If there’s one thing that Kansas City diners love, it’s Barbeque! The debate about which is the best that will start feuds, but here is a list of a few of the contenders. All of the choices are from Kansas City, born, raised and smoked right here in the Heartland.
Enjoy!
Arthur Bryant’s BBQ The Original 1727 Brooklyn Avenue, K.C., MO, 816-231-1123 Legends at the Kansas Speedway 1702 Village West Parkway, K.C., KS, 913-788-7500 Ameristar Casino 3200 N. Ameristar Dr., K.C., MO, 816-414-7474
Hours: Monday-Thursday-10:00-9:30 Friday-Saturday-10:00-10:00 Sunday-11:00-8:00 Hours vary by location, call for specifics
Arthur Bryant’s is arguably the granddaddy of Kansas City Barbeque. Started in 1930, they’ve been serving up bbq in a no nonsense way. Don’t expect linens on the table. This is a joint, and it’s just the way it should be. The meat is slow smoked and the sauce is already on it, in mass quantities. The sauce has a bit of bite to it, full of pepper and a little vinegar. For those that prefer a little more sugar on their meat, there’s the sweet heat sauce, with less black pepper and more liquid smoke. Add a mountain of fresh French fries and you’re in bbq heaven.
Average cost for one=$8-15
B.B.’s Lawnside BBQ 1205 E 85th Kansas City, MO 64131 816-822-7427 Hours: Wed 11am-10 pm Thursday 11am-10:30 pm Friday and Sat 11am-11 pm Sunday 4pm-10:30 pm
BB’s Lawnside isn’t just a place to eat. They’re known for their live music. In the summertime there’s nothing better than picking up a Smokey Hog’s Rib tip platter and sitting on the patio and listening to big bands, or the blues. The sandwhiches are great here, served on white bread and dripping with sauce. BB’s has a definite Cajun flare and offers gumbo, red beans and rice and more Louisiana favorites. If you want to feel like you’re in the French Quarter, but taste like you’re in KC, this is it.
Average cost for one=$8-15
Danny Edward’s Famous Kansas City Barbecue 1227 Grand Boulevard Kansas City, MO 64106-2406 816 283 0880
Hours: Monday-Friday 10am-2:30pm
Danny Edward’s BBQ sits on the edge of the abyss. Just one block away from the downtown redevelopment, this tiny restaurant seats only 18 and is only open for lunch. But make the trek downtown anyway, because it’s worth it. Danny is the son of renowned barbeque master Jake Edwards and the apple didn’t fall far from the tree. He dry rubs and then smokes the meat, making for an incredibly tender experience. The brisket sandwich is the one that he’s famous for, and rightfully so. There is no deep fryer, so instead of fries, try the gumbo as a side, it’s an unexpected treat.
Average cost for one=$5-15
Gates and Sons Barbeque Locations: 1325 East Emanuel Cleaver Blvd. Kansas City, MO 816-531-7522 1221 Brooklyn Kansas City, MO 816-483-3880 10440 East 40 Highway Independence, MO 816-353-5880 3205 Main Kansas City, MO 816-753-0828 103rd & State Line Leawood, KS 913-383-1752 1026 State Ave Kansas City, KS 913-621-1134
Hours: Sun-Thurs 10am-12am Fri-Sat 10am-1am
“How may I help you?” is the phrase that Gates and Sons BBQ is known for. As soon as you walk in the door, you know why they’ve been popular in Kansas City since 1946. The sauce is spicy and rich here and the portions are large. Get the two or three meat platter and a friend to share it and you’ll be full for two days. Gates has expanded its list of sides to include mixed vegetables as well as beans, coleslaw and French fries. And don’t miss the sweet potato pie for dessert. It’s one of the only in town and it’s great.
