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    ‘Commit to living a life worthy of their sacrifice’

    ‘Commit to living a life worthy of their sacrifice’

    Henderson native and Air Force vet Jordan says the best way to honor those who fought and died is ‘to live our very best life’

    Henderson native and Air Force vet Jordan says the best way to honor those who fought and died is ‘to live our very best life’

    Disaster Recovery Center has opened at the Salvation Army

    No Kentucky Home, Part 4: A missing bench comes to symbolize missing solutions to homelessness

    No Kentucky Home, Part 3: A church called its vision for housing a ‘Beacon of Hope.’ The mayor had concerns.

    No Kentucky Home, Part 2: After living outdoors for weeks, she got a place to sleep, a shower — and a job

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    Blazing-fast broadband services now available to the majority of homes in the city and county

    Blazing-fast broadband services now available to the majority of homes in the city and county

    HMP&L signs initial agreement to build a battery energy storage system on South Green Street

    HMP&L signs initial agreement to build a battery energy storage system on South Green Street

    In some parts of the U.S., the grid of the future might be closer than you think

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    The Gnomes of Audubon Forest, a Henderson Tourist Commission initiative, is a scavenger hunt for all ages

    The Gnomes of Audubon Forest, a Henderson Tourist Commission initiative, is a scavenger hunt for all ages

    Executive director says this year’s arts alliance lineup gives people what they want

    Executive director says this year’s arts alliance lineup gives people what they want

    2000 baseball Cols remember fondly state championship season a quarter century later

    2000 baseball Cols remember fondly state championship season a quarter century later

    Summer Sunset Series, SummerFest ratchet up Henderson festival season this week

    Summer Sunset Series, SummerFest ratchet up Henderson festival season this week

    May the summer blockbuster season begin!

    May the summer blockbuster season begin!

    Study in contrasts: Racing, breeding shine in Kentucky as sport dims across America

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    The Gnomes of Audubon Forest, a Henderson Tourist Commission initiative, is a scavenger hunt for all ages

    The Gnomes of Audubon Forest, a Henderson Tourist Commission initiative, is a scavenger hunt for all ages

    No Kentucky Home, Part 4: A missing bench comes to symbolize missing solutions to homelessness

    No Kentucky Home, Part 3: A church called its vision for housing a ‘Beacon of Hope.’ The mayor had concerns.

    No Kentucky Home, Part 2: After living outdoors for weeks, she got a place to sleep, a shower — and a job

    HCHS grad Tyler Brocato currently competing in a national chef competition

    HCHS grad Tyler Brocato currently competing in a national chef competition

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    Flying through ATL this travel season? Lucky you

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    ‘Commit to living a life worthy of their sacrifice’

    ‘Commit to living a life worthy of their sacrifice’

    Henderson native and Air Force vet Jordan says the best way to honor those who fought and died is ‘to live our very best life’

    Henderson native and Air Force vet Jordan says the best way to honor those who fought and died is ‘to live our very best life’

    Disaster Recovery Center has opened at the Salvation Army

    No Kentucky Home, Part 4: A missing bench comes to symbolize missing solutions to homelessness

    No Kentucky Home, Part 3: A church called its vision for housing a ‘Beacon of Hope.’ The mayor had concerns.

    No Kentucky Home, Part 2: After living outdoors for weeks, she got a place to sleep, a shower — and a job

    Trending Tags

  • Tech
    Blazing-fast broadband services now available to the majority of homes in the city and county

    Blazing-fast broadband services now available to the majority of homes in the city and county

    HMP&L signs initial agreement to build a battery energy storage system on South Green Street

    HMP&L signs initial agreement to build a battery energy storage system on South Green Street

    In some parts of the U.S., the grid of the future might be closer than you think

    Trending Tags

  • Entertainment
    • All
    • Gaming
    • Movie
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    The Gnomes of Audubon Forest, a Henderson Tourist Commission initiative, is a scavenger hunt for all ages

    The Gnomes of Audubon Forest, a Henderson Tourist Commission initiative, is a scavenger hunt for all ages

    Executive director says this year’s arts alliance lineup gives people what they want

    Executive director says this year’s arts alliance lineup gives people what they want

    2000 baseball Cols remember fondly state championship season a quarter century later

    2000 baseball Cols remember fondly state championship season a quarter century later

    Summer Sunset Series, SummerFest ratchet up Henderson festival season this week

    Summer Sunset Series, SummerFest ratchet up Henderson festival season this week

    May the summer blockbuster season begin!

    May the summer blockbuster season begin!

