Kansas
2023 Kansas City BBQ Draft: Breaking down best from Barbecue Capital of America
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — It took hours of tedious analysis, consuming Kansas Metropolis barbecue from 17 totally different joints a lot of the workforce had by no means tried, however the outcomes are in.
5 KSHB 41 information staffers undertook a deep dive into the BBQ Capital of America’s world-renowned barbecue scene.
None of us — content material producers Dre Bradley, Tod Palmer and Wilson Truong; graphic designer Melissa Mairs-King and producer Tillman McClunie — are religious foodies or declare to be barbecue consultants.
However all of us share a love for smoked meats and killer sides, so when you’re searching for an everyman evaluation of dozens of Kansas Metropolis barbecue eating places — whether or not you’re coming to city for the NFL draft or another occasion or, like us, dwell on the town however haven’t sampled sufficient BBQ — you’ve come to the proper place.
With the 2023 NFL Draft on the town, it simply made sense to current it as our personal fantasy BBQ restaurant snake draft.
We often disagreed about one of the best BBQ spots, so we all know you’ll too, however we hope you discover a new place to attempt or achieve a deeper appreciation of the KC BBQ scene from our selfless efforts.
At every of the 17 areas we sampled as a gaggle, that are indicated by an asterisk beneath, we ordered as much as seven meats — ribs, brisket, pulled pork, turkey, burnt ends, sausage and ham — to the extent they have been obtainable. We additionally tried the edges supplied — together with fries, beans, mac-and-cheese, potato salad and coleslaw.
We steered away from the usual and legacy locations — like Joe’s Kansas Metropolis and Gates, et al — as a gaggle, since most of us had been to these locations earlier than. There is a useful map on the backside of this web page, if you wish to see the locations closest to you.
Yet another caveat: Except for Chef J BBQ, our group orders have been to-go, so our opinions and opinions do not replicate the dine-in expertise. It is all concerning the meals, with the understanding that not all meals travels effectively and ambiance is a giant a part of the expertise for a lot of locations, like BB’s Lawnside Blues & BBQ.
Hyperlinks to every restaurant are posted, so you’ll want to verify the hours of operation as it might fluctuate wildly.
With out additional ado, listed here are the outcomes of the draft (with apologies to the locations we didn’t have time to get to or perhaps don’t even find out about). Keep in mind, it’s alleged to be enjoyable, so be good, as a result of there are not any losers in relation to Kansas Metropolis barbecue:
2023 Kansas Metropolis BBQ Draft
First spherical
1. Meat Mitch* — Tillman McClunie
Places: Leawood — 3620 W. ninety fifth St., Leawood, KS; Inside KCI
Meat Mitch BBQ is likely to be an upset for some individuals because the No. 1 choose, however there’s nothing upsetting about what Mitch Benjamin and crew have to supply out of this barbecue spot.
Pretty new to the Kansas Metropolis BBQ scene, you may’t go unsuitable with the choices on their menu, which options award-winning barbecue and good vibes all through this place.
There’s a bar and out of doors patio for these days when the temperature is excellent. The portion sizes that include every platter are full of smoky taste to the purpose sauce is an afterthought.
The thick-cut brisket, lean burnt ends and glazed ribs are finger-licking good — and don’t be afraid to throw some Whomp Sauce on there! It simply makes issues a complete lot sweeter or spicy, your alternative.
You possibly can’t go unsuitable with their sides together with the beans, that are elite.
There are different choices that would have undoubtedly gone first general on this draft, however Meat Mitch set the tone from the primary chunk and could have you coming again for extra.
Consistency and availability are necessary, and Meat Mitch is open day-after-day stocked and able to go. No surprise they’re sitting in Kansas Metropolis’s new airport terminal able to welcome everybody to town. They’re doing KC BBQ tradition with model.
Wilson Truong/ KSHB 41
2. Chef J BBQ* — Wilson Truong
Location: 1401 W. thirteenth St., Suite G, Kansas Metropolis, MO
It was very tempting to draft Joe’s Kansas Metropolis right here, being a weekly buyer on the “Unique Fuel Station” restaurant, however Chef J BBQ was too good to cross up. No restaurant’s BBQ was extra pleasurable than going to Chef J’s.
The entire major barbecue meats — from burnt ends to sausage, and ribs to brisket — arguably are second to none in Kansas Metropolis.
