Breakfast at Cracker Barrel? All kinds of Delicious!
I have a good number of Owensboro Restaurant Reviews on Genuine Kentucky (with special categories for eating gluten free in Owensboro and where to eat lunch in Owensboro).
Naturally I write about other Kentucky Restaurants and we have tons of reviews on the site for other cities. But since we call Owensboro home, you’ll find more Owensboro restaurant reviews here than any other.
As someone who calls Owensboro home, it makes me proud to point my readers to exceptional restaurants. I always recommend the restaurants I KNOW will take good care of them. To say it’s something I take serious is a huge understatement.
I try to do frequent reviews of my favorite restaurants – to keep our readers up to date on the great food and service. If you see a lot of pictures and reviews for a particular restaurant, write it down…. they’re extra special.
Below is a list of our favorite Owensboro Restaurants. If I’ve done restaurant reviews for the restaurant in question, the restaurant’s name is linked to the review. Subsequent posts/reviews are also linked to.
First things first… BBQ!
Click the restaurant’s name to read my restaurant review.
Best BBQ in Owensboro
Old Hickory BBQ Review – 338 Washington Ave Owensboro, KY 42301 (270) 926-9000 When the local newspaper runs a “Viewer’s Favorites” poll, locals almost always choose Old Hickory as their favorite BBQ Restaurant in Owensboro.
The sides are also exceptional and the staff is uncommonly friendly. Old Hickory has an amazing selection of sides and each and every one is fantastic.
The fact that this is the “local favorite” does not, of course, mean that there’s anything wrong with out other BBQ restaurants – far from it!
As a local, myself, I find that it’s sometimes simply easier to get into Old Hickory. This coupled with the fact that everyone at OH is uncommonly friendly AND their BBQ is excellent makes it a “can’t possibly go wrong” choice for BBQ.
Moonlite Bar-B-Q Inn – 2840 W Parrish Ave. Owensboro, KY 42301 (270) 684-8143 Moonlite is the first thing we get asked about when traveling. As soon as people hear we’re from Owensboro, Moonlite’s name comes up immediately. Moonlite put us on the map!
Moonlite’s sides and desserts are great and their pulled pork is legendary.
There’s a lot of history at Moonlite and an undeniably cool “vibe.” It’s just a really fun place to enjoy a meal. Be sure to give yourself plenty of time to look around the “gift shop” and take a little of the vibe home with you.
Ole South Bar-B-Q – 3523 KY-54, Owensboro, KY 42303 (270) 926-6464 Ole South is yet another Owensboro restaurant with great BBQ! The buffet (they have a great breakfast buffet!) is out of this world. I love all of their meats and sides, to be honest with you. As for friendliness, Ole South is consistently one of the friendliest restaurants in town.
Click the restaurant’s name to read my restaurant review.
Other Favorite Owensboro Restaurants
(In NO particular order)
Olive Garden – 5204 Frederica St, Owensboro (270) 683-4848 You’ll find that I mention Owensboro’s Olive Garden frequently. They deserve the extra accolades. I have a mental checklist in my head, listing everything I want a restaurant to be and Owensboro’s Olive Garden hits each mark – each and every time. How phenomenal is that? My family eats at this particular Olive Garden often. Truth be told, we’re kind of waiting for it to happen to prove that these people are human. The hostesses always seem thrilled to see you, no matter how busy they are. You’re greeted with a warm smile each time. The servers are impeccable – absolutely impeccable.
As for the food, it is never anything less than perfect.
Olive Garden (along with Cracker Barrel and TGIFriday’s) was one of my favorite restaurants before I had to start eating gluten/wheat free and I’m thrilled to say they’re still among my favorites because they’re cool enough to offer “gluten free” options. The Gluten Free pasta at Olive Garden is delicious – it tastes just like “normal” pasta.
I only wish Olive Garden has lunch options for those of us who have to eat gluten free. It used to be a favorite lunch destination, but as it is, I only see them for dinner these days.
