America's 5 best BBQ hot spots
 

I've been to 2 of 5. I knew the one in Urbana, IL was amazing...and I've tried everything in Kansas and Illinois and my two favorite are definitely 2 and 5 on this list. Champaign has a really good BBQ place called Hickory River, as well. Amazing that I grew up in Kansas and lived in Dallas and 2 of my top 3 BBQ joints are in Champaign, Urbana. This list gives me a little vindication I guess. I'm not crazy after all!

http://www.foxnews.com/leisure/2013/...bbq-hot-spots/

Meh,
I can name Five BBQ joints right here in KC that are better than Jack Stack.

These lists from "national" news services ain't worth spit.

I like Fiorellas. The lamb ribs are great. I haven't eaten at the other places they mention, so I can't comment on them. I still like several joints in KC better than Fiorellas though. Smokin Guns, OK Joes, to name a couple.

Obligatory "Fox News is wrong again" comment.

Move this to DC!

Oklahoma Joes is one.

Mylie Cyrus thinks that list is suspect.

Rosedales

Jack Stack is overhyped due to it's advertising...

Now I really want some barbecue.

One of the two best places in Denver went out of business. Sad face. Our barbecue here teeters on the very brink of existence, and I don't understand why. We have 100 sandwich shops in downtown Denver, and there's one barbecue place. It's completely out of whack.

It is odd, isn't it? I think it's jealousy.

I don't think Jack Stack is overrated at all. It's great food, imo. Are there better places? Of course. But F'sJSBBQ is pretty good in my eyes.

brothers aint bad

Woodyard's is where it's at, gents.

There's got to be some reason for this. It can't be a supply and demand thing. My theory was that it has something to do with the underground alien bases at DIA. Maybe barbecue kills them or something.

That would actually be a good movie plot. Aliens plan to take over the world, and the only thing that can stop them is barbecue.

Their meat is fine, but their sauce is too hot for my tastes. I like spicy barbecue sauce, but not hot sauce.

Jack Stack is good obviously but I would put OK Joe's and BBs Lawnside above them as far as KC BBQ places go

Jack Stack has really good sides but as far as the actual bbq goes I dont put it on the same level as the two above

The best bbq I had when I lived in co for 5 years was the bbq place in idaho springs off 70 called Smokin Yards. you been?

Jack Stack is for people that eat BBQ with a fork.

Truth. And I'm still incensed by what they call burnt ends. :harumph:

Hmm, no. I've never heard of it. But it's on my radar now the next time I go that way.

All of a sudden I'm really in a barbecue mood. I've got a race on Saturday, but I'm wondering if the extra pound of running weight is warranted for a visit to the downtown place for lunch.

Had their burnt ends for lunch on Tuesday....yeah nothing really special at all

I've driven by it many times. Too wary to eat there, though.

****ing BBQ sucks out here......

Lamb ribs?

WTF?

They're not even burnt ends. They cubes of brisket.

I havent been in a few years but it was good. Maybe it was only good just because wed always hit it up after a day of skiing and baked out of our minds but I remember the ribs being well worth it. Try it out sometime

I've had so many versions of baby back and spare ribs (judging and competing in bbqs) that I wanted to try something different. You have to like lamb of course, which is a bit richer and "gamier" than pork, although I'm not sure gamier is a good word for it, maybe just different.

They were delicious. I'd get them again. I also like the crown prime beef ribs that they do which are killer.

Here in LA there's a "Kansas City BBQ" place.


It's ****ing ABYSMAL. :mad:


https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-e...-no/2012-08-26

Usually places in towns that are named after something good in another town is abysmal.

For example, "Old Chicago" tastes nothing like real Chicago Pizza. "Texas Roadhouse" is like nothing that is really in Texas.

Have you tried Jim-n-Nicks in the Northfield Mall? I have not, but when my wife and I are in Denver (every February and August) we usually take in a movie just down the street from this place. I always have thought it smelled really good when walking by anyway.

http://www.jimnnicks.com/menus/northfield/

If you give it a thumbs up, I might try it next visit.

