It’s Abe Lincoln’s 200th birthday. Seemed only appropriate that we set out to wander around Abe Lincoln’s Birthplace National Park near Hodgenville in search of some good barbeque.

Lo and behold, there seems to be a lack of any barbecue places in or near Hodgenville, Kentucky. If somebody knows differently, please let me know.

Never fear, about 30 miles away in Munfordville, Kentucky  is a great BBQ joint: Big Bubba Bucks Belly Bustin’ Bliss BBQ.

The size of the sign is your first clue that this place is for real.

It’s a sign like road construction contractors use for highway alerts. Big a$$ sign!  for a tiny place. Big Bubba Bucks Belly Bustin’ Bliss BBQ is located just off I-65 at exit 65 on Highway 31W.

The day we visited was Munfordville’s city-wide yard sale. On first glimpse I wasn’t sure if the place was open, or they just were having a yard sale. But the neon “Open” sign beckoned us inside.

Six booths, half full at 1 p.m. on a Saturday. About right. The counter worker asked “carry out or eat in?

Eat in.

Have seat and I will bring you your menu.

Whoa! Upscale! We turned and took the booth furthest from the counter closest to the door (a total of six steps)

I asked what was cooking and was told if this was my first time there, I needed to eat ribs.  Ribs it is. 1/2 rack dinner, please.

For sides, I asked if the slaw was vinegar or mayo and she said the slaw was made with Miracle Whip. She said she was partial to the slaw.

I looked over the other choices (spelling is theirs):

• Homemade Tator salad
• BBQ Beans
• Pinto Beans
• Collard Greens
• Fried tators
• Small frieds
• Sweet tator fries
• Fried corn on the cob
• Fresh fried green maters
• Fresh fried zuccini
• Fresh fried squash
• Macaroni salad
• Deep fried Dell pickles

While I was pondering my choices (only two???) she piped up and said “fried green maters.” And like the BBQ robot I am, I repeated: fried green maters.

As Buck (pictured) headed out the door with some foil roasting pans, I knew he was fetching some ribs right off the smoker. I asked if I could follow and he obliged.

Tell me that doesn’t make your mouth water! His smoker may have been small, but the food he created was mighty. Buck’s shirt says “Taste so good it will make you smack your momma.”

It WAS that good.

I noticed Buck chatting into a microphone giving a list of their menu. My first reaction was that he was calling in a live spot for a radio commercial. But the come back was from a trucker asking a couple questions and placing an order.

Turns out, this is a big part of their business. Consequently, they monitor the CB, take orders and have a huge gravel parking lot for semi trucks behind their small restaurant.

Remember what they used to say about eating at truck stops? Hardly true anymore,  except for Big Bubba Bucks Belly Bustin’ Bliss BBQ.

The ribs fell off the bone, the meat didn’t really need any additional sauce, the fried green mators were delish and the blueberry cobbler was just yummy.

Another customer told me I needed to try the Banana Cream puddin’ so I got an order of that to go. Man that was some good eatin’.

Big Bubba Buck’s Belly Bustin’ Barbecue Bliss
US 31W • 270-307-8309
Open 10 AM-10 PM Mon-Fri,
10 AM-8 PM Sat-Sun

View Larger Map