In Kansas City, we take our Bar-B-Que seriously. Here is our list of the best Bar-B-Que hot spots and what you can’t miss at each one.
Gates Bar-B-Q | est 1946
Insider Tip: Take a look at the menu before heading in — you’ll want to be ready to order when you’re greeted upon entry.
Don’t Forget: Grab their signature sauce to take home.
Must Try: Beef or Pork on a Bun plus a side of BBQ Beans
Locations: Independence | KCK | KCMO: Brooklyn Avenue | KCMO: Emanuel Cleaver II Blvd | KCMO: Main Street | Leawood
Arthur Bryant’s | est 1908
Best Known For: Signature sauce that attracted former Presidents Harry Truman, Jimmy Carter, and Barack Obama.
Must Try: Pulled Pork and the Short Ribs (they don’t call him the King of Ribs for nothin’)
Locations: Kansas City, Kansas | Kansas City, Missouri
Woodyard Bar-B-Que | est 2005
As Seen On: Guy Fieri’s Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives and Anthony Bourdain’s No Reservations
Best Known For: One of Kansas City’s last outdoor smokers.
Why We Love Them: Family owned and operated
Must Try: Smoked Chicken & Burnt Ends Sandwiches and don’t forget the cheesy corn
Location: Merriam, Kansas
Scott’s Kitchen | est 2017
How Your Life Will Change: From this point forward you’ll gladly be volunteering to take friends, family and even distant relatives to the airport.
You Read That Right: Proudly serving breakfast and lunch — only in Kansas City can you get BBQ for breakfast.
Must Try: Tailspin Smoked Meat Plate with Cheesy Potatoes and Jalapeno Apple Slaw (on your second trip back you gotta go for the burrito and tacos).
Location: Kansas City, Missouri – near KCI Airport
Joe’s Kansas City Bar-B-Que | est 1995
You Read That Right: Originally titled Oklahoma Joe’s, you can find the original location in a gas station for the full KC BBQ experience.
As Seen On: No Reservations with Anthony Bordain, Man vs Food with Adam Richman, Bizarre Food with Andrew Zimmerman — just to name a few.
Must Try: The legendary Z-Man sandwich.
Locations: Leawood | Olathe | Original Gas Station
Harp Barbeque | est 2019
Where To Find Him: Inside Crane Brewing Co.
Insider Tip: Food is made from scratch everyday so get there early because once the food is gone…so are you!
Must Try: Brisket and Pulled Pork Tacos
Location: Raytown, Missouri
Jones Bar-B-Q | est 1970-something
As Seen On: Queer Eye
Why We Love Them: Owned and operated by 2 sisters who ensure every bite is made with love.
Must Try: Homemade Sausage
Locations: Kansas City, Kansas
Fiorella’s Jack Stack BBQ | est 1957
As Seen On: Food Network, The Early Show, and The Today Show
Why We Love Them: Their BBQ ships nationwide
Must Try: Jack’s Best (& the Strawberry Lemonade)
Locations: Country Club Plaza | Freight House | Lee’s Summit | Martin City | Overland Park
