Kentucky Hot Brown Trail Week

April 25 - May 2, 2025

Sponsored By:

The Hot Brown Trail is Coming In Hot!

Get ready to dive into a week of cheesy, saucy, Southern goodness — it’s time for the infamous Hot Brown Trail in Downtown Frankfort! 🧀🥓🍅

The week leading up to Derby, our local restaurants are putting their own creative spin on Kentucky’s most iconic dish —and trust us, these aren’t your grandma’s Hot Browns (but she’d totally approve).

From the classic flavors you crave to bold, unexpected twists, this is your chance to taste your way through Frankfort’s most indulgent, melty masterpieces.

Come hungry. Come curious. Come ready to crown your favorite.

Happening the week before Derby!

How to Plan Your Week:

🎯 Pick your front-runners – Preview the lineup of restaurants putting their unique twist on Kentucky’s most iconic dish. From traditional to bold and unexpected, each Hot Brown is racing for your taste buds.

📍 Chart your course – Rally your friends and hit the trail! Whether you’re stopping at a few or aiming for the full field, it’s all about good food and festive vibes.

🎉 Celebrate Derby Week in true Kentucky fashion – While the races are still a few days away, the spirit is alive downtown. Expect themed specials, cozy corners, and plenty of Southern charm to go around.

Get ready to indulge in a week of melty, toasty, locally crafted goodness.

Hot Brown Trail Passport

Visit participating Downtown Frankfort restaurants, collect stamps as you sample their unique takes on Kentucky’s most iconic dish, and you’ll be entered to win gift cards to local favorites.

Taste your way through melty, toasty goodness—and get rewarded while you’re at it! 🧀🐎

  • Go to 2 locations and be entered to win 2 $25 gift cards to participating restaurants

  • Go to 3 locations and be entered to win 3 $25 gift cards to participating restaurants

  • Submit Your Passport – Drop off your signed passports at any Frankfort Whitaker Bank location by Tuesday, May 6th

Hot Brown Trail Contest

Click the link below to vote for your favorite Hot Brown of the week and help us crown the Trail Champion! We will also be voting on most creative Hot Brown experience.

Will it be rich and traditional or totally over-the-top? Only one can take home the title of Top Hot Brown in Downtown Frankfort — and your vote decides! 🧀🏆

The Lineup

BROADWAY STREET
  • Buddy’s Pizza
  • Brown Barrel
  • Cypress & Oak 
  • Kentucky Coffeetree Cafe
  • Serafini
ST. CLAIR STREET
  • Howser Tavern
  • Mi Fiesta
  • Mortimer Bibb’s Pub
MAIN STREET
  • The Ashbrook
  • B’s Bakery
  • Bourbon on Main
  • Goodwood Brewing
  • Main Street Diner 
MERO ST. & SOUTH FRANKFORT
  • Andy’s Artisan Breads
  • Big Daddy’s Fried Chicken
  • Cliffside Diner
  • Limewater Bistro
  • Local’s Food Hub
  • POURter’s
  • Sig Luscher Brewery