7 ways to eat a Hot Brown

In 1926, the Brown Hotel’s Chef Fred K. Schmidt created a rich, open-faced sandwich layered with turkey, bacon, and creamy Mornay sauce. A century later, we are still celebrating this iconic dish, dubbed “The Hot Brown,” now considered Louisville’s signature specialty. Local chefs are reimagining the classic with delicious new twists. From Hot Brown Pizza to a Veggie Brown, you can find creative takes on menus across the city.

The Hot Brown Biscuit Sandwich
📍 Biscuit Belly
Served on an open-faced biscuit, this sandwich has all the Hot Brown toppings: turkey, smoked gouda Mornay, bacon, and roasted tomato.

Hot Vs. Brown Fries
📍 Sidebar at Whiskey Row
Served similar to the original Hot Brown in a cast iron skillet, these loaded fries are drenched in beer cheese and topped roasted turkey, applewood smoked bacon crumbles, and blistered tomatoes.

Kelsey’s Kentucky Brown
📍 Wild Eggs
This brunchy take on the Hot Brown is one of Wild Eggs signature creations. Roasted turkey and applewood smoked bacon are stacked on toasted sourdough bread, covered with white cheddar Mornay, and topped with a fried egg, diced tomatoes, and smoked paprika.

Hot Brown Pizza
📍 Lou Lou Food + Drink
This Southern fusion restaurant dishes out a Hot Brown pizza style. The 10-ince za uses Mornay sauce as the base and is topped with turkey, Roma tomatoes, green onions, bacon, and mozzarella cheese.

If you want to compare it to the original, Lou Lou’s also offers a traditional Hot Brown entree.

Hot Brown Tots
📍 The Cafe
Here you can get tater tots covered in house-made Mornay sauce, topped with roasted turkey breast, diced tomatoes, cheddar cheese, and applewood-smoked bacon. The Cafe also served a traditional Hot Brown.

Hot Brown Burger
📍 Sidebar at Whiskey Row
This spin on a Hot Brown is next level. Served medium and with a Schwartz's dill pickle, the Hot Brown Burger is topped with roasted turkey, Sidebar beer cheese, applewood smoked bacon, and tomato. Sidebar's burgers are all made with a proprietary blend of Certified Angus Beef with chuck, brisket, and short rib.

Veggie Brown
📍 The Goose Eatery & Hangout
One of four Hot Brown options on the menu, the Veggie Brown is made entirely of vegetables — and cheese, of course. This dish features a fried portabella mushroom, zucchini, squash, broccoli, carrots, red tomatoes, Mornay, and parmesan.