My friend and I had lunch on Sunday since they're closing in January . Plus I wanted to buy a tee shirt for a friend back home in New York. We got sat in the thirsty fox which neither one of us had ever been to before . The tables were well spaced out so it didn't feel like you were crowding the next table. The one thing my friend noticed was that our table felt slightly sticky but she also touched the next table and it was the same . I don't know maybe it's the finish on them. Nevertheless we both enjoyed our lunch . So sorry to see it go. Our server was friendly and engaging . I ordered the turkey Rachel which is like a Ruben and it was so so good . I also got a side of shoe string French fries and those were good as well. My friend got the chicken tenders which came with a side of coleslaw (she's not a fan of any coleslaw) and shoe string French fries as well. She said that the chicken tenders and fries were good and she was happy with them. read more

Cute cafe with friendly staff. I got the Cubano. It was tasty! The only drawback of resting here was the noise. I went in the middle of the day and the place wasn't even full, but sound echoes a lot and I could barely hear the person I was with. That said, I'll be back! read more

Zim’s Cafe - Wallace Station Cubano - Sandwiches Near Me - Lexington, Kentucky

I loved Zim's Cafe when I had lunch with a colleague last week. The server was very friendly and helpful, the food was quick and delicious, and they offered Diet Cokes to go without us asking. Plus, it's very cheery and cute inside and it's a very cool building. I ordered the Santa Anita Burger as a wrap (so cool that a wrap is an option for a burger) and I loved it. So tasty and perfectly cooked to order. Instead of chips as a side, I did cheese grits and that was the right call. My coworker loved the Kentucky Cobb Salad, and we both grabbed a delicious dessert to go from the counter as we were leaving. My lemon bar hit the spot as I was driving home. read more

This was pretty chaotic. We came in as a larger table and we ordered a bit staggered since people came at different times. I went ahead and ordered my meal early, and it took 35 min before my order of the grains bowl came out. The meal itself was fine. Our waitress was a bit disorganized, forgetting things or repeating back to me the opposite of what I had asked. I went over to their bakery and got myself a gf brownie--it was a bit dry but glad to have seen a gf option. read more

Zim’s Cafe - Grain bowl with chicken - Sandwiches Near Me - Lexington, Kentucky

Made reservations for 6 for brunch. Zim's is one of the few places you can typically make reservations for groups of 6-8, and we go here for that and the southern food. Our whole meal was a miss on this visit. We did have some late arrivals from our party, but we were pretty content to wait with delicious drinks. Our server and the drinks were fantastic! We were seated on the Thirsty Fox side. After we placed our order, our food didn't come out for over an hour. Part of that time it likely sat, because the sausage and ham were both tough and rubbery, and the grits had congealed on top. The chicken sandwich was also not great - too much sauce made the chicken breading mushy. Overall, the food was a disappointment. read more

Zim’s Cafe - Hot chicken sandwich - Sandwiches Near Me - Lexington, Kentucky

Zim's Cafe is a fantastic lunch spot in downtown Lexington. Their selection of appetizers, burgers, and sandwiches make it difficult to choose a meal! The service was very friendly, and I truly appreciated their candor about the sandwiches they thought were made the best in house. I went with their recommendation, and it was worthwhile! Easily a top 3 sandwich shop in Lexington, and I plan to return whenever I am in need of a well-priced and tasty meal downtown' read more

Zim’s Cafe - Santa Anita club - Sandwiches Near Me - Lexington, Kentucky

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Loved the food here! They also have a local items for sale. The food had huge portions. I ate outside and enjoyed the vibrant city. read more

Zim’s Cafe - Sandwiches Near Me - Lexington, Kentucky

Heart of downtown location, quick service, affordable eats! My quiche was but overdone but the cheesy grits and side salad were a nice accompaniment. The peanut butter pie was an amazing fluffy peanut cloud - I want the whole pie! read more

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Fun location in downtown Lexington. The staff was friendly and attentive. The food and cocktails were made perfectly. We will definitely be back! read more

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The bar is small but it is very cozy and they make great drinks. It's in the heart of Lexington. The service was great as well. Oh! They serve breakfast all day which is a plus in my book. read more

