Small trolley draws in large lunch crowd
Ellen Marko J1
Somewhere in downtown Louisville is a little red and yellow trolley that greets customers with the claim of “World’s Greatest Hamburger,” painted across the front. This is a restaurant known by the lunch crowd as Ollie’s Trolley, and while the ambiance is not the most welcoming, the infamous Ollie Burgers certainly hold up to the high expectations painted on the front of the trolley.
Once a widespread chain, Ollie’s Trolley, which is located on the corner of 3rd and Kentucky Street, is one of the remaining few of Ollie’s restaurants across the country.
Though it is rumored that Louisville’s very own Ollie’s Trolley is the last trolley of the notorious chain, there is one in Cincinnati, Washington, D.C., and in other suburbs, all open under independent owners. However, it certainly holds to be the only survivor of the nearly one dozen Ollie’s Trolley restaurants that were once open in Louisville.
This fast-food restaurant is very similar to the original restaurant chain and is known for its infamous Ollie Burgers, which are cooked in a special blend of 23 herbs and spices and served with a signature Ollie sauce, a spicy blend of special seasonings and mayonnaise. At $2.35, tax included, this is certainly a steal for these large, thick, and juicy patties.
Ollie’s Trolley also has many other alternatives, including a bacon burger ($2.75), a chicken sandwich ($2.25), fried fish ($2.45), a Chile dog ($2.00), Polish sausage ($1.90), and other similar menu items. This restaurant is also known for its Ollie Fries, which are thin and crispy and also include a secret blend of signature spices.
While the food meets high expectations, the atmosphere is a slight downside to this otherwise fantastic restaurant. Customers are welcomed with a sign that reads “Upon entering, please remove hoodie.” While the lines for ordering are usually out the door, diners order through plexiglass windows and must pay with cash only.
Because this restaurant is literally a trolley, there is not much space. Parking is limited, and there are no bathrooms or indoor seating. However, there are a few metal tables outside for those starved diners who cannot wait to get home to eat.
While some people view the limited space as a negative, Ollie’s Trolley is well-suited for the majority of its customers, which include the hungry lunch crowd of downtown workers.
It is mainly a lunch place, so hours are also limited to the early to late afternoon. Ollie’s Trolley is open on weekdays only, Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
This restaurant is the perfect lunch location for a 12:30 day, as it is only 10-12 minutes from Assumption, traveling down Bardstown Road, to East Broadway, and then 3rd Street.
This Ollie’s Trolley is take-out only, but it gives a new meaning to “fast” food. Burgers are ready instantly, thus literally hot off the grill.
Though it might not have the healthiest options, Ollie’s secret sauce and special herb blends add a unique twist to the classic burger and fries.
Ollie’s Trolley serves gourmet burgers without the expensive price, as an Ollie burger, personalized to the customer’s wants, with fries, and a Coke rounds up to a mere $5.35.
Comments (15)
This article makes me want to try this place to eat! I have never heard of it but it sounds very interesting and different, I will definitely have to try Ollie’s Trolly next time I am down town and hungry for a delicious lunch.
I’ve never heard of Ollie’s Trolley but I neat it sounds neat. I’ve been looking for new food places to try, so I’ll have to check it out.
This sounds like a very interesting restaurant! I had never heard of it before and now if I ever find myself downtown around lunch time I think I’ll have to try the unique Ollie’s Trolley restaurant. Good review Ellen!
This seems like a great place to go to and I will definitely check it out. You have opened my eyes to what seems like a great cheap place! Thanks for writing this article and informing me on a new fun place to go and eat.
I’ve heard of Ollie’s trolley before, and I’ve always wanted to try it. Your review made it sound good and now I really want to go there (:
Thanks for letting me know about this great place! I’ve got a cool new place to eat when I’m downtown. The food sounds delicious, and I know I enjoy a hamburger now and then!
Even though it’s not the healthiest place, I know that I would enjoy the food! It would be an easy place to walk to, and it wouldn’t be that expensive!
I think this sounds like a great tasting place to grab some food, but it doesn’t sound very customer friendly. I think that most people don’t carry a lot of cash on them and they would prefer to swipe a card. Well, at this restaurant you can’t use a card apparently. Also, you have to eat outside or take your food home? I wouldn’t like that, because I would like to eat inside, but maybe I would enjoy a nice lunch outside in the fresh air.
This was a good review! It sounds like a really good place to eat. I’m always looking for new places to go and this is a place that I have never heard of. Clare seems to REALLY enjoy it so I’m really considering paying a visit and having a burger.
I have actually had this to eat, it is amazing(: i have told alot of people to go there before, so im glad its getting some internet time!
I really like this story. It grabs my attention and is something I have never heard before. I like how you explained the pros and cons of the restaurant. I also like the fact that you mentioned it was cheap. It is relevant to high school students.
Awesome review Ellen ! I definitely will be heading to Ollie’s Trolley soon.
Your descriptions of the food in the review made me hungry! Also, I found it interesting that it used to be a chain because I never knew that about Ollie’s Trolley.
Ellen! I had no idea that anyone else knew about Ollie’s Trolley! I am ecstactic right now. The Ollie is the best burger in the entire world. Now I can share my love for it with other people too! Oh, and nicely written!
This looks so cool and cheap. Most burger joints are expensive and take a long time but I’m happy to hear that Ollie’s doesn’t. I want to go sometime !
Ellen, I really liked the “remove hoodie” part. That’s hilarious! I’m going to check this out!