Best BBQ in Kansas City
 

Suggestions for the best BBQ in KC??

I came across Arthur Bryant's, which is said to be the best and most authentic/local BBQ in KC but when I checked out Trip Advisor, many people gave Bryant's low ratings.

I prefer either Oklahoma Joe's or Jack Stack.

I liked Gates better than Arthur Bryants.

jedivader: I think Arthur Bryant's is best for brisket, but Gates is better for everything else.

I love Oklahoma Joes

Thanks for the suggestions, keep'em coming.

Not into brisket...

The original Arthur Bryants scores a lot of points for history and atmosphere. If someone was visiting KC and having BBQ only once, it is the one I usually recommend, unless I know someone isn't a big meat eater.

Ones I also regularly visit include Oklahoma Joe's, Jack Stack, Smokin Joe's, Rosedale, RJ's Bob-Be-Que Shack, BB's Lawnside BBQ. There are others that I visit occasionally.

If you mention a specific part of town or a specific dish you want, it may change my suggestion.

Keith

My hubby is from KC and prefers Gates, as do I.

Very yummy!

I love Bryant's but admit it's a bit of an acquired taste. If you go to Bryant's, be sure and go to the original store downtown. Oklahoma Joe's, Gates, & Jack Stack are all very good. Enjoy!

I think you would be happy with Oklahoma Joes. They've moved to the top or our list. You really can't go wrong with most of the recommendations here & AB is good too. I would stay away from KC Masterpiece.

No one has mentioned the Smokehouse we used to hit the one on Shawnee Mission Parkway before they closed.
You can probably find fans of several places and have heard from others about Bryant's the original store is still the best we've only had the one by the speedway.
Our top three so far and it depends on what you get are.
Oklahoma Joe's
Smokehouse
Gate's

My wife and I are looking for pulled pork type BBQ. We are looking for what is considered the most authentic local KC BBQ (as far as taste). Doesn't matter what area of town, we plan to be all over the place.

I don't think pulled pork is part of KC barbecue.

As for most authentic KC barbecue, you should probably have either Gates or Bryants.

Which is better is pretty much personal taste. Gates sauce is thick and sweeter, Bryants is thinner and more vinegary.

I like Bryants better. Go to the downtown Bryants for authentic atmosphere. No need to dress up.

It looks like we'll take all of the suggestions and just eat BBQ for lunch and dinner the entire time we are there and come to our own conclusion on the tops in BBQ. Looks like we have at least 3-4 to try....maybe more. Depends if we get BBQ'd out.

I'll post our top list when we get back.

Thanks for all the help!

KC Masterpiece used to have a big sampler type of order you could get for the table and try all types of differnt dishes from ribs to burnt ends. I think you may be thinking of staying in OP.

There's a KC Masterpiece down there, as well as a Jack Stack. If you go to Jack Stack, be sure to get their baked beans, amazing.

Asking what's the best BBQ in KC is an impossible question answer(: Everyone will have a diff answer. Personally I think the baby back ribs at the Wabash BBQ in Excelsior Springs NE of the city are the best I've ever had!

Gates is my favorite. The group of friends I hang out with prefers Oklahoma Joe's.

Rosedale is the best value for your money and they've been in business for something like 80 years so they must be doing something right!

-- Rob

Although I was long a fan of the KC Masterpiece in Overland Park my last two visits were disappointing.

In that neighborhood, I would suggest Hayward's Pit Bar-B-Que, or Jack Stack a couple of miles north.

Keith

Can't go wrong with my favorites: Haywards, Jack Stack & Oklahoma Joes.

I liked Arthur Bryants, and we had the brisket which was excellent. My son loved it - we went there after KC played the Packers in Nov. He still raves about going to the game and Arthur Bryant's. We brought a couple bottles of sauce back East & gave to friends/neighbors. We did not have enough time in KC to try the others, but it gives a reason to return!

I second haywards and don't forget Zarda!

Only visited two BBQ places: Gates and Jack Stack.

Gates: Friendly staff, recommended we get the platter and split. Platter had a little of everything. I did not like the sauces, too peppery and the meat was sort of tuff. Potato salad was good.

Jack: Friendly staff. All three sauces were good, best was the original. I got a pork sandwich and it was delicious. We also got potato salad, cheesey corn and baked beans.....everything was yummy!

Jack beats Gates.....

Hope to get back to KC again and try others.

Thanks for the help!

Thanks for the report!

Keith

Are all the BBQ pork, or can I get beef? Can I get a BBQd steak?

Everywhere has beef brisket. Only a few have beef ribs.

Keith

The best bbq in KC is smokestack in south KC. They're an offshoot of Jack Stack, but have a more homey feel. Jack Stack sometimes feels a little too fancy for bbq.

I agree with zimmaphobia. My Dad lived in K.C. all his life, loved barbeque, and he would have told you the same two places.

Although, I don't think Jack Stack is too fancy, but it does get crowded. Excellent midwestern service and attitude there. Plus great BBQ.
:)>-

Never saw this thread.
LC's at Sni-A-Bar and Blue Parkway is the best cue in the city.
Jack Stack is actually the splitoff from Smokestack.
At any given time there are probably 100 cue joints and palaces in the KC region. Most are neighborhood places, much like Italian Beef places in Chicago or Pizza places in NYC. A few are Iconic and deserve a visit at least once.
Some innovation within the traditional guidelines is happening, but pulled pork is not native to KC and is not true KC BBQ, in my humble opinion.
Here's a good site to peruse:
http://gasbbq.net/

I went to LC's once and will never go back. I've lived in KC my whole life, so I'm used to greasy bbq joints, but that was the greasiest. My fiancee and I were the only white people in the joint and everyone stared us down. Scary! Plus the food was just so-so. I'd also recommend Winslows in river market to anyone. Their sauce isn't great, but meat and fries are amazing!

I love Oklahoma Joes - I live in Oregon now and I order their sauces frequently
Have given it as gifts and friends love it also and some have started ordering too

Keith tours KCK side places:
http://www.roadfood.com/Forums/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=25801

Actually Jack's Stack is simply the new name for Smokestack. At one time there were two branches of Smokestack, due to a family feud. Bro owned one branch sis the other. Sis shut hers down a while back and bro renamed his Jack's Stack.

KC Masterpiece locations have, I think, all closed down. The sauce is still made but the dining joints are history.

The stuff I do in my back yard is my favorite though!

Just returned from Kansas City and tried Arthur Bryant's and Gates. Arthur's was the winner.

Went to the original Arthur Bryant's on 18th. Very no-nonsense place and loved that it still felt like a "dive" bbq joint. Ordered the short-end ribs and sliced brisket with beans and beer (of course!). Meat was very juicy and tender. Huge portion on the sliced brisket! Three sauces to choose from - we liked the "rich", original was too tangy for us (from the vinegar base) and the spicy was ok.

Gates on Main in KC. Both of us ordered short-end ribs again with beans. Meat was very dry and the ends very chewy. We didn't enjoy the meat at all. It seemed like they were stale and day-old ribs. The sauce was richer and spicy. The spicy was definitely hot but we like that.

Of the two, Arthur Bryant's was the winner this trip. The meat was delicious! Couldn't squeeze in LC's and Oklahoma Joes this time around so we'll try it next time.