There are few more popular sporting events on the calendar than the Kentucky Derby, with thousands of fans attending the opening leg of the Triple Crown on an annual basis.
The sporting event is one of the most popular from a betting perspective, meaning that a number of newcomers typically look for the leading horse racing betting offers. However, as well as being one of the big betting days of the year in the United States, it is revered for being one of the most significant social events on the calendar.
Therefore, a lot of visitors will pass through the gates at Churchill Downs without having much of an interest in horse racing, with all looking to experience the Derby Day vibe.
One of the biggest reasons that visitors attend the track every year for the biggest raceday of the year is down to the food services on offer that can be experienced. But, what are some of the Derby meals and snacks that all visitors to Churchill Downs for the Derby should experience?
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Crafting The Perfect Derby Day Menu
Mint Julep
Before getting into some of the most popular foods that can be enjoyed at the Derby, it’s first important to go through one of the most famous drinks that can be experienced at Churchill Downs. A Mint Julep has been enjoyed by millions of visitors that pass through the gates at the track throughout history, and it is most famous in Southern America.
The alcoholic drink consists of primarily bourbon, with sugar, crushed ice, water, and fresh mint. This drink has a famous relationship with the Derby, having been promoted by Churchill Downs since 1938. The love-affair between visitors and the drink is highlighted by the fact that over 120,000 drinks were served across the two-day meet in 2009.
There is also an option for big spending drinkers, with an extra-premium option available for around $1000 each. These drinks are made from Woodford Reserve, and are served in gold-plated cups.
Hot Brown
One of the most common dishes to enjoy before the start of the Derby is a Hot Brown. The sandwich is most common in Southern America, with the idea of the sandwich created in Louisville, Kentucky.
This dish has first served in the Brown Hotel by Fred Schmidt in 1926, and it is a variation on the tradition Welsh rarebit. It was one of two signature sandwiches that were founded at the hotel following its foundation in 1923, and its main purpose was to offer late night diners a different option to ham and eggs.
Hot Browns have been a common sight within the mainstream media throughout history, featuring on the Food Network and The Rachael Ray Show in the United States. Hot Browns are a common meal in this modern day for Racegoers to enjoy after a long day at the track, with a number of establishments priding themselves on serving the best dish in the local area. Therefore, it is a must-try for all first-time visitors to Churchill Downs and Kentucky.
Derby Pie
The Derby Pie is one of the most closely associated food items to the Kentucky Derby, with the dish even sharing its name with the world famous horse racing. A Derby Pie is a chocolate and walnut based custard pie that is baked in a pie shell.
Like many of the most enjoyable food items associated with the Derby, it was created in the local area, with the Melrose Inn in Kentucky being the first place to serve the dish in 1954. Such has been the success of the delicacy in the local area that May Day Pie is now a common tradition for all those seasoned visitors to the Kentucky Derby in the first Saturday in May.
In fact, no Derby Day is complete without enjoying a Derby Pie around Churchill Downs.
Burgoo
While the vast majority of Kentucky Derby’s are run in hotter climates, it isn’t uncommon for the race at Churchill Downs to be staged in colder conditions, with rain a typical threat during the early weeks in May.
Therefore, if you’re looking for a dish to warm you up after a cold day at the track, then a Burgoo is a must-try for all visitors to the surrounding areas. Originated in Kentucky, the stew is similar to an Irish Stew, and it is often served with corn muffins or cornbread.
It is an extremely popular dish to serve when visitors in the local area have friends or visitors over, as it is easy to prepare, and straightforward to keep warm throughout the day. Cooking Burgoo is typically a big communal effort, and it is extremely common for big social events that brings big numbers of people together. Therefore, the dish fits in perfectly with the social element of the Kentucky Derby.
