Sides were the star. I agree with Colin c. Pulled meat is stewed. Not much bbq smoke on it at all. It wasn't bad but not really my idea of BBQ. The red beans and rice were great as were the potatoes. I'll try again but maybe I'll get the ribs.
(3)
Amy Lou S.
When I think BBQ, I always think of the Preston Highway location of Bootleg BBQ! The food has always been good and the service wonderful. Each and every single time that I am there eating lunch or dinner, people are coming in and picking up large take-out orders! Let me encourage you to come and try Bootleg BBQ on Preston for yourself. Folks, let me just say this. There will always be people who write negative reviews just because they want to be mean-spirited. I assure you that if I have ever had a problem with something I have ordered that they are quick to resolve the issue. All restaurants, and I truly mean, ALL RESTAURANTS, have the occasional problem. The smoked wings are worth the wait... you need to call ahead three hours because it takes 2.5 hours to cook them on the smoker. Yum.Yum.Yum. They offer free wireless internet so I often stop in and do work on my laptop while watching the news on the televisions. If you are from Louisville or from Kentucky, you know about the great basketball rival. There is a wall that is decorated half UofL and half UofK. Talk about your house divided. LOL. The owners are married and she likes UofK and he likes UofL. They have a great sense of humor and both are sports enthusiasts! I am giving Bootleg BBQ on Preston Highway FIVE STARS today because the service was excellent and the food was fabulous. By the way, the baked potatoes are mega-big and enough to share with a friend. I usually eat half and take the other half home! Guaranteed, I will be back....next week for lunch. :)
(5)
Mike A.
One of my favorite barbecue joints in town. Staff is friendly and helpful. Restaurant is a hole in the wall but that is the charm of Bootleg barbecue. I usually order the pulled pork sandwich with two sides. The meat is smoked and soaked in very tasty bbq sauce. This is the first bbq that've had where I didn't have to ask for bbq sauce. There is plenty pre soaked into the meat. Portions are nice sized and a good value. My favorite sides are the cactus salad which is a spicy cole slaw and the red beans and rice. Lots of choices for kids on the menu and thankfully there is a baked bbq chicken breast that is not fried for kids. The chicken beast was very tasty and a nice touch is that it is served with a side of bbq sauce. Self serve soda machine is a nice touch so that you don't have to wait in line again for refills.
(3)
Joseph T.
Average. The BBQ is average, at best. I really don't know why somebody hasn't just taken BBQ by the short and curlies, and owned it in this city. The Louisville food scene is terrific; the Louisville BBQ scene is horrendous. The pulled pork was more like BBQ sauce covered pot roast. The sandwich was very small. The brisket was like chopped up roast beef that had been covered in BBQ sauce. The potato salad looked and tasted odd. The Mac n' Cheese was pretty good. But then, macaroni and cheese is not difficult to make. If it's good BBQ you're looking for, and you come here, you will be sorely disappointed. Unless you're happy with the marginal Louisville BBQ scene. WW Cousins is up the road. Go there instead.
(2)
Allison R.
Went here for the first (and probably last) time today. First off, the woman that took our orders was rude. She kept smacking her lips and rolling her eyes the entire time we were trying to decide what to order. I ordered the pulled chicken with mac and cheese and cole slaw, and my mom ordered the pulled pork with green beans and potato salad. Both of us thought the meat was way over-sauced. It was mixed with sauce, and then had another gigantic glob of sauce on top. When I get barbeque, I like to taste the flavor of the meat, not just the sauce and we both felt like all we could taste was the sauce (its very sweet and strong.) Of our sides, the cole slaw and green beans were amazing. The potato salad was okay. The mac and cheese was the blandest mac and cheese I've ever had. It had no flavor whatsoever, and the macaroni was cooked so long it was basically mush. To top it off, when we went to get to go boxes, it seemed like all the employees disappeared. We had to stand at the counter for at least 5 minutes waiting for someone to show up. Blah food and less than ideal service insure that we wont be returning.
(2)
Charles W.
Since I'm from Owensboro, KY, I know what good BBQ is. This is place serves GREAT BBQ. Keep up the great work. Two thumbs up!!!
(5)
Dawnita S.
