Starnes Barbecue: Paducah's Classic Hickory-Smoked BBQ Sandwiches

Starnes has all the earmarks of an old-fashioned no-frills barbecue shack: minimal decor, a sparse menu, and outstanding barbecue that draws locals to Starnes on an ongoing basis. It has been there for a long time, and that alone is a tribute to the quality of the barbecue it serves, with a slightly fiery vinegar-based sauce and, if you wish, a nice mustardy potato salad with bits of onion in it, and a pepper slaw that has a well-balanced sweet and sour dressing. All this and first-rate iced tea.... A regular seated next to us kindly gave us tips on what to order, when it was obvious we were tourists who hadn't eaten at Starnes before. I was interested to see that he had brought along his own ziplock bag of dill and bread and butter pickles to go with his barbecue, as had the two folks eating on the other side of us. Nice wait staff who watch carefully to see when customers need a refill of water or tea.... It's easy to see why this place keeps bringing people back.

An excellent lunch stop. Light but hits the spot and let's you get back to your day without hitting a BBQ coma. Feels like a local institution. Nice to see people coming from all over to sit and eat. Thanks to Scott for getting me lunch, a real Kentucky gentleman!

I've been eating here since I was born in the early 80's. Our family has always ordered pork by the pound (usually a shoulder to share between relatives)

My single family now orders a pound or two & a bottle of sauce to eat on for a few days. I love eating it cold straight from the fridge! (An aquired taste?!) The people are friendly & the food tastes like home. What more can one ask for?

I was born in Smithland, 1944! Been in California since 1947. I visited many times over the years. Always loved and ate the pork sandwiches. I’m craving one now! But I doubt I’ll ever make the trip again. Too many beautiful relatives there have passed on. I loved each and every one! I miss them more than the sandwiches.

Best bologna sandwich I never knew I loved.

My wife and I came in on Saturday. I got the pork sandwich and she got the bologna sandwich. We both loved it! Me, so much, I had to get another..... The pork is well smoked and lightly seasoned but the sauce is bomb! I bought 6 bottles to take back home to Kansas City with me. That should hold me over for a month or two.... You can't go wrong here, great people with friendly service.

This place is an absolute must stop! They have five meats, one sauce, and two sides on their menu; Pork, Beef, Ham, Turkey, Baloney, and potato salad or coleslaw. We shared three sandwiches and one of each side. It was all simply perfect. The sandwiches come with sauce or without, on grilled white bread and served perfectly wrapped in paper. It feels like the way it’s been done for 100 years, with no changes. It was super inexpensive, friendly, clean, unique, and delicious. One of our favorite stops ever, and by pure random chance. Absolutely must go here and step back in time if you’re nearby. Nothing fancy, just perfectly simple and good. Really friendly staff too, and it felt like they knew everyone that walked through the door.

Great place to get some great Bar B Q. Unfortunately only one table inside. It's a Bar Style seating with padded swivel stools. My mother can't sit like that with her medical issues so we got ours to go.

Wonderful, friendly and prompt professional service and some of the best bar b q around.

Highly recommend.

We stopped here while visiting Paducah for the Quilt Show. It was so good, we went a second time! It’s not super appealing on the outside, but it’s a BBQ must-stop. We saw it featured on Food Network’s Best Bite in Town and thought we’d give it a try.

The staff were super friendly and hard working. The prices were unbelievable - $3.90 per sandwich! They have pork, beef, bologna, turkey and ham. We tried pork, turkey and ham. All were delicious! They come on toasted white bread with their house bbq sauce. Delicious! The meat is juicy and flavorful. You can really taste the smoke in the meat. Highly recommend stopping here if you’re in the area. It’s worth the stop!

My late father's favorite BBQ place. I absolutely love the BBQ sauce - it's simply the best. Great prices, excellent food and service. Potato salad & cole slaw are AMAZINg! Highly recommend.....

I woke up one morning a month ago and needed to get some Starnes and a Pibb to wash it down... but I live in Oklahoma. Needless to say this was my second stop once crossing statelines this weekend. Was it worth the nearly 10 hour drive with my dogs? Absolutely. My husband now understands why I think all BBQ in Oklahoma just doesnt compare.

Everything is good but their turkey is the best. I eat here weekly. Prices are below average, very reasonable. I always get two sandwiches

This place gets a bonus star 🌟 Freaky fast service, great food, everyone was happy to be there, good location. Not a lot of seating, but they get you in and out fast. Very unique diner, glad I checked it out. Make sure you try the potato salad, it's better than your moms!

I hope this restaurant lasts forever I live a few hours away but this is a must visit anytime im in town. The starnes hot sauce is incredible!

Best ever, a must in Paducah! This unassuming pork sandwich is packed w hickory smoked flavor. Top w famous Starnes Sauce for an amazing vinegar bite.