Old Hickory Bar-B-Que, Family barbecue restaurant in Owensboro, United States
Old Hickory Bar-B-Que is a barbecue restaurant in Owensboro that cooks meat in cinderblock pits with sliding metal doors, using hickory coals to develop traditional Kentucky flavors. The kitchen prepares combination plates featuring multiple meat choices, sides, and optional sauces that diners can customize to their preference.
The Foreman family founded this barbecue establishment in 1918 and has preserved their cooking methods and recipes over time. Six generations of the family have operated the restaurant, maintaining continuity in how the food is prepared.
The restaurant plays a role in Owensboro's identity as a center for mutton barbecue, serving regional dishes like burgoo stew and smoked mutton that locals have favored for decades. These foods connect visitors to cooking traditions that shape the community's character.
The restaurant sits on Washington Avenue and offers visitors a straightforward dining experience with combination plates and multiple choices. It is easy to walk around the space, and service focuses on those seeking traditional barbecue in a casual setting.
The restaurant earned recognition from Southern Living magazine in 2023 as one of the top barbecue destinations in the South, praised for traditional smoking techniques. This recognition highlights how the restaurant's hands-on methods stand out among competitors.
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