I'm in the process of recovering from a whirlwind trip through Kentucky as part of a joint 25th wedding anniversary/book research tour. The book in question is the next Nightscape novel (tentatively set for publication in the fall of 2016), half of which will be set in Harlan County, KY circa 1937. I've fully outlined this portion of the as-yet-unnamed book and have written about three pages in a vernacular that mixes southern gothic and biblical/neo-Puritan registers.
After departing Louisville, one of our first stops on the way to Berea was a small barbeque joint called the Blue Door Smokehouse. The co-owner, Jeff, greeted us with a warm smile, patiently explained the menu and, after laying out a spread of tasty meats, suggested a few points of interest along our route. Suffice it to say, the food and various sauces, ranging from sweet to spicy, was top-notch, and the friendly environment was a perfect introduction to Kentucky's culture of hospitality. If you live in the Lexington area or plan to travel there, make the Blue Door Smokehouse a must-stop on your itinerary (and be sure to bring an appetite).