The Owensboro Restaurants That Were Always in My Family’s Rotation Growing Up

Did your family have favorite restaurants that you would frequent more than any others? Ours did, and on this Throwback Thursday, I thought it would be fun to share our top choices, the ones that were in "regular rotation."

Jerry's Restaurant

My family visited this iconic eatery every chance we got. We'd come for the spaghetti and chicken (and whatever else), and stay for Jerry's signature hot fudge cake. You just had to stay for the hot fudge cake. I'm glad there's at least one location still standing...and active.

Western Sizzlin'

This was the place that introduced me to the salad bar. The first time I saw one, I couldn't believe it. This location in Dunn, North Carolina, indicates that Western Sizzlin' has SERIOUSLY upped its salad bar game. That doesn't look like salad to me...wink, wink.

The Sizzler

Whereas Western Sizzlin' introduced me to the salad bar, The Sizzler showed me the fine art of making perfect Texas toast. They used a buttery cheese spread, which created that signature crispiness. The steaks were good, too.

Ponderosa Steakhouse

The corner of Kentucky Parkway and Emory Drive has always been busy. Today, it's the Windy Hollow Biscuit House, but way back in the day, it was Ponderosa. And I remember the procedure. You walk around, place your order, get that big buttery roll, and then take your tray--WITH your order number on it--back to your table. Why is it that I never remember the steaks at these places?

Anyway, did you know there's still an active Ponderosa in Vincennes, Indiana?

@lukefoods Ponderosa Steakhouse Food Review! #ponderosa #foodreview #foodcritic #ponderosasteakhouse #critic #viral #trending #fyp #fypシ #eating #eatingshow #bestrestaurants #foodtok #foodtiktok #foodie #friedchicken #review #food #tiktokfoodie #tiktokfood #mukbang #buffet #steak #steaktiktok #chicken #macandcheese ♬ original sound - lukefoods

Cornell's Restaurant

I think everyone had a different favorite at Cornell's. For me, it was their chocolate milk. I've never had it as good as it was at Cornell's. And I've never found a brand that duplicates it since the restaurant closed in the early 1980's. But what a fun place to eat and gather, especially when they hosted live music.

Kathy Cornell Baumbusch/Facebook; Owensboro Messenger-Inquirer

O'Henry's Restaurant

The building is gone, but it was located on Triplett Street immediately north of the 18th Street intersection. My dad was old friends with the proprietor, and the specialty of the house was chili and a hamburger. I was still a kid when it closed, but I remember how good the food was. They also had mini-jukeboxes at each table. Alas, I can't find anything about O'Henry's online. But I'll always have the memories.

I'll always have great memories of all of these places. What about you?