Old Hickory Bar-B-Q
338 Washington Ave, Owensboro, KY, 42301
Old Hickory Bar-B-Q Menu
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Visit below restaurant in Owensboro for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Owensboro for healthy meals suggestion.
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Address :
338 Washington Ave
Owensboro, KY, 42301 - Phone (270) 926-9000
- Website https://oldhickorybar-b-q.com
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :9:00 am - 9:00pm
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : No
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Lunch
Parking : Private Lot
Bike Parking : No
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : No
Outdoor Seating : No
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : No
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : Yes
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Jason G.
This is some of the best BBQ I've had in years. Chopped or Sliced is made to perfection. We will be back!
(5)Amy O.
This is absolutely the BEST Bar-B-Que I have ever had in my life!! Everyone else should learn from Old Hickory!! If you are anywhere close to Owensboro you MUST make the trip to Old Hickory!! It is worth the drive and you will never find better bar-b-que anywhere else! You have to have a chopped mutton sandwich (with onions and pickles of course) and don't forget a side of burgoo! This is Southern cooking at its finest!! Make sure you come with an empty stomach because the portions will definitely fill you up. The wait staff are everything you think a Southern establishment should be. Anytime I am in the South I will always stop here and when I am not I crave this food because it reminds me of home and my Me-Maw!!
(5)Frank B.
There is a reason this place is a destination for BBQ lovers throughout the world. As you walk in the door one thing you will notice, besides the amazing smell, is a map where people from just about every corner of the country have placed a pin to represent their pilgrimage to experience some of the worlds best smoked meats. If you are looking for an authentic representation of true Kentucky Barbecue, this is certainly your place. When I say "Kentucky Styled" I mean the best beef, pork, chicken and mutton. slow smoked over hickory logs and basted with a mop sauce frequently referred to as "Kentucky Black Dip". The first time, the last time and every time in between I have just been simply in LOVE with their food. I have a passion for places that serve anything I would refer to as "My Favorite". I have places that serve my favorite foods of all types and Old Hickory is certainly my favorite stop for smoked meat. Im not even a fan of gamy meats such as mutton (a popular meat in Owensboro), but serve me some mutton from this place with a little extra "Dip" and you will see me clean my plate. My favorite has to be the sliced pork with just a hint of dip (served on the side). The chicken is also amazing. As a matter of fact I have yet to find anything on the menu I didn't like. While their sides are not the "Best" southern sides I have had, they are quite good and certainly adequate to be served along side meat of this quality. You see I'm not there for the sides, or the service for that matter. While both are quite good, they are almost background noise once you dig into the meat. It's that good. Good enough to make you close your eyes and give a good moan out loud. If you have not been here and happen to be in the vicinity, you would be doing a disservice to yourself not to experience Old Hickory at least once.
(5)Todd B.
I got to Owensboro and looked up the town on Google. I saw that the town considers itself the BBQ capital of the world. Where do I want to go? BBQ. The choice was between Old Hickory and Moonlight. So this was first... This place has a sign that says it was the Pit Masters BBQ Kentucky Champion, but for me I prefer many other places. I had the mutton, mac and cheese, and fries. The fires were the best part and for me that was sad. They were very good and to dip them in the mac and cheese was even better. I admit that it may have just been that I am not a fan of mutton (now that I have had it). It was dry even after smothering it is sauce and had an unpleasant taste. I compare it to that old venison roast you find in the freezer but decide not to waste. The staff was not very attentive and they seemed bored with being there. Hey, if your the champ then act like it. I may have liked this place better with a group of friends. Maybe we'll see some day.
(3)William Aaron K.
I used to LOVE this place. I love their mutton. The meat is just so tender, juicy and just something so great to put your mouth on. I used to always get macaroni and cheese with it to get that sweet cheesy sensation to go with that mutton. My mouth is watering just thinking of it. What is so fun about this place is that there are so many choices. It is like a really good at-home barbecue. The only problem I have with this place is the location, but that is such a minor issue. When our family has events back at home, they always get barbecue from this place because not only is it good, but it's really affordable.
