Claudia Sanders Dinner House — Restaurant in Shelbyville

It was a really nice day and we wanted to eat outside. They've only got two tables outdoors. When we went inside we were greeted by a lady. While she did greet us I wouldn't say that she was particularly friendly and she definitely wasn't smiling. If this were my restaurant she would not be my hostess. I explained that we wanted to eat outdoors and she sent us over to the carryout section. She did give us a regular menu but then she also gave us the carryout menu which was fine. I chose all three of our dinners off of the regular restaurant menu but only two are going to be eaten there.. The order was two identical dinners of the two-piece chicken with two sides. The third dinner was the chicken livers with two sides. I only needed two drinks since the third dinner was going to a family member at home. The person that was taking our order wasn't unpleasant but she wasn't pleasant either. Apparently no one knows how to smile or be friendly. After I placed the food order, I said that I needed one milk and one sweet tea. She sent someone into the back to see if they had to go cups which they did not and then she said we don't have to go cups. So I reminded her we weren't leaving, just wanted to eat outside. She still said they didn't have to go cups and I said well okay then what are we supposed to do. Reluctantly she said, "Well I guess we can give you the drinks if you will promise to bring the glasses back in." Like I don't want to steal your glasses. I did leave a tip but not a very big one considering she made clear that she didn't want to have to do even a little bit of service and that's what tips are for, service. I felt like she thought we were going to steal the drinking glasses. We waited about 15 to 20 minutes for our food and then we had to carry it all outside ourselves. I have been to Claudia Sanders in the past and my recollection was the chicken breasts were much bigger and more flavorful. I would say that the food is a little bit above mediocre but it's definitely not the best chicken in the state. It tasted like the mashed potatoes were real but they only had white gravy which I'm not particularly fond of but it was okay. The macaroni and cheese was maybe slightly below mediocre. As we sat outside I was looking around and it looks like they just aren't giving the restaurant the upkeep that it needs. On the patio area there is a roof over top of it and when you look up it was full of cobwebs and dead bugs. The outdoor garbage can didn't have a bag in it so I wasn't sure what we were supposed to do with the trash but I sure wasn't going to take it back in there and ask them to dispose of it. Those two young ladies made pretty clear that they didn't really want to do too much extra. I did take their glasses back in. Oh, one thing that really bothered me was that with our dinners, we got a box of yeast rolls. There was no salt and pepper given with our dinners and no butter so I went back in to ask for some butter. She went to the back and came out with four individual sealed butter containers. These are those little bitty butter containers that look like they're about the size of a nickel. One of these little containers is enough for maybe two bites of your roll. We had six rolls but she gave us four of those mini butters. As she handed them to me, she said, "I'm going to give you these this time but next time you need to pay." I said to her, " Well I didn't know I needed to because most places give you butter when they give you the bread." Really? I have to pay for butter on my rolls? I doubt that I'll ever go back here. The food is okay, not great. If the food was great maybe I would be willing to put up with a little bit of chintzy service, but it's not great. I don't like to give my business to restaurants where the service is lacking or where I'm going to be nickeled and dimed and treated like I'm going to steal their dinnerware.. If you can't afford to give me an adequate amount of butter for free with the rolls then please just don't...

