In Shawnee, Kentucky, river breezes and the sweet smells of homestyle cooking guide residents home at the end of each day. Shawnee is a relaxed and family-oriented neighborhood of Louisville, located in the heart of the city's West End. Residents of Shawnee enjoy the neighborhood's "welcoming vibes, abundance of unique architecture and proximity to great parks along the Ohio River," says Delmeshn Booker, the owner and head chef of Soulful Choices, a local restaurant serving Shawnee's community. The neighborhood developed around Shawnee Park, which is one of Frederick Law Olmsted’s flagship designs, contoured by a scenic bend in the Ohio's serene waters. In addition to an abundance of natural resources, Shawnee is also known for its supportive community. At Soulful Choices, "There's a neighbor who sweeps and cleans the lot every morning so that we can start the day with a nice clean area, even though we just moved in under a year ago," says Booker. And, despite living in the big city, Booker says she never worries about her safety because "there's always a neighbor nearby who's right there to check on you- people really look out for each other here." With a strong sense of community that uplifts and helps each other in daily ways, Shawnee combines the best flavors of living in the city with the natural beauty of Kentucky's peaceful landscape.
Soul food favorites for West End neighborhood
Just across Shawnee Expressway (I-264), from the rest of Louisville, Shawnee is surrounded by a selection of local small businesses and mom-and-pop shops. “Soulful Choices has delicious soul food. They have chicken, pot roast, greens and a soul burger with macaroni on it,” says Nicolle Brown, a local librarian who has lived in Shawnee for more than 20 years. With everything from smothered pork chops to Philly cheesesteak eggrolls, Soulful Choices serves fun, quality food that's always made fresh from the best ingredients. “There’s also Mani's Cafe or Southern Hospitality- their steak and eggs breakfast is amazing,” says Brown. When cooking at home, residents can pick up groceries at one of two nearby Kroger grocery stores- both within 1 mile from Shawnee. Downtown Louisville also offers more shopping options, while those looking for nightlife can head to Double Deuce Sports Bar & Grill on West Broadway for fun evenings of live music and karaoke.