Springtime Roadtrip to Owensboro, KY

Hi,

I was thinking about doing a spring time road trip down to Owensboro. And then, thanks to HungryRabbi's post, I thought it would be fun to turn it into an LTH event-supreme. I realize that a whole weekend event is sometimes hard to swing -but I'm just going to throw it out there for consideration, and see what kind of interest is generated.

No set date yet, but either the last weekend in April, or the first weekend in May sounds probable. We'd leave on Friday afternoon, and get back on Sunday. It's about a 5-6 hour drive from Chicago. In Owensboro proper there are 5 BBQ joints--

1. Moonlite
2. Shady Rest (SO GOOD)
3. Ole Hickory (more Southern buffet w/ BBQ)
4. George's
5. Ole South

I've been to all of them at least once, some (like Shady Rest) I've been to several times. I think they are all worthy of trying, and some of them I think are excellent!

There is also the possibility of checking out some of the Evansville, IN BBQ since it is adjacent to Owensboro.

In terms of how we'd all get down there we could either caravan, or pitch in and rent a small van which could be an adventure in an of itself.

What do you think?

Trixie-pea

trixie-pea wrote:Hi,

I was thinking about doing a spring time road trip down to Owensboro. And then, thanks to HungryRabbi's post, I thought it would be fun to turn it into an LTH event-supreme.
<snip>
What do you think?

Trixie-Pea,

After reading HungryRabbi's, and your, Owensboro post how can the answer be anything but Great Idea!

I've had, and liked, mutton barbecue a few times at SouthSide Market in Elgin, Tx and have always wanted to hit the Mecca of Mutton, Owensboro.

If there are only 6 or so my vote would be to rent a van rather than caravan. I, for one, am easily distracted by bright shiny objects when I drive and may very well end up at the Worlds Largest Ball of Twine, while the rest are eating mutton.

Enjoy,
Gary

GWiv,

I actually looked into hiring a van a few years ago when VI and I were tentatively planning a CH roadtrip to points south. For convenience, safety (shared driving), logistical simplicity, opportunities for camaraderie, and ease of stopping at unknown tourist-attractions-recently-popularized-by-MikeG (which I would be all for doing), a rented van makes a lot of sense.

I'm interested, and will be watching for more details.

Hammond

I'd definitely be interested. Van or not.

HI,

There is van and there is motorhome, which are very different styles of travel. Motorhome, which is what we talked about a few years ago, has a Conestoga wagon See the USA from your Chevrolet adventuresome feel (or the grandparents just retired). A large van simply feels like a stodgy church group rather than a rolling party.

If you have a single mode of transportation for 8 people, then you all have to be in agreement. The early risers will be waiting for the late sleeper with the keys and vice versa. Whereas in two vehicles, then you can divide and conquer. In addition, not everyone may enjoy the game plan, so there may be those who will track the Amish and others who will find the bar. By having at least two cars, then the group can break up along our non-food interests. Or by agreement stay on the same game plan, with at least two vehicles there are options you don't have with one.

If I understood correctly, there are 4 places to hit in Owensboro, which would not take a lot of time. When I travel, I try to pack as much stuff into the day as possible. By the initial scheme, there is a lot of free time as opposed to things to do. If you eat at one to two BBQ places on Friday evening and finish the other two by lunch Saturday, then you should consider adding to this trip. For instance, Southern Illinois is supposed to have pig snout sandwiches. There are several BBQ destinations in Champaign. I found BBQ cooked in a oil drum cooker in Danville. Or you could tap on JiminLoganSquare for his Indianapolis finds from corned beef to cafeterias.

So depending on how the plans develop, I favor trying to do more, then I am interested.

Anyway great idea and thanks for sharing it on the Events board.

For what it is worth, Southwest offers flights MDW-SDF (Louisville) for $29-39 OW. You can generally get a car in SDF for about $15-17 incl. taxes if you book through Avis.com and have one of their cards.

The drive is over 400 miles, FWIW.

