Sometimes it's about the journey. By that I mean this is a sandwich shop that takes its time, greets its customers, makes great food, and again checks on its customers. It's a throw back to a time when conversation was customary and courtesy was abound. My food was also very good and handcrafted by good people. Here's my three things: 1) David the owner will chat you up, follow along he's a good man. If you're a regular he will remember your name. 2) Come early as they run out of soups pretty quick starting with their Chili, then vegetable beef, etc. I missed out on the chili by one customer. 3) Rueben bread was crispy, corned beef was moist and salty, and had just enough Swiss/saukraut/t-sand island dressing. Beautifully built and served with a small basaltic salad and kettle chips. Pretty tasty! Come early come often! read more

Main Eatery - Line going out the door - Delis Near Me - Louisville, Kentucky

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It was great talking with David the owner as I chowed down on the best Rueben I've ever had! He loves Louisville and Louisville loves him read more

Main Eatery - Rueben Sandwhich - Delis Near Me - Louisville, Kentucky

The Main Eatery is definitely one of my new favorite spots for lunch when I have to occasionally go into the office Downtown, it's only a block away from my building so it's nice little walk to be able to get out and stretch my legs . They are only open from 11am - 2pm and I would recommend getting there early or the line will be out the door. We arrived there as soon as they opened, and the owner greeted us at the door with a warm welcome and then headed to the register to take our order. He was very friendly, caring and had a great personality. After ordering I got my soda and admired the pictures hanging on the walls. The inside is much bigger than I thought it would be and had such a cute ambiance!! They have a pretty big menu with a combination of Soups, Sandwiches, Salads, baked potatoes, desserts and sides. You can even get a Hot Dog or a Classic PB&J Sandwich. They also have a daily Blue Plate special which consists of a Sandwich, homemade slaw and chips, or a cup of soup and a drink. We visited on a Tuesday, so I got the Roast Beef & Cheddar (Hot, slow-cooked, hand-pulled Roast Beef & Cheddar sandwich stacked on a toasted Ciabatta roll with Au Jus and their homemade spicy mustard) with Broccoli Cheese soup and a Baked Potato. The Roast Beef was very good and tender, I removed the bread and placed it on the Baked Potato since I cannot eat bread, so this was a great alternative for me. I would highly recommend this place and can't wait to go back! read more

Main Eatery - a woman sitting at a table - Delis Near Me - Louisville, Kentucky

Great service, good sandwiches and great soup, delicious on a rainy day. The ambiance is great the gentleman wore there were very friendly and fun. We recommend this place. They do close at 2 pm. read more

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This place is the sweetest shop. The man at the counter was very patient as we had never been here before. He helped explain how the sandwiches were made and what could be added on etc. The food was really good, and the service was even better. The food was made quickly and everything came out as ordered. The man from the counter came and checked on us a few minutes later to ensure everything came out correctly. 10/10 recommend:) read more

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Cutest little place! I love supporting small places like this and everyone was so friendly! Food was amazing!

If you want in and out and impersonal, there are plenty of places to eat. But if you want to feel like you are a whole person, this is the place to be. Weird way to start a food review, but that's the biggest feeling I get walking out of here - I feel seen. Long line or short, both times I've had a fantastic conversation just while ordering lunch. And the food? Incredible. I've loved everything I've tried. And incredibly fast for the quality. The eating space is a bit of a tight squeeze, but in a cozy way and not in a cramped way. (Let's be honest it IS a little cramped, but you can only do so much with the space.) I would not hesitate to make a stop here for lunch when I'm in the area. Excellent in every way. read more

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Fantastic and friendly spot! Great variety of homemade soups and delicious sandwiches. We got the blue plate special. House cooked shredded roast beef with just the right amount melted cheese. Served with a side of spicy mustard and au jus on a soft ciabatta roll. The best sandwich I have ever had. Anywhere! Comes with drink, Chips n coleslaw. The ham n cheese sandwich and vegetable soup was fantastic. Check them out! Busy place but they are fasst. Will def come back again f in the area! read more

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What a charming spot! Food is traditional soup, salads, sandwich type but loved that it came with small side salad, plus chips and sandwich. Food was good. Would come back again! read more

There are many cozy nooks. The food is healthy and flavor-rich. Main Eatery is well-known, and often has lines during the peak hours. That is always a good sign for the quality of a restaurant. read more

Main Eatery - One of the cubby eating spaces - Delis Near Me - Louisville, Kentucky

