Opening the door to your car you'll know exactly what you're getting, smoked BBQ straight up. The old "U" shaped diner further tells you you're in for simple old fashioned treat with five choices and three sides, excluding the candy selection. To be honest, I wouldn't have wanted anything more. The sandwich is two slices of toasted white and naked, smoked & chopped meat. The coleslaw was chopped and thick. The one sauce offered is a true southern sauce - tangy, slightly vinegary with a nice bite at the end. Slap the slaw on for added variety but that's all you'll get here where simplicity rules. No plates. No fuss. Just good food. read more

Starnes Barbecue - two people standing at the bar - Barbeque Near Me - Paducah, Kentucky

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The best barbecue on earth. Seriously. The. Best. You can only get this type of bbq in western Kentucky and Tennessee. Hickory smoked with no sauce. My Granny and I used to go and sit at the counter and have a pulled pork sandwich with a Dr. Pepper. That was back when they still served them in bottles. Even now when I visit Paducah it's the first place I go. Even before seeing family. And, of course, I always buy a bottle of the sauce to take home to Seattle. read more

Starnes Barbecue - a green sign for a restaurant - Barbeque Near Me - Paducah, Kentucky

Starnes is good ol fashioned BBQ. The atmosphere really completes the whole experience. The counter is a U shaped counter that fills the entire place, there is a good chance you wont know the person sitting next to you, which I think is pretty cool. Check it out during the week at lunch time.. it cool to see all the regulars come in-- as soon as they do, the girls there know exactly what they want and just start bringing it out to them. The bbq is served on white bread, which is a nice change of pace from buns.. it is wrapped nicely in wax paper. The sides were delicious.I had the slaw and tater salad.. I added some of the slaw to my sandwich. Someone mentioned that the portions are small.. they are.. but its cheap! a sandwich is maybe 2 bucks, and the sides are about 80 cents.Well worth the prices. They also have RC on tap.. which you dont see much anymore. If you are in the area, check it out. read more

Holly Smokes Batman! This place is a throwback to the days of simplistic times. Lunch counter service where the community sets together and is as friendly as they come. The price is WAY less than it should be for this fantastic food. It is BBQ sandwiches at its finest and the potato salad is great too. Had the beef and the flavor was really nice; so I also got a half sandwich of Pork. Man I miss ordered - should've got the whole sandwich of Pork and the half of beef. That Pork is king here and I highly recommend. I will be back a few times this week while I am here. read more

Dry. Not much meat. I called my order in to save time and the man who answered seemed very frustrated with my questions. Once I got it, it was dried out and yukky. Won't go back. read more

Just ok, very limited menu. But very reasonable prices. Not real bbq, just chopped meats. Depends what you're used to. I prefer KC style. Ribs, sliced brisket, etc. read more

Grew up on it and so miss that ugly green building! Starnes toasts their sandwiches which I thought was the only way to eat BBQ until I got to Memphis. My Wife and I still chop and toast. No better way in our opinion. Just all around good People at Starnes. When they slide you that *perfectly wrapped* in paper chopped pork you remember what love is. No fancy plate or anything. It's just like a Christmas present! Peel that paper back and enjoy something special. I've been in Memphis last 25 or so years, but Paducah still my Hometown that I love dearly, and this place is one of my most happy memories and an absolute goto for Visitors or when visiting home! Just be patient, use your manners and you will do just fine and probably make a new Friend or three in the process! read more

My first visit to Starnes was in 1974 (approximately). Growing up across the river in Golconda, IL, we would make a monthly trip to Paducah to shop for groceries. One of those trips resulted in my first experience at Starnes. The smoke rising from the pit and the wonderful aroma it produced are a couple of my fondest childhood memories. My first sandwich was a barbecue bologna as this was a kids' favorite. The sandwich was HUGE by childhood standards. Some 30 years later I still visit Starnes when I return to visit my Dad in Golconda. It's my pleasure (and his) to make the trip to Paducah if not just to sit at the counter or, if we're lucky, at the booth to enjoy the wonderful Kentucky-style barbecue sandwiches which are served on white toast. I now prefer the smoked porked rather than the bologna. Funny how the sandwiches seem smaller now that I'm in my 40s! I like to add the Starnes sauce which is a vinegar and black pepper splash of spicey heaven. (I typically buy a few extra bottles for my friends back in San Diego). I've introduced my daughter to this little local gem and she loves it as much as me! I'm thrilled it's survived all these years...then again, quality is a timeless thing isn't it? read more

This was some of the best BBQ in Paducah. There must be a lot of restaurants here in this city and Starnes is certainly one of them. I would definitely recommend it. read more

I grew up in Paducah. Live in Lexington now. I wish Starnes would open a location here! I LOVE the BBQ pork sandwich and their BBQ sauce. Every time I'm in Paducah I I have to eat there and more often than not I return to Lexington with a Pork shoulder in my trunk of my car. read more

