Rick’s White Light Diner
114 Bridge St, Frankfort, KY, 40601
Rick’s White Light Diner Menu
Sorry, We are updating this restaurant menu details.
Visit below restaurant in Frankfort for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Frankfort for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Frankfort for healthy meals suggestion.
Sorry, we don't have Q&A for this restaurant.
Sorry, No Coupons available for this restaurant.
-
Address :
114 Bridge St
Frankfort, KY, 40601 - Phone (502) 696-9104
- Website https://www.whitelightdiner.com/
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Tue
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : No
Delivery : Yes
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Lunch
Parking : Street, Private Lot
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : No
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Divey
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Beer & Wine Only
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : Free
Has TV : No
Dogs Allowed : Yes
Waiter Service : Yes
Drive-Thru : No
Caters : Yes
Categories
Burgers
Burger or Hamburger is savored as the most desired fast food meal in the United States. A hamburger is basically a sandwich prepared by stuffing ground meat patty, generally beef, between two slices of a bun cut in half. Hamburger is also famous for its seasoning. Most popular condiments used in hamburgers in the United States are mustard, mayonnaise, and ketchup. Besides ground meat patty, hamburgers are also stuffed with lettuce, onions, tomato slices, pickles, and cheese.
Hamburgers are also categorized into two types in the United States. Fast food hamburger and individual hamburgers served at restaurants are two basic types of burgers served in the United States. The individual hamburgers served at restaurants are prepared using everything including lettuce, onion, tomato, and sliced pickles as well as melted cheese on the patty or crumbled on top. American restaurants also serve veggie burgers for those who don't relish meat. Cheeseburgers are also hot favorite in the United States.
McDonalds is the most popular fast food burger restaurant serving different types of burgers in the United States. On the other hand, there are several restaurants such as Burger King are famous for serving the best hamburgers in the United States. Most burger restaurants in the United States often serve hamburgers with French fries and other condiments. If you have a liking for burgers in the United States, then you won't be disappointed. You can easily find the best burger restaurants in your city on our Restaurants Listings directory. Check the reviews and ratings of the top burger restaurants and savor yourself with the best hamburger in the city.
WE SERVE THE FOLLOWING STATES
Looky Weed - Buy Marijuana Online
Looky Weed is here to help you navigate the maze of legalized marijuana. We provide you with a complete dispensary directory.
Ryan F.
I seriously think this is the highlight of Frankfort, KY. A welcoming little dive that makes you want to take a seat for lunch and stick around until dinner. Fantastic smoked meat and fresh local ingredients. A spicy sauce and a prickly host (Rick) make this an unforgettable little hole in the wall. I want to go back to Frankfort for this reason only.
(5)Kirk H.
Delicious food, way too over priced. Crawfish pie is awesome, but $16.95? Sorry Rick, can't afford to eat there as often as I'd like. And if you are not politically liberal, you may leave angry. Just sayin'...
(4)Heather V.
The food is good, but the portions are so meager you'll leave feeling hungry and ripped off. We ordered the $15 dollar "Diners, Drive-ins and Dives" Sampler and received exactly one-bite's worth of each of the items listed. We won't be back.
(1)Sam K.
I came in today on the way thru from Louisville, and was pretty excited about swinging in after seeing the dynamite episode on Triple-D / Food Network. That was kinda quashed in about the first 10 minutes. My bride was asking after the first 7 or 8 minutes if it was time to go. That was about the amount of time it took Brother Rick to come by and get the dishes off the table from the previous occupants. The table never was wiped up from before..... I heard lots of talk about how swamped it was and how in the weeds they were, but come on - it only has 4 each 4-place tables and a lunch counter with maybe 10 seats, and half of those emptied while we waited for... anything. With 4 people behind the counter including the owner, I thought they could do a bit better than that. When the nice Lady came by finally to take our order, we discovered that they were out of several of their menu items, to include first choice for the meal. We got a couple Oyster Po Boys and a couple burgers, and were glad that we did not listen to the description that the sandwiches were pretty big - I was going to split one with my son, but I think we would have both left hungry if we had done that. Surprising at $16 for a 5-6 oyster sandwich and a small side. Another writer says that he is willing to pay more for locally grown food, but come on..... What was served was undeniably tasty and fresh, but the whole experience was just not all that. A quicker clean up and order taking would have taken it to a 3 or 4-star probably - bring the sandwich down to a better price or load it up with oysters and it would go higher. It was a shame as I was trying so hard to like the place. The place is owned by a Vet, and I try to eat local, and Veteran Owned is even better in my book. A shame....
(2)Kerrie S.
We were on a bourbon tour at Buffalo Trace, and needed a spot for lunch. Checked Yelp and Rick's came up. Drove by it our first time down the street--it is a tiny whole in the wall. Thank goodness we turned around and searched it out. Had no idea we were in for such a treat. The space is tight, but the food is amazing. Hand breaded oysters, blue mac and cheese, shrimp po' boy--all amazing. We actually ended up ordering a second basket of oysters. Then to top it off Chess Pie. You have to order it no matter how full you are!!
(5)Jennee D.
Tasty pulled pork sandwich + beer + extremely entertaining/talkative owner made for a nice detour on our way to Lexington. It's a shack on the side of the river but it's a must see if you're in the area.
(5)David D.
Who can afford this place? I was excited about checking it out until I saw the prices. The best poboys in New Orleans aren't $16.
(1)Jr H.
Great place. Very friendly and entertaining staffers. Smoked pulled pork was right on! Looking forward to going back.
(4)Kristie F.
The food is good and fresh, the atmosphere is great! I loved it. Shrimp po' boy, bleu Mac and cheese and bourbon pie-- all were great. There are still other things on the menu I'd like to try. They have fresh bread, fresh pie and plenty to look at while you wait. The owner and employees are friendly and chatty. I will be back.
(5)Adele W.
I adore Rick's White Light. Rick is a Frankfort icon who has set up shop all over Frankfort since I was a little girl. He always has the best food, especially his "Not Derby Pie" and BarBQ. He's kind, hilarious and damn does he know how to cook!
(5)Joanne A.
We sort of just discovered this place. Saw it was on D, D &D. It is VERY small. It was a gorgeous day so we sat outside. The food was very good but it is also very expensive for what you get. $15.95 for a burger and side is a bit much. But the staff is very friendly and the food is good.
(4)Todd C.
This was my first time coming in, I was greeted with friendly folks. I sat inside so I could observe the decor. I opted to have the Alligator Po' Boy with a side of garlic cheddar grits. WOW!!!! It was cooked perfectly and was not greasy. Just great flavor. I then had to try the Keylime pie. Oh, boy. In short, I am going again tomorrow and bringing my wife.
(5)Richard F.
It had been 3 years since we went to Rick's so we decided to try it again when we were visiting Frankfort. It was most disappointing. The place hasn't changed much except it is much more cluttered with junk. We were shocked when we got the menu as the prices had increased greatly since our last visit. My wife ordered the Catfish platter, 3 very small pieces of breaded fish with hushpuppies and 2 of the pieces were undercooked and not done. More like a kids portion and it was $16.75. I ordered the Sampler Platter, 2 small overly breaded oysters, a very small sliver of Crayfish Pie, a small lump of stringy BBQ pork, a small piece of flat buttered bread and a side of Mashed Sweet Potato. Mine also looked like a kids serving for $16.50. The pie was tasty, the sweet potato was good however, the oysters were tiny and lost in the breading and the BBQ was cold, tough and not very flavorful. Even a glass of water served in a bottle cost us $1.00. I can't remember when I've been more disappointed in a restaurant. I guess Rick thinks most people will overlook the small portions and high prices because 5 years ago he was featured on a TV show. I know I certainly will not and unless things change for the better, I will not go back.
(2)M T.
