Depends on what you want really. I treat them like two separate restaurants as they are. If I want a sandwich it’s old hickory but that moonlight buffet ❤️
I must agree with the previous comment. You visited the SECOND best barbecue restaurant Owensboro. The primary differsnce between "MooLite" and the real deal (OLD HICKORY BARBECUE). I cut my teeth (worked there during high school and have a culinary arts degree from Sullivan Culinary Artsat Old Hickory. The primary difference between the two restaurants is that MooLite parboils the their product before putting it on the pits. While Old Hickory meats and chicken are cut to then go straight to the pits. AND it does make a difference. MooLite is the volume provider "Bud Lite" and Old Hickory is the "Heineken".
Wow! Lots of likes on this comment there must be something to this! I might have to fly back down! I stopped into Hickory but was so stuffed I didn't eat! I trust the locals! What is another restaurant in the area you recommend for visitors to taste true Western Kentucky food?
@@unculturedtravel Visit The Bistro! Another great, well kept culinary destination. owned and operated by George Skiadas (native greek) and son Ben. Delicious dishes from George's native land. Don't forget to orger Baklava for dessert!!
@@unculturedtravel I have to second the Bistro - I watched your moonlite video and it seemed like you enjoyed it. I'm also an old hickory fan but you don't get the large spread buffet. The Bistro is probably my favorite restaurant here in OWB. Sorry Ben :) If you come back and go to the bistro, have a ribeye with bourbon glaze... Or if you are lucky enough and come on a weekend to have prime rib, go for that.
There is actually a Barbeque festival in May in downtown Owensboro. The churches have a cook off. There are crafts, music and rides for the kids. Great video!!
What made Owensboro famous for its BBQ is not Moonlight, nor is it, Old Hickory. It was the local Catholic churches. All the churches in Daviess County have picnics. Fundraisers for their programs and they would sell BBQ and burgoo. Then in the late 1970s, the annual regatta of speed boat racing left the state so that's when the Owensboro BBQ Festival was born. The city held a BBQ cook-off and for two days, if you had the money to do so, you can stuff yourself until you puke. I almost did that one year. And yes, they have a beer garden, which I have never been to. Maybe one of these days they will have a wine tasting. I can only hope.
In my part of Ky, burgoo is pretty much "wild game stew." Anything goes in, possum, coon, squirrel, but no sheep! I'm proud of the cultural diversity of Kentucky!
Woa, so interesting! What’s your favorite of these wild game meats? Also what’s a typical way of preparing it? Never had possum, coon or squirrel. Some moose and hare in Canada! Thanks for sharing!
@@unculturedtravel only had squirrel myself, which is yummy. I've had burgoo plenty of times but I've never really been sure what meats were actually in it. But I know pretty much anything goes in Eastern, northern and central KY.
"I've never really been sure what meats were actually in it" - I love that line, most good stews are like that haha - Who else does a good Burgoo? I really enjoyed the real thing. In Canada and Northern States you find the odd soup/stew called Burgoo but it is just not the real thing.
When preparing burgoo one should have a red meat ( beef, deer, coon,ECT.), a bird ( chicken, quail, turkey ECT.), and pork or mutton not both. Burgoo is a BBQ stew and if you look at the origins the French Canadian Arcadians and Louisiana Cajuns is where Americans on the western frontier of early American Colonies got this from and adapted this to what was available. In fact Lewis and Clark's Expedition made Burgoo at the Falls of the Ohio (present day Louisville,KY).
Loved hearing the cook talk! Got to give that another listen...looks like Mike Bosley but probably close family, wonderful family serving our community and the world for as long as I can remember! Mr. M. Bosley was the best teacher & I was blessed enough to have him for 2 grades
He was so patient and kind to tell the story, I learned a lot and it made the experience. He was so knowledgable, a true master of his craft! I'm glad you enjoyed it also!
VETERAN BUFFET MOVE ALERT. What a good idea, so you aren't working with two bites of everything. What was your favorite menu item as a kid? Thanks for sharing!
@@unculturedtravel It was all really good. I did enjoy the mutton, but the pork or the ribs were probably my favorite. There used to be (might still be) scales out front. My dad always joked they should weigh people when they enter and again when they leave and charge them by how much weight they gained.
Thank you, love the specific breakdown of what to get where! Where do you go for a proper Kentucky country ham? Thanks for watching, this is a beautiful part of the country!
I appreciate your kind words. Come back in May for the BBQ Festival. There's always a lot of good food cooked by many business, churches and regular Joe's.
If you are still in Owensboro you should go get a Big Boy at The Big Dipper, it next to Moonlight. And go to Kohlers bakery, they have the best doughnuts. The bakeries in Owensboro are second to none. They actually make the cakes and doughnuts
I googles the big dipper, what an great looking spot. Who knew it was a bakery town too? What other local gems are in Owensboro you recommend? Thanks for sharing!
@@unculturedtravel Kohlers is the bakery, it's amazing. And Big Dipper is a hamburger place. They have all kinds of sandwiches to choose from. The line to get in has a gap for cars to get into and out of Moonlight
Man, honestly as a Canadian they are both going to be 🔥 from my perspective (can't get any of this home cooking and mutton barbecue where I'm from) but I take the locals opinion for sure! What do you like to order at Old Hickory?
