View Full Version : OT: Kansas City BBQ?
BURCH
05-16-2007, 03:20 PM
Heading to a wedding this weekend in KC. First time there, but I definately want to get some great BBQ. I have gotten the following three recommendations and just wanted to get any additional thoughts/recommendations from those who live in KC and love BBQ. The choices have to be near the hotel (near 40th and Westport) because of the logistics of the wedding day. I like all BBQ as long as it is done right and actually slow cooked over actual smoke. I just don't want to end up in KC eating Liquid smoke BBQ. :no:
Here is what I have been told so far:
Arthur Bryants (I have seen this place on the food network so I assume that it is legendary for a reason)
Fiorellas Jacks Stack
Gates BBQ
This post made me homesick!
I grew up in the suburbs of KC and my family were bbq addicts. I think those 3 recommendations are good ones, you can't go wrong with any of them.
I think Gates is probably the best and many from KC would say the same. There are a few locations, and I haven't lived in KC awhile so I'm foggy on location. But at 40th and Westport there is definitely one close. This would be my first choice - great food, serious local devotion, and a bit of a greasy spoon. Lines form out the door sometimes on Fri/Saturday night in the summer.
Arthur Bryants. Only been here once - it's one of the biggest names, and expanding to places like one of the riverboat casinos. Maybe a bit of a sellout depending on who you ask, but the food will be good.
Fiorella Jack Stack has its devotees. Much pricier than the others, with more interesting items than the traditional KC brisket, burnt ends, or ribs. They have bbq chicken skewer that's awesome. Think "swanky" bbq joint if you go here.
Again, can't go wrong, but if I could only eat at 1 I'd make it Gates and I'd get a burnt end platter!
Oh man, now i'm so hungry - enjoy and please report back.
BURCH
05-16-2007, 04:03 PM
Perfect reply. Exactly what I was looking for. I will report back.
chuckroast
05-16-2007, 08:16 PM
At last, a topic that's technical on the forum that I can actually contribute to....since I live here and I've eaten every barbeque available.
Both Gates and Jacks Stack are good representative examples of KC style BBQ and have locations close to where you will be. The Gates store is east of the Plaza at :
1325 East Emanuel Cleaver Blvd.
Kansas City, MO
816-531-7522
The Jacks Stack is on the Plaza at:
4747 Wyandotte Street, KC, MO 64112
ph: 816.531.7427
fax:816.531.7781
Both are slightly south of where you are in Westport but within a mile or so.
You also asked about Bryants, which is a personal favorite. A fair warning though, although KC BBQ is about deep hickory smoking, the sauces at the first two are the more traditional tomato based. At Bryants, you are looking at a vinegar based sauce, with heavy overtones of paprika and some cayenne. Its an acquired taste. Bryants is legendary for their thick sandwiches on Wonder Bread and lard cooked fries. Bryants is located at 18th and Vine, quite a bit North and east of where you are staying.
Hey, I will be there soon, not to glom on, any bike shop recommendations or other things that are must do in KC?
dschlichting
05-16-2007, 08:50 PM
Used to live in Kansas City and through there a couple of times a year enroute to visit my Dad in Dodge City.
We never visit KC without a stop at Jack Stack's
I live in Kansas City, and have for most of my life. Those are all well known BBQ places, (Gates, Jack's Stack). However, the best BBQ in town as far as good, tender meat and sauce is a place called "Smokehouse" BBQ. There are several in North Kansas City and one in Independence.
As far as cycle shops, there is one high end shop but it's in Overland Park, Kansas. Where's the wedding at? Let me know if you want to know specifically where these are.
RIHans
05-16-2007, 11:32 PM
I'm out here in the east, and my job as a chef loves food chat. KC BBQ...Bring on the rub! Correct me if I'm wrong please, but KC BBQ has tomato based sauce, while the vinager based sauce is more Carolina Style? Hey, as I said, I love food...and BBQ! Thanks in advance.