A friend and I stopped in here during a cross-country drive. It was an excellent choice. The smoky chopped pork was simply fantastic. I was pretty skeptical of the toasted white bread, but it really did work in this case. The spongy fake bread was essentially pressed very thin, and was quite crunchy. It worked very well with the amazing pork within. The coleslaw was very good. Chopped and thick cabbage, without too much other gunk. Yum! read more

Our favorite barbecue place. The barbecue beef sandwich is my favorite. They've got pork, ham, beef, turkey, and bologna by the sandwich or by the pound. read more

Was looking for something to eat so we yelped and came across this place since we were visiting. Hands down simple and plain sandwiches that taste good. My bf and I tried the pork, beef, ham and turkey. Haha well for $2.50 each why not lol. I ate all my pork sandwich with the slaw and chips. Had a bite of the beef and ham which were good too and the turkey I wasn't too fond of it but everything was good. If you're in town passing thru might as well stop by and try it. read more

This place specializes is BBQ sandwiches on plain white bread. Sandwiches were $2.75 each, order 1 if your a little hungry, 2 if you're a lot hungry. I think there was 5 types of meat, we had beef and a turkey and then another beef :-). Beef appears to be shredded chuck roast that had excellent flavor. The sauce seems to be heavy on the red pepper (similar taste to Tabasco). Add the sauce in moderation, it gets hot! Turkey sandwich was good. They also sell the meats by the pound, I think it's $8.75. This appears to be a place frequented by the locals, its easy to see why. 3 sandwiches, 2 iced teas, 2 8 oz sides for about $14! read more

Starnes Barbecue - Barbeque Near Me - Paducah, Kentucky

This is my second favorite BBQ spot in the Paducah area. The chopped pork on toast with mild sauce is excellent. They even have smoked bologna and turkey sandwiches. Try it out if your in town you wont be disapaointed. read more

There is very little to say about a place that only has 4 things on the menu (all of which are just different meats). It's phenomenal. Simple, cheap, quick, and friendly. 4 hallmarks of a great meal. My turkey sandwich with slaw set me back a cool $3, worth every penny. read more

Beginning in 1962 when driving between Southern Illinois and Nashville, Tennessee I have always stopped to get a bar-b-que sandwich. Later when living in Seattle and in Hawaii I telephone and they FedEx the sauce. It is the best IF YOU LIKE a vinegar-based sauce. If you are into those ketchup-based Texas or California or Hawaii or Kansas City sauces then you won't like this. read more

I've eaten Starnes BBQ many times, as a lot of our local grocery stores carry the bbq sauce and their meat. This was the first time I had eaten at the restaurant. I went before lunch time, so there wasn't anyone in there. Extremely friendly staff and a delicious bologna sandwich. I'll definitely go back. Their hours are Tuesday through Saturday 8AM-6PM. read more

I am a barbecue FANATIC... Starnes cooks some fantastic barbecue and their sauce is FANTASTIC !! So why two stars? well... as a take out restaurant, like i said... fantastic. GO there pick a pound and some sauce and there are no complaints really. the Dine-In experience on the otherhand isnt as good. If you go in to eat and order a sandwich its usually chopped. I dont really like chopped barbecue. I like pulled and left more intact. I also think their sandwiches are small. For take out, yeah... go to starnes if its conveniant (i wouldnt go out of the way for their food if your closer to another joint). for sit down, id really recommend going somewhere else unless you just want a quick lunch. The sauce... well, its wonderfull !!! but you can pick it up at all the stores in town (walmart carries it). honestly all the local joints make a good sauce though. read more

This is my absolutely favorite bbq place since I was a little girl. Now I live 1,532 miles away and I crave it all the time. The counter service is great and the bbq pork sandwich is so good. Add a soda and chips and you're set. The opportunity to buy a pound or 2 of your favorite meat to take with you is another good option. I highly recommend this place. read more

I get the pork or turkey sandwich with chips. One sandwich isnt filling enough. Gotta put extra starnes sauce on it!! They get busy so be prepared to wait a few minutes. (or call ahead) read more

Down home Kentucky bbq. Being a paducah native Starnes is something we love to get during the warmer months when we don't feel like smoking our own meat. Best bbq sauce in town. read more

As far as a sandwich goes it was okay. But hard to call this a barbecue restaurant. We were really looking forward to digging into some ribs or chicken. Wish we had known it was only sandwiches before we drove 1.5 hours. read more

Good bbq pork sandwiches for less than $3!! Limited seating but they are very fast. Potato salad side is pretty yummy too.