Glad you were able to visit our hometown, my husband actually worked there for 4 straight years and is friends with most the crew and all of the owners ^^
It's a great restaurant and a well preserved tradition in American cooking! The staff was supper nice! What's your favorite hidden food gem around Owensboro?
@@unculturedtravel I would definitely have to say The Big Dipper, right beside Moonlite. They take cash only so they can keep the prices lower, and they've been around around as long as Moonlite has. Definitely would recommend, its just as popular, if not more so, than Moonlite for us locals.
Lol, I was saying "ohhh, don't eat that burgoo without hot sauce!" And you grabbed the sauce. Crisis averted. Lol. Moonlight is great, I like the mutton with their sweet sauce. So good . Glad you enjoyed your trip!
"Crisis Averted" LOL I love that. Ya a little hit of hot sauce woke it up half way through. I really enjoy Western Kentucky, any other food spots you recommend? Thanks for watching!
@@unculturedtravel oh, where to start. For good "home cooking", Madisonville KY has the Country Cupboard. It's a buffet. Princeton, KY has the best Italian(ish) at their Pagliai's Pizza (pronounced- Polly Eyes). Their pizza is good, but their meatballs...omg. I get the meatballs and their baked goat cheese appetizers as my meal. So good. Plenty of left overs. You gotta go back to Owensboro during the barbeque festival. So much to try and beer tents everywhere. It's a mood. Morton's Gap, KY has a little restaurant called Cissy's. Legit the best pies you will put in your face. Meringue up to the ceiling. 😋. There is a bbq fest in Paducah KY too, I think, so if you go to that one, schedule time for a tour of Purple Toad Winery. They do tastings with wines n cheeses. Yummm... 😋
"Legit the best pies you will put in your face. Meringue up to the ceiling." You should be a food writer! One of my favorite Meringue pie descriptions! Haha thanks for these tips!
Paducah KY has some great restaurants and history. We just had our BBQ on the River festival last weekend. But lots of great places to get a great meal. Even around KY Lake from Marshall County, Murray, Eddyville...we are far western KY and lots of little diners and dives with fantastic homecooking
@@unculturedtravel there is a place in Murray KY called Martha's that has homecooking. There are several delicious restaurants in Paducahs historic downtown. Doe's is a great steak restaurant and Kirchoffs bakery is a treasure. Knoths BBQ has great BBQ and their sweet BBQ special sauce is legendary. My fave BBQ chicken is at Backwoods BBQ in Paducah. Also Reds donuts in Paducah is fantastic. In Grand Rivers KY Patti's restaurant is a treasure and folks come from all over USA to eat there, known for their homemade pies, bread, and 2 inch porkchops. There are several little drive ins that are great too most are seasonal due to the lake area tourists. I know I'm leaving out a lot of places but that's a start :) Just thought too about Flamingo Row in Paducah they are a carribean cuisine local fave. They are famous for stuffed breads and their flavorful menu and Artisian Kitchen in Paducah has a very tasty menu as well. Lastly Freight House in downtown Paducah is a farm to fork restaurant specialized in regional homecooking favorites. Chef Sara Bradley has been a highlighted chef on TV and across our fine state. Oh yeah forgot the homecooking dive of the 50s Cafe in Calvert City KY brilliant vittles
Live in Henderson Ky right by Owensboro. Come by Henderson sometime and try out Thomasons BBQ. They've been around for years, and are a Henderson staple.
@@unculturedtravel Yes they do mutton, its what they are known for. Plus their famous bbq dip. You can buy by the pint or half gallon. If you go there i can bet you'll take some home. I have a large smoker myself and use their dip in my cooks. Also if you ride up this way look up the wildlife sloughs area and take a drive through there. Open fields by the river, and sometimes see some of the wildlife out and about, they even have platforms to go up on and look out over the land. I grew up down there, but live in town now. But its some beautiful land.
I'm from Hartford KY, (home of 2000 happy people and a few soreheads) 20 miles south of Owensboro. Moonlite is the most famous, and has an excellent buffet'. I agree with others in the comments, that Old Hickory has the best mutton. You're from Nashville, it'd be worth the 2 hour drive to check them out. Y'all come back now, ya hear!
Haha I googled Hartford and there really is a sign that says "home of 2000 happy people and a few soreheads". What exactly is a sorehead? (I'm from Canada). Thanks for watching!
when I was in the military stationed at Ft Campbell, KY, we would fly up to Owensboro on our CH-47s and have a shuttle take us to Moonlite and then bring us back to the airport when we were done. Best BBQ around that area
Sad that you missed their Potato Salad. It is the ONLY potato salad that I enjoy. Moonlite and Old Hickory are... *religious* destinations for those of us who moved away, and return from time to time!
Old Hickory is best :) old south is great too. Used to be you could drop off a deer to get smoked but moonlight stopped due to usda but old Hickory would do it for ya. I live in Tennessee now and so many people down here ain't ever had mutton or burgoo. I'm gonna head back up there one weekend and grab me a few gallons of burgoo and mutton.
@@unculturedtravel It's not food related, but we have the MOON BOW at Cumberland Falls, only Cumberland Falls and Angel Falls have a Moon Bow in the World.
