A crowded table 

Backroad Burger Co. is a Marion County favorite

Erin Ballard and Angie Leake were standing outside a dilapidated building in Raywick, considering whether to take the leap and open a restaurant, when longtime mayor Phyllis Troutman decided for them. “She pulled up that night and was like, ‘Go for it. Do it. We need you,’” Leake remembers.  

The couple opened Backroad Burger Co. in May of 2023, pooling their years of food industry expertise to create made-to-order burgers, wings, nachos, homemade sauces and more in an inviting atmosphere. The venture steadily outgrew its space in Raywick, and in October, moved to a new facility inside Good Buddies Brewing Company in Lebanon.  

After Troutman passed away in August, Ballard and Leake renamed their best-selling All-American burger in her honor—the Mayor Phyllis. Other items include the Pope Burger, named for Mark Pope, and the Dirty Bird for the Louisville Cardinals. “We’re a split house over here,” Ballard says. The John Dutton burger incorporates homemade bacon jam made with locally distilled Yellowstone Whiskey (jam recipe below).  

The pair pride themselves on a family-friendly environment, complete with big TVs for game day and an outstanding lineup of craft brews made by their host site, Good Buddies Brewing Co. Inspired by their own tight-knit families, Ballard and Leake aim to extend a family welcome to their customers. “It’s hard, in this day and age, to get everybody around the table at the same time,” Leake says. “Our LLC is literally called The Crowded Table for a reason. It’s to be able to facilitate that for other people.” 

Served by Inter-County Energy, Backroad Burger Co. is located at 104 Independence Drive in Lebanon. During the winter, the restaurant is open 4–8:30 p.m. Wednesday–Thursday, 11 a.m.–9:30 p.m. Friday–Saturday and closed Sunday–Tuesday.