We drive 110 miles to eat the best BBQ sandwich in the world here. Nothing fancy but that's not what BBQ is supposed to be (fancy), it's just simple and delicious. We love the taste of the meat by itself but love the vinegar based sauce with a touch of heat added to it. We keep a big bottle of their sauce at home to spice up our hamburgers and other grilled meats we make at home. My family has been eating at Starnes since the 1960's and we're now on the fifth generation of Starnes lovers in our family. Can't wait for my next 110 mile road trip for more! read more

I have grew up eating Starnes bbq, my uncle Maurice Berry saw to it we always had Starnes when we came to Paducah, and always when he came to Michigan. If you have never had there bbq you just don't know what you are missing, I have there sauce all the time in my ref, however it is always missing the flavor of the great pulled pork sandwich. You can try bbq everywhere and will always go back to Starnes. read more

Great pork sandwich! Had mine with coleslaw on it. Love the toasted white bread. It fits the family nature of this establishment perfectly. Very friendly service as well. I recommend Starnes highly. read more

On a visit from Cali to Paducah, I had the opportunity to stop by for a take out of pulled beef, pulled pork and a ham. I loved the flavor of each but I particularly enjoyed the smoked ham. The smoked flavor was amazing. I am not a fan of salt and i found the ham a bit salty for my taste buds but the flavor was so good. I brought sliced pieces of the ham back to Cali and made sandwiches. They were ridiculously great! read more

Simple and delicious! Meat is the king here. Sandwiches comes with a side: chip, potato salad, or cole slaw. Candy and other snacks sold behind the counter. read more

Bbq was ok. It was chopped and not pulled. Very little meat on the bun hence the low price vs other Bbq joints. Sauce was good. People were extremely friendly thar were working there. The restaurant itself was quite old, which is ok, but there were areas that looked extremely dirty and unkempt. Alot of old favorite places are like that though. 5 sandwiches with chips cost us about $18 and change. read more

Small, fast, and different from what I was expecting. I ordered some coffee, a pulled pork sandwich, and then got a turkey sandwich to go. Pork had some spice to it, which was nice. Not your classic but the big smoke coming over the roof sold me. Coleslaw was thick and tasty. I'll be going back if I'm in the area. read more

One of my must places to eat everytime I visit Paducah. This place is a serious dive which is part of the experience of eating here. U shaped counter with stools all around. Two 4 seat tables at each end of the U. Big windows make it nice and bright but very spartan on the rest of the decor. They are serious about bar b q here. Chips and a few snack cakes or candy is about all that is available other than the 4-5 different meats that they do. This is a Paducah landmark for good reason. Highly recommend it to anybody. I live in Texas and moved from Kentucky. But my favorite bar b q is Kentucky pit bar b q with the vinegar based sauce. My only complaint about Starnes is that they changed from bottled to fountain drinks. Used to love to get that ice cold RC in the bottle. Should still give us a choice. Would be willing to pay a little more for that bit of nostalgia. read more

Family run little joint, bbq pork and beef sanwiches were super tasty, fast and cheap. Service was A+ and very welcoming, they did a ton of takeout. We fed the fam of 4 for $22. Sauce has a great flavor and a little kick. Bought a bottle of sauce to go, it'll be great on grilled foods! When passing thru the area will stop again!! read more

Great pulled pork sandwich. Slaw and potato salad were very good as well. And a really cool old school diner style venue. Next time I am passing through Paducah I will definitely stop here and eat again. read more

Not your typical BBQ joint by any means. Hole in the wall that has served locals for decades. Forget about a sandwich basket with fries or beans. This place just does sandwiches on toasted white bread with choice of slaw, chips or potato salad. And don't forget about the RC cola read more

was on way home to FL and read other reviews so we tried 0MG! make this your stop! a mom/pop shop - kitchenette counter - people lined up waiting for seats & to go - sandwiches served in wrapped waxed paper - RC cola - YES YES YES and more YES read more

For the second time I have bought several pounds of pork and it was so dry you could barely swallow it. I think they give take out customers meat that has been in a heater for hours and not freshly cut up. I am most disappointed and will either ask for fresh cut meat or go somewhere else! read more

Update on STARNES............EXCELLENT!!!!!! Hometown restaurant, staff is very friendly, menu is short and sweet! Best BBQ sauce you can find read more

Starnes is a staple in Paducah. A pulled pork on toast at the counter will surely satisfy. You can also buy BBQ by the pound or by the shoulder, as well as turkeys for Thanksgiving. Don't miss their sauce. It's got a little kick, but you will want to put it on everything you eat. The pulled pork can also be found in area grocery stores in vacuum packed bags. You'll also be able to pick up their sauce in large or small bottles in area groceries as well. But if you're in town be sure to stop by the little greenish-bluish building off of Park Ave. and watch it all go down. read more

Just average BBQ in my opinion. The pork sandwiches we had didn't have much smoke flavor, and their BBQ sauce was mostly heat, and not much flavor. I will say the the wait staff was friendly, the premises were VERY clean, and it was reasonably priced. A few days later I was at a grocery store in Meteropolis, IL and the have vacuum packed packages of Starnes BBQ. I bought a pack, and it was MUCH better than what they had at the restaurant a few day earlier. read more