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i am a tourist and checking out louisville as a place to relocate. went here for the bourbon ball pancakes which were $13. they were very good, but i dont think this is the place i would come back to unless i brought someone who has never been there.
i didnt think the service was that great. i am a single traveler and people didnt seem to want to service me (eh heh heh) because they probably figure less people= less tip.
this place is like an independent tgif except overpriced and with breakfast options.
I remember when Lynn's first opened up many moons ago. It was such a unique restaurant and at that time, no one really specialized in breakfast food. Lynn was truly ahead of her time.
Lynn's actually inspired me to become a better and more creative breakfast maker. The omelettes are amazing, stuffed to the gills and chock full of veggies and other goodies. The ingredients are fresh, the coffee, just right and the ambience feels like you are sitting in the house of your quirky, cool and fun aunt. You could confide in her in a way that you wouldn't dare to your folks.
I don't normally do breakfast anymore because I don't like to eat when I first get up, however, Lynn's can break my fast anytime. I'll definitely be back.
The decor is all over the place, which makes for quite the unique experience. Whoever this Lynn is, she has an eclectic taste.
I ordered the french toast, and it was just as unique as the decor. Loads of food here, but it's all good! I don't care for the chocolate in the whip cream, but all in all was very tasty.
This is definitely a place you have to visit at least once in your life.
I love this place. It's gotten huge in recent years but I remember going to their hole in the wall location as a kid and still loving it. It's remained quirky and delicious as I've gotten older. It's one place that reminds me of home (now that I am outside of Louisville). I love their cheese grits, sweet potato fries, biscuits, bourbon ball milk shake, pancakes, etc. etc. etc.
Not sure where some of these reviewers are coming from but Lynn's is one of Louisville's best restaurants. Maybe it was the overly fun decor that turned them off but the food is excellent. I highly recommend... especially for breakfast!
Stopped by for breakfast. Neat little waiting area filled with unusual stuff. You will have plenty of time to browse because there is always a wait. 30-45 minutes is average which was cool until the food is served and then you wonder why. Ordered breakfast -eggs ,cheesy grits, thick sliced bacon and biscuits. The bacon was at least an hour old and so thin you see see through it. Must be a veggie kinda place. the grits and biscuits were ok. Overall the food was sub average. If you are waiting to be seated as you read this- leave and drive to Mc Donalds and get a egg Mcmuffin . You will thank me later.
I think the big sell of this restaurant is the decor and atmosphere. It's a must see place. The food isn't bad. I had Mama's Meatloaf and it was decent. The garlic mashed potatoes, green beans, and then the chocolate lava cake for desert were all very good.
Others at my table had the mac n' cheese which was a hit. The crab cakes, fried green tomatoes, and banana pudding were also well received.
I can't remember what everyone else had for dinner but no one left hungry. All in all it's a very cool place with an eclectic staff and decent food at fair prices.
See as how I've lived in, or near Louisville the majority of my life, it's safe to say that Lynn's is an icon of sorts. It delivers a quirky dining experience that yields delicious food - for a price.
While the decor and employees are certainly unique (and let's not forget about the food) some of the pricing schemes on the menu can raise an eyebrow or two. Especially when you've known Lynn's as a place that wasn't so harsh on the wallet.
Case in point was lunch the other day. I ended up getting the Fried Green Tomato BLT (greasy goodness that'll make you want to get a bypass) and a friend ordered the Stuffed French Toast. While both of the entrees were great, they definitely weren't $14 an entree great (I'm looking at you French Toast).
When you have an item before you that's comprised of toast, ricotta cheese, cream, and a raspberry sauce, it begins to make you wonder how you either skipped over the price, or were willing to pay for something that could almost get you three All-Star Specials at Waffle House. I suppose Lynn's habit of compulsively buying tacky furniture and lamps is an expensive one to fuel.
