Rubbies

This place was AMAZING! It was recommended by one of my coworkers and we loved it. Great bourbon selections and a fun environment. We got the hot brown (which we were told was really good), the truffle fries, and the Texas brisket sandwich. Would highly recommend all those items as they left us very satisfied! Especially the truffle fries…best I’ve ever had!

3.5/5. I came in and was attended to quickly . Lady at bar was pleasant. I ordered smoke wings , a cheeseburger and fries. I thought this would be a bbq restaurant because that’s what I googled it but it’s actually a bar with plenty of seating inside and out. Food took around 40 minutes to get done and bagged for me. The burger was delicious (cheeseburger with pepper Jack cheese and lettuce only), the smoked wings had flavor. The fries disappointed. They came out looking fine but they were over cooked and felt like biting into a hard potato chip . Every bite turned to dust . I would try this place again . Has a decent menu but I would try to order something that seemed simple and fast next time to avoid a wait that long.

Last night my husband and I came in to eat at the bar. Not only were we immediately treated like family but we had some of the best food I’ve EVER had. We ordered the spinach & artichoke appetizer - it was perfection. We then ordered the truffle fries, baked beans and Motor oil wings. I don’t know the last time I’ve tried to eat so much. The portions are amazing and the atmosphere was up lifting. I can’t wait to return and bring friends when they visit town.

wait, what do you mean “motor oil wings?!” 🍗 ⁣ ⁣ i know, the name is confusing, but hear me out. i’ve been sitting on this favorite of mine for a while but i’m ready to share it with you. ⁣ ⁣ i’ve been going to @rubbies1989 since i was in the womb. this spot is a southend institution. they’ve got character, family vibes, & most of all amazing food. ⁣ ⁣ so, back to the motor oil wings. i won’t lie, these are the only wings i will eat. the “motor oil” is the sauce they are drenched in, along with the sauce you dip them in. i wish i could explain it, but i can’t. all i can say is it’s DELISH. ⁣ ⁣ while i’m at rubbies, i can’t leave without getting their epic potato skins. i’ve seriously not had better ones anywhere else. they are unreal. ⁣ ⁣ also pictured here are their fried mozzarella sticks & hot brown - both which are also delicious. ⁣ ⁣ if you have read all this, then you know it’s time to head over to southside drive & experience this divine food yourselves.

Awesome place and excellent food. My first time there, the owner was there and recommend some items and the brisket sounded delicious and it was. Got treated like family and felt welcomed. I went my second time and was able to drink then (didn't have work that day) once again the food was awesome and everyone there, customers and workers treat you like they have known you for years. Highly recommend for food, drinks and great atmosphere.

Nostalgic decor with great service. Food was phenomenal. Family of four (2 adults and 2 kids) with entrees and appetizer for less than $70 is a great deal. Onion strings are tremendous! Brisket sandwich and the motor oil sauce on wings are finger licking good.

Food was fantastic! Pleasantly surprised. Got a gourmet quality burger at a bar that looked a little run down and older, Service was outstanding! Don't let the age of the building or decor fool you! This place has class A food and service. Kudos to the chef....most impressive food!

Good food, huge portions, great service!

Headed to Rubbies for burger week with a couple of friends. It was mid afternoon and most of the crowd was leaving as we were arriving so plenty of parking. We all ordered the specialty burger, cheddar cheese, onion straws, bourbon bbq sauce, with pickles, lettuce and tomato. I thought the burger was great, juicy and a great mix of flavors. One friend ordered a side salad that she enjoyed and i had french fries tgat wrre ok. But all in all a great burger, great service and a fun relaxing spot to catch up with friends. Outside of burger week Rubbies is one of our favorite resturants, . Great food, usually good service and a friendly neighborhood bar and grill.

Came here for lunch today and had a great experience. My toddler was with me and everyone was kind and patient with us. I got the half club sandwich which was awesome! I also got a cup of burgoo which had just the right amount of kick. My son had a grilled cheese and fries. The fries were well seasoned and I would definitely get more for myself next time I come by! Also, ordered smoked wings to go for my husband and he was really impressed. They were delicious!