Hi,

I just had an inspiration. It is indeed 404 miles from Chicago to Owensboro following I-57 then diverting east. As I mentioned earlier, there is BBQ in Danville and Champaign, there is another attraction in Champaign available on Friday evening only. The U of I has a special dinner. I've been in contact with the professor involved, who promised me a campus tour if I ever showed up. I learned from someone on this board this professor is moving to Cornell and this dinner-study will cease to exist. I would consider this a wonderful addition to a food-centric weekend.

If not, and anyone else here is interested, then I will be going sometime soon on my own. I don't mind company.

Cathy2 wrote:HI,

There is van and there is motorhome, which are very different styles of travel. Motorhome, which is what we talked about a few years ago, has a Conestoga wagon See the USA from your Chevrolet adventuresome feel (or the grandparents just retired). A large van simply feels like a stodgy church group rather than a rolling party.

C2,

Good memory! As I recall, though, the motorhome was somewhat expensive for the weekend (I think it was going to work out to several hundred dollars per person)... also gas is not getting cheaper, and these big babies eat a lot of it.

Hammond

David,

I wasn't really endorsing the home on wheels, though I'd like to keep the idea alive for something special sometime. There are merits to everything. I just have this scenario playing in my mind of 8 opinionated people wanting to go to 8 different directions and only one vehicle.

While some may want to exchange stories late into the night with the locals at the local watering hole. Some may be with farmers in the early morning drinking a cup of coffee at the big round table by the picture window at the gas station. One group eats breakfast before going to bed, the other half eats breakfast when they get up. We may all end up at Waffle House with just a few hours difference in time. Flexibility is all I am suggesting really by two cars or a common agreement in the plans with one. An overnight roadtrip is quite a different animal than a locally conducted treasure hunt, where people come and go as pleased.

Anyway, I expect this to be fun.

Cathy2 wrote:I just had an inspiration. It is indeed 404 miles from Chicago to Owensboro following I-57 then diverting east. As I mentioned earlier, there is BBQ in Danville and Champaign, there is another attraction in Champaign available on Friday evening only. The U of I has a special dinner. I've been in contact with the professor involved, who promised me a campus tour if I ever showed up. I would consider this a wonderful addition to a food-centric weekend.

Cathy2--

The U of I dinner sounds excellent. I would be interested in joining you if it works out on this trip, or otherwise.

I agree that if we leave Friday and come back Sunday--we can fit in a lot more than just Owensboro BBQ. (Although usually I end up going to the Shady Rest 2 or 3 times).

I figured that this trip could include any number of other stops along the way. I just wanted to throw out a skeletal itinerary for consideration. Southern Illinois is ripe with BBQ (Carbondale area)... Southeast Missouri and Evansville, IN too. On our way down to Lousiana earlier this year, we tried both 17th Street Bar and Grill's in Murphysboro, IL , and although we had a lackluster experience then, I would be very interested in giving it another shot. I've been to both of the Las Vegas locations, and had spectacular BBQ.

JeffB recommended Cairo, IL as being a worthy non-chow stop, saying that "...this devestated former boomtown is worth a look around the downtown with its Tiffany glass, Taft bronzes, and the first nice batch of antebellum plantation-style mansions."

And yet another suggestion from JeffB - Lick Creek, IL:
"If you are really lucky, the folks at the Lick Creek General Store will be there and cooking. This little shack/gas station is right out of central casting for Andy Griffith or Lil Abner. The store will be on your left as you enter "town," before the moraine and the picturesque whitewashed Baptist church below. It is run by a group of hippies/former pilots who ran a "charter service" in the Carribean and Central America befor making their way to far Southern Illinois. One of them is a great chef, especially BBQ."

I think you are definitely right about the "captive audience" issue that comes along with everyone riding together in a single vehicle. Which is not to say that it can't happen, as long as everyone is on the same page. (maybe impossible?). As the ideas are generated, and people take their individual shines to particular stops along the way, I think that transportation will work itself out naturally.

The Southwest flight that jlawrence01 mentioned is an intriguing suggestion for those who might be disuaded from going due to the long drive time.

Thanks for the feedback--keep the ideas coming!!!

edited for glaring typo

jlawrence01 wrote:For what it is worth, Southwest offers flights MDW-SDF (Louisville) for $29-39 OW. You can generally get a car in SDF for about $15-17 incl. taxes if you book through Avis.com and have one of their cards.

