Hubby and I are pretty close to Green Derby's target demographic (think Q-tips) and we had a Groupon. Yeah, it's an old-fashioned place. It gets points for having a comfortably decorated, brightly lighted, no-smoking dining room. The smoke problem is always an issue in Kentucky. We both really enjoyed the Derby salad, somthing a little different as were the side of "potato puffs," balls of mashed potatoes which had been lightly breaded and deep fried. I had the fried cod, which was also lightly breaded and tasty although nothing unique. Hubby's hot brown was just average and would have been improved with real cheese as opposed to what was probably reconstituted cheese powder. Service was good, and prices are appropriate. We were not overwhelmed but we might return occasionally.
(3)
Ted S.
We went to the derby for Sunday dinner on Sept 27,2010. There is no lunch menu on Sunday, but they usually off a lot of dinner specials. We were upset to find out there were no specials like ribs, fish, etc. It used to be that Sunday food offers were the best of the week. I will call ahead before I go there on a weekend day.
(3)
Holli H.
It has been awhile since I have been here. The only good thing I can say about this place was that the waitress was very nice! Let me just say that I NEVER send food back to a kitchen. I've worked in food service before and learned a thing or two! It was actually the waitress who noticed that I was not eating my meal and asked if everything was ok. I reluctantly answered "not really" (not wanting to make a big deal) and informed her that my meal was not edible. I decided to have her take it back but decided that I did not want anything else instead and if she could just take it off our bill, that would be fine. It also had come with a side of peas, which were also... un-edible and sour. That was the first and last time I went there... The 2 stars are strictly for the waitress...
(2)
Rawlins R.
We came to this Kentucky restaurant on Father's day and I was concerned that we would have to wait because we did not have reservations. I was wrong. This place is tucked away and was really quiet that Sunday morning. It had an old diner feel to it but served pub like breakfast, lunch, and dinner items. I had the burger and some fries. They had PBR here and it was served well before noon. I had the bloody mary and it was decent. Cheap with friendly service.
(3)
Patti Z.
The best darn fish & chips around! We drive over from Hyde Park every couple of weeks. It's awesome and they have a new owner. Big Bourbon menu & craft beers. It kinda an old school place but they are all very nice and the service is great. The slaw salad with warm bacon dressing is a winner too!
(4)
Julie P.
Old school restaurant with nostalgic flair. Atmosphere was family oriented but a lot of older clientele who probably have been going there for years. Service was good. Food was average. Husband did enjoy fish n chips. Different options than you would get from your everyday restaurant such as the derby salad and mock turtle soup. Has your typical American dinner fare as well.
(3)
Susan B.
We decided to try something new. Sat in the non-smoking section. The odor of cigarette smoke was quite strong. Decor was nice. There are old photos from the area on display. The chairs looked like they may have been from the 40's or 50's, but the upholstery was in good repair. My husband ordered the Metta sausage with sauerkraut and stewed tomatoes. The sausage was bland. Not what he was used to. He asked for some mustard, thinking he'd get a brown or stone ground mustard, but received yellow French's. The sauerkraut was fresh and crisp like homemade, but bland as well. His stewed tomatoes were super sweet. He ordered Sprite, but received seltzer; perhaps the machine was out. My grouper was delicious! It was light and flaky, well seasoned and cooked to perfection. I had french fries and a side salad, no onions and dressing on the side. No problems there. No problems with my Coke either. Our server was very pleasant and checked on us often. I don't know if we'll go again due to the cigarette smell.
(3)
Suzy W.
The food was amazing! If you want a place to go for a low key dinner this is the place. We got amazing service and the food was to die for!!! We will for sure be coming back here sometime soon!
(5)
Hannah L.
Awesome, awesome, awesome Prime Rib! So good that its first come, first served! Get it while its hot because it always goes fast! Enjoy =)
(5)
Deb C.
Very good food at a reasonable price. A cute, quaint atmosphere as well. The fried eggplant is delicious! Our server Wilma was very personable, helpful and a great server!