(5)Kim S.
We were excited to try the mutton here. We decided to try a variety of meats and stews. We ordered chopped mutton and pork, sliced turkey, burgoo and bean soup with cornbread. All of the meats were delicious but the burgoo and bean soup were even more so. You could taste each component of the stews and the cornbread was the flat kind we call hoecakes. Very good. Our server was friendly and the prices very reasonable.
(4)Ben C.
Number 1 Barbecue Pl. in Owensboro way better than moonlight which might as well be named the most terrible barbecue. Ribs and brisket are pretty good and so is Allport. The only thing that we would say was not that great was there a sauce but get dry and the barbecue very good..
(4)Gary C.
Wow, After comparing the Two Most Famous BBQ Joints in Kentucky, There's a difference like Night & Day! I was Shocked. I was EXCITED to try the famous "Old Hickory BBQ". The Flavor was good, not GREAT. The Service was OK, not Great. The Presentation of Food, and Plating, was POOR. I don't know whether this ONCE GREAT BBQ has become complacent, or if it always has been this way. I was NOT impressed. They, like their competitor does a GREAT take out business. I'm SURE, Their Fans will be upset at this review. The Take out area looked unappetizing, and like a production line. Nothing appealing here. I hope this review is taken as constructive criticism from an outsider, and looked on as an attack on the establishment. But from my opinion, I've been to picnics with more charm on the plate. Just Saying! Chef Gary Curry
(2)B B.
If we want mutton we land here! Not where the MoonLights When we want fresh BBQ chicken we pick it up with the best Mac and cheese since Grandma's and some creamy cole slaw and yummy green beans. You can dine in as well.
(3)Kennette P.
Chopped mutton sandwich is the way to go at this establishment. When we talk about BBQ well Kansas City is all I need to say. Old hickory has done well with this one of a kind item and I highly recommend it. Add pickles, onions and a side of Burgoo soup. You want real BBQ, come to Kansas City.
(4)Kristie T.
I wanted the brisket and they were out. So then I wanted the dark chicken and they were out. :( So, I didn't get to try the barbecue. I had just had mutton and pork the night before at Moonlite so I ended up trying the catfish, mac n cheese and mashed potatoes. It was really good catfish I must say. The server was friendly and energetic. It looks hole in the wall-ish, which in my opinion is not a bad thing at all. I enjoyed my experience there, but would like to go back one day and try the brisket.
(4)K H.
Food was really good! I would highly recommend to anyone who is looking for home cooked food and good BBQ Service was not very good at all unfortunately. It took our waitress 10 minutes to get our drink orders, by then we were ready to order our meals but she ran off before we had the chance to give those to her. If we hadn't wanted to try this local favorite so bad we probably would have left.
(3)Jim K.
What can I say but WOW! Excellent tasty and tender meats. I had the combo plate and chose beef, pork, and mutton on the advice of a coworker. Plus it came with 2 sides. I got the Mac and cheese and the cole slaw. Everything was great. More than enough food that I had to take some back to my hotel. Being from So Cal we don't have good BBQ. In my opinion this place is better than Rendezvous in Memphis which I reviewed last year. The mutton surprised me. Never had it before but I liked it the best!
(5)Olivia B.
Better than Moonlight, but still only about a half step above 'meh.' Yeah, they do mutton (as other spots do in the greater Evansville area - which is otherwise unusual in about 90% of KY), so if that's what you're looking for, certainly worth a try, but be warned if you prefer goat prepared Jamaican style stewed or really, really slow cooked mutton, this is not that. It's not the same. Not even a little. This is random western KY mutton. Which really doesn't establish much of a flavor profile, even if you've sampled a variety (as I have); but trust that it's a bit more gamey, more stringy, with limited fat in inconvenient locations as far as butchering / food prep / Sides (beans, greens, and macaroni-queens) were only fair, which was a serious disappointment, given reviews. I wouldn't bother again, especially if I wasn't already in the area. Definitely not a destination spot, but if you're in town looking for a bite with time to kill around lunch or dinner, worth a stop.
