Who has the best club sandwich in Lexington? See how these restaurants stack up.
It is arguably America’s signature sandwich — and a delightful indulgence that has reigned supreme for well more than a century.
This double-decker or sometimes triple-decker sandwich is a staple on the menu at many of the finest members-only country clubs, yacht clubs, resorts, boutique cafés, renowned restaurants, and grandest hotels from New York to Paris.
The World’s Fair in St. Louis helped to popularize the widely popular sandwich when no less than four different restaurants first included a version of it on their respective menus in 1904.
It is, of course, the classic, time-honored, Club Sandwich — also known as the clubhouse sandwich.
When traveling, it is my go-to room service food order.
Club sandwich history: Birthplace, how it got its name
The origin of the word Club however does not stand for “Chicken and Lettuce Under Bacon,” despite the false internet rumor that continues to circulate.
The exact birthplace of the famous sandwich remains in dispute. One story traces its roots to the Union Club of New York in 1889. Another version is that it was first concocted at the Saratoga Club House in New York in 1894. What is not in dispute nevertheless is that the sandwich is layers upon layers of deliciousness.
There are numerous variations of the iconic sandwich, but conventionally a club is piled high with sliced chicken or turkey and sometimes ham (the original versions are said to have been made with chicken), and bacon, and occasionally cheese, lettuce, tomato, mayonnaise, and served inside two slices of toasted bread, with often a third slice of toasted bread tucked in the middle.
It is generally then cut into two or four eye-catching sections and held firmly together with cellophane-wrapped toothpicks or cocktail skewers for good measure.
The sandwich was reportedly a favorite of former King Edward VIII of England and his wife, Wallis Simpson — and it is virtually impossible to not feel a little royal-like or extravagant while enjoying one, whether that be at the Waldorf-Astoria or simply at your own kitchen table.
The luxurious Von Essen hotel chain in the U.K. created a most opulent club sandwich using ham, poulet de Bresse (a French breed of chicken), white truffles, quail eggs, and semi-dried Italian tomatoes — with an eye-popping price tag of $150.
Fortunately, you can find a wide and delectable variety of club sandwiches right here in Lexington for considerably less than $150.
To guide you, I have compiled a list where you can find some of the best club sandwiches at local restaurants. There are many variations on their respective menus to choose from and each is fit for a king .. for lunch or dinner.
To be included on this alphabetical list, a sandwich simply must be listed with “club” in its name on the menu. (Description shown here is as provided on menu where possible.)
AP Suggins Bar & Grill
345 Romany Road; 859-268-0709; suggins.com
Hours: Monday-Thursday 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Friday-Saturday 11 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.; closed Sunday.
Turkey Club: A double-decker loaded with turkey, bacon, lettuce, tomato, and mayo, on white Texas toast. Served with French Fries or one side item. $9.95.
Banners
3650 Boston Road; 859-223-4775; bannerslex.com
Hours: Monday-Sunday 11 a.m. to 2:30 a.m.
Double Decker Club. A towering sandwich with sliced ham and turkey, crisp bacon, Swiss cheese, lettuce, tomato and mayo between three slices of toasted bread. $12.
Big Blue Deli
227 N. Limestone; 859-303-4427; instagram.com/big_blue_deli/
Hours: Monday-Saturday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Two worthy club sandwich choices here. The Classic Club with fresh sliced Boar’s Head turkey and ham, topped with bacon, American cheese, lettuce, tomato, and mayo, $10.
Also available, the Pub Club, with ham, turkey, bacon, Hall’s beer cheese, lettuce, tomato, and Deli dressing, $10. Each served on your choice of bread. Make either a combo for $3 more.
Cellar Bar and Grille
3256 Lansdowne Drive; 859-317-8301; cellargrille.com
Hours: 11 a.m. to midnight, 7 days a week
Club. Turkey, ham, bacon, lettuce, tomato, onion and your choice of cheese piled high. Served with French fries. $13.50.
Courtyard Deli
351 Church St.; 859) 252-3354; thecourtyarddeli.net
Hours: Monday-Friday 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.; closed Saturday-Sunday
Classic Club. Roast deli chicken, ham, bacon, provolone, mayo, lettuce, and tomato. Boar’s Head meats and cheese on Sunrise Bakery bread. Sandwich, side, and drink, $15.
Dad’s Favorite Deli
820 Lane Allen Rd.; 859-309-1930; dadsfavorites.com
Hours: Monday-Friday 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.; closed Saturday-Sunday
Pepper Jack Club. Country ham, smoked turkey, and bacon, served on a French roll with lettuce and tomato. $8.50.
Drake’s
Three Lexington locations: Hamburg – Lansdowne Shoppes – Leestown Road; drakescomeplay.com
Hours: Monday-Saturday 11 a.m. to midnight; Sunday 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Nick’s Club. Double-decker stacked with tender ham, smoked turkey, bacon, cheddar, Swiss, lettuce, tomato, and mayo on toasted wheatberry bread. Served with choice of side item. $15.99.
Halligan’s Pub
1170 Manchester St.; 859-785-0858; halliganslex.com
Hours: Tuesday-Thursday 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Friday-Saturday 11 a.m. to midnight; Sunday 1 to 10 p.m.
