Where to start! Some of the originals are truly and experience (Arthur Bryants for example), but I prefer the food (and location) of some of the newer restaurants (still KC standards). The Smokestack in Martin City is an institution and the food is awesome! Hope you have a car. Get on I-435 and take to the Southeast part of the city (Holmes St. exit). Head south for maybe 8-10 miles. It's off to the left (east) you can't miss it. The burnt ends are out of this world. Oddly enough they have great onion rings too. Go hungry and expect to be semi-conscious by the time you leave. If you don't want to travel all the way down to Martin City, try Fiorella's Jack Stack in Overland Park on Metcalf Ave. Opened by the Smokestack people. I've never tried it, but heard it's good. If you are North of the River in KC, my personal favorite is the Smokehouse on North oak. Once again, the burnt ends are wonderful (I always get the burnt ends and sausage). The've also opened a Smokehouse on Shawnee Mission Pkwy in Shawnee (on Kansas Side further out west). It's also quite good, but I prefer the one up north. At any of the above, make sure you get an order of baked beans. You will not believe how good they are. Those are my favorites, there's also KC Masterpiece and Haywards (not as good in my opinion). Happy eating! Now you know why we're one of the fattest cities in the country!

Great suggestions!! We get to KC once or twice a year (great city) and will expand our horizons with BBQ. I'm a fan of KC Masterpiece. Brett, it's down in the Plaza area so there is quite a bit in the way of nightlife after you waddle out the restaurant door. My family swears by the ribs at KC Masterpiece--I'm more of a shredded pork fan. Whichever--have a fun trip. Oh yeah--don't pack white shirts--all that BBQ sauce is a killer on laundry!

Thanks for the responses. I see that there are two BBQ festivals in June around K.C.-one in Platte City and the other in Great Lenexa. Anyone know about these?

Lenexa ( located in Johnson County Kansas ) has a great bar-b-que festival on the last Saturday in June. It's a fun time to just walk around on Friday evening but on Saturday you can sample all the various specialties that are being entered in each category.

1. Arthur Bryants (downtown & casino)- the best of the best!
2. Gates (several in town)A close second to Bryants
3. Lil Jakes (just off Plaza) not close to 1 or 2 but good
4. Rosedale (in Rosedale) good value for the money
5. Fiorillas a little pricey, sauce ok but the meat is a very good quality
6,7,8,9,etc. The rest (KC Masterpiece (not really a masterpiece) Smokestack, Haywards, etc are just ok by KC standards. They are popular but so are a lot of the burrito huts KC calls Authentic Mexican cuisine.