OUR STORY | jackfrys

Jack and Flossie Fry circa 1950, dressed to the nines and boarding a train to Cincinnatti

Jack and Flossie Fry dressed up and boarding a train to Cincinnati circa 1945.

Jack and Flossie Fry posing next to the bar in the original dining room

Jack and Flossie Fry on opening day in 1933, posing next to the original bar in the main dining area.

That same bar in 2020. The Clubhouse photo hanging above our bar is of Jack Fry, holding the winning Derby tickets that allowed him to purchase the restaurant.

Best of Louisville Awards

2023 Best Overall Restaurant

2023 Best Restaurant: Highlands

2022 Best Restaurant: Highlands

2021 Best Date Restaurant

2021 Best Place For A Romantic Dinner

2021 Best Fine Dining

2019 Critics' Choice Award

2017 Best Highlands Restaurant

2016 Place for a Special Occasion

2016 Place for a Power Lunch

2015 Fine Dining

2013 Restaurant Service

2013 Restaurant Ambiance

2013 Fine Dining

2012 Restaurant Atmosphere

2012 Favorite Restaurant

2011 Fine Dining

2010 Romantic Dinner

2010 Restaurant Service

2009 Romantic Restaurant

2009 Restaurant to Take a Client

2008 Un-Beef Burger

2008 Restaurant for a Splurge

2008 Restaurant Atmosphere

2007 Place To Go On a First Date

2006 Favorite Restaurant

2005 Favorite Restaurant

2005 Dining Atmosphere

2004 Favorite Restaurant

2003 Favorite Restaurant

2003 Best Dinner Salad

1999 Restaurant Atmosphere

1999 Favorite Restaurant

1998 Favorite Restaurant

HISTORY

JACK FRY'S was established in 1933 by Jack Fry and his wife, Flossie. Fry was known as a rambling, gambling kind of guy who loved amateur boxing and horse racing. As a result, Jack Fry's became a sportsman’s hangout, as evidenced by the numerous historic photographs that fill the walls of the current dining room. He was known to conduct his bookmaking and bootlegging affairs discreetly from "the back room". He was a much-loved character who often gave a free meal to a needy friend. Jack closed his business in 1972, and for nearly ten years the space was rented to "Por Que No", one of Louisville's first Mexican restaurants. In November of 1981, Jack Fry's was re-opened by a team including Joseph Mees, Sandra Antle Pike, and Sara German Peters. With Jack's blessing and oversight, they revived his business and brought it back to its prior popularity.

Susan Seiller bought the restaurant in 1985, two years prior to the death of Jack Fry. It was Susan's vision to transform Jack Fry's from a casual tavern into a fine dining staple, which she did so with aplomb during her tenure. She purchased and renovated the building next-door to accommodate a large and fully-equipped kitchen. The original kitchen area was renovated and updated to create a guest entrance and additional dining space. In February of 2008, Susan passed ownership and sold the restaurant to Stephanie J. Meeks, who was first employed in 1996 and had quickly worked her way up to become the general manager.

Throughout Stephanie's tenure, she has overseen extensive renovations to both dining rooms, including adding new guest restrooms, temperature-controlled liquor and wine storage, and enhancing the bar top to preserve its historic charm and add modern amenities. In 2024, she celebrates 16 years of ownership. This anniversary coincides with the acknowledgment of 91 years since Jack and Flossie first opened their doors to the public.

We feel incredibly lucky to still be here after all this time, and we look forward to continuing our history with you!

NEWS AND PUBLICITY

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