The Bluegrass and barbecue go hand in hand, with Kentucky home to some of the very best BBQ joints in the country! (And it’s not just us who think so… Southern Living named this Paducah institution among the “South’s Most Legendary Barbecue Joints!”) But there’s one town in Kentucky that’s at the heart of the Bluegrass barbecue scene, and that’s Owensboro.
In Western Kentucky, Owensboro is a charming locale that, at first glance, looks like your average river town. It’s located at the crook of the mighty Ohio River and is a “big little city” that’s home to about 60,000.
DenisTangneyJr/iStock via Getty Images Plus
It’s also home to an abundance of great barbecue restaurants. Owensboro, Kentucky, is colloquially referred to as the “Bar-B-Q Capital of the World,” in fact!
Albert Ng/Google Local And Moonlite Bar-B-Q Inn is a town icon that’s famous for its barbecue. Moonlite Bar-B-Q Inn, 2840 W Parrish Ave, Owensboro, KY 42301, USA
The mutton, pork, beef, chicken, and ham are tender, juicy, and have the perfect smoky, spicy, tangy flavor that Kentuckians love. The pit masters of Moonlite travel across the U.S., promoting their own special Bluegrass barbecue.
Jordan Williams/Google Local While you’re there, be sure to order a side of burgoo stew, another specialty at this only-in-Kentucky institution.
Old Hickory Bar-B-Q is another member of Bluegrass BBQ royalty that you’ll find in Owensboro. Hailed as the “world’s best barbecue,” Old Hickory Bar-B-Q certainly lives up to this bold claim.
Sean Correia/Google Local 338 Washington Ave, Owensboro, KY 42301, USA
This long-time spot has been serving the same, soul-filling, delicious BBQ for generations. The restaurant was named Old Hickory in 1954, thanks to the hickory wood used to create the distinctive BBQ.
Neal Alfano/Google Local Not much has changed in terms of the menu at the restaurant, and this family-owned eatery aims to continue the high-quality standards set all those years ago.
And Ole South Barbeque is an unassuming little spot from the outside, but inside? Barbecue greatness awaits!
Robert Schweitzer/Google Local Ole South boasts a full menu of simple Southern barbecue eats such as pulled pork, BBQ ribs, and a slew of sides and fixin’s. Ole South Barbeque, 3523 KY-54, Owensboro, KY 42303, USA
Order a plate – the mutton is a must-try – with Southern sides like baked apples, fried okra, cornbread, and green beans!
JoJo/Google Local This is one of those places where you’d better bring your appetite A-game.
A newer spot in Owensboro, Tri-R-Tips Hawaiian-style BBQ rolled into town in 2017 and has made quite a name for itself.
Tri-R-Tips Hawaiian style BBQ/Facebook Hailing from sunny California, Tri-R-Tips came to the Bluegrass with an impressive resume, having won various cooking competitions and accolades out west. TRI-R-TIPS BBQ, 2518 Highpointe Cove, Owensboro, KY 42303, USA
Offering a mix of the classics – mouth-watering pulled pork, ribs, and chicken – Tri-R-Tips takes things to the next level with BBQ creations like pulled pork nachos and homemade jerky.
Amber Rose/Google Local There’s room for all types of barbecue in the Bluegrass, and in Owensboro, Kentucky, you’ll discover the best of the best… on every corner of this river town! TRI-R-TIPS BBQ, 2518 Highpointe Cove, Owensboro, KY 42303, USA
The next time you’re craving BBQ, there’s only one place to go: Owensboro, Kentucky!
DenisTangneyJr/iStock via Getty Images Plus
Albert Ng/Google Local
And Moonlite Bar-B-Q Inn is a town icon that’s famous for its barbecue.
Moonlite Bar-B-Q Inn, 2840 W Parrish Ave, Owensboro, KY 42301, USA
Jordan Williams/Google Local
While you’re there, be sure to order a side of burgoo stew, another specialty at this only-in-Kentucky institution.
Sean Correia/Google Local
338 Washington Ave, Owensboro, KY 42301, USA
Neal Alfano/Google Local
Not much has changed in terms of the menu at the restaurant, and this family-owned eatery aims to continue the high-quality standards set all those years ago.
Robert Schweitzer/Google Local
Ole South boasts a full menu of simple Southern barbecue eats such as pulled pork, BBQ ribs, and a slew of sides and fixin’s.
Ole South Barbeque, 3523 KY-54, Owensboro, KY 42303, USA
JoJo/Google Local
This is one of those places where you’d better bring your appetite A-game.
Tri-R-Tips Hawaiian style BBQ/Facebook
Hailing from sunny California, Tri-R-Tips came to the Bluegrass with an impressive resume, having won various cooking competitions and accolades out west.
TRI-R-TIPS BBQ, 2518 Highpointe Cove, Owensboro, KY 42303, USA
Amber Rose/Google Local
There’s room for all types of barbecue in the Bluegrass, and in Owensboro, Kentucky, you’ll discover the best of the best… on every corner of this river town!
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Address: Owensboro, KY, USA