Great BBQ! Plus daily special posted on marquee Service friendly and with plenty of customers we received for lunchtime Plenty of menu options. Great for game day with huge projection TV's

This is a hidden gem, restaurant on one side bar on the other. You will be surprised by the decor here. Great variety of food options. We visited during hot brown week, so they were more busy than usual. I ordered a kids burger and fries. Quick service and friendly

Been several times. Quirky little spot that does everything well. A little old/dated in the dining room, a lot of old Hollywood movie posters and pictures, but clean and cozy. Can't speak well enough of the food they serve. Spinach/Artichoke dip is amazing, and the Motor oil wings are a staple and a must try. Great burgers, and their smoked meats are great. They have a great Fried fish platter during lent, and daily specials that vary through the week. A lot of high end takes on basic comfort food with portions that are almost obscene. Hands down the best Bourbon selection in South end. The owner takes great pride in his bourbon, and offers the best Old Fashioned I've had in that part of the city. Nice bar next door that has a big patio. A really unique place that is worth the visit for a great meal or just a good bourbon.

Never a wrong choice when you dine here. The meatloaf Wednesday is fantastic and just talk to the chef; he KNOWS the drill.

Tried this place for the first time and the Smoked Rubbie Wings did not disappoint as well as the Ranch dressing to dip. I had a moscato as well. Service was great ~ Suzanne was Awesome. It was quite busy and she provided excellent customer service in the midst of it all. Ambiance bar type setting after work & regulars. I will have to come back and try the motor oil wings.

I don't know what happened to Rubbies but it has really fallen off and it breaks my heart. A group of 7 of us came in at 1:00 for lunch. The place was busy, as usual, but certainly not slammed. The service was friendly but took a long time. The food is good, as always, but it took over an hour to get. Other tables were cancelling their lunch orders because people had to get back to work. This is the third time this has happened and I don't know what is up! I really, really hope they can get back to the Rubbies that I once knew and loved!

Food was really good, had a nice portion for the price. Pretty affordable too. Service was good and it was nice and clean inside. Definitely get the onion strings if you like onions, they were heavenly.

Service by Dana was amazing. Loved the atmosphere - we discussed if we lived closer, it would def our local. Great cocktails, clean bathrooms. Salad, Bloody Mary, mule, lemon drops, and Burgoo were 10/10. The chicken fingers were breaded nicely with great flavor, but had a crazy chewy texture that was disappointing and a challenge to eat. We def will be back!!!

Yelping and Googling to find where to find Louisville's Famous Hot Brown and came upon several places, Rubbies being one of the top contenders for the area. They also had the smoked wings, bourbon, Burgoo (a stew that's almost like a chili but with a uniquely different savoriness to it), and brisket. They had it all so we decided to go for it. Wings were nice and smokey and the flavor was very good. Husband ordered a bourbon (when in Kentucky!) and was given several recommendations by our wonderful server, Sherri. He went with the Wellers 12 year, that had a really lovely finish. I ordered the Hot Brown and he ordered their brisket club with stringed onions. Oh, and we HAD to have a cup of the Burgoo, another "must try" when visiting Kentucky. Everything we had was REALLY GOOD! We were very happy with our selections. (It may take me some getting used to to have another crack at the Hot Brown...it was very rich and heavy. Took it home to try to chisel it down some more. ) The onion strings were delicious, the Burgoo was very good, the brisket sandwich was flavorful...overall awesome. You also have the benefit of NOT being in downtown, which I imagine would've set us WAY back in price, being downtown. Reasonably priced for the enormous amount of food we ordered. The place could use a little sprucing up, but I think that's part of its charm. One thing to consider. If you're interested in their peach cobbler, which I totally was, it does take 25 minutes to prepare as they make it in house and from scratch. We were in a time crunch so, sadly, we were not able to try it. So, if you want it, maybe halfway through your meal, order the peach cobbler so it'll be ready for the end of your meal.

Came during hot brown week- the restaurant was busy but service was great. Tried the smoked wings and they're quite good. Blue cheese was home made and delicious! We all got the hot brown and green beans both were great. Order the old fashion and it was delicious, very fruity and full! The restaurant is eclectic, lots of antiques and old Hollywood photos- it seems there are lots of regulars and you can tell why!

The food was ok. Drink was giving tipsy. Waitress wasn't super happy to serve us it seems, she was focused on her other customers. I had to find her to checkout, couldn't find her, so another employee checked us out. I won't be back.

Great hot brown. Good service and fast! Would come here again. Feels more like a local dive for those in the neighborhood.

