The way to a man's heart is through his stomach. I'm in love. My heart Melts when I eat here. ( pass through once a year ) It's the highlight of my culinary year The flavors are earthy simple and complex. All at the same time. Spices never overpower the intended mouth music. I wish I could dine here regularly. read more

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I'm finally having a chance to review our visits to Freight House back in November! My husband and I took a little trip to Paducah, and the main reason we chose this location for our vacation was Sara Bradley's restaurant Freight House. We both are fans of "Top Chef" and since her restaurant is within reasonable distance of home, we planned a trip around it. In fact, we made reservations for two nights in a row, to take in as much of the menu as possible! Between the two different days, we tried a number of appetizers, entrees and desserts. If I were to do this again the same way, I would do one day of apps and dessert and one day of entrees, just to spread things out a bit. What we ate: - Fall pickles: I enjoyed this, with the bit of chili heat, especially the cauliflower - Stuffed Mushrooms: I love mushrooms, and these blended creamy, sweet and hot with a filling of cream cheese, berry BBQ sauce and smoked jalapeno - Pistachio and herb chevre cheeseball: a fresh cheese enhanced by nutty and Herby notes - Smoked bologna: my husband's choice; very meaty and there was a lot of it - Spicy beer cheese spread: a very Midwestern feeling appetizer with tasty veggies and crackers Entrees: -Shrimp and grits: my choice: comforting southern food with lots of flavor - Duck fried rice: his choice: rich rice offset by more delicate vegetables - Sticky ribs: my choice: the pumpkin spice and coffee liqueur glaze worked well for a cozy, wintry meal - Braised pork shoulder: his choice; served with beans and cornbread, this was another hearty, comforting meal with a Southern twist. Desserts: - Winter creme brulee: this was my favorite, flavored with mulling spices, orange and pomegranate We also enjoyed a seasonal sorbet and the fall spice cake. We had the same server both nights, Elizabeth, who was good at making recommendations, and also staggering the small plates on our small table so we wouldn't be overloaded. Chef Sara was in house the second night, bringing dishes to tables. The setting is relaxed, not overly loud, with moody lighting. Overall, we would certainly return to Freight House! read more

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We have waited forever to try this yummy establishment. Oh why did we wait? It was amazing and our server Liz was so helpful. What a cute place, love the repurposed brick building. read more

Freight House - Catfish pan seared. Oh my! Amazing - American Near Me - Paducah, Kentucky

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Nice pleasant atmosphere with attentive service. Pork shoulder was terrific. Very solid experience. Went there on the recommendation of friends and would pass on the suggestion to anyone in the neighborhood. read more

Everything here is amazing! Owner is very kind and talented. Food is 10/10. Will go back often.

The food was amazing! Definitely a great date night. The location has lots of parking and the ambience was amazing.

Last dinner stop on a brief 3-day foodie/history excursion through Southern-Western Kentucky...and what a delightfully delicious destination to end our journey! Have followed Chef Sara via her multiple TV appearances with anticipation of someday visiting. This trip did not disappoint. Getting a reservation - easy and straightforward. Atmosphere/ambiance - neat, modern, open, congenial. Staff - welcoming and polite, efficient and attentive without being intrusive. Starters - we shared Deviled Eggs with chimmichurri; creamy not mashed filling, savory, and a smooth, light way to start. The chimmi topping was a savory blend of parsley, garlic, olive oil and perhaps a secret herb or two? Assuredly, not your grandma's sprinkle of paprika. (Sorry, Granny.) Mains - We shared two main dishes: "From the Garden" Cauliflower and veggie mix, the other Grilled Pork Loin. Both were adequate portions for us, although a person with a heartier appetite might order one or more of the delicious-sounding sides on the menu. The Roasted Cauliflower had Kentucky mushrooms, dilly grapes (more please!), olives, black garlic (just a touch), and capers. It was excellent. The Grilled Pork Loin was two slices of "sweet-tea" brined pork, tender and succulent as one can get. It was served on top of sweet cream corn polenta that was smooth with a few whole kernels intermixed and highlighted with a sweet-tart blackberry sauce. I'd order this again in the blink of an eye. The combination of savory and slightly sweet, texturally blended garnish (oh, those perfectly piquant "Sweety-Drop" peppers) on Grilled Pork Loin really could not have been better. We finished off with a beautiful to look at (see my photo) "Peach Tart." While visually stunning, this dessert was the least favorite part of the meal. The "bebe's crust" was tough, the thinly sliced peach slightly underripe; only the goat cheese fluff and the mint & thyme glaze lived up to the standards of an otherwise superb dinner. (Note: I've posted photos of the menu, but be advised it changes frequently, so check the Freight house website for an up-to-date listing.) read more

