A starter list of places to eat well without spending much. Owensboro is known for hickory-smoked mutton and burgoo, so barbecue leads the list.
Prices and hours change. Each listing links to the restaurant's own site. Confirm hours and prices there before you go.
2840 W Parrish Ave. The best-known name in Owensboro mutton barbecue, open since 1963. The buffet is the famous part, but the carry-out counter is the budget move: chopped sandwiches on its carry-out menu are well under $10. Try the burgoo if you've never had it.
338 Washington Ave. Another long-running mutton and barbecue house with dine-in, carry-out and a drive-thru. Locals argue about Old Hickory versus Moonlite, so try both and pick a side.
3523 KY-54. Opens at 6 a.m. and serves both a barbecue buffet and cheap breakfast plates. Its menu page lists the buffet with a lower weekday price than weekends.
4925 Frederica St and 4527 KY-54. A 1950s-style diner with smash burgers, shoestring fries and homemade ice cream. Good for a cheap burger-and-a-scoop night.
630 Emory Dr. Scratch biscuits and biscuit sandwiches, breakfast and lunch only. Its site lists Tuesday to Sunday, 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Weekend mornings get busy.
These came up in our research, but we couldn't confirm current details on an official site yet. Call or check their social pages first.
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