"To Kentuckians, this is a silly question – everyone there knows what burgoo is. But some of us in the rest of the South may be unaware of this special kind of stew. And there are probably lots more who didn't know the World's Largest Burgoo Pot is located in Owensboro, Ky. –at least the owners claim it's the largest, and no one has stepped up to challenge that," the It's a Southern Thing says.

"The pot is located in front of Moonlite Bar-B-Q Inn at 2840 W. Parrish Avenue in Owensboro. The restaurant has been open more than 70 years and the pot was created in the 1970s or '80s, according to Beth Tibbetts, who commented on RoadsideAmerica.com that her father, Jim Rush, built the mold in the basement of the family home.

""Traditionally cooked for hours in large kettles, preparation of burgoo began as a community affair where everyone would contribute the bounty of the season and the kill of the day," the article says. "The best burgoo was known to be stirred non-stop, allowing flavors to marry and cornmeal or oats to thicken. With a true recipe nowhere to be found, improvisation was key, which is why numerous meats such as pigeon, squirrel, wild game, mutton, and chicken were all used."

"And the Owensboro-Daviess County Convention & Visitors Bureau is encouraging people to go online and vote for either Moonlite Bar-B-Q Inn or Old Hickory Bar-B-Q. “Anytime you can be on one of these lists like this, it’s good for the community,” Dave Kirk, the CVB’s destination management director, said,"  the Visit Owensboro says.

"“We have the biggest burgoo pot,” he said of the giant kettle at Moonlite that has been driven in parades across the state in the past. “And we think we have the best burgoo.”

"The list of nominees includes Boone Tavern, Berea; Bootleg Bar-B-Q, Louisville; Bully Barbeque, La Grange; Dave’s Sticky Pig, Madisonville; Doc’s BBQ Smokestack, Brandenburg; The Eagle, Louisville; Frankfort Avenue Beer Depot Smokehouse, Louisville; Firehouse Sandwich Stop at Buffalo Trace Distillery, Frankfort; Harvest, Louisville; Keeneland, Lexington; Knockum Hill Bar-B-Que, Herndon."

"Owensboro sits on the banks of the Ohio River across from Indiana. It’s the self-proclaimed Bluegrass capital of the world and home to the Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame, but the city also has its hand in the barbecue world with its own unique take on the cuisine. It hosts an international barbecue festival that brings thousands of tourists to the city eager to taste the city’s unique style of barbecue.

"Patrick Bosley is the third-generation owner of Moonlight Bar-B-Q Inn, an Owensboro staple that’s been serving plates of tangy, juicy meats since 1949. He said the culture and history of barbecue in Owensboro goes far deeper than just something to be cooked and eaten.

"The International Barbeque Festival brought thousands of tourists to Owensboro and featured musical performances, square dancing, car shows, and of course, barbecue, including a competition for church cooking teams with bragging rights at stake for the best barbecue in the county."

"Moonlite Bar-B-Q Inn is known far and wide for its amazing burgoo stew, served with two cornbread muffins and crackers. This is a hug in a bowl, folks — it’s as good as it gets!Moonlite Bar-B-Q Inn is a beloved eatery in Owensboro, Kentucky, that's a bit of a local institution," the Only In Your State says.



"While the slow-smoked barbecue at Moonlite is worth the trip alone, and the well-stocked buffet is certainly exciting, the real star of the show at Moonlite Bar-B-Q Inn is something much more humble...

"Burgoo is an incredibly nuanced and hearty dish. Recipes vary on the combination of meats and vegetables; Moonlite uses a trio of mutton, beef, and chicken, for an umami-packed flavor bomb!"

"So what exactly makes Owensboro’s barbecue stand out from that of other cities? Two things: mutton and burgoo. Barbecued mutton (sheep), which is slowly smoked over a pit of hickory wood, is a local favorite in Owensboro. Burgoo is a hearty soup made from various meats and vegetables with a perfect blend of spices. Burgoo experts often disagree on the exact ingredients, and no two cooks make it the same way, nor do they share their secret recipes," the Seek Discover Learn says.



"In Owensboro, you will find everything from mom and pop barbecue joints to fine dining establishments. We ate at Moonlite Bar-B-Q Inn which has an amazing reputation for having outstanding barbecue and a first-class buffet. They have received many awards and recognitions from publications such as Kentucky Monthly and Kentucky Living, and have been featured on the Food Network and the Travel Channel. USA Today also listed Moonlite Bar-B-Q Inn as one of the “10 great places to fill up your plate.”

"At Moonlite Bar-B-Q Inn, the buffet is the main event. You can try all of the delicious meat options, decide which one is your favorite, and then go back for more. On the evening buffet you will find barbecued mutton, pork, ribs, chicken, ham, and beef, several vegetable choices, a salad bar, and a dessert bar of homemade pies. We learned that the enormous black kettle that sits in front of the restaurant signifies the Burgoo pots inside the kitchen. Fun fact: On Halloween in 2003, Moonlite sold 19,000 sandwiches in one day."