Franco's Restaurant & Catering

Owner Frank Foster's cafeteria-style soul food institution on Dixie Highway that punches way above its weight class. Started as a family pop-up and grew into one of Louisville's most beloved home-cooking destinations. The operation is small but what comes out of that kitchen is the real deal: golden fried chicken, smothered pork chops with gravy, fried catfish, chicken and dressing, cabbage, buttered spinach, sweet potatoes, cornbread straight from the oven, and cherry cobbler that reviewers describe as "slap your mama good." The menu also has some unexpected Italian-leaning touches — grilled calamari, jumbo rigatoni, caprese salad. Portions are enormous and prices are dirt cheap.