A very popular deli in downtown Louisville. We got there about 12:30. The line was well out the door and moved very, very slowly. It turns out that the owner runs the register. He takes the time to talk with each customer. He seemed very friendly and caring and had a great personality. But I really wished he was less chatty and got the line moving! It was Thursday and the special that day is chicken salad sandwich. My wife got the "Blue Plate Special" which is a sandwich, chips, drink and cheesecake. I just got the sandwich and subbed chili for the soup. Unfortunately they ran out of croissants just a few people ahead of us. We weren't really wowed by the chicken salad. It didn't have anything "extra" in it, like nuts, fruit or such. It had an good flavor though and a good consistency. I had mine on sourdough and that was a mistake, it was just too dry. I think it might have been much better with the croissant. The chili was ok, not great. I didn't even finish it. The cheesecake was pretty standard. There was more seating there than I initially thought. I guess I'd recommend this place, I really don't think there are many other choices in the area. read more

Main Eatery - Chicken salad sandwich, Texas chili and cheesecake - Delis Near Me - Louisville, Kentucky

This place is such a great spot to grab a nice light or very heavy lunch in downtown Louisville. It's a quaint little eatery with a ton of options and very down home vibe. The staff is so friendly and such a pleasure to talk to when you are ordering. The food comes out quickly right after you order. They have tons of great sandwich options, homemade soups, and dressing. They also have several vegan options such as vegetable soup, gardein chicken sandwich, and black bean sandwiches. The black bean sandwich was the only reason I could not give this place a 5. Everything else we had was so good. Including my brother who loves their roast beef sandwiches. I will definitely go back next time I am in Downtown Louisville. read more

Main Eatery - Black Bean Burger and Side Salad - Delis Near Me - Louisville, Kentucky

Tuesday roast beef special with the broccoli and cheese soup was delicious!!! The owners were so nice and gave us a cookie for our little guy on the house. Perfect lunch spot for a day after the science center! Seriously get a cookie. Hands down the best I've ever had. read more

I love the Main Eatery, it's been a few years since I have been since COVID but nothing has changed, and that's a good thing! When you visit the Main Eatery there is usually a line out of the door of folks waiting to order, which is always a good sign. Today was no different. I arrived around 12:20, during lunch rush, and the line was out the door. Once at the cash register you are greeted by the same nice gentleman, who is always patient and friendly. It's been a few years so I did stumble a bit with my order, but ended up getting the chicken salad sandwich, upgraded to a croissant, drink and broccoli cheddar soup for $11 plus tax. I almost got the Thursday Blue Plate special (chicken salad sandwich on a croissant, with chips, drink and cheesecake with raspberry sauce and chocolate shaving), but I restrained myself. The blue plate specials rotate every weekday and are definitely worth trying. You wait for your order at a small window, but you won't have to wait long. Then there is ample seating in the back of the restaurant or you can take it togo. The chicken salad is one of my favorites, small bites of chicken and very creamy. It came with lettuce and tomato and was oh so filling! The broccoli cheddar soup was also delicious and was thick and creamy. The portion was plentiful and I remembered how much I enjoy the food. Pricing has increased over the years, but still a very tasty meal. I'll definitely be back to do some other day's blue plate special. read more

I had the blue plate special ham and cheese on focaccia with beef and veggie soup and drink. The sandwich was perfect.elted gooey cheese with the right amount of game with a crunchy crust. Dipped with their honey mustard (and I stole my wife's Cole slaw and put it on my sandwich) it was a delight. Their soup was also excellent, just the right amount of seasoning and it fulfilled my lunch desire. Super friendly and quick service. read more

Stopped here on a road trip for lunch. Loved the atmosphere as soon as we walked in. Handwritten menu, plants, etc. David took our orders and didn't rush us thru, took time to talk and learn about us. Kids had grilled cheese sandwiches and loved the sourdough. I had tomato bisque (yum) and salad. Husband had chicken salad and raved about the pickles. The restaurant is unique. It has 4 different seating areas. We sat alone on the bottom level and had a very pleasant lunch. Restaurant was very clean and homey. Will def be back if we ever return to Louisville! read more

cozy eatery. A nice resting area for travelers Nice friendly staff Quick lunch: sandwich, soup, sweet spot read more

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Great food and the staff was VERY friendly. I would highly recommend it. It was a tad busy but they were quick. read more

