Food

Owensboro TRADITIONS

Owensboro barbecue is world-renowned, and for good reason. Our restaurants and festivals bring more tourism every year, have been featured in travel publications around the U.S. and have inspired loyal local fanbases. You can’t go wrong with any of our three eateries (and really, you should try them all).

OLD HICKORY BAR-B-QUE

338 Washington Avenue “This is one of the legendary restaurants of Owensboro,” John Foreman, the fifth-generation owner of Old Hickory, said. One thing that sets Old Hickory apart is that it has never had a buffet in the 102 years since Charles Foreman began barbecuing in his blacksmith shop at the corner of Frederica Street and Washington Avenue. Through the years, Old Hickory has been featured on a number of cable cooking and travel shows and has been on a number of “best” barbecue lists.

MOONLITE BAR-B-Q INN

2840 W. Parrish Avenue

Ken Bosley’s parents — Hugh “Pappy” and Catherine Bosley — bought Moonlite, a 14-year-old barbecue joint with 30 seats, including stools at the counter, from Sonnie and Sadie Bertram and J.C. and Betty Stinson for $50,000 in February 1963. The restaurant has served such celebrities as former President Bill Clinton, former Vice President Al Gore, former second lady Marilyn Quayle, Jim Nabors, Bill Monroe, William Shatner, Kevin Costner and Emmylou Harris. “Our buffet is our claim to fame,” Bosley said. “Mutton has dropped off. But Owensboro is the only place you can get mutton. It really sets us apart. And people who like mutton come to Owensboro.”

OLE SOUTH BARBEQUE

3523 Kentucky 54 Greg Floyd got tired of the automobile industry and bought Ole South Barbecue in 2013 for a change of careers. “All barbecue in Owensboro is about the same, but we really emphasize pork — chopped and sliced,” Floyd said. He estimates that “90% of our customers are familiar with Kentucky barbecue. But we have to explain it to some. People from out of the area aren’t familiar with burgoo (a meat stew famous in Kentucky). We have to explain the ingredients.”

THE COTTAGE FARM STAND AND BAKING CO.

6869 Kentucky 56 • cottagefarmstand.com

The Cottage Farm Stand and Baking Co. opened its doors in August of 2020. The Cottage is owned by Marlene Knight and is in a 1,000 square-foot home that’s been part of the Knight family farm for a century. The rural retail shop and restaurant sells coffee, including local roaster Big Turkey Foot Coffee, and much more. The Cottage also offers canned vegetables, local honey, lunch and breakfast sandwiches and Knight’s baked specialty — mini muffins of assorted fruit and chocolate flavors packaged in egg cartons. In September, the family launched the Cottage Market Direct, where entrees, bakery items, coffee, fresh eggs, desserts, meats and other items can be ordered online, for either delivery or pickup. Orders placed by Wednesday night will be ready on Friday.

OWENSBORO REGIONAL FARMERS’ MARKET

1205 Triplett Street • owensbororegionalfarmersmarket.org

With a permanent, covered location on Triplett Street, the farmers market opens every April and runs into the fall. Early in the season, shoppers can find baked goods, local meat products, fresh-cut flowers, greenhouse vegetables, locally-produced wines, craft makers and more. As the growing season progresses, vendors will sell a variety of locally- and regionally-grown fruits and vegetables. In July and August, the farmers market adds a location at Owensboro Health Regional Hospital. The hospital market is open from noon to 4 p.m. each Wednesday during these months. While all the vendors accept cash and some accept personal checks, customers can also pay by credit card. The market also accepts payments through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT). Seniors and recipients of SNAP or Women, Infants and Children (WIC) benefits are eligible for the state’s “Double Dollars” program, which allows them to increase what they can purchase in fruit, vegetables, meats and dairy products.