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Delicious Moments!
Heritage in Every Bite!
Our Culinary Heritage
Discover the story of tradition, community, and flavor that define us.
Focus, Consistancy and Fire!
Matt Staggs
Owner/Executive Chef
Matt Staggs began his culinary career at fourteen years old, washing dishes at the original Impelizerri’s Pizza. After his first year he was allowed to shape pizza dough and mix the custom blend of Italian sausage. He would keep the lessons learned there with him throughout his career. Work hard on the task at hand, always pay attention to what is going on around you, and when an opportunity presents itself, make the most of it.
Exceding Expectations!
William Dubourg
Owner/FOH Manager
A seasoned restaurant professional who has been in the restaurant and bar industry for over 20 years, at all levels and all positions. From fast food to four star fine dining, from dishwasher to general manager, and everything in between. I am currently the general manager/ head bartender of Left Field Lounge in the heart of the Louisville Highlands. I have been in this position for the past 10 years. Prior to Left Field lounge, I was manager/ bartender at Shenanigans Irish Pub, also for approximately 10 years.
Taste the Joy!.
Louisville’s Historic Spot
Louisville’s Historic Spot
Louisville’s Historic Spot
Kaelin’s Restaurant, opened in 1934 by Carl and Margaret Kaelin in Louisville, Kentucky, is widely recognized as a "birthplace of the cheeseburger," created when Carl added cheese to a burger. The Highland neighborhood spot also holds a place in history as one of the first locations to serve Harland Sanders' Kentucky Fried Chicken
KFC’s Birthplace
Louisville’s Historic Spot
Louisville’s Historic Spot
“Welcome to Kaelin’s” said the yellow menu card that Irma Kaelin Raque handed me in her restaurant in June 2006. The cheeseburgers tasted great. I promised her that I would sketch the history of the place on a return to Louisville.
Cheers to Good Times
Louisville’s Historic Spot
Cheers to Good Times
Kaelin’s - the legendary restaurant at Newburg Road and Speed Avenue in Louisville’s Highlands - was a culinary tip in the city and widely known as the birthplace of the cheeseburger. I took along the menu and some small Kaelin’s sweets as souvenirs.
Hearty & Happy
Visit Us in Louisville
Cheers to Good Times
In 2015, Kaelin’s is already history! In 2009, after 75 years, its doors closed, and the striking blue, white Kaelin’s sign was taken down and sold. Built by immigrants from Einsiedeln, a Louisville institution disappeared; a third generation was interested no more! In August 2015, therefore, I meet 84-year-old Irma Raque for milk and doughnuts at her nice home at Lamont Road. After the interview she was getting ready to travel to Denver, to her son and grand children. Listening to her is pleasant. The cultivated lady is used to entertaining and playing hostess. “We Kaelin's are a proud bunch; I am also proud of having Swiss and Einsiedeln roots.”
Historic & Delicious
Visit Us in Louisville
Visit Us in Louisville
However, if you mention the name Kaelin’s Restaurant to anyone from Kentucky you will resoundingly here, “the cheeseburger place?” As this angle wasn’t enough Kaelin’s boasts another equally impressive distinction, Kentucky Fried Chicken. In its infancy KFC and specifically Harland Sanders himself cooked and sold his famous chicken within these walls. Kaelin’s will forever be the first business to serve the colonels famous recipe in the city of Louisville. This is history to each and every member of our society and needs a rebirth to retain its former glory.
Visit Us in Louisville
Visit Us in Louisville
Visit Us in Louisville
In 1934 in a neighborhood community known quaintly as the Highlands a local couple named Carl and Margaret Kaelin decided to open a family restaurant. Kaelin’s Restaurant was born and over the years thrived creating countless memories for generations of Louisvillians. The restaurant became known as the “birthplace of the cheeseburger” serving the first version of this timeless classic for over 70 years. This claim to fame is argued amongst historians and the real origins are unconfirmed for the record books.