Great little spot that plays a little bit too much on its feature in D,D,&D but the location, ambience and food are authentic. I went for the signature crawfish pie and chedder grits which did not disappoint.
(4)Robert W.
We went to Rick's based on the favorable Yelp review. The character of the little diner is fantastic, SMALL, REALLY SMALL. Luckily we can in at an off time. it was only after we got there that we realized it had been on D, D&D. The food was really great, my only real concern was it was a little overpriced, and i wonder if it was due to the show. We actually got to meet Rick, and man was he something else. Nice getting to talk to him, and great experience!
(4)Jeremiah A.
The first time I went I had the crawfish pie as seen on Diners, Drive-ins and Dives. Rich is an understatement. As I was having the pie, I noticed everyone around me ordering the Muffuletta like they knew something I didn't. They did. On my second visit (today), I tried the Muffuletta. I'm not exaggerating when I say it may be the best sandwich I've ever tasted. The french bread alone Rick could sell and make a fortune. It was remarkable. On a side note, I noticed a customer ordered a dish of ice cream for desert and was concerned about the use of eggs in the making of the ice cream. Rick didn't hesitate to call the maker that he buys from and demand an ingredient list, then promptly took the ice cream off the tab just to be safe. He then ate the ice cream, which I thought was hilarious. The only drawback I find is the price. The excuse for the high prices is the use of local and fresh ingredients. That argument doesn't hold as many diners use fresh local ingredients at half the price. All in all, it's an enjoyable experience. I would recommend eating here at least once. Twice if you can afford it.
(4)Robert H.
This was a diamond in the rough. The best dive restaurant I've been to in a while limited bar and booth sitting. Staff (father daughter) were great but the food was worth getting off the expressway. I had the scallop po boy and my wife had the oyster po boy. It would be hard to say which was better. Definitely worth going to and probably multiple time to try everything.
(5)Manny B.
This place is awesome, the food is great and the people are even better. If your looking for good local food and beer this is the place to be. My wife and I went in for a quick meal and ended up spending three hour having great conversations with the staff. It's a place worth making a detour for on your way anywhere.
(5)David S.
Total hole in the wall with the worlds best muffuletta!
(5)Jeff M.
Was on vacation and my father loves the show Triple D (Diner, Drive-Ins, Dives) and we were in the area to check this place off the list. It's a small place but as you walk in you will be greeted by the staff and you can sit at the counter or at the couple of tables against the wall. All of their food is local and the seafood is from the US. All of their beef is Hormones and steroids free. Cooking your food is Rick himself, and he will ask you were your from and then throw in a joke or two to make you relax (Clean or Dirty). I had the New Orlean's Muffaletta and had a Kentucky Beer to wash it down. It was Excellent! My dad had the Alligator Po Boy and I had a bite, it was really good. They make their own pies, they look really good but you can try it and let everyone know. I'll be back if I'm in that area.
(4)Herb P.
Great food, great service, and a true Kentucky original running the show. During our first visit a young patron (10?) and his family greeted us as an unpaid ambassador for the diner, and described his favorite dishes. He later went behind the counter and Rick let him "help" with some of the cooking. This is the kind of extended family atmosphere you could only find at a small local diner. It just feels right. There isn't much room so be prepared to squeeze in if you can. If you like meeting people you will like it here. Yes the prices are higher than average for the area. Go over to Cracker Barrel for some processed corporate food if that's a problem. I'd rather pay a bit more for high quality local ingredients and support a local character and genuine nice guy. Who also really knows how to cook.
(5)Ray G.
For lunch, she had the shrimp po boy, and for me, the oyster po boy. The cornmeal batter was excellent. However, for $15, I would expect more. I'm not a "super-size it" type of guy and I even dislike it when the portions at a restaurant are too large. But there was just too little shrimp and oysters that the feature of each sandwich was drowned out by the bread and sauce. Overall, it was an average tasting po boy. The coleslaw was overly sauced. Friendly service. I was told that the food is better when Rick is present, but he wasn't there. If I do make it back and my impression is better (or worse), I'll certainly edit and revise this review.
(2)Bob L.
Good stuff
(4)Todd C.
This was my first time coming in, I was greeted with friendly folks. I sat inside so I could observe the decor. I opted to have the Alligator Po' Boy with a side of garlic cheddar grits. WOW!!!! It was cooked perfectly and was not greasy. Just great flavor. I then had to try the Keylime pie. Oh, boy. In short, I am going again tomorrow and bringing my wife.
(5)Richard F.
It had been 3 years since we went to Rick's so we decided to try it again when we were visiting Frankfort. It was most disappointing. The place hasn't changed much except it is much more cluttered with junk. We were shocked when we got the menu as the prices had increased greatly since our last visit. My wife ordered the Catfish platter, 3 very small pieces of breaded fish with hushpuppies and 2 of the pieces were undercooked and not done. More like a kids portion and it was $16.75. I ordered the Sampler Platter, 2 small overly breaded oysters, a very small sliver of Crayfish Pie, a small lump of stringy BBQ pork, a small piece of flat buttered bread and a side of Mashed Sweet Potato. Mine also looked like a kids serving for $16.50. The pie was tasty, the sweet potato was good however, the oysters were tiny and lost in the breading and the BBQ was cold, tough and not very flavorful. Even a glass of water served in a bottle cost us $1.00. I can't remember when I've been more disappointed in a restaurant. I guess Rick thinks most people will overlook the small portions and high prices because 5 years ago he was featured on a TV show. I know I certainly will not and unless things change for the better, I will not go back.
(2)M T.
Great little spot that plays a little bit too much on its feature in D,D,&D but the location, ambience and food are authentic. I went for the signature crawfish pie and chedder grits which did not disappoint.
(4)Robert W.
We went to Rick's based on the favorable Yelp review. The character of the little diner is fantastic, SMALL, REALLY SMALL. Luckily we can in at an off time. it was only after we got there that we realized it had been on D, D&D. The food was really great, my only real concern was it was a little overpriced, and i wonder if it was due to the show. We actually got to meet Rick, and man was he something else. Nice getting to talk to him, and great experience!
(4)Joanne A.
We sort of just discovered this place. Saw it was on D, D &D. It is VERY small. It was a gorgeous day so we sat outside. The food was very good but it is also very expensive for what you get. $15.95 for a burger and side is a bit much. But the staff is very friendly and the food is good.
(4)Jeremiah A.
The first time I went I had the crawfish pie as seen on Diners, Drive-ins and Dives. Rich is an understatement. As I was having the pie, I noticed everyone around me ordering the Muffuletta like they knew something I didn't. They did. On my second visit (today), I tried the Muffuletta. I'm not exaggerating when I say it may be the best sandwich I've ever tasted. The french bread alone Rick could sell and make a fortune. It was remarkable. On a side note, I noticed a customer ordered a dish of ice cream for desert and was concerned about the use of eggs in the making of the ice cream. Rick didn't hesitate to call the maker that he buys from and demand an ingredient list, then promptly took the ice cream off the tab just to be safe. He then ate the ice cream, which I thought was hilarious. The only drawback I find is the price. The excuse for the high prices is the use of local and fresh ingredients. That argument doesn't hold as many diners use fresh local ingredients at half the price. All in all, it's an enjoyable experience. I would recommend eating here at least once. Twice if you can afford it.
(4)thomas p.
We went to Ricks because it was on TV. The space was very small but with big personality. We had a oyster po boy, sausage po boy and a BBQ pork sandwich. I felt that the Oysters were just OK (15 dollars that seemed a bit high for a sandwich.) Water comes by bottle only and the homemade BBQ sauces are just OK. Off brand mustard and ketchup sit at your table. We paid 50 dollars not including tip. All three of us felt like the bill was on the high side for the portions and type of food we got.
(3)Sehaj S.
