Last Night In KY

There are THREE highlights from this night...

1. The Holy Grail

This is a newish craft beer place off the Bardstown Road / The Highlands in Louisville, KY. I am not a really big beer drinker but some of them special beers are super yummy!!!



2. Rusty the Jerky Man

Rusty the Jerky Man walked into the bar... with a picnic basket full of jerkys. He makes his own beef jerky and sells em in zip lock bags all over Louisville, KY.

Beth told me that he's been doing this forever and we confirmed it with Rusty, and he said that he's been doing it for about 20 years... totally crazy!

So we asked him, where did you get your beef to make the jerky? I mean it's gotta be organic farm raised beef right? well, he said ... "I got my meat from Krogers, and Sams"
GREAT ANSWER!


That's our friend Van buying dime bags of jerky from Rusty the Jerky Man.  (what's up with the demon eyes? hahah)


I picked up my own Habanero Jerky...It's spicy, but addicting!!!

3. Steak N Shake

Now we got our beers and jerkys.. all we need now is my Steakburger fix from STEAK N SHAKE !!! We literately had a minor Harold and Kumar moment when the first two Steak n Shake were closed! Due to my dramatic reaction to the restaurant being closed... We were referred to the 3rd Steak n Shake... well, mission accomplished... I got my Steakburger!

Maker's Mark Distillery

Maker's Mark is my favorite bourbon.  Everything about it is awesome!  The red wax dripping from the top of the bottle, the smokey sweet taste you get from the barrel, and the cool billboards created by their marketing team! I mean I just LOVE Maker's Mark.

Well, before I met Maker's Mark I was really good friends with Jack Daniels... But Beth introduced me to her hometown favorite beverage and I got hooked.  Beth also told me about the Maker's Mark Ambassador Program... Once you sign up for the Ambassador Program, they will start the next batch of bourbon with your name on it.  And it takes approximately 7-8 years to produce a batch of bourbon.

A few months ago, Beth got a notice that her batch is ready to be picked up... So we made sure to visit the distillery during this trip to Kentucky... Besides, Its Mother's Day and Beth's mom and our friend Van has never been to the distillery before.

Check out this bottle ... Its got Beth all over it !!!


Don't they look like little bourbon scientists? getting ready to DIP !!!






After Beth got her very OWN Maker's Mark... We went on a quick tour of the distillery... When I say "quick" I mean tour guide Jeff left out a lot of major details, only because he's new... So I guess it's ok?

Ummmmm I don't think so... I actually felt bad for my mother-in-law and Van... because it was their first visit and they didn't learn much from the tour at all... they didn't get to hear the history of the bourbon... nor see the assembly line of how the bourbon was bottled and dipped... It was a LAME tour nevertheless...



But hey I got some cool photos though!!! check em out :)











Maker's Mark turned the old 1800s toll house into a cafe right by the entrance of the distillery. The Toll House Cafe is a great place to grab a quick bite before you head on the road again.



I got the Bourbon Pull Pork and it totally hit the spot!


Beth's Pimentos and cheese


Here are some information if you are interested in visiting the distillery:

Maker's Mark Distillery
3350 Burk Spring Road,
Loretto, KY
(270) 865-2881

click here if you are interested in becoming an Ambassador
Make sure you don't get Tour Guide Jeff :)

Kentucky Derby 2011 - The Main Event 137

WARNING: There will be silly Mint Julep Images :D




Beth's mom Jane, made the best Derby breakfast for us. You can't get a better start than quiche and crusty cheese grits... mmmmm it was soooo good!




Beth's cousin Dan showed up in the McNair Family Van !!! B-A-D-A-S-S




It was raining on the way to Churchill Downs




Cousin Dan and I sipping on our Mint Julep


The Ladies: Van, Beth and Tracy








There are about 200 more images in my Flickr Album... Check it out!!! Hats Guaranteed!!!


To Be Continued with MORE Kentucky food adventure...

Kentucky Derby 2011 - BBQ and Parade

Every great event comes with a grand parade. 

We met up with Beth's childhood friend Liza so we could ride together to her cousin's glass company for free parking next to the parade.  In Kentucky, I've learned that they take "roadies" with them when they drive... awesome

noticed the red cup in Beth's hand? yeah that's a roadie :)


When we got to the glass company, the first thing I noticed is how free and tough the kids are here in KY, they are playing on a moon-bounce-slide that is placed on top of gravel mixed with shattered glass... and they get to watch the parade on a scissor lift! Total bad asses !!! Both Beth and I agreed that most parents in LA would probably freak out if their kids are anywhere near shattered glass or any construction vehicles.


you can't really tell, but the ground is filled with shattered glass :)


The glass company tail gate party provided us with great BBQ and mystery wine as well... Love the pull pork and ramen salad... yup the coleslaw looking salad has chunks of dry ramen blocks mixed in it !!!


hahahah Sweet Juice!


Now time for some parade photos :)






My mother in law's little sister Aunt Dottie was in the parade, can you find her?


To be continued...

Kentucky Derby 2011 - Heine Brothers Coffee

Welcome to my vacation!

I've been waiting for this weekend to come... Eat with Joe is always more fun outside of Los Angeles!  Remember all the awesome postings from Taiwan? Well expect more foodventure this weekend... you are in for a treat!





These colorful jockey banners are being hung all over the SDF Airport!


Every time I come to Louisville Kentucky I must stop by the Heine Brothers Coffee Shop. This coffee shop brews the best tasting coffee in the WORLD !!! order some online and try it yourself! Starbucks ain't got nothing on this joint.




I haven't got a chance to try this YET... I will definitely follow up with more updates on this Block O'Joe.

KFC

To get our stomach ready for our Kentucky Derby trip, we've decided to take a stab at KFC... I mean, why not right?

I bet there aren't many food bloggers out there that has the courage to actually dine-in at a KFC. Especially one that operates without A/C instead they got the hot fryer air circulating the little dining area.

There's no need for me to write a review about KFC, we all know about Colonial Sander's secret recipe :) SODIUM !!!

Here it is!