    Study in contrasts: Racing, breeding shine in Kentucky as sport dims across America

  • Lifestyle
    • All
    • Fashion
    • Food
    • Health
    • Travel
    The Gnomes of Audubon Forest, a Henderson Tourist Commission initiative, is a scavenger hunt for all ages

    The Gnomes of Audubon Forest, a Henderson Tourist Commission initiative, is a scavenger hunt for all ages

    No Kentucky Home, Part 4: A missing bench comes to symbolize missing solutions to homelessness

    No Kentucky Home, Part 3: A church called its vision for housing a ‘Beacon of Hope.’ The mayor had concerns.

    No Kentucky Home, Part 2: After living outdoors for weeks, she got a place to sleep, a shower — and a job

    HCHS grad Tyler Brocato currently competing in a national chef competition

    HCHS grad Tyler Brocato currently competing in a national chef competition

    Flying through ATL this travel season? Lucky you

    Flying through ATL this travel season? Lucky you

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Henderson named 8th-best small town in Kentucky; Thomason’s is No. 2 BBQ joint

Donna B Stinnett by Donna B Stinnett
April 2, 2024
in Entertainment, Food, Lifestyle, Local
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Henderson named 8th-best small town in Kentucky; Thomason’s is No. 2 BBQ joint

Henderson's own Thomason's Barbecue was listed as the No. 2 best barbecue joint in Kentucky in the April edition of Southern Living magazine. (Photo by Donna B. Stinnett)

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For local readers of Southern Living magazine, something familiar likely jumped off the pages of the April 2024 edition.

On Page 69, nestled between a short feature about the venerable (Louisville) Brown Hotel’s signature dish (the hot brown) and another about the bluegrass heritage of the Renfro Valley Entertainment Center, Henderson was listed as No. 8 in the Top 10 “Best Small Towns” in Kentucky along with Bardstown, Berea, Paducah, Danville, Grand Rivers, Frankfort, Newport, Paris and Richmond.

In an accompanying short sidebar labeled “Best BBQ Joint,” our Thomason’s Barbecue was listed as No. 2 in Kentucky just behind Owensboro’s Moonlite Bar-B-Q Inn.

Other barbecue establishments ranked behind Thomason’s were Feast BBQ (Louisville), Old Hickory Bar-B-Que (Owensboro), Starnes Bar-B-Q (Paducah), Harned’s Drive-In (Paducah), Blue Door Smokehouse (Lexington), R&S BBQ (Tompkinsville), Knoth’s Bar-B-Que (Grand Rivers) and Red State BBQ (Lexington).

It wasn’t the first time Southern Living has taken note of Thomason’s. In a 2016 story titled “10 Kentucky Must-Visit Barbecue Joints,” for example, the Atkinson Street restaurant came highly recommended, making note of the pork and mutton in “tangy dip.” Of course, locals would advise first-timers not to even think about skipping the barbecue baked beans.

This year’s bits about the Bluegrass State are included in the magazine’s April cover story titled “The South’s Best 2024.” It’s their eighth-annual publication of this poll.

There is a spread for each southern state from Alabama to West Virginia totaling 72 pages of travel ideas if a case of wanderlust, along with a little spring fever, is cropping up right about now.

The staff conducted an online survey last July and August to reach their conclusions, and they reported that more than 20,000 SL readers responded with their thoughts on such things (in addition to “Best Small Towns” and “Best BBQ Joint”) as “Best Dive Bar,” “Best Banana Pudding,” “Best Scenic Trail,” “Best Cuban Sandwich,” “Best Snorkeling Spot,” “Best Music Venue,” “Best Tea Room,” “Best Gumbo” and more. Obviously, some categories are tailored toward specific southern states.

The magazine says: “And while we’re always excited to showcase bustling cities on the rise and charming small towns, we also hoped to recognize beloved gems that might be tucked away on side streets or along back roads.”

There’s also a second piece, “The South’s Best Cities on the Rise,” that features 25 hot destinations for “flourishing downtowns and burgeoning food scenes.” Bowling Green landed on that list at No. 7 as the sole Kentucky city mentioned on the list.

Abby Dixon, executive director of Henderson Tourist Commission, said she had no advance warning that 42420 would be mentioned in the April issue.

But she added that Henderson has been mentioned previously in this particular annual magazine feature and it’s always good for tourism.

“I think Southern Living is a staple publication for people to turn to for travel inspiration,” she said. “They have spent decades uncovering hidden gems for their readers to have the authentic southern experience.”

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