Firehouse Club Sandwich. Ham, turkey, bacon, lettuce, tomato, cheese and mayo. $12.99.
High on Art & Coffee
523 East High St.; 859) 396-4366; highonartandcoffee.com
Hours: Monday-Friday 7:30 am-4:00 pm; Saturday 10:00 am-4:00 pm; Closed Sunday.
High Art Club. Ham, turkey, bacon, Swiss, lettuce, tomato, and onion, on three slices of bread. $7.45.
Jason’s Deli
134 Malabu Dr.; 859-313-5128; jasonsdeli.com/restaurants/lexington-deli
Hours: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., 7 days a week.
You will find a trio of club sandwich options here. The California Club, roasted turkey breast, bacon, Swiss, guacamole, tomato, organic field greens, and mayo on toasted croissant, $10.79; the Club Royale, smoked turkey breast and ham, bacon, Swiss, cheddar, leafy lettuce, tomato, honey mustard, on toasted croissant, $10.79; or the Deli Club, ham, roasted turkey breast, bacon, cheddar, Swiss, leafy, lettuce, tomato, mayo, on toasted multigrain wheat, $10.29. Each served with choice of one side.
Josie’s
821 Chevy Chase Pl.; 859-523-8328; josies-ky.com
Hours: Monday-Sunday 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.; Wednesday-Saturday 5 to 9 p.m.
Country Club. Roasted turkey, country ham, bacon, lettuce and tomato with a side of honey mustard. Served with choice of one side. $16.50.
Liberty Road Café
720 Henry Clay Blvd.; 859- 621-1550; selmascatering.com/liberty-road-cafe
Hours: Tuesday-Friday 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Club Sandwich. Ham, turkey, bacon, cheddar cheese, lettuce, and tomato served with your choice of white, wheat, or marbled rye and choice of side. $11.75.
Malabu Pub & Grille
239 Surfside Dr.; 859-278-9003; facebook.com/malabupubgrill
Hours: Monday-Sunday 11 a.m. to 2:30 a.m.
Club Sandwich. Ham, turkey, bacon, American, Swiss, lettuce, tomato, and mayonnaise stacked on three slices of Honey Wheat bread. Served with French fries. $9.99.
McAlister’s Deli
836 Euclid Ave.; 859-368-9880; facebook.com/McAlistersDeliLexingtonKY40502
Hours: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.; 7 days a week
Two club sandwich choices here. The McAlister’s Club. Turkey, Black Forest ham, bacon, sharp cheddar, Swiss, spring mix, tomato, mayo and McAlister’s Honey Mustard on wheat. $10.29. Or for heartier appetites, the King Club. Twice the ingredients of the McAlister’s Club on country white. Both sandwiches include a side. $11.99.
Rafferty’s
1865 Alysheba Way; 859-264-8900; raffertys.com
Hours: Sunday-Thursday 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Friday-Saturday 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Ultimate Club. Sliced smoked turkey, ham, Monterey Jack cheese, Cheddar cheese, bacon, lettuce, sliced tomatoes, Honey Mustard dressing on toasted wheatberry bread. Served with choice of side item. $13.49.
Shamrock Bar & Grille
154 Patchen Dr. or 4750 Hartland Parkway; Patchen 859-269-7621 or Hartland Pkwy 859-245-9504; shamrocksky.com
Hours: Monday 11 a.m. to 1 a.m.; Tuesday 11 a.m. to 2:30 a.m.; Thursday-Friday 11 a.m. to midnight; Saturday 10 a.m. to 11 p.m.; Sunday 10 a.m. to 1 a.m.
The Pub Club. “A Shamrock’s classic” piled high with turkey, ham, and salami. Billed as “the biggest and the best.” Includes chips and a pickle. $13.
Stella’s Kentucky Deli
143 Jefferson St.; 859-255-3354; stellaskentuckydeli.com
Hours: Monday-Sunday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
J. Street Club. Turkey, ham, bacon, jack, Dijon, basil mayo, on three slices of French bread. Served with chips and a pickle wedge. $9.95. Per the menu, a 20% service charge is added to every order to ensure they can pay all their employees at least $15 per hour.
Winchell’s Restaurant & Sports Bar
348 Southland Drive; 859-278-9424; winchellsrestaurant.com
Hours: Monday-Thursday 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Friday-Saturday 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Sunday 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Classic Club. Sliced turkey, country ham, Swiss cheese on choice of white, wheat, sourdough or rye bread, layered with bacon, lettuce, tomato, and red onion. Served with homemade potato chips and a kosher pickle. $14.99.
Zim’s Cafe
215 West Main St.; 859-785-3690; zimscafe.com
Hours: Monday-Friday 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Saturday 9 a.m to 9 p.m.; Sunday 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Santa Anita Club. Roast turkey, pepper jack, bacon, guacamole, chipotle mayo, lettuce and tomato on wheat. Served with kettle chips. $14.99.
Rob Bolson is a freelance writer residing in Lexington, Kentucky, who writes about food and culture. Follow him on Instagram at @robbiebolson .
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