Kansas City BBQ - OOT Lead me to the promised land!

[Performify]

Hit Gates, which as you mention is in walking distance. Pick up a tray when you walk in - don't forget the tray or you'll get yelled at. The counter help will be yelling "HI CAN I HELP YOU" to people in line, so pay attention and order when they're yelling at you, which will be well before you actually approach the register. You want one of three things: beef on bun (which comes with fries so don't order a side) burnt ends sandwich which is very fatty but oh so delicious (no fries, so order a side), or the combo (beef + ham on bread, my personal favorite, also no fries so order a side). Get all three types of sauces and try them all.

Fiorella's Jack Stack is also in walking distance, and in my opinion is the overall best BBQ in kansas city. Get the burnt ends, or at least some sort of combo platter that includes burnt ends, and be sure to get a side of beans. Its in an area called the Art District with several cool bars if you want a place you can grab a drink or whatever. Jack Stack is a nicer, pricier restarunt.

Oklahoma Joes would be a third option but its about a ten minute drive from downtown. Not something you'd want to do if you don't have a car, and not really worth the taxi costs when you've got Gates and Jack Stack right there. If you do go to OK Joe's, get the Z-man (brisket topped with provolone cheese and two onion rings) and kansas city's best fries which are enough for two people to share.

RDH is right on with Strouds for amazing home cooking and some of the country's best chicken. Its a short drive from downtown if you've got access to a car or want to pay for a taxi (which are expensive in KC, as there really isn't a lot of demand for them).

Arthur Bryant's is cool for the historical aspect, but their food is no where near the best that KC has to offer. I'd avoid if you've only got time for two meals. I'd do Gates for sure, then either Jack Stack or OK Joe's or even Strouds.

KC is my hometown. I work downtown If you need some hospitality or directions or further recommendations drop me a PM or email. There's a strong possiblity we'll be playing poker before watching UFC 61 Saturday night, but sounds like you're on business.

[jalexand42]

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Hit Gates, which as you mention is in walking distance. Pick up a tray when you walk in - don't forget the tray or you'll get yelled at. The counter help will be yelling "HI CAN I HELP YOU" to people in line, so pay attention and order when they're yelling at you, which will be well before you actually approach the register. You want one of three things: beef on bun (which comes with fries so don't order a side) burnt ends sandwich which is very fatty but oh so delicious (no fries, so order a side), or the combo (beef + ham on bread, my personal favorite, also no fries so order a side). Get all three types of sauces and try them all.

Fiorella's Jack Stack is also in walking distance, and in my opinion is the overall best BBQ in kansas city. Get the burnt ends, or at least some sort of combo platter that includes burnt ends, and be sure to get a side of beans. Its in an area called the Art District with several cool bars if you want a place you can grab a drink or whatever. Jack Stack is a nicer, pricier restarunt.

Oklahoma Joes would be a third option but its about a ten minute drive from downtown. Not something you'd want to do if you don't have a car, and not really worth the taxi costs when you've got Gates and Jack Stack right there. If you do go to OK Joe's, get the Z-man (brisket topped with provolone cheese and two onion rings) and kansas city's best fries which are enough for two people to share.

RDH is right on with Strouds for amazing home cooking and some of the country's best chicken. Its a short drive from downtown if you've got access to a car or want to pay for a taxi (which are expensive in KC, as there really isn't a lot of demand for them).

KC is my hometown. I work downtown If you need some hospitality or directions or further recommendations drop me a PM or email. There's a strong possiblity we'll be playing poker before watching UFC 61 Saturday night, but sounds like you're on business.

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Awesome advice - totally agree.

[xadrez]

Performity, Thanks so much for the awesome advice and offer to hang. I will be in town only for 1 day and will basically have no free time other than sneaking away from my obligations to stuff my piehole.

I will definately hit up Gates for Lunch, then Jacks for dinner. Ill take some pic's and do a BBQ trip report when I get back home.

[buffett]

I agree with almost all of what Perfomify says, with these minor changes:

I'm not that keen on Gates. It's definitely better than Arthur Bryant's, but I'd label it "good" not "great."

At OK Joe's, I much prefer just the regular ol' pork ribs to the z-man.

[Performify]

I've actually never had their ribs, buffett - i've had a few different sandwich options but never tried the ribs. I'll give those a shot the next time I'm there.

Actually had a z-man for lunch today. It was the balls.

Edit: i'd also agree with the Gates comment. Its not the absolute best, but i'd say its "very good" and you can't beat the fact that its in walking distance (or a very very short drive) if you're downtown already.

[suzzer99]

Gates is a must. As is Arthur Bryants. If you have more than one person, get the sampler platter at Gates. Don't listen to anyone who says these two aren't the bomb. They clearly have defective taste buds and I suspect may not be even fully native KC-ans. They probably don't even sauce their meat until after they're done grilling it! [img]/images/graemlins/shocked.gif[/img] (ultimate KC insult)

Stick to a beef andwich at Bryants. Bryant's sauce is very different from what you're used probably used to - very vinegary. It's an acquired taste. But once you acquire the taste - is a lot of people's favorite. Their fries rule. I used to go to school at Lincoln Academy. My Mom would get Bryant's on days when she had to pick me up. She'd get a big side of fries wrapped in pink butcher paper. By the time we got home it was completely transparent. That's good eatin!

Other great BBQ is LC's out by the stadium.

Rosedale's isn't bad, very tender ribs. Sauce is a little sweet for my taste, but many swear by it.

Jackstack is fine, more of the corporate dining experience version of BBQ though.

Danny Edwards is actually a good friend of my family's. But I wouldn't recommend it over the ones above.

If you love fried chicken you absolutely have to hit Strouds. Best I've ever had.


Other culinary highlights of KC IMO:

Imo's pizza - very different. Some hate it, I love it.

Manny's for mexican, Rudy's Tenampa Tacquiera on Westport Road is also good.

Garozzo's for italian - chicken spedini

Town Topic for a cheeseburger

Jerusalem Cafe for middle eastern

d'Bronx pizza and sandwiches rock

and finally hitting up the the Quik Trip $1 menu at 3am - which I miss more than anything about KC (although it's not $1 any more [img]/images/graemlins/frown.gif[/img] )


Edit: I just noticed you only have 2 meals. Do Gates for lunch and Strouds for dinner. Your tongue will thank you.

[Performify]

Good stuff suzzer, except your list is a little dated.
Edit: see you haven't lived here for 10 years. That explains it.

The one I'd take most immediate exception to is:
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Margaritas for mexican

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Manny's is still in its original location on the Blvd, but its one of the most over-rated restaraunts in the city imo - Margaritas kicks its ass in every category, except maybe in number of hot women attending during the lunch hour.

Its no surprise that we're consistently among the nation's fattest cities. We've got some of the best fat people food. [img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

[suzzer99]

Margaritas has been around a while right? I'm pretty sure we used to go there. Along with Ponaks, is that still around? And there was another place I can't remember, across from Manny's. The only thing I remember is they had this dish which was bacially cucumber slices covered in spices that was the hottest thing I've ever eaten.

Nowadays when I come back we just go to Rudy's since that's close to where my friends live. I love that place.

[Performify]

Yep. you're thinking of the right place - down near the end of the Blvd near Ponaks.