(3)Harry G.
I ate there this Saturday nite, on a 100-mile side trip out of my way. Owensboro is a little bastion of mutton BBQery... a relatively unusual meat in the pantheon of smoke cooking. I rate Old Hickory 5 stars for the chopped mutton sandwich I ordered. Unlike any other BBQ I have ever had. I like the sweet tangy sauce, too, but the meat don't need it. Nosireebob. It'll stand up on its own. Also, got me a nice bowl of burgoo. I liked it a lot. To me it sorta resembles the "hash" of some NC BBQ places. I give it 5 stars as well. I also picked up the meat platter combo, with chicken, brisket, and chopped pork, so I could try the other entries. The chicken was, well, just chicken. Typical of most smoked chicken...smoky, but not much else. I brought it home to make chik salad out of. That should be tasty. The chopped pork was basically, the kind of pork swimming in a sweet sauce -- the moosh that I think most people think is real BBQ, but actually gives BBQ pork a bad name. Not bad tasting, but not the way I like my chopped pork. I wanna taste the pork, not a saucy moosh. The brisket tasted good, but was too tough and dry to put on a sandwich. I know... every BBQ joint has its own style, but the Texicans still so brisket the right way, and some of them do it so right, it is to die for. The sides: green beans and cole slaw. Both bland, and the cole slaw too mayonaisey and watery. I highly recommend the sliced mutton and burgoo. In hindsight, I shoulda picked me up a quart or two of burgoo to go, to take home and freeze. They do a wonderful job of mutton and burgoo. I would pass on everything else I had--it was uninspired. Oh yeah, and check out the map in the lobby and stick yer own pin in your hometown.
(5)Martin B.
I must be spoiled by real bar-b-que in St. Louis and Kansas City because this place certainly wasn't anything close to what I consider the real thing. In fact , it was quite unreal. The chopped pork was tasteless mush and the ribs were barely edible. The service was equally bland. Oh well.
(1)Philip B.
Solidly mediocre. Got pork and beef. Both dry. Fairly tasteless. Pork ribs on the other hand, were very tasty. Mac and cheese were runny but cheesy. Not worth the trip.
(3)Renee H.
The best BBQ in town! Chopped mutton is my favorite but I'm also a big fan of their chicken. I frequently utilize the drive-thru to pick up my meal but we've also dined in for family functions.
(5)Jason A.
Dry brisket. Decent pork shoulder. Dry mutton. The sauces were decent, and I almost bought one. Sorry but this was not worth the hour drive I took to check it out. If mutton is a Kentucky staple, the server should at least know what part of the lamb from which it comes.
(2)Keith W.
It's quite simply the best Western Kentucky-style barbecue in town and possibly the state. With all due respect to Moonlite, this is simply better mutton, pork, and burgoo. I don't get home to Owensboro as much as I'd like, but when I do and want barbecue, this is the only place I will go.
(5)Raven S.
Was in Philpot from Atlanta on a business trip and we tried this out. I'm bbq obsessed, so when I say I was incredibly impressed with their meats, I mean it! I had the sliced pork, which was FANTASTIC and needed no sauce {which is good, because the sauce left something to be desired}. I also brought home some chopped mutton for my boyfriend, a huge lamb fan and foodie, and he LOVED it. The sides were mediocre, but the banana pudding was also some of the best we've had! Definitely recommended. :)
(4)Michael C.
One of the only places in the country(along with other spots around Owensboro) that offers mutton. Don't be scared. It's delicious. Chopped mutton sandwich is delicious. A little pickle, a little onion and a good helping of mutton on a bun. They even have a drive through for your convenience! Place is usually pretty packed.
(5)Scott S.
