A Kentucky Derby long shot helped turn Momma’s Mustard, Pickles & BBQ into one of Louisville’s most talked-about smokehouses. What started as a single food truck has grown into two full-service restaurants on opposite sides of the city, serving some of the state’s most sought-after smoked meats.
A Derby Winner Behind the Smoker
The idea for Momma’s Mustard, Pickles & BBQ came together after a share in Mucho Macho Man, a Kentucky Derby contender, paid off. That lucky windfall helped fund the original smoker and food truck.To ensure the food lived up to the hype, owner Jamie Givan brought real pitmaster credentials to the operation. Givan trained under Paul Kirk, a seven-time world barbecue champion known as the Baron of BBQ, whose resume includes the American Royal Open. That elite apprenticeship still shows up in the masterful dry rubs and hours-long smoke behind everything on the menu today.
The St. Matthews location grew a following fast enough to justify a second spot in Hurstbourne. The restaurant earned a spot in our 50 best barbecue spots nationwide, a state-by-state rundown of the one place worth a detour for smoked meat, and it’s not hard to see why once the burnt ends hit the table. Momma’s has also picked up plenty of local hardware, including Best of Louisville honors for barbecue, but the incredible food is what keeps people coming back more than the trophies.
What to Order
Burnt ends are the reason regulars keep showing up. They come dry-rubbed, smoked low and slow for hours, then finished with just enough char to earn the name.
Beef ribs are the other headliner, cut thick and smoked until the meat pulls clean off the bone. They tend to sell out by mid-afternoon, so it’s always worth asking about them early. Additionally, the dry-rubbed smoked wings are worth adding to any order, prepared using the same technique as the larger cuts and just as smoky.
Every plate comes with a lineup of house-made sauces—ranging from sweet to mustard-based to straight-up smoky—so there’s room to build a flavor profile that fits whatever the meat needs.
Plan Your Visit
Momma’s Mustard, Pickles & BBQ has two locations in the Louisville area: 102 Bauer Ave in St. Matthews and 119 S. Hurstbourne Pkwy in Hurstbourne. Both are open Sunday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Each location has its own parking lot, so there’s no need to circle the block looking for street parking. Pro tip: Call ahead if burnt ends or beef ribs are the whole reason for your trip, as they frequently run out before closing!…