The drive is over 400 miles, FWIW.

My thoughts too. Having once driven all day to Bowling Green, the 6 hours seemed awfully generous...

For other ideas on where to go along the way, Arcola has an Amish community with a few shops and restaurants not that far from I-57.

Springfield is, obviously, not quite on the way, but it is such a great chowtown that the detour might be worthwhile.

Pending details at baby sitting options, the CQ and I are interested.

Rob

For other ideas on where to go along the way, Arcola has an Amish community with a few shops and restaurants not that far from I-57.

I have been to the Arcola/Arthur, IL area a dozen times and I haven't seen anything there that would warrant real stop there. Don't get me wrong, they do have a Cheese Festival and the annual Mennonite Relief Sale and a few other things. As for an Amish style restaurant like those in Lancaster, PA or in Mt. Hope or Shreve, OH, you will not find one in that area.

There are a couple of butcher shops (closed on Sundays) and there is a surplus grocery (which I cannot remember the location).

I get the local Arthur weekly newspaper and see what places are advertising.

The Authur Cheese Co (which closed around 1992) used to produce some good cheddar, bricks and colby cheese and was always a destination when we lived in St. Louis.

Rob,

Owensboro is right on the border of KY and Indiana. I may be delusional but I really believe we made the trip in just under 6 hours. We even took a minor state road (IN41 which runs along the IL/IN border) instead of I-57. I believe Bowling Green is another 75-80 miles south of Owensboro.

In any case, I think that flying down and renting a car is certainly a viable option. I happen to love the road trip. I once drove to Owensboro from Burlington, VT!

Kristina

trixie-pea wrote:I may be delusional but I really believe we made the trip in just under 6 hours.

That sounds about right. I regularly drive Chicago to Louisville in five hours and change. The only difference is that Chicago-Louisville is all interstates.

cowdery wrote:

trixie-pea wrote:I may be delusional but I really believe we made the trip in just under 6 hours.

That sounds about right. I regularly drive Chicago to Louisville in five hours and change. The only difference is that Chicago-Louisville is all interstates.

Back when I-65 destruction was an annual summer event we used to take US 41 south down to TN and then east. It was consistently a less than 5 hour drive to Henderson, KY which is a hop and a skip from Owensboro. Of course this is from someone that drives from Chicago to Atlanta with only one stop (durned gas tanks ain't big enough!) on a regular basis so YMMV definitely applies here. Sadly my new car has an even smaller fuel tank than the Volvo I traded in so I'm resigned to my Atlanta runs requiring 2 stops.

I have always wanted to try the Owensboro 'Q scene but doubt that my schedule is going to permit a spring fling. I am hoping to hit Bowling Green sometime this year for a tour of the Corvette Museum and the factory and will try to work a side-trip to Owensboro then for 'Q sampling. I look forward to the always informative reports of LTH'rs to help guide my trip.

Over the New Year's holiday, Rob and I went on a road trip down to New Orleans. It was supposed to be a BBQ extravaganza (Southern, IL, Arkansas, and Mississippi). As it turned out, we ended up eating a lot of so-so, not worth talking about, BBQ. This lack of enthusiasm is what spurred our recent trip to Texas (Austin and environs), which definitely refueled our fire. (I know that I still have 1/2 of a report to post).

In any case, there were several places that we did not get a chance to go to on our way down that could be viable options for this road trip. (These are all within about an hour of each other).

Mt. Vernon, IL : King Barbacoa BBQ

Cairo, IL: Shemwell's BBQ and Mack's BBQ

Carbondale, IL: Larry's Pit BBQ

Murphysboro, IL: 17th St Bar and Grill (we did go, but I would like to go again)

Marion, IL: Pulley's BBQ (and fried catfish)

Paducah, KY: Starne's BBQ

Evansville, IN: lots of places

Henderson, KY: Gene's Restaurant & Bar B Q
Ralph's Hickory Pit
Thomason Barbecue

Owensboro, KY: Sunday Church BBQ's held all summer at various Catholic churches. These apparently are a big deal. I believe that's how the Shady Rest started out.

