• Louisville is home to many restaurants that serve authentic southern barbecuebarbecue chicken image by Kathy Burns from Fotolia.com
  
  Louisville, Kentucky, has a rich culinary history. Hot browns and burgoo originated in Kentucky, and biscuits and gravy, grits, fried chicken and chess pie are also part of the cuisine. Bourbon is the drink of choice, usually consumed "neat" or in a mint julep. Authentic barbecue, including ribs, chicken and brisket, are also a part of the Louisville culture, and the city is home to many barbecue restaurants and roadside stands that stand up to even the harshest barbecue critic.
  
  

Mark's Feed Store Bar-B-Q

• Mark's has been serving authentic barbecue and ribs to Louisville locals since 1988. The restaurant is set in a two-story brick building in Louisville's Middletown neighborhood. The life-sized pig sculpture in the front of the building greets diners as they make their way into the first-floor dining room. Vintage signs adorn the walls that pay homage to the site's previous tenant, a livestock feed store.
  
  The restaurant is well-known for its take on traditional Kentucky burgoo, although Gayot noted "Happily they omit an authentic frontier ingredient---squirrel." The menu is a carnivore's delight featuring burgers, ribs and barbecued pork dishes, although they do also offer a few salads, wings and other chicken dishes. Popular sides include sweet fried corn on the cob and baked apples with cinnamon. A full children's menu is available, especially popular on Tuesdays when children eat for free.
  
  Mark's Feed Store Bar-B-Q
  11422 Shelbyville Road
  Louisville, KY 40203
  502-244-0140
  marksfeedstore.com
  
  

Pit Stop Bar-B-Que

• The Pit Stop provides top-notch barbecue in a comfortable setting with a lively, bustling atmosphere. A game room is sure to keep kids occupied, while the four televisions at the cozy bar will satisfy even the most avid sports fan. All meats are 100-percent hickory smoked at the Pit Stop, and the smoking process lends a rich flavor to the pork, ribs, beef and chicken that are fall-off-the-bone tender.
  
  The extensive menu offers sandwiches, salads, baked-stuffed potatoes, and other sides as well as seafood, pork, beef and poultry entrees and house specials. Customer favorites include the Pit Stop Combo with pulled pork, brisket and ribs, the farm-raised catfish and the shaved chicken. Popular sides include the house-made chili, macaroni and cheese and hand-battered onion rings. A children's menu and Family Value Packs are also available.
  
  Pit Stop Bar-B-Que
  13303 Magisterial Drive
  Louisville, KY 40223
  502-253-6740
  pitstopky.com
  
  

FireFresh BBQ

• Bruce Loeffler grew up watching his grandfather, a local firefighter, cook chili and barbecue at the firehouse. He considered a career in firefighting, but discovered his true calling and knew his destiny was next to a grill. FireFresh opened its doors in 2001, and became an instant hit with its proprietary sweet barbecue sauce that has a fiery kick to it.
  
  The concise menu offers wings, chili, burgoo, salads and sides as well as ribs, pulled pork, pulled chicken and Texas-style brisket served a variety of ways. Popular dishes include the baby back ribs, served either dry-rubbed or soaked in sauce, the Small Dixie Sampler Plate with ribs, pulled pork and pulled chicken, and Code 4 Texas-style brisket sandwich.
  
  FireFresh BBQ
  6435 Bardstown Road
  Louisville, KY 40291
  502-239-7800
  firefreshbbq.com