(4)
Brittney V.
Excellent service and wonderful food! Our server was Lisa and she was truly a warm and genuine server!
(4)
Matt B.
The Green Derby is/was a Northern Kentucky icon. I haven't been there in awhile until last night. My wife ordered the "famous" halibut. I had the open face roast beef w/mashed potatoes & gravy. The "halibut" came out as a little square that looked like something from a fast food restaurant and tasted like it. The texture was way off from halibut. I'm doubting that it was even halibut. The open face roast beef dinner was nasty. Potatoes tasted like instant or prepackaged. The gravy tasted like it came from a can. Tasted like there were a lot of artificial ingredients used. It was sad to see what use to be a busy, good neighborhood restaurant gone! I will not be back unless someone resurrects the place.
(1)
Sheila M.
You know how "interesting" is often a euphemism for "weird", with a slight positive connotation? Well, interesting is the word that I would use to describe Green Derby. When I walked into what appeared to be the main entrance, which was quite small and narrow, I was confused as to where I should go. There were 2 seating areas on either side. (Apparently, having more than one option makes my brain go into overdrive.) The smoking section was dank and dark, the bar lined with amusingly foul-mouthed seniors watching basketball and surrounded by tables and chairs. Just a few feet away was the non-smoking section, which looked like your typical family restaurant with booths and bright lighting. I found that contrast a bit funny. One thing I liked was their $10 beer and wings special - 4 beers and 10 wings. The wings were definitely nothing special, but weren't the worst. They were served with a choice of either mild, medium, or hot sauce and ranch dipping sauce. Service was very friendly and attentive, as it should be at 3:30 pm :) Despite the weird, old vibe, I enjoyed hearing women my grandma's age get all rowdy, cuss, and talk about getting drunk. Hilarious! I don't know if I'd drive all the way to KY again for another visit (cuz it's sooo far away), but it was certainly an experience.
(3)
Ss S.
The Green Derby is hanging by a thread. This place has certainly gone downhill over the years. That is especially true after the original owners died. The servers will even tell you so. This is the mecca for all those aged 60 and over. If they were looking for extras on the movie Cocoon, this would have been a great place for casting calls. I have been here a couple of times every year over my entire life though. Best part of the Derby. The Derby salad (a hot slaw) and the fish sandwich. These are the only 2 things worth mentioning on the menu. The derby salad is pretty much their calling card. No one and I mean no one can duplicate it and it is good. The fish sandwich is very good and worth a go as well. Worst part of the Derby.... Pretty much everything else. This place is like visiting your grandma's house. You go there b/c you feel like you should. Your guilty, and then you are glad when it is over. Hard to explain. With so many other options out there now. It really is getting left in the dust. It is slow and smoky and dark. Nothing flashy or up to date. But it would be sad if it were gone. I would have to think its days are limited.
(2)
Liz G.
I went to The Green Derby expecting a great fish sandwich.What a disappointment! Dry, tasteless. My son's burger was not much better. It wasn't real expensive but what a waste of money,
(1)
John W.
The Derby is a great place to eat for lunch and dinner. We come here at least once a week. Great bartenders and great staff. The menu and specials have been recently revamped. The rib eye sandwich is great as well the sirloin steak dinner. I would definitely recommend eating here.
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : No Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : Yes Caters : Yes
Karina M.
