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    The Service Station Restaurant

    4.4 (57 reviews)
    Open 9:00 am - 4:00 AM (Next day)

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    THE SERVICE STATION RESTAURANT ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Divey
    Trendy
    Dogs allowed
    Outdoor seating

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    Recommended Reviews - The Service Station Restaurant

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    Jonathan P.

    Honestly saw the smoker outside and was like "ohhh this place is legit!" Not that that really matters for how the food will be, but still lol. Anyways, I was a little let down by the meat. I ordered the BBQ platter to get a nice spread of options and the meat was kinda dry. The sauce had good flavor so it made up for it, but I expected stuff that'll melt in your mouth. Fries and Mac & cheese had good flavor too. We also ordered some wings and those were nice & saucy and tasted great!

    Menu, side 1 -- January 2026
    Sarah W.

    Ok, folks, I've finally found my favorite local Louisville barbecue spot and it feels like divine intervention. It's a 10/10 for every menu item that I sampled and rates up there with the barbecue that I happen to love (Texas hill country near New Braunfels). We started with fried green tomato appetizer, which had a nice cornmeal crunch and zesty toothsome green veggie interior. Accompanying remoulade sauce was just right. Second round was an order of 5 smoked wings with bourbon BBQ sauce. Best smoked wings I've had because of the perfumed and tender moist meat with each bite. Nice sized (and none of that rubbery gross skin I've had everywhere else) and order had choice of ranch or blue cheese, as well as celery sticks. Celery did seem a little tough and a tad stringy, but I chose to ditch it. Finally, we did a sampler of 4 ribs, smoked chicken leg quarter, and generous portion of pulled pork with 2 sides. A+ x3! The ribs had been cooked for the proper length of time to allow for fall-off-the-bone conditions, tender, meaty, smoky, nice bark, just enough sauce to enhance and not detract from the delectable smoky flavor. The pulled pork likewise included some bark in the portion and was yummy flavor. Included sliced tangy pickles, red onions rings, and a couple of containers of extra sauce. The chicken quarter is reminiscent of some that I get at an annual summer fire department fundraiser with a secret mopping sauce .... always sells out .... in a community located over an hour away. Trust me -- I'm saying A LOT here. ;) I ordered sides of braised collard greens and roasted sweet potatoes, but discovered we'd ended up with the greens and a sub of Mac 'n cheese when I arrived home. No complaints and have to say the sides are also stellar. Not ashamed to say that even the greens potlikker wasn't wasted. (Wished that the cornbread had also been included in the order -- another slight oversight.) The Mac'n cheese was perfect texture, super cheesy, and we were wowed by the type of pasta used since it was substantial and held its own with the sauce. I was in my happy place as soon as I pulled up to the parking lot on Burnett Avenue on a weekday and met with smoky aroma. Went inside the nondescript building to order at the counter and enjoyed iced tea and chatting with the welcoming, friendly staff while it was prepped. Price point is competitive and great value for amount and quality of food. We will be back and already looking forward to it.

    BBQ sampler, fries, mac-n-cheese, and fried pickles
    Neal H.

    We got takeout. The BBQ sampler w/fries and mac-n-cheese, and fried pickles. All of it was good. The place is an older building. While there's nothing fancy, it's not dirty. I don't think it's a priority for them. There were two guys working in a small kitchen and a server. In the end, we enjoyed the experience and wouldn't mind trying other stuff from there when we're back in Louisville.

    Nancy P.

    Our first visit and we stopped in for a late lunch/early dinner. There were only a few patrons and we were told to sit wherever we wanted. There are a few tables in the bar area, several in a back room and covered outdoor seating. There is a huge grill outside so not sure how comfortable outdoor seating would be. I had the 1/2 rack of ribs that came with cole slaw and one side and I opted for the mac and cheese. The ribs were excellent as was the mac and cheese. I did not care for the slaw and our server replaced it with steamed, mixed veggies which were also excellent. My husband had the fried fish which was also very good, the slaw, which he had replaced with mashed potatoes and french fries. We had a fabulous piece of carrot cake for dessert. It was so moist and flavorful. A neighborhood bar vibe, a small parking lot and street parking. The service was top-notch.

    Braised Collard Greens
    Renae D.

    We loved our food. The Philly cheesesteak egg rolls with their spicy sauce was really good. Definitely recommend those. My sister & I shared their buffalo chicken sandwich & they split it for us, which we loved. It was nothing special but had good flavor & we loved the classic pickles. I got a side of the collard greens & added a little hot sauce. They were delicious. I would get those every time. My husband got the meat platter & his personal favorite were the ribs. They had a nice smoked flavor & fell off the bone. Overall we had a good experience. Service was nice & we're glad we stopped in.

