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. read more

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This was my first time visiting Louisville, Kentucky, and I ended up finding The Service Station Restaurant through my trusted app. It's definitely one of those spots that's a little tucked away, but sometimes those are the places that end up surprising you. I ordered a burger and the cheesesteak egg rolls. The burger was cooked medium-well, just how I wanted it, and it definitely hit the spot. The fries were seasoned well, and the cheesesteak egg rolls were really good too. They came with a house sauce that paired perfectly with them. The restaurant had plenty of seating, and the overall atmosphere was comfortable and laid back. Most importantly, the food delivered when I was craving a good burger. Overall, I had a very good experience and don't really have any negatives to mention. If I'm back in Louisville, I'd definitely stop by again and try some of the other items on their menu. If you're looking for a local spot with good food and a relaxed vibe, I'd say this place is worth checking out. read more

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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! read more

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

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

The Service Station Restaurant - Sandwiches Near Me - Louisville, Kentucky

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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. read more

The Service Station Restaurant - BBQ sampler, fries, mac-n-cheese, and fried pickles - Sandwiches Near Me - Louisville, Kentucky

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. read more

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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. read more

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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. read more

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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. read more

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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. read more

The Service Station Restaurant - Upper left is the mac & cheese side, bottom left is the shrimp and grits. Mid pitcher is the barbecue platter with a side of cornbread. - Sandwiches Near Me - Louisville, Kentucky

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! read more

The Service Station Restaurant - Smoked Chicken Mac n Cheese Braised Collard Greens - Sandwiches Near Me - Louisville, Kentucky

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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. read more

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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. read more

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Everything I had at this event was delicious. I loved the chicken and waffles and the barbecue sandwiches. The desserts were also amazing. Banana pudding and chocolate cake. The service was excellent. I definitely will go back to this place and will tell all my friends about it. It does have limited parking. read more

The Service Station Restaurant - Sandwiches Near Me - Louisville, Kentucky

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Truly a hidden gem. Cannot wait to go back. Everything was so fresh, so tasty! I had a few bites of few different items & they were ALL great!! Recommending them for sure - read more

A tasty hole in the wall with a nice selection on the menu, a few tables indoors, also covered back porch seating. Very friendly and the food oh my goodness. The pulled pork was out of this world as where the ribs. The bones just fell out on their own. The greens were so smooth and the grits were delightful. Was a great end to the day after visiting the Derby. read more

The Service Station Restaurant - Pitmaster sandwich and barbecue platter YUM! - Sandwiches Near Me - Louisville, Kentucky

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

BBQ was amazing! We did the combo platter with an extra 1/2 rack of ribs. Perfect amount of smoke and the fat was caramelized and chewy and they were dried out. Pass on the yeast rolls but the cheese grits are a definite! We spent the weekend in Louisville and had to have BBQ before we left so Yelped it and this was a fine! read more

We tried this for the first time today. Service was fine but the food was average at best. I did like their Mac and cheese and the cornbread. The meatloaf was meh. My wife wasn't impressed with the food and thought the place was depressing. It was worth a try to go to a new place. read more

The Service Station Restaurant - Meatloaf with sides. - Sandwiches Near Me - Louisville, Kentucky

Ordered takeout, and got a Smoked Turkey Club, which was noted on the website as Smoked turkey, bacon, lettuce, tomato, and garlic mayo on Texas toast. The sandwich was fine but it came on regular white bread and the turkey was just sliced deli (unsmoked) turkey, not the thick piece of breast off of a bird like I had assumed. The sandwich was delicious, but it was much more basic than I thought I was getting. I also got an order of Philly Cheesesteak Egg Rolls (Beef, grilled onions, peppers and cheese stuffed egg rolls, served with lettuce and tomato). You got three, and they are huge, but I thought they were too heavy and greasy. I know this place is new and I am pulling for them because I know how hard it is in the world of small business. I feel like they just need to work out a few kinks and then I will try again. read more

The Service Station Restaurant - Exterior - Sandwiches Near Me - Louisville, Kentucky

Omg this is the best bbq I have ever had!! The ribs are so juicy and flavorful, everything is so seasoned, and that Mac n cheese is just perfect!! The service is great and even tho the place is kinda short, it is so worth it to check it out!! 10/10 recommend!! read more

The Service Station Restaurant - Sandwiches Near Me - Louisville, Kentucky

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

The food was delicious and the service was really great as well. We also had the fried green tomatoes and fried pickles. The sauce that came with the friend green tomatoes made them even better! Definitely coming back to try the rest and will be getting the fried green tomatoes again! read more

The Service Station Restaurant - Pulled pork The Pit-Master Sandwich, Mac n Cheese, Braised Collard Greens, Creamy Coleslaw. - Sandwiches Near Me - Louisville, Kentucky

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.

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!

