J Graham's Cafe

J Graham's Cafe reviews from people who’ve dined at this restaurant. Based on recent rating.

Review summary

1. D

   David

   Detroit3 reviews

   3.0

   Dined 1 day ago

   1. Overall 3
   2. Food 4
   3. Service 1
   4. Ambience 5

   Very good Mother Day Brunch. Loved the atmosphere, the food was good and the service was good. Experience was soured when i realized after i left that a gratuity was automatically added to my bill. I assume it was because our party was 6 but an auto gratuity of 18% for a buffet is questionable but I am most frustrated with the server nor hostess not advising us that a gratuity would be added. On me for not reading bill fully but server also noticed I handed him my card without him even setting bill on table. I was a server and bartender so always tip very generously and would have added to the tip anyway but feel I was purposefully deceived by server who did a good job bringing drinks and moderate job of clearing our plates and made more than $200 on our table for a buffet service.
   

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2. H

   Hannah VIP

   San Joaquin7 reviews

   4.0

   Dined 1 day ago

   1. Overall 4
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   The Mother’s Day brunch was a wonderful experience for the most part. The ballroom is beautiful and a nice change to any other breakfast experiences you can find here in louisville. The food was very good and we loved the piano being played while we ate. My only recommendations are would not including a 20% gratuity for a buffet that is already the most expensive buffet in town by far. That left a sour taste in our mouth. We would’ve gladly left a generous tip, but 20% is pushing it for a buffet. Lastly we would’ve liked to see another homemade dessert on the dessert table other than just bread pudding. Everything else was just OK on the dessert table and appeared store bought. Just didn’t match all the other delicious food that was provided that day for the brunch buffet.
   

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3. M

   Michael

   Louisville1 review

   5.0

   Dined 2 days ago

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   We have lived in Kentucky for 18 years and have ordered "Hot Brown" sandwiches all over the state. But we had never had one where they were invented, the Brown Hotel in Louisville. So for our anniversary this year, we drove up to the Brown, to have lunch at J Graham's Cafe. Every employee, from the front desk on, was absolutely professional, positive, smiling, and friendly. We were seated very quickly even though our reservation wasn't for 45 minutes later. Our server, "Kat", was positive and upbeat, and made us feel right at home. She answered several of our questions well, and was among the best servers we have ever had. The Hot Brown was out of this world, and now I have a standard to use when ordering elsewhere. Kat even gave us an oversized postcard with a photo of the Hot Brown on one side and the RECIPE on the back. We WILL make this at home. Everyone we talked to, from the lobby employees, to the valet, seemed genuinely pleased to assist us. I guess that's what takes a hotel/restaurant from a 4 to a 5.
   

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4. J

   John

   Las Vegas2 reviews

   5.0

   Dined on May 4, 2025

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   Great experience! Would highly recommend to visitors. Good is GREAT! Piano player was also incredible. Thank you!
   

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5. A

   Angela VIP

   New York City13 reviews

   5.0

   Dined on May 4, 2025

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   Had the Derby Sunday brunch. Great foot options and awesome service!
   

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6. D

   Doug

   Seattle8 reviews

   2.0

   Dined on May 4, 2025

   1. Overall 2
   2. Food 4
   3. Service 4
   4. Ambience 4

   I made and had reservations for the Brown Hotel J Graham Cafe for the famous Hot Brown breakfast for 11 am the morning after the Derby. Upon arrival, the Cafe was locked, and we were directed to the 3rd floor Ballroom for our breakfast. The hostess informs me the Cafe is closed despite my having a confirmed OpenTable reservation in hand. Okay, I said we are here for the Hot Browns for which she informs us Buffet only but if we want to add on a Hot Brown, it would be an extra charge. I should have left at that moment, but we had Bourbon Tour reservations in 2 hours 60 miles away, so we stayed. The Buffet was good but no worth $69 per person. With coffee and tip $542 for breakfast and not even for the meal we reserved! Hot Brown breakfast at the Brown Hotel has been a family tradition whenever visiting Louisville, but that died on this visit.
   

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7. E

   Elizabeth VIP

   Washington DC14 reviews

   5.0

   Dined on May 1, 2025

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 4

   My FIRST Hot Brown … DELICIOUS. And my server was wonderful!!
   

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8. K

   Karen

   West Palm Beach2 reviews

   5.0

   Dined on May 1, 2025

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 4
   4. Ambience 4

   We dined on the Thursday of the Derby. It was a limited menu and very energetic in there. We wanted the hot browns, so that what we got. They were flipping the tables quickly to get everyone in there that was from out of town. I loved it last time I went and liked it again. I believe the costs were increased for the special days, but I was ok with that knowing it was for tourists. We got the "hot brown" card with the receipe, etc. It was an experience. I would like to go not on the Derby to see the difference in crowd and menu selection.
   

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9. w

   warren

   Central Coast7 reviews

   5.0

   Dined on May 1, 2025

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   Went to Louisville for THE DERBY!! and a HOT BROWN!!! Neither disappointed!! Made reservation weeks ahead of time at J Graham's and they even called, from Louisville to California, to confirm, a week before. Lovely Hotel Brown, lovely restraunt. We (four of us) were seated immediately (11:30 a.m. reservation) We all had a MINT JULIP to start. We bypassed the FULL buffet and ALL ordered a HOT BROWN!!! ALL were Hot brown virgins but we are all in agreement, IT WAS GREAT!!! Tender turkey, great cheese sauce and let's not forget - BACON!!! and the drinks were equally good.. The service was outstanding, unfortunately I did not write down any names. I would HIGHLY reccommend , IF you are in Louisville, Give the HOT BROWN a try!!
   

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10. V

    Vicki

    Tampa13 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on April 30, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 5

    The hot brown did not disappoint! It was as good and maybe better than usual!
    

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