As part of my barbecue tour of the Ohio Valley, we stopped in here to check mutton barbecue off of the list. It was pretty good. Not my favorite style, tasted kind of like beef with a lot of sauce, but it was definitely tasty. Also tried burgoo for the first time, which reminds me very much of the Brunswick Stew that we have here in NC.
(4)Billy H.
BEST BBQ IN OWENSBORO (& possibly the world)! Don't waist your time & money on Moonlite. The mutton is amazing, chopped or sliced, it's great. For $8.95 you can get a chopped mutton plate that makes about 2 large sandwiches, & two sides (try the baked beans & fries or slaw). I crave Old Hickory every time in back in town.
(5)Barry O.
Well I have eaten here before and it was much better. I ordered the 3 meat plate and it was $14.75. The ribs were good but the chicken was very dry and the pork was over sauced with too much vinegar. I was very disappointed on this trip.
(2)Justin H.
Good service and quick order-to-food turnaround. I got a BBQ chicken salad which was pretty good though it wasn't actually "barbeque" rather it was just regular cut-up chicken. Pretty quick in-and-out for a sit-down restaurant.
(4)Todd M.
Another good experience at old hickory. Mutton pork and beef combo with bbq beans and a drink. All for under $20.00. Fast and friendly service.
(5)Mike S.
When I am somewhere for business and I have the time to do it I try to sniff out the local flavor and see what the locals like, in Owensboro it is clearly Old Hickory BBQ. I liked the interior even though restaurants with carpet usually gross me out. The waitress wasn't personable in any way, not a deal breaker for me. I ordered chopped pork, chopped mutton, sliced beef, cole slaw and green beans. The chopped pork was the best followed by the mutton. Sliced beef lacked that good bbq flavor and the burnt ends lacked any character. The sides were inedible. If the green beans weren't from a can then they were cooked in a way to make them taste like canned green beans with soggy bacon tossed in for good measure. Cole slaw was drowned in a flavorless white dressing. I'm pretty bummed out this place looked really good and smelled great from the outside. Seems like locals love this place but travelers have mixed opinions.
(3)Brian C.
I have to admit I was a little disappointed. I thought the food had a decent flavor but was cold. The sides were just average and the service the same.
(3)Chris C.
Come for the BBQ mutton or pork ... Finish with the blackberry cobbler and ice cream
(5)Brian A.
Best BBQ anywhere, grew up with this stuff and definitely the place to go. The other places don't even compare. Can't wait to go again
(5)Blaise W.
The BEST Bar-B-Q in Owensboro. It's come in first place for several years by the locals. Has a great staff. The only place I will eat bar-b-q in Owensboro at.
(5)Micah J.
Yummy, yum, yum, yum. Now that I've moved away from Owensboro I crave Old Hickory even more! Their barbecue is the best I've ever had. It doesn't matter what type of meat you get there, it is ALL delicious. My favorites are the chopped mutton and the barbecued chicken but occasionally we get the sliced turkey. We always get sides as well and those are good, although they do pale in comparison to the meat itself, but no one should be going to a barbecue joint for the sides, should they? We rarely eat in, so the drive-thru is quick, efficient and kind of loud, but accurate! And they are mostly friendly although not the chattiest bunch of kids. They are very busy though, so you have to consider that. Prices are great, product is great and it's an Owensboro staple. One which I hope sticks around for many years to come! Another thing I love about Old Hickory is that they don't go around tooting their own horn. They let their food speak for itself, unlike others; and it does. And it says "Mmmmmm!"
(5)L C.
Where can I ask Yelp for an additional star? If you are in Owensboro, you must try the Mutton and Burgoo (a KY variant of Brunswick Stew). The food is simply delicious and everything (except the desserts) is homemade. The burgoo bowl was under $3 and it was a generous portion size. The mutton sandwich (under $4) was a great size and very very tasty. It reminded me a lot like lamb. If you must get dessert, the banana pudding is the only dessert that is homemade. Mutton is not commonly found so take advantage of this delicacy if you are in/around the area.
