October 16, 2016
Guide to Kentucky Mutton Barbecue | Roadfood Bests
Western Kentucky has a barbecue meal all its own. It features mutton -- its sharp sheep tang tempered by hours of smoke. On the side: Burgoo.
There’s Nothing Quite like Kentucky Mutton
Following the barbecue trail west of Louisville along the Ohio River and south towards the Land Between the Lakes, Kentucky Mutton is king of the pit. Unlike the subtle elegance of smoke-laced pork that is more typically southern, mutton packs a wallop, its sharp sheep tang only minimally tempered by hours of smoke. The result is succulence to the max. Mutton can be found elsewhere – even Arthur Bryant’s of Kansas City has served it; but nowhere does it get the respect given by Western Kentucky pitmasters.
Best of the Best
Subtleties of local nomenclature and service are dizzying. In Owensboro, at the Moonlite Bar-B-Q, it is offered chopped, sliced, and as ribs; and by the time you travel west twenty-five miles to Thomason’s Barbecue in Henderson, and out to Peak Bros. Bar-B-Que in Waverly, another presentation appears on menus: chipped. Chipped is like chopped, but extreme, yielding a fine hash that is moist and mellow. Instead of sauce, you get dip, which is the consistency of natural gravy. Mutton served without any sauce is labeled “off the pit.” The best of all places to savor mutton and its fixin’s is Old Hickory BBQ in Owensboro
Old Hickory Bar-B-Que
Exemplary western Kentucky BBQ at Owensboro's Old Hickory includes off-the-pit mutton, pork, ribs & chicken. Plus burgoo, beans & banana pudding.
Peak Bros. Bar-B-Que
Peak Bros is is a longstanding source for Kentucky BBQ mutton, chipped or sliced. But ham matters, too. It may be the best meat in the house.
Thomason’s Barbecue
Thomason's of Henderson, Kentucky, barbecues all meats: pork, mutton, beef, etc. Beans are magnificent – rich and smoky, laced with shreds of BBQ.
Moonlite Bar-B-Q
Owensboro, Kentucky considers itself the BBQ capital of the world. Among the best restaurants in town is the Moonlite, where mutton is king on a vast buffet.
October 16, 2016
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