The rubs on the meat was high notch. It most likely ought to have been the No. 1 general choose.
Wilson Truong/KSHB 41
3. Joe’s Kansas Metropolis Bar-B-Que — Dre Bradley
Places: Unique “Fuel Station” — 3002 W. forty seventh Ave., Kansas Metropolis, KS; Olathe — 11950 S. Strang Line Street, Olathe, KS; Leawood — 11723 Roe Ave.; Leawood, KS
For my first choose, I selected Joe’s Kansas Metropolis Bar-B-Que. There are three areas however probably the most iconic is the unique within the gasoline station at 3002 W. forty seventh Ave. in Kansas Metropolis, Kansas.
I’m going to that spot probably the most — and never for the gasoline to refill my automobile. From meats to sides to sauces, this place is elite.
Merely put, it’s the Patrick Mahomes of barbecue. Even on its off days, to the extent there are any, it’s nonetheless higher than most barbecue locations within the Kansas Metropolis space.
Charlie Keegan
4. Harp Barbecue — Tod Palmer
Location: 6633 Raytown Street, Raytown, MO
Harp Barbecue proprietor Tyler Harp embodies the pleasant, heat and welcoming spirit of Kansas Metropolis barbecue. There’s a superb likelihood he’ll chat you up Wednesday by Saturday when the joint’s open — and his smoked meats are a delight for the palette.
I had the best ribs of my life at Harp, and the chopped brisket sandwich was utter pleasure to chow down on.
The beans and tacky corn would match the menu at a Mexican restaurant, a nod to Harp’s time working in kitchens throughout the South.
However the spotlight among the many sides was the twice-baked potato salad, a nod to his time in steakhouse kitchens, that could be a must-try. You possibly can thank me later.
Tod Palmer/KSHB 41
5. Q39 — Melissa Mairs-King
Places: Midtown — 1000 W. thirty ninth St., Kansas Metropolis, MO; South — 11051 Antioch Street, Overland Park, KS
Based by Chef Rob Magee, Q39 was born out of the BBQ competitors circuit. In 2014, his award-winning BBQ moved indoors when the unique Q39 in Midtown was opened and grew a second location in Overland Park.
Sadly, “Chef Rob” handed away in 2021, however his wonderful BBQ lives on, together with some dynamite brisket and burnt ends.
J Robert Schraeder
Second spherical
6. Jack Stack Barbecue — Melissa Mairs-King
Places: Martin Metropolis — 13441 Holmes Street, Kansas Metropolis, MO; Freight Home — 101 W. twenty second St. #300, Kansas Metropolis, MO; Nation Membership Plaza — 4747 Wyandotte St., Kansas Metropolis, MO; Lee’s Summit — 1840 Chipman Street, Lee’s Summit, MO; Overland Park — 9520 Metcalf Ave., Overland Park, KS; Lenexa — 8721 Ryckert St., Lenexa, KS
Russ Fiorela opened the primary Jack Stack in 1957. His son, Jack, expanded the household enterprise by opening Fiorella’s Jack Stack of Martin Metropolis within the Seventies.
Immediately, there are 5 further areas — the Freight Home, which is closest to the NFL Draft website, together with areas the Nation Membership Plaza, Lee’s Summit, Overland Park and Lenexa.
Jack Stack is a Kansas Metropolis custom, serving a menu full of fantastic barbecue, however its tacky corn is the gold commonplace of sides and a must-try.
Nick Kastelan
7. LC’s Bar-B-Q — Tod Palmer
Location: 5800 Blue Parkway, Kansas Metropolis, MO
Lengthy a regular in my barbecue rotation, LC’s Bar-B-Q is a hidden gem in Kansas Metropolis. It’s not sufficient talked concerning the metropolis’s greatest BBQ joints, except you’re speaking to locals from the realm or the legion of Chiefs and Royals followers who cease by on sport days.
The late LC Richardson was a KC BBQ icon and his household is carrying on the custom.
My private favourite are the burnt ends — a Kansas Metropolis particular and a number of the greatest on the town.
Display seize from LC’s web site
8. Hayward’s Pit BBQ* — Dre Bradley
Location: 10901 W. seventy fifth St., Shawnee, KS
Hayward’s Pit BBQ is nearer to the suburbs than downtown for these staying away from town middle.
The turkey and brisket have been elite degree and the beans have been near that territory. The one misses have been the sausage and we have been cut up on the fries.