We stopped here for lunch during our journey down the bourbon trail. It was lunchtime and rather packed, but two lovely gentleman let us take the empty two seats next to them at their table. The waitress was quick and to the point, but very polite and friendly. Boyfriend ordered the Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives special, and I got an alligator po'boy. I have to say, these guys are definitely proud of their DDD status, which is fine. It's a small hole-in-the-wall restaurant in a small town. Why not be proud? The boyfriend's platter of crawfish pie, fried oysters, pork BBQ, bread and a side (he got grits) was...ok. The crawfish pie was decent, but the pork BBQ was dry. The homemade bread was the star. My alligator po'boy, however, was unbelievable. One of the best sandwiches I've had in ages. That and the friendly waitress are the reasons for the four star rating. If you come here, order a po'boy. I'm sure the others are delicious too. As for Rick himself, he definitely had some back talk going with the other patrons, but we actually didn't speak to him. It seems like this place has a lot of visitors, but I'm not sure how many regulars.
(4)Tj P.
I confess, I'm reaching back a few months for this review (still working on the 100), as this visit occurred this past spring on an infrequent trip to Frankfort with my eldest son. He had a test to take at Kentucky State University and I had a couple hours to kill before I had to pick him back up so I had a chance to wander about our state's capitol. With Rick's White Light Diner as an eventual destination to this day's meandering, thanks to Guy Fieri, I winded my way in and around Frankfort until I located the aforementioned famed, small, white-tiled diner. I then went to pick up my son and made my way back via a more direct route. We chose to eat indoors, although the diner seats only a small few, with bar stools and just a few tables. A couple tables are outdoors to accommodate a few more but, trust me, the show's indoors. The service was super-friendly, Rick making a point to talk up my son, who tends to play shy, and the waitress giving my son that little extra attention that makes him blush just a bit. My son had a bacon cheeseburger and I, a stuffed cabbage roll. However, I appreciated the back-and-forth between Rick, the regulars and the work staff as much or even more than I did the excellent food during its short existence. So, five stars, go for the food, stay for the show.
(5)Greg K.
This place is awesome!! Rick is hilarious and the food is slamming... Soft shell crab po boy with hush puppies and collared greens. Friends had scallop po boy with FG Tomatoes, catfish po boys and the diners drive ins sampler. An oasis of Cajun in Kentucky!
(5)Michael H.
I've worked in the F&B industry for more decades than I chose to mention and places like Ricks White Light remind me of the reason why. Outrageously good food including the best Crawfish pie ever ( I lived in LA for a few years), an eclectic decor and then theirs Rick! I see why he one KY's Most Colorful Character! Great to see an owner/chef working the grill and interacting w/ customers, the fame hasn't gone to his head! I will never forget this place, the food and Rick and hope to be back soon
(5)Pat J.
A lot of places try to do too many things not rick's. Such excellence and simplicity of vision is hard to find and it is even more remarkable in the heart of Kentucky. Even more so since it is so close to the equally excellent and sublimely simple buffalo trace distillery home of pappy van winkle and Elmer T Lee bourbon. If you are going to be in these neck of the woods make the trip and try Rick's wonderful oyster po boy sandwich and beneighs. Love this place true American.
(5)Philip B.
Really cool spot on the banks of the river. Good food. Muffuletta and oyster po boy were excellent. Giving only 4 stars because prices are ridiculously high. Manhattan prices $15 for a sandwich. That said - leave the kids at home and have some good chow.
(4)Xuan L.
great food. tiny place. steep price. nevertheless great food takes priority
(4)Jorge H.
Several weeks ago, we went here for the first time and had lunch. Unfortunately, we returned for breakfast this time, and we probably will not go back to this restaurant. While Rick's had the same unique environment and friendly waitress that helped us last time, the menu, the food, the bill, and the quality of service this time was pretty bad. First, the breakfast menu is much smaller than what they offer for lunch. Second, the prices here are comparable to Winchell's, Ramsey's, and Wild Eggs in Lexington, but the amount of food they give you at Rick's is about half of what you would get at those three great establishments. So, it cost my family of three close to $40 to eat breakfast here, and I was still hungry when we finished. I have no problem spending money, but I expect to be get decent portions for the prices Rick charges. Next, a friendly wait staff is always a positive thing for a restaurant, but the quality of service still needs to be good. I had to ask for a "glass of water" three times, and when the waitress finally brought me water, she brought a bottled water. I then asked if they had tap water, and she replaced the bottle with what I had ordered originally. In terms of what we ordered, I always thought eggs were fairly easy to prepare based on my own culinary experiences. However, Rick declared for everyone to hear that the way I ordered my eggs took "forever" to do. As a side note, be careful if you decide to use the restroom. While I didn't need to on our first visit, I did need to during this second one. It's as if one is walking down into a dungeon because the one toilet in the building is located in the dark basement. As the waitress warned us, the steps start the moment you open the door to head downstairs to the bathroom. Watch out! That first step can be a doozy!
(2)Ron B.
It's a legit spot in Frankfort. Great menu that includes breakfast or lunch and far more culinary options than you'd expect just over the singing bridge in Downtown Frankfort. Rick was a fan favorite when friends from England came over and insisted we try this place out, service was efficient and food was outstanding. Certainly worth the trip if you're in town for a great bite to eat.
(4)Barb O.
First time eating here. Definitely a dive with delicious food! I had the muffuletta and hubby had shrimp étouffée with grits. A bit pricey but we loved atmosphere and food.
(4)Naiying C.
We came here because of food network. When we went, this place was so dead I thought we went to the wrong place. The food was good but I wasn't mind blown and in my opinion it felt a little pricey.
(3)Rebecca C.
I love this place. If it's lunch I grab the burger with a side of banana peppers or for breakfast you can never go wrong with the Eggs Benedict. This truly is a great stop. If your just driving thru make it a must stop. As. A local I can tell you I eat here regularly and it's never a let down!
(5)Rita W.
This place is hilarious! I had seen on Yelp that this diner had been shown on Diners, Drives, and Dives..and since I love diners...and I love this show, I know we had to go here, especially since it was close to where we were staying. We almost drove past this place, even though it is right on the side of the street, it is so tiny, it is not hard to miss if you are driving fast! This place is tiny, there were two tables and the rest of the seating was at the counter. Rick was there and was chatting it up with all of the customers. I ordered the special which was the smoked sausage sandwich and my husband ordered the sampler platter with crawfish pie, pulled pork, and fried oysters. We both loved our lunches, they were delish! They smoke the sausage themselves and that was what really made the sausage stand out! We ended our meal with an order of beignets to share. The only thing I would say is that the prices are a little high for a diner. I suspect that is because of all the popularity of being on the show. With that said, the food was very good!
(4)carolyn h.
I had the Diners, Drive ins and Dives sampler, it was rather filling! The fried clam was the best part! It was awesome. Rick was a hoot and talked to everyone in the restaurant which I think made the experience! It's worth stopping in to enjoy some great food and fantastic company.
(5)Joe C.
Ate lunch here on Sat with my girlfriend. Food was good although it was way over-priced. For two cheeseburgers, garlic potatoes, and sodas, the final bill was $26 (with tip it was $31)! One more thing - as we were leaving, a roach was scurrying out the door with us = YUCK! Maybe this should not have surprised us given the fact that one of the doors was propped open the entire time we were there. Despite being on Diners, Drive Inns, and Dives, our overall experience was just "meh".
(2)Ron S.
The staff was friendly enough and the food was good but I felt the prices were high for the picnic table setting.
(3)Swatee G.
- Hole in the wall place - Check - Dive-ey without a REAL sign board - Check - Boisterous ol' guy with a spatula in hand ushers me in - Check - No place to sit - Check - All their food is from this COUNTRY (?) - Check - Makes everything fresh right there
(3)Kirby A.