In the mood for BBQ? This isn't the spot for you. Brisket & chicken was mediocre. Rib were TERRIBLE, dryer then jerky. The frys were soggy. On a positive note the green beans and cole slaw were edible.
(2)
Mike P.
I was born and raised in Kentucky so maybe if I had never been out of the state I wouldn't know what good brisket is or good pulled pork, but that is not the case I have traveled quite a bit and I know what good brisket and good pool pork is, and this is not it. In Texas the server takes a beautifully smoked piece of whole brisket and slices it in front of you on to a scale you get a full pound of meat then the sauce is served on the side. Here you get a small tub handed to you through a window with some meat and mostly sauce in it, probably weighs a pound, but most of that is sauce clearly a ripoff, and the sauce isn't very good. The pulled pork is much of the same, lots of sauce in a tub and the sauce is very good! So for the only good barbecue in this town is a guy running around selling it out of the back of his truck, which is such a shame.
(1)
Jim B.
Place was gross looking, people were not nice, food was very dry. I do not recommend this place
(1)
Tanya P.
Absolutely do not go here! I only gave this place 1 star because Yelp would not let me give it 0 stars. First let me say that I am 6 foot 1 - this will be a factor in my story, I assure you. I always go to the Bardstown Road location; however, on this particular day a while back, I was in the Preston Highway area saw the restaurant and decided I wanted a side of mashed potatoes. As I walked in, I see an older lady with short hair in the back left corner office with the door open, standing, smoking a cigarette in the office. She sees me come in (based on the design of the kitchen area & office, had I been shorter, I would not be able to see her smoking a cigarette I just would have been able to see the top of her head). I watched her smash out the cigarette and then come to the front to great me and ask for my order. I requested a large side of mashed potatoes. I watched her as she without washing her hands or putting on gloves grab a styrofoam container and lid, she then grabbed the ladle to scoop out my mashed potatoes to put in the container and then she used her finger to swipe the mashed potatoes that were spilling over on the side of the cup off and put them back into the mashed potato pan - I thought I was going to be sick! She then rung up the order and took my money - again this whole process was done without her washing her hands or wearing gloves when accessing my food. Let me just say I never ate any of it - I threw away the mashed potatoes prior to leaving that parking lot I believe. I was so upset when I got home, I called the Preston Bootleg location to complain and low and behold, the woman I spoke to, the woman who made my mashed potatoes was actually the manager! I was horrified. I ended the phone call. I have never gone back to that restaurant and I never will! Again, do not go here! Go to the one in Fern Creek, the food is excellent & they are clean and hygienic.
(1)
Kyle C.
I agree with a few other reviewers that the sides really were the stars here. The coleslaw was the best I have ever had. The BBQ is good, don't get me wrong, but I feel like another reviewers sloppy joe analogy is too true. I would go back and get more, as it is a really good value, but I am not completely sold on the idea that it is the best barbecue in town. Besides that, the restaurant is a nice small little place that probably does mostly carryout and the staff is pretty welcoming and friendly.
(3)
Kyle M.
Always like to use Yelp to find local hidden gems. I was hoping I'd found one here but not so much. The brisket was tender, but no smoky flavor. The sauce was not memorable, so we are not having Texas BBQ. Red beans and rice were ok, but no spice to them, so we are not in Louisiana. The collard greens were pretty good, but we are not in the Carolinas. So having had those other experiences, this spot left me wanting a bit. That said, friendly service counts for something, and lunch was not a chain or hamburger, so that counts for something... Just was hoping for more. Maybe I ordered the wrong thing...
(2)
Tony R.
BBQ chicken breast for the wife and ribs for me! Delicious! Plus the sides BBQ beans and potato salad are great! Lots of other sides and fix ins to choose from.
(4)
Megan F.
My friend had heard good things from his co-workers about this place so we decided to venture out and try it one day for lunch. I ordered the chili and it was served stone cold. Assuming this place was not the kind of establishment that was experimenting with serving chili as if it were gazpacho, I went back up to the counter and asked for a new bowl with hot chili. Very curious as to the case of the mysteriously chilly chili, the staff member poured some out into a new cup and felt that it was in fact chilly. He then put my old bowl into the microwave, nuked it and served it back to me. I know this happens in restaurants, but ignorance is bliss. I'd just prefer not to see it.
