Get Jeff’s Donuts at The Village Market food hall in Paristown, nearing completion

What is a food hall, anyway?

A food hall is a sprawling market that showcases a variety of local mini-restaurants, food vendors, and one or two food-focused shops, all under one roof. You can also expect to find bars, a butchery, various activities, and live music.

Unlike food courts – which are located in shopping malls and often consist of a collection of fast food chains – food halls are often in urban (remodeled) warehouses or ground floors of mixed-use buildings and focus on local rather than chain restaurants. Food is usually prepared fresh to order – no heat lamps here.

These halls are flipping the old food court model on its head. Food is no longer an amenity but the main reason why people visit these areas.

Writing at Louisville Business First, Haley Cawthon previews two new concepts from Emil David, coming soon to the Village Market food hall in Paristown, which in turn is about to launch: Louisville restaurateur to open two spots in new food hall.

Emil David, owner of Square Cut, an upscale restaurant in Shelby Park, will introduce two separate eateries at the food hall, according to a news release. In addition to the Square Cut, David also owns the Sugar Room, a soft-serve ice cream shop, and the Hot Buns Food Truck, the first Bao concept in Kentucky.

One is Ramble, a nontraditional fried chicken sandwich concept. In the release, David said it would offer different fried chicken dishes on a sandwich, such as chicken parmesan, General Tsao’s chicken and buffalo chicken.

He will also be opening Tacorito, a concept that will feature tacos and burritos, burrito salads and bowls.

Chef David’s Square Cut Pizza debuted in the fall of 2021.

Shelby Park welcomes Square Cut Pizza