We went in Monday after a quick google search while heading on the bourbon trail. It was a slow day with just us and Rick there. The catfish poboy was the best fried catfish I have ever had in a restaurant. Accompanied with some good convo and jokes with Rick and our time there went way to fast. I recommend it to anyone in town for any period of time. I'll definitely be back next time in kentucky. I would drive an hour out of the way for it.
(5)Cacique G.
Rick was a nice guy. I love that he has local grass fed beef on menu. I had a catfish Po boy that was amazing. I sampled a couple sides and everything tasted wonderful. The food is rich and I would not categorize anything on menu as healthy. The food is fresh as local... regional cajun ingredients are also top notch. No Cisco.
(4)Daniel C.
I really enjoyed my meal here. Everyone seems to have a problem with the food being overpriced. Maybe it is expensive compared to other restaurants in the area? From living in Chicago, I found the prices fair for all local (domestic) seafood and hormone/antibiotic-free beef. People do not realize how little of our food comes from the US anymore. It is simply more expensive to do it this way, and as a result it is more expensive. Get over it. If you have a big problem with it, you are the same type of person that demands their XXL t-shirts cost $3, keeping Walmart is business. AKA you suck. I really dug the weird combination of greasy spoon diner and hippy, fair trade, social awareness. I had the shrimp po' boy and it was easily the best po' boy I've ever had. In addition to the shrimp being perfectly cooked, I loved the home made bread, which reminded my of a cross between a baguette in shape, and an english muffin in texture. My side of mac and cheese was pretty lame - overcooked noodles with very little cheese flavor. But just like a lot of diners, I figured the side dish may not really be the star attraction. I was there for the sandwich, and was willing to let the side dish issue slide. They also had a GREAT looking pie sitting on the counter, but I was just too full from the sandwich to take a sample. It was so good, I tried to come back a second time before leaving town, but I just couldn't get my schedule to line up. It was the only restaurant I tried to hit up a 2nd time while on my trip.
(4)Shane B.
First of all, anyone complaining about anything other than price on here is ridiculous. Sure, it may be a little high, but you're sitting in RICK'S WHITE FREAKIN' LIGHT DINER! You're not paying for your food and prep fee's, you're paying for the experience, which, if you know Rick, is worth every cent (and don't skimp on the tip) This is a LOCAL business people, that uses the freshest ingredients and not that jacked up "cow on steroids" crap you get at other "2 can dine for 9.99" places. Chances are, if you are someone who complains a lot, this isn't the place for you, simply because you'll get your feelings hurt. Now if you want a REAL dinner and a show, head on over to Ricks, he won't disappoint!
(5)David L.
Rick will cook you a lunch to remember... So like many we were 'doing' the bourbon trail and wanted somewhere for a late lunch after Buffalo Trace. So we looked at the Kentucky bourbon guide from memory, as we are unusual in not having a 'fruit' as we call them....in fact we don't even have cell phones. We walk into a quiet joint to be met with a welcome and an enquiry as to how we stumbled on the place? This is not the Macdonalds 'Have a nice day greeting' but one that started a two way conversation...and yes Rick does have opinions which he will share....which we found most refreshing. Hailing for the UK but now resident in Vermont, we often miss folks who will chat to strangers, as in the US everyone seems to be scared of causing offence, funny really as so often overseas visitors jump to the theory that everyone in the country is a gun totting Texan, when many delightfully are not! Rick reminded us of a pub landlord who holds court and welcomes a bit of banter. Onto the food and most of his ingredients are local as he is happy to point out all over the place and we commend him for this policy. Our crawfish etouffee & grits was prepared fresh and the black beans with it got 10/10. We shared and enjoyed a key lime pie and a bourbon tart & ice cream....with added bourbon of course! A cool beer was slurped and more chat was had, and a couple of locals popped in to update Rick on this and that. The place is genuine....you get something that has personality, and whilst we didn't visit the loo, the place looked fairly clean to us, and more importantly the preparation surfaces were very clean. Our waitress was also a character that added to the place. Ricks collection of quirky signage and photographs only added to the genuineness. And on one other important fact....we agree with Rick....you can never use too much garlic AND butter is the genuine article!
(4)Ben B.
Worth the drive from Lexington, it's that good. Hole in the wall with cramped seating. Brash service with a zing. Fantastic food with a price that won't hurt. Throw a beer on top of this an I'm sold. Rick's is deserving of all good things that comes it's way! Tasty.
(5)Brandon N.
I'm a regular at Rick's. The banter is entertaining and he prepares his offerings with as much local fare as he can. Today at lunch I stepped directly from Frankfort to New Orleans. I ordered the Crawfish étouffée on a bed of grits with grilled shrimp and a side of broccoli. In short, as I told Rick, the only thing that could have made it better was a beer (I couldn't imbibe because I was due back at work). The grits were lightly cheesy with garlic. The étouffée was well seasoned with good, but not overpowering heat. The shrimp garnish was grilled with generous fresh garlic. The broccoli was lightly steamed with butter. This dish is tasty and well with the trip to downtown Frankfort if you can't get to the French Quarter.
(5)Dan N.
Did you know this place was on DDD? Did you know the great and powerful Guy Fieri actually stepped foot in this place? Well, if you didn't, you are sure to find out within 10 seconds of walking into this place. I've never seen a place more annoyingly proud of their 15 minutes of fame on the Food Network. That said, Rick served me up one of the best Oyster Po' Boys that I've eaten in quite some time, maybe ever. The oysters were cooked perfectly--lightly breaded, still having some of that good, "oystery" flavor. The bread was also fantastic and it was topped with a great sauce. I was psyched for the blue cheese mac and cheese, however, I was disappointed to get a more watery consistency, as opposed to creamy. This place is super tiny and quite expensive ($22 for my lunch), but it's definitely worth a stop....as long as you are willing to bow to the throne of Guy Fieri.
(4)Aron K.
First let me start by saying that I did not know Ricks was featured on triple D. While visiting the area my wife and I were looking to have lunch. She finds Ricks on her phone as nearest restaurant . Upon pulling up I said I was not eating there. After a few minutes of being told I need to try new things we went in. We were greeted by a very friendly staff. Now after being told to try different things I ordered the triple d sampler, I have never been happier to be told what to do in my LIFE!!!!
(5)Laine S.
The food is great, 5 stars, so is the service. One star off for the $5 split fee, which I think is a completely ridiculous notion in any circumstance. But, they are very clear about it, which is appreciated. I seriously doubt there's any food in town that'll beat this place, would definitely come back.
(4)David I.
Great place. The staff and food are top notch. Anytime we go to Frankfort, this will be a stop. I had the Eggs Benedict and really enjoyed it. They use local ham and eggs and I have to say that the ham is the best I've ever had.
(5)Mick J.
Wow, what a jewel. Not only is the food great. Not ONLY is the owner a cheerful and/or curmudgeonly former hippy or maybe biker. Not ONLY is it tiny, seating only about 20. It's also the only place I've been in awhile where you can have a fairly decent bottle of beer with breakfast. 10 stars out of 5! I had the fried catfish platter, and day-yum --fantastic fried potatoes, amazing authentic southern-breaded catfish and ... I think the very best hush puppies I have ever EVER had. In my life.
(5)D H S.
I like to try places that are not a chain and this was a great find. Fresh seafood I had the ettoufe grilled shrimp. This is must stop. Friendly folks made me feel at home
(5)Barbara G.
The muffaletta sandwich will make me come back here. I'm from Texas and I will definitely go back the next time I'm on the Bourbon Trail! Definitely a hole in the wall, but food was great!
(5)Chuck D.
Ok... is there a suckers menu? I swear when we walked in, he asked us where we were from and what we did.... and THEN handed us the most over priced menu I've ever seen! I mean, don't get me wrong - the food was VERY VERY tasty.. but I don't like blatantly getting taken advantage of. Plus, ok, you are a nice guy, you are excited you were on Diners, Drive Ins, and Dives - but tone it down a little. Your food should stand for itself, which it certainly could if it wasn't over priced and bashed over our heads that you were on TV. And don't try to tell me it is expensive because the product you use is fresh caught and the best... that isn't the reason. The reason is because you can. Stop it! The food is amazing and two stars are gone because it is clearly now just a tourist trap. Too bad.
