Kansas City Barbecue Restaurants

GATES:
"HI MAY I HELP YOU?" Gates is a KC classic. The food is hit or miss but when it is a hit it is the best. I suggest you ask for a lean beef on bread and use the Classic Sauce. Order fries too...they are the best steak fries anywhere. Make sure you speak up or you will look like a tourist. Sauce is spicy KC-they also offer a hotter sauce that is killa.(816) 483-3880

BOULEVARD BBQ:
Blvd. BBQ serves up thick knife carved slices of brisket, tender and tasteful. It has a sweet flavorful bark accompanied with a very distinct smoke ring. I think it is simply the best brisket in the country. Their sauce is sweet yet heat arrives moments after consumption. Like a few other BBQ joints in Kansas City, they are only open for lunch and the seating is limited, so get there early! Established in 1938-2900
SW BLVD KCMO (816) 283-0880

WOODYARD:
This little place supplies wood to all of the other BBQ joints in town. Operating as a real wood yard, they have a huge variety and endless supply of hickory, apple wood etc. Sure, it looks like a shack but it is a very clean, friendly, and family owned barbecue establishment with a rich history. Now, back to the food. Their smoked chicken is the best in town and they fix a crazy chili with scoops of burnt ends in it. Don;t miss out on their half chicken special every Wed. (closed Mon and Sun)
3001 Merriam Ln. Established 1950's (816) 362-8000

JACK STACK:
Jack Stack is a great place to take visitors from out of town. I stick to their  burnt ends and their baby back ribs because I think that is what they do best.  Stay away from their shrimp and steak.. this is a bbq joint not a country club (no matter how hard they try)
13441 Holmes KCMO (Martin City)(816) 472-7427

SNEAD'S:
My Grandfather used to talk about Sneed's. It has been around forever. The service is slow but the staff is friendly and their beef sandwich is terrific. When your as good as Sneed's, you don't have to worry about your location and that's good because Snead's is located in Belton.
Established long, long ago (816) 331-7979

SMOKEHOUSE:
I can't say enough good things about this place. Every time I eat at Smokehouse it seems to be a little better than the last time. Their burnt end sandwich is out of this world. Pretty much everything on the menu is very good. Rumor has it, a former pit master from Jack Stack started Smokehouse and that is why the two restaurants are so much alike. You can count on Smokehouse being a little less crowded and a little easier on the wallet.
7121 W 135th St, Overland Park, KS Established in 1987. (913) 685-1717

QUICKS:
A tiny place on Merriam Drive on the Kansas side. People who work for a living eat lunch there. This is a very small authentic KC BBQ joint. Quick's also serves fried food like deep fried hot dogs. Serving deep fried dogs should be a warning sign but their BBQ is still tops in KC.
1007 Merriam Ln, Kansas City, KS Established in 1964(913) 236-7228

RJ'S BOB-BE-QUE SHACK:
Sweet sauce. Very light smoke flavor. They serve breakfast too; kind of weird for a BBQ joint but I hear their breakfast is better than their barbecue. They were featured on the Food Channel one time; that's cool.
5835 Lamar Ave, Mission, KS (913) 262-9300

ROSEDALE:
Good and greasy! Perfect for a hangover!
600 Southwest Blvd, Kansas City, KS -Established 1934

BB's LAWNSIDE BARBECUE:
Great service, good food, live blues and cold beer. It is at a terrible location in South Kansas City but is well worth going when a) they have live music and b) you are in the area.
(816) 822-7427

WINSLOWS:
Cool place with a great patio and live music. Winslow's is a lot like BB's but in a much better location (the City Market)
20 E 5th St, Kansas City, MO(816) 471-7427

ARTHUR BRYANT'S:
Perhaps Kansas City’s most famous Barbecue. As such, politicians go there for photo ops. As I recall, the last 5 presidents and several crooks, I mean politicians have eaten there. Their sauce is one of a kind; it is gritty and vinegar based and a lot of people love it (not me) They have the best quality meat of anyone in town and their back up sauce called Rich and Spicy it is excellent.
1727 Brooklyn Ave, Kansas City, MO (also located at Village West but I recommend the downtown location)

OKLAHOMA JOES:
Not just another restaurant in a gas station. What set this one apart from the others is, it is still serves gas along with it’s barbecue. Yes, you can get a fill up in the ol’ family truckster while you get your fill of barbecue. On another note, I saw a bottle of Gates sauce in their kitchen about 12 years ago... I am not kidding. They do have their own sauce though- “Cow Town” It has a lot of garlic in it. Their hot version is the best. 3002 W 47th Ave, Kansas City, KS (913) 722-3366

ZARDA:
Zarda BBQ is a great place to take the family for some pretty decent BBQ. They have a drive through and they never fail to give you extra sauce and pickle. I think the best thing about Zarda's is it is consistent.
W 87th St. Quivira Rd, Lenexa, KS (913) 492-2330

HAYWARD’S PIT BAR-B-QUE:

Good place for lunch across from Corporate Woods.

11051 Antioch Rd, Overland Park, KS (913) 451-8080

LC's
I like the old time feel to this Barbecue joint. I also think it’s cool that the pit is out in the open so everyone can see the sizzling, smoking BBQ when they open the doors. They have large portions (you pay for it) and they do not trim the fat. Basically, you get a big fat expensive sandwich (not that there is anything wrong with that). The fries were OK but not nearly as good as Gates. (816) 923-4484

WYANDOTTE BBQ (OP Location):
Ask for "lean beef" and you will be okay.

SMOKESTACK (Wornall location):

Owners are related to the owner of Jack Stack but the food is very different. 

8920 Wornall Rd,Kansas City, MO (816) 444-5542‎

135th STREET BARBECUE (Martin City)
Can't compete with Jack Stack down the street.
325 E 135th St. KCMO(816) 941-4296

JOHNNEY’S HICKORY HOUSE BAR-B-QUE
Why?
5959 Broadmoor St. Mission KS (913) 432-0777