I live in Kansas City, and have for most of my life. Those are all well known BBQ places, (Gates, Jack's Stack). However, the best BBQ in town as far as good, tender meat and sauce is a place called "Smokehouse" BBQ. There are several in North Kansas City and one in Independence.
As far as cycle shops, there is one high end shop but it's in Overland Park, Kansas. Where's the wedding at? Let me know if you want to know specifically where these are.
I wasn't going to mention the smokehouse since it's not in the city proper, but I'd agree that this is top-notch and maybe my personal favorite. Could be that I've definitely eaten more bbq from the smokehouse than any of the other KC places since I grew up "north of the river" as they say and the smokehouse was the closest bbq joint to our house. Their baked beans are simply incredible. I still think Gates (the one on Emmanuel Cleaver Blvd. is the one I'm familiar with) would be the best overall KC BBQ experience though.
Boy....if I had a choice of eating any style cuisine....I always tend towards BBQ....got to get me some ribs to smoke.....yum!
RSL:
You're correct, probably my bias living "north of the river". I eat at Jack's Stack occasionally, but not as often as Smokehouse. How long have you been out of KC?
BumbleBeeDave
05-17-2007, 12:05 PM
. . . is THE God of BBQ! You can't go wrong.
As for bike shops, go see Chris and Burt down at the bicycle Shack . . .
http://bicycleshack.com/index.cfm
They are on Blue ridge Blvd. and are the friendliest people and shop I have found there. They also rent bikes. One ofthe best times I had while visiting in KC was a Saturday morning ride from the store down to Swope Park in the pouring rain with Chris and several others. Then we cleaned up our bikes in their service area while eating donuts and watching the Tour on the TV he has back there. Really super nice people!
Bike America at 95th & Nall in Overland Park is a total mess, but you can usually find some interesting NOS stuff in there.
Bike Source is the high end store in OP and they have great selection--but prepare to be ignored as you wander through there unless you are waving a wad of cash.
There's a good list of KC area bike shops at:
http://www.jcbikeclub.org/index.php?option=com_contact&catid=22&Itemid=57
Go to: http://www.jcbikeclub.org/ and they have a great ride calendar!
BBD
RSL:
You're correct, probably my bias living "north of the river". I eat at Jack's Stack occasionally, but not as often as Smokehouse. How long have you been out of KC?
I moved to columbia for college in 97 though was back regularly for those 5 (!) years. Then I moved to Boston about 5 years ago and return maybe once a year or so now.
Erik.Lazdins
05-17-2007, 12:16 PM
In the early 1980's I lived in St. Louis - a neighbor was a pilot and routinely flew to KC for Bryants ribs and took orders for neighbors.
The stuff of legend - Anytime through KC - Bryant's was a must - eat there and take some along.
Sadly - I have not been there since 1990
Too Tall
05-17-2007, 12:28 PM
Burnt ends......mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm :)
. . . As for bike shops, go see Chris and Burt down at the bicycle Shack . . .
http://bicycleshack.com/index.cfm
They are on Blue ridge Blvd. and are the friendliest people and shop I have found there. They also rent bikes. One ofthe best times I had while visiting in KC was a Saturday morning ride from the store down to Swope Park in the pouring rain with Chris and several others. Then we cleaned up our bikes in their service area while eating donuts and watching the Tour on the TV he has back there. Really super nice people!
Bike Source is the high end store in OP and they have great selection--but prepare to be ignored as you wander through there unless you are waving a wad of cash.
BBD
Well said. The Bike shack doesn't have a lot of road stuff, but the guys there are super nice and very helpful. Bike Source has a new store located in Overland Park, and they deal with Serotta and Cervelo and more high end road stuff. If you're just in town for a few days and want to look, this is the store to go to.