(3)Tom T.
Yes, it may seem overpriced for the type of food, but once you eat it you realize why it demands a bit of a premium. For one it is like 800 miles from the cajun capital New Orleans and is equally as good and as authentic as some of the places I have eaten there. The bane of humanity, the one and only, Guy Fieri, has been here. Yes there is a big autographed picture of him on the wall that the owner will not hesitate to bring up, but he will also tell you about the local farms that he sources his beef from so there are highs and lows. Ultimately, there really are not very many decent places to eat in Frankfort so you might as well just go here.
(4)Amanda P.
I worked in Frankfort for more than 3 years and feel confident in saying that Rick's is the best thing happening gastronomically in the state capital. True, his prices are high - because of that, I've never been able to eat there as often as I'd like. I'm okay with that, though - eating out should be a luxury, worth waiting for. Besides, I'd rather save the money that could've bought me two meals worth of grey McMeat (of dubious origins) that retails for $6 just to eat one real meal in which I recognize - and ENJOY - everything I'm putting into my face for $12. Ever read "Fast Food Nation" or "My Year of Meats"? If not, do yourself a favor and learn a thing or two about the way food is prepared at Rick's much cheaper competitors and then you might not mind his heftier price-tag. Also, his chess pie and bourbon chocolate pecan pie are phenomenal. Like food-orgasm good. Seriously. Have a slice with a beer to mellow you out about the cost and you'll be smiling.
(4)Keith W.
I've eaten here twice. I do like the eclectic menu and everything I've tried has tasted good. That said, the prices are very high for what you get. Either the sandwiches should be much larger to reflect the price paid, or the prices need to come down. Alas, I doubt either will happen. Rick seems like an okay guy, but he and the place seem quite infatuated with the whole Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives fame. Perhaps the raising of the prices is him taking full advantage of the fame and the tourist trade.
(3)Brandon P.
I now live in San Francisco but grew up in Frankfort. This place had been closed for many years. So, when I saw this on the Food Network, I was very excited to get home to try this out. I was sadly disappointed. It started with the service being terrible and then the food was even worse. I was served a cold and dry pulled pork on cold bun. The fried banana peppers were nothing to rave about. You can get the same ones at any bar in Frankfort. Cole slaw seemed more like mayo soup. Most of the items on the menu are $15. These are prices on par with the financial district in SF. Unfortunately, the food is not on par with anything in SF. We were in a group of 7 that stopped in to eat. The general consensus is that none of us will go back. That's too bad as everyone except myself live in Frankfort. The icing on the cake is the ego of the guy who runs the place. You would think he was a 4 star chef. I guess his 15 minutes of fame have gone to his head. I was told by a few people that work in the area it wasn't a good idea to eat there. I should go to Wilson's instead. Well, they told me so. I just had to learn the hard way.
(1)Dennis D.
When I pay to eat I don't want to listen to the owners closed minded views and big ego. If only the food was as good as he constantly says it is. Its not terrible but its not great. Very average I would have done a lot better to stay in Louisville. Drove from Louisville and it was a wasted trip. He talked loud and made us uncomfortable. My friend was Asian and he was bashing Asia.
(1)Matry P.
Expensive, but probably one of the most delicious breakfasts I've ever had!
(4)Mikhal M.
Try the mufaltta.
(5)Beth C.
Rick's White Light Diner is an unforgettable experience. The food is awesome and Rick's personality is one of a kind (sarcastic, raw, and politically charged). It's a small restaurant with only a few tables and a handful of bar seats. Rick has posters, signs, license plates, and all sorts of random items up on the walls and on display. I certainly recommend the burgers--organic beef! Guy Fieri stopped at the White Light Diner this past spring, and the Diner will be featured on "Diners, Drive-ins and Dives" on 7/26/10.
(5)Alex F.
Way over priced. $15 for a small (4) shrimp sandwich. I had high hopes, but we won't be returning.
(1)Laura D.
Loved it. Had the muffaletta with a side of fried green tomatoes and horseradish sauce. It was all delicious. The vibe of this place is great, and Rick is fabulous. Might go back for breakfast on Saturday before we leave Kentucky.
(5)Heather V.
The food is good, but the portions are so meager you'll leave feeling hungry and ripped off. We ordered the $15 dollar "Diners, Drive-ins and Dives" Sampler and received exactly one-bite's worth of each of the items listed. We won't be back.
(1)Adele W.
I adore Rick's White Light. Rick is a Frankfort icon who has set up shop all over Frankfort since I was a little girl. He always has the best food, especially his "Not Derby Pie" and BarBQ. He's kind, hilarious and damn does he know how to cook!
(5)David L.
Rick will cook you a lunch to remember... So like many we were 'doing' the bourbon trail and wanted somewhere for a late lunch after Buffalo Trace. So we looked at the Kentucky bourbon guide from memory, as we are unusual in not having a 'fruit' as we call them....in fact we don't even have cell phones. We walk into a quiet joint to be met with a welcome and an enquiry as to how we stumbled on the place? This is not the Macdonalds 'Have a nice day greeting' but one that started a two way conversation...and yes Rick does have opinions which he will share....which we found most refreshing. Hailing for the UK but now resident in Vermont, we often miss folks who will chat to strangers, as in the US everyone seems to be scared of causing offence, funny really as so often overseas visitors jump to the theory that everyone in the country is a gun totting Texan, when many delightfully are not! Rick reminded us of a pub landlord who holds court and welcomes a bit of banter. Onto the food and most of his ingredients are local as he is happy to point out all over the place and we commend him for this policy. Our crawfish etouffee & grits was prepared fresh and the black beans with it got 10/10. We shared and enjoyed a key lime pie and a bourbon tart & ice cream....with added bourbon of course! A cool beer was slurped and more chat was had, and a couple of locals popped in to update Rick on this and that. The place is genuine....you get something that has personality, and whilst we didn't visit the loo, the place looked fairly clean to us, and more importantly the preparation surfaces were very clean. Our waitress was also a character that added to the place. Ricks collection of quirky signage and photographs only added to the genuineness. And on one other important fact....we agree with Rick....you can never use too much garlic AND butter is the genuine article!
(4)Ben B.
Worth the drive from Lexington, it's that good. Hole in the wall with cramped seating. Brash service with a zing. Fantastic food with a price that won't hurt. Throw a beer on top of this an I'm sold. Rick's is deserving of all good things that comes it's way! Tasty.
(5)Brandon N.
I'm a regular at Rick's. The banter is entertaining and he prepares his offerings with as much local fare as he can. Today at lunch I stepped directly from Frankfort to New Orleans. I ordered the Crawfish étouffée on a bed of grits with grilled shrimp and a side of broccoli. In short, as I told Rick, the only thing that could have made it better was a beer (I couldn't imbibe because I was due back at work). The grits were lightly cheesy with garlic. The étouffée was well seasoned with good, but not overpowering heat. The shrimp garnish was grilled with generous fresh garlic. The broccoli was lightly steamed with butter. This dish is tasty and well with the trip to downtown Frankfort if you can't get to the French Quarter.
(5)Dan N.
Did you know this place was on DDD? Did you know the great and powerful Guy Fieri actually stepped foot in this place? Well, if you didn't, you are sure to find out within 10 seconds of walking into this place. I've never seen a place more annoyingly proud of their 15 minutes of fame on the Food Network. That said, Rick served me up one of the best Oyster Po' Boys that I've eaten in quite some time, maybe ever. The oysters were cooked perfectly--lightly breaded, still having some of that good, "oystery" flavor. The bread was also fantastic and it was topped with a great sauce. I was psyched for the blue cheese mac and cheese, however, I was disappointed to get a more watery consistency, as opposed to creamy. This place is super tiny and quite expensive ($22 for my lunch), but it's definitely worth a stop....as long as you are willing to bow to the throne of Guy Fieri.
