Reviews of Shady Lane Cafe (Coffee Shop)

Skyler Wilson

Some of the best burgers in Louisville! Really nice mom and pop restaurant that you don't see around too often.

James Bentley

A great little gem of the city! The owners are friendly and very hospitable! The food was delicious and plentiful! If you haven't been you just might want to make a visit!

A M

Holy #&@%, that's a good burger! While it looks like a neighborhood Cafe you'd want to walk to for a small bite, you'd be wrong. The sandwiches are so good you'd want to fly your great Aunt living in Europe over, putting her in a bus along with all your friends and family, and race through rush hour traffic to get. I've paid many a $ for mediocre sandwiches - that don't even come close to the goodness of their Brownsboro Burger. This is a quaint little corner Cafe the makes the best burgers in town, with a friendly old school style of casual and friendly environment. Highly recommend

joshua Steffen

Great service, great food.

Tom Knox

tasty and good portions

Zack Hudson

Amazing food

Ellen Schildt

Best little cafe in town! You can't go wrong with anything on the menu, but you HAVE to try the Cheeseburger at least once...best in the Derby City (ok, in the world)! The owners make sure you have an experience you're not likely to forget!!

Sarah Perry

“Good Start to the Day!” Got seated quickly, although we were in front of the door and it was cold.... our server wasn't completely organized as she forgot any extra we asked for (condiments, drinks, napkins, etc); but, the food was delicious! We enjoyed the atmosphere and the area.

Kyle Roth

I have worked in the office building next to this little place for a while but have never made it in. Upon entering the place was full of people but I was greeted immediately, The line moved very fast and within two minutes I had ordered made a drink and sat down! The owners are so sweet and very inviting! It feels like you are entering into their personal kitchen and being bought a home made dinner. Within four minutes of entering I had my Ruben and Fries and when I say it was good I have become a regular! Very good pricing mixed with a great atmosphere! Ild say this place is a gym you should try for sure!

Robin Moore

Quick and delicious. A great place to have lunch most things are made to order and come out fresh and hot.

Jon Taylor

Loved this place from the second I walked in. Very friendly atmosphere and excellent food.

jeanne bruenderman

Consistently great food and service.

Michael Welker

First time but will not be my last. The mushroom soup was heavenly. Also the fried baloney was great.

Emma Buckner

Definitely somewhere to go for an amazing burger, would recommend to anyone visiting Louisville or locals looking to try something new.

Alex Mullins

Stopped in for the first time today. They had a steady crowd, but we got our order in and food served within a few minutes. My wife and I both had burgers, which were absolutely delicious. The atmosphere is inviting, relaxed, and you feel like you are being served a home cooked meal from their personal kitchen. Very friendly people, and they were very welcoming and involved with making sure our kids also had what they needed, including some toy dinosaurs to keep them occupied during our meal. We will definitely be repeat customers in the future!

Billy Sanders

Had a famous hot brown sandwich and mint julep. My husband ordered an old fashioned and had a meatloaf hamburger. We both enjoyed our meals very much.

Michael Bender

Great burgers and fries. Place needs a major renovation though

Kerrick Ross

Wonderful service . Service with a smile Great food .. give it a try !!

Ann Ellerkamp

I love Shady Lane Cafe, the food is outstanding and the owners are "rock stars"!

Amy Hilton

Delicious burgers!!

Tom Myers

The food was excellent. The service and atmosphere was awesome.

Tim Furlong Jr.

Can't believe what I've been missing out on for the past 10 years. Took my wife and 9 m/o son Harrison here for dinner last night. It was everything we had hoped. I tried the Brownsboro Burger and she had the Salmon Burger...both were excellent. They also have toys to keep the baby entertained. Looking forward to trying other menu items and especially their breakfast on Saturdays.

Nishant Joshi

Tasty and delicious food. Good service. Service was attentive without being overbearing. Convenient and safe location. Good ambiance. Would recommend trying this restaurant. Portions are generous but prices are not that reasonable. Menu has a lot to offer.

Mick Miller

Great little spot with delicious food. Their BLT is top notch.

susanne steinbock

Busy,but I love their grilled pimento cheese, bacon and tomato sandwich!

Rheanna Cave

Friendly, amazing food and deserts, owner is polite. I'm a regular now

Ruth Bellinger Holladay

Love Shady Lane. The burgers are the best around..hands down. The pimento, bacon, tomato sandwiches at lunch are finger-licking good. The salmon burger is divine. I don't have enough time to mention all their delicious food. Just go there and try for yourself. Suzi and Bill and Rachel are wonderful proprietors.