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This was the best meal we've ever had. We had to come into town for a funeral and after watching Sara for years, decided to make a reservation and try her restaurant. First, everyone was so so nice and helpful with menu suggestions. We actually got into town a hour earlier than expected, and they were able to adjust our reservation and get us sat within 10 minutes. The cocktails were so so good. Strong, but not in the sense that all you taste is liquor. The fish dip was fresh, and had massive pieces of fish in it. Not just small pieces smashed in. The entrees were great as other reviews will also say, but the star of the whole night was dessert. That peach tart was so rich, but refreshing, creamy, but light, it was originally the item we weren't thinking too much about, until we took a bite. Obviously this is a place that is pricier and probably more of a special occasion for most, but it was worth every single penny. Sara also came over and talked to us, asked why we were in town, gave us suggestions, and just overall laughed and joked around. It was really cool to see her so involved with all the tables there. read more

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I wish I could give more than five stars. Freight house is set in an old vegetable depot that has been completely redone and is absolutely beautiful. It is the perfect balance of upscale without being too formal. We did the tasting menu with the pairings and were impressed by every single dish. Our favorites included sticky ribs with an espresso glaze, the best catfish I have ever eaten. Chef Sara told us the fish is fished for daily and delivered to them daily. The main meat entree Kentucky beef that came with a cornflake crusted cheesy potato casserole that was to die for. Chef Sara is an absolute delight and comes around to every single table like their long-lost friends. We were lucky enough to get a picture with her! Not to mention the service was outstanding, we never waited too long for a course and all the pairings were beautiful. I wish we lived closer so I could go here again and again and again. read more

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This is the 3rd time I've been to Freight House (second time experiencing the Chef's Tasting Menu - which I HIGHLY recommend!). I always leave full, delighted, and impressed. The service is impeccable! The inside of the restaurant is one of exposed beams, exposed brick, unique lighting & chandeliers, and a beautiful semi-open kitchen. Sarah & her team do SUCH a phenomenal job of creating unique dishes, using as many local ingredients as possible. The combos are to die for! Don't wait - make a reservation asap. read more

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Where to start? The Paint it Black cocktail was dark and delicious, the ribs with potlikker sauce were tender, the grits with shrimp were solid, the black eyed peas were silky like butter, the banana tiramisu was transporting, and the chess pie was heavenly. The chef came out and celebrated Melissa Etheridge's nomination to the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame, the dining room was lovely and the service was laid back and attentive. Top notch. No misses, loved everything, everyone should go read more

Some parts were great. Some were just ok. We are big fans of Sara's and were excited to finally get to try her restaurant on our recent summer roadtrip. We had a 5:15 reservation on a Saturday, and I'm glad we had a reservation because it was packed. It was less busy when we left around 7:30. Sara was there when we arrived, and while she was there, service was great. The food was paced well and the meal was running well. She left after we got our appetizers, and then service crawled. We waited over 30 minutes between our apps and entrees. No one came to explain. The tables around us were seated when we were and were finishing dessert before we even got entrees. We were only a table of 3. Our server stopped even making eye contact with us during this time. The food did come out hot when it finally arrived. The highlights: - my cocktails were great. I had the oaxcan in the sun and the paint it black. The first was a mezcal and pineapple drink, which was lovely. The second was their take on a Manhattan, and it was equally lovely. Both were smooth and tasty. Husband had an old fashioned, and it was just ok. - The bologna fried rice was awesome. The rice was crispy. It had a nice smoked flavor. It was unique. Really loved it. - The portions are well sized. The kids meal was huge for $10. - The green tomato gazpacho was really interesting. - Lots of dishes can be made gluten free, vegetarian, etc. Really love that. Everything we had was good, but nothing else was spectacular. The cornbread was just ok. The grits were ok. The greens were fine. The shrimp and grits were fine. But none of them were standouts. For dessert, I had the blueberry sundae and husband had vanilla ice cream. Sundae was tasty, but it didn't rock my world. I was disappointed the pea cake wasn't on the menu. Overall, I'm glad we came. Sara was so kind when we spoke to her. It was a lovely meal. I just had hopes that it would be a stellar meal. My only real complaint is how slow service was for no known reason. I would definitely come again if I ever find myself in Paducah. read more

