Papa Kayjoe's Bar-B-Que

The folks down here are just the nicest people you'd ever want to meet. PK's is a very popular little BBQ place. Popular with the locals and quaint enough to be a destination place for a road trip or detour off the Natchez Trace. I've been here before but it's been several years and it's just as I remember. The food is good and some is excellent. I'd prefer more smoke, as others have said, but the pork is juicy and tender. The fried okra is hot, fresh, crisp and delicious. The cornbread cakes are spot on. I suspect the turnip greens are canned and of a brand that I really like so zero complaints there. If you live around here you know and if you're passing nearby it's certainly worth a stop. I'll be back whenever i'm in the area.

Always on the lookout for BarBQ...(a constant in the South). Actually saw a feature on PBS's Tennessee Crossroads.The decor is 5 star for quaint and authentic country. Parking is ....uh, a mixed bag. And when it gets full (like during our lunch - glad we were early)....it's a maze.Food is fine, but not exemplary. Brisket and chicken were both very tender, slightly smoky, but a bit dry. Three kinds of sauces (Mild-Sweet-Hot) were helpful to bring up moisture. But, again, not outstanding or anything unique. Middle of the range for both heat and sweet.Vinegar slaw was tangy but more vinegar than any spices. 's okGreens were excellent - tender with only a tiny bit of "tooth" or chew. Good smoky flavor. Beans were outstanding and reminded me very much of my home growing up.Staff is congenial and courteous.Give it a try, y'all.

After spending the early fall morning cruising the Natchez Trace Parkway south of Nashville, we navigated the winding two-lanes along and across the Duck River into the little town of Centerville. It was one of those moments that feel like you are in a movie when we pulled into the gravel parking lot under a cloudless sky. We were greeted by the official scent of autumn-sweet hardwood smoke-as we walked towards the unassuming wood-sided smokehouse.Inside and outside, the walls are covered with a mix of barbecue, family and hometown sports memorabilia- which is pretty commonplace, but the difference is that here it feels real instead of being a cheap reproduction. In fact, some of the décor was salvaged when the original structure was gutted by a fire in 2015.Upon entering the museum/restaurant, you place your order at the counter directly in front of you. A menu board is at the top of the wall, with a chalkboard listing daily specials beneath it. This day's options included baby back ribs (a Friday-Saturday special) and banana pudding. These were obvious choices, and we rounded out our meal for three with a pork plate, which includes two sides and cornbread.We took a seat at one of the small tables. Soon, our food was brought out. The ribs were a thing of beauty. These were the dry-rub ribs- they offered the choice of dry or sauced when ordering, and this was the right choice. Gigantic bark and additional rub encased tender meat that pulled cleanly off the bone. I personally prefer a little more smoke flavor, but they were definitely a top 5 for me.The pork was also well cooked and perfectly moist. If I was forced to find something to complain about, it would be that again, I would want more smoke. That is a personal preference though, and not a critique. A flavorful hot sauce and an unusual sweet sauce (maybe a hint of molasses?) added plenty of interest to the delicious bites of pork. Added to the corn cake, it made a heavenly combo.The sides and dessert also exhibited the attention to detail practiced here. We enjoyed a vinegar slaw which complimented the pork perfectly, and fresh, crisp fried okra straight out of the fryer.I've eaten a lot of banana pudding at barbecue places- probably the most common dessert- but this was the best one I could remember. Only the pudding was premade; the bananas were freshly sliced and vanilla wafers just out of the box so nothing was soggy.I don't know whether this had anything to do with the fact that the National Banana Pudding Festival was being held in Centerville the next day, but I think this one would have been a contender in any contest. I briefly considered going back the next day for more, but other plans were already being made. But man, I hope to get back sometime. The food and the people here have a special ingredient. It's love, and you can taste it.

The service is always friendly and the restaurant has an almost homey feel to it. There's honestly not a lot on the menu that I like, but only because I'm personally not a big fan of barbecue haha. I always get their mac n' cheese and fried pickles though! They are both delicious!

2nd visit. The pork here is top notch. Everything I've eaten has been great. Today's highlight was the smoked corn on the cob. I had a pulled pork sandwich served on cornbread pancakes with fried okra and white beans. My friend had a pork sandwich and the smoked corn. The people that work here are super nice and the food is so worth a drive into the country.

Food is always delicious, service is always friendly and fast. Great place for your daily meal, meal with friends. or a place to celebrate. Go, eat and enjoy!

Papa KayJoe's is a must-do for anyone who enjoys back road excursions, small-town simplicity, family-run businesses, and good barbecue. The restaurant is small and situated on an equally small plot of land. Parking can be tight with half of the spaces on a steep incline. Both the beef brisket and the pork are excellent. The menu possibilities are as mixed as the decor which is "Hometown Heroes meet Sports Hall of Fame" with a good rub and a sauce. The walls are hung with history of the local teams and family members.Your visit will be chock full of smokin' hits and few errors. The grilled cheese & barbecue sandwich is marvelous as are (my favorite) the brisket nachos Your belly will be filled in either case.Your mileage is likely to vary only by where your trip started and headcount. Groups planning to stop here won't be turned away, but size matters. Clubs on group drives/rides need to strongly consider schedule impact.

Family was happy with their meals. If you are new, the updated menu is hard to find online but I went off of the one they posted on FB. Please note that the brisket is shredded. (If that bothers you, but I will say that although we didn't know when we ordered, everyone said it was delicious!! )Also note, if you get a drink or a meal with a drink. The staff will not tell you but the drink is self serve atm. When you walk in, the drink station is to the right of the checkout counter. Just after you pay, go grab your drink!The owner is friendly!**The fried green tomatoes were definitely my favorite! The sweet BBQ sauce and Spicy BBQ sauce were our favorites.

From the moment You pull into the parking lot It just feels like home The staff is welcoming and the decor is spot on The food. Don't get me started It's as down home as it gets. Lip smacking good. The hot sauce I'll take a bowl. I could go on and on The only issue. They need more y shirts.

Got a smoked turkey for Thanksgiving. I don't love Turkey but I actually loved their smoked turkey as it was juicy and seasoned perfectly. Thank you so much Devin (Go Mayor)!!