Constance Keegan

A homey place, family run and pleasant. The Cafe is willing to please...

Eden Fischer

I come here for the first time for lunch with a friend and although it was a little more crowded than I would like, the food here was great! I also loved the staff, they were super kind and fun to talk to. I would definitely come back and suggest it to family and friends!

Kim Hay

Best hamburgers ever! Homemade soups daily. Benedictine. Great sides. Open 11-3 pm daily. Order at the counter and it's served at your table. Lady who takes orders is a hoot! Great local experience.

Ethe Venus

Thanks to an article in the Courier Journal about the best hamburgers in town I discovered this outstanding restaurant. The hamburger is easily one of the best, if not the best, in town. Yes, there was a line to the door, and yes, the hamburger alone is $7.00. But the wait and cost are more than worth it. This hamburger is the old-fashioned real deal, but better because it weighs in at 1/3 of a pound of handcrafted wonder. The restaurant itself is equally old-fashioned and charming, and the owner/order taker is hospitality personified. If you are a burger person, then you simply must try this place. I personally think that a truly good hamburger is right up there with the holy grail in terms of finding it, but success at last!

Erin Byers

A cute, small, busy place. Excellent food and desserts. A little secret of Louisville. I've been a few times and always get something different. Their food does not disappoint! Whatever you order it'll be great.

Mike Callahan

A gem of a cafe. It is small but the food is great and the service is outstanding. Lunch is very crowded so come early if you want to eat in.

Ted Laun

Food and service were excellent

Zach Fry, The Real Estate Guy!

Very quaint place with delicious food prepared by beautiful humans. Bill and Susie areally wonderful

Kathy Fraley

Delightful local place with good home cooking

Jessica Nored

very friendly place. good food.

amber reese

Absolutely a hidden gem. Everything I've had is supremely delicious. Try that bologna sandwich, y'all. And spring for the egg. Unbelievable!

Steve Crush

Food was delicious! Friendly, fast service@

Andrea Hall

Overpriced for quantity and quality.

Cyndi Hedden

This place is quaint and cosy. The people are so friendly and I've never had a food complaint. The Rueben is excellent. Great fries, great desserts. Love to stop in when I can!

Wyman Marshall

Best burgers in town...highly recommended!

Sanju A

Absolutely excellent!! I usually order the Veggie Burger when I come here and it never disappoints. This is my best friends favorite restaurant, and for his birthday I wanted to surprise him by bringing him here. The owners and staff were extremely accommodating and set aside a table for us, let us come in and decorate the area, helped plan some of the surprise, and got the entire restaurant to sing happy birthday. He had a wonderful time and so did the rest of us!!

Joe Saraco

Great food and service

Linda Azzarello

What great homemade food, just like grandma used to make. Very busy because of the great food. A must go and experience for yourself I know you will return for another and another.

Icebergslim 333

I ate there yesterday and WOW is all I could say! One of the top 3 burgers I've ever had in my life! Possibly the best! What a hidden gem! And Susie is super friendly. Definitely one of a kind. Will be back for sure!

Barbara Allen

Food was delicious and service was great!

Erin Bryant

Fantastic food and service

Dee DeWitt

Best burger in the city of Louisville! Short wait and amazing employees! I would definitely come again!

William S Bockoven

You'll be greeted by your name if you're a regular. That usually sets the pace for this home 'cookin' theme here. These people are very friendly, relaxing and welcoming. Very welcoming. Mix matched coffee mugs, you get the idea. Ask, they'll make menu suggestions and tell you what's good. Good service and the vege burger is my fav. Interior could using a good cleaning, a bit dusty and grime under table. Prob cause all the effort goes into those awesome burgers.

Diana Belcher

They give you plenty to eat. Great place nice people great food

Terrie Russell

Delicious lunch, Super nice servers, and very busy!

Sonja Reves

What a wonderful place to find truly enjoyed our visit the food was wonderful best New England Seafood chowder we've ever eaten didn't have room for dessert but took it to go. A yummy place can't wait to go back, I have already shared it with friends!