The Hank Williams memorabilia at Green Derby might not be the most modern choice for décor, but then Green Derby is not a modern restaurant. They have been around since 1947, serving up tried-and-true comfort foods like Kentucky hot browns, country-fried steak, and chicken livers. They're probably most famous for their enormous fried halibut sandwich, which is served with some of the best tartar sauce I've tasted in recent memory. Since I moved to Newport, I ate here twice in a week, making a special trip with my grandmother because I knew this place would be right up her alley. The Green Derby is full of the retirement age crowd. Here are the hits: fried halibut sandwich, metts with sauerkraut, green beans, cole slaw and the Green Derby salad. I highly recommend getting this salad, which is more similar to hot slaw than a traditional salad. It really is the perfect combination of sweet, sour and salty. Some of the misses: salmon patties (on special, pretty bland, served with an inedible mock hollandaise sauce), stuffed peppers (also on special, tomato sauce was too sweet, the pepper stuffing was bland). The prices are very reasonable and the portions are American-sized (meaning huge). Service was attentive and food came out without too much delay even on a busy Friday night. This is a place I'd go for certain dishes (Green Derby salad, hot brown) but I wouldn't veer too far away from those main-stays.
(3)Sarah P.
Hubby and I are pretty close to Green Derby's target demographic (think Q-tips) and we had a Groupon. Yeah, it's an old-fashioned place. It gets points for having a comfortably decorated, brightly lighted, no-smoking dining room. The smoke problem is always an issue in Kentucky. We both really enjoyed the Derby salad, somthing a little different as were the side of "potato puffs," balls of mashed potatoes which had been lightly breaded and deep fried. I had the fried cod, which was also lightly breaded and tasty although nothing unique. Hubby's hot brown was just average and would have been improved with real cheese as opposed to what was probably reconstituted cheese powder. Service was good, and prices are appropriate. We were not overwhelmed but we might return occasionally.
(3)Ted S.
We went to the derby for Sunday dinner on Sept 27,2010. There is no lunch menu on Sunday, but they usually off a lot of dinner specials. We were upset to find out there were no specials like ribs, fish, etc. It used to be that Sunday food offers were the best of the week. I will call ahead before I go there on a weekend day.
(3)Holli H.
It has been awhile since I have been here. The only good thing I can say about this place was that the waitress was very nice! Let me just say that I NEVER send food back to a kitchen. I've worked in food service before and learned a thing or two! It was actually the waitress who noticed that I was not eating my meal and asked if everything was ok. I reluctantly answered "not really" (not wanting to make a big deal) and informed her that my meal was not edible. I decided to have her take it back but decided that I did not want anything else instead and if she could just take it off our bill, that would be fine. It also had come with a side of peas, which were also... un-edible and sour. That was the first and last time I went there... The 2 stars are strictly for the waitress...
(2)Rawlins R.
We came to this Kentucky restaurant on Father's day and I was concerned that we would have to wait because we did not have reservations. I was wrong. This place is tucked away and was really quiet that Sunday morning. It had an old diner feel to it but served pub like breakfast, lunch, and dinner items. I had the burger and some fries. They had PBR here and it was served well before noon. I had the bloody mary and it was decent. Cheap with friendly service.
(3)Patti Z.
The best darn fish & chips around! We drive over from Hyde Park every couple of weeks. It's awesome and they have a new owner. Big Bourbon menu & craft beers. It kinda an old school place but they are all very nice and the service is great. The slaw salad with warm bacon dressing is a winner too!
(4)Julie P.
Old school restaurant with nostalgic flair. Atmosphere was family oriented but a lot of older clientele who probably have been going there for years. Service was good. Food was average. Husband did enjoy fish n chips. Different options than you would get from your everyday restaurant such as the derby salad and mock turtle soup. Has your typical American dinner fare as well.
(3)Susan B.
We decided to try something new. Sat in the non-smoking section. The odor of cigarette smoke was quite strong. Decor was nice. There are old photos from the area on display. The chairs looked like they may have been from the 40's or 50's, but the upholstery was in good repair. My husband ordered the Metta sausage with sauerkraut and stewed tomatoes. The sausage was bland. Not what he was used to. He asked for some mustard, thinking he'd get a brown or stone ground mustard, but received yellow French's. The sauerkraut was fresh and crisp like homemade, but bland as well. His stewed tomatoes were super sweet. He ordered Sprite, but received seltzer; perhaps the machine was out. My grouper was delicious! It was light and flaky, well seasoned and cooked to perfection. I had french fries and a side salad, no onions and dressing on the side. No problems there. No problems with my Coke either. Our server was very pleasant and checked on us often. I don't know if we'll go again due to the cigarette smell.