At any rate, the food’s always excellent and the service is perfection.
Just be sure to save room for Olive Garden’s desserts – HEAVENLY!
Mi Ranchito – 2425 W Parrish Ave, Owensboro, KY 42301 (270) 240-4306 This is one of our favorite Owensboro restaurants – for lunch or dinner. Seriously, we’re there almost as much as the servers are. The rice and salsa are better than most restaurants – and the grilled chicken tacos are fantastic.
Bee Bops in Owensboro – 122 W 2nd St, Owensboro (270) 663-0623 FUN! FANTASTIC! Possibly the best hamburgers in the world. What more do you want? As I said earlier, I’ve directed many people to Owensboro’s Bee Bops (downtown) and I always hear back from them something like, “You’re right, the burgers are awesome!” or “Thanks for pointing us in the direction of the best burger we’ve ever had…” Bee Bops is simply a very special diner (50’s Style), with some of the friendliest, happy, and upbeat workers you’ll ever encounter.
Bob Evans in Owensboro – 3123 Kentucky 54, Owensboro (270) 683-3515 Bob Evans in Owensboro is a beautiful restaurant inside and out. The servers are always friendly and warm and the food’s excellent. A few new “specials” have made Bob Evans an economical choice as well as a delicious one.
Chick-fil-A – 4601 Frederica St, Owensboro (270) 683-0907 Chick-fil-A doesn’t just have some of the best chicken sandwiches, wraps, and salads in the world – even their “fries” are better than most. I’m hooked on the waffle fries and can’t get enough of them! If you’ve never had Chick-fil-A for breakfast, consider this your “head’s up.” Their breakfasts are delicious – with lots of choices. Great place for breakfast or lunch.
Chick-fil-A also gets huge accolades from me for having gluten free options. Their fries are some of the only fast food fries that are GF and their grilled chicken tenders are both gluten free and delicious!
Cracker Barrel in Owensboro – 5311 Frederica St, Owensboro (270) 684-4118 I love our Cracker Barrel in Owensboro. Great food at great prices and the servers are consistently friendly and on top of their game. Very friendly hostesses, too. The grilled catfish, grilled chicken tenders, steak, sides… everything’s always delicious! If you’re in the mood for Cracker Barrel’s outstanding breakfast food, ask for the breakfast menu – ANY time of day. Read a recent Cracker Barrel Restaurant Review.
My only complaint about Cracker Barrel is actually kind of a running joke in our family – they somehow manage to find, bake, and serve the world’s smallest sweet potatoes! If you shop for sweet potatoes, yourself, you know that they’re pretty large. One never fits in the palm of your hand in the grocery store… but they sure do when you order one at CB! It isn’t a huge deal, just something I’ve noticed.
Also… if you have to eat gluten and/or wheat free, be sure to say “No Croutons” if you order a salad. You may have to point out that you have a “severe allergy,” and that croutons can’t even touch your salad. Even then, be on guard. I went through the entire spiel once and still (two bites in) found hidden croutons in my salad.
Moral of the story, always check. Peek under each piece of lettuce before diving in!
O’Charley’s in Owensboro – 5205 Frederica St, Owensboro (270) 686-8780 Perfectly clean and beautiful restaurant, very friendly and warm hostesses/hosts and managers, and the food is consistently excellent. Everything about O’Charley’s screams professional and I love it. Great place to eat with steaks as good as you’ll find anywhere.
T.G.I. Friday’s in Owensboro – 5135 Frederica St, Owensboro (270) 686-1910 Friday’s has a reputation in Owensboro for having some of the friendliest and most colorful servers in town. They earn this reputation – these people are really special. The food is delicious – the only problem anyone in my family has ever encountered was the coleslaw. It didn’t seem “cold enough” to a family member once, so she left it sitting on her plate. Coleslaw that isn’t cold enough can lead places you (or your stomach) don’t want to go.