@@unculturedtravel hands down Moonlight Bbq I was raised on Burgoo and Bbq mutton I'm from Henderson Kentucky and when I'm feeling homesick I stop by Moonlight
@@unculturedtravel just west of Owensboro is another small town called Henderson Kentucky. Look for Thomason BBQ! They have a small dine in place and they also have a huge catering hall just across the road from the restaurant.
Crazy they have "Banana Salad" lol i grew up eating that exact same recipe every Thanksgiving, Birthday and Christmas we just called them Banana Croquettes. It was a 3 to 4 inch slice of Banana covered in mayonnaise and rolled in crushed peanuts
@@unculturedtravel I actually make them every Christmas for our holiday dinner. My kids won't dare try them and my wife isn't a big fan so I end up eating most of them
When I was a kid we bought a 1/2 sheep to bbq at home…we get back to the house and realize it’s spoiled…we return and old man bosley said “it’s good enough for burgoo”….
Everytime anyone comes to Owensboro they always go to Moonlight. Most people prefer Old Hickory. I like both but I haven't been in over 20 years because my kids only like Old Hickory. My daughter and I moved to what is referred to as Northern Ky, the Newport area across the river from Cincinnati for 10 years, I'm back now. We would drive here to visit family and we would get Old Hickory and put it in a cooler and leave town. One time when we were doing it we started talking to a couple of ladies who lived in Cincinnati and they always do it too, Cincinnati area bbq is gross.
'I haven't been in over 20 years because my kids only like Old Hickory" - I love that line. Now I feel like I got to try Old Hickory! What's your favorite order there?
@@unculturedtravel I've never thought about it before, but it might be. My cousin's kids visited from South Carolina and apparently it was unheard of to them. FYI - when I had it at Moonlight it was very good. The cafeteria at my old job tried to make it and it was very, very rich. I ate it anyway though. Look up the recipe online. It's simple enough that my kid can make it pretty well.
I’m from Owensboro, I’ll never understand why Old Hickory isn’t the GO-TO BBQ spot here. Old Hickory fucking devastates Moonlight in every aspect… however Moonlight has the buffet which is probably why people from out of town go there… overindulgence and gluttony. Sucks because all Owensboro natives know that you go to the hole in the wall Old Hickory for BBQ
Also. You look like a cross between Nicholas Cage and somebody... oh I know! Either Owen Wilson or the "alright alright alright" guy haha Matthew McConaughey! Do you ever have people coming at you like that? :)
Haha I'll take it as a compliment. Wow this vlog would be a lot better though if it WAS hosted by Nicolas Cage. What part of Kentucky should I visit next? Thanks for watching!
Haha man the comment section of locals have the real intel. What's the #1? Lots of love for Old Hickory Bar-B-Que! From my Canadian perspective, it is ALL delicious. But I love to hear the local opinions!
I've certainly always liked the mutton and pulled pork from moonlight but it's not as good as I remember it when I was a kid. Could just be me idk, but others have said this as well. I'll agree with the others on the big dipper recommendation. It's on west parish which is the side of town where not a lot of stuff is.
The people that own moonlight, the Bosley brothers, they are some of the most downright hateful people I've come across. I used to work there for a couple months, worst couple I've been through. I now manage another BBQ restaurant, and I've had a multiple of my guys tell me stories that left it hard to believe that they've kept the reputation they have for so long. Don't eat at Moonlight BBQ
I have lived in Owensboro for 20 + years and since moonlights original owner died its has been horrible food and old hickory not much better I worked there as an oven cook the best BBQ in Owensboro is old South on high 54 but before then George's BBQ was the best there was until they closed
@@unculturedtravel it's not a restaurant but where's Swifty's used to be right across the street there is an old place that kind of looks like a club if I'm not mistaken it says Vanessa's on it there's a black guy that stays out there he's got some really really good barbecue and he's a decent priced guy too he's been doing it since the pandemic started
I live in Owensboro and Old Hickory is the absolute best place in town. Moonlite is overrated trash. The family that owns Moonlite is some of the worst people I’ve ever met.
Thanks for the insight, there were nice showing me around! Any other favorite establishments in Western Kentucky? What a great food town Owensboro is. And great music!
I live in the Owensboro area and to me there isn't any good BBQ places in Owensboro. Shyler's in Evansville, In. was the Best in the area. But caught fire a few years ago. Moved to a new place and was getting bad reviews after that and now is closed forever. I have not had a chance to try any of the new places springing up in Henderson, Ky. but I see many of them are getting Great reviews. But as far as Owensboro, No Thanks.
I live in Owensboro ky and while Moonlight is the most famous barbecue restraunt here the absolute best is Old Hickory. Next trip you should try them.
Depends on what you want really. I treat them like two separate restaurants as they are. If I want a sandwich it’s old hickory but that moonlight buffet ❤️
Thanks for the tip! I went to Old Hickory after to check it out! Looked awesome but I was so full! What is another Kentucky traditional food to try?
Love this tip! Thank you! What’s your favorite side? I found them all so delicious and homemade!
Old Hickory for sure for sandwich BBQ. Moonlight for the Buffet. Breckinridge County KY
OMG I WAS GOING TO SAY THE SAME THING
I must agree with the previous comment. You visited the SECOND best barbecue restaurant Owensboro. The primary differsnce between "MooLite" and the real deal (OLD HICKORY BARBECUE). I cut my teeth (worked there during high school and have a culinary arts degree from Sullivan Culinary Artsat Old Hickory. The primary difference between the two restaurants is that MooLite parboils the their product before putting it on the pits. While Old Hickory meats and chicken are cut to then go straight to the pits. AND it does make a difference. MooLite is the volume provider "Bud Lite" and Old Hickory is the "Heineken".
