That New Mexican Place…
If you’re from the area then you know everyone was devastated when TriBeca, the only downtown Mexican restaurant closed. I LOVE downtown Paducah. I’m proud that we offer so many fine dining restaurants but we need some quick and cheap places to eat downtown as well. Lopez Mexican recently opened where TriBeca and JP’s was located so before the concert we wanted to eat there. (They do not have a Facebook Page or website maybe that should have been my first clue….) We were told it would be a 15-20 minute. 30 minutes later and with one other group to seat before us we went elsewhere.
Grill 211: A new favorite in downtown Paducah
I’ve tried Grill 211 before but wasn’t impressed. I think I had seafood. It is fine dining so to pay a hefty price for a mediocre meal is the worst. This time I tried the Thai fried rice and YUM!!! My friends Thai noodles were even better. Be warned. I love spicy and the spice is no joke. I decided to “play it safe” and go with a three. Holy cow. It was SPICY!!! The five would have tasted like straight fire. Next time I’m getting those noodles with a 2 Spice.
![Grill 211 Thai Fried Rice in Downtown Paducah](http://travel-eat-read-repeat.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/img_7169.jpg)
Carson Center: an AWESOME venue for downtown Paducah
![The Carson Center in downtown Paducah, Kentucky](http://travel-eat-read-repeat.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/img_7198.jpg)
We recently met Brent Maher, the man who founded The Judds. When we told him where we were from, he raved about The Carson Center. 100% agree. I am so blessed to have this venue 10 minutes from my house. I have seen several concerts and shows over the years. There isn’t a bad seat in the house. Although of all the places I’ve sat over the years, I preferred the Loge seating of this Ashley McBryde concert.
Ashley McBryde
![Ashley McBryde concert at The Carson Center](http://travel-eat-read-repeat.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/img_7175-scaled.jpg)
I only knew a handful of Ashley McBryde songs but those I did know I really liked. Knowing that it would make for a fun girls night, I recruited some friends to join me. I’m an official fan. I promptly added many of the songs I hadn’t previously heard to my playlist the next day. A little Martha Divine anyone?
![Girls Night Out!!](http://travel-eat-read-repeat.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/img_7171-scaled.jpg)
Etc Coffee and Kirchoffs
The next morning I had some errands to run in downtown Paducah and I use any excuse I can to stop at these two locations.
![Etc Coffee in downtown Paducah](http://travel-eat-read-repeat.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/img_7199.jpg)
![Etc Coffee Menu in downtown Paducah](http://travel-eat-read-repeat.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/img_7200.jpg)
![Etc Coffee Employee Inventions in downtown Paducah](http://travel-eat-read-repeat.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/img_7201.jpg)
At Etc Coffee I got Israel’s Invention. Loved it!! My daughter had the strawberry banana smoothie. At Kirchoff’s Bakery, we split the breakfast pizza. She tried the orange cream cinnamon roll and I got the sticky bun. We both loved the pizza the most. Egg, artichokes, spinach and tomatoes on a flavorful, flaky crust. Yum!!!
![Breakfast at Kirchoff's Bakery in downtown Paducah](http://travel-eat-read-repeat.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/img_7203.jpg)
![Kirchoff's Pizza and Sticky Bun; Israel's Invention at Etc](http://travel-eat-read-repeat.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/img_7207.jpg)
![Orange Cream Cinnamon Roll from Kirchoff's Bakery and Banana Strawberry Smoothie from Etc](http://travel-eat-read-repeat.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/img_7205.jpg)
One cannot visit Kirchoff’s without getting cookies. Any of the oatmeal ones are my fave. If I wasn’t heading out of town the next day, I would have grabbed some chicken salad and homemade cranberry walnut bread as well. Don’t miss this bakery the next time you’re in downtown Paducah!!
![Kirchoff's Cookies in downtown Paducah](http://travel-eat-read-repeat.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/img_7202.jpg)
![Cookies to go](http://travel-eat-read-repeat.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/img_7209.jpg)
![Downtown Paducah Kentucky](http://travel-eat-read-repeat.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/img_7208-scaled.jpg)