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I mean, if you're anywhere near Paducah this is someplace you need to visit if you're at all into food. I would consider prices fairly reasonable for world class dining with very good service. The space is great (although the artwork won't be for everybody) and if you're visiting during Fall 2025 you must get the Oyster Mushrooms dish. Griddled Meatloaf is great, and pretty much everything on the menu appears top notch so get whatever sounds good! Wine & cocktail options are very nice, and overall this is a restaurant that most will enjoy across every facet. Well done! read more

We had a great meal, and service was excellent, atmosphere is really cool, the place was hopping on a rainy February evening. The devilled eggs are not to be missed, and the ribs starter was the best thing I've eaten in a while. I'd be tempted to just order a large serving for myself as my entree. My catfish was a little disappointing, I've never been a huge fan of catfish but figured if I was going to give it another chance, this was the place. I found it fishy tasting, which is what I'd hoped I wouldn't find, but maybe it's my fault for expecting catfish to be something it's not. Oyster mushroom entree and pork loin entree were great, the pork shoulder entree was tasty but a bit dry. Will definitely return if we're in the area again. read more

The service was excellent. Thank you Hauser for provide g a nice relaxing friendly atmosphere. The food was flavorful and luscious. We started with Nini's pickles which provided a nice crisp tangy start. Then snuck in the fried rice bologna which my husband enjoyed way more than he thought he would. The rice almost had a nutty crunchy flavor with the the bite of the arugula and the great flavor of the bologna. For the main coarse I had her staple of Shrimp and grits. The grits were made with pimento cheeee and the some shredded pork and bbq. Very good but the winner of the night was her seasonal special of pork loin with a grilled corn polenta and roasted peach sauce and herb cheers. All of it together just made the perfect bite. We finished it off with her stone fruit cobbler and the plum pavlova desert. Both were fabulous We were also fortunate enough to have Sara Bradley be there and able watch her work and talk with her. So friendly We will definitely be back and this may be our new route into Kentucky read more

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Was spending 2 weeks in Kentucky for work, and even though Freight House was about an hour and a half away, I convinced by co-workers we needed to go. It did not disappoint. We had a reservation (which I recommend) and were seated promptly when we arrived. They have a good selection of cocktails to choose from and they were served quickly. Our server was attentive throughout the meal ensuring drinks stayed full and food was served quickly. Stand-out food choices: The corned bread (we ordered 2 for the table as apps and wound up ordering a 3rd) is one of the best I have had. Double-stuffed burrata and spicy bear cheese were also great selections. The shrimp and grits was AMAZING, the pork chop was the thickest one I'd ever seen (and still juicy). We were there in the fall and most of our party got this pumpkin cake for dessert which I still dream about to this day. If you are a fan of Sarah Bradley and make the trek to Freight House you will not be disappointed. read more

Freight House - American Near Me - Paducah, Kentucky

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This is one of the best restaurants we've ever eaten at, and we absolutely cannot wait to go back to Paducah, Kentucky, just to eat here again. It's located exactly halfway between our home in Charlotte, North Carolina, and my dad's place in Manhattan, Kansas--so it was the perfect meeting spot. We had the pleasure of meeting the chef, who's been featured on several Food Network cooking shows, including a dueling chefs competition. (Confession: I don't even watch much TV, but I'm a fan now!) The chorizo appetizer was off-the-charts amazing--honestly one of the best I've ever had. My wife ordered the carrots and peas special, which may not sound like much, but it was unexpectedly incredible. I had a crab cake étouffée--or maybe it was a crab cake gumbo--I can't remember the exact name, but I do remember it was phenomenal. I tried both a local beer and an Old Fashioned; next time I'll skip the beer and just go with the cocktails. They really know what they're doing behind the bar. All the ingredients are locally sourced, and the creativity in the menu is outstanding. We also had a dessert that was created by the chef's mother--it was unforgettable, though I can't recall the name. Bottom line: I truly cannot overstate how good this restaurant is. Put it on your bucket list--you'll want to eat here more than once. Absolutely amazing. read more

