BBQ joints in KC

AleBrewer · January 21

I have to attend a business meeting this weekend in Kansas City, MO. Anybody got any good joints to check out?

Thanks.

krames · January 21

I always go to Jack Stack. http://www.jackstackbbq.com/ Gates is pretty legendary too. http://www.gatesbbq.com

Smolder · January 21

+1 on Jack Stack. Never had a bad meal there.

AleBrewer · January 21

Thanks guys....a co-worker has also recommended Jack Stack

caliking · January 21

If you have a car, try and get to the KC BBQ Store in Playground. You can taste a whole boatload of rubs and sauces before buying.

RoseDad · January 21

Oklahoma joes is best in kc, IMO

AleBrewer · January 21

caliking said:

If you have a car, try and get to the KC BBQ Store in Playground. You can taste a whole boatload of rubs and sauces before buying.

Do you have a link, or an address? All I keep seeing is the KC BBQ store in Olathe, KS. Is this the same place?

ptmurphy · January 21

The two I like...

1. Oklohoma Joes - several locations and they are excellent. The two I go to are in Olathe and one in Towne Centre.

2. If you want an experience, go to Author Bryants on Brooklyn Street in KC, MO. It's kind of a dive, service is interesting - it's the original.

caliking · January 21

AleBrewer said:

caliking said:

If you have a car, try and get to the KC BBQ Store in Playground. You can taste a whole boatload of rubs and sauces before buying.

Do you have a link, or an address? All I keep seeing is the KC BBQ store in Olathe, KS. Is this the same place?

you found the right one in Olathe. Stupid text predictor "corrected" it. Prepare to spend some time there and leave space in your luggage to bring your stash back!

Hiites · January 21

I'm not a big fan of Gates. Way over rated IMHO. Authur Bryants is good. The one on Brooklyn street is an experience. There is one in the Ameristar Casino that is good but doesn't have the same "interesting service". A local KC guy took Anthony Bourdain to Oklahoma Joes because he felt that it was the best in KC.

Z_Eggineer · January 21

I think all true BBQ fans should try Arthur Bryants, Oklahoma Joes, Jack Stack, and Gates.

Doc_Eggerton · January 21

ptmurphy said:

If you want an experience, go to Author Bryants on Brooklyn Street in KC, MO. It's kind of a dive, service is interesting - it's the original.

This is a true statement, but a dive with Rolls Royces, Jags, and BMWs parked all around it.

Husker_13 · January 21

I'm in KC once a month and have visited the majority of BBQ restaurants there several times. Oklahoma Joe's "Z Man" brisket sandwich is the best around. Brisket sandwich is very tender with melted provalone and an onion ring on top. Awesome! I also like Jack Stack's and then Gate's burnt ends. Not a fan of their ribs or A.B's although if you go to A.B.'s, head to the original one as mentioned above. If you go to OK Joe's, the store in Olathe has a BBQ store connected to it that they own. The original Joe's in the gas station has the dive atmosphere, but I wouldn't suggest going there at night. It's not in the safest area of town- Olathe one is fine and in a nice suburb. Don't be scared off by the lines out the door- the lines move quckly but go early before the lunch or dinner rush crowds. Enjoy.

danjamd · January 21

Oklahoma Joes is the best in KC

JayHawkEye · January 21

It's tough to go wrong with any of the places mentioned. Bryant's on Brooklyn is an experience without even talking about the food. Jack Stacks is completely the opposite i.e. sit-down, formal, etc. Both are good.
I, personally, would go to Oklahoma Joe's before those two. Never been disappointed when I've gone there.
Outside of the "big-name" places, I'd try BB's (85th street?) or Danny Edwards BBQ (Southwest Blvd. just off I-35).
This makes me wish I lived closer again!

Jscott · January 21

+2 for Arthur Bryants! Legendary and an experience you won't, no let's say you cannot get everywhere.

I got to meet Arthur before he went blind. Kinda took me around his place. Don't know what his cleanliness score is, but the food was exceptional!

Doc_Eggerton · January 22

Jscott said:

+2 for Arthur Bryants! Legendary and an experience you won't, no let's say you cannot get everywhere.

Don't go alone, after dark.

smasch · January 22

Born and raised in the K.C. area, currently residing in the Atlanta. Here is my humble opinion.

#1. NO question....Jack Stack. Burnt ends are the best. Something my wife and I deeply miss.

#2. Smokehouse in Independence. Burnt ends are 2nd best.

Don't get me wrong, Bryant's and Gates are good. Okie Joes, well this is KC not Okieville.

Duganboy · January 22

You could ask this question of 5 KC natives who love BBQ and you would get at least 3 if not 5 different answers.