Wow! Lots of likes on this comment there must be something to this! I might have to fly back down! I stopped into Hickory but was so stuffed I didn't eat! I trust the locals! What is another restaurant in the area you recommend for visitors to taste true Western Kentucky food?
@@unculturedtravel Visit The Bistro! Another great, well kept culinary destination. owned and operated by George Skiadas (native greek) and son Ben. Delicious dishes from George's native land. Don't forget to orger Baklava for dessert!!
Thanks for this tip! I gave it a google it looks great! Are there many greeks in this area?
Not that I aware of. George landed in Owensboro because he he finished college at Kentucky Wesleyan . . .liked it and stayed.
@@unculturedtravel I have to second the Bistro - I watched your moonlite video and it seemed like you enjoyed it. I'm also an old hickory fan but you don't get the large spread buffet. The Bistro is probably my favorite restaurant here in OWB. Sorry Ben :) If you come back and go to the bistro, have a ribeye with bourbon glaze... Or if you are lucky enough and come on a weekend to have prime rib, go for that.
Miss it,lived there and delivered mail there 10 years,cant touch it
Great town. Next time I hope to go see some live music!
There is actually a Barbeque festival in May in downtown Owensboro. The churches have a cook off. There are crafts, music and rides for the kids. Great video!!
Woa, this would be awesome. I read a lot about how the church's do weekend cookouts. What's another local dish to try?
McDonald’s on Fredrica has double cheese burgers
Epic. Mutton Big Mac would be nice.
Best banana pudding ever moon lite knocked it out of the park Pat Bosley is a genius
Truth.
What made Owensboro famous for its BBQ is not Moonlight, nor is it, Old Hickory. It was the local Catholic churches. All the churches in Daviess County have picnics. Fundraisers for their programs and they would sell BBQ and burgoo. Then in the late 1970s, the annual regatta of speed boat racing left the state so that's when the Owensboro BBQ Festival was born. The city held a BBQ cook-off and for two days, if you had the money to do so, you can stuff yourself until you puke. I almost did that one year. And yes, they have a beer garden, which I have never been to. Maybe one of these days they will have a wine tasting. I can only hope.
St Mary's is the best
Thanks for this bit of history! I’ll have to visit a Church BBQ! Is there one that is famous?
In my part of Ky, burgoo is pretty much "wild game stew." Anything goes in, possum, coon, squirrel, but no sheep! I'm proud of the cultural diversity of Kentucky!
Woa, so interesting! What’s your favorite of these wild game meats? Also what’s a typical way of preparing it? Never had possum, coon or squirrel. Some moose and hare in Canada! Thanks for sharing!
@@unculturedtravel only had squirrel myself, which is yummy. I've had burgoo plenty of times but I've never really been sure what meats were actually in it. But I know pretty much anything goes in Eastern, northern and central KY.
"I've never really been sure what meats were actually in it" - I love that line, most good stews are like that haha - Who else does a good Burgoo? I really enjoyed the real thing. In Canada and Northern States you find the odd soup/stew called Burgoo but it is just not the real thing.
..and/or deer. Around here it's a mix of what ya got, usually that means deer.
When preparing burgoo one should have a red meat ( beef, deer, coon,ECT.), a bird ( chicken, quail, turkey ECT.), and pork or mutton not both. Burgoo is a BBQ stew and if you look at the origins the French Canadian Arcadians and Louisiana Cajuns is where Americans on the western frontier of early American Colonies got this from and adapted this to what was available. In fact Lewis and Clark's Expedition made Burgoo at the Falls of the Ohio (present day Louisville,KY).
Loved hearing the cook talk! Got to give that another listen...looks like Mike Bosley but probably close family, wonderful family serving our community and the world for as long as I can remember! Mr. M. Bosley was the best teacher & I was blessed enough to have him for 2 grades
He was so patient and kind to tell the story, I learned a lot and it made the experience. He was so knowledgable, a true master of his craft! I'm glad you enjoyed it also!
I used to go there a lot as a child. The trick is to get two plates: a meat plate and a non-meat plate.
VETERAN BUFFET MOVE ALERT. What a good idea, so you aren't working with two bites of everything. What was your favorite menu item as a kid? Thanks for sharing!
@@unculturedtravel It was all really good. I did enjoy the mutton, but the pork or the ribs were probably my favorite. There used to be (might still be) scales out front. My dad always joked they should weigh people when they enter and again when they leave and charge them by how much weight they gained.
I lived in owensboro for 17 years, moonlite was famous for the reputation. Ole hickory has awesome pork bbq & Ole South has a great breakfast buffet
Thank you, love the specific breakdown of what to get where! Where do you go for a proper Kentucky country ham? Thanks for watching, this is a beautiful part of the country!
I appreciate your kind words. Come back in May for the BBQ Festival. There's always a lot of good food cooked by many business, churches and regular Joe's.
Awesome, is there a link to the festival website you can share? Thank you!