The owner was so friendly and the service here was lovely. Loved all the pathos decorating the cafe, too! I had a grilled cheese and tomato soup; it was just okay. The grilled cheese was on classic white bread and seemed like yellow Kraft cheese was used. The tomato soup wasn't my favorite texture-wise but I can't explain why the texture felt different to me, however the other people I was with did enjoy the soup! read more

What an amazing eatery!! Traveling from Detroit for a baseball tournament, and decide to eat at a local establishment. The food was incredible! Great soups, sandwiches, and salads!! The house vinaigrette was delicious with the salad! The broccoli cheddar and chicken noodle soups were great! The sandwiches were spectacular! I highly recommend the chicken salad sandwich! The gentlemen at the counter was outstanding! We spoke for a few minutes about Detroit, and he was just such an engaging, kind person to speak with! He really made it sucky an enjoyable experience! The ambiance was super cool! A restored piece of local history that made the dining experience unbelievably unique! Then, on the way out he handed us a parting gift of four Louisville Slugger mini-bats! The whole experience made our day!! Thank you and I highly, highly recommend stopping in for a bite to eat!!! read more

If you're looking for something simple, this is a good place to go. I got the half sandwich and soup combo. With my sandwich I had Kentucky ham, pickles, mayo, and lettuce on white bread. The soup with a vegetable and beef. Everything was really good and the pickles just topped off the sandwich for me. The man at the register was very welcoming and kind. He offered my son a cookie when we were leaving. He said it was his grandma's recipe, so I'm assuming he was the owner. Inside the restaurant is very clean. They have their menu posted behind the register and on the wall so you don't have to stand in line when looking at the menu. the pictures online really represent the restaurant. read more

This was a solid sandwich place. Good food at a more than fair price. My hubs and I each got the lunch special of a sandwich, drink, and chips for like $8? The staff was friendly and food was good. It was exactly what we wanted/needed. Shame they use a ton of styrofoam though. read more

This is one of my favorite lunch spots downtown when I'm working. Be sure to get here right at 11 when they open, otherwise you'll be in a long line waiting to order! (They are that popular!) Everything I've ever ordered has been yummy. They have a special every day as well. On Thursdays they have in house made croissants! Today I had a BLT and broccoli cheddar soup. Very filling. Friday's here are my favorite because the special is grilled cheese and the soup of the day is tomato. Perfect for those fall days. So when your downtown stop here and get a great lunch! You won't be disappointed! You even get a discount on your meal if you pay with cash! read more

Main Eatery - Broccoli Cheese Soup - Delis Near Me - Louisville, Kentucky

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Stumbled upon this place while visiting Louisville and what a fantastic find! Great sandwiches and soups--simple menu but done right. The restaurant was bigger than first glance and I loved the plants and stained glass. The best part was the hospitality. The owner clearly knew his regular customers which was nice to see and was so kind. We also greatly appreciated the appropriate mask wearing by the owner and ALL of his staff. We would totally be back if we came to Louisville again! read more

The Main Eatery is a good, local, convenient option. The food is good, but the sandwiches are like any that you could make yourself at home. So not too special. On my recent visit, I got the turkey and Swiss sandwich. It was good, but again it was on sliced bread that I could pick up at the grocery store. I will say, though, that the old-fashioned chicken noodle soup was great. Just the right about of salt and ample chicken and noodles. I would definitely get this again. My friend ordered the chicken cordon bleu and was impressed by it. Maybe I'll try that next time. The customer service was polite. The whole meal cost me about $7, so you can judge if you think that is too expensive or not. read more

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Love this place! Ate here everyday while on vacation. Very fresh and delicious! The owner is awesome!

My wife and I were driving through Louisville and we stopped by for lunch. There is a big selection of deli items. The food was terrific, definitely higher quality than most restaurants of its ilk. We loved the downtown Louisville ambiance. And you won't find nicer workers anywhere. I can't say enough and wish they were closer to where I live. read more

I love Main Eatery! It's such a great spot to grab lunch in the downtown area. It's within walking distance of my office, so I make it over for lunch from time to time. It's about four or five blocks from me, so I don't make it as often as I'd like. I'm looking forward to nice spring/summer weather so that I can make the walk more often! This place has great soups and sandwiches! They also have chili, salads, desserts, and sides. My favorite option though is the lunch combo, which is cup of soup, a sandwich, and a beverage. They also run daily Blue Plate Specials, my favorite of which is on Friday! It's so simple, but so delicious! It's a grilled cheese sandwich, and they have tomato bisque. It's a perfect combination! It's even been named Leo's Choice in the past, so you know it's good! The restaurant is always clean, the staff is friendly, the service is quick, and the prices are reasonable. They prefer cash, but can also take card if needed. There's usually a line, but don't let that deter you! It moves quick! If you're in the downtown area looking for a lunch spot I highly recommend Main Eatery! read more

