Streetscapes ventures along Orphanage Road for brews, BBQ, quality steaks
By Maria Hehman
This Streetscapes checks out one of the smaller “Forts” in the area. Fort Wright may be overlooked by its neighboring cities, but there’s still plenty of eats worth checking out. Come with us to Orphanage Road for beer, BBQ and bourbon.
Dickmann’s Sports Barn and Brew
Dickmann’s is the quintessential local sports bar. It has everything one could want for watching games, including TVs covering nearly every wall to ensure there’s no bad seat in the house. Catch Dickmann’s on a packed Bengals Sunday to experience a lively, fun atmosphere bursting with passionate fans.
No sports bar would truly be complete without some grub. The menu includes bar favorites of wings, pizza and every fried food one could imagine, and the Texas toothpicks – slivers of fried onions and jalapenos – are the perfect snack.
Dickmann’s is locally owned and operated and has been a staple of the NKY area for over 40 years. Any business that has lasted that long has to be doing something right. In this case, the team at Dickmann’s is doing it all right.
For those who want in on the sports action instead of watching, Dickmann’s also has a sand volleyball league. Leagues run in the spring and summer months, Sunday through Friday.
Dickmann’s also hosts live music and other events and can be booked for private parties.
Harmon’s BBQ
Another casual eatery option along Orphanage Road, Harmon’s is a backyard barbecue all year long. This family-owned and -operated restaurant focuses on serving quality smoked meats and all the Southern sides to go with them. It smokes meat for 14 hours on hardwood to ensure that every bite is bursting with flavor.
Guests can order their meat market-style, on sandwiches, as plate dinners or even atop a loaded baked potato. Harmon’s also serves smoked wings and has fries and Southern sides to pair with everything.
Picnic table seating invites conversion and community among those who dine in. Food is served in true picnic fashion, with disposable plates and silverware – nothing fancy, but it holds true to BBQ fare. There’s a selection of canned and bottled drinks from soda to beer. A small patio outside overlooks Orphanage Road, allowing guests to watch the hustle-and-bustle of the busy road.
Walt’s Hitching Post
Guests who want a fine-dining experience need only go a few minutes down the road to Walt’s Hitching Post on Madison Pike. Walt’s is renowned for its steak, bourbon and rich history. Walt’s food is famous, but the place also attracts famous faces. With the uptick in movies filmed in the area and local sports teams finally getting notoriety, Walt’s is one of the places celebrities like to dine when in the area.
The food, of course, is one of the main draws. Walt’s steak is synonymous with fine dining, the mention of its salted-rye bread makes mouths water, and the cocktails are always refreshing. Walt’s was originally best known for its ribs and fried chicken liver. Those are still staples of the menu, but the steak selection is among the best in the area.
In addition to the food, the old-money décor and ambiance is a huge draw. The inside could be an exact replica of a Ralph Lauren catalog – very on-trend in both home décor and fashion. Although Walt’s has gone through renovations over the years, it held on to its roots and retained a quiet luxury look that transcends trends.
Walt’s has an ongoing theme of Kentucky horse racing throughout the restaurant. Many of the rooms even pay homage to local horse-racing celebrities and clubs.
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Link to original article: https://linknky.com/culture/2023/09/24/streetscapes-ventures-along-orphanage-road-for-brews-bbq-quality-steaks/