Whatever the case may be, Lynn's is a good place to go. Just expect to pay a little bit more.
ok, not gonna lie.... went to this place because it was on FOODnetwork.
the food was pretty good (we shared the BLT fries and the big breakfast omelette- both i would suggest to get) and of course a nice tall glass of iced tea.
the atmosphere and decor is original. starting from the the sign on the street, the parking lot AND inside the dining room.... being a nerdy tourist, i loved it all and took some fun pictures. don't forget to play the sandal pipes before you walk into the door! oh yeah- and check out the bathrooms!
so... the food- yummy (a little pricey for breakfast/cafe food)....the atmosphere- entertaining....BUT the wait staff- pretty bad. i am a pretty easy customer, i'm always am polite and smile....but i got none of that back from my waitress. maybe it was a bad day or the end of her shift, either way i don't think i would go back. but at least now i can say-been there. done that.
If you want an overpriced, over-exalted meal, go to Lynn's. The food isn't bad, but it's not amazing, especially for the price. Check out my blog for more info at http://wannabeafoodcri.../
4.5 stars. My Lynn's experience was outstanding.
First, the decor is awesome. Cheesy, over the top and in some ways homey, from the bright pinks and yellows to the figurines strewn across the room to the gigantic kettle pouring water out front, Lynn's is quite unique.
On to the important stuff --- I had the Kentucky Scramble (scrambled eggs, several locally- and regionally-produced cheeses and chunks of fried ham, topped with freshly fried onions). It came with fried green tomatoes and homemade buttermilk biscuits. They were served with fresh sweet butter and a horseradish-based tangy sauce for the tomatoes. Everything was excellent.
Great service and good coffee, as well.
The protions are big and the pancakes and scrambled eggs are some of the best I've ever had. the atmosphere is kitschy, The "garden" is filled is precious. Take agander for yourself!
http://www.lynnsparadi.../
Over the weekend the wife and I decided to head to Lynn's for a late lunch after running chores all day. My wife is still a big fan of Lynn's and I don't have anything against the place, I just think its average. Regardless we we're both happy to be able to get breakfast food after 4pm.
The décor of Lynn's is covered in my previous review and nothing has changed. It's goofy and lends to the laidback atmosphere. The restaurant was about half full so we didn't have to wait for seating. The wife ordered pancakes and a diet coke. I ordered a Bells IPA and the breakfast burrito. The food arrived pretty quick. My IPA was cold and was served with a frosted mug. My wife's soda was flat - zero carbonation.
My wife pointed out the beans in my breakfast burrito looked crusty. I either received old beans or they sat under a heat lamp while her pancakes were cooked. It wasn't pretty but still tasted fine and once I slathered the whole thing in salsa and hot sauce I wasn't looking back. The beans were surprisingly good considering their appearance. The egg inside the burrito seemed bland. Again, nothing salsa can't fix. My wife's pancakes were great and roughly the size of an LP. I'd post a picture of them but it kinda embarrasses her when I start snapping pics of food with my phone.
http://static.px.yelp....
The best part of the whole meal - the biscuits. I don't know what they do to those biscuits but they're fantastic. Flaky, delicious, crust on the top biscuit. Then you get the bill and remember this place is overpriced. I'd frequent the place more often if their pricing was reasonable.
As a side note, on the way out I spotted some gag chopsticks in their gift store. I would have bought them but neither of the two employees working came over to the cash register to ring me up. After two minutes I put them up and left. The place wasn't busy.
Good ole' famous Lynn's. You've been on the Food Network... 500 times now? You beat Bobby Flay at… Read more »
New to Louisville, I am a huge fan of Lynn's. There is always a wait, so when I can think of it I call for reservations (yes, they take reservations!).
The staff are friendly and the atmosphere is entertaining.
With such a focus on the decor you might expect the food to be lacking but it does not disappoint. I have had many things at Lynn's, but one of my go-tos is the Portabello Sandwich. It is huge, maybe two portions huge, and tasty. I'm also a big fan of the baked mac n' cheese.
I've found that FARM Bloomington is much better with the same, but not as obnoxious, cool-kid vibe. Farm has much better & fresher food with about the same upper middle-class price tag.