The food was great. Would order take out often if o was from the area. They could use a little help with the ambiance but the food made up for it. read more

This family run BBQ/Comfort food restaurant is up and waiting patiently on its liquor license! Last night was my third time (CHARM) and the results have been consistently delicious! I will return and recommend. I've had The fish, ribs, pulled pork, fries, beans, Mac & cheese!! I Can't wait to return and try something different. My complements to the chef! Mmmmm good! read more

The Service Station Restaurant - The Service Station BBQ mmmmm good! - Sandwiches Near Me - Louisville, Kentucky

This was my second time coming here ! I had to have the egg rolls again . They are soooooo good ! read more

The Service Station Restaurant - Philly cheese steak egg rolls!! - Sandwiches Near Me - Louisville, Kentucky

Food was amazing. The ribs were truly fall off the bone tender and the sides were fire. Excited to see this place in the neighborhood, will definitely be back! read more

The Service Station Restaurant - Bbq platter - Sandwiches Near Me - Louisville, Kentucky

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We went for lunch on a weekday. Fabulous food. Ribs melting off the bone and fantastic flavor. Even the vegan burger was delish. Everything came out hot. Love the casual ambiance. Attentive service. read more

First time here and everything was just amazing! The service, hospitality, and of course the food is delicious! I really recommend this spot if youre from out of town! Chicago resident approved! read more

Food arrived warm and well-packaged via Grub. The portions were large enough for me to have two meals. The barbecue sauce was sweet, the macaroni and cheese was cheesy, the greens were seasoned well with meat, and the sweet potatoes were delicious with a variety of spices. read more

The Service Station Restaurant - Chicken dinner - Sandwiches Near Me - Louisville, Kentucky

I love that they have a parking lot. Our waitress was nice and made sure we always had anything we needed. Enjoyed the unique seasonings blend of the collard greens. The cheese steak egg rolls were okay. Didn't like the sauce they came with. My macaroni and sweet potatoes were also just okay. My smoked wings had a good flavor, I wish they were glazed better because mine hardly had any bourbon bbq sauce on them. With all that being said, I do suggest you try The Service Station because they have a lot of different things to enjoy. So, we do plan on coming back to try something else. read more

Called ahead for a group lunch of 16 on a Monday. They had a table set and great service. The food was amazing - burgers, pork, chicken, fish, all great! Love going to local places for amazing food! It's right off I-65 south, so we'll plan on stopping again when we're driving from one 'ville to another :) read more

I found this restaurant on yelp and gave it a try. Food couldn't have been better. Got a meat combo plate with ribs, chicken, pulled pork, corn bread, Mac and Cheese, and collard greens. Big portions at a very reasonable price. The best thing was the warmth and hospitality that Presence and Kendall showed me. Go try it. You won't be disappointed. The restaurant is a very nice and clean open area with great bar seating. read more

The Service Station Restaurant - Combo meat plate - Sandwiches Near Me - Louisville, Kentucky

Great service and great food. We got one of your servers on her first day on the job and she was so kind! My mom forgot her phone on the table and she answered our call and ran it out to the car for us. Thank you! read more

My son and I decided to try on the way downtown for a ballgame. When we arrived he said "mom you know this is gonna be good bc there's a smoker outside" we went in and grabbed the last table available as it was packed. Although there was only one server she was quick to come and get our drink order. Our drinks came quickly and then they got slammed with to go orders but the gentleman clearing tables came and sat down and took our order. We ordered an order of smoked wings (my son is super critical of wings lol) and a BBQ platter to share after being assured that it was more than enough food to share. The wings came quickly and after a few bites my son commented that they may be the best wings he's ever had. Shortly after our food came, 2 ribs, a thigh and leg of chicken and pile of bbq pork with 2 sides and Texas toast. The ribs were fall off the bone, the chicken was tender (and huge) and the pork was also great. We had Mac and cheese and fries which were seasoned and hot. My only negative was that currently they are in the middle of a remodel due to some issues after moving in and the bathroom is currently 2 portalets which the man explained and apologized for when I asked where the restroom was. Wasn't a huge deal to us as we were on our way to the yum center and just needed to wash all the bbq off of us lol. Prices are great, staff was super friendly and the food was fantastic. We will definitely be back. read more

The Service Station Restaurant - Our meal...minus the wings we had already devoured! Plenty for a growing teenager to share with mom! - Sandwiches Near Me - Louisville, Kentucky

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Service was incredible, the gentlemen came out and greeted us with amazing demeanor and southern hospitality. Spoke to us about the menu and the different meats and drinks. We ordered what's pictured and I have to say, collard greens, and Cole slaw was some of the best collard greens I've had since I was in Louisiana. Meat loaf was full of flavors and great smoke taste, Mac and cheese, creamy and great consistency. Corn bread super delicious. Absolutely going to return. Thanks guys for the delicious food. Very quiet ambiance and so peaceful and nice seating. read more

The Service Station Restaurant - Half chicken, collard greens, Cole slaw! - Sandwiches Near Me - Louisville, Kentucky

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Food was great and reasonably priced. It would have been a five star review except they had no lemon for the iced tea, they had no sugar for the iced tea, they ran out of knives (someone should have washed a dirty one so we all (three of us) could have had a knife.) I had the fried fish, very tasty and no fishy taste, and my friend had the smoked half chicken, moist and delicious. I left my jacket and a blond lady, maybe an owner, ran out to our car in the parking lot to return it. Now that's service. read more