First time checking out this establishment and I overheard the waitress telling a group of women that Rubbies has been there for thirty years.They must be doing something great because Kentucky Hot Brown was delicious and Rubbies Barbecue & Brew has one of the top three in our area.The place has a nice cozy and lively atmosphere for everyone to enjoy.

I was planning for a drive through Louisville with the family. This place is a rare place. They have a kids menu and an extensive bourbon list including flights. There aren't a lot of places in the world where you can get chicken tenders and fries for the kids while trying three Weller pours. This hit the spot. They were understaffed and it took a little while to get seated despite plenty of available tables but once we were seated, the service made up for it. Everything came out quickly and you can't go wrong with barbecue and bourbon for dinner. We were in and out in under an hour so it was the perfect stop. I'm not sure we could have parked, walked and waited in line if we had tried that downtown.

I wouldn't recommend this place to ANYONE of color. I wish we had checked the reviews before we went. We came for Louisville wing week. The servers were rude. One told us "just a minute" and never came back. The other came and rudely asked if we had been helped. She walked off and from across the room, yelled to ask us what we wanted to drink. (She didn't do this to the other tables). When she brought the menus, she practically moved my arm out of the way to set it down. When she brought our drinks, she threw the straws down on the table. We eventually got up and left. They are DEFINITELY racist and it's disgusting

This is their hotbrown "in a creamy cheese sauce". That is not a hot brown. The real deal is moray sauce. Shame on you. You should not call it a hot brown. Yuck!!!!

Haven't been to Louisville in over a year and half, decided to have a mini reunion with fiancés family at Rubbies. Received friendly service and felt welcomed. Ordered the 'Pulled Pork Sandwich' and thought it was a little dry for my liking. Not that it wasn't good, just a tad on the dry side. The BBQ sauce was fantastic though. Looking at everyone else's food, it all looked really good.

Love this place - the motor oil tenders are delish!!! I highly recommend this place. We always get carry out.

This is my second time here and both times I've been impressed by most of the food. My husband and I ordered the hot brown and it was full of flavor and so good. We ordered the potato skins appetizer which we didn't particularly care for. It was covered in raw onions which we can't stand. Just making a mental note of what not to order for the next visit. From previous visits I can report that the green beans, baked beans and chicken tenders are really good! The dining area is dated and in need of some TLC as it has a lot of wood paneling and the walls are cluttered. Some could argue that gives it character but just gives a dreary appearance in my opinion. The servers were very nice. We will return.

Great food, outstanding service for our group of 10 for lunch. We certainly will return. And the decor was certainly fun to look at! We highly recommend Rubbies for bar b que and other great eats !

Good bourbon list, decent beer selection, great service and mediocre food during our one visit. Your mileage may vary. The dinner salad was pedestrian; typical iceberg and maybe another lettuce a couple onions and two slices of hard boiled egg. The hot brown looked good but was too salty. I'd give it another shot based on the vibe and good service.

Can you go higher than 5? Got here when they were very busy and understaffed. Didn't matter. They still did a great job taking care of me. The Kentucky Hot Brown was absolutely awesome. Visited while traveling for work. Traveling the next several weeks and will be back several times.

I almost don't want to tell anyone about this hidden gem. The bourbon selection was off the chain. The food was from scratch. The bartendress was knowledgeable and all around amazing. Everything was delicious. If I lived in Louisville, I would be here often.

we used to go to Rubies all the time ( the motor oil wing was our all time favorite ) July 1st around 2 pm - order the wings - 8 for $16 Bucks - they were just regular size wings - about half the size they used to be - the product did not warrant the cost -- fries were soggy was not crisp - it was apparent was not served immediately .. I ordered the Brisket sandwich - it also was served at room temperature - was not tender but very tough - and the bun and meat was covered in so much barbecue sauce could not taste the smoked brisket at all - The restaurant was not busy - had 3 people at tables - had to wait to be seated - apparently not worth the drive from Shepherdsville any more -feel i might have been a little to generous with the stars - actually a 1/2 star would have been appropriate ... Sorry i had this experience - was always one of our favorite places to go for good food - Think they lost a customer of many years today -

