Hays Smokehouse has a New Owner

We learned during the Nashville Tour that Dennis Hays has sold his BBQ Store in Lexington, Tennessee. While we understand that retirement comes to all of us, this is a sad moment in BBQ and Roadfood History. We had come to use the wonderful Pork and Ribs that Mr Hays smoked over those Hickory Drum Stick Coals as a standard by which all Pork BBQ should be measured. He spent hours talking with roadfooders about his cookers and how they worked. We could always count on Dennis to share his secrets fairly with whichever group happened to come down to Lexington for a visit.

The new owner has changed the name to Curt's Smokehouse. Two of our roadfooders stopped there over the weekend last week and report that while the BBQ is "OK", it is a long way from what Dennis used to serve proudly.

We wish Mr Hays the very best for his retirement. He has certainly earned it. However he leaves a real large empty space on my list of great BBQ Places.

That's a shame! We'll miss it.

I stopped there on my way to Oxford, MS while everyone else was in Nashville. The reports are correct. It is okay but a long way from what Mr. Hays served. The new owner was a bit short with me when I asked about the change in ownership. Actually, I only asked because the place was closed with a wreath on the door indicating a death in the family last time I stopped there. Long story short, I'd eat there if I found myself in Lexington again but it is no longer worth the hour side trip off I-40.

Thanks for the seconding of the situation at Hays Smokehouse. I really feel the loss of that place from my travel list !