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The service and food was amazing the Rubin sandwich best I've had in a long time and the convenient located on Main Street i the heart of downtown Louisville read more

We were recommended this establishment by personnel at the Frazier Museum. Upon arrival the line was between the two doors, maybe a 10 minute wait. The gentleman taking the orders had the nicest temperament and voice I have heard in quite some time. He immediately recognized we were out of town and discussed where we were from and knew specific features about our home town. The food was spectacular and only outshined by the level of customer service. read more

Great food with plenty of options. Chicken salad sandwich and potato soup was awesome. The staff was great. Extremely polite and helpful.

Sometimes you go without a plan and hope it works out. Today, the Mister and I had no plans for where to have lunch after visiting a nearby museum. We started walking up the street to see what we could find. Talk about good fortune, we saw the Main Eatery and it looked like a great lunch spot, and believe me, it was! I loved the decor, the vibe, the friendliness of the staff and the food. There serve soups, sandwiches, salads, deserts, a- la-cart or in various combinations, including daily specials. After placing your order, you wait to be called and pick up your food at a window that is surrounding by beautiful live green plants wall. I had the chef salad and could barely eat it all and the Mister had a turkey, Swiss, and bacon sandwich and broccoli-cheddar soup (that was to die for!). I so wish that I worked or lived in the area, as I would be a frequent flyer for sure! The hours are limited to weekday lunch and from what I hear the lines can be long (I can certainly see why). Prices are beyond reasonable and the place was impeccably clean. If in the area, I highly recommend checking it out! read more

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Nice little "business lunch" joint. That's how the ridiculously friendly guy at the counter described it to me. They're only open for lunch, and seem to mostly cater to the downtown office workers. Great deal, though. I had the #4 lunch special, which comes with a half salad, cup of soup and 16oz drink for all of $7.40 (there's also a discount if you pay with cash). They have lots of vegetarian/vegan options, if that's your thing. The friendly guy at the counter correctly guessed it was mine (apparently I have a "vibe"). read more

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a charming little lunch spot in the middle of downtown. I was lucky enough to be out and walking around on a gorgeous 70 degree day when I stumbled upon this place. Ordered a turkey sandwich on a wheat bun and the guy who took my order was kind enough to use my bottle of water as a meal deal so I could also get a bag of chips and pay less! I was impressed, I'll be back! read more

My husband and I got the "Monday special" Kentucky ham and cheese sandwich with honey mustard sauce, which they make in house, and the soup of the day which was, bacon potato and it was delicious. They didn't have focaccia bread so they substituted ciabatta bread and it was perfect. Came across this place as we were walking back to our car trying to figure out where to eat, well worth it and very friendly customer service. read more

Main Eatery - Ham and Swiss cheese sandwich on ciabatta bread and bacon potato soup! - Delis Near Me - Louisville, Kentucky

A simple place with a classic menu, but the food was delicious and the atmosphere was awesome! Extremely friendly staff that make you feel welcome to be there and want you back. The live plants and ambience of Carole King, James Taylor, and Cat Stevens set the perfect mood for a relaxing lunch in the city. read more

My family and I initially walked past this place in our hunt to find food. We stopped in at another spot and I wasn't feeling it, so we came back here. Best decision ever! The atmosphere is warm and inviting. Lots of options to choose from. Most importantly, a friendly and welcoming staff! My family all ordered soups and they were so flavorful, and tasted like they had been simmering for hours. If you are in the area, I would highly recommend read more

Stumbled in here for a quick bite solely based on location. The staff could not have been more pleasant or helpful. Very good deli/coffee shop type food which was exactly what we wanted. All Covid protocols are being followed. Will return if ever in the area. read more

Pleasantly surprised! Great place for a quick lunch! Fast and delicious! The owner was charming and made us feel very welcome! The chocolate chip cookies are amazing! Get one! read more

Main Eatery - Blue plate special! - Delis Near Me - Louisville, Kentucky

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FANTASTIC place!!! Don't hesitate to get her as quick as you can to eat! Fresh sandwiches, great drinks, soups are perfect! Texas Chili is wonderful (from a Texan!!)! Eclectic atmosphere & kind owners! read more