Since Shack in the Back BBQ’s inception way back in 2006, the Fairdale restaurant held court in a small log home built in 1896—that is, until the shack (building) was sold in September 2021 and demolished to make way for a gas station.
Owner Barbara Sivells did what independent business owners always do, and got busy. Operations were shifted to Shack in the Back’s food truck, a transition was planned and executed, and last week the eatery reopened at 10706 W. Manslick Road in an extensively remodeled former bank branch.
Shack in the Back reopens this weekend in new, larger location, by Michael L. Jones (Louisville Business First)
While the construction was going on, Shack in the Back continued to serve customers from its food truck. Sivells said the business would never had survived the move and the Covid-19 pandemic if not for her loyal employees.
“My employees have been amazing,” she said. “The Shack on Wheels was our plan B because we had to leave the old location sooner than we thought. Our staff has been out there in wind, rain, sleet, or snow. We haven’t missed a beat.”
Writing at the Courier Journal, Lennie Omalza believes Shack in the Back “might be serving up Louisville’s best slow-cooked meat and southern sides.”
“I’d say the most popular (dish is our) turkey ribs,” Barbara said. “You eat them like chicken wings, and it’s something that we pride ourselves in. We say we’re the home of the turkey rib — we (brought) them here from Georgia.” Other menu favorites include the baby back ribs and the burgoo.
It’s a tradition restored. Previously at Food & Dining Magazine:
