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You are here: Home / Archives for Restaurant Reviews / BBQ

Top 10 BBQ Restaurants in Kentucky (Picked by Kentucky 100)

March 25, 2019 by Joi Sigers Leave a Comment

Moonlite Bar-B-Que Owensboro, Kentucky

The Kentucky 100 (a new, twice-monthly publication that delivers 100-word stories and short videos to subscribers) asked readers to help pick the top 10 BBQ restaurants and joints in Kentucky.

“We’ll pit Kentucky’s BBQ against the best anywhere,” said Publisher Chad Carlton. “Picking just 10 places wasn’t easy. Our readers and our staff are passionate about great food.”

The list, which you’ll find below, includes two from my hometown, Owensboro… makes me pretty proud!

  1. Brothers BBQ (Campbellsville)
  2. Feast (Louisville)
  3. Heatons BBQ (Princeton)
  4. Ken-Tex BBQ (Shelbyville)
  5. Momma’s Mustard, Pickles & BBQ (Louisville)
  6. Moonlite Bar-B-Q Inn (Owensboro)
  7. Old Hickory Bar-B-Que (Owensboro)
  8. Red State BBQ (Lexington)
  9. Split Tree Barbecue (Alvaton)
  10. The Wood Shed (Hopkinsville)

As for my favorite BBQ here in Owensboro, I love Moonlite and Old Hickory pretty evenly. I’m also crazy about Ole South BBQ (outstanding breakfast buffet…. OUTSTANDING). The mutton at Moonlite is my favorite meat on their menu – it’s wonderful, as are their sides. Old Hickory and Ole South have exceptional sides, too.

We’ve got it good here in Owensboro when it comes to BBQ Restaurants – three wonderful ones to choose from.

What is the Kentucky 100? I’ll let them tell you in their own words…

  • The Kentucky 100 is:

    100-word stories about the news, issues and leaders shaping the Commonwealth.

  • 100-second (or less) videos that tell the stories of the Bluegrass State.
  • 100 percent free to readers, delivered by email twice a month.
  • 100 percent thoughtful, engaging and insightful.
  • The Kentucky 100 is part of a national network with a proven model of producing and distributing engaging content. It is produced and powered by C2 Strategic Communications, one of Kentucky’s fastest-growing public relations and engagement firms.

Check them out for yourself: https://thekentucky100.com

Old Hickory Deliciousness:

Old Hickory Sides
Old Hickory Chopped Pork Sandwich and Potato Salad
Old Hickory Pulled Pork Sandwich and Sides
Old Hickory BBQ Chicken and Sides

Filed Under: BBQ, Owensboro Tagged With: Best BBQ in Kentucky, Kentucky BBQ restaurants

One of My Fave Restaurants in the Tri-State Area: MISSION BBQ in Evansville, Indiana

December 28, 2016 by Joi Sigers Leave a Comment

MISSION BBQ Evansville, Indiana
MISSION BBQ Baked Beans, Pulled Pork, and Fries
When my husband and I were in Evansville a few days ago, we stopped for lunch at MISSION BBQ on Green River Road (1530 N Green River Rd, if you’re keeping score at home). While this was my first time at MISSION, I guarantee it won’t be my last.

I actually fell in love with them before even stepping through the door. Due to health reasons, I have to eat gluten-free/wheat-free, so before we visit a restaurant I have to visit that restaurant’s website to see if it’s “safe.” If a restaurant doesn’t even have a website, it’s Strike One – because, in this day and time, not to have a website is just negligence. I found that MISSION BBQ has a beautiful website – this patriotic gal was immediately struck by their love of country and those who serve it.

I mentally whispered, “We’re going to get along just fine.”

The next step in the “Restaurant’s Safety Check” is to see their “Gluten-Free” Menu. Unfortunately, most restaurants feature a (sorry, I’m just keeping it real) really annoying list of food that you then have to follow a graph to locate a check-mark under the different allergens. Talk about time consuming and talk about a pain in the backside – especially when you’re on a phone. While these restaurants are a giant step above the ones that don’t even have a gluten-free menu (Strikes Two and Three), it is a headache.

