Jessica H.
Yelp
I recently wrote a review for a bakery upstairs from Øskar's and commented on how they both deserved reviews independent of one another. My husband and I plan to have our Valentine's dinner date without our kids, so tonight we had our family Valentine's dinner at Øskar's. I haven't explored every crevice of this city...but if there's another Scandinavian slider bar, it hasn't hit my radar yet. I'll be completely transparent and say that I tend to not write reviews unless I do them immediately, and these Strainge Beast Hard Kombucha's hit me harder than I expected. Also, they were delicious. Unique. I would go back just for another. My husband drank Scout & Scholars. We've heard rave reviews of their brewery and restaurant in Bardstown; we can't wait to make the trip to try them out for ourselves.
Our order-
Cheeseburger- Beef patty, American cheese, special sauce
Corned Beef- House kraut, Swedish mustard mayo
Venison Sausage (2)- Spiced venison & pork sausage patty, onions caramelized with tart cherries, Swedish mustard
Beet Salad- Pickled beets, apples, creamy dressing
Fiskefrikadeller- Cod & Salmon Fish Cake with bell pepper and onion. Topped with a citrus aioli
Skagen Smørrebrød- Cold shrimp & crab salad, fresh dill, roe, open-face on a rye toast
Ham & Swiss- Nueske's smoked ham, Wisconsin cheese
Fries- House cut fries, salt
Fried Chicken (3)- Ranch-brined fried chicken breast, pickles, Swedish mustard mayo (We ordered these condiment free. They were for our one and three year old toddlers.)
Øskar's has a lodge-like vibe with an unconventional feel, wood beams, exposed vents, Scandinavian accents, a giant bear, and walls with stickers promoting breweries. It's classy, bold, warm, but still has large screens where you can catch the game. The servers/employees are down-to-earth, helpful with suggestions, and accommodating to families. They provide crayons, coloring pages, and what kid doesn't love a slider? This is definitely THE spot to go post-zoo.
I feel like I can't do them justice trying to explain each individual slider. Their flavor combinations are on point. Whether you're wanting to try something more traditional, not the most adventurous eater, or a foodie through and through, they have something for you. Fiskefrikadeller is a bit like a crab cake sandwich. I'm not usually into gamy meat, but the their venison is one of my favorite sliders. At the same time, the cheeseburger is about as straight forward (and delicious) as it gets.
If you're into unique food experiences, this is a must-try spot. If condiments excite you, this is for you. If you enjoy bars with a wider beverage selection, don't sleep on Øskar's. If you want to enjoy a bar scene and still feel appropriate bringing your kiddos, this is the one. More notably, this is a space to appreciate a cultural experience unlike any other Louisville has to offer.