LEXINGTON, Ky. (LEX 18) — Restaurants across Kentucky are now preparing to re-open their dining rooms next week. For the last couple of months, though, they've been reinventing themselves to keep afloat. A popular Lexington restaurant, Stella's Kentucky Deli, is excited to see customers again.
The original Stella's opened around 40 years ago at the spot on Jefferson Street. The current ownership goes back 14 years when Lester Miller and his team dedicated the deli to serving classic Kentucky recipes using local products.
"We've got such great foods here, such great farmers," says Miller. "We were trying to broaden the access so more people could have that good, nourishing local food."
Stella's is known for everything from their brunch, to burgers, to their famous Hot Brown.
"It's been selected as a top ten sandwich of the South," said Miller. "We were just recently featured in Southern Living for our burgoo."
As much as is authentic and unique about the menu, the same hold true for the building itself, but no one can come dine inside just yet.
"Sales are down dramatically of course," Miller said.
After closing for a few weeks, Stella's did open up to begin offering curbside pick up. Soon, they'll be able to partially seat in the dining area, and thankfully, they have a great patio, where it will be nice to see some familiar faces again.
"We've got a lot of really, really loyal and dedicated customers, and many have been supportive of us through this entire situation," said Miller. "But it's going to be great to see people again. Not a day goes by that somebody doesn't call and say they miss us, and we miss them back."
They've established a connection to the community, and that's what their food is all about.
