“The world-famous mutton palace that turned an Owensboro roadside joint into a barbecue temple.”
Come hungry for the legendary all-you-can-eat buffet piled with chopped and sliced mutton, pulled pork, chicken, burgoo, and homemade sides and desserts, or order pit meats by the pound at the counter. It is open daily and gets busy on weekends and around the International Bar-B-Q Festival.
Know Before You Go
- Price
- Mid-range ($$)
- Don't miss
- Chopped Mutton, Burgoo, and Barbecue Buffet
What to Order
Why It Stands Out
The Bosley family bought the 30-seat Moonlite in 1963 and grew it into a 350-seat institution with its own USDA processing plant, drawing presidents, celebrities, and pilgrims from around the world. Its hickory-smoked mutton and sprawling buffet are the definitive Owensboro barbecue experience.
Quick Facts
- Address
- 2840 W Parrish Ave, Owensboro, KY 42301
- Phone
- (270) 684-8143
- Website
- moonlite.com
- Price Range
- $$
Moonlite Bar-B-Q Inn — Frequently Asked Questions
What should I order at Moonlite Bar-B-Q Inn?
Regulars point to Chopped Mutton, Burgoo, Barbecue Buffet, and Sliced Mutton with Dip.
Is Moonlite Bar-B-Q Inn expensive?
Moonlite Bar-B-Q Inn is mid-range ($$).
What kind of barbecue does Moonlite Bar-B-Q Inn serve?
Moonlite Bar-B-Q Inn serves Western Kentucky barbecue — Western Kentucky barbecue is America's mutton country, centered on Owensboro, the self-proclaimed 'Barbecue Capital of the World' and home to the annual International Bar-B-Q Festival. Older sheep are slow-smoked over hickory coals in masonry pits until the dark, gamy meat turns tender, then chopped or sliced and mopped with a thin, tangy Worcestershire-and-vinegar black 'dip.' The other regional signature is burgoo, a thick, long-simmered stew of mutton and other meats with vegetables. Pork, chicken, and ribs round out the pits, but mutton and burgoo are what make this the most distinctive barbecue tradition in the country.