    Menu
    Lorie L.

    I was first introduced to The Service Station at a Yelp event and that sampling was enough to get me back in the door. My family of four went for dinner -- so good! We loved these dishes: chicken and waffles, fries, burger, pit master sandwich, pimento cheese, onion rings. The only dish that didn't get a rave review was the shrimp and grits. My husband noted it was slathered in the sweet chili sauce and it wasn't filling. We opted to sit outside. There's some seating in the main room near the bar and a large room next door. The large room isn't air conditioned so it gets super hot during the summer - this is actually why I have waited awhile to return. I knew the meal would be more enjoyable in cooler weather. Service was a bit slow last night. The staff was super transparent about the wait for food. We were having a lazy night without a schedule so it didn't affect this trip. Overall, lots of smiles from the team, ready to welcome people and say goodbye. Street parking plus a private lot. Very close to UL.

    Building

    Amazing service! Delicious FOOD!! I can't wait to come back and bring my nephews!!! RIBS and chicken were so moist and flavorful. Love Love Loved Philly Steak egg roles and SAUCE!! Going back!

    Heather B.

    Great atmosphere!!!Absolutely what you expect from Louisville Kentucky. Southern comfort food!!! Loved it.

    Craighton M.

    My first exposure to The Service Station located n Burnett Avenue in downtown Louisville was at a Yelp event where the appetizers were enough to have us plan a repeat visit en masse with the family, They served chicken and waffles, fries, barbecue sliders, pimento cheese on crackers and my favorite, shrimp and grits w/ hot sauce. I pounced on them each time they came out of the kitchen (seafood freak). Service was great especially considering the large crowd of enthusiastic Yelpers. They have a main room near the bar and a much larger room next door. There is a private lot and street parking. The owner and staff were very friendly and accommodating.

    Signage out front
    Jeff C.

    Our First Taste of Louisville Barbecue During our travels through Kentucky, we decided to stop for some Louisville barbecue after spotting a highly-rated service station. The parking lot was spacious, accommodating about 20 vehicles, with additional street parking available. As soon as we exited the car, the enticing aroma of smoked barbecue wafted through the air, setting high expectations for our meal. Upon entering, the restaurant appeared smaller than anticipated; however, we later discovered a larger room to the right, which seemed to have once been a bar or nightclub. We were warmly greeted by a friendly waitress who promptly seated us. After a brief wait, she returned to take our drink orders. Unfortunately, after about 20 minutes without seeing our waitress, I ventured to the bar to inquire about our drinks, only to find that they had been overlooked. Thankfully, she soon arrived with our beverages and took our food orders. I opted for the shrimp and grits, while my wife chose the barbecue platter sampler, featuring pulled pork, ribs, chicken wings, and two sides--cornbread and mac & cheese--with an additional order of French fries. While waiting for our food, I visited the restroom, which was in decent shape but had a loose toilet seat and could have used a more thorough cleaning. When our meals arrived, I was met with disappointment regarding portion sizes, as they seemed less generous compared to what I had anticipated based on previous reviews. My wife received four ribs, a handful of pulled pork, and two chicken drumsticks. Despite this, the quality of the meat was commendable, though slightly on the dry side. The cornbread was particularly disappointing--dry and seemingly a bit stale. In contrast, the mac & cheese was enjoyable, and the French fries were a standout, perfectly seasoned and crispy. As for my shrimp and grits, I found the dish to be fantastic; however, there was a mismatch in the ratio of grits to gravy, leaving me wanting more of the former. Overall, while the food was good, the smaller portions and the dryness of some items left me wanting more, especially considering the prices. If the meat had been more moist and the cornbread fresher, I would have rated this experience higher. Additionally, the delay in drink service was a minor setback. Nevertheless, I appreciated the meal and would be willing to give this restaurant another chance in the future.

    Smoked Chicken Mac n Cheese Braised Collard Greens
    Ashley E.

    Excellent food- some of the best greens I've ever had! I got the half chicken with greens and Mac and cheese. Everything was fantastic!!!! My dining mate got the meatloaf, green beans and mash potatoes- his go to comfort meal that he enjoyed! Everything was great and can't wait to see this place finished out. They are under renovation so there are a couple tables and a bar area. The restrooms are also under renovation as well as an additional dining room. Can't wait to see it all done!

    Jeremy L.

