Best BBQ in Louisville, KY: 3 Smokehouses, Ranked

The Louisville BBQ scene runs on the Western Kentucky tradition. Mark's Feed Store at 1514 Bardstown Rd has smoked over hickory since 1992. Shirley's Way at 1305 W Jefferson St is a newer counter that cooks the same Western Kentucky canon. Rack 'N Roll BBQ on Shelbyville Rd rounds out the field with a St. Louis-style rib and brisket program. Rankings follow how many independent local roundups list each joint - tie-broken by verified fact count - and every listing is checked against the joint's own published information.

The ranking

1. 01

   Marks Feed Store

   Mark's Feed Store is at 1514 Bardstown Rd, Louisville, KY 40205. It has smoked over hickory on an indirect-heat pit since 1992 and is open Mon-Thu 11am-9pm, Fri-Sat 11am-10pm, and Sun 11am-9pm. The signature item is the mutton sandwich with white sauce on white bread, paired with the Western Kentucky black dip and a house white sauce. A mutton sandwich is $12.95 and a pork shoulder plate is $14.50. Sides include potato salad, slaw, baked beans, and cornbread.

2. 02

   Shirleys Way

   Shirley's Way is at 1305 W Jefferson St, Louisville, KY 40203. It has smoked over hickory on an indirect-heat pit since 2017 and is open Tue-Thu 11am-7pm, Fri-Sat 11am-9pm, Sun 11am-5pm, and closed Monday. The menu covers a pork shoulder sandwich and mutton ribs with the same Western Kentucky black dip and white sauce as Mark's. A pork shoulder sandwich is $11. Sides include baked beans, slaw, potato salad, and cornbread.

3. 03

   Rack N Roll Bbq

   Rack 'N Roll BBQ is at 11614 Shelbyville Rd, Louisville, KY 40243. It runs a rotisserie smoker over hickory and is open Tue-Thu 11am-8pm, Fri-Sat 11am-9pm, Sun 11am-6pm, and closed Monday. The menu covers St. Louis cut spare ribs and brisket with a tomato-vinegar mop and a Kansas City-style thick sauce. A half-rack of ribs is $22. Sides include baked beans, slaw, potato salad, mac and cheese, and corn casserole.

By neighborhood

FAQ