11 Kentucky Country Stores Serving Meals You’ll Never Forget
Kentucky’s back roads hide some amazing treasures that combine old-fashioned shopping with incredible home-cooked meals. Country stores across the Bluegrass State offer much more than just groceries and supplies. Many serve up hearty breakfasts, comfort food lunches, and dinners that rival any fancy restaurant. From fried chicken that melts in your mouth to homemade pies that taste like grandma’s recipe, these local gems create dining experiences you’ll remember long after your visit.
1. Penn’s Store
America’s oldest country store still operating continuously has been feeding hungry travelers since 1850. Located in Gravel Switch, this historic landmark combines shopping with satisfying meals that draw visitors from across the region.
Their famous country ham sandwiches use meat cured right on the premises using traditional methods passed down through generations. Fresh-baked biscuits arrive warm from the oven each morning, perfect for soaking up sausage gravy.
The store’s rustic atmosphere includes creaky wooden floors and shelves packed with vintage goods, creating an authentic dining experience that feels like stepping back in time.
2. Josanne’s on Buckhorn
Nestled in the heart of Eastern Kentucky’s mountains, this charming spot serves up comfort food with breathtaking lake views. Locals know this hidden gem for its generous portions and friendly service that makes every visitor feel like family.
Their famous fried catfish comes perfectly seasoned with a golden crust that stays crispy bite after bite. Homemade cornbread accompanies every meal, baked fresh daily using a secret recipe that’s been in the owner’s family for decades.
The outdoor seating area overlooks beautiful Buckhorn Lake, making sunset dinners particularly memorable experiences for couples and families alike.
3. Augusta General Store
Overlooking the mighty Ohio River, this restored 1800s building combines historic charm with modern culinary excellence. The wraparound porch offers stunning river views while you enjoy hearty meals prepared with locally sourced ingredients.
Their signature pulled pork sandwich features meat smoked low and slow for twelve hours, creating tender perfection that falls apart at first bite. Homemade potato salad and coleslaw provide the perfect cooling contrast to the smoky flavors.
Weekend breakfast specials include fluffy pancakes made from scratch and farm-fresh eggs that come from chickens raised just miles away from the store’s kitchen.
4. The Country Store
Family recipes passed down through four generations make every meal at this Bardstown area establishment feel like Sunday dinner at grandma’s house. The owners take pride in preparing everything from scratch using ingredients sourced from nearby farms.
Their legendary fried chicken requires a full day of preparation, starting with a special brine that ensures juicy meat inside a perfectly seasoned crispy coating. Mashed potatoes come real, not instant, with lumps that prove they’re made by hand daily.
Green beans slow-cooked with ham hocks and fresh cornbread complete the traditional Kentucky meal experience that keeps customers returning week after week for more comfort food.
5. Whistle Stop
Railroad memorabilia decorates every corner of this unique eatery that celebrates Kentucky’s transportation heritage while serving exceptional comfort food. Train whistles sound periodically, adding authentic atmosphere to your dining experience.
Their monster breakfast platter includes three eggs, thick-cut bacon, country sausage, hash browns, and biscuits with gravy – enough food to fuel a full day of adventure. Coffee stays hot and fresh throughout the morning rush.
Lunch specials rotate daily but always feature at least one hearty soup made from scratch and a selection of sandwiches piled high with premium meats and fresh vegetables from local suppliers.
6. B&N Food Market
More than just a convenience stop, this local favorite combines grocery shopping with a deli counter that produces some of the region’s best sandwiches and prepared foods. Regular customers often call ahead to reserve their favorite items.
Hand-carved turkey and roast beef get sliced fresh for each sandwich order, never sitting pre-sliced under heat lamps like chain stores. Their secret sauce recipe adds the perfect tangy kick to every creation.
Hot food bar features rotating selections of Kentucky classics like country-fried steak, green beans, and mac and cheese that taste exactly like homemade versions. Prices remain surprisingly affordable despite the exceptional quality and generous serving sizes offered daily.
7. Ramsey’s Andover Country Store
Antique collectibles line the walls while the aroma of fresh-baked goods fills the air at this unique combination store and bakery. Visitors often spend hours browsing vintage treasures between bites of incredible homemade treats.
Their cinnamon rolls arrive warm from the oven each morning, featuring a gooey center and cream cheese frosting that drips down the sides. Coffee cake and fruit pies disappear quickly, so arriving early ensures the best selection.
Lunch offerings include hearty soups served with crusty bread and salads topped with ingredients grown in the owner’s garden behind the store, creating farm-to-table freshness in rural Kentucky.
8. Longhunters
Pioneer spirit lives on at this rustic establishment where hearty meals satisfy modern appetites using traditional cooking methods. The log cabin atmosphere transports diners back to Kentucky’s frontier days while serving contemporary comfort food.
Their famous elk burger offers a lean, flavorful alternative to beef that’s become increasingly popular with health-conscious visitors. Sweet potato fries provide the perfect accompaniment, lightly seasoned and cooked to golden perfection.
Wild game specials appear seasonally, featuring venison, rabbit, and other local proteins prepared by cooks who understand how to bring out the best flavors in each unique meat through careful preparation techniques.
9. Goodall’s Country Kitchen
Checkered tablecloths and mason jar glasses create the perfect setting for meals that taste like they came straight from a Kentucky farmhouse kitchen. The owner greets most customers by name, creating a warm community atmosphere.
Breakfast served all day includes fluffy biscuits made from a century-old recipe that produces the perfect texture – crispy outside, tender inside. Sausage gravy gets prepared in small batches throughout the day to ensure freshness.
Their famous chess pie has won multiple county fair competitions, featuring a custard-like filling with just the right amount of sweetness. Each slice comes with a dollop of fresh whipped cream made in-house daily.
10. 150 Quick Stop
Despite the name suggesting fast food, this roadside gem takes time to prepare quality meals that rival sit-down restaurants. Truckers and locals alike make special stops here for food that exceeds all expectations.
Their breakfast burritos come loaded with scrambled eggs, crispy bacon, cheese, and hash browns wrapped in a flour tortilla that’s grilled until golden. Hot sauce selection includes several locally made varieties with varying heat levels.
Fried fish dinners feature catfish caught from nearby Kentucky Lake, hand-battered and fried to order. Hush puppies and coleslaw complete the meal, creating a Southern fish fry experience that keeps customers coming back regularly.
11. Convenient Food Mart
Hidden behind the ordinary convenience store facade lies a kitchen that produces extraordinary meals using recipes perfected over decades. Word-of-mouth recommendations bring visitors from neighboring states to experience the authentic Kentucky flavors.
Their barbecue pork sandwich features meat that’s been smoking since dawn, creating fall-off-the-bone tenderness with a smoky flavor that penetrates every bite. Homemade sauce balances sweet and tangy elements perfectly.
Daily specials often include traditional Kentucky dishes like burgoo stew and country ham with red-eye gravy, prepared exactly like previous generations made them in rural kitchens across the Commonwealth state.
