Restaurants in Henderson

Henderson, Kentucky’s good-eats destinations include Mr. D’s, a drive in that specializes in fried chicken made from a recipe popularized decades ago by a legendary Henderson chicken man named Colonel Jim. Unlike Nashville hot chicken, which is pepper-forward, this Western Kentucky style of chicken is deliriously spicy, featuring a wickedly crunchy crust that is zesty enough to make your eyes water. Henderson also is on the western side of the state’s BBQ mutton belt, where smoke-pit lamb is accompanied by “dip,” which is more like au jus than BBQ sauce, and where side dishes include BBQ beans laced with pork.

Henderson’s Most Famous Dishes

Fried Chicken

Hash browns, browned and crisp, with bacon in the background

Hash Browns

Cafeteria tray holds a square meal of BBQ chicken, mac & cheese, collards, cornbread, sweet tea, and banana pudding

Dinner Platters

Coconut shreds are threaded throughout this pillowy wedge of pie

Coconut Cream Pie

Henderson’s Best Restaurants

Thomason’s Barbecue

HENDERSON, KY

Chicken with extaordinarily crunchy crust and (unseen) hail of spice
Mr. D’s

HENDERSON, KY

Brown Bag Burgers

HENDERSON, KY

Henderson Articles & Guides

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