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

xadrez · #1 07-06-2006, 12:02 PM

Im a dumb yankee who loves BBQ and I will be in Kansas City, MO briefly this weekend and figure I can escape my obligations to squeeze in two meals (lunch and dinner). Naturally, KC's BBQ legacy precedes it, and I intend to stuff my face as much as possible during limited time I have.

Ive been researching online, and keep coming up with some of the same results, Jacks Stack, Arthur Bryant, LC, Danny Edwards, etc. Any locals care to point me to their favorites? One stipulation is that the places must be reasonably close to downtown, as that is where I will be during my stay and I will have very limited free time to go seek out restaurants.

Thanks for any advice!

M2d · #2 07-06-2006, 12:05 PM

I was in KC a couple of months ago and solicited bbq joint advice from a bunch of locals. the names you mentioned were brought up, but Gates' was the unanimous choice in the end. it was damned good.

ScottieK · #3 07-06-2006, 12:09 PM

Mmmmmmmm.....Gates. Really good. Don't know if there's one downtown, but they serve Gates at KC Royals games if you go.

ScottieK

RunDownHouse · #4 07-06-2006, 12:13 PM

For the lunch, go with Arthur Bryant's. Really can not go wrong there. Don't expect fine dining: its more of a counter with some Formica tables.

If for some reason you want to break away from the BBQ, a great alterenative is Stroud's. They serve family-style meals and specialize in fried chicken. I recommend the chicken-fried steak.

xadrez · #5 07-06-2006, 12:14 PM

I googled Gates and its 1.7 miles to where Ill be staying, meaning its walking distance. Definately going to check it out.

xadrez · #6 07-06-2006, 12:17 PM

Fried chicken is one of my all time favorite foods. This is tempting!

Also, to me, fine dining is a cheap hole in the wall with large portions of greasy, tasty, meaty, fried food.

poincaraux · #7 07-06-2006, 01:53 PM

oklahoma joe's is good stuff

Performify · #8 07-06-2006, 02:59 PM

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 · #9 07-06-2006, 03:04 PM

[ QUOTE ]
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.

[/ QUOTE ]

Awesome advice - totally agree.

xadrez · #10 07-06-2006, 03:11 PM

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.