(4)Aron K.
First let me start by saying that I did not know Ricks was featured on triple D. While visiting the area my wife and I were looking to have lunch. She finds Ricks on her phone as nearest restaurant . Upon pulling up I said I was not eating there. After a few minutes of being told I need to try new things we went in. We were greeted by a very friendly staff. Now after being told to try different things I ordered the triple d sampler, I have never been happier to be told what to do in my LIFE!!!!
(5)Laine S.
The food is great, 5 stars, so is the service. One star off for the $5 split fee, which I think is a completely ridiculous notion in any circumstance. But, they are very clear about it, which is appreciated. I seriously doubt there's any food in town that'll beat this place, would definitely come back.
(4)David I.
Great place. The staff and food are top notch. Anytime we go to Frankfort, this will be a stop. I had the Eggs Benedict and really enjoyed it. They use local ham and eggs and I have to say that the ham is the best I've ever had.
(5)thomas p.
We went to Ricks because it was on TV. The space was very small but with big personality. We had a oyster po boy, sausage po boy and a BBQ pork sandwich. I felt that the Oysters were just OK (15 dollars that seemed a bit high for a sandwich.) Water comes by bottle only and the homemade BBQ sauces are just OK. Off brand mustard and ketchup sit at your table. We paid 50 dollars not including tip. All three of us felt like the bill was on the high side for the portions and type of food we got.
(3)Mick J.
Wow, what a jewel. Not only is the food great. Not ONLY is the owner a cheerful and/or curmudgeonly former hippy or maybe biker. Not ONLY is it tiny, seating only about 20. It's also the only place I've been in awhile where you can have a fairly decent bottle of beer with breakfast. 10 stars out of 5! I had the fried catfish platter, and day-yum --fantastic fried potatoes, amazing authentic southern-breaded catfish and ... I think the very best hush puppies I have ever EVER had. In my life.
(5)D H S.
I like to try places that are not a chain and this was a great find. Fresh seafood I had the ettoufe grilled shrimp. This is must stop. Friendly folks made me feel at home
(5)Barbara G.
The muffaletta sandwich will make me come back here. I'm from Texas and I will definitely go back the next time I'm on the Bourbon Trail! Definitely a hole in the wall, but food was great!
(5)Chuck D.
Ok... is there a suckers menu? I swear when we walked in, he asked us where we were from and what we did.... and THEN handed us the most over priced menu I've ever seen! I mean, don't get me wrong - the food was VERY VERY tasty.. but I don't like blatantly getting taken advantage of. Plus, ok, you are a nice guy, you are excited you were on Diners, Drive Ins, and Dives - but tone it down a little. Your food should stand for itself, which it certainly could if it wasn't over priced and bashed over our heads that you were on TV. And don't try to tell me it is expensive because the product you use is fresh caught and the best... that isn't the reason. The reason is because you can. Stop it! The food is amazing and two stars are gone because it is clearly now just a tourist trap. Too bad.
(3)Tom T.
Yes, it may seem overpriced for the type of food, but once you eat it you realize why it demands a bit of a premium. For one it is like 800 miles from the cajun capital New Orleans and is equally as good and as authentic as some of the places I have eaten there. The bane of humanity, the one and only, Guy Fieri, has been here. Yes there is a big autographed picture of him on the wall that the owner will not hesitate to bring up, but he will also tell you about the local farms that he sources his beef from so there are highs and lows. Ultimately, there really are not very many decent places to eat in Frankfort so you might as well just go here.
(4)Beth C.
Rick's White Light Diner is an unforgettable experience. The food is awesome and Rick's personality is one of a kind (sarcastic, raw, and politically charged). It's a small restaurant with only a few tables and a handful of bar seats. Rick has posters, signs, license plates, and all sorts of random items up on the walls and on display. I certainly recommend the burgers--organic beef! Guy Fieri stopped at the White Light Diner this past spring, and the Diner will be featured on "Diners, Drive-ins and Dives" on 7/26/10.
(5)Alex F.
Way over priced. $15 for a small (4) shrimp sandwich. I had high hopes, but we won't be returning.
(1)Amanda P.
I worked in Frankfort for more than 3 years and feel confident in saying that Rick's is the best thing happening gastronomically in the state capital. True, his prices are high - because of that, I've never been able to eat there as often as I'd like. I'm okay with that, though - eating out should be a luxury, worth waiting for. Besides, I'd rather save the money that could've bought me two meals worth of grey McMeat (of dubious origins) that retails for $6 just to eat one real meal in which I recognize - and ENJOY - everything I'm putting into my face for $12. Ever read "Fast Food Nation" or "My Year of Meats"? If not, do yourself a favor and learn a thing or two about the way food is prepared at Rick's much cheaper competitors and then you might not mind his heftier price-tag. Also, his chess pie and bourbon chocolate pecan pie are phenomenal. Like food-orgasm good. Seriously. Have a slice with a beer to mellow you out about the cost and you'll be smiling.
(4)Keith W.
I've eaten here twice. I do like the eclectic menu and everything I've tried has tasted good. That said, the prices are very high for what you get. Either the sandwiches should be much larger to reflect the price paid, or the prices need to come down. Alas, I doubt either will happen. Rick seems like an okay guy, but he and the place seem quite infatuated with the whole Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives fame. Perhaps the raising of the prices is him taking full advantage of the fame and the tourist trade.
(3)Brandon P.
I now live in San Francisco but grew up in Frankfort. This place had been closed for many years. So, when I saw this on the Food Network, I was very excited to get home to try this out. I was sadly disappointed. It started with the service being terrible and then the food was even worse. I was served a cold and dry pulled pork on cold bun. The fried banana peppers were nothing to rave about. You can get the same ones at any bar in Frankfort. Cole slaw seemed more like mayo soup. Most of the items on the menu are $15. These are prices on par with the financial district in SF. Unfortunately, the food is not on par with anything in SF. We were in a group of 7 that stopped in to eat. The general consensus is that none of us will go back. That's too bad as everyone except myself live in Frankfort. The icing on the cake is the ego of the guy who runs the place. You would think he was a 4 star chef. I guess his 15 minutes of fame have gone to his head. I was told by a few people that work in the area it wasn't a good idea to eat there. I should go to Wilson's instead. Well, they told me so. I just had to learn the hard way.
(1)Dennis D.
When I pay to eat I don't want to listen to the owners closed minded views and big ego. If only the food was as good as he constantly says it is. Its not terrible but its not great. Very average I would have done a lot better to stay in Louisville. Drove from Louisville and it was a wasted trip. He talked loud and made us uncomfortable. My friend was Asian and he was bashing Asia.
(1)Matry P.
Expensive, but probably one of the most delicious breakfasts I've ever had!
(4)Mikhal M.
Try the mufaltta.
(5)Laura D.
Loved it. Had the muffaletta with a side of fried green tomatoes and horseradish sauce. It was all delicious. The vibe of this place is great, and Rick is fabulous. Might go back for breakfast on Saturday before we leave Kentucky.
(5)Ryan F.
I seriously think this is the highlight of Frankfort, KY. A welcoming little dive that makes you want to take a seat for lunch and stick around until dinner. Fantastic smoked meat and fresh local ingredients. A spicy sauce and a prickly host (Rick) make this an unforgettable little hole in the wall. I want to go back to Frankfort for this reason only.
(5)Sam K.
