Review of Claudia Sanders Dinner House, Shelbyville, KY

January 24, 2018 Family Fun, Food, Indoor

My family and I finally got to Claudia Sanders Dinner House– one of my Kentucky bucket list items – no pun intended!

At the age of 69, Colonel Harland Sanders and his wife Claudia, moved from Corbin, Kentucky to Shelbyville with his chicken recipe. It was from this building in Shelbyville that Kentucky Fried Chicken grew into a world-wide organization.

The Sanders lived in Blackwood Hall, which served as the Sander’s residence and the base of operation for Kentucky Fried Chicken. As the business expanded, another building (which is currently Claudia Sanders Dinner House) was built adjacent to Blackwood Hall.

In 1964, Colonel Sanders sold Kentucky Fried Chicken and the company offices were moved. In 1968, the Sanders opened a new restaurant in its place, The Colonel’s Lady (which is now called Claudia Sanders Dinner House). The Dinner House burned down in May 1999, but was rebuilt into a bigger and better facility while keeping the country charm of the old dinner house.

We had a Saturday lunch at The Claudia Sanders Dinner House. There was no wait, but we had made a reservation just in case. We all ordered separate meals, and the food was delicious with large quantities. The prices seemed very reasonable, especially considering the meal sizes, and all meals come with soup or salad and unlimited bread (the servers walk around providing additional bread upon request).

After lunch, we browsed the gift shop and sat in the rockers on the front porch. I also went up the grand staircase to check out the Saddlebred Lounge. Before or after you dine, adults can go upstairs and enjoy a drink and appetizers and relax in comfortable seating in period furniture.

The one hundred twenty five year old dwelling, Blackwood Hall, is a private residence that is not open to the public, but you can walk right up to it in the parking lot of the Claudia Sanders Dinner House.

We enjoyed looking at all of the KFC memorabilia and pictures around the Dinner House, and the food was delicious. we’ll enjoy going back again to experience their amazing Sunday buffet next time!

By Guest Contributor: Caryn

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