Paducah is one of the most culinary diverse towns in Kentucky, but their Southern cuisine really stands out. Freight House, one of the town’s newer spots, is the prime example of this, offering inspired spins on Southern classics like gumbo, pot roast (in lasagna form!), fried chicken, and shrimp and grits. The shrimp and grits from The Freight House is the restaurant’s most popular dish, achieving icon status in just a few short years. While this restaurant might not be your typical hole-in-the-wall, its small-town location definitely makes it more of an off-the-beaten path hidden gem. And we’re here to put it on your radar, because at The Freight House, you’ll have the best shrimp and grits of your life. Period.
The Freight House opened its doors in 2015, and has quickly become a beloved fixture in the small town of Paducah, Kentucky.
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The restaurant is located in a historic train depot, which makes for a delightfully charming dining experience.
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But while this restaurant’s location and service are unrivaled, folks come to The Freight House for the food. Specifically, the shrimp and grits.
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Chef Sara Bradley (who you might recognize from “Top Chef Kentucky”) has transformed this Southern staple into something truly beautiful. Made with pimiento cheese grits, fresh gulf shrimp, and cured pork belly, the shrimp and grits from The Freight House are the best you’ll have in Kentucky - period.
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And it’s not just us who think so. The restaurant hosted a “top dish” challenge in 2020, where diners voted on their choices, a la March Madness brackets. The menu was eventually narrowed down to two dishes: braised pork shoulder and shrimp and grits.
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And while the pork shoulder is delicious and well-worth trying – field peas, sweet greens, fennel aioli, bacon fat cornbread… are you kidding?! – the shrimp and grits triumphed.
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This dish is so popular, in fact, that Chef Sara has given many a demo showing folks how they can recreate this fan favorite at home!
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But of course, the entire menu at The Freight House is amazing… like one giant hug from Grandma. These dishes are cooked with love, capturing the very essence of what Southern food should be.
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There’s something so comforting and classic about a big, ole bowl of shrimp and grits. And The Freight House has nailed this Southern dish, in their very own, wholly unique and wonderful way.
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Have you tried the shrimp and grits from The Freight House? This is a meal worth traveling from all corners of the state to try — and is definitely an iconic Kentucky dish!
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Address: the freight house, 330 S 3rd St Suite 102, Paducah, KY 42003, USA