This was an interesting dining experience. This restaurant reminds me of the greasy spoon Greek family restaurants of years past. Massive menu, the Americana decor everything. I felt like I was stepping back into the 90s but it had its charm. I went to Rubbies during Hot Brown week. The staff was talking about how it had been nonstop busy all day. This was noticeable, they were out of some stuff, my beer and someone else's drinks had to be subbed because they were out of it. I ordered the hot brown and my order was out quickly, it was everything I could have wanted in a down the middle standard hot brown. It was gooey and warm and feels like home to this Louisville transplant. I'd like to go back and try their more standard fair like the bbq in their name. I think if you have family in town who aren't super adventurous this is the place to go on the south side of town

Going back soon. The chicken tenders and motor oil were great. The fires were perfect and the slaw was delicious. The guys behind me got a steak and it smelled wonderful x. My husband wolfed down his wings as well. You can tell them you want spicy "motor oil" and they spice it up! I want to try the hot brown next but I don't know if I can not get the chicken!

This place is a hidden gem. I have a house off of S 1st st. I forgot all about this place! So I go in today for lunch and it was great! The food was so good, the atmosphere and the waitress was amazing! I even got some food to go Needless to say I will definitely be back.

Ok, we love this place! Think back to backyard picnics and BBQ's. The sides are amazing and exactly what I would expect 20 years ago at a dinner, family restaurant, or picnic. The potato salad, coleslaw, and smoked baked beans are delicious. The smoky, motor oil wings are crispy and then the dipping sauce is sweet, savory, and can have just a touch of spice. They are messy, but amazing. The daily specials have been great and the jalapeño cream cheese appetizer is awesome! We've had burgoo, some bourbon steak (amazing sauce too), hot brown, brisket, fried chicken salad, and more. It's all been delicious. The 4 stars...service can be a little slow and one time the steak was very grisly.

We all ordered the wings with the motor oil sauce, you can't go wrong, this place is like walking back in time, very cool

I went to Rubbie's to enjoy a band I knew that was playing there, but got hungry and decided to try some of the food while I was there. The space was incredibly unassuming. Posters of old Hollywood stars - particularly Marilyn Monroe and Audrey Hepburn - hung on the walls in the main dining area where the band was playing. But because it was so packed we ended up sitting in the bar to eat. I was in the mood for a cheeseburger so I ordered a Rubbie's burger and the Simon & Garfunkel fries. The reason for the 4 instead of 5 stars is simply because of the wait. We waited and waited. Yes, they were very busy that night so we were pretty patient. The person I was with ordered burgoo which theoretically should have come out fairly quickly - so I thought, assuming they had a batch ready to go for anyone who ordered. But it took at least 30 minutes to get that. After about another 15 minutes we asked about the burger - it seems our bartender had forgotten about it. About 10 minutes later it finally came out. I was a little annoyed but I will say that the burger was VERY good. Very juicy, well seasoned. Just a great class diner burger - something that seems to be increasingly difficult to find. The fries were also quite taste as they were dusted with parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme (like the Simon & Garfunkel song "Scarborough Fair"). The portion size was quite large as well. My boyfriend really enjoyed the burgoo - so much so that he ordered another cup to go.

Came to check them out for burger week and was never greeted or seated to try the food. We waited 15 minutes and were still not greeted. The servers looked at us but never came to sit us down. Even walked over to the bar and was not acknowledged. I would not recommend this place to anyone who looks similar to me. Seems to be a members only place.Went to the next establishment on the list was seated and greeted immediately.

racist bartender worst customer service won't very bad service won't ever go back there

Very good food and service. Always friendly and food is always fresh and hot. Motor oil wings are the best wings in Louisville, and are sold as whole wings not half wigs like everywhere else.

Food is good. Service was excellent. However, we thought it was a BBQ joint, sadly no pulled pork.

What a great find. We were leaving the jack-o'-lantern spectacular. Looking for something close and came across this gem. The service from Tamara was fantastic and the Texas sandwich was incredible. The beans are fantastic and the mammoth burger was gigantic. We also really enjoyed the smoked wings. ask for a side of the motor oil sauce because this stuff is great and I even started drinking it at the table. Not very classy, but I don't care because it was awesome. Definitely going to give this a big old thumbs up.

Absolutely one of my favorite places in Louisville. Whether I'm stopping in for wings (smoked or motor oil), the brisket sandwich, or their Hot Brown Rubbies never disappoints. Great comfort food and friendly service mix with a decor out of the 70's and you have a dining experience that is unlike any other in town.