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I like Zim's food and atmosphere a lot. They always have pleasant servers who are knowledgeable and friendly. However, the last several times I have been they, everything has been very slow. Our server was great when he was waiting on us, but he was the only server for the entire restaurant...and this was on a Saturday evening. It took us more than an hour from the time we were seated until the time the food arrived. It was 15 minutes of sitting before we even order drinks. I like the taste of the food, and I especially like the allergen-friendly and gluten free offerings. I would love to support this place more, but I can only go if I have two hours or more to burn. read more

RECOMMENDATIONS! - I would highly recommend the blackened catfish and the chili. I had the catfish with grits and the vegetable of the day which was potato's and onions. The catfish was wonderful. I also got a bowl of soup beans that were very flavorful. I would certainly get them again. My wife got the chicken salad sandwich which was good, but the star of her plate was the bowl of chili. The chili was meaty and had excellent spice. read more

Zim’s Cafe - Chicken Salad Sandwich with a bowl of Chili - Sandwiches Near Me - Lexington, Kentucky

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Great service. Visiting for a concert and had lunch outdoor to enjoy the Fall day. The picnic tables were a bit wobbly but this was made up by the great food. A menu with something for everyone: salads, burgers, breakfast, speciality coffee and cocktails. The chicken salad sandwich was delicious! read more

Zim’s Cafe - Sandwiches Near Me - Lexington, Kentucky

Well the chicken tenders are pathetically small ... seriously McDonald's has bigger tenders ... the burgers were decent not really worth the price tho .. the coconut cream pie which I was most excited about was terrible !!! Lacked sugar and was stale .. one bite and I threw it away .. the pistachio cake was divine tho ... probably wouldn't go back ... quite disappointed for such a lovely location I felt like for 75.00 bucks for 3 people it was sub par and a waste of money read more

Holy motherfucking balls this place blew my mind. Staff was soooo kind and attentive, wine was delicious, food was heavenly, and I would eat here every day if I could. read more

Zim's has a lovely and cute cafe ambiance - perfect for a brunch or lunch! The service was friendly and efficient, and the food was great! I did a half bowl of vegan chili and a half Caesar salad - both were delicious! I would love to come back to try some of their baked goods and coffee (I wish they could do specialty drinks decaf!) read more

Zim’s Cafe - Vegan chili - Sandwiches Near Me - Lexington, Kentucky

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This was a last-minute choice after a day visiting bourbon distilleries in the area and we weren't disappointed. Zim's has a nice indoor dining area on the first floor of a historic downtown building with two small outside patios on opposing corners. The weather was perfect as was the food. Everything we ordered was good but my shrimp & grits was one of the best I've ever ordered ... even from much nicer restaurants. Our server, Juliana was awesome, rescuing or less than enthusiastic (to be kind) counterpart who we'll credit with being stretched thin given the multiple dining areas. Juliana was engaging, asking if we were enjoying our bottle of wine and shared that she is the wine buyer for the restaurant. The food was good and she made our evening even better. read more

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Was in town for a graduation, and family suggested Zim's. I got the Reuben with Long Island pasta salad. The corned beef was flavorful and piled high. The sauerkraut was tangy and not too much. The cheese was good and melted with a slight cheese pull. The pasta salad was creamy and tender. My wife got the hot brown. She loved every part of it, but isn't good at describing stuff, so she just said it was really good. I ordered a Kentucky Mule, and it was very weak, but the waitress didn't know what bourbon the bar had or if they could use any specific ones. So they used J.T.S. which is a cheap, tasteless bourbon. Next time, I'll go over to the thirsty fox and get my own drink. We split a slice of champagne cake. It was mediocre, but everything else was great. The server was really attentive and kept checking in to make sure everything was ok. The building is beautiful inside and out. read more

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A downtown favorite for brunch! They have great Vegan, Gluten-free options which makes it very easy for everybody to find something to eat. I tried their vegan black bean chili and it was delicious. Zim's Cafe also has a great series that occurs once a month called - Wine Me Up. A ticket to this event includes a small dish pairings with a unique glass of wine. A great way to try different types of wine! read more

Zim’s Cafe - A small dish included in Wine Me Up series. - Sandwiches Near Me - Lexington, Kentucky

Chicken Salad Sammy is awesome ... also try the veggie / side of the day. Brussel sprouts are Very Good. If ya need to use the rest room- ask for the code. read more

