The Legendary Hot Brown
We visited Kentucky this past weekend and realized we couldn’t visit the state without a visit to Louisville and the Brown Hotel. It just had to be done. Last year for our anniversary we made Hot Browns, which is a dish the Brown Hotel is famous for and ever since then it has been a dream of ours to visit Louisville and try the original for ourselves.
The Brown Hotel, which is conveniently located in the heart of Louisville, is a gorgeous luxury hotel that originated in the 1920s. During that time people flocked to the hotel each evening for its dinner dance and would stay dancing well into the night. Because of this Chef Fred Schmidt decided to create a dish that wasn’t quite breakfast or dinner but a happy mix of both, and thus created the Hot Brown, an open-face turkey sandwich covered with bacon, tomatoes and smothered in a delicious mornay sauce. Just writing about it now is making me hungry!
This isn’t your ordinary turkey sandwich so don’t be fooled. You can get it at the J. Grahams Cafe at the Brown Hotel for a very reasonable price. I can’t tell you how perfect of a lunch this was. I ate up every bite and even finished my sister-in-laws! Please don’t make a trip to Louisville without tasting this bite of history. Watch out for copy cat Hot Browns at restaurants throughout the city- if you want the original you must visit the Brown Hotel.
And who could forget about dessert? I was told on the plane that I couldn’t leave Kentucky without trying derby pie- I mean the name itself screams Kentucky, so I was delighted to see the Brown Hotel have it on the menu. Wikipedia describes derby pie as a chocolate and pecan tart, but I would describe it as a combination pecan pie with chocolate and a warm half baked oatmeal chocolate chip cookie. Clearly it’s indescribable and really just something you will have to experience for yourself!
The hotel was beautiful and the food and atmosphere perfect. We can’t wait for our next visit!
Tags: Derby Pie, Hot Brown, Kentucky, Louisville
July 1st, 2009 at 9:54 am
My ex is from Kentucky and his family introduced me to Hot Browns. Delicious! It is still a family tradition to use up leftover Thanksgiving turkey by making Hot Brown sandwiches.
July 1st, 2009 at 6:06 pm
We are thrilled you enjoyed your visit, and your lunch! You are absolutely correct! No visit to Louisville, Kentucky is complete without a trip to The Brown Hotel for a Hot Brown! Derby Pie is a fabulous way to finish a decadant meal. Throw in a Mint Julep and you have an experience unlike any other! We hope you make it to our fair city again, and would love to welcome you back to The Brown!
July 8th, 2009 at 7:53 am
[...] Contact « The legendary Hot Brown [...]
July 23rd, 2009 at 1:57 pm
That platter with bacon looks really good.
September 10th, 2009 at 12:38 pm
I love to hear people talk about our magnificent city and our fabulous food. The Brown Hotel is so amazing! I have never had a better tasting Hot Brown. I have tried them at home a few times but can never get the gravy to taste as it does from the hotel! I am so glad you tried the Derby Pie. It is a taste you can just not pass up!