéed vegetables. Entrées are also served with free salad, cornbread, and dessert. River House employees are supported by your generous tips; and John has sought to secure his employees financially with a federal Paycheck Protection Program loan. As a means of giving back to the community, some charitable dinners are in the works with a partnership between John Varanese and Commonwealth Bank & Trust in Louisville.
(502) 409-7499 • 2011 Grinstead Dr • fatlamblouisville.com
With an emphasis on authenticity, Gustavo’s Mexican Grill opened in Crestwood in 2010 and has since expanded to LaGrange, Prospect, and most recently Norton Commons in Louisville. The family atmosphere and hospitality at all locations is exemplified by Owner/Operator Gustavo Reyes and extends to their carryout, curbside, and speedy delivery services. Dozens of menu selections keep options fresh and varied as you support this local business and its restaurant staff. Gustavo’s has done his best to retain all employees over the last several weeks and plans to do so going forward.
No need to be overwhelmed with menu choices. Gustavo has been kind enough to make some of his favorite recommendations. Shrimp a la Mexicana is grilled shrimp tossed with red and yellow peppers, finished with house-made ranchero and cheese sauces, and served with rice and beans. Fajitas are available in beef, chicken, shrimp, and vegetarian, along with Specialty Fajitas Jalisco, Especial Gustavo’s Signature Fajitas, Fajitas Del Mar, Surf and Turf Fajita with Steak and Crab, Three LIttle Pigs Fajitas, and Signature Flaming Queso Fajitas, Aloha! Fajitas, and Molcajete Fajitas. Another of Gustavo’s Signature Dishes is Mole Poblano, a traditional mole made with ancho and guajillo chiles, Mexican chocolate, and peanuts served over hand-sliced chicken breast on a bed of romaine lettuce, topped with red onions, and served with rice and warm tortillas. Signature Barbacoa Tacos are a traditional family recipe with Certified Angus BeefⓇ in guajillo chiles and herbs slow-roasted until tender, gently pulled apart by hand and served as tacos with red onions, cilantro, and a side of charro beans.
Gustavo’s is now serving Margaritas-To-Go in Lime, Strawberry, Mango, and Peach flavors, Micheladas, bottle beers, and bottle wine to go. To thank healthcare workers for their service, Gustavo’s is offering them a 25% discount off their tickets.
Prospect Village, norton commons, crestwood, and lagrange locations
gustavosmexgrill.com
