A Hot Brown at Mammy's Kitchen - Bardstown, Kentucky

 Last week my husband and I took a small weekday trip to Bardstown, Kentucky for a shopping and lunch date. I'm sure I've mentioned before - #willtravelforfood !!

We have dined at Mammy's Kitchen before - but it was many years ago. It truly is the cutest little restaurant. With all the current news and controversy surrounding Cracker Barrel's redesign, it was interesting to be back inside Mammy's Kitchen and paying a little closer attention to their decor. 

The entire restaurant is a decorated with local and family photos and memorabilia, much like Cracker Barrel, but these photos and the stories on the walls have direct meaning to the place.

Of course, I can't blog about this place and not include a picture of their adorable indoor "front porch"! 

I had completely forgotten about their menu being in newspaper format - so I was surprised when our waitress handed it to us. 

You know I ordered my hot brown. In fact, I ordered the "baby brown", the smaller version.

IT WAS AMAZING, and just as good as I remembered it!

My husband ordered the Bourbon Burger and was equally pleased, so much that he said he would order it again.

Once we finished, we popped into the gift shop, and I was blown away with how much they had and how cute everything was! The sold items from one of my favorite brands, Mud Pie. 

I saw this darling cast iron sign that I would have loved to have, but it was heavier than I expected! I wouldn't know where to hang it. Maybe I should have my husband investigate a place for it with his stud finder. I may just have to go back for it!

Overall, we had such a nice day, and it was wonderful getting out on a day trip on a weekday. That doesn't happen often for us!

If you're ever in Bardstown, Kentucky, 

Mammy's Kitchen

 is located at 

116 W Stephen Foster Ave

Thanks for reading!

-Bunny

#willtravelforfood

A few hours in Springfield, Tennessee

 Last month my husband and I found ourselves in Springfield, TN on our way back from Nashville. We spent about two hours there, exploring their historic downtown, a quick stop at an antique store, and lunch at Whataburger. We had not eaten at a Whataburger since a 2010 visit to Altus AFB! Hard to believe that was 15 years ago.

The downtown area was in great shape! It’s so nice to see such a historic town still being used. So many of the stores were actually occupied, which is always good! 

Very surprisingly this small town had a health food store. The roof on this was just perfect!

My husband and I love artwork and signs on the side of old buildings. And of course, would it even be a small town without some vintage Coca-Cola art?

This store front was my favorite in the entire town! 

If you blink you’ll miss Jail Alley! 

After we walked the downtown area, we headed over to Springfield Antique Barn. What a surprise this place was! The booths were all so beautiful, and I found at least 20 things I immediately wanted. 

This booth with the rooster and blue and white vases caught my eye for sure! 

So many barn quilts throughout the store. I probably missed a lot, because you had to look up high for them! 

I loved this patriotic booth, and definitely wanted to bring those pillows home with me. 

Sometimes I find myself in an antique store and the booths are so empty/filled with junk I wonder how the booth owners are even making any money. This place was different, everything was so beautiful, and thoughtfully styled. My husband and I found a piece of art we both loved, and I dare say we may even drive back and purchase it. Since we were heading home from our 20th Anniversary trip to Nashville, I wasn’t really wanting to drop $350 on a piece of art, but I can’t stop thinking about it all these weeks later. Maybe I should find a place for it FIRST, then call and see if it’s still available! 

The hutch in this booth was beautiful! 

Next up we drove by Cedar Hill Apothecary. What a darling building with so many lovely touches! I so wish I could have gone in, but alas, I sure do have a habit of being in these cute little towns on a late Sunday afternoon! 

It was just a few hours of our day, but what a nice time we had!

If you are ever in the area, definitely check out the following:

McClellan & Co. - 108 Sixth Avenue W

Southern Threads Boutique - 700 S Main Street

Cedar Hill Apothecary - 1108 S Main Street

Springfield Antique Barn - 700 Willow Street

Thanks for reading!

-Bunny

Wallace Station in Midway, Kentucky

 My husband and I travel through Midway, Kentucky many times a year. Which means many times we have come to the intersection of Midway Road (heading north) and Old Frankfort Pike and wondered where turning right would take us. Well one day, we DID turn right, and very quickly stumbled upon Wallace Station Deli & Bakery. Of course we stopped for a bite, and wouldn't you know it, I ordered the Inside Out Hot Brown.

I was taken aback when we walked in, I loved everything about the inside. The outside is beautiful, but the inside was more than I was hoping for. I love old restaurants with a pie case, candy jars, and of course, an Ale-8 fridge. Their counter is also original to the building, which was originally the train depot. Midway was founded in 1838 as a railroad town (the first in Kentucky!), midway between Lexington and Frankfort. There is so much history in this area, and Wallace Station is proof of it!

Look at these floors!

If you aren't from Kentucky, or have never had an Ale-8, please try one. I have lived all over the country and feel like I have seen Ale-8 everywhere I've lived, except for Alaska. It is our state soft drink and it truly is EVERYTHING! It is a religion for some people (my husband, for one!), just like Kentucky basketball. Ale-8 is very serious for Kentuckians! 

(Note: My husband just informed me that our local Cracker Barrel is selling Ale-8 by the bottle in their gift shop, so keep an eye out for it in your area.)

Since their menu is posted on their website, I don't mind sharing the photo I took of it.

And here is my Inside Out Hot Brown SANDWICH, which was absolutely amazing, and so far, in my TOP 3 hot browns I've tried. On this visit we ate outside on the patio and enjoyed some beautiful weather.

I have eaten here many times, and give this place FIVE STARS!

More Wallace Station recommendations:

The Big Brown Burger 

Original Wally Burger 

Peanut Butter Pie

Wallace Station is located at 

3854 Old Frankfort Pike

Midway, Kentucky

#willtravelforfood

Part 2 - A Day in Hardinsburg

 If you read my last blog post about our day trip to Hardinsburg, you’ll remember I wrote about the time warp that is their local Walmart. Well, I have another time warp for you. We had the absolute pleasure to dine in at a Pizza Hut Classic. 

My husband and I are children of the 80’s, and grew up in the days of Book-It pizzas. I still have my Book-It pin too, full of star stickers for reading Sweet Valley Twins and the Babysitter’s Club. I’ll never forget the excitement of having that little pizza sat in front of me. I’m sure every generation looks back on their childhood and thinks “Man, we truly had it all.” 

I was so excited to see the vintage art on the walls, and of course, there’s my purple Book-It pin right in the center of this photo. I didn’t recognize any of the others. 

Every single table had the red and white tablecloths and the Pizza Hut Tiffany style lamp! 

They even had THE RED CUPS!!

We didn’t have our Book-It pins with us, so we actually had to pay for our food. 😁 We got a large pizza to share. Now, it was exactly the same pizza we could get at our local carry out/delivery location, but it was better, ya know? 

My husband said the only thing that was missing was a PacMan game! I’m gonna be honest with you, I’m seriously considering buying a Pizza Hut lamp, a PacMan machine, and some red cups for our family room pizza & movie nights! 

On our way out the door, I noticed this plaque at the door. 

If you’re interested, my husband found this website that lists all of the Pizza Hut Classic locations by state. I hope you’ll find one close to you, and relive some 80’s and 90’s nostalgia! 

https://www.sportskeeda.com/pop-culture/news-nostalgic-americana-best-list-pizza-hut-classic-restaurants-across-usa-explored-viral-tweet-sparks-frenzy

See you soon! 

-Bunny

#willtravelforfood