The Best Kansas City BBQ!

Kansas City is a quick weekend trip we like to make. There’s always something going on in KC – from concerts at Arrowhead to NBA Basketball Finals to Chiefs games – Kansas City has a lot going on. One thing that is constant in KC is the awesome BBQ! Some say BBQ put Kansas City on the map! Here are the places with the Best Kansas City BBQ!

Q39

How to pick just one restaurant? There are so many fabulous BBQ joints in Kansas City! It’s so fun to try a new BBQ restaurant every time we visit KC – which is a lot since my son lives there! Q39 is at the top of the list for KC BBQ.

Founder Rob Magee used to be big in BBQ competitions and before long took the next step and opened his own joint, Q39.

No matter what type of barbeque is your jam, you’ll find something to love at Q39. The BBQ nachos, loaded with pulled pork are a solid starter, as are the famed burnt ends.

The Q39 brisket and chicken – my go-to bbq meats – are fabulous and slow-roasted to perfection. This meat is a carnivore’s delight. As good as the brisket and chicken are, the burnt ends are just as good. If you go to Q39 don’t miss out on the burnt ends. They’re legendary!

And I’m a big side girl. I love my sides so I always check the menu for unique side dishes. The corn, and mac and cheese are two carb-heavy sides that won’t do you wrong. Q39 is one of the best BBQ spots in Kansas City.

Char Bar

Over in Westport, Char Bar is setting the bar high and is a contender for best Kansas City BBQ.

I love the ambiance of Char Bar. It’s on the upscale side, like Q39, with a full bar, and even firepits in the beer garden out back.

This is a place where you can get comfortable!

They just knock it out of the park with the food. The combo platters are insane – piled HIGH with tender, ultra-flavorful meat! The fries are some of the best I’ve had. They even have vegan options here! Don’t miss Char Bar next time you’re in KC.

Joe’s Kansas City BBQ

Joe’s BBQ is maybe the BBQ joint you’ve heard most about due to Guy Fieri’s coverage on Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives. Here they serve up seriously mouthwatering BBQ and have oodles of passionate fans! Joe’s is on everyone’s list of best Kansas City BBQ.

I’ve only been to the OG Joe’s – the one that used to be a legit gas station- and I can tell you it’s amazing ‘que.

We went for lunch hoping to avoid a long wait but guess what there was STILL a line snaking through the joint and wrapped halfway around the building.

This place is that good, and yes it’s worth the wait!!

Go to Joe’s and see why they’ve been around since 1996.

I recommend the Z-Man Sandwich. Loaded with beef brisket and topped with cheese provolone goodness and two onion rings, it’s the stuff BBQ dreams are made of.

You won’t be sorry!

Arthur Bryants

We’ve been hitting up Arthur Bryants for at least 15 years and there’s a reason for that.

Now a member of the BBQ Hall of Fame, another reason to get yourself to Arthur Bryant’s!

It gets my award for Best Kansas City BBQ with a throwback feel. And the price is right!

The Formica tables and the squeeze bottles full of sauce give that throwback vibe, along with ordering at the counter and walking through the line as your plate is loaded up.

And check out all the articles lining the walls – it’s a who’s who of celebrities all singing the praises of this stellar ‘que joint.

The vinegar-y sauce gives the perfectly smoked meat that twangy goodness. My fav here is the 1/2 chicken, always with a side of spicy baked beans – I love that kick!

Get here early because they do run out ‘of some of the meats on those busy days.

Eat here and you’ll be rolling out to your car.

It’s all good at Arthur Bryants.

Jack Stack

One of my favorite memories is rolling into Jack Stack with a hungry crew of baseball players post-game. You talk about some boys putting some food away. Lawdy!

Those boys can eat!! Jack’s Stack is the real deal for KC BBQ.

It’s one of our favorites to this day.

This is a proper sit-down restaurant so it’s a bit pricier than some of the other options on the list.

Jack Stack is a once-in-a-while kind of place due to the expense.

It’s good BBQ – some of the best Kansas City BBQ – but with all the sides and drinks, it does add up. That’s not to say it isn’t worth the price, just that it IS pricier than others.

I can wholeheartedly recommend the smoked jalapeno cornbread with honey butter. This is so tasty. I love sopping up the ‘cue with some cornbread.

We typically order the ‘que for two – you can’t go wrong with the burnt-ends combo with beef, pork, and sausage.

I love the garden salads they do here. Served on an ice-cold silver plate, they’re just delicious! I know it’s a weird thing to eat at a BBQ joint, but trust me. If you feel like salad as a start to your meal, you will like Jack’s salads.

Gates BBQ

Gates BBQ is a Kansas City BBQ favorite and to many, it’s home of the best BBQ in Kansas City. Since its beginnings way back in the late 1940s, Gates has been bringing consistently good BBQ to the table all around KC.

With multiple locations throughout Kansas City, chances are you can find Gates close to where you are in the city.

This family-owned company should be on your radar next time you want some down-home BBQ with a spicy kick. But, be prepared to order at the counter! If you’re not ready to place your order, step back until you know exactly what you want!

Try a slab of ribs or the burnt ends, both of which they’re known for. And don’t leave without sampling the BBQ baked beans. Oh My!!!