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

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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

Owensboro Restaurants: Mi Ranchito is Delicious for Lunch or Dinner

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Mi Ranchito Salsa and Chips
I was enjoying lunch in a new favorite Owensboro restaurant, Mi Ranchito, a few days ago when it hit me… I haven’t written about this delicious Authentic Mexican Restaurant on Genuine Kentucky yet!

Where has my brain been?!?! Never mind. I know the answer. Baseball.  To be more precise – St. Louis Cardinals baseball. Yes, I’m obsessed and No, I’ll never change.

Something else I’m obsessed with is good, consistent, affordable restaurants. I love a restaurant that I pretty much know will be great each and every time I visit. If I order a favorite menu item for lunch, I want it to be just as delicious as it was the last time I ordered it.

With Mi Ranchito, you get the consistency, the delicious food, and (as a bonus) the prices are incredibly reasonable.  What’s more, their sweet tea is out of this world.

Mi Ranchito Owensboro Grilled Chicken Taco and Rice
Mi Ranchito has become one of our absolute favorite restaurants to eat lunch in Owensboro. I always get the Hard Shell Grilled Chicken Taco with Lettuce and Cheese and a side of rice.  I say it so often, it’s a wonder I don’t say the words in my sleep. In addition to having possibly the best salsa I’ve ever gotten at  an authentic Mexican restaurant, their tacos are fantastic and the rice is… again.. maybe the best you’ll ever eat.

I also order grilled chicken when I eat at Mi Ranchito for lunch.  What can I say, their grilled chicken is delicious. Plus, when you have to eat gluten free (for health reasons), you find the foods that don’t cause you any pain or other ugly side effects and you stick to them like your very life depends on it.

Mi Ranchito is located at 2425 W Parrish Ave. – in an old Subway location.  Whether you want lunch, dinner, dine-in, or carry-out… I know you’ll love this food as much as I do.

Phone: (270) 240-4306

Also See: 

Authentic Mexican Food at its Best: Real Hacienda in Owensboro, Kentucky

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Real Hacienda Pollo Loco
Anytime I write a Real Hacienda (Owensboro) review, I run the risk of being overtaken by an intense craving for their rice, chips & salsa, grilled chicken tacos, cheese dip, refried beans, and Pollo Loco.  This time is no different – I just started the review and the cravings are already hitting.  I think I’d walk across glass right now for some of their cheese dip.  Words can’t even describe how amazing it is.

Real Hacienda has two locations in Owensboro (3023 Highland Pointe Dr, off of HWY 54 and 4820 Frederica St), and each one is out of this world delicious.  Of all the authentic Mexican restaurants I’ve eaten in, I believe Real Hacienda has the best salsa. It’s consistently great and the chips are always fresh and crunchy.  The complimentary chips and salsa are just one of the things I love about restaurants like Real Hacienda. It just seems extra cool, to me, to give your guests something “on the house” like delicious chips & salsa as a show of gratitude for choosing them over every other restaurant in town.

Frankly, I think it’s a sign of graciousness that all other restaurants should copy.

Two of my three daughters are absolutely OBSESSED with Real Hacienda, so when it’s their birthdays, we don’t even have to ask where they want to eat.  We simply write Real Hacienda followed by about 8 !!!!!!!s on the calendar and look forward to fantastic food.

The Real Hacienda on Frederica is the one we frequent the most – simply because it’s closer to us. In fact, it’s one of our favorite places for lunch.  Their grilled chicken tacos (soft shell or hard shell) are fantastic, as are their bean burritos and cheese enchiladas. It’s always tough to decide which one sounds best.

I love when you go to a restaurant so regularly that the servers and hosts or hostesses recognize you.  There are several at Real Hacienda who say, “Diet Coke” before the words even come out of my mouth. They’re always very friendly at both locations, too.

The pictures in this post are from a recent dinner at Real Hacienda. I almost always order Pollo Loco because it’s extraordinary. The tender, flavorful chicken blows me away every single time and the rice is possibly the best rice in the world.  It’s great every single time. I’m also wild about the guacamole salad on the side.

Naturally, the most important thing about a restaurant is the quality and taste of their food, and both locations of Real Hacienda are consistently fantastic.  However, there are a few “extra” qualities I judge restaurants on (whether I’m choosing where to eat or writing a review).

