#LocalFoodieFriday: Feast BBQ
As we all know, the pandemic has hit our local businesses hard. There is more reason than ever to support your neighbors in their business ventures. And with my own money running tight thanks to COVID, I can’t afford to eat out much. So when I do, I like to make my precious dollars really count. We try to support a local restaurant at least once weekly. Throughout the pandemic, one place has been a comfort food go-to: Feast BBQ.
From the people that brought you Royal’s Hot Chicken and bar Vetti, Feast BBQ is good BBQ with no frills. It started out in a small space in Southern Indiana, then quickly outgrew its first home and moved to NuLu (near Louisville Cream). Now, they have a second location in my neck of the woods (downtown Jeffersontown), meaning I am a frequent flier. They’ve captured the hearts and stomachs of Louisvillians, and once you try it, it’s easy to see why.
“But why do you go so often if you’re a vegetarian?” you might ask. Dear reader, unlike your average BBQ joint, Feast BBQ recognizes that there are MANY diets in the world, and works to accommodate as many as possible. There are gluten free and soy free options, and vegetarians will delight in their smoked crispy tofu, which can be ordered as a plate, a sandwich, or a taco. Unfortunately they can’t guarantee true vegan options due to cross-contamination of equipment and surfaces, if that is of concern to you.
Since Kentucky doesn’t have a real BBQ tradition (besides throwing bourbon into our sauce, which is dang good), I’ve learned to judge a BBQ joint on its sides as well as its sauce. The sides at Feast BBQ stack up to any I’ve had elsewhere. The tater tots are a favorite, and can be ordered as an appetizer loaded with slaw, sauce, green onions, and meat or tofu if you so choose. The mac and cheese also passes my rigorous examination – I’m very particular about my restaurant mac and cheese because so many lack flavor, but theirs is almost as good as homemade. The one side I don’t care for as much is the creamy slaw, which is a bit peppery for my tastebuds but is great for someone who enjoys fennel or other acquired tastes.
We have visited Feast BBQ throughout the pandemic and have always had friendly, clean, and safe service. Curbside order options are easy to do, and the patio is well distanced and lovely to sit at when the weather is right. I am proud to have businesses that are taking precautions seriously in my neighborhood, and I will always support them for doing the right thing! If you are feeling down to recreate Padma Lakshmi’s first meal in town while filming Top Chef, head to either location during the hours listed below. If the queen says it’s good, you know it’s real! And if you see me there on the patio enjoying my bourbon slushie and smashing some smoked tofu – keep six feet away, I don’t know where you’ve been.
Until next time, here’s to good drinking, great eating, and even better living!
Feast BBQ is located at 909 E Market St Suite 100 (NuLu) and 10318 Taylorsville Rd (JTown). Both locations are open Sun.-Thurs. 11AM – 9PM, Fri.-Sat. 11AM – 10PM, and serve brunch from 9AM – 11:30AM on Saturday and Sunday.