Average cost for one=$8-15
Fiorella’s Jackstack BBQ 13441 Holmes Rd. KC MO 64145 816-942-9141 9520 W. Metcalf Ave. Overland Park, KS 66212 913-385-7427 101 W. 22nd St. Kansas City, MO 816-472-7427 4747 Wyandotte St. Kansas City, MO 64112 816-531-7781
Hours: Mon-Thurs 11-10 Fri-Sat 11-10:30 Sun-11-9
Fiorella’s Jackstack BBQ has become the slick place for bbq. With the fancy restaurants, nice lighting and choice locations, it may not seem like the place to go for authentic KC bbq. But if you head down to the Martin City location, you see where it all started. Jackstack has the best burnt ends in town, not too saucy, but crunchy and tender at the same time. The pit beans are another reason to come down. These beans are so packed with chunks of meat and sweet molasses and brown sugar, you’ll think that you were having dessert.
Average cost for one=$10-20
LC’s Bar-B-Q 5800 Blue Parkway Kansas City, MO 64129 Phone: (816) 123-4484
Hours: Monday through Thursday 11:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday 11:30 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.
LC’s is a hidden jewel in the Kansas City barbeque scene. It’s not big, and it’s not fancy, but the sauce is sweet and so good baked into the smoked meats. While, they may not get the publicity of Gates or Bryant’s, they have a loyal following of rapid fans. The burnt ends are great, and the sliced brisket and turkey are fantastic. The fries really steal the show, here. They are thick-cut steak fries the way steak fries should be. They are a dangerous addition to an already overflowing plate of meat drenched in LC’s sauce.
Average cost for one= $8-15
Oklahoma Joe’s BBQ 3002 W. 47th Avenue, Kansas City, KS 66203 913-722-3366 11950 South Strang Line Rd. Olathe, KS 66062
Hours. Monday-Thursday 11am-8:30 Friday and Saturday 11am-9:30 Sunday Closed
Oklahoma Joe’s has the distinction of not only being a slamming bbq joint, but a liquor store also. Located inside an old gas station, ambience is never in short supply here. The prices are very affordable here, and the portions are large. The pulled pork sandwich is what they’re known for, but everything is great. They offer a spicy coleslaw in addition to their regular cole slaw, and a smoked chicken gumbo. For the health conscious diner, if there is such a thing in a bbq restaurant, they also offer salads topped with smoked meats.
Hours Mon-Thurs 11am-9pm Fri-Sat 11am-10pm Sun 8am-9pm
RJ’s Bob-Be-Que is a nice sit down joint. There are flowers on the tables, televisions, and music playing. Don’t let that fool you. They also have serious barbeque. The turkey is great, smoky and delicious and it’s great with the original sauce. Try the brisket soup; it’s delicious, with big hunks of brisket and lots of vegetables. They also offer sautéed fresh spinach as a side, which is phenomenal. In addition to the massive amount of barbeque offered, there’s also Sunday breakfast, so stop by anytime.
Rosedale BBQ 600 Southwest Blvd. Kansas City, KS 66103 913-262-0343
Hours; Mon-Sat10 a.m.-10 p.m. Sun 11 a.m.-8 p.m.
Big is beautiful and at Rosedale BBQ, the portions are big and the bbq is beautiful. The ribs were literally falling off the bone on the deluxe sampler platter. Rosedale serves sliced meats dry so you can sauce them up with one of their two sauces yourself. The fries were hot and crispy and the service was friendly. They also offer sweet and sour coleslaw that will take you for a different ride. If you’re looking for something to fill you up and make you smile, Rosedale is the place.
Average cost for one=$8-15
Woodyard Bar B Que 3001 Merriam Ln, Kansas City, KS 66106 913-236-6666
Hours Tues-Sat 10:30-5pm Hours will extend in the spring
It takes some determination to find this place, but it’s worth it when you do. The Woodyard isn’t just a catchy name; it’s an actual woodyard. This tiny hole-in-the-wall feels like you’re eating in Grandma’s kitchen, if Grandma was a master smoker. All the usual suspects are here, ribs, brisket, beans and coleslaw. But real showstopper is only available on Fridays, when they smoke salmon. The smoked salmon sandwich is served on a bun with cream cheese dill sauce, lettuce and tomato and is quite possibly the best thing ever.
The Top List of Best BBQ Restaurants - Kansas City, MO