  1. I like to feel like I”m getting a good amount of food for my money. Come on, times are tough, and no one wants to be taken advantage of when it comes to their money.  Real Hacienda is one of the absolute best deals around. The food’s VERY reasonably priced and you get a generous amount of everything.  I’ve noticed over the past few years (with a cranky economy) that several restaurants have been giving less and less food. A few of my favorites have been the worst about it, actually. You can also tell a difference with appetizers in most restaurants – you get far less than you used to but, by no means, have they lowered the prices. Real Hacienda (along with Olive Garden, Beef O’ Brady’s, Buffalo Wild Wings, and a few others) has never cut back on their serving sizes and never compromised the quality of their food. They haven’t adjusted the prices either. Like the rest of us, they’re simply riding it out while still doing right by their customers. I’ve got a ton of respect for the few restaurants approaching hard times that way. Respect and loyalty.  Real Hacienda is simply one of the best deals around for great food at a great price. PLUS, they throw in all the chips and salsa you can eat!
  2. I like clean, attractive restaurants. Both Real Hacienda locations are gorgeous. They’re absolute works of art and the more you look around, the more you find to love.
  3. I love servers who are friendly and on the ball. Real Hacienda servers are both.
  4. Certain restaurants are simply more enjoyable to eat in than others.  I’ve mentioned it before, but a pet peeve is when hosts/hostesses sit you right beside another full table when there are tons of tables to choose from. Oddly enough, I’ve never had that happen once at a Real Hacienda. They seem to gravitate toward giving you a table where YOU’LL be the most comfortable as opposed to where THEY want you.  The tables and chairs are large and comfortable, the ambiance is relaxed and fun – they’re just really cool places to enjoy a great meal.

The next time you’re in the mood for great food, a great deal, and an all around wonderful experience, head for one of the two Real Hacienda locations in Owensboro (3023 Highland Pointe Dr, off of HWY 54 and 4820 Frederica St).

Real Hacienda Salsa and Chips

Logan’s Roadhouse in Owensboro: A Fun and Delicious Place for Lunch

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Logan's Roadhouse Rolls

A while back, after they first opened, I wrote one of my Kentucky Restaurant Reviews about Logan’s Roadhouse in Owensboro.  While the food was great, the service (especially at the hostess station) left a lot to be desired.  Judging from what I heard (from A LOT of people), we weren’t the only ones to have a similar experience.

However, I’ve learned that you sometimes have to give a new restaurant time to get their legs underneath them, so to speak, so I decided a second chance was in order.  I joined two of my daughters and one of my sons-in-law at Owensboro’s Logan’s Roadhouse for lunch last Friday and am delighted to say the service was above par…. way above par.

The hostess was warm and friendly, the bartender came over right away to hook us up with our iced tea, and our server was outstanding. Our glasses of tea (really wonderful tea, at that!) were never even half empty and she kept us extra happy with plenty of rolls and butter.  I loved her for that.

Logan’s has plenty to choose from for lunch – burgers, salads, sandwiches, steaks, chicken strips, fried fish… It was almost too much to choose from, it took us a few minutes to decide!

I went with the fried catfish (on the menu, I believe it’s called Southern Fried Fish), coleslaw, and a baked potato.

Logan's Roadhouse Fried Catfish, Coleslaw, and a Baked Potato

The fish was wonderful, wonderful, wonderful. Perfectly seasoned and perfectly fried.  Some restaurants (they’ll remain nameless… for now) really wimp out when it comes to the coating on catfish.  Not Logan’s – they did it up right.

I also loved the baked potato.  You can have your baked potato “loaded,” but I simply requested sour cream and butter.  It was outstanding.  As you know, I never put anything on my catfish – no tartar sauce, salt, pepper or even lemon.  Goes against my catfish loving belief system, I guess.  I did, however, taste the tartar sauce so I could tell you a little something about it. It was really, really tasty. I didn’t put it on my excellent catfish, though, because all I wanted to taste was the fish.

I asked our server (who was just so darn sweet!) if their coleslaw was good and she said she liked it – but that it was a mayo coleslaw.  I loved that she knew this fact (seriously, how many times do you have a server say, “I… dunno… but I can go check for you…”).  Sorry, but it simply isn’t asking too much for a server to know every single item on the menu and a question like, “Is the coleslaw a mayo or vinegar slaw?”  Shouldn’t send a server into a field of question marks.  I was impressed that this young lady knew her stuff.  On account of that alone (even though I prefer vinegar slaw by far), I ordered the slaw.

As I said, I prefer vinegar slaw but this coleslaw wasn’t bad at all.  After a little salt and pepper, it was downright tasty.

My son-in-law (Rusty) ordered steak and said that it was really good.  One of my daughters (Emily) gave me a taste of her steamed broccoli and it was AMAZING.  It had a perfect amount of crunch and the flavor was fantastic.  This broccoli would have won over even the biggest broccoli skeptic. It’s just super.  My youngest daughter (Stephany) ordered chicken strips and we both agreed that they were pretty uninspiring. Why anyone would ever coat and cook chicken without seasoning it is beyond me.  They weren’t hospital food bland by any means, but they didn’t make you say, “Wow!” when you tasted them either.  It was kind of a mystery how the same kitchen that served up perfectly seasoned catfish served up chicken tenders that had zero personality.

Thankfully, restaurant tables are equipped with salt and pepper shakers, so you can season until your heart’s content.

Besides, the rolls, catfish, baked potato, and tea were extra, extra special. Something else I loved about Logan’s Roadhouse was the fact that the very, very friendly manager came over and asked how everything was. She actually looked at us and at our food in a way that let me know she honestly cared.  It wasn’t one of those “pass by” check ups. She seemed to want to know that we were enjoying our meal. When we said we were, she smiled ear to ear and all but clapped.

