KY's Olde Towne Bicycle Shop

Slidell: 2267 Carey. 985-641-1911. Map.
Casual
AE MC V
Website

WHY IT'S NOTEWORTHY
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.

WHAT'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.

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.

ESSENTIAL DISHES
Starters
Nachos
»Fried oysters
Fried shrimp
Cheese fries
»Fettuccine alfredo
Soup of the day
»Chicken & sausage gumbo
House salad
Grilled chicken salad
Grilled chicken caesar
Grilled fish salad
Fried shrimp salad
Entrees
»Shrimp, mushroom & tasso fettuccine
Shrimp, diced tomato, olive oil, garlic & green onion
Spaghetti & meatballs
Grilled fresh fish
Grilled chicken
»Hamburger steak, sauteed mushrooms & onions
Red beans or white beans, smoked sausage
Fried catfish, shrimp, or oysters, or combinations
Pasta entrees
»Fried oysters bordelaise, olive oil, butter, garlic, spaghetti
»Oysters aglio olio, spaghetti (like above, but sauteed)
Omelettes (Mexican, veggie or shrimp & peppers)
Sandwiches
»»Hamburgers--on bun or poor boy
Whole wheat bun extra - sweet potato fries extra
Grilled chicken on bun or poor boy
"Buster Randle" grilled chicken (BBQ sauce, cheddar, mayo & grilled onions, but absolutely no pickles)
Turkey breast on bun or poor boy
»Grilled fresh fish on bun or poor boy
»Fried catfish, shrimp or oysters on bun or poor boy
»Roast beef poor boy
Meatball poor boy, mozzarella cheese, red sauce
Smoked sausage poor boy
Sides
Potato salad
Vegetables
French fries
Sweet potato fries
Hush puppies
Desserts
»Bread pudding, butter rum sauce
Cheesecake

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.

OPPORTUNITIES FOR IMPROVEMENT
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.

FACTORS OTHER THAN FOOD
Up to three points, positive or negative, for these characteristics. Absence of points denotes average performance in the matter.

Dining Environment +1

Consistency +2

Service

Value +2

Attitude +1

Wine & Bar

Hipness -1

Local Color +2

 

SPECIAL ATTRIBUTES

• Good for business meetings
• Open Sunday lunch and dinner (until 8 p.m.)
• Open Monday lunch and dinner
• Open all afternoon
• Historic
• Unusually large servings
• Good for children
• Easy, nearby parking
• No reservations

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