EDIT: The coleslaw turned up on another family member’s plate recently kind of “lukewarm” and he said it didn’t “taste right.” Just don’t order coleslaw at the Owensboro TGI Friday’s. It’s the one thing they cannot do well. Everything else is out of this world delicious.
Buffalo Wild Wings –4736 Frederica St, Owensboro (270) 686-7800 Owensboro’s Buffalo Wild Wings has GREAT food. Their Buffalitos defy description. B’Dubs, as it’s affectionately referred to, isn’t one of the fastest restaurants in town, but the food is worth the wait. Unfortunately, if my family is under time constraints at lunch, we can’t choose Buffalo Wild Wings because we can’t be certain we’ll get in and out within an hour.
I know quite a few people who simply don’t go there for lunch because it takes too long.
When time isn’t an issue, we love going to B’Dubs for lunch.. It’s hard to beat the fun atmosphere. As a sport’s nut, I’m in Heaven. However, if you’re in a hurry at lunchtime, you should just allow yourself plenty of time. It’s worth the wait, trust me. The food is always excellent.
B’Dubs is also a wonderful choice if you have to eat gluten/wheat free. Their fries are safe – as are their bone-in wings.
Fazoli’s in Owensboro – 5060 Frederica St Owensboro (270) 926-8767 I’m fascinated with Fazoli’s to tell you the truth. Amazingly delicious food, never-ending bread sticks, and a beautiful setting… all on the cheap. I have no idea how they do it but many’s the afternoon and evening when I’m delighted that they keep on keeping on. Our Fazoi’s in Owensboro is always spotless, always delicious, and the service is extra friendly.
EDIT: This is one of the restaurants I miss most after I had to give up gluten/wheat! Fazoli’s, unfortunately, doesn’t have gluten free pasta (or pizza) yet – but I’m hoping they’ll follow Olive Garden’s lead and offer some really soon. I miss their meat sauce!
Logan’s Roadhouse in Owensboro – 2945 Wimsatt Ct, Owensboro (270) 684-3131 (right off of HWY 54 – you can see it from HWY 54 and the By-Pass) Okay, in an effort to show you that I’m going to level with you 100 percent, there’s great news, good news, and not-so-great news about the fairly new Logan’s Roadhouse in Owensboro. First the bad: On the evening we went, the hostesses could not have been unfriendlier or more uninterested in their guests if you paid them to. Sad thing is, someone did. You can read about it when you click the link, but suffice to say they were as warm as frozen yogurt. The server was VERY friendly and sweet. Only problem is that.. and this leads to another bad… she (or someone in the back) got our order wrong.
Do accidents happen? You bet! BUT.. and here’s what makes it a bothersome but… they seem to make somewhat of a habit of getting orders wrong! When my daughter and her husband went about a month ago, they messed up both of their orders as well as the orders of people at other tables around them. Fact is, they’re developing a reputation in town for not getting orders exactly right.
But here’s the dilemma: The food is so out of this world spectacular (truly some of the best fish I’ve ever, ever had) that it’s worth the risk – it’s even worth grumpy hostesses. Just be sure to inspect your order and grab the person who gives it to you before they get away. Who knows, this may be something they’ve fixed. I’ll let you know.
UPDATE: They’ve apparently worked out the kinks. Recent trips have produced absolutely zero issues. Seriously, the food is fantastic, the servers are always friendly and – not counting the initial visit – the hostesses are great. I’ve seen new restaurants take months to get their acts together, Logan’s did it in a matter of weeks. Great job!
Zaxby’s in Owensboro – 5030 Frederica St, OwensboroÃ? (270) 691-6166 Great food and a consistently friendly staff. I’m also crazy about their sweet tea.
Orange Leaf Frozen Yogurt – 5035 Frederica St Owensboro (270) 215-2365 Heavenly! This is the best frozen yogurt you’ll ever taste and the restaurant has to be seen to be believed – so fun and colorful.
