Before my wife and I got married, we had made a trip down to my hometown of Paducah, Kentucky for a mini-vacation and final celebration of our dating anniversary before we got married six months later. We ended up eating at Freight House.
It is owned and operated by Chef Sara Bradley. Sara is a bit of a local celebrity from Paducah. She first got popular after appearances on Top Chef and Chopped (even being crowned the first Chopped Legend). In 2025, she was a James Beard Award Nominee. Combine this with an emphasis on “elevated southern and midwestern cuisine” and you know you are in for a treat.
We started with an appetizer of deviled eggs that changed what I thought a deviled egg could ever taste like. With some sort of honey drizzle and topping of golden California raisins, I could not believe what I was tasting. My wife and I have never had a deviled egg better than that and still haven’t.
After a couple of drinks, we got our main courses. My wife got the Shrimp & Grits while I ordered the Braised Pork Shoulder. Even though we were just on opposite sides of the table, if you went by the taste of the food, my wife was in Louisiana while I was at a local grandmother’s house. The Shrimp & Grits screamed Cajun Cuisine. The Braised Pork Shoulder melted in your mouth it was so tender. Plus, it had a side that I grew up hating: black eyed peas. I’m not sure what Chef Sara Bradley does, but it makes them heavenly (no offense mom, but take notes).
While the prices are higher than most places in Paducah, Kentucky, you get more than what you paid for. I also don’t think that you can find a dinner by a James Beard Award Nominee at such an attainable price. I look forward to our next visit and a bite that makes me feel like I am back home.
No Responses