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.