Wasabi Express in Owensboro – A personal addiction. The soup, the sushi, the fried rice, the salad, the tea… It’s all Heavenly. The staff is fantastic – the male servers are seriously some of the friendliest servers in town.
Real Hacienda 4820 Frederica St, Owensboro (270) 685-5950 and 3023 Highland Pointe Dr (off Hwy 54) (270) 684-5595 Both Real Hacienda locations are fantastic – I simply go to the one on Frederica because it’s closest. Great staffs, beautiful restaurants, and uncommonly delicious food. Real Hacienda has THE best salsa you’ll find anywhere. Their salsa has spoiled all other salsa for me. Outstanding.
Pangea Cafe – 1320 Carter Road Owensboro My family used to eat lunch at Pangea about once a week. Their food is extraordinary and their lunch prices aren’t as high as their dinner prices.
I say we “used” to eat there regularly because, after a few of us had to start eating “gluten/wheat free,” I have no idea what, if anything, they offer that’s safe for us to eat. I’ve asked them online, but never got a reply. Sooooo, this is “someone that we used to know!”
You can read my old Pangea reviews below:
Fetta Pizza (downtown Owensboro) – 118 St Ann St, Owensboro, Kentucky 42303 (270) 926-0005 Uncommonly delicious pizza! I’m a pizza fanatic and have enjoyed pizza in too many cities to possibly count. I have never, EVER had better pizza than Fetta’s and have difficulty thinking of many that are anywhere near as good. The Margaritaville Pizza is perfect for vegetarians – or anyone who loves extraordinary pizza.
EDIT: Like Pangea and Fazoli’s, Fetta is now an ex-favorite – thanks to having to follow a strict gluten/wheat free diet. If you’re lucky enough to be able to eat wheat… Fetta is exceptional pizza.
Click the restaurant’s name to read my restaurant review.
Japanese Restaurants in Owensboro
Wasabi Express (see above, under my personal favorites!) is the best place for sushi in Owensboro. Maybe all of Kentucky. Maybe anywhere.
Ninki’s Japanese Restaurant in Owensboro – I’m under the understanding that changes have occurred at Ninki’s since I last visited them. New management, apparently. It seems they aren’t as good as they once were, which is a real shame because it used to be extra, extra, EXTRA special. It’s a beautiful restaurant and, as I said, my previous experiences were great. However, since Wasabi Express opened, I haven’t been back to Ninki’s.
Best Pizza in Owensboro
Fetta Pizza (downtown) is the best pizza in town. Read about it above – listed under my personal favorite restaurants…. for a very good reason.
Pizza Hut 1331 Frederica St. Owensboro – Our Pizza Hut has great pizza but, for some reason, the restaurant is always packed. If you can catch it during a time when it isn’t full, you’d better get in there fast! Seriously, how can a town our size not have more than one? We DO have a little Pizza Hut stand in Target – they have personal pan pizzas, bread sticks, and a few other items.
As for Carry Out or Delivery pizza, Owensboro has several Domino’s, Papa John’s, and Little Caesars. They’re all great. Google your choice for phone numbers and addresses.
Edit: A big THANKS to Pizza Hut for adding gluten free crust options!
There are many other Owensboro Restaurants – I’ll be adding them to the page over the next few days.
Downtown Owensboro Restaurants
Bee Bops (See Above – listed under personal faves)
Fetta Pizza (See Above)
Famous Bistro 102 W 2nd St, Owensboro (270) 686-8202
Colby’s Restaurant 204 W 3rd St, Owensboro (270) 685-4239
Jax Subs & Pubs 119 E. Second Street 270-240-4857
Authentic Mexican Restaurants in Owensboro
Real Hacienda (See Above, under my favorites) – two locations, one of Frederica and one right off of HWY 54 (you can see the sign from the highway)
Mi Ranchito – Delicious! Read my Mi Ranchito, Owensboro Review by clicking the link.
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