Jim Ferris

Looking through the previous reviews for the Shady Lane Café, it's hard to say something that hasn't been said in nearly every other review, but this place truly is amazing. This gem of an eatery is found in the corner of a strip mall that also boasts a hardware store, a barber shop, and a German restaurant, among other things. There are no blinking lights and no flashing neon, there's just this little unassuming restaurant with a few outdoor tables that you wouldn't pay much attention to as you were driving by. The next time you drive by, though, slow down, make that turn into the parking lot, and try this amazing restaurant. The interior is kind of throw-back to a country kitchen/legacy eatery. The walls are dotted with nostalgia pieces (They have Mr. Bill doll. Oh, NOOOO!!!!) and, if you look closely, more than one outstanding review of the Shady Lane Café....in fact, several. There are, maybe a dozen tables in the restaurant, most are two-tops. If you think you don't have a table to sit in, walk toward the back of the establishment and there is additional seating upstairs. From the moment you walk in the door Susi (one of the owners) is actually more of a tour guide than she is anything. When we told her we'd never eaten there before and asked what she'd recommend she proceeded to tell us about the quiche, raved about her burger being "The best in the entire state!", and about a delicious looking salmon burger. After we decided on our entrees (my wife the quiche, me the best burger in the entire state) came the questions. What kind of cheese did I want? (pepper jack ALWAYS wins). What toppings did I want? What side did I want? I just did not study for this test, but I think I passed, because it wasn't long before our food arrived. When Susi said the best burger in the entire state, she was not kidding. It was Amazeballs! Absolutely fantastic. And the smoked bacon potato salad was unique, delicious, and outright awesome. My wife, who can't stand potato salad, said "that is delicious!". She said the quiche was equally amazing, and one of the best she's ever had. Not satisfied with just feeding us well, Susi came to the table ask how everything was (AMAZING), engaged us in even more conversation. We told her that we'd recently moved to to Louisville and were always looking for new restaurants and things to do. She proceeded to tell us about a couple places to try in Indiana on the other side of the Big Four bridge. You see, it's that kind of personal service and amazing food that makes you want to go back to a restaurant. Not only was this one of the absolute best meals I've had since we moved to Louisville, but also one of the most memorable. Come to think of it, when I previously said that Susi was more of a tour guide I think it's more accurate to say that she's more of an Ambassador for Louisville, and this restaurant is a testament her love of the area....and to making the best burger in the entire state. :)

Tamara Mathews

I love me some Shady Lane Cafe

Derrick Singletary

Food was great and we felt welcomed by a lady who was likely the owner. This was our first visit, a business lunch (4 people). We had just commented we may add this to our rotation of restaurants to visit. We had been there less than 20 minutes when another customer told an employee he wanted his favorite table in a very snooty tone. The employee said, yes sir, and walked up to us and said we had to leave because our table was needed by another customer. Three of us had finished eating less than 2 or 3 minutes prior and one person was still eating. We were in total shock and left, but won't be back.

Allison Baumann

Wow, this place was awesome! I had the Veggie Burger and my boss got the Benedictine w/ Bacon Sandwich. We both were impressed. I can't wait to go back, definitely ordering the fries next time.. those looked so good!

Kristo88

Very nice lady! And the burger and meatloaf were great!!

Parker Foy

Outstanding family owned restaurant with friendly and prompt service. Great food served by people who are genuinely happy to have you in their restaurant.

Mary Wilson

Best burger in town. Homemade benedictine cheese is Outstanding! Relaxed, friendly and fun place to enjoy eating with friends, family or by yourself.

Jacques Motiff

WOW...Best burger and fries in town. Better than places costing twice as much!

Hunter F

Great food! Can get quite packed though, go during slow hours when possible.

Lisa Buth

Best burgers in Louisville!

Rhonda Sullivan

Everyone was very friendly, and bathrooms were clean

monica Carter

Great hamburgers!

Darek Urbaniak

Excellent burgers

ryse night

Great hamburger.

Shawna Walsh

Delicious sandwiches. Truly made with care and it shows in in the taste.

Kenny Marcum

Great food. The meatloaf is amazing. If you have not been by Shady Lane I recommend going.

Ed Caudill

Good food , modest price, great service !!

Lois Esrey

Always wonderful food and Suzi played us all a tune.

Mike Ostertag

One of the best burgers I have had in a long time

Jason Murray

Absolutely great food!!!

Ryan Nall

I had the brei pesto burger. It was delish. The service was second to none. Definitely going back to try the benedictine bacon wrap.

George Jansen

Outstanding, everything!!

Andrea Gold

Great food and menu!

Patrick Carrico

Fantastic place! Great home cooked food with a unique twist (pimento cheese with bacon for instance). Quaint decor with a cozy atmosphere. A true local treasure in the tradition of Louisville eateries.

Kelly Nelson

Love this place! Such a fun and lively atmosphere and both the food and service is terrific!

Stephanie C.

You feel like family on your very first visit. Fantastic lunch spot, and although you order at a counter the owners and staff will take care of you until you leave.