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This place is for people who think plain chicken is tasty; people that think black pepper is spicy. We were thrown off initially when the waitress asked us to order the appetizer and entree at the same time, making us feel rushed. For an upscale price, it doesn't give a welcoming feeling. We ordered two appetizers, the deviled eggs and the sunflower hummus, as well as two cocktails. The old fashioned tasted like straight lemon juice, like the owner has never read what an old fashioned even is. The deviled eggs were plain, no flavor but egg yolk, sprinkled with a little bit of everything seasoning. Compared to pictures from other reviews, our deviled eggs look like some heavy cost cutting occurred. Previous pictures had more personality and creativity, these are just sad. The pictures paint a clear picture that this place is not as good as it once was, illustrating a sense of greed, charging more for stripped down relics of the past. The sunflower hummus left me puzzled. It was unique, but the flavor was bland (common theme). It had crunch, personality, authenticity, but no taste. The shrimp and grits supper was an interesting plate. The shrimp was bland. I don't like grits so I have nothing else to add, but the tiny slice of pork was decent for the couple bites it made. The steak was cooked perfectly, and the hashbrown casserole it came with was a pleasant surprise. It was cheesy and had more flavor than anything else on the table. The crunchy texture of the corn flakes was a bit excessive, and could be toned down just a tad, otherwise a good side. I was saddened most about the steak quality. It had tough sections with more gristle than fat. It felt like a cheap cut of steak, like cost cutting hit again. I've had better steaks for much less. Even a $10 cut I had in Kobe, Japan was better than this. The flavor was okay, but not $70 okay. Even in higher cost of living areas like Denver, I've had better steaks for less. Overall, not my cup of tea. Wouldn't recommend unless you need a reason to drink; the post-bill depression hits a little harder here. read more

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Absolutely fantastic! Who thought you'd have a nationally and internationally acclaimed chef with her own restaurant in Paducah. We were here on a Thursday in January and the restaurant was moderately crowded. I can only imagine what it would be like during the busy season. Make a reservation!. read more

Went here during a family reunion in KY. Food was superb. Drinks were some of the best. Service was warm and friendly. The atmosphere is very inviting. I didn't catch a picture, but their mushrooms a la plancha with sassafras glaze was the best mushroom dish I've ever had. It was like root beer mushrooms... but in a good way. read more

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Walked in the door, we were asked if we had a reservation. We did not. There were a number of empty tables, but because we did not have a reservation, we had to share a high top with another party. The server came, he was prompt and nice but when we only ordered drinks and an appetizer he pushed to take our dinner order as well. At that point we were done. Felt like we were inconveniencing the restaurant be walking in without a reservation. We were not made to feel welcome or that they were there to accommodate our requests. On to the next Paducah restaurant where customer service is higher on the list. read more

Very nice place down near the waterfront. Clean and nicely set up. Food was great. Salads fresh and delicious plus our main course was delicious. Our waiter was knowledgeable and helpful. Very nice place. We enjoyed it. read more

We walked to Freight House for dinner from The 1857 Hotel - very close. Our server was attentive and responsive. We ordered drinks, the stuffed mushrooms for an appetizer, pot pie and shrimp and grits for dinner, and the bourbon ball for dessert. Everything was delicious and hot and served in a timely fashion. Loved the space - industrial but warm and inviting. Looked like the other tables were a mix of families, couples, and business meetings. Super happy with the experience. We'll be back! read more

Best place to eat in Paducah! Beautiful ambiance in an old freight house. Amazing food. I had shrimp and grits and my husband had a shrimp po boy sandwich. All delicious. Delicate flavors. My drink was amazing. It had bourbon, brown sugar, basil, balsamic & was really good. The wait staff was also great. read more

