Brickyard Cafe

The story behind Brickyard Cafe ... In 1995, Zeljko "Jake" Simic and Robert Stupar left the war-torn former Yugoslavia to forge a new life in the United States. Jake was a restaurateur in Bosnia, and Robert was a baker in Croatia. In 1998, they opened the Brickyard Cafe in Bowling Green, KY. With its combination of Italian food, friendly atmosphere, and excellent service, Brickyard Cafe became a resounding success as a fine dining experience in downtown Bowling Green. Robert and Jake responded to the appreciation shown by their customers and friends by expanding. In 2006, they opened a new Brickyard Cafe in downtown Franklin, KY. Built in the early 1990's, the building's early occupants were the Franklin Carriage Company and the Hatter Hardware Company. In the main dining room, an old horse-drawn buggy is suspended on the original manually-operated lift platform. The lift transported buggies and carriages for repair in the second and third floor workshops. The original glass-paneled front doors also were restored. The 10-foot high sliding doors of the private dining room formerly provided entrance to the carriages in the back of the building. Jake and Robert have preserved some of Franklin's rich local history while recreating the ambience of the cafes in the coastal cities along the Adriatic Sea, known for their authentic Italian and Mediterranean food and casual elegance. Sit back, relax and enjoy the Brickyard Cafe, where the past and the present come together for excellent food and hometown hospitality.