Ron Harris

Awesome!

Jennifer Johnston

Food was very good and great atmosphere

Bruce Paul

Delicious burger - best around! Friendly staff, very reasonable prices and great ambience ...

Mike Robinson

Great food

Chris Hood

Visited today for the 1st with my fiancé. We were greeted and we stated this was our 1st time eating there. They told us all about their menu while giving recommendations. I got the hamburger and my fiancé got the chicken quesadilla. The burger was one of the best burgers I have ever had. It was juicy and delicious. My fiancé said the quesadilla was very good as well. We will go back as I am looking forward to try the meatloaf. Thanks Shady Lane Cafe.

Ricky Payne

If I could swim in a sea of their burgers I would be the happiest man on earth.

Danielle Mumma

Great dive. Veggie burgee is fresh, not just a frozen patty like most other places. Their regular burgers are also really good.

hannah

Delicious burgers!!

david fuchs

The Brownsboro Burger is fantastic, I cannot wait to go back and try more items.

Barbara K

Very small space and very crowded which is usually a good sign. We ordered the burger which my friend enjoyed and I got the veggie burger at the person taking orders suggestion since I don't eat beef or pork. The burgers were at our table within minutes. The veggie burger wasn't holding together every time I tried to take a bite it was running out of the bun. I typically don't like to complain when my food isn't right but employee who was bringing out the orders suggested getting something else since I didn't eat my veggie burger so I asked for the pimento cheese grilled cheese which was good but the grill cook came to our table asking why I didn't like the veggie burger and I tried to explain that it was to soft and didn't have a lot of flavor and he was very rude and said no one has ever complained before. It was very embarrassing and myself having worked in the food industry and I have family and friends that are currently working in the food industry and I was always told that the customer is always right or at least try to make them happy and don't chastise them for not caring for the food. Needless to say I will not be going back to Shady Lane Cafe and will not suggest it to anyone asking

Scott Heuser

Love this place, awesome food and great service!!

Mark Judah

Always tasty.

River House

Food is good like home cooking but the prices are rediculous! I had a grilled cheese and a cup of soup with water and it was $13! If I am going to spend $13 for lunch I will go to a high end restaurant. I won't go back. The owner's wife also basically tells you to add a tip on at the cash register. Why? You don't even have a Server! I work in the food business and I cannot believe she does this. It is really rude.

Brandon Moore

This is a nice little place with friendly, accommodating and attentive staff. Try the salmon burger!

mark fernihough

Great experience very friendly food was great

Justin Julia Smith

Best kept secret in Louisville. Great local cafe atmosphere with a diverse menu where everything is delicious. If you can stomach dessert as well you won’t be disappointed.

Angela Irwin

Such a fun crew behind the counter and a great selection on the menu. Excellent homemade soups. Service is top notch.

Marlon Lee

They really know how to treat people well! The food is good. I'm a repeat customer. Lord willing will go back again.

Dennis Horn

Very nice burgers and counter staff is friendly. Nice little place.

Cindy Johnson

The best burger in town!

William Schulz

Great family run lunch and breakfast cafe. Varied menue Eclectic decore,fun.

Will Green

Hands down the best burger in Louisville. Susie treats everyone like family.

Michelle Kay

Perfect every time

Jeanne Parks

Everything is great! Love this place!

joseph casey

Really fun atmosphere, great menu, fast service, good prices, order at the counter, they bring it to your table

Jessica Gray

Delicious food and super friendly.

Susi Shadylanelady

Shady Lane is the most awesome mom and pop restaurant I know of! We've been here for over 8 years, and we've been throwing down the best burgers, home made soups and sandwiches, and desserts you'll ever have. The website that google posts does not exist, and the hours they post are WRONG!!! Our hours are: Tuesday through Friday, 11 am to 3 pm for lunch; Saturday, 8:30 am to noon for Breakfast Only (and it is the best breakfast in town!); and Saturday, noon to three for lunch. Like us on Facebook for more current info. Our Chef Owner, Bill Smith, makes two homemade soups every day. Many have been published in the Courier Journal. Our burgers have been mentioned in Southern Living Magazine, and have been noted among the top burgers in Louisville numerous times. I think we're the very best. Our homemade Benedictine recipe has also been published nationally, and many of our desserts have been published, as well. If you're in Louisville, and you haven't visited Shady Lane, you are missing out on one of the cutest and best restaurants Louisville has to offer. 'Nuf said.

Monica Garst

Great food, excellent service, and extremely dog friendly!