Scottsville Road and Campbell Lane are saturated with restaurants. National chains and local gems give Western students options, no matter how varying their taste buds.
But down State Street, where it becomes Old Louisville Road, is a quaint restaurant, called The Cabin.
“It’s good for this side of town,” Owner Judy Hittson said. “People don’t always want to deal with the waiting and traffic, they just want their food.”
Hittson retired after more than 20 years at the Health Department. But her love for cooking urged her to open The Cabin on Feb. 1.
“This is something I’ve always wanted. Now I have the time,” she said. “It’s a lot of work, but I enjoy it.”
Brandi Basham, a lean, young waitress dressed in a hot pink restaurant T-shirt and a pink-camo-printed John Deere apron swept the hardwood floors. Basham walked to the door, moving tendrils from her face and greeting customers with a thick accent and a huge smile. She said she’s used to friendly reactions.
“I love working here,” she said. “Sure, some guys flirt a lot, but I just joke right back at ‘em.”
Basham said she enjoys the family atmosphere as she seated her father, Ricky Basham, who is Hittson’s brother.
The walls were decorated with framed snapshots of old Bowling Green service stations and hang-out spots. Musicians Otis Blanton and Hillbilly Jim also adorned the walls. And an autographed guitar hangs near the fireplace, covered with all The Cabin’s past performers.
Thursday and Friday nights turn into Bluegrass and country showcases at the The Cabin. Regular artists include the recently named country trio Cabin Fever, one of whom is a librarian at Warren East High School.
The dimly-lit dining area was peppered with couples enjoying lunch and people stopping by for a quick meal on their breaks. Catfish sizzled in the kitchen and the scent of macaroni and cheese and white beans mingled as they floated around the modest space.
Hittson said The Cabin stands out because of her recipes and a small team of cooks.
“It’s just good country cooking,” she said. “And whether we’re blood or not, we’re all family, even the folks who walk in.”
The prices are fit for any college student’s budget and the food may make them feel a little closer to home.
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