This Louisville restaurant serves antelope burgers, other exotic meats at two locations

When Game opened on Lexington Road in 2013, words like kangaroo, rabbit, and yak weren’t seen on many menus.

More than 10 years later, Game’s exotic meat offerings continue to draw Louisville diners and out-of-towners in search of something beyond a standard burger. 

And there appears to be even more of an appetite for the inventive restaurant’s wild creations. In December 2023, Game opened a second location called Game on the River, inside a multi-level house in Jeffersonville, Indiana.

The original spot, at 2295 Lexington Road and across the street from the fine-dining establishment Le Moo, resembles a hunter’s cabin or funky shack, with a wooden exterior and metal siding, covered in signs for beer brands. Game has an outdoor patio, where visitors are greeted with a large statue of a moose, an indoor/outdoor lodge, and a cozy indoor dining room with a full bar. Along with an ongoing deal on a Miller High Life Pony, the 7-ounce version of the beer, plus a shot, Game is known for a collection of more than 50 beers.  

More decorations, including nods to wildlife, beer, and area distilleries, can be seen around the place, outfitted with wooden booths that have cushions with a red snakeskin look.

Need a break? Play the USA TODAY Daily Crossword Puzzle.

“We want to be the neighborhood spot that offers something different,” owner Tim Lewis told the Courier Journal.  

The menu plays a big role in that, with options to get a wild boar chorizo slider or one with roasted buffalo tongue. A “meatball safari” section lists 13 options, from venison to dry-aged beef to bison, to be served in the form of $5-6 meatballs.  

Popular starters include deconstructed Scotch eggs, consisting of lightly fried soft-boiled eggs served with strips of slow-smoked pork belly, all atop a smear of smoked truffle mayonnaise and a cranberry-jalapeno jam. Both sauces are made in-house. 

The dish has been on Game’s menu since the restaurant opened in 2013.  

"It’s just a different take on a classic starter bar food,” Lewis told the Courier Journal. “You’ll find Scotch eggs around town. They're traditional style and good, but we like to think ours is unique.”  

Another standout is the roasted bone marrow starter, in which the bone marrow is served still in the femur bones from Angus cattle, and is topped with parmesan, poblano, and a rosemary crust, and served with a side of miniature toasted baguettes. Think of it as Game’s version of something like a spinach artichoke dip. 

"As the name states, we try to do exotic game meat that you're not going to get anywhere else in the city,” Lewis said.  

Burgers are a mainstay at Game, and patrons have the option to build their own or go with chef-recommended versions. 

The antelope burger is somewhat of a recent addition. The tender and flavorful meat has a touch of sweetness to it. Plus, Lewis said antelope tends to be a healthy meat option.

Game also offers a few salads, sides such as fries, grilled corn, and roasted Thai-glazed Brussels sprouts, along with a s'mores tower for dessert.

We featured Game in the latest installment of our video series, called the “Best Thing I Ate This Week.” You can follow along each week by visiting Instagram.com/courierjournal.  

Reach food and dining reporter Amanda Hancock at[email protected].