Freight House - Deviled eggs & our drinks - American Near Me - Paducah, Kentucky

Everything we hoped for and more! The grilled Caesar is an umami bomb! Every bite packed with flavor from the Castelvetrano olives, grilled onions, Parmesan, and herbed bread crumbs. Whooped Chèvre? Why yes please! The soft goat cheese paired with Calabrian pepper jelly and butter crackers was a perfect starter. The blackened local catfish was literally glistening with just the right amount of sweet and crisp. The braised pork shoulder lived up to its well-deserved rave reviews - so tender you barely needed a fork, it just fell right apart and then right into our mouths! Had to finish with the Pea cake which delivered the perfect amount of sweet, tart and crunch. Even though we didn't think we had room for another bite, the dessert stomach came through Great service and atmosphere! Chef Sarah was just as gracious, kind and genuine as I would have thought. Sitting at the Chef's table gave us the wonderful opportunity to chat with her after our meal and with her team throughout the meal. If you're in Paducah, this is absolutely a must-visit restaurant. Worth every penny and every minute spent there! read more

Had the tasting menu with wine pairings. Excellent 6 course menu! Our server was excellent; he described the dishes and the wines perfectly and answered any questions we had. Would come back to Freight House in a heartbeat! read more

Freight House - Tasting menu (subject to change!) - American Near Me - Paducah, Kentucky

Had the most awesome dinner at freight house this evening. Food was exceptional! But the true gem was the service. You could see they were swamped and handled everything with perfect elegance. On top of that, you can tell the team truly cares about the experience pretentious. Genuine personalities shining through. read more

It was very busy which is likely while it took a little while for the food to come out, but what I ordered made up for it. I ordered the pb and j ribs, along with garlic butter fries and black eyed peas. The ribs were the best I've ever had, and the meat was nearly falling off the bone. The garlic fries were a huge portion and were pretty good. Slightly overcooked but still good. And the black eyed peas were just black eyed peas. They were very good though. The staff was very friendly and the overall restaurant was pretty large. read more

Freight House - Pb and j ribs garlic butter in fries and black eyed peas. (Try them your self they are better in person) - American Near Me - Paducah, Kentucky

Food was amazing, the menu is so enticing - so difficult to decide what to order. We were seated at the bar; the service was efficient and attentive and helpful. We were impresses with the casual but elegant yet comfortable atmosphere. Loved reading the shelves of liquor varieties and also all the cookbook spines. We had a terrific experience. read more

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Wow! We loved our evening at Freight House! We spent a week in TN, but on our way back to TX, we had to stop to experience one of our favorite chef's restaurant and it exceeded every expectation. We did the chef's tasting menu and everything blew our mind. Our waiter was excellent and we felt like we all got to know each other by the end of the night. The place was bumping even for a Thursday night so definitely look into getting a reservation. Was a place where you could dress snappy casual or dress it up for a fun occasion. Chef Sara even came by our table and met with us for a few minutes. She noticed my wife raving about watermelon this season, and on our way out she hand delivered some fresh slices for us to take home. We will definitely find an excuse to come back someday. Thank you Chef Sara and your team! It was a lovely night. read more

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"What went well?" EVERYTHING!!! Perfectly Prepared Drinks to start. Appetizers were good. Meals were fantastic. Plus the service was very good. read more

Freight House - American Near Me - Paducah, Kentucky

We timed our trip to Atlanta perfectly to arrive in Paducah at dinner. Started with one of the best cocktails I've ever had-Ruth Bader Gins-burg. Light lemony and delicious. We tried the fried bologna and potato latkes for appetizers. The bologna was exceptional! The flavor in the latke didn't match what my brain was expecting but tasty nonetheless. For entrees we had meatloaf and shrimp and grits- some of the best shrimp and grits ever and the meatloaf was to die for. The potatoes underneath were so so good. A few years ago our son happened onto it and had the crawfish pot pie- looked amazing and he loved it. Our server was attentive and efficient. This is a don't miss place!! Loved the variety on the menu and the dedication to local products. read more

Freight House - Meatloaf and entree menu - American Near Me - Paducah, Kentucky

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After going over the mock tail options with my server, I was served alcohol. This kind of mistake cannot happen. So disappointing after 3 1/2 years sober, even one sip is too much. Take alcohol service Seriously. This was very reckless with my sobriety, walked out in tears, won't be back. Zero stars....... read more

Always a great variety of foods! Excellent service. Not too loud and plenty cool. One of our favorite places!