I was recently in your area and happened to hit a spot in Loveland called "Serious Texas BBQ" . It's not KC Q - but it's not bad either! The Cherry Chipolte sauce surprised the living hell out of me.

What the... :Lin:

My mom lives in Hot Springs, Arkansas. Bill Clinton's home town. They have good BBQ there. McClard's is the most famous. Here's five places in Hot Springs you can check out. Chuck's is a true shotgun shack. Just a shack and a smoker and a lot of confederate flags....two holes for the salt and pepper shakers on the white table cloths....

http://mcclards.com/
http://www.stubbysbbq.com/
http://smokinnstyle.com/
http://www.ribcagehs.com/
http://www.bing.com/local/Details.as...=YN49x43740369 (Chuck's)

Golden Corral is pretty good.

I'd tend to believe that the sandwich shops food is less messy for the all the pot heads to eat, but your theory is, uhmm, interesting?

Hot Springs has good Q.

Craig's in Duvall's Bluff is also pretty amazing:

http://www.roadfood.com/Restaurant/Reviews/2453/craigs

<iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/gAAphWgaLAk" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Been living in Austin since October.. haven't been to Franklin's yet. I hear about it all the time, though.

Anybody been to L.C.'s in KC? I'll be back in KC next month and I wanted to try a new place. Heard it was pretty good.

The best thing there is their Smoked Chicken and Hot Links, for sides the MacandCheese and the Greens are good too. Not bad for a chain, but it is a chain.

Okay, thanks. I'll probably pass then.

Sawmill in Joplin is very, very good. It is a competition guy who opened up his own shop downtown. Similar menu to OK Joes, and close to as good. Sawmill's burnt ends are better, fries are close, but OK Joe beats them in every other category.

I never quite understood smoking chicken wings until I had them at Greedy Man's, addictive sons of guns.

I like woody's in Joplin, but I haven't been in a while.

Funny how the best Carolina BBQ I've ever had is at a place called Oklahoma Joe's in Kansas City.

That reminds me of this...

<iframe width="640" height="360" src="http://www.liveleak.com/ll_embed?f=287_1196978317" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Yeah, I know...I said the same thing. But it is really tasty on pulled pork.


http://serioustexasbbq.com/index.asp

I haven't tried either of these places since they're significantly out of my neighborhood, but maybe for a birthday meal we'll make the trek to them. Thanks.

They like their fruity BBQ...

Well, it IS Colorado...........

L.C.'s is on Blue Parkway, that's about three or four miles southwest of Arrowhead Stadium. There's another place just east of L.C.'s also on Blue Parkway called Big T's. I actually like their overall food product better. They have a wider variety, and give you more for the buck. L.C.'s is one of the KC classic BBQ dives though. Can't go wrong with either.

Tried Brickyard BBQ at a 38th and Stuart? KC style, only local place (KC expat owner/chef) I've found that does burnt ends. The County Line location is closed on Sundays, but we'll stop in and grab a few pounds on a Saturday and reheat on game day at three times a season.

Goosebumps

Smokin' Moes in Winter Park, CO is pretty good. We visited there over the summer. Its pretty close to KC BBQ. It's no OK Joes tho.

Since I've been working out here on the Kansas Side, I eat Zarda's for lunch sometimes because it's close by. It's OK, not my favorite. Woodyard BBQ in Merriam is outstanding, but is a little too far to drive for lunch. It's also a very funky dive, you'd never know it was there if you weren't looking for it. I still think Rosedale gives you great value for the buck. On a BBQ dinner you get three sides. Most places only give you one or two. Their fries are wunnerful. Danny Edward's place next to Ponak's Mexican Kitchen on Southwest Blvd is very good, but they only serve lunch. Not open for dinner, which is weird. Seems like they throw away a lot of business they could have if they stayed open until 8pm or so. Whatever. I guess you can make your own rules when you make good BBQ.

Living here in Olathe, I hit OK Joes on a regular basis....but honestly, I started at a local joint like 20 or so years ago - Smokin Joes off Santa Fe. It has went pretty far downhill over the last 5 years or so, but they used to be excellent.