Anyway, this place is neat looking but gets overly kitschy fast. Lynn's is definitely overpriced (especially their friend green tomatoes, which I can make much better). They have really good banana pudding and mimosa's but damn, they'll break your bank.
Oh the classic Lynn's. Where I can afford it (or my mom's in town) I try to eat here every once… Read more »
We returned and actually ate there for lunch on a Friday. There's not much I can say that everyone else hasn't. Our table ordered: Hot Brown, Roasted Turkey, and fruit topped French Toast. Everyone was thrilled with the flavor and presentation of their food. The fried green tomatoes were a hit.
The decor is half the fun, like all the other reviews say. Our table had a farm inside it. This gave us at least 10 minutes for fun. Great place for kids or young at heart. The gift shop is 100% fun. I'll be returning to stock up on Bacon band-aids for Christmas stockings.
Great Photo Opp in Louisville: Hand Chairs, a toaster horse, giant tea pot pouring water, and 2… Read more »
So Lynn's is basically my ideal restaurant. Crazy, artsy atmosphere and good home cooked southern food. Great service, although it does get pretty busy weekend nights and sunday morning. So if you are new to lynn's I would suggest doing an early bird dinner or lunch. My favorite entree there is the Fried Green Tomato BLT. Oh it is delicious! The Mac and Cheese, cheese grits, lima beans, sweet potato fries are all my favorites there. Anytime I have a friend come to Louisville for a visit, I take them there for a wonderful dinner.
Definitely a great place.
Well, let's remember what Lynn's obviously is...more kitsch than substance. But it is a fun place, lots to look at, interesting indeed. This is a place that out of towners must come to check out...but if I lived in Louisville it probably wouldn't be my regular breakfast place.
Huge portions though, friendly service, and the food....just average. My french toast was a huge portion. But it was too bready and didn't really have a great crispy French Toast feel to it. A bit dry on the inside and the batter just didn't cover it. The cheese grits were packed with flavor and packed with cheese....maybe a bit too much cheese in this grit. But pretty good.
I've had better breakfasts for sure, but it was fun to visit.
Jim and I have eaten here twice. The first time I had the Bourbon French Toast. (Omgsogood.) The second time I had an egg scramble with onions, tomatoes and ham. Jim had the crunchy pancakes the first time around, and the second time he had the breakfast burrito.
Our food was consistently good. The coffee is nice and you will always have a full cup. The service is attentive, but keep in mind during the weekends they do get busy. (Chances are, your coffee cup will always be full even then.)
One thing to keep in mind with Lynn's, it's not a cheap place to eat breakfast or lunch. Coming from Atlanta, a city with very good brunch places, spending 15 dollars a person can seem a bit pricey, especially for Louisville. But, I think you will have a good meal, regardless.
Parking can be a hassle, but if you don't mind walking a block by parking on the street, you'll be fine.
The bottom line is that it's hard to deny that Lynn's is designed to be fun. If you're not into the whole kooky aesthetic of the place you're not going to like it. For me there's a kind of camped up retro charm to the place that makes it enjoyable, but I'm not a passionate fan. Overall, the food is ok but not great. That being said, there are things on the menu that are great. And I think that's the rule of thumb with Lynn's: What's good is REALLY good (breakfast stuff) but not everything is good. Last time I was there I had a fried chicken salad that really sounded good on the menu but the chicken was kind of dry and the whole thing didn't really hang together very well. The onion rings I had on the side however, were quite good.
If you've never been, you should definitely try it, but go with people cause it's not the sort of place you go on a stoic, culinary pilgrimage.
Psychedelic goodness!
In addition to great, filling food, you also get a hearty helping of sarcastic, zany humor and fun! The attraction to this place goes way beyond food. The over the top fake flowers on the patio and retro style reminds me of the movie "Matilda" with Danny DeVito and Rhea Pearlman.
That being said, the food is very real. Real cheese grits, real biscuits, and fresh squeezed orange juice. ( $4.50 glass for real orange juice).
I enjoyed my eggs with cheese grits, and biscuits with chunky preserves. Will definitely repeat !