Total, we obtained numerous meals for a superb value, so do this spot if you need nice worth and meals.
Wilson Truong/KSHB 41
9. Large T’s Bar-B-Q* — Wilson Truong
Location: 6201 Blue Parkway, Kansas Metropolis, MO
Large T’s Bar-B-Q is just a little removed from the NFL Draft Expertise and so they don’t do telephone or on-line ordering, but it surely’s definitely worth the 18-minute journey to get the barbecue.
Whereas not the prettiest trying BBQ on the planet, it’s completely scrumptious. The ribs and brisket, particularly, have been tasty.
Actually, it’s an especially underrated barbecue spot within the Kansas Metropolis Space. Shout-out to the pitmaster there, who is aware of precisely what he’s doing.
Wilson Truong/KSHB
10. Gates Bar-B-Q — Tillman McClunie
Places: Emanuel Cleaver Boulevard — 1325 Emanuel Cleaver Blvd., Kansas Metropolis, MO; State Line — 2001 W. 103rd Terrace, Leawood, KS; Fundamental Avenue — 3205 Fundamental St.; Kansas Metropolis, MO; Brooklyn Avenue — 1221 Brooklyn Ave., Kansas Metropolis, MO; East 40 Freeway — 10440 US 40, Independence, MO
Gates Bar-B-Q, a family-owned Kansas Metropolis barbecue staple, needed to be on my workforce.
This legacy barbecue institution holds a spot within the hearts of many Kansas Citians courting again to the Nineteen Forties.
Whereas their sauce stays on the high of the sport and on retailer cabinets, some say that the standard of the meals has scaled again a bit. However on their greatest day, the flavour that comes with a Gates slab of ribs or beef on bun rivals the flavour of any BBQ place in Kansas Metropolis.
I’m a agency believer that good barbecue wants no sauce and that’s precisely what the pitmasters in these eating places are striving for.
If you stroll in and listen to the ear-piercing and sassy “Hello, how might I aid you!,” simply know that it’s a pleasant, welcoming and (for KC natives) acquainted greeting. It means nice BBQ is in retailer.
Kansas Metropolis, Missouri, Mayor Quinton Lucas
Third spherical
11. Slaps BBQ* — Tillman McClunie
Location: 553 Central Ave., Kansas Metropolis, KS
Three phrases modified every thing — Alabama White Sauce. Be sure you do this signature Slaps BBQ sauce on the facet with just a few slices of bread even. It’s heaven despatched.
The identify of this BBQ joint doesn’t lie. Fairly just a few issues at this place slap.
It set the tone with its consistency throughout the meats, sides and desserts. All of it slaps!
From the ribs and turkey to the sandwiches and sauces, Slaps BBQ is a pleasant little spot tucked away in Kansas Metropolis, Kansas, simply west of downtown.
It is probably not talked about among the many mainstream BBQ locations out-of-towners know in Kansas Metropolis, but it surely’s very well-known amongst locals for what they bring about to the BBQ scene.
You may say this place type of began the fireplace in our KC BBQ expedition, which kicked off when Tod and Melissa talked about needing to attempt the joint and all of us have been instantly hooked and wished to discover much more.
The flavour is all there and may make you need to slap your mama!
Wilson Truong/KSHB 41
12. A Little BBQ Joint* — Wilson Truong
Location: 1101 W. US 24, Independence, MO
Like my earlier choose, Large T’s, A Little BBQ Joint in Independence is an especially underrated barbecue gem within the Kansas Metropolis space.
It’s definitely worth the journey for a rock-solid lineup of smoked meats and a number of the greatest baked beans within the metropolis.
You’ll be unhappy when there’s no extra bites in your plate.
Wilson Truong/KSHB
13. Wyandot BBQ* — Dre Bradley
Places: KCK — 8441 State Ave., Kansas Metropolis, KS; Overland Park — 7215 W. seventy fifth St. Overland Park, KS
Wyandot BBQ has two areas, the unique in Kansas Metropolis, Kansas, and a second in Overland Park.
We ordered from their Overland Park location shortly after proprietor Ron Williams’ loss of life in February as a kind of tribute and weren’t disenchanted.
Similar to Hayward’s Pit BBQ, this spot had nice worth. Plus, there have been all hits and no misses with the meats and facet.
The one grievance was that we wished extra sauce, since carryout cups weren’t obtainable — solely what was already slathered on!