I came in today on the way thru from Louisville, and was pretty excited about swinging in after seeing the dynamite episode on Triple-D / Food Network. That was kinda quashed in about the first 10 minutes. My bride was asking after the first 7 or 8 minutes if it was time to go. That was about the amount of time it took Brother Rick to come by and get the dishes off the table from the previous occupants. The table never was wiped up from before..... I heard lots of talk about how swamped it was and how in the weeds they were, but come on - it only has 4 each 4-place tables and a lunch counter with maybe 10 seats, and half of those emptied while we waited for... anything. With 4 people behind the counter including the owner, I thought they could do a bit better than that. When the nice Lady came by finally to take our order, we discovered that they were out of several of their menu items, to include first choice for the meal. We got a couple Oyster Po Boys and a couple burgers, and were glad that we did not listen to the description that the sandwiches were pretty big - I was going to split one with my son, but I think we would have both left hungry if we had done that. Surprising at $16 for a 5-6 oyster sandwich and a small side. Another writer says that he is willing to pay more for locally grown food, but come on..... What was served was undeniably tasty and fresh, but the whole experience was just not all that. A quicker clean up and order taking would have taken it to a 3 or 4-star probably - bring the sandwich down to a better price or load it up with oysters and it would go higher. It was a shame as I was trying so hard to like the place. The place is owned by a Vet, and I try to eat local, and Veteran Owned is even better in my book. A shame....
(2)Kerrie S.
We were on a bourbon tour at Buffalo Trace, and needed a spot for lunch. Checked Yelp and Rick's came up. Drove by it our first time down the street--it is a tiny whole in the wall. Thank goodness we turned around and searched it out. Had no idea we were in for such a treat. The space is tight, but the food is amazing. Hand breaded oysters, blue mac and cheese, shrimp po' boy--all amazing. We actually ended up ordering a second basket of oysters. Then to top it off Chess Pie. You have to order it no matter how full you are!!
(5)Jennee D.
Tasty pulled pork sandwich + beer + extremely entertaining/talkative owner made for a nice detour on our way to Lexington. It's a shack on the side of the river but it's a must see if you're in the area.
(5)David D.
Who can afford this place? I was excited about checking it out until I saw the prices. The best poboys in New Orleans aren't $16.
(1)Jr H.
Great place. Very friendly and entertaining staffers. Smoked pulled pork was right on! Looking forward to going back.
(4)Kristie F.
The food is good and fresh, the atmosphere is great! I loved it. Shrimp po' boy, bleu Mac and cheese and bourbon pie-- all were great. There are still other things on the menu I'd like to try. They have fresh bread, fresh pie and plenty to look at while you wait. The owner and employees are friendly and chatty. I will be back.
(5)Pat J.
A lot of places try to do too many things not rick's. Such excellence and simplicity of vision is hard to find and it is even more remarkable in the heart of Kentucky. Even more so since it is so close to the equally excellent and sublimely simple buffalo trace distillery home of pappy van winkle and Elmer T Lee bourbon. If you are going to be in these neck of the woods make the trip and try Rick's wonderful oyster po boy sandwich and beneighs. Love this place true American.
(5)Sehaj S.
We stopped here for lunch during our journey down the bourbon trail. It was lunchtime and rather packed, but two lovely gentleman let us take the empty two seats next to them at their table. The waitress was quick and to the point, but very polite and friendly. Boyfriend ordered the Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives special, and I got an alligator po'boy. I have to say, these guys are definitely proud of their DDD status, which is fine. It's a small hole-in-the-wall restaurant in a small town. Why not be proud? The boyfriend's platter of crawfish pie, fried oysters, pork BBQ, bread and a side (he got grits) was...ok. The crawfish pie was decent, but the pork BBQ was dry. The homemade bread was the star. My alligator po'boy, however, was unbelievable. One of the best sandwiches I've had in ages. That and the friendly waitress are the reasons for the four star rating. If you come here, order a po'boy. I'm sure the others are delicious too. As for Rick himself, he definitely had some back talk going with the other patrons, but we actually didn't speak to him. It seems like this place has a lot of visitors, but I'm not sure how many regulars.
(4)Tj P.
I confess, I'm reaching back a few months for this review (still working on the 100), as this visit occurred this past spring on an infrequent trip to Frankfort with my eldest son. He had a test to take at Kentucky State University and I had a couple hours to kill before I had to pick him back up so I had a chance to wander about our state's capitol. With Rick's White Light Diner as an eventual destination to this day's meandering, thanks to Guy Fieri, I winded my way in and around Frankfort until I located the aforementioned famed, small, white-tiled diner. I then went to pick up my son and made my way back via a more direct route. We chose to eat indoors, although the diner seats only a small few, with bar stools and just a few tables. A couple tables are outdoors to accommodate a few more but, trust me, the show's indoors. The service was super-friendly, Rick making a point to talk up my son, who tends to play shy, and the waitress giving my son that little extra attention that makes him blush just a bit. My son had a bacon cheeseburger and I, a stuffed cabbage roll. However, I appreciated the back-and-forth between Rick, the regulars and the work staff as much or even more than I did the excellent food during its short existence. So, five stars, go for the food, stay for the show.
(5)Greg K.
This place is awesome!! Rick is hilarious and the food is slamming... Soft shell crab po boy with hush puppies and collared greens. Friends had scallop po boy with FG Tomatoes, catfish po boys and the diners drive ins sampler. An oasis of Cajun in Kentucky!
(5)Michael H.
I've worked in the F&B industry for more decades than I chose to mention and places like Ricks White Light remind me of the reason why. Outrageously good food including the best Crawfish pie ever ( I lived in LA for a few years), an eclectic decor and then theirs Rick! I see why he one KY's Most Colorful Character! Great to see an owner/chef working the grill and interacting w/ customers, the fame hasn't gone to his head! I will never forget this place, the food and Rick and hope to be back soon
(5)Philip B.
Really cool spot on the banks of the river. Good food. Muffuletta and oyster po boy were excellent. Giving only 4 stars because prices are ridiculously high. Manhattan prices $15 for a sandwich. That said - leave the kids at home and have some good chow.
(4)Xuan L.
great food. tiny place. steep price. nevertheless great food takes priority
(4)Jorge H.
Several weeks ago, we went here for the first time and had lunch. Unfortunately, we returned for breakfast this time, and we probably will not go back to this restaurant. While Rick's had the same unique environment and friendly waitress that helped us last time, the menu, the food, the bill, and the quality of service this time was pretty bad. First, the breakfast menu is much smaller than what they offer for lunch. Second, the prices here are comparable to Winchell's, Ramsey's, and Wild Eggs in Lexington, but the amount of food they give you at Rick's is about half of what you would get at those three great establishments. So, it cost my family of three close to $40 to eat breakfast here, and I was still hungry when we finished. I have no problem spending money, but I expect to be get decent portions for the prices Rick charges. Next, a friendly wait staff is always a positive thing for a restaurant, but the quality of service still needs to be good. I had to ask for a "glass of water" three times, and when the waitress finally brought me water, she brought a bottled water. I then asked if they had tap water, and she replaced the bottle with what I had ordered originally. In terms of what we ordered, I always thought eggs were fairly easy to prepare based on my own culinary experiences. However, Rick declared for everyone to hear that the way I ordered my eggs took "forever" to do. As a side note, be careful if you decide to use the restroom. While I didn't need to on our first visit, I did need to during this second one. It's as if one is walking down into a dungeon because the one toilet in the building is located in the dark basement. As the waitress warned us, the steps start the moment you open the door to head downstairs to the bathroom. Watch out! That first step can be a doozy!
(2)Ron B.
It's a legit spot in Frankfort. Great menu that includes breakfast or lunch and far more culinary options than you'd expect just over the singing bridge in Downtown Frankfort. Rick was a fan favorite when friends from England came over and insisted we try this place out, service was efficient and food was outstanding. Certainly worth the trip if you're in town for a great bite to eat.
(4)Barb O.