    From the the shrimp and grits to the chicken and waffles the southern family roots of The Service Station are evident. A locally grown family establishment is bringing new flavor to an old neighborhood. Personally, I'm very excited that there's a place like this to add to the depth of variety of food around the University of Louisville. Move over the bar food and bring in the soul food! Be part of the neighborhood with Chef and owner Kendell Shepherd and bring your Family to be part his family too.

    Fried Green Tomatoes were excellent
    Jim R.

    My wife and I for lunch. What was good was really good and a couple items not so good. First we started with Fried Green Tomatoes ($8) which were excellent. We split the BBQ Platter ($28) which included pulled pork, smoked wings, ribs and two sides. First the good. The ribs were very good and our two sides were awesome. Our sides were roasted sweet potatoes and collard greens. I'm not normally overly impressed with restaurant sides, but both sides were awesome. The best way I can explain the sweet potatoes is think of what most people serve on Thanksgiving minus marshmallows. The greens were tender, not overly salty and seasoned well. They were good! Now the not so good. The pulled pork was dry and some of the 'crust' was so tough I couldn't eat it. The smoked wings had an extremely tough outer skin and a couple were not edible. Good flavor the parts you could eat. Finally, service was attentive and excellent. However, we were 'offered' tea refills and when I was told what I owed (no itemized check) I thought it sounded high. I asked about the total and was then told refills are not free. Keep in mind when we offered refills I still had half my original amount. I told our server had I known refills were not free, I would not have agreed to the refill. Our server immediately deleted the refill charge. Note: they do have their own small parking lot which was nice.

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    2 months ago

    Food was great! Had the Fried green tomatoes was great. The pulled pork was great as well.

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    2 months ago

    It was horrible ribs was dried up and wings was very expensive 5 wings for 14 dollars

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    Kendell S.

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    4 months ago

    Food is delicious. I had the ribs the cheese grits and the greens. Yum. Smoked ribs were falling of the bone. Highly recommend.

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    11 months ago

    The Service Station Burger and fries were REALLY good and with a great price! $15 and it's practically two meals it's so big.

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    5 months ago

    Amazing Food, great sides! The place has a great vibe. Kendal makes the best BBQ in Kentucky. Check it out.

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    1 year ago

    Love the food! It is top notch! If you like good real food, then forget the fancy lights for tourists. Have smoked ribs and wings!

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    Ask the Community - The Service Station Restaurant

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    Momma's Mustard, Pickles & BBQ - Beef rib

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    Over the past weekend, I was able to give Momma's Mustard, Pickles & BBQ! What I will say is this…read moreis one of the best BBQ spots I have tried in Kentucky in some time! When you walk in, it really brings you back to the olden days when BBQ shops used to be retro! I was a big fan of this! The food was superb! I will say I highly recommend the pork slider and the dry rub chicken wings! Also, the sliders really were a good option that Angelica recommended! Hands down the best waitress and very informative of the menu! The service, like I said earlier, was great! Angelica was easy to talk to and gave great recommendations! The ambiance was retro, and I loved that it reminded me of the past of the BBQ spots I have been in long ago! Overall, I will say give MMP&BBQ! And give the wings and pork BBQ a try, my personal favorites!

    Pull up to Momma's and it's a house. How appropriate for the name of the establishment. It was a…read moreSaturday night and seated quickly around 6:30pm. Our waitress was new but EXTREMELY nice! Loved that she sat down at our booth as one of us to take our order. The atmosphere is very basic. Old school feel but minimal wall decorations but we did love the authentic Bob Ross painting with authenticity! The food: 1. Wings: good. Blue cheese could be better but wasn't the worst. 2. Meatball slider- I NEVER order meatloaf at restaurants because i enjoy my own meatloaf. The waitress suggested it and I disliked it. I saw some bell pepper in there and it was dry. Not for me. 3. Mac and cheese- pretty good. Very cheesy 4. Cornbread- my son ate more than half of my first piece so i ordered a second. The second was smooth as butter and DELICIOUS! Cornbread was the big win for me here. True score: 3.5 (They are known as the best wings in town but they were not the best we have ever had. That goes to Rodney Scott.)

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    Feast BBQ - Pimento Pork Stacker with sweet potato fries

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    They call it the 2nd best BBQ in Kentucky , but we call it the best we have ever had!!…read more The brisket deserves a bite all by itself before you add sauce. Melts in your mouth and well seasoned. We loved the Mac and cheese, my wife is particular about that and this met her standards. The vinegar slaw was perfectly tangy and refreshing. And the sweet potato fries are exactly what you need to dip into those sauces. Get the hot bbq sauce and add the vinegar sauce!! Even as I type I have a nice warmth in my mouth and throat. It made me star dipping everything in the sauce- slaw included!! Burgoo is fantastic!! With a gentle heat, I would get it alone if it came in a big bowl! With so much meat, corn, Lima beans, and carrots but it is the broth (sauce?) that gets you hooked. We had the Ale8-1 Burton slushy, which is sweet and refreshing on a hot day. And for desert we had to try the bourbon bites! Wow! Try to save room. Love the music in the background and casual atmosphere which would be fun for families or friend to meet. They service is friendly and helpful for us newbies! Wish we lived near by, so order up and enjoy!

