By Kelly Douglas
Just in time for the beginning of the school year, new restaurants are popping up across Louisville. And not just your average restaurants, either.
Many places have a little something different to offer, whether it’s more variety of menu items or a calendar full of special events.
So if you and your buddies are looking for somewhere new to go to dine out, here are the two best picks from the crop of new eateries around town.
First up, a good ole’ sports pub: Open since late June, the Fox and Hound Pub and Grille on Bullitt Lane near Oxmoor Mall is new to Kentucky, but this is its 85th location in the country.
It’s not the typical sports pub, though, because it offers more than just bar stools and big screens.
While there are more than 25 televisions and a projection screen at the restaurant, there’s also a separate dining facility for those who enjoy a quieter meal, as well as a game room complete with pool tables and video games so patrons watching football on the televisions can get in some gaming action of their own.
Thad Wharton, a restaurant manager, said another reason the place sticks out from others in Louisville is the mood.
“The live atmosphere is what makes it special,” he said. “The energy of the place is fun and upbeat.”
Fox and Hound’s long hours – 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. seven days a week – only help the constant party atmosphere in the pub.
What makes it even better is that for every day, there’s typically some kind of event or drink special to attract customers. On Mondays, for example, you can watch Monday Night Football, eat 35-cent wings and drink Budweiser select pints for $2.35.
Wednesdays, on the other hand, are all about the ladies. “Girl Power Happy Hour” offers women $2.75 margaritas and a free buffet meal from 6-8 p.m. But if a margarita doesn’t suit your tastes, there are 36 different draft beers to choose from, along with 80 types of bottled beer.
As far as food selection, Fox and Hound has it all. Burgers, pizza, ribs, barbeque – they cook just about anything your taste buds desire.
The most popular item on the menu, Wharton said, is the Black Forest, the restaurant’s signature sandwich loaded with smoked turkey breast and bacon served on a giant Bavarian pretzel roll.
With a side of fries included, you pay just $7.99 for the meal.
And if you’re a restaurant employee, not just at Fox and Hound, but anywhere in Louisville, the deals get even sweeter.
Once a month, Fox and Hound throws Hospitality Industry Party, or “HIP” for short, where fellow servers, bartenders, hosts and cooks enjoy half-price appetizers all while singing along to karaoke.
The night has a theme, too: anything from “80s Night’ to “Catholic School Girls,” and both customers and employees can dress up for the occasion.
And don’t forget – when you do go to Fox and Hound, make sure to sign up for the Pub Club.
Being a member hooks you up with a free appetizer the day you join and a free entree on your birthday, as well as the latest restaurant news and notices for upcoming events so you always know about the different parties going on at Fox and Hound.
Another new spot just opened up a little further down Shelbyville Road across from Z-Salon and Spa near the Hurstbourne Parkway intersection.
If you’re craving Chinese food, P.F. Chang’s China Bistro is definitely the place to go.
Just a few weeks after opening its doors, this restaurant is already breaking records, starting with the second-largest opening week in the restaurant chain’s history.
Restaurant manager Daniel Bradshaw said it’s all about customer satisfaction.
“Basically what we do is make sure that when people come in for the first time, they leave happy and then they’ll tell other people about us.”
The word is definitely spreading around town. At P.F. Chang’s, you can get either a traditional Chinese meal or more “American” foods.
Everything from chicken and beef to shrimp and pork are all prepped daily at the Bistro.
Veggie plates are also available, and there’s a “training table” menu for those looking for increased levels of calories, carbohydrates and proteins, among other nutrients.
Salmon is also a big highlight of the menu.
According to Bradshaw, only 3.5 percent of the 350 million salmon in the world are actually wild environment salmon, and P.F. Chang’s is offering nothing but the wild.
And with no storage in the restaurant and food shipments coming in six days a week, Bradshaw said he can guarantee that the salmon, along with everything else on the menu, will be fresh.
And of course, what would a great dining experience be without great service?
The restaurant currently employs around 185 employees, all of whom, Bradshaw said, are there to make your time at P.F. Chang’s memorable.
“We’ve got an exceptional staff that has really bought into the program, he said.
“They’re learning things very quickly and very well.”
How much for a night out at Chang’s? Bradshaw said the national average for an entree, dinner and dessert is $17.50.
All the more reason for U of L students to head out to Shelbyville Road.
“For college students, it’s great food at a great price,” Bradshaw said. “Take a date out and have a reasonably priced dinner, plus great service and an awesome atmosphere.”
