We went for Lexington Burger Week and the burgers were exceptional! We added side salads that were very tasty, really good French fries, and a disappointing (over-cooked? old?) baked potato. Our server was very nice and helpful. The restaurant is located in the center of the hotel, so very limited parking near the entrance. Overall, we enjoyed our experience.
Lexie
Service was excellent, food was okay! Not what I was expecting based on the pictures but overall a good experience.
Nancy
They were great at accommodating our last minute reservation. We were in town for a funeral and when they found out they gave us a quiet space to sit in. Food was great, but the service was exceptional.
Travis
Preset menu for $150, we had one margarita and one old fashioned. Two salads came out with what i would assume a mist of dressing and some cranberries. All in we we're 1 hour in before we got salads, as we were getting up to leave our waitress assured us our food would be out soon. I don't think this place is set up to host a valentines day special event. i highly doubt i'll ever return to this place, seemed like a decent place online but i'd avoid. so you don't end up stopping at 5 guys for valentines dinner at 9:30 on your way home.
Rob
Service was great. Food was very good. We had burgers, the special ‘big bologna” sandwich and the pork belly blt. Prices were reasonable. Only minor issue was the bologna was a little lukewarm and not cooked with any type of char to add flavor. Taste was still good but it could have been better. Everything else was very good.
Kinley
Restaurant obviously couldn't handle the Valentines crowd. Waited in line to be sat, then ended up being sent to the wrong place twice. After the confusion, we finally were sat ( this was also a preset menu for $75 per person ). It took 20 minutes to get drinks and 45 minutes for salad and were never brought rolls. After an hour we finally received rolls and put in our entrees. After waiting almost two hours in total, we were served extremely raw chicken and even more raw fish. At that point we asked for our check and a manager, which none came. We were severely disappointed and left to eat DQ for our Valentine's Day dinner since at this point it was after 8 pm. Definitely would not recommend this place to anyone !
Aimee
We went on Christmas night, and they were very shortstaffed. However, the food was great and the weight staff was wonderful.
Steven
The place was very nice the food was good. There were not very many customers but the weather was cold and nasty the night we went so hopefully that was the issue. Would hate to see this place not do well would definitely recommend.
Connor
Absolutely loved the vibe here. The food was spectacular especially the fries. And the live music was so good!!
Philip cook
Very reasonably priced, great atmosphere and the food was exceptional.
Food and service were fantastic! We sat at the bar and had the Grilled Salmon, my wife had the Burger. Both were cooked to perfection + delish fries crispy and fluffy in the middle. Cinnamon ice cream for dessert. Bloody brilliant!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Shelley Javaux
This place is great! The atmosphere is amazing, the food is top notch, and the service is spectacular. We went 3 times in 2 days because we were staying at a hotel nearby. I highly recommend the sirloin steak, the appetizer trio and, as crazy as it sounds, the best buffalo chicken wrap I've ever had!!
Props to the two bartenders that took care of us. Clay and Danielle, you made our vacation's end very special. You both rock!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Jessi Whitehead
If you’re in Lexington KY, or on I-75 in either direction- you have got to make plans to stop in and eat here at this hidden gem. It’s one of those places that after you leave, you keep thinking about it. From the staff, to the vibe, to the exceptional menu- Barrel 53 definitely delivers on all levels. My husband ordered the Buffalo Chicken Wrap which sounds simple- but the flavors were phenomenal throughout the whole wrap. (It’s no simple wrap) I was really happy with my choice of the Salmon entree and the dill sauce prepared in-house - I got it ordered on the side because I don’t always enjoy a dill preparation because they tend to overdo it with the dill and ruin it- but no, I could’ve eaten this on just about anything. (And I would suggest getting it even if you don’t order the salmon- it would be good even with chicken or steak). I also ordered a drink that wasn’t on the menu, and Mark our server decided he would play with flavors and it ended up really good. This is so silly, but on the television was “The Joy of Painting with Bob Ross” (via the Bob Ross channel on Roku) and it’s such a pleasant and enjoyment entertainment choice that spurred on conversation between my husband and I ? (Mark told us that the channel hasn’t been changed in 5 months because everyone has enjoyed it ?) Finally, we almost never enjoy dessert with a meal- but I had to try the “Barrel Rolls” which captivated my attention on the menu as I am a self-proclaimed “cinnamon roll connoisseur” and what a great way to end this truly amazing meal & experience. Seriously, this place may not look like much from the outside, as it’s tucked away in a great new hotel called “Hotel Lex” (also reviewed if you’re looking for a great place to stay in Lexington that is far from average ?) but you’ve got to give this place a try. Not mentioned in the review so far are the great prices for the menu offerings - as well as Bourbon options are the restaurant itself is themed around Kentucky’s finest. I’m not a bourbon person- but I’m sure if you are, you’ll enjoy this place on a whole other level. Look for their nightly calendar on the website for either local talent, open mic nights, or even for a great karaoke night (apparently this is one of the audition locations for the “Karaoke World Championships USA”). This place is kid friendly, especially on nights like “open jam night” where all ages welcome! Aesthetically beautiful, and tastefully decorated- the menu matches the atmosphere here at Barrel 53–and we can’t wait to come back soon!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Larree Coomer
We came on a Tuesday they had a band and karaoke. The vibe of the place was absolutely amazing. The bar tender clay was as nice as can be. Very friendly and welcoming. The food was okay as well. It wasn’t anything special but it was okay. We had wings, pizza, and a prime rib sandwich.
Awesome little gem, food was excellent and the service was great. We had the bourbon glazed wings, pretzel and the sirloin steak. Would highly recommend this place.
