Restaurant Review: The Ketch
The Ketch
(859) 277-5919
2012 Regency Road
Lexington, KY 40503
The Ketch is a moderately-priced, no frills seafood restaurants that has somehow managed to stay afloat despite its proximity to establishments such as Red Lobster and Joe’s Crab Shack. Located on Regency Road near the intersection with Southland Drive, you should go to The Ketch if you’re in the mood for the seafood basics—crab legs, lobster, fresh shrimp—not a fancy meal. You’re not going to get fine table linens, a great atmosphere, outstanding service (our waitress had a tongue ring-induced lisp that made our interactions with her both challenging and entertaining), or anything else the least bit upscale. That being said, the food was pretty good.
For an appetizer we had a hefty portion freshly-cooked, then chilled, peel & eat shrimp—simple but excellent. Jablet’s bucket of crab legs was massive, but apparently delicious, as it disappeared with remarkable speed. I, on the other hand, ordered a combination dinner that included a crab cake and a small sirloin steak. Yes, I violated the “keep it simple” doctrine and learned the hard way. The steak wasn’t horrible, but it was definitely overcooked, though not charred past the point of no return. The crab cake, though clearly above average, couldn’t touch what you can pick up on-the-fly at a New York City corner café. A notable highlight was the delicious assortment of fresh grilled vegetables—we both agreed they were excellent. Overall, we give this place a B for food (A- if you keep it to seafood basics), a B for service, and an A+ for people watching. Far more interesting than the big corporate competitors.
The Damage:
2 beers
1 mixed drink
Shrimp Appetizer
1 lb bucket of crab legs
Crab cake/sirloin combo
$48 before tip
April 26th, 2005 at 11:49 am
My wife and I have been to The Ketch a few times and have always enjoyed the food and we have a favorite waitress who has been there for a few years. I’d tell you her name, but as I don’t have her permission I feel that I should reserve that information until the next time we go and ask her permission. The bar crowd is a bit aged, but they seem to be a constant source of entertainment. A hint here-stare back! they quickly begin wondering if they’re too old and too drunk. I envy the owner for his little oasis in an area that is easily accessible and encourages a neighborhood crowd. The Ketch and the Nicholasville road Outback are our two favorite places to eat when visiting “Grandma”(thanks for babysiting-mom!)
April 26th, 2005 at 11:59 am
Good advice with the “stare back” comment. I agree, the food is pretty darn good and you can’t beat the entertainment
August 26th, 2005 at 12:26 pm
I have eaten at The Ketch a few times and found the service to be inconsistant, but the food is good. Unfortunately, it’s always just good, never great. Their use of a wood grill and rosemary always seems to be a bit over the top. Of course, tastes are relative, but I’m not a big fan of a woody, pine-tree flavored steaks.
Are there any suggestions for a great restaurant in Lexington?
October 25th, 2006 at 5:47 pm
It’s funny that I came across your posting when I googled Ketch. That’s because for a year or so I was one of the famous “bar” guys there. Of course, I was in late 20s then but everybody else was just about my Dad’s age. However, the one thing true are most of these are fellows beaten on the path of life. There were a couple Nam vets with stories. A UK faculty, a booming Northerner with a good-size construction biz, an average dude dating a bird almost half his age, a dude with Italian descent who thought he was Al “hard drinking” Pacino, a young master brewer, another dude who would be okay till he got drunk, then he’d start pushing folks to invest in his pawpaw business…all daily guzzlers but not bad folks to know and a lot of fun. But the bar was a truly inviolable, closed clique. This is not a pick-up joint though Mary Jo and Billy Bob have slept together and so have Bubba Jones and Bobbie Jane…get the point. I write all this just to explain the stares…there’s never a face that’s new so the diners get stared at and then forgotten. It’s almost like, are you here to be one of us or just dine and leave.
Anyhow, about the food part, though I never had it much, I definitely tried the specials a bit too often. The owner is also the master chef and he tries these wonderful Spanish-Portuguese-Medit items that are very good. I cant comment on the service though I have know all servers, some too well.
The final recommendation, if you go in just look at the specials displayed near the bar and you may find it worthwhile.
Cheers!
January 22nd, 2007 at 12:53 pm
Sure wish Shayne would come back to the Ketch and repay all the bar patrons he borrowed money from.
May 5th, 2007 at 2:52 pm
Ate there once, great food. Pitchers were cheap, fish was fresh, and tasted great. This seemed like one of those resturantes you goto when you are near the beach. Service was a bit shady as our waiter would disappear for extended amounts of time, but oh well. I’m actually just posting here because whomever listed the phone number got it wrong. its 859-277-5919 and the poor guy who has that phone number listed above wasn’t surprised when I asked if he took reservations.