There we were at Meridian Cafe again. I like the food; but I always get a bad taste in my mouth when I'm there, because there isn't any wheelchair access whatsoever -- and there could be.
This is a big old house on Meridian Avenue (112 Meridian Ave.) in St. Matthews. Admittedly, it would take a big ramp to provide access; the porch is up about 5 steps; then there's another step into the house itself.
But a ramp would certainly be possible. There's a yard big enough for a ramp; an enterprising and motivated owner could even do a clever thing with a deck/ramp and provide interesting outdoor seating possibilities, like the owners of Kashmir did after Metrosweep got on them about a ramp (see the photo here).
The thing folks don't seem to GET is this: access isn't simply a "feel-good option" -- it's THE LAW.
Businesses seem to think that's just not important.
When a business is pressed about installing a ramp, typically they yell about cost. A ramp doesn't have to cost a lot of money -- certainly no more than a deck. And restaurants are always adding decks, patios, patio tables and chairs, umbrellas, plantings...
Why not a ramp?
It is the law, after all.
A bad taste at a good restaurant
Can't get there from here...
So here we are at Wild Eggs (3985 Dutchmans Lane) - reviewed this weekend in the C-J.
Thing is, the accessible parking is way way back in the back, where you have to try to roll past all these cars and squeeze in the narrow passageway -- ooh, can I squeeze past that bench there? oops! watch the planter! -- oops! can I get around that post? Several of 'em -- see 'em? There's a newspaper box sticking out. We're taking the photo right by the box there.
Here's the thing: This photo we took standing right at the front door. It's flat right there -- it's flat all along there. There's parking right at the front door. You can see the cars.
Sure, they could have put the accessible parking right here at the front door.
But nooooo, it's way back in the back.
Any idea why?
This is a NEW RESTAURANT! Just opened!!!
How can they get by with this ridiculous "path of travel" problem?
Accessible Bluegrass Brewing in St. Matthews
I've been to this brewpub/microbrewery many times (Bluegrass Brewing Co., 3929 Shelbyville Rd.), but I've not been throughout the entire facility. Mostly I gravitate to the big back room.
As far as I can tell the place is pretty wheelchair friendly. The entrance is flat; the sidewalk is ramped. The restrooms, right at the front, are accessible. And there are plenty of tables and fairly wide aisles between them.
It's fair to note that there are some sections of this biggish brewpub that are up steps -- different rooms.
But for sure you'd be able to eat, drink and be merry here from a wheelchair.
No sand on Sahara!
Today's LouisvilleHotBytes blog in Leo featured the Sahara Mediterranean Café (3701 Lexington Rd.), so a friend and I went right away to check it out.
Totally, totally accessible. Beautifully so -- from the flat entrances -- both of 'em, front and back -- to the parking, to the tables, to the counter, to the restroom.
A new building, of course. But since that doesn't always translate to wonderful wheelchair access, it's good to note when it does.
Food's great, too.