LEXINGTON, Ky. (LEX 18) — Many of us are missing brunch after church on Sundays or breakfast before heading out to Keeneland during the spring meet. A Lexington restaurant that sees so much of that business is missing those customers, too.
It's quaint. It's got that quintessential Lexington, Kentucky, feel. After all, it's called Tack House Pub.
Owner Erin Johnson says they're known for their chicken salad and tomato basil soup. They also have a vast breakfast menu and good coffee. Tack House Pub opened in 2006 as The Coffee Pub. Johnson has been at the reins for 12 years now.
“I was a stay at home mom for a while. I had a friend of mine who actually started this in 2006, and she was ready to sell and she called me," Johnson reflected. "So I purchased it from her in 2008. I love to cook, so this was kind of my dream."
The picturesque setting on Old Harrodsburg Rd. has welcomed many regular customers over the years.
“I mean we have some customers that eat here everyday," Johnson noted.
Closing the doors in March, following the governor's orders, was tough.
“The first several weeks we had no idea what to expect," Johnson said.
Johnson was forced to lay off some staff and convert everything to take-out and curbside.
“Every day is different. Some days we’ll sit here for a while waiting on the phone to ring, and then some days we’re super busy. It’s been a little rough—I won’t lie!” she said.
But many of her regulars keep coming, and she's really happy to see some new faces.
"It’s still a rocky road. I mean, we’ve got a long ways to go to catch up, but I just feel fortunate that we’re able to do this," says Johnson.
She's able to keep open and able keep her dream--maybe not racing ahead right now--but trotting along.
