Anyone who’s spent time in the Bluegrass State knows the Hot Brown is one of Kentucky’s proudest creations. Invented at downtown Louisville’s Brown Hotel in 1926, the cheesy, open-faced sandwich remains beloved throughout the city—and across the state.
A century later, Louisville’s food scene extends well beyond its signature sandwich, blending longstanding traditions with a fresh creative spirit. Here are five ways to celebrate the Hot Brown’s 100th anniversary while eating your way through one of the South’s most exciting culinary cities.
Try the Hot Brown at its Birthplace
Picture the Brown Hotel in 1926: Ornate crystal fixtures illuminated the grand ballroom as dancers in Prohibition-era attire twirled to the music. After working up an appetite on the dance floor, guests made their way to the hotel’s dining room for a late-night snack of ham and eggs—but they soon began craving something new.
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Answering their request, Brown Hotel chef Fred Schmidt topped a piece of Texas toast with thick-sliced roast turkey, tomatoes, Mornay sauce, and bacon, then baked it until bubbly. And so, the Hot Brown was born.
Today, the Brown Hotel remains the best place in Louisville to try a Hot Brown. The AAA Four Diamond hotel receives between 400 and 500 orders for the sandwich each week—a number that doubles during Derby season in May, when visitors and guests flock to the hotel for their Hot Brown fix. Whenever you go, pair your sandwich with an Old Fashioned made with a bourbon from the hotel’s vast selection.
Indulge in Timeless Cuisine at Decade
Step inside the historic building that houses the New American restaurant Decade, and you’ll immediately feel at home among its warm brick walls and cool blue accents. The light-filled dining room and attentive yet relaxed service invite you to settle in—and one bite of the truffled arancini might convince you to stay forever.
Decade was founded by Andy Myers, Chad Sheffield, and Matt Johnson, former colleagues at Decca before the restaurant closed in 2022. Drawing on French and Italian influences, the trio has created a thoughtful, farm-fresh menu that honors Louisville’s past, present, and future. Dishes range from 3D Valley Farms pork chop Milanese to coconut green curry rock shrimp. Upstairs, a second space serves as a weekend bar, music venue, and event space.
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The food is downright delicious, but long after the flavors have faded, the restaurant’s slogan has stayed with me: Enjoy yourself, it’s later than you think.
Dine Family Style at Perso
What happens when a restaurant moves into a space with a commercial kitchen designed for baking bread? If you ask chef Emil David, the answer is simple: You adapt. When he opened Perso in a former bakery, the kitchen had no stovetops for sautéing or boiling. Instead, he created an entire menu of dishes that could be roasted or baked in ovens.
Those constraints helped inspire an inventive restaurant influenced by the Philippines, where David is from. To experience the Filipino tradition of long, leisurely communal dinners, reserve Perso’s signature Chef’s Table. Parties of at least two can enjoy a family-style meal created especially for their group.
Perso’s seasonal menu changes regularly, but it always includes a selection of Roman-style flatbreads, cheeses such as Stracciatella with olive crumble and burnt rosemary, and sustainable meats and seafood. Guests can watch it all being prepared in the open kitchen.
Step Into Old Havana at La Bodeguita De Mima
At La Bodeguita De Mima in Louisville’s NuLu neighborhood, diners are transported to 1950s Cuba. Old Havana-inspired colonial architecture, Cuban flags, a year-round patio, and a community-first spirit create a welcoming atmosphere for all.
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Celebrate the evolution of Louisville’s food scene with Cuban classics such as the Cubano sandwich, tres leches cake, and papas rellenas—breaded potato balls stuffed with ground beef. Chefs Fernando Martinez and Yaniel Martinez also put playful spins on traditional dishes, including Cubanachos, a nacho-inspired creation made with plantain chips instead of tortilla chips.
Take a NuLu Foodie Walking Tour
The East Market District, better known as NuLu—short for New Louisville—is packed with standout restaurants, coffeehouses, fried chicken joints, and juice bars. One of the best ways to sample the neighborhood’s offerings is with NuLu Food Tours, where guests can try eight dishes, each paired with a beverage.
During the three-hour experience, you’ll learn about the origins of the dishes and their deep connections to Kentucky culture. You’ll also walk streets that Louisville residents and visitors have explored for the past century, offering a chance to consider the food and drink traditions that have endured—and how much Kentucky’s palate has evolved over the 100 years since the Hot Brown was created.
Read the original article on Southern Living