I never really got the whole "jack stack" thing, but it's all good!

If I remember right, you think one of those is Gates.

And if I am correct, then you are wrong.

Is OK Joes close to 35, so a guy can hit it easily on the way from Des Moines to Wichita?

Rosedale was some of the worst BBQ I've had anywhere. Perhaps some folks have some nostalgic feelings about it, but without those its a meal I wish I could have back.

Woody's is solid; Sawmill blows it away.

You bet. Both the locations are pretty close to 35...

http://img819.imageshack.us/img819/9...30509at334.jpg

That's nuts. I had NO idea that that place existed. May have to check it out. Thanks.

Thanks, I will try that one at 119th on my way through in a couple weeks. :thumb:

I used to work for a company very near Rosedales in the 80s, and was never really too impressed, as there is a half dozen joints in Wichita much better. I have never tried "burnt ends" again since ordering them there.

What places in Wichita are good now?

Yep! Get off on 119th Street and turn right on Strang Line....go down about a block and turn into it. Good Eats!!

To be honest, I should have used the word was, instead of is, in my post, as I moved away 17 years ago.

I think they have all pretty much changed around since I moved and I am not sure if they are all still in business. At the time R&S was the deal, everyone else came in behind them, but they were only open 8 hours a week. Then "Scotty" opened up a location on West street that was to die for. I used to like "La Lousianne" down on Central, and you could get sauce so hot you couldn't tell what you were eating. There was "Jet Barbecue" I believe that was pretty good.

When I go back now, we have gone to "Hog Wild" several times. I am not sure if there are any better, but a friend took me to "Pig n Pig Out" and it was pretty tasty, but I only had a pulled pork sandwich.

A buddy of mine is opening a BBQ place in Augusta Ks. It opens the 16 of May. The name is No Mercy BBQ. It's just off 6th and State in historic downtown. If you ever drive through Augusta check it out.

I will be going through there on the 28th, and will try and do just that.

Historic downtown Augusta? Ok. :D

Ahhh I'll have to try one of those places when I go back. But I'm making Oklahoma Joes my 1st priority on the way there.

I am with you on trying Okie Joes, as I haven't read one negative thing on this board about the place, just positive things, and that is saying something.

I like Rosedale's turkey and ham, and their fries.
Ribs, not so much. And they have RC Cola in bottles, which is bitchin.

Everybody has favorites on the KC BBQ discussion.

The places that come up most often are:

Gates & Sons
Arthur Bryant's
Oklahoma Joe's
L.C.'s BBQ
Jack Stack BBQ
Woodyard BBQ
Zarda's BBQ
Big T's BBQ
Snead's BBQ
Earl Quick's BBQ
Wyandotte BBQ
Smokestack BBQ
Rosedale BBQ
Smokin' Guns BBQ

And several others.

Arthur Bryant's would be the classic tourist experience, at 18th and Brooklyn.

LCs is damned good. Best BBQ beans in town.

Why isn't KC Masterpiece on this list? It freakin' made KC 'que.

Meh

Not very good at all and out of business.

And KC Masterpiece didn't make anything except a BBQ sauce.

Uhh

Great. The food will always be fresh the only frozen food will be chicken strips for the kids. Steak nights on Friday, Daily Specials, and the BBQ will be done on a Southern Pride Smoker with Mesquite Wood. They are also giving breakfast a shot. Hot Links and eggs FTW.

Franklin at #1 is correct. I've been there at least 20 times and am blown away every time. I genuinely think its the best food you can eat on the planet.

ROFL

KC Masterpiece BBQ sauce is made by the same people who make Clorox.

Sure thing. The owner moved to the 2nd location (County Line) when it opened a few years back. I haven't eaten at the north Denver location in probably 5 years, but I assume the quality is the same. I can't speak much to the menu, because honestly I just can't stop ordering the burnt ends as I don't know anywhere else to get them around here. Beans are close to Jack Stack. I'm a fan of the spicy sauce, not the regular. Always has koolaid on the counter.

EDIT:
http://brickyardbbq.com/

Thanks George. I wouldn't have been so cruel, thanks for picking up the slack.