Wacky. Yes, but not the good kind of wacky.
Reminds me of a cheaper version of the Catalyst Ranch on Randolph in Chicago. The food was just so-so. With all the other great places to eat in Louisville, it's not the first place I would recommend to a friend-- the service was really good, though.
When their food is fresh, their food is amazing. Too many times I go when the food has been sitting under heat lamps for way too long. Sometimes the biscuits taste like bricks and sometimes they are the best biscuits I have ever tasted.
The bourbon milkshake is always a hit. I really wish they would have more quality control on their food and I would more likely dine there more often and not just when I have friends from out of town.
Quirky and eccentric restaurant that's great for a gathering of friends. I try to go every time I visit my hometown! It's a bit pricey depending on what you order, but I usually go for brunch; their cheese grits are the shiz! The decorations are really what it's known for, and I spot something new each time I visit; last time, it was the mirrors over the bar. I realized they were mirrors used in supermarkets so that employees can catch shoplifters.
At any rate, it's a must see if you're in the city.
Lynn's is like a famous band that consistently cleans up at the Grammies every few years - they know how to stay current and yet push the envelope to the next level.
I grew up going to Lynn's. I think their food had stayed consistently awesome over the last 15-18 years. Lynn, the owner, still has great control of the menu, but they're not afraid to try new things.
My favorite meal here is definitely breakfast, but it's all good.
Local Tip: Make reservations for New Year's Day Brunch, and they'll give you free stuff if you show up in your pajamas. I'm serious...google it!
This review won't mean anything to native Louis-villains, since they will already know Lynn's and have their own opinions. However, if you are visiting, you must schedule at least one breakfast / brunch here. Lynn's is a Louisville institution, as is proprietor Lynn Winter herself.
I'd suggest something off the menu but really it doesn't much matter: if it has an egg in it, it's a specialty of the house. Be sure to order cheese grits and biscuits, since a trip to Lynn's is never complete without these staples. (Afterward, you can schedule a trip to local family practice Deer Park Family Doctors to see how much your cholesterol shot up. It's fun!)
While portions have decreased in size over the years, the atmosphere has probably ratcheted up its quirkiness to compensate, and Lynn & Co. are always coming up with cute diversions to spice things up. Like Heine Bros. on Bardstown Rd., this is one place I will keep coming back to, every time I'm in town.
NB: Lynn's employees are a cross-section of Louisville's cutest indie kids. In the interest of full disclosure, I myself spent more than a few seasons washing dishes there. I wasn't as cute, but then, I wasn't on the waitstaff.
I wanted to try Southern food while I was in Louisville (despite several locals' claims that Louisville is part of the Midwest), and I kept hearing Lynn's recommended. I wasn't sure about the kitschy interior, but it was actually pretty fun.
For a place serving Southern food, it actually was very vegetarian-friendly. They even had vegetarian biscuits and gravy, which my meat-eating fiance told me actually tasted decently like the real thing. I also got to try fried green tomatoes. Even though this place seems kinda touristy (and this from a tourist) a lot of the people eating there seemed like locals.
I don't get what the fascination is about. Perhaps, I am used to eating at proper places? Perhaps, I am used to eating at places that are not blatantly discriminatory?
We took the in-laws to Louisville for a weekend trip. Our friend lives there and she suggested we go to Lynn's for breakfast. She talked about how famous it is... all that. So, we drove to Lynn's on a Saturday morning.
The place is wacko. I mean, seriously, who the hell decided to decorate this place? Don't tell me that is the ambiance. Plastic flowers arranged on the outside do not make for an ambiance. They just scream 'cheap' and 'nasty'. And, what's up with the concrete animals that look like a paint can exploded over them? I felt like entering a place frequented by freaks.
So, I get over the decor pretty quickly because I am hungry and I didn't want to disappoint our friend. We are seated quickly. Our friend was surprised that seating was readily available. Apparently, it is not easy to get a seat on the weekend. We all sit down and our server comes to take our order. He seemed a little ditzy from the get go. The kind of person who is totally not "present" in the surroundings.
