Libby’s Southern Comfort, Covington, Ky.3 min read

Having recently been on vacation in Charleston, I had a flashback when I stepped into Libby’s Southern Comfort. Brad Wainscott and his wife Michelle (I like her already :) opened in January in Covington’s Duveneck Square. Brad is no stranger to the restaurant business as he has done every job there is to do in a restaurant having grown up helping in his dad’s local spots. His father, Butch Wainscott, is the owner of two very popular places in Northern Kentucky the Greyhound Tavern and the Tousey House Tavern.

The feel of this charming place is modern rustic featuring a long bar made from a black walnut tree that came from Indian Hill and a quaint area of tables. And, as soon as this weather decides to be more outdoor friendly, there is a large space with plenty of seating.

If you love Southern cooking this place is going to be your kind of place. Specializing in a secret recipe for their “soon to be famous” fried chicken. I tried the chicken sliders and they were amazing with pimento cheese on a soft biscuit . You have to try the goetta hush puppies because, well… goetta is so dang good and then you put it in a hushpuppy – simply brilliant! They also have a great selection of oysters and to make myself feel healthy I got the Michelle My Belle salad. (I have been called this since I was a little girl myself, so I had to get it ;) It was a delightful mix of sweet with candied pecans, pears and little bit of goat cheese on top — yum.  The one thing you must try is the Fried Chicken Skins that you dip in a delish hot honey dipping sauce.  I am not kidding when I say I might dream about these! The one thing I am trying next time (since Brad recommended it) is the Shrimp Roll. It sounds like a party in your mouth… pickled shrimp, seasoned mayo, chives yum.

I have to give a shout out to who those people behind the scenes that make all this fantastic food happen. Kayla Curlin is not only adorable, but she knows what she’s doing in the kitchen. She has worked in some of our favorite downtown restaurants like Boca and Via Vite. But, the thing I love about her is she is in the Army Reserves and she cooks for around 500 Army Reservists twice a month.

Let’s talk cocktails for a minute… you should order the Libby’s Cheerwine Bourbon Slush. I promise you will love it. Cheerwine is a popular cherry flavored soft drink from the south add that to the bourbon and you can only imagine how good.  You can even take it up a notch and add a bourbon floater for $1 –didn’t take me long to say “Yes”! The 8^thSt. Frosé was pretty darn tasty, too. Honestly, you can’t go wrong cause there are so many specialty drinks to choose from. They also have an unbelievable vintage bourbon collection (Old Dustys as bourbon people call them) that is a conversation piece so be sure to look. The two oldest right now are the ’54 Old Classic and the ’55 Hill & Hill.

Things to know:

• 35 W 8^thSt. Covington, KY

Hours: Tuesday – Thursday 11 a.m. – 10 p.m., Friday & Saturday 11a.m. -11p.m, Sunday 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. (Brunch menu coming soon).

• What’s in the name: Libby is the only daughter of Brad & Michelle so I’m sure she doesn’t rub that in to her two brothers J

• The logo is Libby and her best bud Yuma their black Lab.

• Look for the dog paw prints that were found in the cement flooring when they did the remodel. Ironic since a lab is part of their logo.

• You may also see Michelle working as a full-time nurse at Children’s Hospital.

• They have great swag for purchase.

• Street parking available and the side lot is open after 4:30pm