07.14.2023

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Today’s Forecast

47º | Mostly cloudy | 7% chance of rain
Sunrise 8:00 a.m. | Sunset 5:39 p.m.

Give in to the tempeh-tation

Vegan and vegetarian eats in Louisville

Four vegan comfort dishes, including mac and cheese, loaded fries, a burger, and wings.

Who said being vegan meant giving up comfort food like loaded fries and mac and cheese? | Photo via Shahar

Eating plant-based hasn’t always been easy, but in Louisville, it can be a piece of (vegan) cake.

With Derby City being named as the best foodie city in the US, it’s no surprise that there are a slew of local chefs serving up fresh, plant-based bites across town. From vegetarian burgers to scrumptious vegan desserts, here are 17 restaurants serving up plant-based fare in the 502.

fried oyster mushrooms and lettuce on a white plate — The Korean rice bowl at Roots is available with or without a fried egg.
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Photo by LOUtoday

🍳 Vegetarian eats

Heart & Soy/Roots, 1216 Bardstown Rd. | Home to Kentucky’s only tofu factory, this two-sided restaurant features a casual space for takeout + a more upscale, full-service option.
Try this: Fried oyster mushrooms served with wasabi aioli.

Honeydew, 135 Breckinridge Ln. | The menu here focuses on smoothies, fresh-pressed juices, and desserts. But the croffles — a croissant + waffle hybrid — make for a light breakfast.

Shreeji Indian Vegetarian Street Food, 1987 S. Hurstbourne Pkwy. | From South Indian dishes to Indo-Chinese fare, this spot offers an array of affordable veggie dishes that are bursting with flavor.

An assortment of vegan treats from The Flour Shoppe — Guests will find vegan cupcakes, cookies, brownies, and more at The Flour Shoppe.
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Photo by @theflourshoppelou

🥬 Vegan grub

Annie Mae’s Sweet Cafe, 3110 Frankfort Ave. | Everything at this Crescent Hill bakery is gluten-free, plant-based, and free of allergens.
Try this: Order a treat box so you never run out of goodies.

The Flour Shoppe, 619 Baxter Ave. | This bakery boasts a daily menu of sugary treats, but it’s known for its elaborate, colorful cakes. Don’t miss out on the donuts — they’re only served on the weekends.

Soul Hi Vegan, 1860 Mellwood Ave. Ste. 115 | As its name implies, this Clifton Heights spot serves soul food like rib tips, oxtail, and chicken with gravy made by its chef and owner.

V-Grits, 1001 Logan St. | You’d never guess that the fast-casual comfort food here — like burgers, patty melts, and tacos — are completely vegan.

More veggie recs this way

Events

Friday, July 14

Gonzofest Louisville 10th and final Episode | Friday, July 14-Saturday, July 15 | 9 a.m.-11 p.m. | High Horse, 1032 Story Ave., Louisville | $25 | Attend the final edition of this festival dedicated to Hunter S. Thompson.
Taste of Uganda | Friday, July 14 | 5-7 p.m. | New Life Church Gym, 3402 Goose Creek Rd., Louisville | $55 | This fundraising dinner will feature presentations, Ugandan food, African drumming + dance performances in support of the Bwoga Elementary Library Initiative.
Downtown Drive-In | Friday, July 14 | 7 p.m. | Brown-Forman Amphitheater, 1301 River Rd., Louisville | Free | Bring a blanket or a lawn chair and catch a screening of “Black Panther.”
Silent Disco: Taylor Swift Night | Friday, July 14 | 7-11 p.m. | Hi-Wire Brewing Louisville, 642 Baxter Ave., Louisville | $12-$15 | Draw on your cat eye, forget your reputation, and come dressed as your favorite T-Swift character for a night of quiet dancing.

Saturday, July 15

ECO Kids Discovery Day | Saturday, July 15 | 1-4 p.m. | Bernheim Arboretum and Research Forest, 2075 Clermont Rd., Clermont | Free | Bring the family to participate in hands-on discovery stations, story circles, and hikes to help children connect with the natural world.
Souls of Mischief | Saturday, July 15 | 8 p.m. | Headliners Music Hall, 1386 Lexington Rd., Louisville | $25 | See this California hip-hop group that has been making music since 1991.
South Points Buy Local Fair | Saturday, July 15 | 12-4 p.m. | Iroquois Park, 2120 Rundill Rd., Louisville | Free | Support South Louisville’s independent businesses + enjoy local food and drinks, a kid’s area, and music.

