BBQ Goodness in
Southern Indiana is known for a number of things – but BBQ? Oh yes.
BY GRANT VANCE | PHOTOS BY CHRISTIAN WATSON
SOUTHERN INDIANA IS KNOWN FOR A NUMBER OF THINGS – BUT BBQ?
Yep, this region is a hotspot. With popular places like SHAWN’S SOUTHERN BBQ, HARLEY’S HARDWOODZ BBQ, CHEF WALKER’S
roving goodness and CARR’S BBQ AND MARKET, there’s a sizzle worth listening to around Southern Indiana BBQ.
HARLEY’S HARDWOOD’S BBQ
1703 Charlestown
New Albany Road
Jeffersonville
812.284.4490
FRANK HARLEY was as inviting as ever (a
running theme through our four spots: Shawn
Pitts and Frank Harley are friends, even),
offering a plate large enough to feed a family.
The plate included brisket, pulled pork, as well
as ribs and chicken wings that could fall off the
bone with a slight breeze. With sides of greens
and beans, it was a hefty, hearty and delicious
meal, to say the least.
Harley sets his BBQ apart by shying away from
the prominent southern style.
“Most everyone does Southern Style,” Harley
said.
“I do more Texas, Kansas City-style – more of
a thick, rich sauce. If I give someone a sauce, I
don’t want it to run off.”
16 EXTOL SPORTS / AUGUST 2017
As Harley described, Southern-style (often
Carolinas, Tennessee) is “typically a vinegar
base.” Though leaning away from southern
style sets Harley apart in-and-of itself, his true
defining stylistic choice comes with the titular
“hardwoodz.”
“It’s all about the wood flavor,” Harley said. “I
only use wood, I don’t use charcoal at all.”
Using a wood-base versus charcoal adds a more
intricate flavor, Harley claimed, while also lending
itself to a variety of different intricate flavors.
“I’m a hickory and oak guy,” Harley said. “Some
people are cherry; some people are peach.”
Harley stands strongly by his stylistic choices,
and they most certainly pay off for a delicious
cuisine. But ultimately, Harley’s priorities are in
the consumer’s experience.
“I just hope people enjoy the food,” Harley
said. “That’s the main thing: that people enjoy
the BBQ.”
And the people are. Especially the people of
Southern Indiana, to be exact.
“Southern Indiana is doing really well. I’ll
honestly say I think we’re doing better than
Louisville,” Harley said. “In a couple years in
this area you’re going to have another world
champion … hopefully it’s me.”
Harley’s Hardwoodz BBQ is in Jeffersonville,
just past Veterans Parkway, offering a variety
of delicious, wood-smoked options. Harley’s
personal favorites are his brisket and chicken
wings.