So Josh Looney said that Sproles is going to go to Gates, and i told him twitter to that he should go to oklahoma joes first, he then replied to me saying he prefers LC's bbq. Let me know what you think people. i also like bates city bbq as well as oklahoma joes and jack stack. Gates isn't bad either

I might have said the same thing as Looney. I saw that Tweet before I saw this post, btw. I'm now following you.

I will have to give that place a shot soon, i haven't even heard of it. Haha thanks for following, i returned the favor

You haven't heard of L.C.'s? Its the best place in KC, IMO. Don't get me wrong -- I LOVE Oklahoma Joe's and eat there more than any other place. But L.C.'s burnt ends and brisket are transcendent.

Jess & Jim's or Smokestack. That was a hard call to make every time you went out there for dinner.

My personal preference was Haywards and Gates when I was there.

I haven't, and that's strange...

I hadn't been to OK joes till this past summer...i usually ate at Gates, Zarda and Jackstack for my bbq needs.

Its funny the list of those that like Jack Stack BBQ are almost all out of towners. Tells you all you really need to know about Jack Stack.

I went with Arthur Bryants over LCs by a squeak. Though LCs beans rock really hard.

I like knowing that I can score some rocks within three blocks of a BBQ joint. That's the truly authentic KC experience.

I love Bates City........I also love you can get a full rack of ribs for $11

I live right by Brobecks and they are pretty good, too.....

one other thing.....boooo Zarda......I just don't like that place at all

Being from out of town ive eaten in just a few ... Gates .. KC Masterpiece .. Zarda ... all were BBQ ... liked Gates endsamwich best ... would like to try LC or OK Joe tho ...

Yeah, Gates would be far-and-away the best of that meager lineup.

I like to sample everything from everywhere......each place has something they do better than others. I have yet to go somewhere that has the best everything. I was in Wichita for business last week and had Hogwild......good ribs. Wasnt really impressed by the rest of the menu.

First of all, props to Big Red Chief for putting together such a comprehensive list. Nice job!

I've devoted a section of my website to KC BBQ for many years, and have always said BBQ is like politics or religion, everybody has a personal opinion, and there are no right or wrong answers. You can see my BBQ page here:

http://www.georgeblowfish.com/BBQ.html

Wanted to address a few of the questions in this thread, especially for those who are out of towners, and may come to KC on a BBQ pilgrimage:

1) The can't go wrong, true KC BBQ experience places are:
Bryants, Gates, Smokestack, LC's, Oklahoma Joe's, Rosedale.

Eat at any of these, and you will have had an authentic KC BBQ meal.
Coming to KC and eating at KC Masterpiece is like going to Santa Fe for mexican food and eating at Taco Bell.

2) I've been to Big T's a couple of times, and highly recommend it. I think they are excellent. Big portions, great beans, good sausage, and they're open on Sunday. LC's is not open Sunday. So, if you need BBQ on Sunday night, go to Big T's.

3) Rosedale sauce is great on chicken strips, Arby's roast beef sandwiches, etc. It's very versatile. It has a fruity kick to it, very unique and different from other sauces. I like it. But I also like Arthur Bryant's original sauce, which is tart and spicy, and almost the complete opposite of Rosedale. I like them both because they have individual character.

4) Chain places, for the most part, suck. Rib Crib is like Chili's. Bandana's? St. Louis doesn't know diddly about BBQ. Have you ever had Maull's BBQ sauce? I rest my case. Only chain that is decent in KC is Famous Dave's. Their food is pretty good, but not world class.

5) Danny Edwards is good, I really love their sauce, but they're only open for lunch. Can't get dinner there, and that's too bad. They're right next door to Ponak's Mexican food, and could do a big night business if they wanted to.

6) Zarda has drive thru service, and that's the best thing they have. Their food is just OK, ribs are not nearly as good as other places in town.

7) Quick's BBQ and Wyandotte BBQ ribs just flat out suck. Taste like fatty pot roast. Not good at all, but I know some people like that kind of thing.

8) Best Beans: Smokestack, Gates, Big T's.

9) Most unusual dishes at KC BBQ places: Mutton and Yammer Pie at Gates, Salmon at Smokestack, Chicken Gumbo at Oklahoma Joes, Brownies at Danny Edwards.

10) I've been to Snead's, but that was three or four years ago. It's very good. The out of town locations like Bates City BBQ or places in Lawrence or Excelsior Springs (for example) are hard for most KC residents to judge, because they're quite far out of the way.

Any place you go in KC is most likely going to be among the best BBQ you've ever had, especially if you're not from here. Enjoy!