As the sweet smell of barbecue hits your nose, your mouth waters until you are a greeted by a slab of baby back grilled to perfection. As you cut the rack, tender juicy pork falls off the bone and glazed honey-barbecue sauce oozes from its insides. Since your entire plate—er, cutting board—is covered in ribs, you reach over to your basket of crisp, flavorful, steak-cut truffle fries to add a bit of savor!

Forget plates and bowls, whether it’s Mac and Cheese balls or a slab of pork belly, guests at Hammerheads are served on thick wooden cutting boards! From chorizo to venison and elk meat and even veggie tacos, Hammerheads menu pleases all palates from meat lovers to the strictest vegan. Each side dish is served up with a dose of Southern comfort, from fried chicken and sweet potato waffles and tarragon heirloom potato salad.

As their website warns, the restaurant doesn’t take reservations and has limited seating. Arrive early to enjoy prime seating and catch a view of the game. Hammerheads serves up its gamey delicacies Mondays through Saturdays from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Hammerheads
921 Swan St
Louisville, KY 40204
(502) 365-1112
www.louisvillehammerheads.com

CC-BY-2.0/Flickr WeGotKidz

If you really want to eat like a local, visit Hammerheads, the type of pub where it feels like everyone knows your name. This longtime favorite is nothing fancy, but its narrow bar, numerous dining tables, and rowdy atmosphere will make you feel right at home!

For lunch and dinner, Hammerheads offers a menu of classic American bar food mixed with Southern fare favorites, like pork belly sandwiches, brisket sliders, and lamb ribs. You’ll also find unique styles of burgers made with elk, venison, and other meats. Macaroni and cheese balls and duck tacos are delicious to share amongst the table, while the full bar churns out handcrafted cocktails and craft beers to quench your thirst.

While the compact restaurant fills up quickly, at peak hours, locals would say that it’s worth the wait to try out Hammerheads’ unique blend of dive bar charm and Southern cuisine!

Hammerheads
921 Swan St
Louisville, KY 40204
(502) 365-1112
www.louisvillehammerheads.com

CC-BY-2.0/Flickr pasa47

This unique Southern-inspired eatery almost always has a line out the door due to its small interior and limited seating, but once you taste the marinated meats, you'll likely agree your meal was worth the wait.

Be sure to bring your appetite, because there’s nothing light about this carnivorous restaurant. Hammerheads specializes in Southern and modern gastropub fare like thick, juicy burgers, racks of ribs and lamb, and flavorful pork belly. There are also a few out-of-the-ordinary options like soft shell crab tacos and fried macaroni and cheese appetizers. Although Hammerheads has a bit of a dive bar feel, the impressive craft beer list offers the perfect pairings for the meat-centric menu.

Hammerheads is open 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays. The restaurant has very limited seating, so be prepared to wait a bit.

Hammerheads
921 Swan Street
Louisville, KY 40204
(502) 365-1112
www.louisvillehammerheads.com
www.yelp.com/biz/hammerheads-louisville

CC-BY-SA-2.0/Flickr/Phil Denton