We all got different stuff. The breakfast was just OK. Totally not worth the hype. In fact, any ordinary breakfast place has the same quality stuff, including IHOP. Yes, I just compared Lynn's to an IHOP. It is not any better. The biscuits were, in fact, hard and stale. My eggs and bacon were, well, eggs and bacon. Ain't nothing grand about that.
Our server was either suffering from a dissociative disorder or he was being blatantly racist. He kept forgetting my food. He refilled everyone's coffee glass on the table except mine... this happened 3 times. He would not even respond when I asked him for some coffee (I was the only non-white person at our table). Every time he came to the table, he avoided asking me for anything or even bringing me water. My partner had to go ask another waitress for water and coffee.
So, in conclusion, Lynn's is not worth the hype. The food is good if you have never had a "real" breakfast. You'll find it great if you like IHOP. But, if you are used to eating a proper breakfast, you will find it just average.
In all fairness, 2 stars... because the food was just mediocre. The service does not deserve any stars.
Above-average fair with a quirky, if contrived atmosphere.
I had poached eggs and sausage, which were fine. My wife had the granola, which she also enjoyed. The price was ok, although I've eaten better in a diner for less.
The wait was about five minutes, although it seemed considerably longer when we were leaving.
Breakfast is served at any time at Lynn's and that's what we had for lunch, during a weekday visit in 4/07. Lynn's is fun, funky, and *very* colorful & whimsical (both inside and outside). Good food, good-sized portions, friendly service and moderate prices.
I stopped here for lunch while passing through Louisville on my way to Texas, and while I've never had breakfast there or experienced anything the other low-scoring reviews mention, their catfish sandwich was hands down one of the best things I've ever put in my mouth.
Service was prompt, and I found the decor a refreshing, non-homogenized change.
Lynn's can be great - and I personally find the kitschy exterior and table top plastic animals to be adorable. There are some flaws. I was sadly disappointed by their fried green tomatoes upon my first visit, and from then on stopped ordering my main dish in order to get this favorite souther side of mine.
The best thing they have is a special from when they were on Thrown Down with Bobby Flay. It's an omelette/scramble with country ham, white cheddar, fried onion strings and an array of yummy veggies with a side of biscuits. Their biscuits are on the sweet side, and while not the best I've ever had, they are still good.
The wait can be crazy on the weekends, this is one I would recommend going to on off hours (2pm on a Saturday is great). While the food is good, and I like that they use a lot of local ingredients and grass fed beef, sometimes it's not totally worth the wait. I'm still on my search for the best breakfast in Louisville. I'll let you know when I find it.
Famous for the kitsch, not the food and rightly so. The kids had a great time hanging out in the store and with the "toaster horse" outside. But the food was overpriced for the quality. Good for a one time "been there done that" visit but we won't be back.
I have had to travel for work a couple times and have made my way here. Everyone told me I had to come. It is decent, but probably more entertaining for younger folk. I definitely liked the fact that it was eclectic, but the gift shop was a little much.
Decent food (I recommend the sweet potato fries as a meal bc they are FILLING), decent prices. If I come back for travel I'm sure I'll go, but I had the impression that it was going to be more eclectic than...goofy?
I was impressed that Kentucky had something like this. I have to admit, I came under some bizarre impression that it was some kind of heathen place... I was quickly corrected by everything I saw and experienced.
I ordered two eggs over hard with pancakes. They came out, and to my dismay I had replaced the massive biscuits with one massive pancake. I should have ordered the egg plate just as it was! I made my friend share his biscuits with me - my god were they tasty!
Fresh squeezed OJ, and service that was just attentive enough to get us the bill when we wanted it and let us know where the bathroom was. I liked it very much. The decor was amazing, especially for me - I was decaffeinated the whole time. The hanging lamps and huge map that read "it's not where you are, it's where you are from" = very cute. Me likey.
I would go back in a heartbeat if I were in Kentucky again.