And upon further research, I see that the Owensboro's International BBQ festival is the weekend of May 13. http://www.bbqfest.com/ I found this to be interesting because the famed Memphis in May celebration is also this weekend. I was thinking that the 1st weekend in May would be the best weekend (May 6-8), but if folks want to check out the fest--we bump it up a weekend.

Some people may find the BBQ Festival a plus, and others might shy away from being in the heart of the storm. Normally, I tend to be of the latter category, but I could certainly be convinced otherwise. I've never been to a giant BBQ fest before, but the kitschy events are intriguing; such events include the "Mutton Glutton contest," the "Keg Toss," and the "Miss Teen BBQ Pageant." My only concern would be that getting into eat at the BBQ restaurants will be a hassle.

Oh, and one more update for people who might want to fly down. American Eagle offers flights from Chicago to Evansville, IN which take only about 50 minutes! This flight would drop you in the middle of all the BBQ action.

Kman wrote:Back when I-65 destruction was an annual summer event we used to take US 41 south down to TN and then east. It was consistently a less than 5 hour drive to Henderson, KY which is a hop and a skip from Owensboro. Of course this is from someone that drives from Chicago to Atlanta with only one stop (durned gas tanks ain't big enough!) on a regular basis so YMMV definitely applies here. Sadly my new car has an even smaller fuel tank than the Volvo I traded in so I'm resigned to my Atlanta runs requiring 2 stops.

I have always wanted to try the Owensboro 'Q scene but doubt that my schedule is going to permit a spring fling. I am hoping to hit Bowling Green sometime this year for a tour of the Corvette Museum and the factory and will try to work a side-trip to Owensboro then for 'Q sampling. I look forward to the always informative reports of LTH'rs to help guide my trip.

About 4 years ago I went to a place called West Kentucky Barbeque in Bowling Green (430 W. US 31 Bypass). Great. Just great. About the best ribs I ever had. Which is why I still remember this place so well today. So, do not feel so restricted in Bowling Green!

Rob

HI,

From my birds eye view, I see there are really two trips (or more) here:

Follow Route 66/I-55 to St. Louis, then continue downstate to Carbondale, Cairo and Peducah, KY. BTW at the convergence of I-55/I-57 in Missouri is where Lambert's Thrown Rolls is located. Returning north either by I-57 or by country roads. Alan Solomon of the Chicago Tribune wrote an article on a trip through southern Illinois; which we may want to access for ideas. Shawnee National Forest and a natural wonder referred to as the Mini Grand Canyon in the region of Carbondale are supposed to be worthwhile visits. Also in the Carbondale area is a chef who worked in Babette's Feast, who owns an upscale French restaurant.

The other trip is I-57 to I-64 with destination Owensboro, KY and beyond. Along I-64 is New Harmony, which was the site of a utopian community similar to Illinois' Bishop Hill.

This is a terrific idea, and I particularly welcome Cathy2's notion of dropping by the Champaign campus-restaurant-cum-psych-lab. I have been hankering to visit since I first visited the Prof. Brian Wansink's Web site.
Cathy2, I assume he is your contact there. Do you think he'd be willing to lead a group tour? If you are planning a trip on your own, I will drop everything to attend.

I grew up in Indianapolis and would be delighted to offer tips.

I recall eating at the Red Geranium in New Harmony as a child on a trip with my schoolteacher parents.
Back then, the inn there was not the home of a day spa offering Aryuvedic treatments and Reiki massage, as it is now.

--Soupcon

Cathy2, I assume he is your contact there. Do you think he'd be willing to lead a group tour? If you are planning a trip on your own, I will drop everything to attend.

I met him last fall at a symposium where we were both presenters. It's my understanding he is moving to Cornell, so time is short to pursue this. Owensboro trip or no trip, I would like to see this dining room experiment in action, also. If either April 22 or 29 work, then I will contact him to make arrangements. The other dates in April are conflicts or I have to be somewhere early on Saturday. I don't mind going again later, I will mind if I miss it entirely.

I proposed we come to Champaign around noon, there is a poster there who would be happy to do a food-crawl. There are several BBQ joints to try. We could meet Dr. Wansink to tour his labs, then dinner is at 5:30 PM. Door to door from my house it is 168 miles and usually 2.5 hours.