(2)
Brittany L.
I had this food catered in to Heaven Hill Bourbon Distillery. Even though it had ridden in in a minivan, the bbq and sides were all out of this world. I don't say that lightly. Our buffet included ribs, pulled pork, shredded chicken, twice-baked potato casserole, pit baked beans, cole slaw, bread, and 2 cobblers. Everything was just fantastic! They served 3 kinds of BBQ sauce alongside their ribs so you could choose to your liking. The ribs were just perfect. Really, honestly, this is the BEST BBQ I have had...I think ever. Piggy perfection! Pulled pork was incredibly flavorful but not greasy or laden with chunks of fat (I find that so gross). Shredded chicken was breast meat: moist and full of good flavor from the light sauce it was tossed in. Twice baked casserole has sour cream and chives mixed into the potatoes, with 2 kinds of cheese and bacon bits sprinkled on top. I got a second portion of this. The beans were smoky, not too sweet, and had great depth of flavor. The caterer said they had spent 4-6 hours in the pit with the meat. mmmmm The ribs were the best part. I quit drinking bourbon so that the bourbon wouldn't interfere with the flavor of the meat! There was a nice thick line of pink all the way around the ribs from the smoking process. The ribs didn't even need any sauce because they were so full of flavor from the wood and so tender from spending so many hours being cooked. Ribs dream of attaining the looks of the one in the photo I posted. I didn't eat any cobbler or cole slaw because I had to have a second rib and potato helping...but those who did raved about the dessert and slaw too! I cannot speak to the appearance of the restaurant but honestly...with food this good I could stand barefoot in a truck stop bathroom and still be just tickled.
(5)
Britt B.
We went out of the way to find this place on our way out of town since it was rated #2 bbq at one time. The staff were really friendly & helpful, but they shorted us our rolls... which sort of stunk, but nevermind. Everything was good, but maybe not #2 good.
(3)
Colin C.
I went to Bootleg at the suggestion of a friend who is from Louisville (It's fantastic were his words). I also saw the lone review on here and thought I'd stop in. I love barbeque and recently wrote a review on Mark's Feed Store that explains my preferences in Q more, but regardless... I hated Bootleg Barbeque. I understand some people prefer this style, but Bootleg's pulled pork looked like a sloppy Joe. It seemed to have been sitting in a pot marinating with the sauce and left for several hours. Normally, when I order pulled pork I expect smoked meat with a light drizzle of sauce (I generally apply some extra haha). Bootleg just was not what I was expecting from other recommendations and reviews. The beans were good which saved the rating from being a 1 star, but the service was not very welcoming and the Q wasn't Q at all. I was disappointed to drive 10 miles for it. My disclaimer: if you like Memphis/Western KY style barbeque, avoid Bootleg.
(2)
Jeffery M.
Good brisket, sauce had good flavor, green beans were tasty, spicy slaw was different and worth a try.
(4)
Meg H.
Bootleg BBQ is a hidden gem. Don't expect your BBQ sloppy. This joint specializes in smoke and dry rub. This isn't to say their sauces aren't tasty, but they are more for dipping instead of slathering. The half-chicken is delicious. Green beans, mac n cheese, slaw, and baked beans are outstanding. The best item on the menu -- the hot n' sticky wings. Eat hot, eat cold. I can devour the 50 wing pack myself!
(3)
Russell J.
GET THEIR WINGS! While working a previous job the owner came in and seeing his bootleg bbq shirt I struck up a conversation about bbq and what his place was known for. He told me about their wings, which have to be ordered at least 2 hours in advance(because they smoke them) and ordered in increments of 25. I'm glad I ran in to him because these are the best wings I have ever had. After a few times of having their wings I decided to expand and order some of their other offerings. Their ribs are decent, a definite smoke ring and great taste and tenderness, but they seem to just sprinkle sugar or some type of rub on them after they're done, which draws attention away from the flavor of the meat. I usually just stick with ordering some wings and a pint of apples to watch a football game with.