Sara Bradley is an amazing chef the staff is courteous and friendly and the atmosphere all give a wonderful dining experience.

Just go. The food is terrific. Atmosphere is lovely and comfortable. I have been several times and everyone I have taken loves it. Sit at the shared high top table and meet great folks. read more

Made special trip to Paducah just to eat at the freight house. Amazing food. So difficult to make up your mind what to order. Friendly service. Sarah Bradley, the chef, was ever present going to tables and greeting customers. Will definitely go again. read more

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My three sisters and I drove 4 hours for dinner, not the tasting. Seated on time, attentive service, but the stars are the food and the host! We shared deviled eggs and grilled Caesar salad - this salad was deliciously AMAZING!!!!!!!! The espresso martini and Ruth Nader GINS-burg were fab!!! I devoured the roasted cauliflower with the mix of sweet spices, cashews and picked onions. The pork loin was tender and perfectly paired with polenta and peaches! But the pork shoulder, black eyed peas and greens with bacon fat cornbread I will dream about! Along with the fruit pavlova - delightful, sugary texture with fresh fruit and whipped cream. For the finale Chef Sarah visited with us for several minutes, posing for pictures and chatting like friends. This will be an annual event!!! read more

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We passed through Paducah on a road trip. Honestly, our expectations on food were pretty low with lots of chain restaurants right off the highway. We found Freight House on Yelp and drove a few minutes into town, and we are SO GLAD we did! The server, Kyle was very kind, genuine, and helpful with great suggestions. We ended up enjoying: the Brother, where art thou cocktail (or two. Hah!) the mushrooms a la Plancha (pretty sure this is a seasonal item) so flavorful!! Grilled Caesar salad - fantastic & satisfying! Braised pork shoulder - tasty, tender, perfectly seasoned and such a delicious combination with the sauce and sides! The only problem with this place is that it's about 2k miles from our home. read more

We drove in for the day from Nashville with Freight House being our main attraction and it didn't disappoint. From first glance it's inviting and charming in this historic space with an open kitchen and covered patio. Our server was polite and provided more information when we asked for recommendations and such. We decided to select several plates to share, so we started with the deviled eggs with bacon onion jam that we were told were always on the rotating menu just with different twists. We wouldn't normally order deviled eggs, but these were very worth it! The smoked yolk filling was a great texture and a generous helping and the bacon onion jam gave it just a hit of sweet and savory that put it over the top. Next, the Brussels sprouts napoleon was a seasonal starter that wound up being one of my husband's favorites. Puff pastry with hot honey drizzled on top, sprouts in the middle with citrus ricotta... and the dried cherries gave it a little something extra. Tasty though it didn't make my top dishes of the night. For entrees we shared the braised pork shoulder and shrimp & grits. The shrimp were perfectly cooked, the pimento cheese grits were so tasty and surprisingly not heavy with the brothy sauce, and the pieces of pork in the dish made it extra satisfying. The braised pork shoulder was the star of the show for me. The meat fall apart tender, perfectly paired with sides to make a fantastic plate. The greens had a little sweetness and acidity to balance out the richness of the pork, the sauce and fennel aioli brought everything together, and the bacon fat cornbread was a staple on the menu for good reason. For dessert we asked for Chef Sarah's recommendations and she selected the mocha chai sundae and strawberry shortcake. The sundae came with table side poured chai Carmel sauce which was a fantastic addition to the coffee ice cream, and I liked the crunchiness of the chocolate meringue paired with the ice cream and caramel. The strawberry shortcake was another favorite for me -- the olive oil cake was tasty and even better paired with the sweetness of the strawberries and the tanginess of the goat cheese fluff -- which I couldn't help but finish despite being incredibly full. My only complaint is not enough strawberries, but each component was fantastic and the whole thing was gone. read more

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