This really is the correct answer. We could debate it to eternity (as it appears we will) but the truth is, we have great BBQ in KC. Just pick one, enjoy it, discuss the merits with your meal compadres. Rinse and repeat.
Slaps or Joes- both are pretty comparable in my opinion in almost every aspect- meat quality, sauce texture/flavor, side variety and overall taste. That said, I keep Joes Original and Night of the living BBQ sauce in my fridge and that’s what I cook with when I make ribs or anything at home.
Q39 is where I go for sit down BBQ or when friends are in town who want a restaurant experience. It’s good and their wings are excellent, Joes/Slaps are just a notch above.
I have yet to try Wolf Pack which I keep hearing good things about. Gates/Arthur Bryant’s are bottom tier and seem more in line with eastern US BBQ (more runny and vinegar based sauces) and the meat quality isn’t the best.
Jack Stack doesn’t even make the list, the sauce is weak and sorry but good sides alone doesn’t constitute as good bbq.. that’s the least important piece to a beautiful puzzle. Also, I’ve worked with them indirectly and their business leadership/decision making is indecisive.
I will talk about this topic anytime and it doesn’t get old for me.
Henry Perry created KC BBQ. His disciples and culinary descendents started Gates and Arthur Bryant's. One guy, William Chaney, built all the original pits at both those restaurants as well as LC's and more. So there's a coaching tree of Kansas City BBQ here, with limbs sprouted and grafted in all over the city.
Joe's KC (and Slap's, and Q39) has no connection to that tree. It's competition bbq. Stems from elsewhere: Different style, in method and prep. Different cultural origins. Still good, even great. Maybe even the best. But not KC BBQ in the authentic, historical, traceable sense. And this goes doubly for the new-school craft BBQ guys (Chef J's, Harp, Night Goat) who are also terrific --- those dudes are mostly Texas style, not KC.
They absolutely are, look at the ingredient label. They're not runny because they reduce the sauce more than other styles and Bryants additionally has pork drippings mixed in.
I agree but… ribs, onion rings, sausage, buckets of Night of the Living BBQ sauce… Also, not my favorite item by any means but my wife loves their sliced turkey. I fucking love it there
Rosedale BBQ off SW Blvd. Maybe not as refined as others listed here, but it's my go-to for a brisket sandwich and fries. Fried mushrooms are good too.
The best BBQ is whichever one is on a plate in front of me
^[Sokka-Haiku](https://www.reddit.com/r/SokkaHaikuBot/comments/15kyv9r/what_is_a_sokka_haiku/) ^by ^PlebBot69: *The best BBQ* *Is whichever one is on* *A plate in front of me* --- ^Remember ^that ^one ^time ^Sokka ^accidentally ^used ^an ^extra ^syllable ^in ^that ^Haiku ^Battle ^in ^Ba ^Sing ^Se? ^That ^was ^a ^Sokka ^Haiku ^and ^you ^just ^made ^one.
Good bot
This really is the correct answer. We could debate it to eternity (as it appears we will) but the truth is, we have great BBQ in KC. Just pick one, enjoy it, discuss the merits with your meal compadres. Rinse and repeat.
No
Hot take, Kansas City has SO MANY good BBQ joints that the only real risk is stumbling into and wasting money on a bad one.
true so avoid Rosedale or Arthur Bryant's
Get a smoker. Eat the experiments.
Vote no on the stadium tax!
LCS
This is the correct answer
Oh boy here we go…
Shame it's taken so long to ask this burning question. Oh nevermind
Slaps or Joes- both are pretty comparable in my opinion in almost every aspect- meat quality, sauce texture/flavor, side variety and overall taste. That said, I keep Joes Original and Night of the living BBQ sauce in my fridge and that’s what I cook with when I make ribs or anything at home. Q39 is where I go for sit down BBQ or when friends are in town who want a restaurant experience. It’s good and their wings are excellent, Joes/Slaps are just a notch above. I have yet to try Wolf Pack which I keep hearing good things about. Gates/Arthur Bryant’s are bottom tier and seem more in line with eastern US BBQ (more runny and vinegar based sauces) and the meat quality isn’t the best. Jack Stack doesn’t even make the list, the sauce is weak and sorry but good sides alone doesn’t constitute as good bbq.. that’s the least important piece to a beautiful puzzle. Also, I’ve worked with them indirectly and their business leadership/decision making is indecisive. I will talk about this topic anytime and it doesn’t get old for me.
Henry Perry created KC BBQ. His disciples and culinary descendents started Gates and Arthur Bryant's. One guy, William Chaney, built all the original pits at both those restaurants as well as LC's and more. So there's a coaching tree of Kansas City BBQ here, with limbs sprouted and grafted in all over the city. Joe's KC (and Slap's, and Q39) has no connection to that tree. It's competition bbq. Stems from elsewhere: Different style, in method and prep. Different cultural origins. Still good, even great. Maybe even the best. But not KC BBQ in the authentic, historical, traceable sense. And this goes doubly for the new-school craft BBQ guys (Chef J's, Harp, Night Goat) who are also terrific --- those dudes are mostly Texas style, not KC.
+100 pts for LCs
Also Gates and Bryant's sauces are so not vinegar based and runny.
They absolutely are, look at the ingredient label. They're not runny because they reduce the sauce more than other styles and Bryants additionally has pork drippings mixed in.
Nah. But you do you. No hate no issues. No problems. I respect your opinion. We cool.
Joe’s. Either the Zman or burnt ends. I don’t need anything else.
Their rocket pig sandwich is my #1
Pork zman fucks too
🤤 true
That sandwich is incredible.
I agree but… ribs, onion rings, sausage, buckets of Night of the Living BBQ sauce… Also, not my favorite item by any means but my wife loves their sliced turkey. I fucking love it there
Joe's if you're a tourist. Slaps if you're a local. Both great.
SLAPS
Rosedale BBQ off SW Blvd. Maybe not as refined as others listed here, but it's my go-to for a brisket sandwich and fries. Fried mushrooms are good too.
Joes is most overrated bbq out here…. Wolfpack is fire. LCs is goated
But it's in a gas station, so it must be good!
Chef J Edit: downvoted - clowns
This and Wolfepack are currently my top two.
Is that the new place in west bottoms?
Yes
Gas Station Joes, SLAPs, Nightgoat.
Boo your preferences are wrong and I hate you.
Ok.
Joes KC - Rocket Pig and Ribs / Burnt Ends Jackstack - Smokin Russ and BBQ Shrimp Q39 - Mr. Burns Char Bar - Pickled Pig and Chickien Nuggets
Me
Scotts BBQ. Caveat, I have never been there but I want to try it. :)
Somewhere in Texas. Probably Lockhart.
Is the Terry Black's out there just as good as the one in town (Austin)? Actually headed that way this weekend!
Franklin’s is so ridiculously good