The Eagle Louisville — Restaurant in Louisville

The fried chicken at The Eagle is good. I had the breast and it was nice and juicy, which is always an achievement. We also had Mac and cheese (good flavor, kinda salty), cole slaw (we were told it was too small to share but actually it's a pretty big portion) and spoonbread (my favorite side, the maple butter is delicious). The food was good but our server asked if it was worth what we went through before we got it and no, no it was not.

The website says "A limited number of reservations are available each night. Walk-ins are always welcome." My friend took this to mean a reservation probably wasn't necessary and wouldn't be available. So we walked in and were surprised to be told that, even though it didn't seem very busy, it would be 20 minutes for a table or an hour for the patio. "Maybe less if a reservation cancels". We were offered immediate seating at the bar but I have a foot injury and so told them I'd prefer a regular chair. They took my friend's number and said we'd get a text when our table was ready.

We sat on the ledge on the street side near the outdoor patio. There was already a large empty table outside, the same size as another one being shared by two small parties at opposite ends. A second table left a few minutes later. Surprised, I checked to see if reservations were available, and found that every time slot until closing had an open "standard" table for 2 just like we were waiting for. Nevertheless we hadn't yet gotten a text about our table.

After more than 30 minutes, during which almost nobody came in through the front door, many left, and a third outdoor table became empty (with none of the other empty ones being filled), we got frustrated and my friend asked how much longer the wait would be. It was obvious we had been completely forgotten. When we were finally taken to a table, it was a high top by the bar despite my specifically choosing to wait to get a regular chair. The entire regular seating area in back seemed empty, and there were three empty regular height tables along the front window of the bar area.

We were hungry and just wanted to eat. But my foot was already starting to hurt. I wanted to just leave but my friend had ordered a sweet tea so we couldn't just walk. When the server came back we asked about getting one of the low tables, explaining that we had declined bar seating and agreed to wait to request a low table instead, and so were surprised to be given this high top. He wanted to move us, but he had to ask permission, because of reservations or something. This apparently took some negotiating as he was gone a while. Eventually he was able to move us to one of those regular tables.

In all it took us 45 minutes to get that regular table despite them being open the entire time we were waiting. And I'm pretty sure if I'd booked one of those open reservations and gone back and said I had one, I'd have been seated sooner. Very bizarre.

Our server was apologetic and helpful and the food was pretty good-not as mind blowing as other reviews would have you believe, but solid. I don't think I would go back without a reservation, though, not until they sort out their system, and honestly it was frustrating and unpleasant enough that I'd probably not choose to eat there even with a reservation. I cannot imagine the chaos when it's...

A girl friend had suggested this restaurant to me awhile back and it has been on my list of places to try and we finally got to go today! Sadly it was street parking and it was quite chaotic in this spot of Louisville so we had to park a ways away. Usually that wouldn't be an issue as it was only a 5minute walk from where we eventually found a spot but it was raining and windy today so it wasn't fantastic. With that being said, we got there at the perfect time of day because there was no wait. We were seated immediately. If I could describe the scenery to someone, I'd say it was like being in a bourbon barrel if it were an entire tavern. The ceiling, flooring and walls all had an aged wood that reminded me of the bourbon barrel staves. Very rustic, and dim but in a comfy sort of way. You feel like you need to order an old fashioned and kick back and listen to smooth jazz. Our server introduced himself right away and we were given the opportunity to peruse the menu. I ordered a fruited beer, and my son got a blackberry lemonade that was made with fresh blackberry not artifical dye as things usually are (he's allergic) and we were ready to order in a short time because we were all frankly starving! They don't have a kids menu so I had to get creative with his request as I have a picky eater. We settled with the fried chicken sandwich sans the spicy mayo mustard and coleslaw. Kept the side of pickles. Ordered him a mac and cheese and my sister ordered the shrimp and Grits. I asked what the waiter suggested and he told me of a dish that is off menu as it is his own creation. The grilled cheese sandwich with pulled pork added to it. That sounded fantastic so I ordered that along with the sweet potato crock and an order of fries for the table because I honestly expected the portions of the meal and sides to be small. Boy was I wrong! The meal came out roughly 15-20 minutes later and I was definitely glad we share as a family because every dish made my mouth water. We all tried one another dish quickly before we barreled in. The shrimp and Grits was made new Orleans style and let me just say, it came to play! It was more than a kick of spice and it was delicious 😋 my meal was phenomenal and I was finding myself adjusting my leggings (glad I did not wear something constricting) and picking my fingers like a child. The sweet potato side I thought was going to be small was HUGE but I was selfish and did not share. My son destroyed his food and described it as "smackin' good!" And coming from him, that is the highest praise. He didn't love the crumble on the mac and cheese but I "reluctantly" ate it off for him. The fries were a hit at the table as everyone enjoyed the seasoned aioli so I was glad I ordered it even if I only got to have like 3 of them 😅. We definitely had leftovers and that is more than okay as I look forward to eating them tonight. Definitely a place to go for the ambiance and the southern cooking....

The food here was fantastic! The best fried chicken I've had in Louisville. Tender, juicy, crispy, with a delicious seasoning. The spicy honey they serve to dip the chicken in is the perfect pairing. The mac & cheese was creamy, and flavorful. The spoonbread flavor and texture was spot on. The collard greens were cooked just right and were seasoned super well. My complaints would be we waited close to 10 minutes to have a drink order taken, over 10 minutes after that our server brought 1 beer and said they were out of the other. He took over 5 minutes to bring the menu back for me to look and then after ordering I didn't get my drink til at least 25 minutes after that. We had been there close to an hour if not an hour and I still had no drink. By that time someone brought our food out. They forgot my chicken, so when the server finally came back, still with no beer or my chicken, he went to go get it. He came back around 5 minutes later with my beer and the wrong chicken. I ordered white meat and he gave me dark. I ended up eating it just because it had been such an ordeal waiting for food and drinks, I didn't want to wait any longer. I loved the food so much that I will get carry out, but I'm not dining in again. When you spend that much, you expect better service.

Update: this time the food was fantastic as it was last time. The slaw was very acidic/had more of a vinegar taste, so keep that in mind. I lowered my stars this time because we were rushed out of the restaurant. I totally get wanting to turn over a table, but coming to the table every 2 minutes to ask for the order, then every 3 or 4 minutes after the food comes, then dropping off the check and coming by every minute or 2.. not cool. It's not all about turning over the table. It is also about customer experience. Them being able to eat and enjoy the time with the people they are with. Which we couldn't because we were rushed and interrupted the whole time.. Family from out of town that I rarely see, and to be rushed the whole time was ridiculous. I gave dining in another chance, but it wasn't worth it to me. Maybe consider a bigger venue if you are that pressed to turn...