27 Kansas City BBQ Spots People Still Argue Are Worth the Drive

Barbecue purists have strong opinions about Kansas City barbecue and what deserves a place on any KC BBQ crawl. Some focus on burnt ends. Some care deeply about barbecue sauces or accompaniments. Others are concerned with meats and smoking styles, and still others with the question: Are they even worth the line? Our list weighs nostalgia and tradition alongside originality of orders, iconic status, quality, and consistency. Our criteria: a BBQ experience worth crossing state lines for, a dish worth traveling across town for, or a pit so iconic or historic that it’s an essential stop. We’ve also included some fan favorites so you can add to your own KC BBQ crawl. We encourage you to build your own BBQ crawl and share it with us in the comments. We also encourage you to call ahead or check websites and social media accounts before heading out. Several spots on this list are marked “open until sold out” and others close earlier than expected or have limited weekday hours.

27. F325 BBQ, North Kansas City

The two-meat plate is excellent.

But order the whiskey sweet potato casserole, loaded mac and loaded tots.

26. Snead's Bar-B-Q, Belton

Try the original Kansas City creation: beef burnt ends. Snead’s Brownie is an icon.

Also good: the Hoover, featuring brisket, ham, and turkey.

25. Zarda Bar-B-Q, Blue Springs and Lenexa

Order the Pit Master plate and the burnt-end beans while they last, as they’re limited-reserve.

Also good: weekday lunch specials.

24. Hayward's Pit Bar B Que, Shawnee

The ribs are worth seeking out. Also good: burnt ends.

Tip: A combo plate makes it easier to judge a couple of meats for yourself.

23. Rosedale Bar-B-Q, Kansas City, Kansas

The beef sandwich is a must-order here.

Also good: any of the plates that combine ribs with a couple of other meats. Closed Mondays.

22. A Little BBQ Joint, Independence

Order what appeals to you and share.

The ribs and burnt ends are both good, but the platters are best.

21. RJ's Bob-Be-Que Shack, Mission

The meat is good, but the burnt-end hash with smoked meat, potatoes, and eggs is great.

Don’t leave without trying a BBQ Bloody Mary.

20. Burnt End BBQ, Crown Center and De Soto

The burnt-end nachos are worth seeking out. Also good: cornbread bites.

Tip: Menus and specials can differ between Crown Center and De Soto. Prices aren’t what you’d expect at a BBQ joint, but Burnt End BBQ is more of a sit-down joint.

19. Hawg Jaw Que & Brew, North Kansas City

Local reviews rave about Hawg Jaw’s burnt ends, friendly service, and good value.

The cherrywood-smoked burnt-end chili takes 14 hours according to the menu. Also worth a look: the weekday, working-folks lunch special.

18. B.B.'s Lawnside BarB-Q, Kansas City, Missouri

It’s barbecue smoked on the pit, jazzed-up sides (Louisiana-style), and a dose of live music (bluesy fare). Go for the meats, stay for the band, but be warned: The pace can lag on event nights.

Local reviews rave about the atmosphere. Try the value-packed Rib Misfits platter, with odd-shaped pieces for less money. Read more: Texas BBQ spots worth the drive.

17. Woodyard Bar-B-Que, Kansas City, Kansas

The name fits perfectly for this spot: There’s a brick pit in the background and a pile of wood next to a weathered yard. Local reviews have been mixed regarding consistency, but it appears that a management reset has breathed life into the joint.

Try the smoked chicken wings or burnt-end chili.

16. Char Bar, Westport and Parkville

There’s an old saying that good things come to those who wait, but Kansas City’s Char Bar proves that good things come to those who make their own good times. Combining big-name meats from pitmasters with a strong competition background with a laid-back beer garden and cocktail program complete with patio seating and lawn games, Char Bar offers a one-stop shop for BBQers of all ages.

Local reviews rave about the brisket. Try the Burnt Heaven plate for burnt-end lovers, or the Whomp platter for a group order. Read more: restaurant chains diners say have gone downhill.

15. Night Goat Barbecue, Kansas City, Missouri

Chef Vaughn Good’s small-batch barbecue operation Night Goat serves at Fox and Pearl for limited hours, recently listed as Saturday lunches from 11 to 2, with ever-changing specialties.

