Wagner's Pharmacy — Louisville Lunch Counter Institution

Last fall I was looking forward to checking out a few Louisville classics. Unfortunately Mazzoni's, Flabby's and Kaelin's had all recently gone out of business. Not taking any chances, we made Wagner's Pharmacy our first stop.



Wagner's, in business since 1922, is located across the street from a back entrance to Churchill Downs. It's a working pharmacy with a lunchroom that takes up the front half of the building.





The room is plain as can be except for an impressive collection of historic Churchill Downs photos, including my favorite horse, Burgoo King.





Wagner's puts out a solid version of biscuits and gravy, just a little light on the sausage.



Ham and eggs was equally solid, with the same excellent biscuits and good ham. When I chose tomatoes as my side I was expecting them to be cooked. Instead I got fresh peak-of-the-season local beauties, a great addition to a breakfast plate.



They were gearing up for lunch service and had a few things ready, including this beef-vegetable soup. You know this didn't come from a can.





This dressed up pimento cheese sandwich was pleasant but not earth shaking. That pretty much sums up Wagner's—simple food, done well.

Wagner's Pharmacy
3113 S 4th St
Louisville KY
502-375-3800

I thought that Wagner's was a place with great ambiance. The pharmacy itself was one of those independents that found a niche - it serves the horseman and has a lot of vet supplies.

The lunch counter was a lot of fun to experience. Over the course of our meal, we saw any number of jockeys and horse players discussing the day's raced. The walls are covered with all sorts of racing memorabilia.

The food was acceptable but not much different than you would find at any lunch counter.

I would go back for the atmosphere but I think that there are better places in Louisville.

Biscuits and gravy with country ham - ain't nothin' wrong with that far as I'm concerned.

Another good place to dine with the horsy set is the Keeneland Track Kitchen in Lexington. If you get there early you'll see the jockeys in full gear nursing their one egg with black coffee before they go out to exercise the horses. Interesting place, unlike Churchill Downs there's no areas that are off limits, you have the full run of the track and stables if you're touring on non-race days.

Rene G wrote:

Wagner's Pharmacy
3113 S 4th St
Louisville KY
502-375-3800

Cool post, joint looks cool.

I lived in Louisville 30 years ago. There was another restaurant in the vicinity of Churchill Downs that was in a converted horse barn. Bar in front, then the diners sat in the individual stalls which had been retained. In each stall was a round table, and the stall opening had a swinging door. Inside the stall was a switch that turned on a red light outside the stall to alert the waitress. Wish I could remember the name!

Wagner's was a place I missed, but if am passing through I will give it a try.

Thanks for the review!

Dug Wagners, was a must stop after Churchill Downs for lunch.



Simple but a good lunch. I went with a patty melt (served on wheat vs rye and it still worked). Pimento cheese sandwich was actually pretty good to me as well.



Simple, but good.