I was very impressed with the ambiance, the food and the service.  It would appear that everything has come together at Owensboro’s Logan’s Roadhouse deliciously, and that makes me smile ear to ear and all but clap.

See Logan’s Roadhouse for locations and menu items.

Logan's Roadhouse Bucket of Peanuts

As always, you have a bucket of peanuts to snack on while you wait for your meal, or while you try to decide which delicious meal to order!

 

Beef O’ Brady’s in Owensboro, Kentucky

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Beef 'O' Brady's Grilled Shrimp Salad

 

We ate at one of our favorite Owensboro restaurants a few nights ago, Beef ‘O’ Brady’s.  Each time I go, I think, “I don’t eat here nearly often enough!”  It’s clear on the other side of town – but is it ever worth it! They’ve recently added on to the restaurant and the expansion has provided a lot more seating… yet another reason to go more often.

Unlike a few restaurants who’ve gotten on my “bad” side lately, Beef’s seems to always, always, always be on top of their game. The food is always outstanding, the servers (and host/hostesses) are always uncommonly friendly and helpful and the entire environment is just a lot of fun.

I ordered the beautiful salad you see, above: The Grilled Shrimp Salad.  Heavenly!  It comes with an amazing Poblano dressing – but you could substitute another dressing if you wanted to. Personally, I wouldn’t even think of it.  Naturally, with the name Poblano Dressing, you can expect a little heat.  However, it’s not too much heat – I’m the biggest baby in the world when it comes to hot and spicy food and even I loved this dressing.  It’s just ridiculously delicious.  The shrimp is seasoned beautifully, the vegetables are crisp and fresh, and you get A LOT of salad for the money.  It’s more than filling.

Beef 'O' Brady's Chicken Basket

Michael ordered a Chicken Basket and made sure to get Beef’s AMAZING coleslaw.  If it’s not the best coleslaw in the world (and it just might be), it’s in the top 3 (with Willow Pond’s and KFC’s keeping it company.).  Beef’s coleslaw has pineapple in it which, somehow, just kicks it up into a stratosphere normally reserved for chocolate. He also chose Onion Rings as one of his sides because the dear boy knows I’m obsessed.  These are currently my favorite onion rings in the world.  This is how onion rings are supposed to taste – and, as far as this fanatic is concerned, their onion rings put the “O!’ in  Beef ‘O’ Brady’s!

My husband ordered us a plate of dessert which proved to be outstanding: The platter contained a slice of each:

  • Chocolate Peanut Butter Explosion
  • Caramel Apple Bar
  • Chocolate Eruption Bar

Staying true to who I am, I went for the Chocolate Eruption Bar first.  HEAVENLY. So delectably rich and chocolate-y – I’m pretty sure I let out the sort of sigh we chocoholics are famous for. I then moved on to the Chocolate Peanut Butter Explosion (after all, I detected chocolate – which means I must have it). This dessert is outstanding as well, the chocolate flavor is as wonderful as you’d hope for, then you get that unmistakable and wonderful flavor of the peanut butter in the frosting.

Man ‘O’ man, they’re both as wonderful as you’d expect.

In an effort not to be rude, I licked off my chocolate-covered fork and went for the Caramel Apple Bar (I didn’t want to make her feel left out, you know). The entire world came to a stop when I took a bite. My eyes popped out of my head and I looked at my husband as though he’d kicked me under the table.

What right does a dessert without a trace of chocolate have being so jaw-dropping delicious?! Who does she think she is?!  Seriously, I’m still shaking my head in disbelief – she more than held her own with the big boys. She was every bit as delicious and every bit as memorable. I’m not sure what kind of mojo she has, but I can’t wait to meet her again!

Beef 'O' Brady's Dessert Plate

Just look at the drizzled chocolate and caramel… and the whipped topping on top of the AMAZING Caramel Apple Pie.  Funny thing is, they each taste even better than they look. Whatever you do, promise me you’ll try the Caramel Apple Pie (either by itself or in this beautiful trio).  It’ll blow your mind and have your taste buds buzzing for weeks.

One of my daughters (Emily) and I were talking a few days ago about our favorite restaurants in town (Owensboro).  I told her how one had recently ticked me off so bad I had no intentions of returning and she shared that a server at another  restaurant (ironically famous in town for servers who pull this trick) had recently “adjusted ” her tip from 5$ to 8$.  The 5 was already over-tipping, but the server (who apparently wasn’t even good!) helped herself to 3 extra dollars. Em wasn’t concerned about the 3$ but she said she did feel taken advantage of and wasn’t in a hurry to go back.

She said that this particular restaurant actually has a reputation in town for this sort of thing! If you want to eat wings and watch sports – I’d head to Beef ‘O’ Brady’s!

Beef’s is one of the few restaurants in town that you never hear anything bad about. I honestly can’t even imagine running into anyone who’d have anything bad to say about Beef’s.  Locals love it and for a very good reason: They’re one of the best restaurants in town for lunch OR dinner.  Fun environment, outstanding servers, and food that’s out of this world.

Read more about Beef ‘O’ Brady’s on their website – at the moment, they even have a deal where you can print out a coupon to save $5 on a $25 order!

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