Here are Kansas City’s 34 best barbecue joints, according to Kansas Citians
When someone asks you what the best barbecue in Kansas City is, the stakes can feel high. We have strong opinions and lots of pride in our favorite spots.
The Star recently posed that hotly-contested evergreen question to our readers, and we heard from nearly 200 of you who wanted to shout out the place you love the most.
To make sure your favorite is rightfully crowned, you can vote in our 2022 Kansas City Barbecue Bracket that includes the 16 most popular nominees.
But, since you deemed so many different places to have the best sauce or the best burnt ends, we thought it was only fair to publish the whole list of reader recommendations.
Check out all 34 of the barbecue joints that readers recommend in alphabetical order from Arthur Bryant’s to Zarda — and the reasons why Kansas Citians love them.
Arthur Bryant’s Barbeque
1727 Brooklyn Ave.
Why readers say Arthur Bryant’s is their favorite:
“Best tasting sauce in town, hands down.”
“Authentic, historic, original Kansas City barbeque.”
“Best turkey sandwich and burnt ends on earth.”
“I have been going there since the early ‘60s. Smokiest brisket, unique sauce that isn’t sweet and excellent fries. Ribs are good too. An ice cold Boulevard makes it even better. Cooked in a wood-fired pit, not with gas. Iconic place.”
Bates City BBQ
6493 Quivira Road, Shawnee and 201 E. Market St., Bates City
Why readers say Bates City is their favorite:
“The best ribs and smoked turkey.”
Big T’s Bar B Q
9409 Blue Ridge Blvd. and 6201 Blue Parkway
Why readers say Big T’s is their favorite:
“Quality, price, portion size. Small and off the beaten path.”
“They are the best, and I’ve eaten at them all!”
“I love the smokey flavor.”
Blind Box BBQ
13214 W. 62nd Terrace, Shawnee and 1601 Village West Parkway, Kansas City, Kansas
Why readers say Blind Box is their favorite:
“Consistently good and meat doesn’t need sauce.”
Brobeck’s BBQ
4615 Indian Creek Parkway, Overland Park
Why readers say Brobeck’s is their favorite:
“Burnt Ends are good (expected). Ham salad is Amazing (unexpected). Excellent carrot cake, too.”
Burn Theory Fire Kitchen
949 NE. Columbus St., Lee’s Summit
Why readers say Burn Theory is their favorite:
“Best burnt ends in Kansas City. True barbecue using only wood and no gas or electric assist.”
Burnt End BBQ
11831 Metcalf Ave., Overland Park and 2450 Grand Blvd.
Why readers say Burnt End is their favorite:
“They have burnt ends everyday and they are lean, yet juicy (not tough and dry).”
“They have the best burnt ends, brisket and smoked turkey in town. All of their side dishes are as good as any place in town, try the onion straws, beans and potato salad.”
Char Bar
4050 Pennsylvania Ave.
Why readers say Char Bar is their favorite:
“Love the burnt ends and patio.”
Danny Edwards BLVD BBQ
2900 Southwest Blvd.
Why readers say Danny Edwards is their favorite:
“Brisket is very lean, extremely tender and has a perfect bark.”
“Best meat, best frys, best rings.”
“Quality of meat, great sauce and excellent service.”
Fiorella’s Jack Stack Barbecue
101 W. 22nd St., 4747 Wyandotte St., 9520 Metcalf Ave., Overland Park
Why readers say Jack Stack is their favorite:
“They have maintained the integrity of smoking the meat, using rubs for flavor and consistency while elevating the dining experience without being pretentious.”
“I love the lamb ribs and smoked salmon. These are items not offered by most BBQ restaurants.
“It’s well rounded with BBQ and sides. Many top BBQ restaurant sides don’t stand up to the Q.”
“They have the best BBQ overall, absolutely the best beans, and absolutely the best carrot cake in town.”
Gates Bar-B-Q
1325 Emanuel Cleaver II Blvd., 3205 Main St., 1221 Brooklyn Ave., 2001 W. 103rd Terrace Leawood, 10440 E. US Hwy 40 Independence
Why readers say Gates is their favorite:
“Love the smoked ham sandwich, the sweet BBQ sauce, and the fries are cooked to perfection.”
“Traditional and historic — a true BBQ joint. And the sauce is great!”
“The brisket, the short end, the chicken, the best sauce in town.”
Harp Barbecue
6515 Railroad St., Raytown
Why readers say Harp is their favorite:
“The brisket is so tender, they slice it 1/4” thick. It’s super flavorful, and everything else there is great.”
“The selection of smoked meats (turkey, beef and pork) are tender, flavor and juicy. Not to mention the creative options (tacos, etc.) and sides. Also it’s inside a brewery which adds to ambiance and coolness.”
Hawg Jaw Que & Brew
900 Swift St., North Kansas City
Why readers say Hawg Jaw is their favorite:
“Big enough to purchase the highest quality meats, small enough to still care. Best Burnt Ends in the city.”
Hayward’s Pit Bar B Que & Catering
10901 W. 75th St., Shawnee
Why readers say Hayward’s is their favorite:
“Burnt ends and sausage”
Joe’s Kansas City Bar-B-Que
3002 W. 47th Ave., Kansas City, Kansas, 11950 S. Strang Line Rd., Olathe and 11723 Roe Ave., Leawood
Why readers say Joe’s in their favorite:
“The mystique. The fries. The Z-Man Sandwich. This place just kinda combines a lot of different ‘good parts”’to make a GREAT establishment.”