(5)Tj P.
On a recent bluegrass adventure and wanting to be sure I hit up what locals considered 'the best BBQ in Owensboro', I stopped at Old Hickory Pit. I'm completely aware of Moonlite and it's notoriety, and I've been there, albeit years ago, and as I recollect it's similar to going to Cracker Barrel for BBQ, but I wanted to find someplace more 'local' and less 'touristy.' I'm familiar with west Kentucky BBQ: mutton, chopped pork, vinegar-based wet rubs and such. I lived and my parents still live not too far away and even further west so I've had my fair share. And all the restaurants I've been to that cater that style are relatively the same, family run, family oriented, immersed in the local history with old pictures on the walls, it's all very... 'old hat.' Old Hickory is similar. The floor manager seated me quickly as I was on my own and a two-seater had just opened up. She was very efficient in manner, it was crowded and she was shuffling people to and fro, ensuring no one waited more than 10 minutes for a table, although a little bedside manner may have helped the initial opinion as she was somewhat militaristic in tone. My waitress promptly took my drink order (hmmph, no beer) and returned quickly to place my food order. I opted for a sliced mutton sandwich and cole slaw (you know how I am about cole slaw.) I realize the usual here would normally be chopped mutton than sliced, but I've always preferred sliced and that's generally the route I always go. The food came out quick and hot. The local sandwich style is pretty standard, basic hamburger bun, loaded with meat, onion and pickles on the side. The mutton was tasty and tender, possibly the best I've had, and the cole slaw was mayonnaise-based, creamy style, loaded with celery seed but still maintaining a little crunch. All in all, not bad. And that's the thing. Nothing was bad, it just wasn't fantastic. 'Been there, done that' was my general feeling and I've had better experiences in other BBQ joints. The food is good, not mind-blowing, and I wouldn't be averse to stopping in again. However, my expectations will be tempered by the knowledge that I'll be getting simply good standard fare, nothing more, nothing less.
(3)Kevin T.
Stopped in on a family trip Sunday evening after consulting Yelp. The waitress brought our food out within minutes of ordering. She set our food down and said she would get us some silverware. That was the last we saw of her until the check came (I had to track down some silverware on my own). I soon found out why our food came so quickly - it had been sitting there for quite some time. My wife's pulled pork was cold; my combo platter (beef, mutton, turkey) was lukewarm. I've eaten BBQ all over the southeast (TX, TN, AL, FL, NC, etc.) and this was by far the worst, not even close.
(2)Steve A.
Eat here. Try the mutton, which is the local specialty. It's grown-up lamb but they make it unbeatable by any other meat I've had in BBQ form. The sides are delicious and the homemade banana pudding is addictive. This was worth the detour from Evansville. Eat here.
(5)Stacey J.
My husband and I decided today NEVER again will we eat at a place so raved up online or winner of some contest. Oh We travel all over the country!!!!!!!!!! Today the restaurant floor was covered in food and crap, nice first impression. The food was not near "winner" quality. Then we noticed that there wasn't the usual BBQ/wood smell of many BBQ places. No smoke anywhere. We were being served and eating leftover food. And the staff. ....the obvious body and verbal language of ALL the staff was we could careless if you are here as "we have made it... see our reviews. And we are winners." didn't you read it." Our waitress only took our order, brought our food, and then check. The hosted was yelling about something to someone when we walked in and as we waited to be seated. The cashier didn't even look up when we went to pay. Service is part of the dinning experience. The food isn't good enough NOT have 5 star servers or a pleasant dining room setting. sooooooooooooo bad!!!!!!!!!!
(1)Will W.
Went on good reviews. I for one, don't like sauce already on or mixed with my bbq. To me it makes it taste cheap and frozen. Our daughters initial fries were ice cold, they did replace. The ribs and beef were good but the pork didn't do it for me.
(3)Jessica S.
