Many will remember Millay’s Tavern & Grill as the go-to bar for the county’s east end for its eight-decade tenure. Things have changed, though, and while new owners Kenny and Donna Lawson kept the wood panel walls and neon lights, they’ve converted the establishment into a family-oriented restaurant.
There’s still beer, a pool table, and a jukebox, but secondhand smoke is no longer present. Closing time is 9 p.m., and families with children of all ages are welcome. Donna even said, “We don’t allow the swearing anymore, either.”
The Owensboro Times kept hearing rave reviews about the restaurant’s “fresh food” and “low prices,” so staff members John Kirkpatrick and Christy Chaney decided to venture down KY 144 to see what the hype was about.
“This place was the hot spot,” Donna said. “And we just decided to involve other people in the community. We wanted kids and families to be able to come and enjoy a nice dinner with pizza, wings, and more.”
Donna spent the early part of her career working at Pizza Roma, which was her inspiration for the pizzas and hoagies customers have grown to love. She said that position played a significant role in who she is today.
The menu features several pizza and hoagie options, fish and chicken baskets, hamburgers and cheeseburgers, wings, and more. Longtime chef Matt makes several of the sauces from scratch.
Donna added that they appreciate the community’s continued support and they take pride in offering a dining destination that locals can be proud of. She said they also try to give back to the community when possible.
“We have several regulars – it’s always nice to see familiar faces,” she said. “We will also have several people from Owensboro and Tell City come to see us. We just enjoy serving people and serving this community.”
Millay’s is located at 9431 KY 144 in Philpot.