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Lunch Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Noise Level : Quiet Alcohol : No Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : No Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : No Caters : Yes
Rick M.
Sides were the star. I agree with Colin c. Pulled meat is stewed. Not much bbq smoke on it at all. It wasn't bad but not really my idea of BBQ. The red beans and rice were great as were the potatoes. I'll try again but maybe I'll get the ribs.
(3)Amy Lou S.
When I think BBQ, I always think of the Preston Highway location of Bootleg BBQ! The food has always been good and the service wonderful. Each and every single time that I am there eating lunch or dinner, people are coming in and picking up large take-out orders! Let me encourage you to come and try Bootleg BBQ on Preston for yourself. Folks, let me just say this. There will always be people who write negative reviews just because they want to be mean-spirited. I assure you that if I have ever had a problem with something I have ordered that they are quick to resolve the issue. All restaurants, and I truly mean, ALL RESTAURANTS, have the occasional problem. The smoked wings are worth the wait... you need to call ahead three hours because it takes 2.5 hours to cook them on the smoker. Yum.Yum.Yum. They offer free wireless internet so I often stop in and do work on my laptop while watching the news on the televisions. If you are from Louisville or from Kentucky, you know about the great basketball rival. There is a wall that is decorated half UofL and half UofK. Talk about your house divided. LOL. The owners are married and she likes UofK and he likes UofL. They have a great sense of humor and both are sports enthusiasts! I am giving Bootleg BBQ on Preston Highway FIVE STARS today because the service was excellent and the food was fabulous. By the way, the baked potatoes are mega-big and enough to share with a friend. I usually eat half and take the other half home! Guaranteed, I will be back....next week for lunch. :)
(5)Mike A.
One of my favorite barbecue joints in town. Staff is friendly and helpful. Restaurant is a hole in the wall but that is the charm of Bootleg barbecue. I usually order the pulled pork sandwich with two sides. The meat is smoked and soaked in very tasty bbq sauce. This is the first bbq that've had where I didn't have to ask for bbq sauce. There is plenty pre soaked into the meat. Portions are nice sized and a good value. My favorite sides are the cactus salad which is a spicy cole slaw and the red beans and rice. Lots of choices for kids on the menu and thankfully there is a baked bbq chicken breast that is not fried for kids. The chicken beast was very tasty and a nice touch is that it is served with a side of bbq sauce. Self serve soda machine is a nice touch so that you don't have to wait in line again for refills.
(3)Joseph T.
Average. The BBQ is average, at best. I really don't know why somebody hasn't just taken BBQ by the short and curlies, and owned it in this city. The Louisville food scene is terrific; the Louisville BBQ scene is horrendous. The pulled pork was more like BBQ sauce covered pot roast. The sandwich was very small. The brisket was like chopped up roast beef that had been covered in BBQ sauce. The potato salad looked and tasted odd. The Mac n' Cheese was pretty good. But then, macaroni and cheese is not difficult to make. If it's good BBQ you're looking for, and you come here, you will be sorely disappointed. Unless you're happy with the marginal Louisville BBQ scene. WW Cousins is up the road. Go there instead.
(2)Allison R.
Went here for the first (and probably last) time today. First off, the woman that took our orders was rude. She kept smacking her lips and rolling her eyes the entire time we were trying to decide what to order. I ordered the pulled chicken with mac and cheese and cole slaw, and my mom ordered the pulled pork with green beans and potato salad. Both of us thought the meat was way over-sauced. It was mixed with sauce, and then had another gigantic glob of sauce on top. When I get barbeque, I like to taste the flavor of the meat, not just the sauce and we both felt like all we could taste was the sauce (its very sweet and strong.) Of our sides, the cole slaw and green beans were amazing. The potato salad was okay. The mac and cheese was the blandest mac and cheese I've ever had. It had no flavor whatsoever, and the macaroni was cooked so long it was basically mush. To top it off, when we went to get to go boxes, it seemed like all the employees disappeared. We had to stand at the counter for at least 5 minutes waiting for someone to show up. Blah food and less than ideal service insure that we wont be returning.
(2)Charles W.
Since I'm from Owensboro, KY, I know what good BBQ is. This is place serves GREAT BBQ. Keep up the great work. Two thumbs up!!!