Very disappointing. Very poor service, cheap food, crappy attitudes, and overall angry atmosphere presented by the staff AND owner, Tommy Settle, this weekend. My first, and last, experience had such high hopes based on things I had heard in the past. Just a huge let down. We had reservations for a large dinner party that was planned months in advance, a 90+ group we brought. Not a single person in our entire party left pleased that we had been here. Pre-dinner rolls, which were served sparingly, were also served cold which made the butter they were served with pointless since it wouldn’t melt. The chicken was mediocre, I’m sure we’ve all done better in our own kitchen, if you’ve baked chicken nuggets you’ve done better. It too, was served sparingly. After waiting for our order for well over an hour, we were each served a plate with 2 pieces of not very warm chicken. Mind you these were all you could eat chicken dinner orders! 30 minutes after we received our 2 pieces of chicken, we were served the 8 side dishes promised with the meal. These too were not very warm. An additional 20 minutes on top of this, and we received the dipping sauces we had asked for when ordering. Of course, there was no chicken left to use it with at this point, but it’s the thought that counts I guess. We arrived at 5:45pm, by 8:00 we were fed up and requesting our bills. At 8:15, the waitress comes out to take our order again, because they weren’t sure what to charge us! Still waiting, and now it’s after 9:00pm….still no bill. By this time, we couldn’t take it anymore. We demanded to speak to the manager, we got her (nice lady) and the owner (not a nice bone in his body). After explaining the situation to the owner, he insisted it was our fault things were like this! I told the man (for the sake of keeping it PG), if he couldn’t accommodate us all, he would have looked a lot better turning us away then having this situation on his hand. He looked at me and asked me “What kind of f’-ing business do you run.” as he walked away. I told him as he waddled off, “You obviously don’t really want the answer, but I work at a company that actually cares about its f’-ing customers!” That hurt his pride apparently, because then he yelled, “You can’t cuss me out like that, I’m calling the Sherriff.” To which I replied, “Please do, I’m sure he’ll love to hear what the 94 of us have to say once you tell him what you think! We just want to pay our bills, and get the F out of this place! You’re holding us hostage with threats of calling the law about a bill you won’t let us pay!” Disappointed is a bad word.....angry, apalled, disgusted, and outraged are better descriptors. Let me tell Mr. Tommy Settle something, my "business" he asked about, is a very successful one which used to bring him steady cash annually before this episode. Now we will never take another business lunch or dinner party there, nor will his catering services ever be acquired. Not only by my "business" but every other business associated with the rest of these 90+ people, and there friends, and their friends, etc. With the social media networking, I really hope this review pays off and stings this poor excuse for a restaurant. None of us left with a good taste in our mouth, in more ways than one. Tommy Settle (owner) should be ashamed for simply coat-tailing on the name of a legend while being such a poor excuse for what he claims to be representing. Canned green beans, instant mashed potatoes, cold dinner rolls, and watered down salad dressing…..if this is your idea of country cooking, then this is the place for you. Simply speaking, this has become just another stop for a tour bus and is nothing like what I hear made it famous to begin with. Don’t waste your time or money,...

Claudia Sanders Dinner House in Shelbyville, Kentucky, is a culinary and historical treasure that delivers an unforgettable Southern dining experience. My recent visit was a delightful blend of delicious food, fascinating history, and exceptional service, making it a place I’d eagerly return to.

The food at Claudia Sanders is outstanding, with the fried chicken being the undeniable star. Prepared using Colonel Harland Sanders’ original recipe, distinct from modern KFC, it boasts a crispy, golden exterior and juicy, flavorful meat that’s a testament to Southern cooking at its finest. I enjoyed the Claudia’s Chicken Special, which was perfectly seasoned and paired beautifully with classic sides like creamy corn pudding and fluffy yeast rolls that melted in my mouth, impressive, showcasing fresh ingredients and generous portions. Every dish felt like a warm, home-cooked meal, prepared with care and bursting with authentic Southern flavor.

The restaurant’s history adds a special layer of charm. Founded in 1968 by Colonel Sanders and his wife, Claudia, after selling KFC, the Dinner House was their vision to preserve authentic Southern cuisine. Housed in a building that once served as KFC’s headquarters, next to the Sanders’ former home, Blackwood Hall, the Southern Colonial-style structure exudes timeless elegance with its white columns and inviting porch. Memorabilia throughout the dining rooms, including photos and artifacts, tells the story of the Sanders’ legacy and their commitment to quality. Dining here feels like stepping into a piece of Kentucky’s culinary history, making every bite more meaningful.

The service was a standout. Our waitress was warm, attentive, and genuinely invested in our experience, offering recommendations and ensuring everything was perfect without being overbearing. Her enthusiasm embodied the Southern hospitality that Claudia Sanders is known for, making the meal feel personal and welcoming, even in a bustling dining room.

Overall Claudia Sanders Dinner House combines exceptional food, rich history, and heartfelt service into a memorable experience. The atmosphere, steeped in Southern charm, complements the delicious menu and fascinating backstory. The chance to taste the original fried chicken recipe was a highlight. It’s a spot worth visiting whether you’re a history buff or simply craving comfort food done right. I’m already looking forward to my next visit, perhaps to try the Sunday buffet.

If you’re near Shelbyville or Louisville, don’t miss Claudia Sanders Dinner House. It’s perfect for families or anyone seeking authentic Southern cuisine with a side of history. Consider picking up their cookbook or signature seasoning from...