I love this place! Anytime my family is craving BBQ we hit up Old Hickory. They have great lunch plates. Needless to say, I am a huge fan. This is an Owensboro staple.
(5)Deanna D.
Barbecue in Owensboro is like religion ...it divides families and reconciles enemies; it graces our gatherings of celebration and comforts those gathered to mourn. It's a cradle to grave relationship and a serious one. Old Hickory is barbecue the way God intended ... tender, smoky and (relatively) unadorned, a hint of vinegar. No sweet, tomato-y sauce here. Real barbecue stands on its own. The moment the fragrance of the hickory smoke reaches your nose, you know you're in for something special ... and in for the rest of your life. If you're new to town, please have the mutton. It's the barbecue Daviess County is known for. Order it chopped or sliced with white bread, onion & pickle or, better yet, with cornbread. Then again, it would be a shame if you didn't try the pork. I love it sliced. Heck, order both! And don't forget the burgoo. You know, the chicken is great too... moist & smoky. You may have to make a return trip. If you're in a hurry, use the drive through and order a sliced mutton sandwich with pickle and onion. Wait! Better make it two. The sides? You'll have to ask someone else about those. This is about serious barbecue. Is Old Hickory the best barbecue in Daviess County? Well, that's a matter of religion.
(5)Adam C.
Good stuff! We are not local but have tried the 3 main local BBQ joints, this one is our favorite by far. Still, for the "BBQ capital of the world" my expectations were high, so the rating is just 3 -star. We come from the land of Pat's BBQ in SLC from diners drive ins and dives fame, so we know what good BBQ and sides should be like. I was not real happy with the sides, the meat however was very good, ribs are my favorite on their menu, brisket and mutton are good. Chicken was over cooked and dry, new sweet spicy sauce is great. I hear the local church BBQ fest in May is where the slogan comes from so I am looking forward to that, in the meantime this place keeps me going. Good for business lunch.
(3)Connie W.
Everyone in town knows that Ol' Hickory is the king of the bar-b-q joints in Owensboro. No contest. Moonlight is big on advertising themselves, that is the only reason they are famous for bar-b-q, it is definately not because of good food. If you want good food, go to Ol' Hickory! Mmmmm! I almost gave them four stars instead of five because of the way the owner/manager(?) curses and barks at those poor employees, though.......sometimes I want to climb over that counter and beat him half to death with a slab of mutton, but what a waste of good meat that would be! Trust me, the meats there are awesome........the ribs, the chicken, the pork, beef, the chopped mutton, and the sliced mutton......oh my God, I wanna have the sliced mutton's baby!!! I am slobbering like Cujo!!!! EAT THERE, YOU WONT REGRET IT!!!
(5)Christian L.
Through the Yelp forum I was advised that this place has the best BBQ in the KY. So a Saturday morning me and my fellow BBQ explore sat the sails for Owensboro. The ride there was beautiful and could not have asked for better weather. We split the BBQ platter with 3 kinds of meat and 2 sides. The reason for this very uncommon split, was so there would space for dessert. Also we had driven there on motorcycle, which is not good to be driving on, when you are about to fall asleep due BBQ overload! Meat 1: BBQ ribs. Great flavour and very moist and the meat almost fell of the bones, when I looked at it. Meat 2: Beef. Sliced beef, that had a lot of flavour and was very lean and delicious. Meat 3: Mutton. This was my idea, because I have heard it is speciality in this area. First of I thought for some reason it would donkey, which is wrong it is "mature" sheep. I am sure some people like it, and I am glad I tried it, but lets just say I did not finish it. I even tried with some Franks hot sauce and it did not really help. It is a very acquired taste, just not for me! It came with toast, pickles and onions, so you could make a little BBQ sandwich, which of course I did. Side 1: mac n' cheese. It was good, but I am not really a fan on it. Side 2: BBQ beans, which were very good, had a nice texture and a good sweet flavour. For dessert we had the pecan pie, that was very good and seemed like it was home made, but I could be wrong I rarely have dessert. Bottom line it was worth driving the 350+ miles for some good BBQ.