(5)Dawnita S.
In the mood for BBQ? This isn't the spot for you. Brisket & chicken was mediocre. Rib were TERRIBLE, dryer then jerky. The frys were soggy. On a positive note the green beans and cole slaw were edible.
(2)Mike P.
I was born and raised in Kentucky so maybe if I had never been out of the state I wouldn't know what good brisket is or good pulled pork, but that is not the case I have traveled quite a bit and I know what good brisket and good pool pork is, and this is not it. In Texas the server takes a beautifully smoked piece of whole brisket and slices it in front of you on to a scale you get a full pound of meat then the sauce is served on the side. Here you get a small tub handed to you through a window with some meat and mostly sauce in it, probably weighs a pound, but most of that is sauce clearly a ripoff, and the sauce isn't very good. The pulled pork is much of the same, lots of sauce in a tub and the sauce is very good! So for the only good barbecue in this town is a guy running around selling it out of the back of his truck, which is such a shame.
(1)Jim B.
Place was gross looking, people were not nice, food was very dry. I do not recommend this place
(1)Tanya P.
Absolutely do not go here! I only gave this place 1 star because Yelp would not let me give it 0 stars. First let me say that I am 6 foot 1 - this will be a factor in my story, I assure you. I always go to the Bardstown Road location; however, on this particular day a while back, I was in the Preston Highway area saw the restaurant and decided I wanted a side of mashed potatoes. As I walked in, I see an older lady with short hair in the back left corner office with the door open, standing, smoking a cigarette in the office. She sees me come in (based on the design of the kitchen area & office, had I been shorter, I would not be able to see her smoking a cigarette I just would have been able to see the top of her head). I watched her smash out the cigarette and then come to the front to great me and ask for my order. I requested a large side of mashed potatoes. I watched her as she without washing her hands or putting on gloves grab a styrofoam container and lid, she then grabbed the ladle to scoop out my mashed potatoes to put in the container and then she used her finger to swipe the mashed potatoes that were spilling over on the side of the cup off and put them back into the mashed potato pan - I thought I was going to be sick! She then rung up the order and took my money - again this whole process was done without her washing her hands or wearing gloves when accessing my food. Let me just say I never ate any of it - I threw away the mashed potatoes prior to leaving that parking lot I believe. I was so upset when I got home, I called the Preston Bootleg location to complain and low and behold, the woman I spoke to, the woman who made my mashed potatoes was actually the manager! I was horrified. I ended the phone call. I have never gone back to that restaurant and I never will! Again, do not go here! Go to the one in Fern Creek, the food is excellent & they are clean and hygienic.
(1)Kyle C.
I agree with a few other reviewers that the sides really were the stars here. The coleslaw was the best I have ever had. The BBQ is good, don't get me wrong, but I feel like another reviewers sloppy joe analogy is too true. I would go back and get more, as it is a really good value, but I am not completely sold on the idea that it is the best barbecue in town. Besides that, the restaurant is a nice small little place that probably does mostly carryout and the staff is pretty welcoming and friendly.
(3)Kyle M.
Always like to use Yelp to find local hidden gems. I was hoping I'd found one here but not so much. The brisket was tender, but no smoky flavor. The sauce was not memorable, so we are not having Texas BBQ. Red beans and rice were ok, but no spice to them, so we are not in Louisiana. The collard greens were pretty good, but we are not in the Carolinas. So having had those other experiences, this spot left me wanting a bit. That said, friendly service counts for something, and lunch was not a chain or hamburger, so that counts for something... Just was hoping for more. Maybe I ordered the wrong thing...
(2)Tony R.
BBQ chicken breast for the wife and ribs for me! Delicious! Plus the sides BBQ beans and potato salad are great! Lots of other sides and fix ins to choose from.
(4)Megan F.
My friend had heard good things from his co-workers about this place so we decided to venture out and try it one day for lunch. I ordered the chili and it was served stone cold. Assuming this place was not the kind of establishment that was experimenting with serving chili as if it were gazpacho, I went back up to the counter and asked for a new bowl with hot chili. Very curious as to the case of the mysteriously chilly chili, the staff member poured some out into a new cup and felt that it was in fact chilly. He then put my old bowl into the microwave, nuked it and served it back to me. I know this happens in restaurants, but ignorance is bliss. I'd just prefer not to see it.
