Few cities are as synonymous with BBQ as Kansas City.
Here, barbecue is both art and competition, with more than 100 smokehouses competing for the title of best burnt ends or ribs.
Low-and-slow is the order of the day, with a signature tomato-and-molasses-based sauce; hickory-smoked meats are king.
In KC, the BBQ debate isn’t about the “best”—it’s about loyalty, tradition, and whose burnt ends bring you home.
Joe’s Kansas City Bar-B-Que
Housed in a working gas station, Joe’s is a barbecue mecca.
Expect lines, legendary brisket, ribs that fall off the bone, and the “Z-Man” sandwich (slow-smoked brisket, provolone, onion rings on a bun).
Their burnt ends set a high bar, with a perfect bark and smoky richness. Down-to-earth setting, big flavor, and a must for any ‘cue pilgrimage.
Q39 Midtown
Q39 marries chef-driven precision (from a competition BBQ champ) with approachable, perfectly smoked meats.
The menu includes brisket, pulled pork, and slabs of ribs—plus standout sides like apple coleslaw and white bean cassoulet.
Don’t miss their smoked chicken, prime beef “burnt end burger,” and the signature sauces in sweet, chipotle, and spicy. Modern decor, warm service, and top-tier quality every time.
Arthur Bryant’s Barbeque
KC BBQ history lives here. Arthur Bryant’s legendary sauce and smoky hickory meats have fed presidents and locals alike since the 1930s.
The burnt ends, sliced pork, and chunky fries are classics, and the vinegary “original” sauce packs a zing.
Yes, it’s no-frills—bare tables, quick line—but there’s nothing like eating barbecue in the heartland’s living museum.
Gates Bar-B-Q
“Hi, may I help you?”—it’s the signature greeting, and Gates is all about tradition, big flavor, and fun.
Spicy-sweet tomato-based sauces smother everything from beef-on-bun to succulent short ribs.
The mixed meat plate lets you sample it all, and the atmosphere is lively, energetic, and proudly KC.
Jack Stack Barbecue (Freight House)
Jack Stack adds an “upscale” touch without losing the soul of KC barbecue—an elegant dining room, craft beer, tuxedoed servers, and true pit magic.
Known for their hickory-smoked beef ribs, legendary burnt ends, and cheesy cornbread, Jack Stack’s sides (BBQ beans, cheesy potatoes) get as much love as the meat.
It’s a great bet for both barbecue newbies and old-school aficionados.
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