In 2017 or 2018, my friend Kurt and I decided we’d go to every BBQ place in the metro KC area. We’ve both grown up here, so we’ve eaten at the staples more than once. We looked to explore the ones we hadn’t been to, or maybe had only been to once.
The list is long and I suppose it depends on how far out geographically you want to go from the city center. We go on lunch breaks so we can’t get too far away. Some places we’ve tried are no longer open, some places closed before we could try them.
I wish I’d taken notes or written reviews from the beginning, to keep track of them all; but I didn’t. We do not get the same food at every place. I sometimes forget, but I try to get my meat without sauce. I’m looking for a well-smoked flavor, moisture, proper cook temperature (rib meat should not completely fall off the bone), and a good bark. I am most interested in beans that have a great smoky flavor, are not too sweet, are not too soupy, and I favor beans with a little meat in them.
One thing that I’ve come to realize is in general Kansas City barbecue is sweet. I’ve lived here all my life and eaten a lot of BBQ but I never would have characterized it that way until now. There are of course the exceptions, those that are a little more vinegary like Arthur Bryant’s or with a little more cinnamon like Rosedale’s.
Here’s a list of the places in KC that we have put on our list. If we’ve been there, I’m sharing either my very brief notes with you, or my Google review. Nothing’s more personal or passionate than a Kansas Citian’s opinion on ‘cue, so keep in mind this is just how I felt about it! The places I really liked are in bold. I’ve given you the chance to save your money by thumbing down a few as well.
I’ve also created a BBQ Map! (Disclaimer: It’s an ever-evolving project!)
- 3Halves Brew & BBQ, Liberty, MO
- ❤️ Arthur Bryant’s Barbeque, Kansas City, MO. This is the original barbeque that defines Kansas City. Its sauce is very different from what most Kansas City barbeque sauces are like, today. Most are sweeter, Bryant’s is more vinegar-based. If you’re going to only go to one place, you should go here just for the history.
- Auggie-Q’s, located inside the Jockey Club in Riverside, MO
- Barbed Wire, Eudora, KS
- Batch Country Kitchen & Cue – permanently closed
- 👎 Bates City Bar-B-Que, Shawnee, KS
- B.B.’s Lawnside BBQ, Kansas City, MO
- 👎 Big Q Barbecue, Kansas City, KS
- Big T’s Bar-B-Q, Kansas City, MO
- ❤️ Blind Box BBQ, Shawnee, KS. There is also a location inside of Nebraska Furniture Mart in Kansas City, KS.
- 👎 Brobeck’s BBQ, Kansas City, MO
- ❤️ Buck Tui, Overland Park, KS
- Burn Theory, Lee’s Summit, MO
- ❤️ The Burnt End BBQ & Catering, Overland Park. There’s also a location in Crown Center, KCMO.
- Char Bar Smoked Meats & Amusements, Kansas City, MO
- ❤️ Chef J BBQ, Kansas City, MO
- 👎 Chop’s BBQ & Catering, Smithville, MO
- Crazy Good Eats, Olathe, KS
- Danny Edwards Blvd BBQ, Kansas City, MO
- EJ’s Urban Eatery – permanently closed
- F325 BBQ, North Kansas City, MO
- Fat Shack BBQ – Food Truck around Johnson County usually
- Filling Station BBQ, Lee’s Summit, MO
- Fireside BBQ – permanently closed
- ❤️ Fox&Fire Food Truck – My review was when it was next to a brewery in North Kansas City, MO. It is now relocated to a permanent spot in Kearney, MO.
- ❤️ Gates & Sons – multiple locations throughout the city
- ❤️ Harp BBQ – I visited their pop-up location alongside Crane Brewery, and their brick and mortar in Raytown, Mo. They are relocating to Overland Park, KS fall 2024.
- Hawg Jaw Que & Brew, North Kansas City, MO
- Hayward’s Pit BBQ, Shawnee, KS (Ribs are their best item.)
- 👎 Hickory Log, Kansas City, KS
- Holy Smoke, Kansas City, KS
- ❤️ Jack’s Stack – multiple locations throughout the city
- ❤️ Jazzy B’s BBQ, Lee’s Summit, MO. Call to learn if they’re open. I’ve heard they shut down their brick & mortar but it’s still listed on Facebook and Google.
- ❤️ Joe’s Kansas City Bar-B-Que – There are multiple locations but if you’re just visiting KC you should go to the original in the gas station in Kansas City, KS!
- ❤️ Jones Bar-B-Q, Kansas City, KS. Their food is to-go; unless it’s nice enough to eat at their picnic tables. They have a vending machine you can get hot meals from outside of business hours. As of fall 2022, their restaurant is up for sale, so check that it’s open before you go.
