The Claudia Sanders Dinner House: Southern Cooking At Its Finest

If you’ve never eaten at Kentucky Fried Chicken, chances are you’ve smelt the delicious aromas. Their unique blend of herbs, spices and, of course, fried chicken are enough to make just about anyone’s mouth water. Colonel Harland Sanders knew what he was doing when he created the all-too-famous recipe for his chicken, opening up his brand for the world to dine on. 

Just outside Shelbyville, KY is a restaurant dedicated to the legacy of Colonel Sanders’ wife: the Claudia Sanders Dinner House. It’s a rare opportunity for foodies, travelers, and history buffs alike to find common ground as they taste the roots of an American culinary legend during their next Central Kentucky adventure. Let’s explore this a bit further.

A Legacy Born in Shelbyville

Our story begins in 1959, when Colonel Sanders and his wife, Claudia, settled in Shelbyville as a strategic base for their growing fried chicken company. They moved into a home called the Blackwood Hall, doubling as a residence and office for Kentucky Fried Chicken’s corporate affairs. 

By 1964, Sanders sold KFC to investors, but based on how he felt his recipes were being handled, the Colonel decided to once again create a dining destination. He, along with Claudia, wanted to preserve the quality and style of cooking they so loved and formed the Claudia Sanders Dining House in 1968, opening right next to their home.
 

The Woman Behind the Name

Who is Claudia Sanders? While her husband’s image has become an icon, Claudia’s contributions were every bit as vital. She managed the business side, developed recipes, and put the ‘hospitality’ in Southern hospitality. The restaurant was equally run by her and Colonel Sanders, with the name of the restaurant reflecting her role as the backbone rather than just being sentimental.

An Exceptional Dining Experience

From the moment you step through the front doors, you’ll walk into a place steeped in tradition. The menu shows off all of Kentucky’s most beloved dishes, with the Claudia Chicken Special front and center. This juicy, seasoned chicken is fried to perfection, just the way the Colonel intended it to be. But wait, there’s more:

• Kentucky Hot Brown: a delightful open faced turkey and ham sandwich smothered with their golden brown gravy, and topped with cheese, tomatoes, and bacon.
• Country Ham Sandwich: a classic ham sandwich piled high, what can get better than that?
• Pot Roast: slow-roasted pot roast with two sides, guaranteed to satisfy any cravings.
• And so much more!

Trust us when we say that a meal at Claudia Sanders Dinner House is one you won’t soon forget. Everything is served family-style, echoing Colonel Sanders’ belief that meals are meant to be shared.

A Landmark Of Its Own

The obvious main attraction of this restaurant is the food itself. It’s a Central Kentucky staple! However, it’s more than just that, it’s a representation of the old-Kentucky atmosphere. Large dining rooms filled with memorabilia from Sanders' personal collection, carrying that Southern politeness that’s as much a part of the South as sweet tea.

Even a fire in 1999 couldn’t end its story. The beloved dinner house was rebuilt and reopened, continuing to welcome over 100,000 guests each year.

A Link to the Colonel’s Vision

If you’ve only heard of Colonel Sanders through the red-and-white buckets at KFC, you’re not alone. The Claudia Sanders Dinner house offers a deeper connection, though. Here, the recipes match what Sanders himself served before mass production took over. There’s no rushing, no shortcuts, just the kind of cooking that made KFC famous in the first place.

The restaurant also honors Claudia’s own contributions, making it one of the few places where her role is fully recognized.

Why You’ve Got to Stop Here

Visiting the Claudia Sanders Dinner House provides so much more than filling up on some good food. It’s stepping into a true Kentuckian story: part grit, part tradition, and part family. It’s perfect for anyone visiting the Kentucky Bourbon Trail, or staying in the Shelby County countryside.

The best part? You can make a whole trip out of it. Explore other local attractions nearby, such as historic downtown Shelbyville, the Shelbyville Horse Show, the Kentucky Derby, and so much more.