We came to town for the Jack'O Lantern spectacular and stopped in for dinner. I loved the old school feel and all the random decor. Our server was Sophie or Sofia (I can't remember!) she was amazing! Attentive and quick! We had the hickory smoked brisket and the "motor oil" chicken wings, both were delicious!

It's a hit our a miss, I loved the ribs but they like a microwave more than a smoker. It sucks because this place has amazing potential. Love their fries, their wings. Stay away from the "fresh brisket or ribs"

Every time I've ever went there for carry out they take forever. So I started calling it in ahead of time. But even then you go there and it takes them forever to come to counter so you can pay. This last time I stood there 10 minutes looking at my food at register waiting for them. Then I get home and my dad and I's side of potato salad that cost almost $3 was so small it was ridiculous. Looked like to table spoons worth. And their chicken wings are tiny. They taste good but I've never seen such little wings. Like they came off baby chickens. I'm tired of the bad experiences I keep having with them. They cost too much for what it is and have bad service. So I'll never go back.

Okay so if you like good food and amazing nice service but you don't care what the place looks like! This is the place! I love the local bar scene, a place just to have a few drinks and good appetizers! Our bartender/waitress was amazing, so welcoming! Thanks for the warm welcome to some out of state girls from Colorado!

Great Food....Wings, Chicken strips, BBQ, Brisket, Burgoo, Burgers, Steaks, Fried Chicken, Cod or Catfish, variety of sides plus daily plate lunch specials Monday thru Sunday. Restaurant and Bar area are separated. Great place to go for lunch, dinner, or FUN!!

Unique place as it is split into two settings a dive bar and a restaurant that isn't just bar food. I was pleasantly surprised by the food options offered. Other than that it was a let down. The lighting even in the restaurant is very damp and depressing almost. The service was very slow. Waitress very quiet and soft spoken and our drinks stayed empty. We waited 20 min after we had finished our meals until we received our check. The decor there looked like it had been in place since the 70's. True definition of grandma furniture and decor. I have a rule if there is a hot brown on the menu I am going to order it. So I got the ky hot brown. It honestly was not very good. It did come out piping hot at lest. The sauce was what made it not so good. My wife order the bourbon glazed steak and loved it. I'll give this place another try based on others feedback and just try something different. But for now based on my personal experience I have to rate it a low end 2.

Not sure why I waited so long to try this place but finally tried it a couple of weeks ago and have been back 3 times. I hear that the smoked wings are excellent but I tried the motor oil wings and can't get enough of them. Crispy, sweet and delicious. Not sure that I will ever make it to the smoked wings. Hot Brown was excellent, burgers are great and the skillet bourbon steak was very good. Great sides as well. Baked beans, cole slaw, salads. Also, there is a daily special which is nice to provide a little variety. Someone mentioned that It is like a diner or family restaurant which is an awesome compliment since we really don't have a ton of those in Louisville. I will definitely be back and am sad that I didn't try it sooner.

Great Hot brown! The environment is laid back, everyone is super nice and all the food is excellent!

80% of the time the food is good and 100% of the time it's bad service. Every time I eat there I say it's my last time. This particular time I called in a carry out which was sitting by the door the entire time I was there. Stood there for 20 mins without a greeting. So much for warm food.

Near the time of Covid shut-down, I went to Rubbies for the first time to meet up with someone who happened to be black. We sat at the bar, service was fine/good. We were leaving when I heard the bartender (a white woman, maybe in her 50's) "loudly whisper" to another female employee that the call-in order/no show "was black". (Because that was important to note, apparently.). Obviously, she didn't seem worried about a negative reaction from her coworker for saying this. The Manager was around the bartender/bar area a lot as the kitchen door is off the bar. I can't say that he heard what happened, but she seemed way too comfortable in her behavior for me to not question what else goes on in there. After exiting, i was in shock b/c I hadn't encountered that kind of thing in years (though knew it existed). I told my friend, as they walked out first & didn't hear it. I grappled with this for over a year as Covid was in the dynamic but, I, personally, will never step foot in there again.

If you're ever in town, you have to check it out ! The food was absolutely delicious !!!! The service was fantastic and the owner and staff were very attentive ! Nice little hidden gem :)