Everyone is in search of the ideal. In our gloriously foodie city, one of those most important essentials is the hunt for that hits-the-spot lunch place, delicious enough that your taste buds are always thrilled but affordable enough that you can try a variety of options without breaking the bank. It's always nice when the spot you've found is in a good location to quickly step in on a busy lunch hour and still make it back to work on time. In Louisville, you can stop fantasizing, because that perfect spot definitely exists -- Look no further than Rocky’s Pizza and Panini [4] on Bardstown Road, in the Gardiner Lane Shopping Center area.
Both my family and friends can always agree on Rocky’s amazing deal for thin artisan pizza (with unlimited toppings for just $7.00!) to split. I am obsessed with their toppings and am all about a pizza place that offers fresh basil and a homemade crust. Feeling especially hungry? Their thick crust pizza is the bombdotcom, even as leftovers the next day.
One thing is for sure. I could never go to Rocky’s [5] without ordering their minestrone soup, which is made from scratch with fresh vegetables and that just-right amount of kick.
Picky eater? I am convinced that it would be very difficult for someone not to find something they would enjoy there. On a girls’ lunch outing with my best friend, we could easily just order a salad or hot panini (my personal favorite: the turkey bruschetta) and feel overwhelmingly content about life.
I am a regular there for father/daughter lunches, too. One of the aspects my dad and I love most about Rocky’s? The customer service there always makes you want to go back. The staff is some of the friendliest in town.
Added bonus: Rocky’s mantra of “respect beer!” almost dictates that you should unwind after hours with a nice, cold brew and some create-your-own hand tossed pizza. No one is stopping you.
(I also confess I may or may not have succumbed to one of Rocky's caramel-drizzled pretzel-crust brownies and it was a beacon of dessert heaven.)
My dad and I are such fans, we often know where to find our Rocky’s reward card sooner than we find our credit cards. Definitely check out Rocky’s on a Double Punch Monday! You will get to that free pizza all the sooner, with any kind of crust or toppings your dough-craving heart desires.
All Photos: Courtesy of Julie Lamb