View source for Old Hickory Bar-B-Que

==Early History==
In 1918, Old Hickory Bar-B-Que evolved from Charles
“Pappy” Foreman’s blacksmith shop on the corner of 25th
Street and Frederica Street in Owensboro, Kentucky. At that time
this location was on the edge of town and was the end of the line
destination for a Sunday afternoon drive.

“Pappy” Foreman started cooking at this location for church
picnics. Being a blacksmith, it must have been relatively easy
to build a “pit” for barbecuing. The front of the shop became a
waiting area for his customers, with a picnic table in the pit room.
He decided to cook, sell, and serve his barbecue as a service to
his customers.

The business survived the Great Depression of the 1930’s.
Before “Pappy” died in 1941, his son, Landrum Foreman worked
with him in the restaurant. The restaurant closed during WWII and
did not reopen until 1953, by Landrum’s son, Harl Foreman Sr.

==Second Building==
In 1960, it was decided that Frederica Street needed to be
widened and the original location was torn down. A new building
was built several yards away on Washington Avenue with 28
seats and carry out.

Harl Foreman, Jr. assumed part ownership, taking over management
in 1979. One of the 3 employees, Jeff Moss, a high
school student at the time, is still on staff as a manager.

==Third Building==
The business grew steadily and in 1982 an adjacent building
was rented and the seating increased from 28 to 54 seats. In
1986, after 60 years of growth, a new building was built across
the street on Washington Avenue.

{{2015}}

[[Category:Restaurants]]