MISSION BBQ is one of the few… the very few… that actually has a special, concise, and downright generous menu for gluten-free dining all by itself. As in, click one link and you see what you can eat!

This is when I mentally whispered, “We’re going to get along beautifully.”

MISSION BBQ Brisket and Sides
Brisket, Cold Slaw, and Green Beans
Unlike a lot of restaurants we visit, I actually had choices. It wasn’t at all a case of, “Well, I get this meat and this is the one side I can have.” No, no, no… I actually got to choose my meat and I had a wide variety of sides from which to choose. It was nothing short of crazy cool. If you don’t have to/choose to eat gluten-free, imagine for a minute visiting a restaurant that chooses your meal for you – that’s how it is for those of us who have to eat gluten-free at most restaurants. That’s why MISSION BBQ stood out to me as especially fun and adventurous!

Needless to say, if the food didn’t taste good, it would have been a huge bummer – but it wasn’t just good, it was great. Fantastic. Extraordinary…. perfect, even! When you’re searching for adjectives that are good enough for something, just go with perfect because it just doesn’t get any better than that – and restaurant food just doesn’t get any better than MISSION BBQ.

Michael got the brisket (he’s a brisket kind of guy) and I got my favorite, pulled pork. He ordered green beans and “cold slaw” and I went with fries and baked beans. I actually felt a little overwhelmed because I’m not used to choosing sides… they normally choose me. I even asked Michael (who has been to MISSION BBQ many times), “Which sides do I choose?!” When he smiled and said he suggested I choose the ones I want, I did just that. I’m a potato fiend and am fascinated with baked beans, so my choices were clear.

As you can see from the pictures, I got so overly-excited that I forgot to tell them to leave the cornbread off of my plate!

The first thing I tasted was the fries – because I’m a fiend and all that – and they were outstanding. They were seasoned perfectly and had more flavor than you come to expect from fries. The baked beans were next and they didn’t disappoint either. There were a few beautiful chunks of meat in them which only helped give them their beautiful flavor.

The pork was tender and delicious – it was some of the best pulled pork I’ve had. Smoky and full of wonderful flavor.

MISSION BBQ has 6 different sauces to test out and use on your BBQ and it was a lot of fun to try the different flavors out.

I also tasted the green beans, cold slaw, and brisket on the plate in front of me and they were each phenomenal as well. The “cold slaw” was probably the coldest slaw I’ve ever had and it was fantastic. I get nervous when coleslaw isn’t cold, so this one is now one of my favorite restaurant coleslaws. Make that cold slaws.

Even the sweet tea was delicious! I was even able to get it in a great-looking plastic American Heroes cup, which I love.

MISSION BBQ Evansville, Indiana
MISSION BBQ American Heroes Cup Filled With Awesome Sweet Tea
The vibe of the entire restaurant resonated with me too. The patriotism and overwhelming RESPECT for the men and women who have served and who do serve our country is as beautiful as the food is delicious. It’s simply a wonderful experience to eat at MISSION BBQ – in every aspect.

I saved the “human element” for last because it’s something that always stands out to me. The staff of a restaurant tells you a lot about the restaurant, itself. The food and decor hint at a restaurant’s personality, but its staff (its true ambassadors) really shines a spotlight on it. We once at a restaurant in Evansville (notice the “once”) where the workers were so rude that we never went back. Sorry, Charlie, but the best tomato soup in the world doesn’t cover up for being treated like you’re an intruder.

As soon as we walked in the door, we were welcomed by warmth and many smiling faces. The young lady who took our orders couldn’t have been friendlier to us if we were her family. She radiated personality, warmth, and friendliness. The young lady who served as hostess was equally sweet. Both were credits to their professions and I thought several times, “Whoever hired this young lady as a hostess was a freaking genius.” Great staff members leave a lasting, favorable impression – can you tell that these girls did just that?!

