Rafferty's Restaurant & Bar
A laid-back American eatery known for hearty comfort food like burgers, steaks, and BBQ. Great for families with a kids' menu and friendly service.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
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Best Time
Blue hour photography, calmer galleries
Rafferty's Restaurant & Bar
Highlights
Must-see attractions
A laid-back American eatery known for hearty comfort food like burgers, steaks, and BBQ. Great for families with a kids' menu and friendly service.
Try the Mushroom Appetizer
Highly praised by reviewers, these fried mushrooms are a must-try starter.
Ask for Server Recommendations
Servers like Johnny or Maggie are great for suggestions and ensuring top-notch dining experiences.
Quick Facts
Cuisine
American
Price
Mid-range
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
Flavorful Tossed Chicken Tenders
These tenders in hot sauce are a standout dish, described as a favorite dinner for many. Served with fries.
Unique 'Watermelon Express' Drink
Enjoy a refreshing and unique drink served in a quart jar, a memorable choice for diners.
Exceptional and Attentive Service
Diners rave about the friendly and efficient staff, with multiple servers ensuring a smooth dining experience.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Menu
Most Popular Items
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
Try the Mushroom Appetizer
Highly praised by reviewers, these fried mushrooms are a must-try starter.
Ask for Server Recommendations
Servers like Johnny or Maggie are great for suggestions and ensuring top-notch dining experiences.
Visit During Off-Peak Hours
The restaurant can get busy, so visiting during less crowded times may reduce wait times.
Tips
from all over the internet
Try the Mushroom Appetizer
Highly praised by reviewers, these fried mushrooms are a must-try starter.
Ask for Server Recommendations
Servers like Johnny or Maggie are great for suggestions and ensuring top-notch dining experiences.
Visit During Off-Peak Hours
The restaurant can get busy, so visiting during less crowded times may reduce wait times.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Rafferty's is a popular spot for classic American comfort food, praised for its flavorful dishes like tossed chicken tenders and steaks. Many diners highlight the exceptional customer service, with friendly and attentive staff ensuring a positive experience. However, some reviews mention inconsistencies in food quality and occasional service hiccups.
"Not from around here, first timer at Raffertys. Wasn't sure what to get, Johnny, our waiter, suggested the tossed chicken tenders after asking me some questions. Hit it square out of the park. It's probably one of my favorite dinners in some time. Around 8-10 nice sized tenders in hot sauce with fries.
Also highly recommended the Bluegrass special. Hickory Grilled bbq chicken sandwich with bacon, of course. Sorry, no pic. She was halfway through it before I remembered to take pictures.
Topped it off with a Goose Island IPA.
Restaurant has great food. Our waiter was one of the best I've ever had. All the staff was friendly. And it seemed like the price was right.
I forgot to get a pic before I tore into this, ate 2 tenders and half the fries first. Oh yeah, I forgot we had the fried mushrooms... they were perfectly cooked and delicious."
B W
"Rafferty's BG does it right! We almost drove on as the parking lot was pretty full, and they looked busy. But we gave it a try. Hostess opened the door for us as we walked up. Hostess seated us right away. They were busy looking as we were going to our table. A server took our drink and appetizer order promptly. Our main server, Tyrone came and we went ahead and ordered our main entrees. Another sever brought our drinks and appetizer as he took out order.. very fast efficient service so far. Timing on their part and speed of service was spot on. Food came out from another server, and our server right behind, making sure everything was correct. We probly had 4 different servers waiting on us from drink refills, bringing out food, and checking to see if we needed anything. Everyone was very friendly. The experience was exceptional. Customer service was phenomenal."
Shelby Evans
"Our waiter was Don.. he was great. Seems not communicating with him hurt. We had over four servers trying to give different items . Had send baked sweet potatoes back because ask for no cinnamon butter. Drinks was on point Watermelon Exspress comes in a qt jar that’s great drink try it. Streaks was better than we got at Texas Rd house. Try those..The house dressing made that salad just got eat it warm cause if not .. not good"
Kay Copper
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
Many diners rave about the tossed chicken tenders in hot sauce and the Bluegrass special. The mushroom appetizer is also highly recommended.
Yes, Rafferty's is family-friendly and offers a kids' menu, making it a suitable choice for dining with children.
The 'Watermelon Express' served in a quart jar is a unique and popular drink choice.
While the restaurant can get busy, many reviews suggest prompt seating even when the parking lot looks full. Visiting during off-peak hours can help avoid wait times.
Rafferty's offers a laid-back and casual atmosphere, with some mentioning a quaint interior with wooden fixtures.
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Fun In A University City: The Ultimate Guide To Bowling Green & Things To Do
This casual restaurant has a quaint interior with wooden fixtures that give it an old-timey appeal. However, it’s the food that brings diners to Rafferty’s, and the restaurant doesn’t disappoint. The eatery is known for its burgers, which include Rafferty’s American Cheeseburger, California Burger, and Backyard BBQ Burger.
15 Best Restaurants in Bowling Green, KY for 2025 (Top Eats!)
1939 Scottsville RdBowling Green, KY 42104(270) 842-0123 Visit Website See Menu Open in Google Maps. This dining establishment is just one of the five Rafferty’s Restaurant and Bar locations in Kentucky. It’s famous for its exquisite comfort food ranging from burgers to salads served in a casual setting.
Things To Do In Bowling Green, Kentucky (from a local)
Amazing American-style restaurant that offers steaks, BBQ ribs, salads and more. If you drive down Scottsville Road, you will smell it. Kid friendly and highly recommend it.
Dining Locations
Through the years Rafferty’s has grown and currently has 18 locations. 1939 Scottsville Road, Bowling Green, KYVisit Rafferty’s Restaurant & Bar’s Website
Social
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