@@unculturedtravel definitely worth a visit
If you are still in Owensboro you should go get a Big Boy at The Big Dipper, it next to Moonlight. And go to Kohlers bakery, they have the best doughnuts. The bakeries in Owensboro are second to none. They actually make the cakes and doughnuts
I googles the big dipper, what an great looking spot. Who knew it was a bakery town too? What other local gems are in Owensboro you recommend? Thanks for sharing!
@@unculturedtravel Kohlers is the bakery, it's amazing. And Big Dipper is a hamburger place. They have all kinds of sandwiches to choose from. The line to get in has a gap for cars to get into and out of Moonlight
While your in town, please visit our Green River Distillery. They have tasting and tours.
Suprised you say Kohlers. And I appreciate the nostalgia for the Big Dipper, but I don't care for their burgers.
Kohler and Big Dipper, great tips! Thank you. I'm discovering some unique Kentucky foods to like Country Ham and Burgoo.
Yoooo I'm from Owensboro too, Old Hickory definitely my choice, but Moonlite buffet is 🔥
Man, honestly as a Canadian they are both going to be 🔥 from my perspective (can't get any of this home cooking and mutton barbecue where I'm from) but I take the locals opinion for sure! What do you like to order at Old Hickory?
Not at 27 dollars a person lol.
Moonlight sucks compared to Old Hickory.
@@unculturedtravel sorry I'm just seeing this. I only go there for the Buffet.
Who has the #1 buffet for homecooking in Western Kentucky?
Glad you were able to visit our hometown, my husband actually worked there for 4 straight years and is friends with most the crew and all of the owners ^^
It's a great restaurant and a well preserved tradition in American cooking! The staff was supper nice! What's your favorite hidden food gem around Owensboro?
@@unculturedtravel I would definitely have to say The Big Dipper, right beside Moonlite. They take cash only so they can keep the prices lower, and they've been around around as long as Moonlite has. Definitely would recommend, its just as popular, if not more so, than Moonlite for us locals.
Pig in a blanket!
Awesome tip! Thanks! Where's the best place for live music? Some of this famous Blue Grass?
Oh they have it there? One of the great dishes!
As a resident, one of my biggest guilty pleasures is eating here. Probably more than I should 🤣
Great part of the country to eat! Any local spots you recommend?
Lol, I was saying "ohhh, don't eat that burgoo without hot sauce!" And you grabbed the sauce. Crisis averted. Lol. Moonlight is great, I like the mutton with their sweet sauce. So good . Glad you enjoyed your trip!
"Crisis Averted" LOL I love that. Ya a little hit of hot sauce woke it up half way through. I really enjoy Western Kentucky, any other food spots you recommend? Thanks for watching!
@@unculturedtravel oh, where to start. For good "home cooking", Madisonville KY has the Country Cupboard. It's a buffet.
Princeton, KY has the best Italian(ish) at their Pagliai's Pizza (pronounced- Polly Eyes). Their pizza is good, but their meatballs...omg. I get the meatballs and their baked goat cheese appetizers as my meal. So good. Plenty of left overs. You gotta go back to Owensboro during the barbeque festival. So much to try and beer tents everywhere. It's a mood. Morton's Gap, KY has a little restaurant called Cissy's. Legit the best pies you will put in your face. Meringue up to the ceiling. 😋. There is a bbq fest in Paducah KY too, I think, so if you go to that one, schedule time for a tour of Purple Toad Winery. They do tastings with wines n cheeses. Yummm... 😋
"Legit the best pies you will put in your face. Meringue up to the ceiling." You should be a food writer! One of my favorite Meringue pie descriptions! Haha thanks for these tips!
I live in Owensboro! Great video! And yes our mutton taste amazing. The breakdown about the history of mutton was pretty cool!
Yes, really friendly to invite me in the kitchen and give me a little history! Do you ever eat any mutton at home?
@@unculturedtravel people only eat it at home if they go get take out.
@@unculturedtravel I’ve never prepared mutton at my home just pick it up from Old Hickory or Moonlight
Paducah KY has some great restaurants and history. We just had our BBQ on the River festival last weekend. But lots of great places to get a great meal. Even around KY Lake from Marshall County, Murray, Eddyville...we are far western KY and lots of little diners and dives with fantastic homecooking
I can see that! It's such beautiful countryside! What's the name of a restaurant to check out? Love a good spot with homecooking!
@@unculturedtravel there is a place in Murray KY called Martha's that has homecooking. There are several delicious restaurants in Paducahs historic downtown. Doe's is a great steak restaurant and Kirchoffs bakery is a treasure. Knoths BBQ has great BBQ and their sweet BBQ special sauce is legendary. My fave BBQ chicken is at Backwoods BBQ in Paducah. Also Reds donuts in Paducah is fantastic. In Grand Rivers KY Patti's restaurant is a treasure and folks come from all over USA to eat there, known for their homemade pies, bread, and 2 inch porkchops. There are several little drive ins that are great too most are seasonal due to the lake area tourists. I know I'm leaving out a lot of places but that's a start :) Just thought too about Flamingo Row in Paducah they are a carribean cuisine local fave. They are famous for stuffed breads and their flavorful menu and Artisian Kitchen in Paducah has a very tasty menu as well. Lastly Freight House in downtown Paducah is a farm to fork restaurant specialized in regional homecooking favorites. Chef Sara Bradley has been a highlighted chef on TV and across our fine state. Oh yeah forgot the homecooking dive of the 50s Cafe in Calvert City KY brilliant vittles
Best in the country even movie stars have been there
Delicious! Any other local gems?