(4)D P.
Food pretty good, we both liked the Moonlite better. (No disrespect to Old Hickory intended). Still, if you're in Owensboro, you should try them both, just to see which is YOUR favorite. Catfish was nice and crunchy outside, moist inside. Ham was not overdone, tasty and moist. Cornbread is pancake style, so northerners don't be surprised. Staff friendly.
(3)Brian C.
The first thing you should notice when walking into a BBQ joint is a nice smoky smell. That was our first clue that Old Hickory may not live up to our expectations. There was no smoky smell... in fact... you don't even see a pit or smoker. There's a steam table... Oh boy, this isn't going to be good. Frozen catfish, frozen onion rings and you have to pay fifty cents extra to get barbecue straight from the grill instead of stuff from the steam table. Egads! ARE YOU KIDDING ME? This place honestly charges extra for freshly prepared food instead of stuff that was left sitting around. We splurged and paid extra for fresh food. The mutton was good but that's the sum of what was right. The waitress even admitted she didn't like the food. Who the heck serves cornbread that looks like pancakes? I swear on all that is right and holy that their sauce is nothing but thinned down A1 steak sauce. The table next to us ordered pie and the waitress apologized saying that there was none thawed. You don't even make your pies in-house? How many shortcuts can be taken at one place? The pork ribs were good but not great. They were fall off the bone tender but lacking in flavor. Despite our fifty cent investment in high eating, I suspect our ribs were from the steam table. There was no char, no smoky crunch, just bland dampness. The locals may love it but I can give you dozens of places across the US that kicks Old Hickory into the ground. Any BBQ place that gets so much of their menu from the freezer and gives you steam table meat is an automatic zero in my book.
(1)Joe D.
The first time I went to Old Hickory, I absolutely loved it- had the mutton, mutton ribs, pork ribs, and burgoo. The ribs were great, and my first experience with mutton was definitely an enjoyable one. The second time I went, it wan't near as good- I'm hoping it was just an off day. Nothing was bad this visit, but all the food was pretty average. The first visit was good enough though that I'll definitely give the place another shot.
(4)W H.
I used to like this place but not so much this time. Other than the sliced mutton is ok rest of the meat seems like been left for days, discolored, not tasteful and old. When I asked sauce on the side the server slammed the box throw it at me without any sauce. This place needs a change of management and attitude adjustment.
(1)Ken B.
Just not very good BBQ. I've had better chain BBQ at Famous Daves.
(2)Travis W.
Best BBQ in town but I've always thought that the kids working there were rude most of the time. And I've heard the owner is pretty mean to his workers. No wonder they seem unhappy. Oh well, still better than a certain "other" famous BBQ joint. And the fact that old hickory is the best in town keeps me coming back.
(4)Nicole M.
Best meat outside of the local Catholic Church picnics. Meat is far superior to Moonlight. Our favorite place to get BBQ. However, their burgoo isn't very good. If you haven't had burgoo before please don't get it here or at Moonlight for your first taste. Wait until the spring and summer and get it at the BBQ Festival from one of the teams competing or stop by one of the many church picnics that go on through out the summer. Old Hickory is THE place for BBQ mutton, pork, and chicken in Owensboro, KY!!
(5)Drew M.
THE place for bbq mutton lovers in Owensboro & surrounds. The mutton combo platter has mutton ribs along with chopped & sliced mutton. For the uninitiated, starting with the sliced mutton with it's deliciously crispy edges would be a nice introduction to mutton, since it tends to be less gamey than the ribs - while still being flavorful, juicy and tender. (Newbies sometimes liken the aroma of mutton (especially the ribs here) to wet wool, and have difficulty getting past that.) But for me, the mutton ribs are the way to go. At Old Hickory, they're well smoked and well marbled - the perfect marriage for mutton ribs - and are juicy & tender, exploding with the earthy flavor of mutton & sweet hickory smoke. Add to that a flavor punch from the vinegary sauce - and you have mutton BBQ-lover bliss.