Now, as far as Arthur Bryants, well...... ;)
There's also a bike shop called Acme that I've always wanted to check out. They're the self-proclaimed only custom bike builder in KC and look to have a lot of interesting or out-of-the-ordinary stuff. Like cool recycled-wool deller designs cycling caps.
http://www.acmebicyclecompany.com/
SManning
05-17-2007, 05:02 PM
The last time my husband and I were home visiting our parents we went to the Acme Bicycle Shop. My husband purchased a pair of Honjo fenders there. It's kind of interesting just to look around. It's one of those places that is filled with old, used bikes and bike parts. We had to look through a few times, just to make sure we didn't miss something. They do have lots of interesting, old school stuff, cruiser bikes, old saddle bags, mountain bikes, old lugged steel etc. It was almost like an antique shop for bikes.
My favorite restaurant for BBQ was Marty's BBQ on Vivion Road, north of the river. Unfortunately they're closed. Another BBQ place I like is Wabash in Excelsior Springs. It's located in an old train depot across from the Elms and their ribs are to die for....
Blastinbob
05-17-2007, 05:35 PM
This thread is making me hungry :p
michael white
05-17-2007, 06:18 PM
It's Bryant's. I'm a Missourian.
Gate's is yummy too, but Bryant's is the atmosphere you really need to experience. Heck, they're all yummy; eat like a pig, you'll be glad you did.
Bud_E
05-17-2007, 06:43 PM
This thread is making me hungry :p
+1
A road trip to KC would be in order ( if I didn't have to work for a living ).
+1
A road trip to KC would be in order ( if I didn't have to work for a living ).
Y'all come to Kansas City and we'll get a good, hilly ride in and celebrate with some BBQ. :)
It's Bryant's. I'm a Missourian.
Gate's is yummy too, but Bryant's is the atmosphere you really need to experience. Heck, they're all yummy; eat like a pig, you'll be glad you did.
Where's the original Arthur Bryant's? The only one I ever went to was at the Station Casino.
michael white
05-18-2007, 10:57 AM
1727 Brooklyn Ave
Kansas City, MO
64127-2590
Phone: (816) 231-1123
the real deal.
ask for the burnt ends.
and make sure you're with someone who's not picky about manners.
BURCH
05-21-2007, 09:46 AM
Welp, made it to Gates BBQ on Saturday before the wedding and KC BBQ lived up to all of the hype. I tried the mixed plate and really enjoyed it. The sauce was great and the ribs were excellant. Some of the best ribs I have had. My wife tried the burnt ends and liked them, but couldn't finish them because they were too fatty for her palate. I ended up sharing my BBQ with her which she really enjoyed as well. Wish we had more time to there to try some other BBQ places, but I can't complain.
We also really enjoyed the town which seemed to be full of life all weekend.
Thanks for the advice everyone!
Welp, made it to Gates BBQ on Saturday before the wedding and KC BBQ lived up to all of the hype. I tried the mixed plate and really enjoyed it. The sauce was great and the ribs were excellant. Some of the best ribs I have had. My wife tried the burnt ends and liked them, but couldn't finish them because they were too fatty for her palate. I ended up sharing my BBQ with her which she really enjoyed as well. Wish we had more time to there to try some other BBQ places, but I can't complain.
We also really enjoyed the town which seemed to be full of life all weekend.
Thanks for the advice everyone!
Glad you enjoyed it! KC is really a pretty cool place!
chuckroast
05-21-2007, 07:58 PM
The Gates experience is highlighted when they yell "Can I help you?!" as you walk in the door.
Glad you had a good time, last weekend was nearly perfect here.
The Gates experience is highlighted when they yell "Can I help you?!" as you walk in the door.
Glad you had a good time, last weekend was nearly perfect here.
Very true! Especially that location down near Westport. First time there, I had no idea the lady was talking to me since we were about 8 people back.
Great Food though, and pretty much my favorite down there. Glad you enjoyed the experience.
Also, I'm pretty sure you can mail order the sauce.....
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