Ol hickory...briarpatch..and big dipper right next to moonlite for a 50s style burger joint
Glad you came to Owensboro to try it out and Im glad you enjoyed it! My boyfriends family are the owners and they take pride in it!!
Just a special place doing really unique food and preserving a bit of history! So cool! What's a good Kentucky delicacy to try?
ROCK ON 👊👀
Thank you for watching! Wester Kentucky food tips are welcome! Locals know best!
Live in Henderson Ky right by Owensboro. Come by Henderson sometime and try out Thomasons BBQ. They've been around for years, and are a Henderson staple.
Wow, awesome tip. Do they do Mutton Barbecue also or a different style? PS: Such a beautiful area of the country!
@@unculturedtravel Yes they do mutton, its what they are known for. Plus their famous bbq dip. You can buy by the pint or half gallon. If you go there i can bet you'll take some home. I have a large smoker myself and use their dip in my cooks. Also if you ride up this way look up the wildlife sloughs area and take a drive through there. Open fields by the river, and sometimes see some of the wildlife out and about, they even have platforms to go up on and look out over the land. I grew up down there, but live in town now. But its some beautiful land.
My brother and mother lived in Owensboro. Until my brothers passing. He worked at Moonlight in he teen years.
Thank you for the local tips!
The "BBQ Dip" was a new sauce to me! Very regional. How do you use it in your cooking? Thanks for the tip on the wildlife sloughs too!
Enjoyed the video! Thank u for sharing 💓
Thanks for watching! What dish should I look for next?
I'm from Hartford KY, (home of 2000 happy people and a few soreheads) 20 miles south of Owensboro. Moonlite is the most famous, and has an excellent buffet'. I agree with others in the comments, that Old Hickory has the best mutton. You're from Nashville, it'd be worth the 2 hour drive to check them out. Y'all come back now, ya hear!
Haha I googled Hartford and there really is a sign that says "home of 2000 happy people and a few soreheads". What exactly is a sorehead? (I'm from Canada). Thanks for watching!
@@unculturedtravel a person who is easily angered, or in general, an a##hole. That sign has been there since the 60's, that I can remember.
Love it. Will be calling people soreheads for a while now.
Beaver Dam here. Lol.
i am very surprised you did not have a wait for a table, that place is normally crazy busy
I guess I got lucky, it did fill up super fast! Any other favorite places to eat in the area? Thanks for watching!
They do serve bbq mutton once a year at Tebbets, MO and Mokane, MO...(along hwy 94 NE of Jefferson City) these are annual picnics/festivals
Nice tip, is mutton popular in MO?
@@unculturedtravel just in those two locales, sort of a tradition. Never heard of it until we lived there years ago.
Paul and I went to HS together, it’s nice to see somebody else is old and gray :)
This made me laugh 😂
Old hickory is where it’s at 🎉
HUGE Old Hickory support coming out haha! Next time! What's the order there?
Agreed. But I like Moonlite coleslaw better.
when I was in the military stationed at Ft Campbell, KY, we would fly up to Owensboro on our CH-47s and have a shuttle take us to Moonlite and then bring us back to the airport when we were done. Best BBQ around that area
I love that story, thank you for sharing and your service. Man that must have been a big hit! Have you been back recently?
Next time you pass through, ya gotta stop for the Windy Hollow Restaurant. They do a killer Sunday breakfast/brunch!!
Thanks for this tip! Windy Hollow looks like great homecooking!
I remember my great grandad used to have a biscuit with sorghum and butter nearly every day for breakfast
Love that! Homemade biscuits? Where was the sorghum from?
Sad that you missed their Potato Salad. It is the ONLY potato salad that I enjoy. Moonlite and Old Hickory are... *religious* destinations for those of us who moved away, and return from time to time!
Oh! Might have to jump in the car and drive back! What makes it?
Yea the big pot outside is no longer there. It got blown around by a big storm.
Wow great local insight, never recovered? Hopefully they get a new one!
@@unculturedtravel I only live a half a mile from there and eat there occasionally. It is at a local body shop being restored.
i like ole south! much smaller buffet but good!!
Another one for ole south! What's your favorite order there?
Old Hickory is best :) old south is great too. Used to be you could drop off a deer to get smoked but moonlight stopped due to usda but old Hickory would do it for ya. I live in Tennessee now and so many people down here ain't ever had mutton or burgoo. I'm gonna head back up there one weekend and grab me a few gallons of burgoo and mutton.
I came for the mutton but the Burgoo was such a good surprise. I'll have to try the other spots next time. Do most people go sliced mutton or chooped?
Yo my man that little burger joint beside Moonlight is the best! Think it called The Dipper Banana Split in a cup 🔥 🔥 🔥
Thanks for this tip! What else is worth checking out in Western Kentucky or other Kentucky delicacies!
Thanks for this tip! What else is worth checking out in Western Kentucky or other Kentucky delicacies!
@@unculturedtravel If you like donuts Rolling pin is the best. Anytime I’m in Owensboro for work I always stop in for some blueberry donut holes.
