Louisville Celebrates Hometown Dish During Hot Brown Week

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (October 1, 2024) – A signature dish of Louisville since 1926, Louisville Tourism has teamed up with over a dozen local restaurants to produce the 3rd Annual Louisville Hot Brown Week.

The week will encourage locals and visitors to indulge in Louisville’s most famous dish by dining at participating restaurants offering $10-$12 Hot Brown specials from October 21 to 27.

A Hot Brown is a hot, open-faced sandwich made with Texas toast, thick-sliced turkey, cheesy Mornay sauce, crispy bacon and tomatoes, all baked until bubbling hot.

The Hot Brown may be native to Louisville, but the dish is known around the globe, including recognition in Southern Living, The Los Angeles Times and The Wall Street Journal. It’s also been spotlighted on the “Today” show, “Good Morning America” and the Travel Channel’s “Man vs. Food.”

For those unfamiliar with the Hot Brown, the iconic dish was said to be invented at Louisville’s historic Brown Hotel back in the 1920s. The hotel would regularly host guests for dinner and late-night dancing, and after kicking up their heels in the luxurious, gilded ballroom, would head to the restaurant for a bite to eat. It wasn’t long before they grew tired of the traditional late-night fare, so Chef Fred K. Schmidt came up with a new, mouthwatering menu item – and the decadent Hot Brown was born.

"Supporting Hot Brown Week in Louisville is not just about enjoying Louisville’s iconic dish; it's also about uplifting our local businesses and celebrating our city's rich history and cultural heritage,” said Michael Fetter, Director of Marketing for Louisville Tourism.

The city’s talented chefs continue to gain national notoriety by reinventing this traditional Louisville dish and adding their own unique twists. Foodways like this have made Louisville the epicenter for “New Southern Cuisine,” with various restaurants landing on national culinary lists, including The New York Times, TimeOut, and YELP.

Current participating restaurants include Agave & Rye (2 locations), Biscuit Belly (3 locations), Big Bad Breakfast (2 locations),

Captain’s Quarters, Four Pegs Smokehouse, Gander, An American Grill, World Famous Gorilla Bob’s, Parlour (various locations), PuttShack, Rubbies Southside Bar & Grill, Sidebar at Whiskey Row, The Cafe, and The Goose Eatery & Hangout, with more to be announced soon.

Additionally, an official Louisville Hot Brown Week app is available. Navigate your way through the city and reward your APPetite with the app— available in both the Google Play and Apple Store. Check-in at four or more locations to be entered to win $250 in gift cards.

You can download the app at qrco.de/bdLswJ. Dining participants will also be able to earn points throughout the week towards a second grand prize of $200 in gift cards by checking into participating restaurants.

For details and most up to date list of participating restaurants visit www.hotbrownweek.com or follow @hotbrownweek on Instagram.