Just down the road: A day trip to Nancy
BOB FLYNN CJ Contributing Writer
Spring’ s arrival brings warmer days, blue skies, and the perfect excuse to get out and explore. A scenic and refreshing day trip is closer than you might think— just a short drive down West KY 80 to the welcoming community of Nancy.
Located in the far western arm of Pulaski County, Nancy has several unique restaurants like The Rex and Tiff’ s Diner as well as one-of-a-kind confectionary; Cabela’ s Cakes. It’ s also home to local favorite; Haney’ s Appledale Farm and its adjacent café.
You can do some shopping as well at Sisters by Fate Antiques and Red Barn Thrift, and if you are looking for a place to entertain your children, Bear Wallow Farm has you covered.
And no trip to Nancy is complete without a stop at Lee’ s Ford Marina, the closest marina to Somerset.
The Rex Family Restaurant:
One of the newest businesses in Nancy is The Rex, home to hands-down the best fresh, home-cooked food in the area.
Owner Rick Barker is well known on the local political and realty scene and now he’ s quickly made a name for himself on the regional food scene as well.
For years, Barker said he traveled with family and friends to eat at local family restaurants in Mount Vernon, Russell Springs, Columbia and Danville and always saw Pulaski County residents there every time.
Being Nancy born and bred and still living there, he decided Nancy deserved to have a place of its own so two years ago he opened The Rex in the heart of Nancy.
The restaurant is named after Barker’ s beloved dog Rex, who has become something of a celebrity at the restaurant.
When you visit The Rex, you are guaranteed to get fresh food every day, made from scratch with fresh ingredients and served in a warm family atmosphere.
Barker and his staff take pride in providing quality food and service and everyone is treated like family from the time they enter the door.
The Rex has an expansive
The Rex Family Restaurant Photo courtesy of The Rex Family Restaurant
menu and people come from far and wide to enjoy their favorites, especially the Friday all-you-can-eat catfish. They also offer a different special every day of the week.
The Rex has built its reputation on serving dinners that country folks were raised on like Momma’ s meatloaf, country ham, roast beef, pulled pork, pinto or white beans with cornbread and fried potatoes.
Two of the most requested dishes on the menu are the chicken and dumplings and the best Manhattan around. If it’ s a sandwich you are looking for The Rex has a variety of burgers made with fresh ground beef served with fries or onion rings. The sandwich lineup includes chicken, brisket, pulled pork BBQ, tenderloin, catfish, country ham and of course hotdogs.
On the lighter side, the Rex offers homemade soup and salad featuring vegetable beef, cheesy
potato and broccoli soup and chili.
Some people come to The Rex’ s solely for a slice of one of Ms. Brenda’ s famous coconut cream, chocolate, butterscotch, lemon or peanut butter pies homemade each day with fresh ingredients by Barker’ s cousin Brenda Burton.
Nancy has never had a soft-serve ice cream business so Barker wanted to provide one for the community for the first time.
The ice cream side of the restaurant is like stepping back in time to the old-time ice cream parlor found in every drug store with a line of stools along the counter of the soda fountain.
The vanilla, chocolate and swirl cones, milkshakes, sundaes and banana splits are always a hit with young and old alike.
The Rex is located at 9520 W. Hwy. 80 in the heart of Nancy and is open Tuesday and Wednesday from 11 a. m. to 7 p. m. and Thursday through Saturday from 11 a. m. to 8 p. m.
Haney’ s Appledale Farm
Haney’ s Appledale Farm is a true Pulaski County treasure. The farm is the oldest continually operating business in the county, having been passed down through five generations since its beginning in the late 19th
106 www. somersetpulaskichamber. com Somerset-Pulaski County Chamber of Commerce