Supplied
14. Fox & Hearth Barbecue — Tod Palmer
Location: 102 W. Lawrence St., Kearney , MO
Fox & Hearth Barbecue is just open on Fridays and Saturdays, so good luck! However pitmaster Andy Fox’s Texas-style barbecue is so good it attracts raves even from his opponents.
Display seize from Fox & Hearth Barbecue
15. Brobecks Barbeque* — Melissa Mairs-King
Location: 4615 Indian Creek Parkway, Overland Park, KS
Doug Brobeck, the previous proprietor of the Stilwell Smokehouse, opened Brobecks Barbecue in Overland Park in 2007.
A spotlight of the menu is the smoked ham salad, which is actually extra of a dip or unfold. It is served with chips and crackers and is certainly a fan favourite.
Wilson Truong/KSHB 41
Fourth spherical
16. Zarda Bar-B-Q — Melissa Mairs-King
Places: Blue Springs — 214 N. Missouri 7, Blue Springs, MO; Lenexa — 11931 W. 87th St., Lenexa, KS
The Zarda household opened the unique Zarda Bar-B-Q location in 1976 in Blue Springs. The second location is in Lenexa.
Because of their Grandma Lucy’s recipe, Zarda’s baked beans are identified to be among the many greatest in Kansas Metropolis. Pair them with a turkey sandwich and you will not be disenchanted.
Melissa Mairs-King/KSHB
17. Buck Tui BBQ — Tod Palmer
Location: 6737 W. seventy fifth St., Overland Park, KS
When you like Thai meals and barbecue, Buck Tui BBQ is a must-try spot.
It’s distinctive, even to the Kansas Metropolis scene, but it surely’s revered and the workers is welcoming and pleasant.
I had The X Man on my first go to and will likely be again hoping to catch the brisket pho lunch particular sometime quickly.
Tod Palmer/KSHB
18. Rosedale Bar-B-Q* — Dre Bradley
Location: 600 Southwest Blvd., Kansas Metropolis, KS
Rosedale Bar-B-Q is one more joint that emphasizes worth.
The ribs have been a miss and we have been 50/50 on the pulled pork and turkey as a gaggle, however we have been impressed with every thing else.
Wilson Truong/KSHB 41
19. Blind Field BBQ* — Wilson Truong
Location: 13214 W. 62nd Terrace, Shawnee, KS
Regardless of being on the Kansas facet of the state line, Blind Field was nonetheless superb barbecue.
The meats have been extraordinarily stable and the home sauce was good. It tastes candy at first, but it surely builds a singular kick to it.
Bonus factors for the boxing-pig brand — truthfully, my favourite brand for a BBQ joint within the space.
Wilson Truong/KSHB
20. Char Bar* — Tillman McClunie
Location: 4050 Pennsylvania Ave., Kansas Metropolis, MO
Hiding out within the coronary heart of the Westport space, pitmaster Mitch Benjamin continues to overcome territory in Kansas Metropolis along with his smoked meats and award-winning sauces at Char Bar.
You may name Char Bar and Meat Mitch cousins for some key similarities. The meats are smoked to the bone with taste and their sandwich choice will shock you.
Seize your self a Burnt Heaven or a CBGB Burger and also you gained’t be disenchanted.
Each are competitors BBQ examined abroad and add some southern tradition to the scene in Kansas Metropolis.
Char Bar is the place to be for an entertaining night time full of taste and pleasure adjoining to one among Kansas Metropolis’s most energetic areas on the weekend.
When you’re performed consuming, take pleasure in a refreshing drink from their bar or head out to their patio and sit by the fireplace pit whereas ready on your flip in a pleasant sport of cornhole.
Wilson Truong/KSHB 41
Fifth spherical
21. BB’s Lawnside Blues & BBQ* — Tillman McClunie
Location: 1205 E. eighty fifth St., Kansas Metropolis, MO
It’s all the time good when one thing in addition to the meat can shock you at a barbecue restaurant, like the edges at BB’s Lawnside Blues & BBQ. They carry one thing totally different to town’s barbecue scene.
The gumbo, purple beans and rice, and jambalaya make this place stand out among the many numerous spots in KC.
Blues and good meals are already part of the BBQ tradition, however just a little cajun spice and Southern tradition by no means harm anybody.
BB’s additionally offers a family-friendly setting with dwell music on Saturdays and Sundays and sufficient house for everybody to affix in.
