Serving the blind and low vision population of South Central Kentucky
A chapter of the Kentucky Council of the Blind

SUMMARY OF THE BOWLING GREEN AREA RESTAURANT SURVEY RESULTS

This treatise summarizes the results of a research study surveying 50 restaurants in Bowling Green, Kentucky. The purpose of the research was to determine which restaurants were most accessible to blind or low-vision patrons. The study sought to determine which restaurants provided Braille menus to their blind customers, which would provide assistance to those needing it to read the print menu, which offer delivery services, and which ones provide accessible websites that include menus, prices, etc. By "accessible," we mean which restaurants have websites that can be easily read by blind or low-vision persons using adaptive technology, e.g. a screen reading program that makes a regular computer speak what a sighted person can see on the computer's monitor.

All restaurants surveyed indicated they would provide personal assistance with reading their menus if asked to do so by the blind/low-vision patron, with the exception of the ethnic restaurants whose employees tended to be "English challenged."

Restaurants with accessible websites with menus:

Arby's: full menu w/o price
Cracker Barrel: menu w/o price
440 Main: full memu WITH price
Heavenly Ham: menu w/o price
Mariah's: menu w/price plus shopping cart for online shopping; overall best website.
Outback Steakhouse: menu w/o price
Rafferty's: menu w/o price
Shogun of Japan: menu w/o price
Subway: menu w/o price
Teresa's: menu w/o price

Restaurants with Braille Menus:

The following restaurants provide Braille menus. However, the Braille menu may not be fully up-to-date with the print menu, and it is suggested that patrons check with their waitress/waiter to confirm the availability of specific selections and for current prices.

Appleby's
Bob Evans
Cracker Barrel: Large type and Spanish available
Denny's
Longhorn Steakhouse
Mariah's
Outback Steakhouse
Red Lobster
Ruby Tuesday's
Steak and Shake
TGI Friday's

Restaurants with Their Own In-House Delivery Service:

Here is a list of restaurants, including their In House Delivery Phone Numbers, that offer their own delivery service usually within a 5-mile radius of their restaurant.
Note: most pizza type restaurants, such as Papa John's, have their own delivery service.

Country Mill : 781-7988
Jimmy John's Gourmet Café: 393-8884
Mariah's: 842-6878
Pizzaroma: 843-0002

Restaurants with Delivery Services Using Five Star Express Delivery:

Note: Customers must call Five Star Express Delivery (Phone: 843-9900) to arrange delivery from the following restaurants. Five Star Express Delivery Service has no website or Braille menu.

China buffet
Donitas
Godfathers
Mancinos
Odelis
Peurto Vallarta
The Sicilian
Spitfire Grill
Toots
Zaxby's

Delivery with Accessible Websites:

Mariah's: 842-6878;http://www.mariahs.com
Suppers To Go: 846-4901; http://supperstogo.com

Note: Suppers to Go is a unique food preperation and delivery service. It is not a restaurant in the usual sense. The owners take orders from over the phone from a menu of several selections, prepare each dish fresh and deliver it. They recommend ordering 2-days in advance for most orders. This is an excellent service with superior food and a very accessible website.