Walt's Hitching Post
Walt's Hitching Post is a restaurant in Covington housed in a building that was once a log cabin. It serves American food with an emphasis on smoked ribs, steaks, and seafood in a space featuring rustic decor and original architectural details from its past.
The building started as one of the county's earliest structures and was converted into a restaurant by two sisters during the Great Depression. Walt Ballanger purchased it in 1942 and built a smokehouse outside where ribs continue to be cooked today.
The name Walt's Hitching Post comes from cast-iron posts where customers once tied their horses. The interior displays vintage horse racing photographs and paintings that reflect the area's deep connection to thoroughbred culture and local track history.
The restaurant operates from late morning through evening, and reservations can be made by calling 859-360-2222. The location is easy to find, and gift cards are available if you want to give a present to someone else.
Inside the restaurant is an exposed log wall from an old hunting lodge that was part of the building long before it became a restaurant. This historical structure has been preserved by the current owners as a reminder of the layers of Kentucky's local past.
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