Barbecue, Kansas City

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Ribs is the thing that people remember of KC. They do have a fair amount of these places to eat, some better than others. As a couple of typical, I chose a variety. K.C Masterpiece is a known name that started in KC, and the sauce business sold to Kraft Foods. The restaurants, I believe about 10-12 nationwide, serve good food at reasonable prices. The ribs and side dishes are tasty. Bryants is a treat to try the local fare on a newspaper. It is a messy event, and the barbeque along with fries are piled on newspaper; really. the food is okay. The area of town is not of the best standing for the original location, which is the one you want to see how it has not changed in years.

This suburban location smells great for blocks away! It has been called the "Caddilac" of KC Barbeque. The interior of the restaurant is nice, similar to a mdi-range steak house. It is comfortable. Attire can be casual. There is a wait a peak times. This place has been featured on the US cable network Food Chanel.

Favorite Dish: "His Ribness" a full slab of their ribs with their wonderful baked beans. They also serve something called "burnt ends." Don't be put off by the name, as they are NOT burnt but they are quite delicious.

You won't go for the atmosphere but you will come back again and again for the bbq. The meat has a full smoked flavor that is so tender. I normally don't like baked beans but I love theirs. Pinto beans mixed with black beans and bits of bbq meat. They've got a bit of a kick to them.

Favorite Dish: BBQ beef brisket sandwich and baked beans.

I ate at this restaurant a few months ago and you can't leave without having the Hickory Pit Beans. I thought I would cry it was so good. I sampled the burnt ends from a friends plate and they were very good too.

Favorite Dish: Hickory Pit Beans

You will LOVE this place! Great BBQ in a classy environment. The restaurant is located in a beautiful and interesting brick building with tall ceilings which used to be used as a service building for trains. The food is wonderful - you can have anything from burnt ends to BBQ chicken to BBQ sandwiches. You will not be disappointed!

Favorite Dish: BBQ Chicken Breast or the Jumbo sandwich (turkey) with french fries, and cheesy corn or cheesy potatos. Yum!

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Even though it may not be the best BBQ in the USA (like some people say), Arthur Bryant's is historically one of the more famous barbecue houses through its connection to Henry Perry. It was relocated to its present location (18th and Brooklyn) in 1958. I went there one evening in the middle 1970's after reading about it in The New Yorker magazine. At that time the neighborhood was one of the roughest I had ever been in. Ironically, now when I go back to Arthur Bryant's, only the neighborhood has changed. The restaurant is basically the same as 30 years ago but the neighborhood (near the 18th and Vine Jazz District) has gone through urban renewal.

Don't get me wrong; the BBQ is good, the serving sizes are huge and the prices reasonable. I just think the Jack Stack Barbecue in Kansas City (and a couple of other places) are better. However, one should not miss Arthur Bryant's; it has more character.

Favorite Dish: Burnt ends open face sandwich

A great hometown style barbecue restuarant in the north of the river suburb of Gladstone (recently opened another location at I29 and Barry Road in Zona Rosa). The place is usually busy so plan to wait in the small bar area if you come during prime hours. But do wait. There is not mutch to the decor, but that's not what you're there for. The wait staff is attentive, but busy. Their corn nuggets are a great appetizer. The slow smoked meats are all delicious, but their burnt ends are top notch. Ribs, brisket, ham, chicken, turkey and sausage are also on the menu. Don't forget the sweet baked beans. They're almost as good as dessert.

Favorite Dish: Sometimes I think they make the brisket for just the burnt ends and not much slicing. The hunks of meat are big, larger than what you would usually think of as the part of the brisket that couldn't be sliced. They are slow smoked over hickory and the sauce is just spicy enough.

KC is well know for it's BBQ. One of the great BBQ restaurants is Gates. The restaurant is clean and offers a wide choice of meats. Be prepared when you enter, as there is a long line and the people behind the counter will yell at the next person "Hi May I Help You?" Often new people have no idea what is going on and it is a little disorienting, but once you learn the ropes it is fun to watch. Know what you want and order quickly!