MISSION BBQ Evansville, Indiana
“If You Knew You Couldn’t Play Tomorrow, How Hard Would You Play Today?”
Excellent food, exceptional staff, delicious tea… oh, let’s just go with perfect. Every single thing about MISSION BBQ is perfect.

The Indiana location of MISSION BBQ is at 1530 N Green River Rd in Evansville and it is worth the drive from wherever you happen to be. There is also a MISSION BBQ in Nashville, TN. Unfortunately, there isn’t a MISSION BBQ in Kentucky yet, but I have added it to my prayer list.

MISSION BBQ Brisket
The Brisket was Melt in Your Mouth Tender!

Filed Under: BBQ, Dining Out Gluten Free, Restaurant Reviews Tagged With: BBQ restaurant in Evansville, BBQ Restaurant Reviews, Evansville restaurants

Review: Old Hickory Bar-B-Que (Owensboro)

August 1, 2016 by Joi Sigers 1 Comment

Old Hickory Bar-B-Que Owensboro, Kentucky

Old Hickory Bar-B-Que Owensboro, Kentucky

When it comes to choosing a restaurant for lunch or dinner in Owensboro, it’s my experience that you cannot go wrong with Old Hickory Bar-B-Que.  When I say experience, I mean countless (literally) visits without a single disappointment.

How many restaurants can you say that about?

We like to call ourselves the Bar-B-Que Capital of the World here in Owensboro, so our BBQ had better be good! Thanks to Old Hickory, Moonlite, and Ole South… it’s not just good, it’s excellent.

I try not to fall into the old trap of choosing one of these three restaurants over the others because, quite frankly, I love having three way above par Barbecue restaurants in my city. Each one is fantastic – we tend to eat at Old Hickory more often than the other two, but I have nothing but great things to say about any of the three.

When I had to stop eating gluten/wheat, one of the first things I thought about was my restaurant reviews. I knew there’d be certain places I could no longer visit (Fazoli’s, Panera Bread, Feta’s, Kentucky State Park restaurants…) but I’ve been thrilled that a lot of my old favorites (before having to give up gluten) are now my new favorites (after having to give up gluten). Olive Garden, Mi Ranchito, Cracker Barrel, Denny’s, Old Hickory, Willow Pond (Aurora), Catfish Kitchen (Kentucky Lake), TGIFriday’s.. most restaurants have plenty of gluten free options and I’m over the moon grateful.

Old Hickory Bar-B-Que Owensboro, Kentucky

A Few of the Delicious Sides at Old Hickory

On our recent trip to Old Hickory, I forgot to say, “No bread..” so a few halves came on my plate. Normally I simply state that I don’t want any – I guess I was just too excited to be there this time and forgot.

The pulled pork bar-b-que, mutton, chicken, and ham are all more delicious than they have a right to be at Old Hickory. Their Sweet Heat barbecue sauce makes everything EVEN better. It’s so good I could drink it. Something else that sets Old Hickory apart from a lot of Bar-B-Que restaurants in Kentucky (or anywhere else, for that matter) is the sides. Some restaurants put so much energy into the meat they leave the sides to fend for themselves – but Old Hickory’s sides are phenomenal. Again and again and again.

As I’m sure I’ve said before, the only drawback to going to Old Hickory is the dilemma of trying to choose your meat and your sides – they’re all so ridiculously delicious, you want everything on the menu! If you happen to go with your spouse, you could always just do what we do – order different things and enjoy it all!

We’ve been working this system for a lot of years and I love it as much as I do sweet tea.

Old Hickory is located at 338 Washington Ave – just off Frederica St. You really don’t even need a GPS… your nose will let you know when you’re close!

