KSBar & Grille — Restaurant in Lexington

WARNING / Honest Review

I’ve been listening to KSR ever since Calipari left Kentucky Basketball, and living in Washington State I’ve heard countless stories about KSBar—fans showing up, listening to the show live, and making it an experience. Over the last year and a half, it became a bucket list item for me: the next time I came back to Kentucky to visit family, I was going to bring my son, eat lunch, and finally watch the show in person.

Earlier this summer I was worried I might miss out because of the remodel, but luckily my trip lined up with the grand re-opening. I made it by on Wednesday, the second day open, and I was genuinely excited to try the food and hear the guys live. I brought my 8-year-old son, and we sat back away from the main booth so he wouldn’t disturb the broadcast.

That’s where reality set in. From our seats, I couldn’t hear Ryan or Drew, and the live experience wasn’t nearly as engaging as listening on the radio—especially since callers and Shannon the Dude add so much to the show.

Service started right at 11:00, and I told my server I wasn’t in a hurry. Unfortunately, management had her covering both inside and outside tables, and it was clear she was overwhelmed. Requests were missed, and I eventually had to ask other servers for help. For a second day of reopening, the planning and support from management just wasn’t there.

As for the food: disappointing. I had high hopes after hearing about the GFS partnership, new menu items, and the focus on consistency. I was especially excited to try the Noche Linda smashed burger—but it came out dry and cold. My son’s chicken tenders were hot (a small win), but the boneless wings were a miss: inconsistent sizes, woody texture in some pieces, and a hot sauce that tasted straight from a plastic bottle. The cheese logs—hyped on the show—were just okay, but the marinara was poor.

I’m giving 5 stars only because I don’t want to hurt a local business I respect, but in reality the service and food both need serious work. The highlight of the trip was checking a bucket list item off with my son—but the actual experience fell flat. Next time, I’ll keep listening on the radio where the show shines, and take my dining plans somewhere else.

That said, I imagine the wall of beer and the bar atmosphere may help the food go down better if you’re...

Fun atmosphere, not exactly a place for kids, but it’s a bar and grille, so more for older clientele. Great spot for the college sports/town. Food was mostly pretty good, except for the cheeseburger.

First red flag your cheeseburger is frozen, not fresh, even if it did come from a farm nearby, is that you don’t get the option to ask for it med/med well/well. I wasn’t thinking when I ordered as I was distracted by my children, but when I thought about it while waiting, I figured I’ll just get what I get. No big deal, I like my cheeseburgers at any point of doneness.

I got my cheeseburger and immediately saw the two patties and they screamed frozen. Light gray in color, light grill marks that looked pre-grilled like what you get in the frozen aisle at the grocery store.

I figured I’d give it a chance, because I was hungry and had to wait a solid 6+ minutes for my waitress to come back to get the rest of my condiments.

One bite and it had gotten cold, quickly. Oh well, maybe the center is still warm. More bites and it tastes very dry and zero seasoning. I look at the burger and it’s a pale gray color. Another red flag it’s frozen. Not to mention the two patties were very thin to begin with. For $11+ dollars, I didn’t expect to be eating frozen food. Much less it a burger in a bar and grille atmosphere, considering the smoke pork and wings were really good. The McDs cheeseburgers are far better in comparison.

A manager eventually walked by and I asked her (to see if she’d be truthful) if the patties were frozen and she hesitated before saying no. I said, well, it’s gray and tasteless, and dry, so I believe they are frozen. She got quick with me in her response that they’re not because they come from a local farm. I used to work in a restaurant - I know what a frozen patty looks like after it’s cooked.

I guess my response to not wanting anything instead promoted her to quickly take my plate and take the burger off my ticket instead of arguing with me on the freshness of their burgers.

Minus 1 star for the frozen patties Minus 1 star for her attitude regarding our interaction 3 stars for the other food, waitress being nice, and...

If you're looking for the perfect place to watch a Cats game, KSBar and Grille in Lexington, KY, should be at the top of your list. The atmosphere here is electric, especially during game days with UK fans coming together to cheer on their team.

The beer selection at KSBar is impressive, catering to a wide range of tastes. Whether you're in for a local craft or a classic brew, they've got you covered, ensuring your game day experience is enhanced by a quality drink in hand.

The staff at KSBar are truly what make this place stand out. They're not just friendly; they're genuinely passionate about the Cats, which adds to the authenticity of the experience. They manage the crowd with ease, making sure everyone is served promptly, even during the busiest times.

One of the highlights for any visitor is the live pre-game show before every game. It sets the mood right, getting everyone amped up with insights, predictions, and the latest team news. This feature alone makes KSBar a unique destination for game day.

And let's not forget the food – the hot wings here are a must-try. They strike the perfect balance between spicy and flavorful, making them a great accompaniment to the game and your beer of choice. The wings are cooked to perfection, ensuring they're crispy on the outside while juicy inside.

In summary, KSBar and Grille isn't just a sports bar; it's a community gathering spot where UK fans can come together to enjoy great beer, delicious wings, and an unbeatable game day atmosphere. Whether you're there for the pre-game show, the game itself, or just to enjoy some good food and drink, KSBar delivers an experience that's...