When you visit Monroe County Kentucky – and you must – as soon as you cross the county line, roll down your car window, open up the sunroof, and I swear you will smell barbeque.

Monroe County has about eight barbeque restaurants, down one because earlier this month the legendary Frances Bar-b-que restaurant burned to the ground.

Not very impressive, until you consider that at the population of the entire county is about 11,000. One Q joint per 1300 people, yeah, that’s the way it should be!

Another very popular, and in a legendary location, is Backyard BBQ, legendary because it was known as Paul & Nora’s Bar-B-Cue, before it became Backyard BBQ.

It’s scenes like this one pictured that just make a barbeque lover shed a tear: rolling blue smoke.
I was lucky, the wind was moving the smoke right past the front door and over the road. Best advertising ever.

I moseyed around to the pit and found Randy hardly working on some shoulders. I introduced myself and chit chatted for a bit.

Then came the question: what should I eat. Rather: What do you like to eat?

He didn’t hesitate long. He likes shoulder. I like shoulder. I was going to be happy.

Dipped I asked?

He said that would be good if I liked it hot, which I do. But you never can beat the advice of the guy running the pit. I asked how he had it and he said dipped, mild.

Barbecue in Monroe County is all vinegar based.

Once inside, there were the usual choices, shoulder, chicken, pulled. The sides were vinegar slaw, mayo slaw, baked beans. It was fantastic, three shoulder pieces, and if you ate it there, free refills on the slaw and beans! $5.50 + 60 cents for the Dr Pepper.

With meals like this, and by the number of people getting take-out Randy and Backyard BBQ Pit are on their way to becoming legendary. All Randy needs to do is get older!

How to get there: Tompkinsville, Kentucky, is just 83 miles from Nashville International Airport. From the airport, take I-65 North out of Tennessee and into Kentucky. Make a right onto exit 43, the Cumberland Parkway, and then take exit 14 to Highway 90. Make a right on 90 and go 20 miles to Highway 163 South. Tompkinsville is 13 miles down the road.
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Backyard BBQ
(270) 487-9271
Tompkinsville
2768 Edmonton Rd
Tompkinsville, KY 42167

Where to sleep: The Tompkinsville Inn on Highway 163 North. Contact the inn at (270) 487-9228.

Remember:  Most of the barbecue restaurants are only open Thursdays through Sundays, and when they’re sold out, they shut tight. Call ahead to make sure your favorite cut of meat — or some pulled pork — is still available.

Next up:

R&S BBQ

Just off the square of downtown Tompkinsville, where Anita made up a fantastic sampler platter for me!