Old Hickory Bar-B-Que Owensboro, Kentucky

Filed Under: BBQ, Dining Out Gluten Free, Owensboro Gluten Free Dining, Owensboro Restaurants, Where to Eat Lunch Tagged With: BBQ Restaurant in Owensboro, Best Bar-B-Que Restaurants in Kentucky, best BBQ in Owensboro, Old Hickory Bar-B-Que Owensboro, Owensboro restaurant reviews, Owensboro Restaurants

Pictures of the Day: Moonlite Bar-B-Que Inn

November 3, 2015 by Joi Sigers Leave a Comment

Moonlite Bar-B-Que Owensboro, Kentucky

Owensboro’s Moonlite Bar-B-Que Inn

Owensboro, Kentucky (or as we call it, “Home“) is known for many things…

  • great parks
  • birthplace of Johnny Depp
  • annual Bar-B-Que Festival
  • gorgeous Riverfront Park: Smother’s Park
  • softball tournaments

But as much as anything, we’re known for our barbecue and the restaurant that put us on the map is Moonlite Bar-B-Que on West Parrish.  Moonlite is a beautiful, cozy restaurant with decor that oozes southern charm.  I’m also pretty wild about the country store/gift shop.

Moonlite Good and Evil Pickled Jalapenos and Garlic and Ale 8

Delicious Good & Evil Pickles and Ale 8!

We actually order takeout from Moonlite more often than we actually dine in, and we never leave the country store type gift shop without some great Kentucky food – pictured above are a few “regulars” we love to return home with.

 

Pulled BBQ Pork takeout from Moonlite

Pulled Pork – Takeout from Moonlite Bar-B-Que Inn

We actually have three great barbecue restaurants in town: Moonlite, Old Hickory, and Ole South.  Each one is unique in its approach to barbecue, sides, and even prices.  When I hear people say that they always go to a specific one whenever they’re in town, I tell them they’re nuts…. politely, of course. You should make a point to try each one.

Each of the three has their own particular areas where they excel – categories where they’re better than the other two.

One of these days I’ll put together a review comparing each of the big three’s barbecue sauce, friendliness, prices, pork, mutton, sides….

Looks like I’ll have to do some research. Tough job but someone has to do it…..

Moonlite Bar-B-Que Inn

  • 2840 W Parrish Ave
  • (270) 684-8143
  • Website

Old Hickory Bar-B-Que

  • 338 Washington Ave (off of Frederica)
  • (270) 926-9000
  • Website

Ole South Bar-B-Que

  • 3523 KY-54
  • (270) 926-6464
  • Website

Moonlite Wall of Fame
Moonlite Bar-B-Que Owensboro, Kentucky
Moonlite Bar-B-Que Owensboro, Kentucky
Moonlite Bar-B-Que Owensboro, Kentucky
Moonlite Bar-B-Que Owensboro, Kentucky
Moonlite Bar-B-Que Owensboro, Kentucky

Filed Under: BBQ, Kentucky Picture of the Day, Owensboro, Owensboro Restaurants Tagged With: Moonlite Bra-B-Que, Moonlite pictures, Owensboro Bar-B-Que

The Most Underrated BBQ in Kentucky

June 9, 2015 by Joi Sigers Leave a Comment

Sticky Pig, Madisonville

Dave’s Sticky Pig in Madisonville, KY

When reading (or writing) about the best barbecue in Kentucky, the “regulars” always come to mind – Old Hickory, Moonlite, Sonny’s… but you can get some off the charts fantastic BBQ “off the beaten path” as well.

Whether it’s Dave’s Sticky Pig in Madisonville, Ole South in Owensboro, or Hickory Heaven in Marion, Kentucky (I highly recommend all three!) – it’s fun and often delicious to branch out and see how others are making magic with barbecue, sauces, and sides.

Here’s the link to a great article on this very subject on First We Feast – The Most Underrated BBQ in Kentucky.

Marion Pit Bar-B-Q in Marion, Kentucky

 

Marion Pit Bar-B-Que 

Filed Under: BBQ Tagged With: barbecue, best BBQ

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