- Jousting Pigs – permanently closed
- Johnny’s, Olathe, KS. I visited the Mission location just before it closed. If I understand correctly, the son owns the Olathe location. The father ran the Mission and retired in 2019.
- Jonathan’s BBQ, Overland Park, KS
- Jon Russell’s Kansas City Barbeque – permanently closed
- The Junction – permanently closed
- 👎 KC Baby Back Ribs, Independence, MO (Unsure if this is still open.)
- ❤️ LCs BBQ, Kansas City, MO
- ❤️ A Little BBQ, Independence, Mo.
- Lueck’s Barbecue and General Store – permanently closed
- Luther’s BBQ – permanently closed
- Madison Meat and Deli – permanently closed
- Mad Mans KC BBQ – permanently closed
- Meat Mitch, Overland Park, KS
- Mudhole BBQ – permanently closed
- Night Goat, Kansas City, MO. (A ghost kitchen operating out of Fox & Pearl.)
- Plowboys Barbeque – permanently closed
- 👎 Porky’s Blazin’ Bar-B-Q, Grain Valley, MO
- Pullman BBQ, Parkville – permanently closed
- Q39 – multiple locations throughout the city
- Quentin’s BBQ, Bonner Springs, KS
- RJ’s Bob-Be-Que Shack – I think liked the food here, but I forgot to write a review!
- Roscoe’s BBQ – permanently closed
- ❤️ Rosedale BBQ, Kansas City, KS. I like Rosedale’s BBQ sauce/rub but many people do not. It’s quite unique.
- The Rub Bar-B-Que, Olathe, KS
- Scott’s Kitchen and Catering at Hangar 29, Kansas City, MO
- ❤️ SLAP’s BBQ, Kansas City, KS No review to share, but Slap’s is on the top of my list of BBQ in KC.
- ❤️ Smoke Brewing Co, Lee’s Summit, MO
- 👎 Smokebox BBQ, Kansas City, MO
- ❤️ Smokehouse Bar-B-Que – has multiple locations
- Smoke ‘n Magic, Kansas City, MO This is the team that won a competition for one-year free lease at the new Kansas City International Airport, which opened in Spring 2023. I was able to stop by there on my return flight. I live only ten minutes form the airport, so I took it home to eat it. It was unremarkable. It is not a business listed on Google so I could not write a review or add a photo online. Photo below.
- Smokey’s on the Boulevard – permanently closed
- Smoketown BBQ and Catering, Overland Park, KS
- Smokin’ Guns BBQ Restaurant and Catering – permanently closed
- Summit Hickory Pit BBQ – permanently closed
- ❤️ Tin Kitchen, Weston, MO. (A day trip from KC.)
- Top Hat Winery – permanently closed
- Three Little Pigs – permanently closed
- Twisted Rib, Kansas City, MO. Located inside Worth Harley Davidson. Thursday, Friday and Saturday, only. Unsure if there’s seating dedicated to the restaurant, but there are often events on weekends where tables and chairs are provided.
- Wabash BBQ, Excelsior Springs, MO. (A day trip from KC.)
- Wolfepack BBQ, Kansas City, MO. I visited their pop-up inside a brewery; and later got carry-out after they opened a brick & mortar.
- Woodyard Bar-B-Que, Kansas City, KS
- 👎 Wyandot B-B-Q, Kansas City, KS
- Zarda Bar-B-Q & Catering Co. – multiple locations. Another one I’ve been to many times, but never formally reviewed! Zarda’s is pretty good, but not one of the tops in KC. (Although their beans are some of the best.)
Grab-N-Go, Only
- Off the Hook BBQ, Parkville, MO – This is a window, to-go only, and it has very limited hours. Even when you visit during posted hours, it might be closed. Call first.
- Dunn Deal BBQ, Grandview, MO
- Black Belt BBQ – Food Truck, Leavenworth, KS
- Rivals BBQ – Food Truck, Kansas City, KS
- 3 Pigs BBQ – Food Truck, Lee’s Summit, MO
- Aunt Mildred’s #10 – Food Truck, Kansas City, MO
- Chick Hoove N Swine – Food Truck, Spring Hill, KS
- Cooter Brand BBQ – Food Truck, Western KS side of the metro
BBQ on the Outskirts of KC
- Barbed Wire, Eudora, KS
- Low-N-Slow Midwest BBQ, Lansing, KS
- K&M Bar-B-Q, Spring Hill, KS
- Oden’s Family BBQ, Belton, MO
- Snead’s Bar-B-Q, Belton, MO