So I thought Zim's was going to be a cute place for lunch, but it was a disappointment. The food was pretty good and was hot when we received it ONE HOUR LATER. the service staff is terrible and has no customer service skills. The only guy that seemed to be working was the cook - who was also brining out meals?? There is no organization or management here. read more

We stopped in here on a food tour and OMG. We got a tomato sandwich - okay the buttery, toasted bread alone was drool worthy. Can the cook make my breakfast toast every day? Holy cow. The ingredients tasted so fresh and everything we had was full of flavor. We will definitely try the whole restaurant next time we're in town. read more

Zim's is a hidden gem in Lexington. Zim's is in the old courthouse. I went for a birthday dinner and I was pleasantly surprised. The wait staff was polite and very helpful. I ordered the blackened catfish that was highly recommended. My son the cast iron steak with potatoes and potato salad. My salads were the macaroni salad and potato which is like a hash brown. I highly recommend this restaurant. read more

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I found this gem while visiting the visitor center. I kept sneaking out of my hotel room for a rendezvous---with an afternoon coffee and their pastries. I would take a seat outside of the historic courthouse and enjoy quiet time with sugar without my kids and hubby asking for a bite read more

Zim’s Cafe - Sandwiches Near Me - Lexington, Kentucky

I tried the hot brown as it's iconic to Lexington. It was fantastic here, they even have a gluten free version that was just as delicious. Fun place for a brunch or lunch. read more

Zim’s Cafe - Hot brown - Sandwiches Near Me - Lexington, Kentucky

We ordered Zim's today for a work meeting through DoorDash. The dash experience was a disaster but Zim's service was top notch. They got on the phone with me immediately and offered to resolve the issue. When DD wouldn't assign another driver, they sent their bartender to my business with the missing bags of food. It was above and beyond. Add to it that the food was incredible! The smoked tomato ranch should be sold by the gallon:) read more

I made a reservation for 2 for 11 am on Sunday. When I arrived the other guest had already been seated in the Thirsty Fox, the bar across from the cafe. While the food and service were good, the ambience for a Sunday brunch was not. The cafe is bright and airy with wonderful artwork. The bar is quite dark and dismal. I hadn't eaten at the cafe in some time, so wasn't aware we had been redirected and probably because the cafe seating caters to groups of 4 or more. We looked in on the cafe after we had our meal. If I had realized the difference I would have insisted on being seated in the cafe. Just a heads up. read more

Excellent food, nice location, and great service! Great taste of Lexington for visitors.

What a great way to end my visit in Lexington. The whole experience was unique with this eatery being at the old Courthouse. While their version of the Cuban sandwich didn't really taste like a Cuban sandwich. It was still a work of art. The perfectly toasted bread was full of shredded pork, and the one nice surprise was the addition of bacon. I highly recommend it as one of your stops to eat while you're in Lexington. read more

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Enjoyed our visit to Zim's. Blackened catfish and grits were the best! Service was excellent.

We usually eat brunch or lunch here. Stopped in for dinner for the first time. Salad was fresh. Blackened catfish with the grits and greens was fantastic. Sorry no pics. We dug in before I could snap a picture. read more

I've searched for a tactful way to communicate this but the best I can do is advise you to avoid this restaurant at all costs. If given the choice between a meal from Zim's or a burger from Rally's, head for the drive through. Having been to the restaurant groups other budget conscious offerings like Wallace Station and Smithtown Seafood we had no expectation of a James Beard award quality meal. But we did not expect to have a request to refire an overdone steak motivate an immature passive-aggressive chef to respond by sending out a raw replacement. What a disappointment... read more