Ah, the Paradise of Lynn's! Some say this theme was borrowed from similar establishments on the West Coast. Some say Lynn's has the best toast (lightly toasted with valvoline jam spread).
I guess it's Louisville Weired vs. the old days when it was Louisville Wired. But that there is a different goose.
Anyway, I had the basic breakfast there one bright morning. Very good except for the $97.00 tab. This is a great place to take Jay Leno when he is in town. He is an accountant from Lexington.
Lynn's cafe isn't a five star kinda place. While the food is typically pretty great, the service isn't always stellar. And given that its one of the few non-chain, super-friendly family eateries in a town dominated by its nightlife, it can get pretty packed with screaming, mewling children from time to time. One time, we actually saw one child in a large party trying to eat his young companion rather than eating, say, his breakfast. Seriously, he wouldn't stop biting this other kid. And behind us, a lady was letting her baby throw anything it could get its hands on all over the booth and the floor and then not cleaning it up in any way, shape, or form.
The second gripe I have is that while Lynn's gives you a real diner type experience, you don't get it for diner type prices. The first time you go, the prices can broadside you a bit. It's not like you're sitting down to $60 a person or anything like that, but it is a bit more expensive than the decor would suggest.
That said, the food is good. I've only had one bad meal here, and that was because they put onions in sawmill gravy in Kentucky, which is just another example of how the state can't decide which part of the country it wants to freakin' be from. Where I come from, which would be the odd shaped one to the direct South, we don't put onions in the gravy. Least my family doesn't.
Anyway, the sandwiches are always good, the fries are always crisp, the sweet potato fries are excellent, the coffee is tasty and bottomless, and the breakfasts are fresh and delicious. The wait can get long sometimes though, so occupy yourself in the gift shop up front full of Archie McPhee goodies.
So after all of that, you're probably wondering why I gave them five stars. Well, I had a cheeseburger here the day after Lebowskifest that I think actually saved my life. For saving my life with a burger, you get an extra star.
When my wife and I have a chance to visit the kin in Louisville, a stop at Lynn's Paradise Cafe is always included in the itinerary. First of all, while many consider Louisville a traditional, conservative southern city they would be very surprised. Lynn's is a perfect example of the imaginative, quirky and free-spirited populace in the Bluegrass State. The decor can throw someone of is all they want is a sit-down breakfast. Your eyes will feast on the wild displays of eclectic art, 3-dimensional sculpture and old-gramma style kitchen tables and chairs. It's fantastic and breadth of fresh air if all you're used to is Perkins or Cracker Barrel.
Now let's get to the menu. There's an enormous selection of southern cuisine not cooked or fried in lard. You can choose from many healthy options from tofu and egg-whites to more decadent fare as a freshly made waffle with homemade whipped cream and strawberries...mmm...
And don't forget the maple-smoked bacon. Oh man, it's downright amazing.
MR says... it will be a while before we return to this place
MRS says ... curious of what the hype is about, known as one of the places not to missed in Louisville, we gave it a try. Sure the outside and inside decor made our trip colorful but we're there to try the F-O-O-D and sorry to say they did not deliver. From their menu we ordered Fritata, salad and veggie burger. I had the salad while MR had his veggie. We both finished our choice of dish but we ordered FRITATA just for the heck of it. Well, the description was eye catching. its like omelette but it was a bit mushy and moist. we just finished the side "home fries" which is like country potatoes. oh MR had a side from his veggie burger - cheese grits ... he did not enjoy that either.
note: we called around 12:30pm to make a reservation for a 1 o'clock pm but was told 2hours in advance is required in making reservation. they gave us 2:45pm open table and we took it but we went ahead to the location. we were seated 20minutes after we had our name on the list. best time to go is mid afternoon anyway breakfast menu is served all day :)
Overrated.
All that tacky window dressing doesn't hide the fact that the food is mediocre.
Louisville, KY
Category: Breakfast & Brunch
Louisville, KY
Category: Southern
Louisville, KY
Category: Restaurants
Louisville, KY
Category: Restaurants
Louisville, KY
Category: American (New)
Happen very often. After all, I love visiting…