“The meat is so tender, sauce is perfect. The fries are amazing!”
“Great meat but ridiculously good fries.”
Jousting Pigs BBQ
1702 Village West Parkway, Kansas City, Kansas and 110 E. Kansas St., Liberty
Why readers say Jousting Pigs is their favorite:
“Great atmosphere, craft beer and excellent sides.”
“Very tender and flavorful meat without sauce.”
LC’s Bar-B-Q
5800 Blue Parkway
Why readers say LC’s is their favorite:
“Laid back atmosphere, good service and excellent food.”
“Real bar-b-que with no short cuts taken.”
“Experience and quality is consistent.”
Meat Mitch Barbecue
3620 W. 95th St., Leawood
Why readers say Meat Mitch is their favorite:
“Brisket is outstanding, so are the sides!”
“The closest to championship judged food there is.”
“Best ribs and burnt ends I’ve ever had. Wine list is great as well.”
Moocho’s BBQ and Cantina
1704 S. Broadway, Oak Grove
Why readers say Moocho’s is their favorite:
“The BBQ is so tender and flavorful. Sauces are very flavorful not just a bland BBQ sauce and have many varieties.”
Q39
1000 W. 39th St. and 11051 Antioch Road, Overland Park
Why readers say Q39 is their favorite:
“They do it all right! The only BBQ joint that gets compliments on their chicken. It’s all good!”
“Absolutely love the flavor of the meat, burnt ends, brisket, ribs, and the wings are amazing.”
“They have a really good variety of tasty sides like cucumber onion salad, apple cole slaw, mac and cheese, baked beans, orzo pasta salad, potato salad and good fries. I mix and match the sides every time I go.”
R.J.’s Bob-Be-Que Shack
5835 Lamar Ave., Mission
Why readers say RJ’s is their favorite:
“Bob makes the best sauce in town. They also have an incredible dry-rub that makes their ribs SING!”
“House made Jalapeño Sausage, great friendly service”
“The food is amazing, and they are a trendsetter. Every new thing they do, within six months everyone else is copying RJ’s. Also best bacon in town, hands down!”
Roscoe’s BBQ
9711 Kaw Drive, Edwardsville, Kansas
Why readers say Roscoe’s is their favorite:
“Really good brisket and burnt ends!! Side dishes are good too!!”
“It’s the best barbecue and isn’t pretentious.”
Rosedale Bar-B-Q
600 Southwest Boulevard, Kansas City, Kansas
Why readers say Rosedale is their favorite:
“It is a classic. Sauce is perfect blend of spices. Best beef on bun sandwich anywhere.”
“Spicy not overly sweet sweet sauce.”
“Great ribs, neat seating tables, courteous staff.”
Scott’s Kitchen and Catering at Hangar 29
11920 N. Ambassador Drive
Why readers say Scott’s Kitchen is their favorite:
“The ribs and brisket are just the best.”
“The smoke is amazing!”
“Awesome food and great staff.”
Slap’s BBQ
553 Central Ave., Kansas City, Kansas
Why readers say Slap’s is their favorite:
“The meats and sides are invariably perfectly cooked, well-seasoned and smoky, where appropriate.”
“Reasonable price and delicious mouth watering BBQ.”
“Best quality across the board, from meats to sauces to sides. Top notch.”
Smokehouse Barbecue
8451 NW. Prairie View Rd., 19000 E. 39th St., Independence and 6304 N. Oak Trafficway, Gladstone
Why readers say Smokehouse is their favorite:
“The best sauce ever. I’ve tried most others. Not nearly as good.”
Smoketown BBQ
7702 Shawnee Mission Parkway, Overland Park
Why readers say Smoketown is their favorite:
“The signature sandwich.”
Smokin’ Guns BBQ & Catering
1218 Swift St., North Kansas City
Why readers say Smokin’ Guns is their favorite:
“They are consistent with the burnt ends and have the best onion rings in town.”
Snead’s Bar-B-Q
1001 E. 171st St., Belton
Why readers say Snead’s is their favorite:
“Great atmosphere, great people, great food!”
The Rub Bar-B-Que
10512 S. Ridgeview Rd., Olathe
Why readers say The Rub is their favorite:
“A gem of a place that is overlooked because of all the usual suspects.”
“Their ribs are excellent, smoked well, very tender.”
Tin Kitchen
509 Main St., Weston
Why readers say Tin Kitchen if their favorite:
“Great ribs, brisket, pork and salmon and love Weston!”
Woodyard Bar-B-Que
3001 Merriam Lane, Kansas City, Kansas
Why readers say Woodyard is their favorite:
“The meat is wonderful.”
Wyandot Barbecue
8441 State Ave., Kansas City, Kansas
Why readers say Wyandot is their favorite:
“Best spicy sauce”
Zarda Bar-B-Q
214 N. 7 Highway, Blue Springs and 11931 W. 87th St., Lenexa
Why readers say Zarda is their favorite:
“Their thinly sliced sausage melts in your mouth.”
“All their meats taste great and they always have unique and delicious sandwiches.”
“Best beans in town.”
Do you have more questions about great spots to eat in Kansas City? Ask the Service Journalism team at kcq@kcstar.com.
