Shakes, crepes, waffles and more: New cafe open near UK campus

Janet Patton

For a long time, crepe lovers in Lexington were out of luck, there were just no restaurants serving the eggy treats here any more. Then there was one ... and now there is a second. One more and it’s a trend.

In March, Dip N Crepe opened off Nicholasville Road near Fayette Mall and now a second crepe-based cafe has opened near the University of Kentucky campus.

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Shake n Crave opened on April 22 in CenterCourt building at 535 S. Upper in Suite 175 next to Bubble Tea Studio and Bandido Taqueria Mexicana. And the line was out the door immediately.

It was very gratifying for the owners, who have been dreaming of having their own cafe for the last four years.

Shake n Crave is open on South Upper Street’s CenterCourt, next to Bubble Tea Studio and Bandido Taqueria Mexicana, across the street from Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers.
Shake n Crave is open on South Upper Street’s CenterCourt, next to Bubble Tea Studio and Bandido Taqueria Mexicana, across the street from Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers.

Co-owners Ahmed Yousef and his brother Mahmoud Yousef, cousin Mahmoud Abu Alhaj and friend Khaled Alsaid began dreaming of a new place while working in the family-owned Giovanni’s pizza restaurants. They started working there for an uncle when they turned 16.

From pizza to crepes

So why turn from pizzas to crepes?

“Back home (in Palestine) when were a lot younger, it was everywhere and we loved it so much,” Ahmed Yousef said.

Their menu offers crepes, waffles, dough balls, smoothies, shakes, coffee and non-alcoholic drinks such as mojitos. The crepes come with toppings including chocolate, pistachio, Biscoff and other dessert-like sweets.

Shake N Crepe offers a menu of sweet crepes, shakes and more. The cafe has opened in CenterCourt on South Upper Street near the University of Kentucky campus.
Shake N Crepe offers a menu of sweet crepes, shakes and more. The cafe has opened in CenterCourt on South Upper Street near the University of Kentucky campus.
Shake n Crave’s waffles have been popular with the students coming from nearby UK campus.
Shake n Crave’s waffles have been popular with the students coming from nearby UK campus.

The most popular flavor at the new restaurant: “The Shake n Crave special,” Yousef said. “It’s made with the crispy stuff from kunafa (or knafeh), Biscoff spread and while Belgium chocolate.”

So far their menu has been well-received, he said. “We’re all 20-21. We wanted a place where UK students could come study and relax, and have a good time,” he said. “They all love it, haven’t had one bad review yet.”

Besides crepes and waffles, Shake n Crave offers a variety of milkshakes.
Besides crepes and waffles, Shake n Crave offers a variety of milkshakes.

Shake n Crave

Where: 535 S. Upper St. Suite 175, right across from Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers

Hours: Sunday through Wednesday 11 a.m. to midnight, Thursday, Friday and Saturday 11 a.m. to 1 a.m.

Online: shakencrave.com

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