We are (semi) adventurous eaters. Whenever we visit a new locale we try to find the locals’favorite restaurants. So far, we have never been steered wrong. On our recent visit to Lebanon and Shelbyville, Kentucky, we sampled several restaurants. Each one had a unique appeal and a different vibe. It was early afternoon when we arrived in Hennings Restaurant in Lebanon, and it already seemed like a it had been a long day. We’d been lost, stuck for miles driving in a heavy thunderstorm and were ready for a hot meal. Hennings, located on West Main Street, immediately draws customers into a simpler time. Upon walking in the historic building, we were greeted by a friendly waitress, the site of an antique soda fountain and a case of homemade desserts. The food was traditional Southern cuisine. I ordered the Country Fried Streak with Pintos and Okra and Brittany ordered the special of the day; a sausage and cabbage plate. Our food was served quickly and was tasty, but I really wanted to save room for dessert. Brittany ordered homemade buckeyes while I ordered marbled cheesecake. Smooth, creamy and chocolately, it made up for the stress of the day. They’re open 9:00-5:00 Monday through Friday.
Later, after hiking the Cecil L. Gorley Naturalist Trail, a beautiful winding nature trail, we needed a quick bite to eat. We stopped by the Rosewood Bar & Grill, a casual, family friendly restaurant, with cheerful waitresses who checked in with us often to be sure we had everything we needed and a dinner menu designed to appeal to all ages. I chose the Southwest Grilled Chicken, a slightly spicy chicken dish smothered in cheese. No one can go wrong with cheese! The huge portions assured us we would not leave hungry.
In Shelbyville, we tried something a little different; the Taqueria Tsunami, a Latin-Asian kitchen. Located in an upscale outlet mall, with stores like Gucci, the cuisine is surprisingly good. I wasn’t sure about the combination of Latin and Asian foods, but it works. We began with an appetizer of Avocado Cilantro egg rolls, deep fried to perfection without being greasy and served with a sweet and spicy Thai Sauce.
The main dish Tsunami Bowls are well worth a sample. I tried the South of the Border Bowl; a mixture of Spanish rice, avocado, roasted corn, tomatoes, cilantro, jalapeños and chipotle sour cream. Upon learning this chain is expanding, my daughter immediately texted one of her friends to let him know the restaurant was coming to his college town and to try it asap.
If you are interested in learning more about these restaurants, visit the tourism page of Lebanon,visitlebanonky.com, or the Shelbyville tourism page,
Pingback: Explore the Outdoors in Shelbyville Kentucky
Pingback: Must Visit Sites in Lebanon Kentucky
I would like to try the South of the Border bowl. Everything does look tasty! We have been through Kentucky but I don’t think we have ever stopped. I would def love to go visit Mammoth Cave!
It sounds like you guys had a nice mix of different kinds of cuisine. The marble cheesecake sounds yummy.
If I am ever in Kentucky I would be sure to check out these places to eat. It looks so yummy.
All of these eats look mighty tasty! I am a fan of anything with avocado in it.
I love trying new restaurants, too. There’s not much I won’t eat. That Latin-Asian places sounds really interesting!
Everything looks amazing! I would be all over that avocado cilantro egg roll!
The avocado egg rolls have my full attention. Those look so good!
All of this looks absolutely delicious. I love finding new restaurants to make favorites.
I love all the delicious meat and seafood options. All the food looks fresh and so good.
I don’t think I’ve actually been to Kentucky but if I go you’ve offered some great options for dining. So hungry now!
Oh wow what an absolutely amazing sounding place to stop to have a meal, so much choice from different places.
This food looks mighty delicious. There are very few things better than a nice restaurant. Kentucky has plenty of quality choices to choose from.
Wow it all looks so great. I’ve never tried any of this before but would love to. Looks delicious.
I want to try those avocado egg rolls. Those look so good! I like to try out local cuisine when I’m on vacation as well. Always makes me find new favorites!
That avocado spring rolls sounds amazing. great for the vegetarian!
Everything looks delicious. We love to eat out, too when we are on a vacation.
I love avocado anything, so those egg rolls are calling to me! I hope to make it out to see Kentucky soon.
So much great food! Love when you can find good food when traveling. I would love to try those Avocado Cilantro egg rolls.
That looks so tasty! I want to try the Tsunami Bowls for myself.
That avocado cilantro egg roll sounds delish! I need to try that for myself, yum!
Sounds like a fantastic place to eat! The food looks so fresh and delicious!
We just drove through Kentucky this summer, but didn’t stop for food. I am wishing we did. Looks like they have yummy cuisine!
It’s always so much fun to get positive reviews on eateries from people you trust. Everything looks so good. I think I’d try the avocado egg roll first.
I love finding great places to eat when traveling. The Avocado Cilantro egg rolls look really good.
These all sound like places worth checking out. Taqueria Tsunami would be an awesome place to have a meal!
I had no idea Taqueria Tsunami reached all the way up to KY. We have two of them here as well as a panini bar and a steakhouse owned by the same folks.
These all sound like great resturant and the food looks yummy. Country Fried Steak and Okra are two of my favorite dishes.
All of the food looks amazing, but that cheesecake looks divine. I loved visiting Kentucky when my brother lived there.
Oooh. Tacquiro Tsunami sounds great. I’ve never heard of latin/asian cuisine before.
Those all sound like amazing places to eat. I’d love to try Rosewood Bar and Grill.
Wow! The portions ARE huge at the Rosewood Bar & Grill! Thanks for the recommendations in case we are ever up that way.
I would love to try the avocado egg rolls. Of course the cheesecake looks fabulous too. 🙂
I am drooling over that cheesecake! I love eating out while I travel.
I’ve never been to Kentucky before but now that you’ve share some restaurants here I think I’ll have to visit and try some of that amazing food!
I have cousins down there, but I have never been either. I need to make it a point to get down there!
Avocado Cilantro Eggrolls. That is something I have never heard of. Very interesting.