Local reviews rave about the rotating sausages. The barbecue sandwich with mustard sauce and jalapeno-lime slaw is worth seeking out.

14. Blind Box BBQ, Shawnee

This polished Shawnee pit is the suburbanite’s BBQ dream: its meaty menu is meatier than most, especially the nachos, and the dining room is top-notch.

There are specials and brunch to look into, too. Read more: scenic drives that reward frequent stops.

13. Scott's Kitchen and Catering, Kansas City, Missouri

In an industrial area near Kansas City International Airport, Scott’s is a counter-service joint that turns ’em out briskly and serves breakfast from 7 to 11; go for the BBQ burrito or breakfast tacos.

The MCI Melt makes a perfect grab-and-go lunch. Read more: carry-on habits to prevent gate trouble.

12. Meat Mitch, Leawood

There’s an energy to Meat Mitch that can’t be bottled. Local reviews rave about the meats, which makes sense when you learn that Mitch & Co. has a strong competition background.

Try the pig candy, cheesy hog fries, ribs, smoked chicken, and smoked wings. Read more: small towns worth the drive.

11. Gates Bar-B-Q, Kansas City Metro

Newbies beware: The moment you walk through Gates’ doors, you’ll be greeted with a “Hi, may I help you?” that’s guaranteed to intimidate. It’s a KC icon.

Order the Nooner, with sliced meat, burnt ends, pickles, a bun, and fries.

10. Arthur Bryant's Barbeque, Kansas City, Missouri

At Arthur Bryant’s, come for the beef and the stories.

Stay for the sauce, though some reviewers would disagree, and be thankful for paper-lined tables. Read more: historic U.S. hotels worth the premium.

9. Buck Tui BBQ, Overland Park

While some restaurants garnish meat with Asian-inspired condiments, Buck Tui works Thai flavors into the mix, yielding inventive eats like brisket pad Thai, available in a smaller portion at lunch, and red-curry burnt ends.

Other menu darlings include smoked wings, Thai sausage, and brisket rangoons.

8. Fiorella's Jack Stack Barbecue, Kansas City Metro

Between the cheesy corn and the hickory pit beans, it’s clear that Kansas City-style barbecue is Jack Stack’s backbone.

It is the crown prime beef rib that makes this old-school institution worth visiting. The Freight House location is an easy stop if you’re planning a train trip. Read more: scenic train rides worth booking for the view.

7. Jones Bar-B-Q, Kansas City, Kansas

You won’t have far to walk up to Deborah and Mary Jones’ compact barbecue window, but you might not be able to get an order. Come as close to opening as possible, and hope that they haven’t sold out of meat.

The signature coconut-pineapple barbecue sauce will be a palate-cleansing surprise for those expecting Kansas City-style barbecue to be uniformly thick with molasses.

6. LC's Bar-B-Q, Kansas City, Missouri

Meat is carved to order behind the counter at this smoke-filled (literally) barbecue stand, and the crowd-pleaser is the chicken.

Some diners find LC’s burnt ends and ribs can be on the tough side, so order the chicken or try a combination plate. Read more: golf courses players dream of trying once.

5. Slap's BBQ, Kansas City, Kansas

Slap’s works on an open until sold out policy, which can mean missing out on favorite items if you arrive late.

Try to catch Slap’s early, and order the ribs, the brisket, and cheddar-jalapeno sausage.

4. Wolfepack BBQ, Columbus Park

Thick-cut brisket, ribs, and cowboy beans make Wolfepack worth a stop.

Take the regular and the spicy sauces, so you can make a third. Read more: Florida beach towns ranked for travelers.

3. Q39, Kansas City Metro

Q39 serves competition-style barbecue in a sit-down setting.

Try the burnt-end burger or the wood-fired items on the menu, which strays beyond barbecue.

2. Chef J BBQ, West Bottoms

Chef J serves hot-honey sausage, bacon burnt ends, and house-made pickles.

Go Thursday through Sunday starting at 11:30, before they sell out of meat.

1. Joe's Kansas City Bar-B-Que, Kansas City, Kansas

You can find Joe’s barbecue sandwiches throughout KC’s suburbs, but it is the original gas-station location that defines the brand.

Order the Z-Man, with brisket, smoked provolone, and onion rings on a Kaiser roll, and save yourself a wait at the counter by ordering ahead and coming for pickup.