(3)Suzy W.
The food was amazing! If you want a place to go for a low key dinner this is the place. We got amazing service and the food was to die for!!! We will for sure be coming back here sometime soon!
(5)Hannah L.
Awesome, awesome, awesome Prime Rib! So good that its first come, first served! Get it while its hot because it always goes fast! Enjoy =)
(5)Deb C.
Very good food at a reasonable price. A cute, quaint atmosphere as well. The fried eggplant is delicious! Our server Wilma was very personable, helpful and a great server!
(4)Brittney V.
Excellent service and wonderful food! Our server was Lisa and she was truly a warm and genuine server!
(4)Matt B.
The Green Derby is/was a Northern Kentucky icon. I haven't been there in awhile until last night. My wife ordered the "famous" halibut. I had the open face roast beef w/mashed potatoes & gravy. The "halibut" came out as a little square that looked like something from a fast food restaurant and tasted like it. The texture was way off from halibut. I'm doubting that it was even halibut. The open face roast beef dinner was nasty. Potatoes tasted like instant or prepackaged. The gravy tasted like it came from a can. Tasted like there were a lot of artificial ingredients used. It was sad to see what use to be a busy, good neighborhood restaurant gone! I will not be back unless someone resurrects the place.
(1)Sheila M.
You know how "interesting" is often a euphemism for "weird", with a slight positive connotation? Well, interesting is the word that I would use to describe Green Derby. When I walked into what appeared to be the main entrance, which was quite small and narrow, I was confused as to where I should go. There were 2 seating areas on either side. (Apparently, having more than one option makes my brain go into overdrive.) The smoking section was dank and dark, the bar lined with amusingly foul-mouthed seniors watching basketball and surrounded by tables and chairs. Just a few feet away was the non-smoking section, which looked like your typical family restaurant with booths and bright lighting. I found that contrast a bit funny. One thing I liked was their $10 beer and wings special - 4 beers and 10 wings. The wings were definitely nothing special, but weren't the worst. They were served with a choice of either mild, medium, or hot sauce and ranch dipping sauce. Service was very friendly and attentive, as it should be at 3:30 pm :) Despite the weird, old vibe, I enjoyed hearing women my grandma's age get all rowdy, cuss, and talk about getting drunk. Hilarious! I don't know if I'd drive all the way to KY again for another visit (cuz it's sooo far away), but it was certainly an experience.
(3)Ss S.
The Green Derby is hanging by a thread. This place has certainly gone downhill over the years. That is especially true after the original owners died. The servers will even tell you so. This is the mecca for all those aged 60 and over. If they were looking for extras on the movie Cocoon, this would have been a great place for casting calls. I have been here a couple of times every year over my entire life though. Best part of the Derby. The Derby salad (a hot slaw) and the fish sandwich. These are the only 2 things worth mentioning on the menu. The derby salad is pretty much their calling card. No one and I mean no one can duplicate it and it is good. The fish sandwich is very good and worth a go as well. Worst part of the Derby.... Pretty much everything else. This place is like visiting your grandma's house. You go there b/c you feel like you should. Your guilty, and then you are glad when it is over. Hard to explain. With so many other options out there now. It really is getting left in the dust. It is slow and smoky and dark. Nothing flashy or up to date. But it would be sad if it were gone. I would have to think its days are limited.
(2)Liz G.
I went to The Green Derby expecting a great fish sandwich.What a disappointment! Dry, tasteless. My son's burger was not much better. It wasn't real expensive but what a waste of money,
(1)John W.
The Derby is a great place to eat for lunch and dinner. We come here at least once a week. Great bartenders and great staff. The menu and specials have been recently revamped. The rib eye sandwich is great as well the sirloin steak dinner. I would definitely recommend eating here.
(4)Eric T.
Food was bland and the service was almost none
(1)