Sunday, July 16

Louisville Anime-Fest | Sunday, July 16 | 10 a.m.-5 p.m. | Triple Crown Pavilion, Jeffersontown | $20 | Peruse exhibitors showcasing anime candy, magazines, toys, video games, and more.
Sonic Sundays | Sunday, July 16 | 2-6 p.m. | Copper & Kings Distillery, 1121 E. Washington St., Louisville | $10 | Jam to tunes by Casey Powell Band and Anthony Keenan in this Butchertown distillery’s garden.

Events calendar here

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News Notes

Concert

Try not to cry — Lil Baby canceled his Louisville show at the KFC Yum! Center on Friday, Sept. 8. If you still want to see the rapper in concert, the nearest show will be on Saturday, Sept. 9 at the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville. (The Courier-Journal)

Drink

Buzzard’s Roost Sipping Whiskeys wants you to name its 75-gallon pot still at its new Whiskey Row location. The brand is asking fans to enter its “Name Our New Still” contest, which ends on Monday, Aug. 7. The winning moniker will be announced at a grand opening party on Thursday, Aug. 17.

Edu

Winton & Hiestand Law Group is giving away backpacks filled with school gear + a box of Snoop Cereal from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Friday, July 21. Swing by the office at 905 Baxter Ave. to grab one for free while supplies last.

Traffic

Several Louisville Metro Public Works paving + road work projects are scheduled in South Louisville next week. Roadways around Trade Port Drive, Cane Run Road, Freeport Drive, and more will be closed.

Sports

Racing Louisville is sending six soccer stars to the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup, which will happen Thursday, July 20-Sunday, Aug.20. They will represent the most diverse group in the league, with players from Brazil, Australia, Nigeria, South Africa, China, and the US.

Fun Fact

National Ice Cream Day is this Sunday, July 16 — and it looks like most Kentuckians will be turning to rocky road to celebrate. According to Scholaroo’s study on consumer preferences and trends in the US, the chocolate-flavored concoction is the Commonwealth’s favorite, followed by chocolate and strawberry.

Pets

The Kentucky Humane Society is extending some of its hours to give potential adopters more time to find their perfect match. The main campus at 241 Steedly Dr. will be open until 7 p.m. on Thursdays through the end of summer. (WDRB)

Travel

Searching for the perfect luggage set that’s both lightweight + durable? We love this set for its polycarbonate shell and quiet double spinner wheels.*

Finance

This leading balance transfer card offers 0% intro APR for guess how many months… with no annual fee. (Hint: It’s one of the longest 0% intro APR periods we’ve seen.) Details revealed here.*

Drink

🍻 This festival will be lager than life

8th-annual Jeffersontown Summer Craft Beer Fest returns tomorrow

large crowd of people gathered outside with beer tents nearby

The Jeffersontown Summer Craft Beer Fest boasts dozens of brews. | Photo by Jeffersontown Summer Craft Beer Fest

Get ready to get your drink on, Louisville. The eighth-annual Jeffersontown Summer Craft Beer Fest is returning tomorrow, Saturday, July 15 from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Tickets are $45 (plus tax and fees) and include:

75+ craft beers from local breweries like Against the Grain and Atrium Brewing Company
A “bubbly bar” featuring a variety of hard seltzers and twisted teas
Live music by One Louder + DJ tunes from J-Town’s Triangle Talent
Classic arcade and pinball games from RecBar
Food trucks + snack vendors, including Raising Cane’s, Drake’s, and Bud’s Tavern

The festival unfolds at the Gaslight Pavilion (10434 Watterson Trail) and 3^rd Turn Brewing down the street.

Answered

On Monday, we asked you to name the neighborhood below.

screenshot of Google map with multiple places whited out — Screenshot via Google Maps

We were surprised to get a variety of responses, including Fern Creek, Fairdale, Shawnee, and Germantown. But most of you answered correctly — Audubon — and said the quiz was “perfectly challenging.” We’re so glad you enjoyed it. Stay tuned for more neighborhood identification fun.

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The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Lennie

From the editor

I was an herbivore for three years — and stuck to a vegan diet most days — so writing today’s guide to vegetarian restaurants was like a trip down memory lane. Plant-based fare has come a long way, and I still enjoy visiting several of the spots listed. I was so sad to see Rawnaissance shut its doors earlier this year, but I’m glad The Flour Shoppe is around to satisfy my dairy-free dessert needs.

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