Big dipper next to moonlight is great
The only burger joint worth blocking traffic in Owensboro
Kentucky, Fast Horses, Beautiful Women, Great Food and World Famous Burbon. Beautiful State.
And Country Ham! What a state! What's another local delicacy to try?
@@unculturedtravel It's not food related, but we have the MOON BOW at Cumberland Falls, only Cumberland Falls and Angel Falls have a Moon Bow in the World.
Woa, I just googled the MOON BOW, it's like a permanent or high percentage rainbow? Crazy. That is natural!?
@@unculturedtravel Yes, it's natural, and it may be the only place in the world that has a moonbow regularly. I think it only happens on clear nights.
now that's a buffet place i want to try! how cool that you got to see the kitchen
this video's a bit different--not so many views but lotsa comments
Moonlite is a great place I have been there quite a few times.
Delicious, interesting regional food! Not many places to get mutton barbecue! Any other gems in the area?
The absolute best food experience
Just an awesome place, what's your favorite KY restaurant?
@@unculturedtravel hands down Moonlight Bbq I was raised on Burgoo and Bbq mutton I'm from Henderson Kentucky and when I'm feeling homesick I stop by Moonlight
Awesome, is there any other Mutton BBQ restaurants outside of Owensboro you recommend?
@@unculturedtravel just west of Owensboro is another small town called Henderson Kentucky. Look for Thomason BBQ! They have a small dine in place and they also have a huge catering hall just across the road from the restaurant.
Crazy they have "Banana Salad" lol i grew up eating that exact same recipe every Thanksgiving, Birthday and Christmas we just called them Banana Croquettes. It was a 3 to 4 inch slice of Banana covered in mayonnaise and rolled in crushed peanuts
I love comments like this. Such deep history and insight. Probably does not show up in any cookbooks. When was the last time you served them?!
@@unculturedtravel I actually make them every Christmas for our holiday dinner. My kids won't dare try them and my wife isn't a big fan so I end up eating most of them
Daviess county is the 2nd largest in the consumption of mutton in the world. The 1st largest is the Arab world. I'm from Owensboro Ky.
Really wow! Such an awesome stat! How else is it prepared or is it all barbecue?
Certainly will try it out next week
When I was a kid we bought a 1/2 sheep to bbq at home…we get back to the house and realize it’s spoiled…we return and old man bosley said “it’s good enough for burgoo”….
Haha LOVE THIS story. Man need that Burgoo recipe!
Kitchen is so large. Wonder how they keep their overhead low.
Great question!
Moonlite is good, Old Hickory GREAT
Got it! Thanks for the tip. Any other Western Kentucky favorites?
@@unculturedtravel if you're ever in BG, KY HMU ITS TONS OF THEM....
Woah such a huge kitchen
Yes a massive pit! A little different than inihaw! What USA food do you want to try the most?
Live here too but I never go there I think I only went once when I was like 7
Well, worth heading back to! What's your favorite town in Kentucky?
They make chess bars at 54 pizza. It’s behind Moonlite
Love this tip! Are Chess bars a Kentucky thing? I never knew!
Everytime anyone comes to Owensboro they always go to Moonlight. Most people prefer Old Hickory. I like both but I haven't been in over 20 years because my kids only like Old Hickory. My daughter and I moved to what is referred to as Northern Ky, the Newport area across the river from Cincinnati for 10 years, I'm back now. We would drive here to visit family and we would get Old Hickory and put it in a cooler and leave town. One time when we were doing it we started talking to a couple of ladies who lived in Cincinnati and they always do it too, Cincinnati area bbq is gross.
'I haven't been in over 20 years because my kids only like Old Hickory" - I love that line. Now I feel like I got to try Old Hickory! What's your favorite order there?
Nice. Western food for a change.
Haha mixing it up! Is there a regional USA food you would like to see explored?
Look nice homely honest food.
I raise sheep in KY and I've never had mutton. I eat lots of lamb though.
Very cool! Do you sell to any local restaurants?
Old hickory’s mutton is where it’s at
Best Burgoo?
Old Hickory is the best place for mutton in Owensboro.
Lots of people saying this! What's the order there?
@@unculturedtravel Ha! Depends who you ask.
You should have went to
ol hickory
Haha this comment section is showing a lot of Old Hickory support! Any other Mutton BBQ secrets in the area?
Yo bro I live right up the road
Tell me some local spots! Haha
Bro
Is pretty good the food in moonlight barbecue I give a 10 the meet is coming from O’BRIAN FARMS
Interesting! Yes it is delicious! Where is O’BRIAN FARMS?
I like the burgoo
I do too, what a great comforting dish. Where's the best Burgoo in KY?
Go back again when they have peanut butter pie on the dessert bar.
I love tips like this! Is that a Kentucky thing?
@@unculturedtravel I've never thought about it before, but it might be. My cousin's kids visited from South Carolina and apparently it was unheard of to them.
FYI - when I had it at Moonlight it was very good. The cafeteria at my old job tried to make it and it was very, very rich. I ate it anyway though.
Look up the recipe online. It's simple enough that my kid can make it pretty well.
Need just a bite or two to taste it all, somebody had to roll this dude out!
Haha truth! The buffet had so much good food on it! Have you been to Moonlite?
@@unculturedtravel definitely! We live near the boro! Not much else to do 'round these parts haha!
My brother and her family live's in toronto
TDOT! Great food city! What's your favorite restaurant there?