We went for Lexington Burger Week and the burgers were exceptional! We added side salads that were very tasty, really good French fries, and a disappointing (over-cooked? old?) baked potato. Our server was very nice and helpful. The restaurant is located in the center of the hotel, so very limited parking near the entrance. Overall, we enjoyed our experience.
Service was excellent, food was okay! Not what I was expecting based on the pictures but overall a good experience.
They were great at accommodating our last minute reservation. We were in town for a funeral and when they found out they gave us a quiet space to sit in. Food was great, but the service was exceptional.
Preset menu for $150, we had one margarita and one old fashioned. Two salads came out with what i would assume a mist of dressing and some cranberries. All in we we're 1 hour in before we got salads, as we were getting up to leave our waitress assured us our food would be out soon. I don't think this place is set up to host a valentines day special event. i highly doubt i'll ever return to this place, seemed like a decent place online but i'd avoid. so you don't end up stopping at 5 guys for valentines dinner at 9:30 on your way home.
Service was great. Food was very good. We had burgers, the special ‘big bologna” sandwich and the pork belly blt. Prices were reasonable. Only minor issue was the bologna was a little lukewarm and not cooked with any type of char to add flavor. Taste was still good but it could have been better. Everything else was very good.
Restaurant obviously couldn't handle the Valentines crowd. Waited in line to be sat, then ended up being sent to the wrong place twice. After the confusion, we finally were sat ( this was also a preset menu for $75 per person ). It took 20 minutes to get drinks and 45 minutes for salad and were never brought rolls. After an hour we finally received rolls and put in our entrees. After waiting almost two hours in total, we were served extremely raw chicken and even more raw fish. At that point we asked for our check and a manager, which none came. We were severely disappointed and left to eat DQ for our Valentine's Day dinner since at this point it was after 8 pm. Definitely would not recommend this place to anyone !
We went on Christmas night, and they were very shortstaffed. However, the food was great and the weight staff was wonderful.
The place was very nice the food was good. There were not very many customers but the weather was cold and nasty the night we went so hopefully that was the issue. Would hate to see this place not do well would definitely recommend.
Absolutely loved the vibe here. The food was spectacular especially the fries. And the live music was so good!!
Very reasonably priced, great atmosphere and the food was exceptional.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 4
Restaurantji Recommends
Food and service were fantastic! We sat at the bar and had the Grilled Salmon, my wife had the Burger. Both were cooked to perfection + delish fries crispy and fluffy in the middle. Cinnamon ice cream for dessert. Bloody brilliant!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
This place is great! The atmosphere is amazing, the food is top notch, and the service is spectacular. We went 3 times in 2 days because we were staying at a hotel nearby. I highly recommend the sirloin steak, the appetizer trio and, as crazy as it sounds, the best buffalo chicken wrap I've ever had!!
Props to the two bartenders that took care of us. Clay and Danielle, you made our vacation's end very special. You both rock!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
If you’re in Lexington KY, or on I-75 in either direction- you have got to make plans to stop in and eat here at this hidden gem. It’s one of those places that after you leave, you keep thinking about it. From the staff, to the vibe, to the exceptional menu- Barrel 53 definitely delivers on all levels. My husband ordered the Buffalo Chicken Wrap which sounds simple- but the flavors were phenomenal throughout the whole wrap. (It’s no simple wrap) I was really happy with my choice of the Salmon entree and the dill sauce prepared in-house - I got it ordered on the side because I don’t always enjoy a dill preparation because they tend to overdo it with the dill and ruin it- but no, I could’ve eaten this on just about anything. (And I would suggest getting it even if you don’t order the salmon- it would be good even with chicken or steak). I also ordered a drink that wasn’t on the menu, and Mark our server decided he would play with flavors and it ended up really good. This is so silly, but on the television was “The Joy of Painting with Bob Ross” (via the Bob Ross channel on Roku) and it’s such a pleasant and enjoyment entertainment choice that spurred on conversation between my husband and I ? (Mark told us that the channel hasn’t been changed in 5 months because everyone has enjoyed it ?) Finally, we almost never enjoy dessert with a meal- but I had to try the “Barrel Rolls” which captivated my attention on the menu as I am a self-proclaimed “cinnamon roll connoisseur” and what a great way to end this truly amazing meal & experience.
Seriously, this place may not look like much from the outside, as it’s tucked away in a great new hotel called “Hotel Lex” (also reviewed if you’re looking for a great place to stay in Lexington that is far from average ?) but you’ve got to give this place a try. Not mentioned in the review so far are the great prices for the menu offerings - as well as Bourbon options are the restaurant itself is themed around Kentucky’s finest. I’m not a bourbon person- but I’m sure if you are, you’ll enjoy this place on a whole other level. Look for their nightly calendar on the website for either local talent, open mic nights, or even for a great karaoke night (apparently this is one of the audition locations for the “Karaoke World Championships USA”). This place is kid friendly, especially on nights like “open jam night” where all ages welcome! Aesthetically beautiful, and tastefully decorated- the menu matches the atmosphere here at Barrel 53–and we can’t wait to come back soon!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
We came on a Tuesday they had a band and karaoke. The vibe of the place was absolutely amazing. The bar tender clay was as nice as can be. Very friendly and welcoming. The food was okay as well. It wasn’t anything special but it was okay. We had wings, pizza, and a prime rib sandwich.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Mozzarella Wedges, Potato Skins, Kentucky Fudge Brownie, House Salad
Awesome little gem, food was excellent and the service was great. We had the bourbon glazed wings, pretzel and the sirloin steak. Would highly recommend this place.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Mashed Potatoes, Chicken Tender Platter
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