At the beginning of April, there will be a major article on his lab in a Chicago newspaper.

Man I love roadtrips! I did take one to Moonlight in Owensboro:

Was headed on my way back to Chicago from Cincinnati when I got jonesen for BBQ.
The idea of making a 5 hour detour to Owensboro Kentucky to visit the Moonlite BBQ crossed my mind. Seeing as I had the time, a beautiful Volvo 860 as a car rental and it just happened to come with the Hertz GPS Neverlost system in the car, I thought this was the perfect time to make such a detour. I just entered the address for the Moonlite into the GPS system outside of Cincinnati and it steered my right to the Moonlite.

I have seen the Moonlite written up in many places. They are know for good BBQ and are one of the only that I've read that serve Mutton BBQ. Being a lamb/mutton as well as a BBQ lover, I thought that the BBQ mutton would be a culinary highlight for me.
Sorry to report, the mutton just did not hold the BBQ flavor that brisket or pork does.
It was good, but the sliced pork was better. On your table are two bottles of sauce. One is a black pepper, tomato based BBQ sauce that goes very well w/the meats. The other is a
Worsteshire/Vinegar based sauce for the mutton, this sauce was almost all water and not anything special.

BBQ buffets served 11am-2pm and 4pm-9pm. According to the Moonlite flyer I picked up in the restaurant, the buffet serves BBQ mutton, pork, ribs, chicken, ham and beef. When I was there, only BBQ mutton, pork and chicken was present on the buffet, which for lunch cost me less than $8 w/tax.

The sliced pork (shoulder) was my favorite meat here, the brisket was next, then the chicken and finally the mutton (did I already tell you I was disappointed w/the mutton???).

Moonlite BBQ Inn
2840 West Parrish Avenue
Owensboro, KY 42301
Phone: 270.684.8143
Hours: Mon-Saturday 9am-9pm
Sun 10am-3pm

I would like to go back at some point and re-taste the mutton.

Ok, so how does this sound?

April 29th- May 1st

Friday April 29th: Champaign Urbana (Cathy2-if this is still a possibility)
-Noon: BBQ crawl
-Evening: Dr. Wansink’s dinner
-Spend the night in Champaign

Saturday: Continue south to Evansville, IN/Owensboro, KY (about 3-4 hours)

-5 BBQ joints in Owensboro, and numerous options in Evansville, IN
-I’d also like to check out the Blues club that hungryrabbi was talking about on Saturday night.

Sunday: Owensboro BBQ Picnic at one of the local churches and/or BBQ brunch at the Shady rest.

Sunday can be used as a travel day as well for people who are BBQ’d out, and want to get home at a decent hour. I'd personally like to get back to Chicago on Sunday no later than 9pm which would mean leaving Owensboro by mid-afternoon.

As far as transportation - I am more than willing to do the van rental (which will hold 6-8 people comfortably) if people are interested. I do think that, as Cathy mentioned, there should be more than 1 vehicle, so people have a little more freedom to do as they please. This is especially true, if some people would not be able to make it to Champaign on Friday, and want to meet up with the rest of the group on Saturday in Owensboro.

Hi,

Chicago Tribune Food Section had an article on Brian Wansink, whose research program we may be visiting in Champaign.

This will be available to read on-line without a fee until next Tuesday.

Regards,

Hi,

We have reservations for 12 with Dr. Wansink. The dinner's usually around $20 a person.

If anyone wants to come along, if only for the Champaign dinner, then please consider yourself welcome.

Regards,

TrixiePea and Cathy, unfortunately, I will be unable to participate the weekend of the 29th

All,

For now the plug has been pulled on the Owensboro roadtrip. We will be looking for a better weekend to do this trip, possibly towards the end of the summer/early fall.

However the Dr. Wansink event is still alive and well.

Thanks,

trixie-pea

Actually if you want a real good road trip to Owensboro, come during the annual BBQ festival. This year it is NOT going to be on Mother's Day weekend for the first time. It will be May 13th and 14th. All the BBQ pork, mutton, and burgoo you could want, in a festival on the river. So come on down.[/u]