Freight House in Paducah is worth the drive from Nashville (and if you are a fan of quilting, this city is for you). We showed up right at opening, five o'clock, and there was already a long line of people waiting to get in. Make a reservation. I'm glad we did. We had a party of four and was seated at a low top that had a view of the kitchen. Lively open space with an open kitchen you can see both the cook line and the prep area. The cornbread was the unexpected standout of the entire meal. Mildly sweet, savory, light and fluffy all the way through. I was not expecting a side dish to steal the show, but it did. We also ordered the double stuffed burrata, and the bread it came with deserves its own mention. Crisp, lightly toasted, with just a touch of char. It paired beautifully with the creamy burrata and the accompaniments on the plate. For my entree I went with the grilled Caesar salad and added shrimp. It ended up being the perfect call. The portion was generous, the shrimp addition made it feel like a real meal. The romaine had this excellent crisp char on it that added so much. The dressing was heavenly. One of the best Caesar dressings I have had in a while. My favorite parts of the night had nothing to do with what was on my plate. We got to watch chef Sara Bradley working the kitchen with her team during service, and it was clear why this place has the reputation it does. I'd love to come back and try the prix fixe tasting menu next time. Overall this was a great experience from start to finish. And a must stop or destination when driving through KY. read more

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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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Had dinner here while in Paducah KY- I was surprised to find a restaurant of this caliber in such a small town! The staff was friendly and welcoming- our server was happy and eager to share her favorites on the menu as well as answer our questions. The food was delicious- on the level of nice places in the big cities! Each item we tried was creative, somewhat exotic in terms of the pairings and everything was great! The ambience is hip and upbeat and plenty of space, no feelings of crowdedness. I'd eat here again and highly recommend it! read more

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Service was fantastic at the bar Got the grilled caesar salad with pork belly, local ky catfish, and seasonal sorbet (raspberry) All was absolutely delicious When I'm traveling through again, would 1000% come again 10/10 read more

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First of all this place is what I planned my trip around so I had very expectations. They met everyone of them. The staff was an incredible well oilled machine. They work hard together and you can taste it in everything I got the pretty woman cocktail. It was fantastic. We also got a starter but I didn't take a picture. We got the double stuffed burratta. It was incredible. Also side note, my mother has dairy allergies. They were really helpful about it. The waitress we had was amazing. Kind, bubbly and brilliant at her job. Then I had the stuffed cabbage roll. It was unbelievable. My son got the peanut butter and jelly sandwhich. My parents got the pork shoulder and the sweet tea thighs. Everything was amazing. Then we had dessert. My parents shared a pannacotta. I got the blueberry blonde. And my son got matcha mint chip ice cream. This place is worth it. Try it. read more

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This place was phenomenal, the best shrimp and grits I've ever had. There were other things on the menu that caught my eye but the spicy pork shank with the pimento cheese grits and shrimp was impossible for me to pass on. I'm glad that I didn't and once again the Yelp reviews didn't lead me wrong in choosing this place. Just by chance I met a couple guys here who are also in town for work that were referred to Freight House by a Paducian. They both really enjoyed their meals as well. read more

Freight House - Shrimp and Grits - American Near Me - Paducah, Kentucky

What a fun spot! They have great options for a variety of diets including vegetarians and gluten free. The grilled Caesar salad is such a fun twist on a classic. Reservations are definitely recommended! read more

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Tonight we were served by Kyle and the service was excellent as was the food! My daughter really enjoyed her vegan Caesar salad along with a side of shishito peppers. I had the fork and knife ribs which comes with a delicious potato salad and a generous wedge of watermelon that perfectly complimented the ribs that were falling off the bone. The attention to detail is amazing. The elevated ambiance is comfortable, you can actually have a conversation at your table and not overhear the table next to you read more

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The bar was set high because of all of the great expectations of this place. While visiting Paducah, this was the place everyone suggested. The service was outstanding, and the staff were very attentive to everything. The chorizo appetizer was by far the best thing on the menu. The fork and knife ribs as well as the shrimp and grits were average. Next time we visit, we will try it again. Maybe it was just an off night. The patio was much quieter than the main dining area if you're looking for that experience also. read more

Freight House - Pea cake. - American Near Me - Paducah, Kentucky

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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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Everything was fantastic. Amazing service. The chef is the best and so nice. This is one of our favorite meals of the year 100/10 read more

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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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Disappointed. I had wanted to come to Freight House for a while. We were riding around and exploring the countryside of Kentucky for my birthday. We ended in Paducah on a whim and thought us to be fortunate to grab a late reservation. My husband's cornbread was VERY GOOD, oddly not served with butter. He had to request. Food was not bad. The aps and meal were average at best, nothing to rave about. I tried the smashed meatball. It was a dry spicy slider on a stick. Cute but that's it. For dinner the waitress suggested ribs over shrimp and grits. Again, no stand out. I received two ribs and gave one to husband. Glad I wasn't starving. Potato salad was watery but tasty. Very small portion. Thought I had to try english pea cake. It was visually appealing, but left an after taste in my mouth like I had picked up a handful of freshly mowed grass and given it a chew. Service was average. We waited longer on our dessert than our aps and meal. Don't mind paying for a great meals, but we had very expensive BBQ meals. Definitely, paying for the name fame and not quality of food. read more

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Excellent experience from start to finish. We came for Sara Bradley. We will be back for Sara and her entire team. We were sat quickly. I had the Cloud 9 and my husband had the Espresso Martini. Both beautiful and delicious. We ordered the spicy beer cheese. Outstanding beer cheese and the crackers were super tasty. I had the Baked Summer Squash for my entree and at our server Holly's suggestion added pork belly. My husband ordered the Griddled Meatloaf. I cannot describe how delicious both of our meals were. Holly, thank you for the pork belly recommendation!!! We live a couple hours away and cannot wait to go back. Thank you all for a great dinner! read more

Freight House - Espresso Martini - American Near Me - Paducah, Kentucky

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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 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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Nice location, Pretty place, service was nice, food is ok. Little too bougie for my taste. The prices are ridiculous.

OMG - that was some of the best shrimp and grits ever! It had chucks of pork, fresh button mushrooms, and pimento cheese grits. Hubby had the shrimp roll with warm German style potato salad. Our servers Ali and Asian took great care of us. 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

Freight House was AWESOME! Had the NY Strip steak and it was perfectly cooked and delicious! Our server, Ella, was very attentive and gave us great recommendations on starters and desserts to try! Ambiance was really cool and the place was popping on Tuesday! 10/10 recommend! read more

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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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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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

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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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

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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Finally, a great restaurant in Paducah. Even thought the price is a little higher than most places, the quality definitely makes up for it. I will be frequenting this place from now on. I would highly recommend the shrimp and grits, out of this world. Also, the chef's tasting menu is a great way to experience many of the wonderful flavors this place has to offer. read more

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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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

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

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

Amazing drinks, food, atmosphere and service. From Sara to the staff, everyone is watching and making sure you have the best experience watching. It's absolutely amazing. read more

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

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

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

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

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