    Great place for groups (2 to 8 people) to kick back and chat with friends or out-of-town visitors!…read moreThe restaurant is very spacious, offering comfortable bench seating with both indoor and outdoor options.If you are sharing, the large mixed meat platter is a good way to sample everything (smoked chicken, pork, sausages, pickles, mac cheese, potato tots...) and easily feeds 4 to 6 light eaters. My only disappointment was learning that they only serve ribs on Sundays. Location-wise, it is highly accessible--just a 15-minute walk from downtown or a quick 5-minute Uber ride. Would eat there again!

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    Feast BBQ - Order at the counter on the left. Small bar with 15-20 beers on tap.

    Order at the counter on the left. Small bar with 15-20 beers on tap.

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    Hammerheads - Fried Mushrooms

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    Awesome food, tried the pork belly sliders, mushrooms the first day, Excellent, I went back the…read morenext day for brisket sliders, also Excellent. .

    Have heard about this gem for 20 years but never tried it until last night. Wife and I sat at the…read morebar - love the atmosphere: spacious dive bar with low ceilings and wood paneling. There are also picnic tables out front. You get a faint whiff of the grill/smoker upon entering. Kylie was our bartender and she was fabulous - knowledgeable, friendly, and answered all of our questions with patience. Wife ordered a mango margarita and doesn't like a lot of tequila, so Kylie went half and gave her a shot on the side in case she wanted to add more. It was wonderful. I had a couple of beers. We started with the fried mushrooms, which aren't what you would expect. It's two large portobellos cut into chunks, battered, fried, and served with sun-dried tomato mayo. They were great. I then ordered a duck taco, brisket taco, and a side of Grippo Fries with smoked mayo. I'd never tried duck but that taco was smack-a-lackin'. The brisket taco was also good, and the fries were fantastic - sweet and spicy, fresh cut, and crispy. Wife ordered a pork belly slider and truffle fries. She enjoyed the slider but didn't care for the fries - just not her thing. The portions here are large. A side of fries will feed three people. We took a hefty portion of them home, as well as some of the mushrooms. We could've sat there at the bar and spent 3 hours socializing and enjoying a smattering of cocktails - love the setting. Look forward to going back and trying one of the burgers at some point.

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    Hammerheads - More of the bar

    More of the bar

    Hammerheads - PBLT Sandwich - Definitely overall Pretty good! Needed another slice or two of pork belly but otherwise super tender. Would get again!

    PBLT Sandwich - Definitely overall Pretty good! Needed another slice or two of pork belly but otherwise super tender. Would get again!

    Hammerheads - Beer served!

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    Momma's Mustard Pickles & BBQ - Burnt Ends

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    Momma's gets it right every single time! My husband and I…read morestopped in for lunch. There were just a few other diners when we first arrived but the place filled up quickly for lunch rush. I ordered the smoked turkey sandwich with fried and green beans. I added a side of ranch and mustard. My husband had the pulled pork sandwich with fries and baked beans. He added spicy pickles and ranch. The sandwiches were excellent. Smoked to perfection while staying juicy. The sides were delicious. Ranch and mustard is made in house and it shows! Knox waited on us and was attentive and thoughtful. The restaurant is casual and feels like a warm neighborhood place. Louisville has many bbq restaurants to choose from but others can be inconsistent and lacks the cool energy of Momma's. If you want an outstanding meal every time, you'll get that at Momma's.

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    Momma's Mustard Pickles & BBQ - Inside view

    Inside view

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    Just a quick shout out to this Fern Creek location. They had the BEST Halloween gathering a few…read moredays before, for all the customers kids. Decorated to the nines, lots of fun and activities and treats. The kiddos had a blast. When u go, consider trying their turkey, chicken sandwiches, and lemon pepper fish. We love all....plentiful servings, lightly crusted chicken and fish, the turkey is piled high and delish. Although I'm a creature of habit with their potato salad, we opted for the sweet potato and baked potato today. Along with their side salad and scrumptious green beans, this meal was hot, perfectly prepared, and a bountiful serving of each!! Well done!!! Outstanding staff!!!!

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    The Service Station Restaurant - sandwiches - Updated September 2026

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