A Review of Keeneland's Track Kitchen

My wife and I ate lunch at the Track Kitchen at Keeneland last spring before we went to watch the races. Keeneland calls the Track Kitchen "one of Lexington's best-kept dining secrets." After eating there, I think that is a fair description.

How the Track Kitchen Works

The Track Kitchen works like a cafeteria. You grab a tray, look at the food selection, and tell the person behind the counter what you want. They plate it for you.

The closest comparison I can think of is Morrison's Cafeteria, which had a Lexington location at Lexington Green in the 1980s. If you remember Morrison's, the Track Kitchen has a similar vibe. Warm home-style food. Fast service. A working feel to the place.

I know Morrison's closed decades ago and a lot of people reading this will not have any memory of it. Beyond Morrison's, the only other thing that comes close is a hospital cafeteria. Same idea. You tell the person behind the counter what you want and they plate it for you. That kind of dining is mostly gone from American life. The Track Kitchen is one of the few places you can still eat this way in Lexington.

What We Ordered

I got the Salisbury steak with mashed potatoes and gravy and brussels sprouts. My wife got a burger and fries.

The food was solid. Not five-star restaurant level, but real home-style cooking done well. I enjoyed the meal and would eat there again.

And the fact that you can eat cafeteria style at Keeneland before the races is kinda cool.

What Else to Know

The Track Kitchen is open year-round for a home-style breakfast, not just during the Spring and Fall meets. Keeneland is a working training facility all year, so the kitchen stays open to feed the horsemen. Anyone can eat there.

Hours (from Keeneland's site, current at time of writing):

• Monday through Friday: 5 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Saturday and Sunday: 5 a.m. to 11 a.m.

Keeneland's own site notes that hours vary by season. Worth double-checking before you go.

Phone: 859-280-2449

For groups of 20 or more: Call ahead to 859-288-4145 or email events@keeneland.com

Directions: Keeneland's official FAQ points visitors to Google Maps for directions to the Track Kitchen. For general Keeneland parking information, see my Keeneland parking guide. Vehicle access and parking rules at Keeneland change based on time of day and whether a race meet is running. Call Keeneland at 859-280-2449 before your visit to confirm current access rules, especially if you want to drive directly to the Track Kitchen.

Coming Back This Fall

I am planning to eat there again during the Fall Meet. When I do, I will add my fall meal to this post. Things I want to try or know more about:

• What breakfast is like (we had lunch on our spring visit)
• Whether the weekend feel is different from a weekday
• Other things on the menu worth ordering

The Short Version

If you are visiting Keeneland and want to eat somewhere that is not the standard racetrack concession experience, the Track Kitchen is a real recommendation. The food is honest home-style cooking. The setting is a working cafeteria on Keeneland's grounds. The vibe is casual. Keeneland calls it "one of Lexington's best-kept dining secrets" and I think that is fair.