High all of that off with a pleasant serving to of their bread pudding.
Wilson Truong/KSHB 41
22. Smoketown* — Wilson Truong
Location: 7702 Shawnee Mission Parkway, Overland Park, KS
Dubbed the “Kirk Cousins of Kansas Metropolis BBQ” by one member of our barbecue membership, Smoketown was nonetheless a really stable alternative.
It would look like a knock on the restaurant evaluating it to Cousins, however there’s worth in getting a QB you may win with within the fifth spherical (or so I’m telling myself). Similar factor applies with Smoketown, which supplied nice worth for the value.
Wilson Truong/ KSHB 41
23. RJ’s Bob-Be-Que Shack* — Dre Bradley
Location: 5835 Lamar Ave.. Mission, KS
RJ’s Bob-Be-Que Shack was simply common throughout so far as Kansas Metropolis barbecue goes, however which may make it an elite joint for out-of-towners.
Wilson Truong/KSHB 41
24. Jones Bar-B-Q — Tod Palmer
Location: 6706 Kaw Drive, Kansas Metropolis, KS
Well-known for its episode of Netflix’s “Queer Eye,” the restricted hours make it tough to get your order in, however Jones Bar-B-Q has grow to be a revered barbecue joint in Kansas Metropolis.
Lindsay Shively
25. Porky’s Blazin Bar-B-Q — Melissa Mairs-King
Location: 9512 S. Buckner Tarsney Street, Grain Valley, MO
Proprietor Scott Robert credit his pitmaster expertise to his father, Dennis. In 2016, Scott bought Porky’s Blazin Bar-B-Q in Grain Valley, the place he serves up his award-winning barbecue.
Display seize from Porky’s Blazin Bar-B-Q
Sixth spherical
26. Quentin’s BBQ & Sides — Melissa Mairs-King
Location: 611 W. 2nd St., Bonner Springs, KS
Proprietor Adam Nehring started with the Scout’s BBQ meals truck. Now, he has opened a brick-and-mortar restaurant underneath the identify Quentin’s BBQ & Sides in Bonner Springs.
Favourite meals truck choices like The Falcon and The Legend can be found at their restaurant.
Display seize from Quentin’s BBQ & Sides
27. Three Pigs BBQ & Catering — Tod Palmer
Location: Northwest nook of East thirty ninth Avenue and Noland Street, close to the Subway
Once I pull up on the Three Pigs BBQ & Catering truck, which is most frequently parked at East thirty ninth Avenue and Noland Street in Independence, and know my day’s about to get higher.
My go to is the burnt ends, however my teenager swears by the pulled pork and my spouse loves the rib. I simply love that it’s near residence!
Three Pigs BBQ & Catering/Fb
28. Danny Edwards Blvd BBQ* — Dre Bradley
Location: 2900 Southwest Blvd., Kansas Metropolis, MO
For my final choose, I selected Danny Edwards Blvd BBQ, which was below-average barbecue however nonetheless worthy of being my closing choose of this draft.
Wilson Truong/KSHB 41
29. Woodyard Bar-B-Que — Wilson Truong
Location: 3001 Merriam Lane, Kansas Metropolis, KS
I went to Woodyard Bar-B-Que by myself and was very pleasantly shocked.
Whereas not within the high tier of Kansas Metropolis barbecue, it nonetheless represents the Kansas Metropolis BBQ scene effectively and punches above its weight, particularly when you attempt the burnt-ends sandwich.
Display seize from Woodyard Bar-B-Que
30. Arthur Bryant’s Barbeque — Tillman McClunie
Location: 1727 Brooklyn Ave., Kansas Metropolis, MO
Arthur Bryant’s Barbeque is a cornerstone of Kansas Metropolis’s historical past of fantastic smoked meats.
Bryant himself constructed a status throughout the nation as some of the famend “barbequers” in historical past.
U.S. presidents who come by Kansas Metropolis usually cease by for a style.
For the reason that early 1900s this place has performed slow-cooked meat and enormous portion sizes higher than most others.
KC BBQ is all concerning the sauce and Bryant’s sauce stands other than the thicker sauces you sometimes see. The skinny and distinctive sauce isn’t for everybody, but it surely’s price giving it a attempt.
This spot needed to make the record for its influence on town’s BBQ scene alone — and the popularity and historical past that comes together with it.
Nick Starling/KSHB
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