(4)Mark B.
A/C out. Mutton good but beef, pork ribs, sides all very mediocre. Kind of a let down. Desserts not that great either.
(2)Stephany S.
Best place in Owensboro for BBQ. I get the Chopped Pork Sandwich, onion rings, and macaroni and cheese. The fries, bbq ham, green beans.. they are all delicious also. I really suggest you go to Ole Hickory if you are in Owensboro! Fabulous service too!
(5)Rob P.
Better than moonlight. I typically get a chopped mutton sandwich with pickle and onion and it never disappoints. Burgoo is always great but tends to give me heartburn.
(5)Daniel R.
Local favorite. Do yourself a favor and skip moonlight. This is where owensboroans go for their bbq fix
(5)Shane D.
This place was great. The mutton was absolutely to die for. However, I would skip the Burgoo if I were you. It reminded me of bad Brunswick stew. With such great taste for a great price though, the Old Hickory is one of my favorites.
(4)Melissa W.
Ok, let me say first that I'm a vegetarian. My coworkers made me eat here. I got the catfish but the BBQ looked and smelled terrific. My lunchmates got mutton ribs & chicken. The portions are very generous and the prices are great. My catfish came with pancakes which surprised me but they were great! Service was prompt and I think for normal carnivores, they'd truly enjoy this down home restaurant.
(4)S P.
Old Hickory is as close to perfection as a bar-b-que restaurant can be. When I come home to Owensboro, I always order a chopped mutton sandwich, potato salad and a bowl of burgoo (with iced tea, of course). The flavors are distinct and balanced and the setting is modest and comfortable. The service is quintessential Owensboro hospitality. The missing star leaves room for improvement, because I have had better mutton and burgoo from some of the cooking teams at the International Bar-b-que Festival which takes place in Owensboro annually, in May. It has always been a mystery to me why so much hype surrounds Moonlite Bar-b-que. I can only speculate it is due to better marketing than Old Hickory. Everyone in Owensboro knows to go to Old Hickory for quality and authenticity.
(4)Dave C.
I'm a city boy and when it come to classic BBQ I don't know much but I have pretty high expectations. Old Hickory has delivered many times. If you are looking for a classic BBQ feel and taste, this is place to go. Try the Mutton if you are up for it and the Burgoo (a soup with mutton) is good too. Super fast food and good for a quick stop for dinner after a long day at work. A must try in Owensboro.
(4)Rich W.
Everyone talks about Memphis, Texas and Kansas City, but Western Kentucky is no slouch and Old Hickory is definitely the leader of the pack in Owensboro. The mutton is top notch and worth the drive. Ask any local and they will tell you that Old Hickory is the place to go for great BBQ in this part of the country.
(5)Lisa H.
I stop here every time I'm in town. Mutton... pork... it's all great! I've been told the desserts are excellent, but never save room. Now if only I could order online...
(5)J. Andrew J.
fantastic food with great people.
(5)Bonnie H.
When arriving in Owensboro late, rethink getting to Old Hickory within a half an hour before closing time. We ordered ribs, potato salad and the trimmings. Promptly after serving us our food, our waitress began vacuuming right by my table. The restaurant was empty and no other space was being cleaned at the time. So.. it goes without saying I don't recommend eating here unless you want vacuum cleaner dust wafting over and spicing up your food for you. Who knows what the food would have tasted like if that experience wouldn't have overshadowed it . :D
(2)Tracy G.
Eating take out or in their dining room is like going home. KY comfort food. This is the meal that I remember my grandmother having ready for us when we came for a visit. I love the chop mutton sandwiches, I have never has anything else there. There was no way I was going to miss eating here when I was in town recently. if the family wasn't going to go, my brother-in-law and I were going to ditch them so we could eat at one of the best restaurants in Owensboro. And OMG, the blackberry pie, it was so awesome.
(5)