KY's Olde Towne Bicycle Shop
Backstory
KY is Kevin Young, which explains that. His family owns (separately) Young's Steak House in Slidell and Keith Young's Steak House in Madisonville. Young's began as a hamburger specialist in the 1960s, but after a few years went the steak route. It's customers immediately began moaning about the loss of the hamburgers. Kevin opened this restaurant in 1992 to answer those prayers. The building itself has a history, dating back to 1902. For twenty-three years, it housed a shop that sold bicycles (hence the rest of the name).
Dining Room
This is the oldest part of Slidell, with history and architecture going back well over a century. KY's building fits that description, and they've allowed it to age gracefully into the future. The place is comfortable enough, with big gaps between the tables keeping the sound under control. They cook everything to order, adding unanticipated minutes between order and service for those wanting to eat quickly. This is not the best place for that. Better for a business lunch or casual date.
Why It's Essential
Although the first thing that longtime regular customers think of with regard to KY's is its hamburger, over the years its menu has expanded enough for it to claim to be a full-service neighborhood eatery. About the only casual dish they don't have is--ironically--steak.
Why It's Good
As good as the fried and grilled seafood, pastas and poor boys are, the hamburger still reigns supreme. at KY's. It's in the upper five percentile at the very least, the patties made in house by hand and seared over a hot grill. Salads here are more than generous and very good.
Most Interesting Dishes
<em><strong>Starters</strong></em><br /> Nachos<br /> »Fried oysters <br /> Fried shrimp <br /> Cheese fries <br /> »Fettuccine alfredo <br /> Soup of the day<br /> »Chicken & sausage gumbo<br /> House salad <br /> Grilled chicken salad<br /> Grilled chicken caesar <br /> Grilled fish salad<br /> Fried shrimp salad<br /> <em><strong>Entrees</strong></em><br /> »Shrimp, mushroom & tasso fettuccine<br /> Shrimp, diced tomato, olive oil, garlic & green onion<br /> Spaghetti & meatballs <br /> Grilled fresh fish<br /> Grilled chicken <br /> »Hamburger steak, sauteed mushrooms & onions<br /> Red beans or white beans, smoked sausage<br /> Fried catfish, shrimp, or oysters, or combinations<br /> Pasta entrees<br /> »Fried oysters bordelaise, olive oil, butter, garlic, spaghetti <br /> »Oysters aglio olio, spaghetti (like above, but sauteed)<br /> Omelettes (Mexican, veggie or shrimp & peppers)<br /> <em><strong>Sandwiches</strong></em><br /> »»Hamburgers--on bun or poor boy<br /> Whole wheat bun extra - sweet potato fries extra<br /> Grilled chicken on bun or poor boy <br /> "Buster Randle" grilled chicken (BBQ sauce, cheddar, mayo & grilled onions, but absolutely no pickles)<br /> Turkey breast on bun or poor boy<br /> »Grilled fresh fish on bun or poor boy<br /> »Fried catfish, shrimp or oysters on bun or poor boy <br /> »Roast beef poor boy<br /> Meatball poor boy, mozzarella cheese, red sauce<br /> Smoked sausage poor boy<br /> <em><strong>Sides</strong></em><br /> Potato salad <br /> Vegetables <br /> French fries <br /> Sweet potato fries <br /> Hush puppies <br /> <em><strong>Desserts</strong></em><br /> »Bread pudding, butter rum sauce <br /> Cheesecake
Deficiencies
They ought to add more beers to their offerings. Although the theme has always been simplicity, I think the clientele may be ready for another layer of complexity in the menu.
For Best Results
All the portions here are very large, so take it easy on the sides and preliminaries. That creamy artichoke salad dressing is terrific.
Bonus Ratings
1
Attitude
1
Environment
2
Local Color
2
Value