Blind Squirrel - Louisville — Restaurant in Middletown

Just returned from a 10 day trip with 7 days in Kentucky.

I toured a half dozen distilleries, visited a dozen more, travelled to a ton of recommended liquor stores and bars, and ate at several recommended restaurants.

Two nights before we left, my wife wanted a Cheesesteak.

Found this place about 10 minutes from our hotel and saw they had them, good reviews, and a picture of a whiskey list that made me feel it was worth checking out.

Sadly, I had started drinking at 9am that day and needed a break for my liver; so while I checked out the updated list at the bar and got our dinner takeout; I knew I had to come back the following day.

Came in for lunch; and checked out their whiskey list. They are one of two places I found on my trip that use a QR code list to keep the offerings and prices up to date. I hope every bar moves to this system soon. Nothing worse than having to ask a bartender to price check a half dozen bottles for you in a busy bar.

Prices were the best I saw on my trip, and the price and selection combo was really in its own class. I'd popped into a number of "Must see" bourbon bars before this that were "Must see, but must not taste" Can't count how many 1.5oz pours I saw priced at or above the SRP of the bottle (At places OTHER than this one)... and not just the usual suspects either. I saw Elijah Craig Toasted barrel at $30/small pour more than once.

This place was what I'd wished I'd found day 1 of my trip. Bourbon prices are what they are, but there were plenty of options I didn't think I'd ever taste at prices that made them available. And there are also a ton of great pours at very reasonable every day prices too.

It was slow when I came back and when I sat down at the bar (Lunchtime Derby day), the bartender quickly saw my interest in the bourbons and checked to see if the bar manager (I'm awful with names, but I believe it was Alex) was available; and he came over and I could clearly see his passion for what he does; and let me tell you, it is reflected in his bar.

This is the best place I found to drink whiskey in my trip of basically doing nothing but drinking whiskey.

The food was also very good. Had a Cuban Sandwich for dinner and a Fish sandwich for lunch....

I tried this place on New Year’s Eve and it was an absolute disaster... my husband, my best friend & I showed up at around 8:00. The place was NOT busy but yet we were asked for a phone number so we could be texted when a high top table became available- in spite of there being roughly 10 empty tables lining the floor in front of the stage. So with this being our first time we just grabbed a drink from the bar and stood around a high top table that had no chairs and waited patiently. After standing for about 15 minutes we see a group leaving and think finally we’ll get to sit. But no- a couple who had just walked in go sit at the dirty table and ask for menus as it is being cleaned. I go speak to the lady at the door about this and she acknowledges the couple was put down to wait and should not have sat. She tells the manager and while he talks about this and points to the table with 8+ employees (there were a ton of staff but no one really doing anything), no one tells them they need to get up. I asked if we could sit at one of the empty tables we’d been staring at since we walked in but was told they were not allowed to seat people there. I go back to explain this to my party and not even 10 minutes later we get the text that our table is ready. We are literally seated at the exact table I had just pointed to and been told they couldn't seat people at!!!! Obviously we are quite annoyed at this point but had driven out from fern creek to try this place so we were still trying to be positive... that is, until an additional 10 minutes passed and still not one employee had asked for our food order, or offered to refill our clearly empty drinks. We walked out, and although numerous employees could see these events play out and see us leaving annoyed, no one even made an attempt to stop us and try to make peace with it all. As we walked through the parking lot we even witnessed several employees running around immaturely and even spitting on each other. I don’t believe I will ever go back...

I’m really conflicted here. Summary: the food was GREAT but the service might be some of the worst i’ve had in a long time :(

Service: -we were seated for a good 15 minutes before our waiter even came to take our drink order or say anything to us. and this was only after we flagged down a different waiter and asked if we could have some service. -the food took a while to get to us because the party that was seated AFTER us, got to order their food ahead of us because their waiter actually got to them when they were seated. -we once again had to flag down the waiter just to get the check to leave. He brought it, and while I was actively getting my credit card out of my wallet, he said he’d be right back. 10 minutes of our card being on the table went by, and our waiter kept walking past our table, while the other waiters threw us sympathetic glances because by this time we were visibly upset. Eventually, we see our waiter joking around at the host stand and dancing with one of the hosts. We just walk up to the host stand and ask if we can just cash out there, and the host says no. When we point out that our waiter is right behind her, she finally gets his attention and we finally cash out and leave. I really don’t leave negative reviews often but this was actually CRAZY. It was a Monday afternoon and they weren’t very busy.

The food was good, so i’m conflicted with the amount of stars to give here. Got the wings as an appetizer, and the burger was also really good. I can’t say the food alone is enough to make me come...