We came here to pick up my copy of Ouita Michel's cookbook "Just a Few Miles South," and have it signed by the author herself! Since my birthday is tomorrow, we are having dinner too, and checking off another of her legendary restaurants. We went early and few tables were filled when we arrived. The staff are still wearing masks, although the Governor has lifted the mask mandate for vaccinated people. Before we left, all of the booths were full, plus a few of the tables. We started with water for me, and Hubby's usual unsweetened iced tea with lots of lemon. All of the employees were very friendly. We then perused the menu, accessed through a QR code, on our phones. We have had several dishes we liked at other of Ouita Michel's restaurants, and we both decided to try something different. Hubby ordered the Lexington Hot Brown and I ordered the Fried Catfish with Weisenberger cheese grits, hush puppies and Pimento cheese macaroni salad. The catfish was delicious and the salad was as expected, but the grits seemed drier than when I had them in the past with the shrimp and grits. We finished the meal with a piece of Midway Bourbon Buttermilk Chess pie, and decaf coffees. (Because decaf espresso was not available, the server offered to make a pot of decaf coffee and use it for my Sorghum and Spice latte.). The pie is good, but the texture was more creamy than I expected for chess pie. Hubby enjoyed his decaf coffee, and I liked the different flavor the sorghum gave my latte. A good time was had by all! read more

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Amazing! The quality of the food is off the rails. I recommend the burger with the egg, hash brown, etc.... (BFD Burger) As Nike says, just do it. Shrimp was two thumbs up, and the ladies loved their salads. Cobb and salmon salads looked amazing, but no way was I giving up the BFD for leafy greens. The portions are perfect, and there is no way you won't be happy. Absolutely glad that we stopped in for dinner - universal by all four of us that it was great. read more

Went to Zumba for brunch after previously trying them out for lunch. While they don't directly have liquor, they also own Thirsty Fox so they are kind of combined. We picked up the mimosa "pitcher" which is a full bottle of champagne with assorted juices (orange, grapefruit, cranberry). Being able to pour your own was perfect for the group. Side note, I also ordered a Bloody Mary, which unfortunately may have been the worst I've had in town. It had a weird sweetness and thickness for my tastes, almost like a vodka laden red sauce. All of the food that our table ordered was excellent though. I would definitely recommend checking them out for either brunch or lunch but maybe skip the Bloody. read more

Chef Ouita is genius with her multiple unique restaurant concepts and Thirsty Fox/Zims Cafe is no exception. The old courthouse location is such a great vibe in addition to being in a great location downtown. The servers are amazing with great knowledge and recommendations. The homemade ranch is just delightful! read more

Located in historic Lexington, a recommendation led us to this quaint locale for brunch. Had the big blue breakfast platter, kid's breakfast plate and breakfast burrito . This hit the spot for the first meal of the day read more

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Drove downtown to have lunch with a friend. Zim's came to mind. We ate outside on the patio. Weather permitting, al fresco is always my choice. I ordered the California Club --- turkey, bacon. ppperJack cheese, lettuce, tomato and chipotle mayo on wheat. The bread was stale or a failed attempt at toasting. Either way, it took away from the sandwich, which is why I'm giving my lunch 3-stars. Also, a bag of chips on the side doesn't cut it for me. Housemade from scratch maybe. Hope for better next time.i 69 read more

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Wow, the Sunday brunch is wonderful. I hadn't really thought of coming here for brunch, but I was scrolling thru the Toast Takeout app and trying to decide what to use my promo code on, when I saw the eggs Benedict here. I was sold on the pimento cheese eggs Benedict. It was a sunny day (but chilly) so when I got here to pick it up, I decided to sit and eat on the little patio out front. My husband ordered the smoked salmon eggs Benedict and we shared our food. The to-go packaging was great, good portions, delicious food. I love that they include green beans or some kind of veggie with the eggs. A nice touch and makes the meal more complete. My favorite was actually the smoked salmon Benedict. It just melted in my mouth. Whatever they put on it, some kind of creamy cheese, is amazing. And the hollandaise sauce was delicious too. I would definitely order it again. I can't wait til it gets nicer outside, I will definitely be back with friends to enjoy this lovely patio in downtown Lexington! read more

Zim’s Cafe - Sandwiches Near Me - Lexington, Kentucky

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Service was terrible. It took 10 minutes to be greeted at the table. We ordered immediately when we ordered drinks, it took over 25 minutes to get our food, and it wasn't hot at all. I ordered the falafel wrap and when it came, the dressing and hummus were missing. The group I was dining with, one didn't get her chili and the other received the wrong dressing. When they dropped off the food, we immediately asked for our checks. It took another 10 minutes to get the checks. We gave our cards as soon as we got the check and it then took another 10 minutes for the cards to be run and returned to us. Meanwhile we saw our server waiting on other tables. The General Manager did come to apologize and blamed the kitchen staff and offered us a free dessert. read more