Q and chili are the two foods that can be made many different ways and appeal to people differently. Sorta why the make chocolate and vanilla.

thunderkwb · January 22

OK Joe's I live in Kansas and been to alot of KC BBQ, Jack stack, Gates, and so on all are good but OK Joe's is the best.

Duganboy · January 22

thunderkwb said:

OK Joe's I live in Kansas and been to alot of KC BBQ, Jack stack, Gates, and so on all are good but OK Joe's is the best.

Proves my previous post on the matter.

JayHawkEye · January 22

Write all the names on slips of paper and pull one out of a hat. You won't be disappointed.

bezdecr · January 22

OK Joes and Jack Stack are the best. If you feel like a pork sandwich and fries, OK joes is your place. Pretty good ribs too! Gates is overrated and not good, although I like their sauce. Arthur Bryants is decent but not as good as Jack Stack and Ok Joes.

AleBrewer · January 22

Well, we'll see if this comment goes through....my last two were tagged as "waiting for approval" or something like that.

Anyhow, thanks for the tips. Looks like I have quite a few choices, and I hope to try 2 or 3 of them out.

Deckhand · January 22

Johnny's in Mission or Olathe Ks is excellent... Haven't tried the one in Olathe, but it would not be far to the KC BBQ store. (There is an Oklahoma Joe's next door to the store, too). Try to visit the original locations, if you can... Bryant's on Brooklyn, OK Joe's in the gas station on 47th and Mission (Be prepared to wait).

http://www.johnnysbbqkc.com/

http://www.oklahomajoesbbq.com/

another huge BBQ store: http://www.smokenfire.com/

Don't know where in the metro you'll be staying but if you wander north east of the city to Excelsior Springs where the Elms Hotel (Old mineral springs resort) you will find the Wabash BBQ in the old railroad depot. Reviews are excellent but it's still on my "to try" list.

http://www.wabashbbq.com/

FriscoFrog · January 22

I make about 8 trips to KC a year and after trying them all I find myself going back to each for different things...

Johnny's for burnt ends

Oklahoma Joes - 47th and Mission (depending on the type of work you are in it may or may not be client friendly. As stated before they literally are in a gas station)

Jack Stack - little more upscale. Client friendly for lunch or dinner

I personally don't think that Gates and AB live up to their reputation compared to others.

Also, about once a year I plan on checking a bag on my return flight and leaving extra room. Oklahoma Joe's has a really good selection of sauces/rubs with some you may have a hard time finding at a lot of other places.

khristyjeff · January 22

smasch said:

Born and raised in the K.C. area, currently residing in the Atlanta. Here is my humble opinion.

#1. NO question....Jack Stack. Burnt ends are the best. Something my wife and I deeply miss.
#2. Smokehouse in Independence. Burnt ends are 2nd best.

Don't get me wrong, Bryant's and Gates are good. Okie Joes, well this is KC not Okieville.

Moved from KC 10 years ago, but always loved Smokehouse BBQ. We lived near the original location in Gladstone (KC northland). Not upscale like Olathe but clean and safe. Had our wedding rehearsal dinner there.

They have several locations now like near the airport, Overland Park, and Independence. As mentioned their Burnt ends were particularly good as well as ribs, BBQ beans and french fries. Hope you enjoy your time in KC. My wife and I really like that little City.

AleBrewer · January 28

I enjoyed my time in KC. The company put us up at the Westin Crown Center....pretty nice place....had a nice view from the 16th floor.

As far as bbq joints, I made it to OK Joe's in Olathe and had the Z man brisket sandwich, then to the bbq store. I had a hard time NOT buying the Horizon offset that I've been pondering for a few years now.

Went to Jack Stack Freight House and had Jack's best, which included a Crown Prime Beef rib, burnt ends, and baby backs. The beef rib and burnt ends were pretty good....I was not impressed with the baby backs at all. Had beans and the cheesy corn bake as sides.

Next day was all business at the Hotel, but we went out to Lidia's for Dinner....not too bad, but I wouldn't run back there.

I actually learned that I have some friends that live in Olathe, so I met up with them yesterday, and we went to the Jack Stack that's close to them. I just went with burnt ends this time.

Had a few Boulevard Pale Ale's, and a few Boulevard Stouts over the course of the weekend....not bad beers at all! We had a few bottles of red wine at Lidia's...but I'll be darned if I can't remember what we drank!

Hoping to make it back and try some of the other places when I have more time.

Thanks for all the help!

AleBrewer · February 5

Thanks for all the tips. I will have a vehicle, so I plan on hitting the BBQ store, and Bryants on Thursday, and one of the others on Saturday.

Nice to have choices!

AleBrewer · February 5

Thanks for all the tips guys! I will have a vehicle, so I'm planning on the BBQ store and Bryants on Thursday. Then one of the other joints on Saturday....just need to pick one.

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BBQ joints in KC

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