Kentuckians love hole-in-the-wall restaurants and we love good barbecue. Put the two together and you’ve got this list of noteworthy, small town BBQ joints that are worth a visit no matter where you live in the Bluegrass State. These spots are well known by the locals in the area, and by those who frequently make side trips just to enjoy the tasty barbecue. So go ahead and save this list on your phone, computer, memory, wherever, because you’re going to want to visit all of these hole in the wall spots that are some of the best BBQ restaurants in Kentucky that will make your tastebuds go crazy.

1. Babes BBQ - 2176 Cincinnati Rd. Georgetown, KY 40324
Emily Chopelas
Emily Chopelas
Located just off the beaten path outside of Georgetown, Babes is quite possibly the friendliest barbecue joint in Kentucky. This family-owned, country restaurant serves up made-from-sratch sides and biscuits with their mouthwatering barbecue. The food is amazing, but the atmosphere and warm welcome when you walk in both make Babes one of the best of the best. Stay up to date on hours and information by following along on Facebook here.

Address: 2176 Cincinnati Road, Georgetown, KY 40324
2. Deez Butts - Located within the Awesome Flea Market in Shepherdsville on the weekends, and also from 2 Food Trucks throughout Elizabethtown
Facebook/Deez Butts
Facebook/Deez Butts
Deez Butts earns a spot on this list not only for its outstanding bbq (and hilarious name), but because it is literally located in a hole in the wall. Every Saturday and Sunday, you'll find Deez Butts set up within the Awesome Flea Market in Shepherdsville. The standout here is the fresh and high quality meat, and the preparation of everything on their menu. You'll taste the difference and start finding reasons to visit the flea market a little more often. Follow along with them on Facebook here.

Address: 165 Dawson Drive, Shepherdsville, KY 40165
3. J & B Barbecue - 48 S. Holloway St. Henderson, Kentucky 42420
Yelp/Dan H.
Yelp/Akos B.
This unassuming building in Henderson is home to some of the best barbecue in Kentucky. Your plate filled with deliciousness is served with a couple slices of bread, just as it should be. The homemade potato salad is also a must-try here; it is outstanding!

Address: 48 S. Holloway Street, Henderson, KY 42420
4. Bacon's Barbecue - Check out their Facebook page here to find out where they'll be next!
Facebook/Bacon's Barbecue
Facebook/Bacon's Barbecue
You may have to work a little bit to track down Bacon's Barbecue but it will be well worth your effort! Many say that Bacon's has the best bbq in the Bluegrass and once you've tried it, it'll be hard to argue otherwise. They set up shop at different spots around Northern Kentucky, so be sure to follow along with them on Facebook here to see where they are headed next. The ribs go fast, keep that in mind, and ask about the Dirty Dog - it's a must-try!

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5. Knoth's Bar-B-Que - 728 US HWY 62 Grand Rivers, KY 42045
Facebook/Knoth's Bar-B-Que
Facebook/Knoth's BAar-B-Que
After a day at the lake, nothing tastes better than a meal at Knoth's Bar-B-Que. Located in Grand Rivers, this family-owned restaurant is relaxed and eccentric and serves some the best barbecue in the state. The sauce is unbelievable, as is everything on the menu. Just look at the perfection in the photo above! Learn more by following along on Facebook here.

Address: 728 US HWY 62 Grand Rivers, KY 42045
6. CopperTop Bar-B-Q - 112 Cassidy Ave. Fredonia, KY 42411
Facebook/CopperTop Bar-B-Q
Facebook/CopperTop Bar-B-Q
CopperTop may be too adorable to call a hole-in-the-wall, but it sure does have some outstanding barbecue. This country restaurant is just as friendly and welcoming as the exterior and everything on the menu is outstanding. They have traditional ribs, brisket and chicken, but the BBQ Rolls and homemade ice cream are also worth a try! Find out more on their Facebook page here.

Address: 112 Cassidy Avenue, Fredonia, KY 42411
7. Thomason's Barbecue - 701 Atkinson St. Henderson, KY 42420
GoogleMaps/Torin Wade
Yelp/Brian R.
In the small town of Henderson, Thomason's is the definition of a hole-in-the-wall hidden gem. It's a local favorite and others tend to drive out of the way just for some of their infamous barbecue. If you like mutton, this is your chance to try some of the best and don't forget to order the BBQ beans - they are the best in the state! Keep up with them on Facebook here.

Address: 701 Atkinson Street, Henderson, KY 42420
8. Roy's Bar-B-Que - 101 Sarah Lane Russellville, KY 42276
GoogleMaps/Rebecca Gonzalez
Facebook/Roy's Bar-B-Que
Since 1983, Roy's has been delighting locals and travelers alike with its unbelievable barbecue. The meats are the highlight here, as well as the friendly service and delicious homemade pies. If you're not in the mood for barbecue, Roy's has some of the best fried catfish around! Check out their entire menu on their website here.

Address: 101 Sarah Lane, Russellville, KY 42276

Good barbecue is fairly easy to find in Kentucky, but excellent barbecue is only found in places like these, where the owners pour their heart and soul into their cooking. How many of these BBQ joints have you been to? Did we miss your favorite hole-in-the-wall and is it one of the best BBQ restaurants in Kentucky? Let us know about it in the comments!

And for even more mouthwatering BBQ restaurants in Kentucky, check out one of our previous lists here.

OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

More to Explore

Best BBQ Restaurants In Kentucky

Andrea Limke | September 10, 2019

Is Kentucky known for BBQ?

If you ask this question of someone who is not from Kentucky, they are very likely to answer no. It's true that the Bluegrass State is not necessarily known for its BBQ. But that doesn't mean that our local restaurants in Kentucky don't serve up some of the best barbecue in the region. In fact, BBQ restaurants seem to be quite popular in Kentucky, from the long running favorites in Owensboro to the trendy spots in Louisville. Kentucky may not be known for BBQ now, but we have a feeling that will change as time goes on.

What style of BBQ can be found in Kentucky?

One of the great things about the best barbecue in Kentucky is that you'll find a variety of styles served up in different restaurants. Some meats are smoked with wood, some use a rub, some are known for their sauce, and some of the local restaurants in Kentucky have great barbecue as well as homemade sides that have made them famous. Kentucky-style BBQ isn't really a thing, aside from the fact that it's bound to be good barbecue in the Bluegrass.

What are the other best hole in the wall restaurants in Kentucky?

Hole in the wall restaurants in Kentucky are some of the best places to eat in the state. Every small town and big city has a collection of unassuming spots that serve up delicious food in a laid back atmosphere. In fact, some of our very favorite places to share with you are these local restaurants in Kentucky that are often the heartbeat of a community. To see the hole in the wall restaurants in Kentucky we've previously featured, head here.

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Featured Addresses
101 Sarah Lane Russellville, KY 42276
701 Atkinson St. Henderson, KY 42420
112 Cassidy Ave. Fredonia, KY 42411
1230 Crabtree Ave. Owensboro, KY 42301
48 S. Holloway St. Henderson, Kentucky 42420
2176 Cincinnati Rd. Georgetown, KY 40324
728 US HWY 62 Grand Rivers, KY 42045