First time eating here. Definitely a dive with delicious food! I had the muffuletta and hubby had shrimp étouffée with grits. A bit pricey but we loved atmosphere and food.
(4)Naiying C.
We came here because of food network. When we went, this place was so dead I thought we went to the wrong place. The food was good but I wasn't mind blown and in my opinion it felt a little pricey.
(3)Rebecca C.
I love this place. If it's lunch I grab the burger with a side of banana peppers or for breakfast you can never go wrong with the Eggs Benedict. This truly is a great stop. If your just driving thru make it a must stop. As. A local I can tell you I eat here regularly and it's never a let down!
(5)Robert H.
This was a diamond in the rough. The best dive restaurant I've been to in a while limited bar and booth sitting. Staff (father daughter) were great but the food was worth getting off the expressway. I had the scallop po boy and my wife had the oyster po boy. It would be hard to say which was better. Definitely worth going to and probably multiple time to try everything.
(5)Manny B.
This place is awesome, the food is great and the people are even better. If your looking for good local food and beer this is the place to be. My wife and I went in for a quick meal and ended up spending three hour having great conversations with the staff. It's a place worth making a detour for on your way anywhere.
(5)David S.
Total hole in the wall with the worlds best muffuletta!
(5)Jeff M.
Was on vacation and my father loves the show Triple D (Diner, Drive-Ins, Dives) and we were in the area to check this place off the list. It's a small place but as you walk in you will be greeted by the staff and you can sit at the counter or at the couple of tables against the wall. All of their food is local and the seafood is from the US. All of their beef is Hormones and steroids free. Cooking your food is Rick himself, and he will ask you were your from and then throw in a joke or two to make you relax (Clean or Dirty). I had the New Orlean's Muffaletta and had a Kentucky Beer to wash it down. It was Excellent! My dad had the Alligator Po Boy and I had a bite, it was really good. They make their own pies, they look really good but you can try it and let everyone know. I'll be back if I'm in that area.
(4)Herb P.
Great food, great service, and a true Kentucky original running the show. During our first visit a young patron (10?) and his family greeted us as an unpaid ambassador for the diner, and described his favorite dishes. He later went behind the counter and Rick let him "help" with some of the cooking. This is the kind of extended family atmosphere you could only find at a small local diner. It just feels right. There isn't much room so be prepared to squeeze in if you can. If you like meeting people you will like it here. Yes the prices are higher than average for the area. Go over to Cracker Barrel for some processed corporate food if that's a problem. I'd rather pay a bit more for high quality local ingredients and support a local character and genuine nice guy. Who also really knows how to cook.
(5)Ray G.
For lunch, she had the shrimp po boy, and for me, the oyster po boy. The cornmeal batter was excellent. However, for $15, I would expect more. I'm not a "super-size it" type of guy and I even dislike it when the portions at a restaurant are too large. But there was just too little shrimp and oysters that the feature of each sandwich was drowned out by the bread and sauce. Overall, it was an average tasting po boy. The coleslaw was overly sauced. Friendly service. I was told that the food is better when Rick is present, but he wasn't there. If I do make it back and my impression is better (or worse), I'll certainly edit and revise this review.
(2)Bob L.
Good stuff
(4)Rita W.
This place is hilarious! I had seen on Yelp that this diner had been shown on Diners, Drives, and Dives..and since I love diners...and I love this show, I know we had to go here, especially since it was close to where we were staying. We almost drove past this place, even though it is right on the side of the street, it is so tiny, it is not hard to miss if you are driving fast! This place is tiny, there were two tables and the rest of the seating was at the counter. Rick was there and was chatting it up with all of the customers. I ordered the special which was the smoked sausage sandwich and my husband ordered the sampler platter with crawfish pie, pulled pork, and fried oysters. We both loved our lunches, they were delish! They smoke the sausage themselves and that was what really made the sausage stand out! We ended our meal with an order of beignets to share. The only thing I would say is that the prices are a little high for a diner. I suspect that is because of all the popularity of being on the show. With that said, the food was very good!
(4)carolyn h.
I had the Diners, Drive ins and Dives sampler, it was rather filling! The fried clam was the best part! It was awesome. Rick was a hoot and talked to everyone in the restaurant which I think made the experience! It's worth stopping in to enjoy some great food and fantastic company.
(5)Joe C.
Ate lunch here on Sat with my girlfriend. Food was good although it was way over-priced. For two cheeseburgers, garlic potatoes, and sodas, the final bill was $26 (with tip it was $31)! One more thing - as we were leaving, a roach was scurrying out the door with us = YUCK! Maybe this should not have surprised us given the fact that one of the doors was propped open the entire time we were there. Despite being on Diners, Drive Inns, and Dives, our overall experience was just "meh".
(2)Ron S.
The staff was friendly enough and the food was good but I felt the prices were high for the picnic table setting.
(3)Swatee G.
- Hole in the wall place - Check - Dive-ey without a REAL sign board - Check - Boisterous ol' guy with a spatula in hand ushers me in - Check - No place to sit - Check - All their food is from this COUNTRY (?) - Check - Makes everything fresh right there
(3)Kirby A.
We went in Monday after a quick google search while heading on the bourbon trail. It was a slow day with just us and Rick there. The catfish poboy was the best fried catfish I have ever had in a restaurant. Accompanied with some good convo and jokes with Rick and our time there went way to fast. I recommend it to anyone in town for any period of time. I'll definitely be back next time in kentucky. I would drive an hour out of the way for it.
(5)Cacique G.
Rick was a nice guy. I love that he has local grass fed beef on menu. I had a catfish Po boy that was amazing. I sampled a couple sides and everything tasted wonderful. The food is rich and I would not categorize anything on menu as healthy. The food is fresh as local... regional cajun ingredients are also top notch. No Cisco.
(4)Daniel C.
I really enjoyed my meal here. Everyone seems to have a problem with the food being overpriced. Maybe it is expensive compared to other restaurants in the area? From living in Chicago, I found the prices fair for all local (domestic) seafood and hormone/antibiotic-free beef. People do not realize how little of our food comes from the US anymore. It is simply more expensive to do it this way, and as a result it is more expensive. Get over it. If you have a big problem with it, you are the same type of person that demands their XXL t-shirts cost $3, keeping Walmart is business. AKA you suck. I really dug the weird combination of greasy spoon diner and hippy, fair trade, social awareness. I had the shrimp po' boy and it was easily the best po' boy I've ever had. In addition to the shrimp being perfectly cooked, I loved the home made bread, which reminded my of a cross between a baguette in shape, and an english muffin in texture. My side of mac and cheese was pretty lame - overcooked noodles with very little cheese flavor. But just like a lot of diners, I figured the side dish may not really be the star attraction. I was there for the sandwich, and was willing to let the side dish issue slide. They also had a GREAT looking pie sitting on the counter, but I was just too full from the sandwich to take a sample. It was so good, I tried to come back a second time before leaving town, but I just couldn't get my schedule to line up. It was the only restaurant I tried to hit up a 2nd time while on my trip.
(4)Shane B.
First of all, anyone complaining about anything other than price on here is ridiculous. Sure, it may be a little high, but you're sitting in RICK'S WHITE FREAKIN' LIGHT DINER! You're not paying for your food and prep fee's, you're paying for the experience, which, if you know Rick, is worth every cent (and don't skimp on the tip) This is a LOCAL business people, that uses the freshest ingredients and not that jacked up "cow on steroids" crap you get at other "2 can dine for 9.99" places. Chances are, if you are someone who complains a lot, this isn't the place for you, simply because you'll get your feelings hurt. Now if you want a REAL dinner and a show, head on over to Ricks, he won't disappoint!
(5)Kirk H.
Delicious food, way too over priced. Crawfish pie is awesome, but $16.95? Sorry Rick, can't afford to eat there as often as I'd like. And if you are not politically liberal, you may leave angry. Just sayin'...
(4)