What does Toronto have to do with this video?
I’m from Owensboro, I’ll never understand why Old Hickory isn’t the GO-TO BBQ spot here. Old Hickory fucking devastates Moonlight in every aspect… however Moonlight has the buffet which is probably why people from out of town go there… overindulgence and gluttony. Sucks because all Owensboro natives know that you go to the hole in the wall Old Hickory for BBQ
Another big thumbs up for Old Hickory! Man I will have to return! What is your go-to order there?
Also. You look like a cross between Nicholas Cage and somebody... oh I know! Either Owen Wilson or the "alright alright alright" guy haha Matthew McConaughey! Do you ever have people coming at you like that? :)
Haha I'll take it as a compliment. Wow this vlog would be a lot better though if it WAS hosted by Nicolas Cage. What part of Kentucky should I visit next? Thanks for watching!
Cave City is cool
Visit Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge Tennessee.. Good stuff there
Everybody's saying moonlight and Old hickory what about Old South
Thanks for the tip about OId South! Love a good barbecue debate! What's the best order there?
Thank you! Any restaurants you recommend for local cooking? I've had Benton's Bacon, that stuff is incredible.
The tourest go to moonlight
The real barbeque is at old hickory
Thanks for the local insight!
Hey dude kindly tell to the owner open a business here bring his stuff , bring all the food stuff here in the Philippines 😉👍🇵🇭
Haha I love this comment! What else does the Philippines need as far as food from America? Definitely some Mutton Barbecue would be fun.
Pag pagkain pinoy sana vlinog neto 24hrs later may 10k views na sana meron sya.
Thank you! I hope you enjoyed the Kentucky video Sir! Have you tried barbecue?
Yee-Haw 👊👀
Yes Sir! You ever had Mutton Barbecue?
@@unculturedtravel I LIVED IN OWENSBORO 👊👀
Awesome! Send a local food gem we should try! Thanks for watching!
I am Owensboro native and Old Hickory place is better in my opinion.
Chalk another for Old Hickory! What's a great diner in the area, or another good spot for Burgoo?
I live in Owensboro and I've never seen a sheep before LOL
Haha love this. So what is there actually a lot of?
@@unculturedtravel restaurants lol
Went to the worst one in owensboro.
Haha man the comment section of locals have the real intel. What's the #1? Lots of love for Old Hickory Bar-B-Que! From my Canadian perspective, it is ALL delicious. But I love to hear the local opinions!
Sorry you decided to go to Moonlite. There's much better bbq out there.
Thanks for watching! What spot do you recommend?
I've certainly always liked the mutton and pulled pork from moonlight but it's not as good as I remember it when I was a kid. Could just be me idk, but others have said this as well. I'll agree with the others on the big dipper recommendation. It's on west parish which is the side of town where not a lot of stuff is.
Thanks for the tip!
Shoulda tried old hickory much better
Man Old Hickory has some fans! What do you recommend order there?
Enjoy my moms recipe of mac n cheese!
Haha! You need to post it! What's the secret?
You can’t crowd that plate like that and still taste the food correctly.
Great tip! Less is more! Have you eating in Owensboro?
The people that own moonlight, the Bosley brothers, they are some of the most downright hateful people I've come across. I used to work there for a couple months, worst couple I've been through. I now manage another BBQ restaurant, and I've had a multiple of my guys tell me stories that left it hard to believe that they've kept the reputation they have for so long. Don't eat at Moonlight BBQ
What are some other diners and local spots you recommend in Kentucky?
Old hickory
I have lived in Owensboro for 20 + years and since moonlights original owner died its has been horrible food and old hickory not much better I worked there as an oven cook the best BBQ in Owensboro is old South on high 54 but before then George's BBQ was the best there was until they closed
Thanks for this insight! Any other BBQ restaurants worth driving to from Owensboro?
@@unculturedtravel it's not a restaurant but where's Swifty's used to be right across the street there is an old place that kind of looks like a club if I'm not mistaken it says Vanessa's on it there's a black guy that stays out there he's got some really really good barbecue and he's a decent priced guy too he's been doing it since the pandemic started
@@gamerdad9916 where? I live in Owensboro and might like to try .
@@b1k2q34 old hickory is behind Kroger on Frederica and old South is on hwy 54 across from cheetah car wash
The best BBQ in Owensboro KY cant be found at a restaurant, but a food truck. ROLL TIDE BBQ puts all others to absolute shame.
Will have to remember this tip! What’s the dish to get?
How do you stay so skinny 😀
I live in Owensboro and Old Hickory is the absolute best place in town. Moonlite is overrated trash. The family that owns Moonlite is some of the worst people I’ve ever met.
Thanks for the insight, there were nice showing me around! Any other favorite establishments in Western Kentucky? What a great food town Owensboro is. And great music!
Moonlight is overrated
Which spot do you prefer?
I live in the Owensboro area and to me there isn't any good BBQ places in Owensboro. Shyler's in Evansville, In. was the Best in the area. But caught fire a few years ago. Moved to a new place and was getting bad reviews after that and now is closed forever. I have not had a chance to try any of the new places springing up in Henderson, Ky. but I see many of them are getting Great reviews. But as far as Owensboro, No Thanks.
Thanks for the insight! Do any of the new joints offer Mutton BBQ?