(2)Brittany L.
I had this food catered in to Heaven Hill Bourbon Distillery. Even though it had ridden in in a minivan, the bbq and sides were all out of this world. I don't say that lightly. Our buffet included ribs, pulled pork, shredded chicken, twice-baked potato casserole, pit baked beans, cole slaw, bread, and 2 cobblers. Everything was just fantastic! They served 3 kinds of BBQ sauce alongside their ribs so you could choose to your liking. The ribs were just perfect. Really, honestly, this is the BEST BBQ I have had...I think ever. Piggy perfection! Pulled pork was incredibly flavorful but not greasy or laden with chunks of fat (I find that so gross). Shredded chicken was breast meat: moist and full of good flavor from the light sauce it was tossed in. Twice baked casserole has sour cream and chives mixed into the potatoes, with 2 kinds of cheese and bacon bits sprinkled on top. I got a second portion of this. The beans were smoky, not too sweet, and had great depth of flavor. The caterer said they had spent 4-6 hours in the pit with the meat. mmmmm The ribs were the best part. I quit drinking bourbon so that the bourbon wouldn't interfere with the flavor of the meat! There was a nice thick line of pink all the way around the ribs from the smoking process. The ribs didn't even need any sauce because they were so full of flavor from the wood and so tender from spending so many hours being cooked. Ribs dream of attaining the looks of the one in the photo I posted. I didn't eat any cobbler or cole slaw because I had to have a second rib and potato helping...but those who did raved about the dessert and slaw too! I cannot speak to the appearance of the restaurant but honestly...with food this good I could stand barefoot in a truck stop bathroom and still be just tickled.
(5)Britt B.
We went out of the way to find this place on our way out of town since it was rated #2 bbq at one time. The staff were really friendly & helpful, but they shorted us our rolls... which sort of stunk, but nevermind. Everything was good, but maybe not #2 good.
(3)Colin C.
I went to Bootleg at the suggestion of a friend who is from Louisville (It's fantastic were his words). I also saw the lone review on here and thought I'd stop in. I love barbeque and recently wrote a review on Mark's Feed Store that explains my preferences in Q more, but regardless... I hated Bootleg Barbeque. I understand some people prefer this style, but Bootleg's pulled pork looked like a sloppy Joe. It seemed to have been sitting in a pot marinating with the sauce and left for several hours. Normally, when I order pulled pork I expect smoked meat with a light drizzle of sauce (I generally apply some extra haha). Bootleg just was not what I was expecting from other recommendations and reviews. The beans were good which saved the rating from being a 1 star, but the service was not very welcoming and the Q wasn't Q at all. I was disappointed to drive 10 miles for it. My disclaimer: if you like Memphis/Western KY style barbeque, avoid Bootleg.
(2)Jeffery M.
Good brisket, sauce had good flavor, green beans were tasty, spicy slaw was different and worth a try.
(4)Meg H.
Bootleg BBQ is a hidden gem. Don't expect your BBQ sloppy. This joint specializes in smoke and dry rub. This isn't to say their sauces aren't tasty, but they are more for dipping instead of slathering. The half-chicken is delicious. Green beans, mac n cheese, slaw, and baked beans are outstanding. The best item on the menu -- the hot n' sticky wings. Eat hot, eat cold. I can devour the 50 wing pack myself!
(3)Russell J.
GET THEIR WINGS! While working a previous job the owner came in and seeing his bootleg bbq shirt I struck up a conversation about bbq and what his place was known for. He told me about their wings, which have to be ordered at least 2 hours in advance(because they smoke them) and ordered in increments of 25. I'm glad I ran in to him because these are the best wings I have ever had. After a few times of having their wings I decided to expand and order some of their other offerings. Their ribs are decent, a definite smoke ring and great taste and tenderness, but they seem to just sprinkle sugar or some type of rub on them after they're done, which draws attention away from the flavor of the meat. I usually just stick with ordering some wings and a pint of apples to watch a football game with.
(4)