Gary's in Lebanon

Just a quicky about BBQ. We rolled into Lebanon, MO, where we have now stopped over 3 times in our 2 trips to Oklahoma State University. It has rained off and on all day. Saw one short and wide rainbow, trees starting to bud and fruit trees starting to bloom with daffodils popping up. A great patch of forsythia in bloom reminded us that after what, 12 or 13 years? We still don't have any forsythia in our bloom collection at home. We were getting more hungry, the closer we got to Lebanon, but I wasn't concerned because I remembered going to the Olive Garden for take out when we were here before and knew just where there was a nest of eating establishments nearby... Georgia was sceptical about my memory. As we approached Lebanon, she could see my anxiety grow, and she was correct. In the past 3 years, we have stayed in so many places that I apparently got Lebanon, MO mixed up with something else. We checked in and ask about eating places. Just across the street (and up a little) was Gary's Catfish and BBQ. http://www.dowdscatfishandbbq.com OMG was it good? It reminds us of Hickory River Smokehouse in Urbana, IL, http://www.hickoryriver.com/ but better and with a lot more choices. In fact it was difficult to make a decision, but they had that covered with different combo dinners. Everything we had was just awesome. I ate more than I should, but just couldn't decide what to leave on my plate. They have 3 barbeque sauces; mild, spicy, and fire but the fire wasn't as hot as hot at Lil Porgy's in Urbana and Champaign. http://www.lilporgysbbq.com By the way these links are worth clicking on, just to hear their songs. I think for BBQ flavor, I still prefer Lil Porgy's, but Gary has so many choices of good stuff and the sides were also plentiful. The fried Okra rivaled the Seaboat in Champaign, http://www.theseaboat.com but I think Seaboat's is slightly more flavorful. Gary's baked beans however are probably the best we've tasted, except for Georgia's. So if you're traveling east/west through Missouri and bypass Branson as we did on this trip, you will probably miss the Missouri eating place we have heard so much about; Lamberts in Ozark (and Sikeston). http://www.throwedrolls.com Give Gary Dowd's Catfish and BBQ a try. You won't regret it.