Only the best ones do decent pork. All of the usual chains ****ing suck at it or don't bother.

Only referring to very upper tier which are mostly central TX or Austin but the style is spreading. Usual places in TX don't hold up to even KC chains.

You're even dumber about BBQ than football. And that is saying a lot.

I love Gates but gosh damn it can they give a guy some hot fries without having to be a ****ing prick and DEMAND HOT FRIES? :mad:

Jack's feeds thousands of people per day at their stores. Q39 might feed a few hundred on a good day. Quality is really hard to control when you move beyond a single small BBQ joint. That's why Joe's KC is so impressive.

This is my point exactly. Big reason why a place like Port Fonda is among my top 3 KC joints.

Your list is way wack, no way gates is last. Aurthur Bryants vinegar based sauce taste like ass. Jack stack had what tasted like deli meat last time I went there. You obviously are trying to be way to sophisticated.

I don't understand all the love for Jack Stack. I've eaten at multiple locations and the meat was always overcooked and dry. The original Smoke Stack in Martin City was amazing but I don't if it's even still around.

Personally, I've never had a bad meal at Zarda's and always eat there when in town. I used to love Hayward's and Rosedale but I have no idea if they're good anymore. Gates was always hit and miss and I never liked Bryant's, especially their sauce because it had too much brown sugar for my taste.

I'll have to hit up Q39 next time I'm in town, which may be this summer. Oh, and Joe's KC, too. I've never had it.

At the last BBQ competition in Santa Monica, LC's was the best BBQ by far out of all of the vendors, which came from all over the country including Texas, the Carolina's, Memphis and more.

I haven't eaten at the restaurant but their ribs and sauce were awesome that day.

It's interesting, but the Godfather of KC BBQ doesn't own a restaurant. He's won every award in every corner of the nation and consults BBQ restaurant owners. Dick Mays (not the Godfather) was the man that started the road away from the likes of Arthur Bryant's and Gates. He doesn't get enough credit, but you see it in really good KC BBQ.

I ate there 30 years ago and it was awesome. Anyone know if it still exists?

Nevermind, I looked it up. it is there as Jack Stack.

I've always thought the Smokehouse on North Oak was extremely underrated. I really like Gates too, but feel that OK Joe's is more yuppie hype than substance.

Anthony Bourdain disagrees with you about Joe's KC. It's on his list of 13 places to eat before you die. It's the furthest thing from yuppie.

Q39 was off the chain.

Ordering BBQ at a gas station doesn't really strike me as yuppie... granted, there's the OP restaurant, but I don't think that's where the hype originated.


I appreciate OK Joe's for the meat, as they let it stand on its own without drenching everything in sauce... as opposed to Gates, which has better sauce anyway, IMO.

Well, I'm glad that Anthony Bourdain thinks so highly of a second tier KC BBQ place that it's one of his 13 places to eat. That's also not a legitimate argument. And when talking about Joe's I'm not talking about the ambiance of the gas station, but the extent to which it has been hyped as the greatest thing ever, especially by people 25-45, despite not doing much to separate itself. It's not bad by any means, but aside from their pulled pork, they really don't do much all that well.

I have never had overcooked and dry meat at Jack Stack. You must just be showing up at really odd times.

Zarda's is OK, but nothing special. Can't day as though I've ever had a bad meal there but can't say as though I've had a great meal there either.


It really depends on what you are wanting. For example if you want ribs go with Arthur Bryant's (original location and use the bold and spicy sauce not the regular), Jack Stack or OK Joe's. Jack Stack dies everything will to excellent. Most other places have one or two items they do really well.

Their ribs are well above average.

My sister's Rehearsal Dinner was at Jack Stack on 95th and Metcalf. I was really disappointed in the food. On our next visit, we went to the downtown location, which was a little better but the cigarette smoke pretty much ruined the meal.

My parents like it so we've had it as dine in and carry out at the Metcalf location several times over the years. I've never had, what I'd call anyway, a good meal, nor have I been impressed. The sides have always been decent but the meat unimpressive.

I guess everyone has different tastes.

That's too bad. Last went there in the 90's and it was really great. If I recall right other than the meat I really loved the bbq beans they had that spent some time in the smoker.

And I don't know if it is too late or not, but I might be down for meeting up for dinner.

Smokestack, re-opened as The Stack with new owners, on Wornall is the definition of middle of the road bbq. The Polk-A-Dot Lounge next door is very legit, however.

Woodyard on Merriam Lane

I've only been their twice. One time I had the ribs and, if the ribs are that damned good on a regular basis than they need to be mentioned as one of the premiere rib joints in town. I hesitate to mention them in that catagory just because it was only one time. But man if that is consistent......

If you like Gates you'll really like Arthur Bryants. That's where all the presidents go when they come to town.

Martin City Jack Stack is still around but they aren't any better than the OP location. They changed meat vendors several years ago and have sucked since then. Hayward's went to shit but someone said a new owner is making it better.

Jack Stack probably has the best sides in the business but their meat sucks for flavor.

That is 100% untrue. I love Gates and couldn't care less about Bryant's and I hate Bryant's sauce.

95th and Metcalf was the worst for me. Clay and I hit up one in an industrial district that was the only one I ate at before trying OP. Won't go back. Industrial or bust for me. My very favorite, and it was Clay's too. I'm very interested in Q39 now.

Not at all, Gates Ham and Turkey smothered in sauce is the bomb.

Every post is daring on here. ROFL

Judging from the line I stood in at joe's last saturday at 2 pm, people must love it. I don't have a refined palate, but I thought the burnt ends were great.

Thanks for confirming that I'm not crazy. :D

Believe the hype about Q39 . I got to visit KC in September and had some brisket there. It is amazingly good, easily among the very best in town, which is saying a lot because KC's best is as good as it gets.

Holy shit, a DanT sighting!

Yep. I'm usually not even much of a brisket fan, but that stuff melted in my mouth.

Q39 has become my go-to. If you haven't tried Char Bar, do it. It is worth a try for sure.

I disagree with this quite a bit. I've never had a better expression of the competition style rib in a bbq restaurant than Joe's. Their chicken, too, is top-tier nationally.

Char Bar is pretty decent for a gas smoker place.

The best part about Jack Stack is that you can ship it anywhere in the country. I never actually eat there myself.

I live a couple minutes from Joe's Olathe so it's my favorite by default. But then again I love everything there, whether it's the fries or the rings or the ribs or the burnt ends or the z-man or the sausage or the pulled pork or the gumbo.

I've been to Char Bar twice and came away meh both times. Maybe I should try a specialty sandwich or something.

:)

I come to the Planet every day to read, but I've just not had too much to say lately. Still living and dying with the Chiefs and Royals and missing KC. I got promoted at work recently (to Associate Professor), so hopefully I will have more of a chance to relax and visit my beloved hometown.

Someone doesnt get around to many BBQ joints. Jack Stacks :D Zarda :D Gates :D :D

I haven't gotten to the Q39 yet I am always leery of these blue ribbon and trophy guys. Smokin Guns proved to me you could win all the trophy's on gods green earth but it don't always transfer to restaurants.

Ooh. Their WHOMP platter looks like an awesome deal. $44 and comes with a bucket of fries.

http://s3-media3.fl.yelpcdn.com/bpho...ek9HvXRQ/o.jpg

Too few of the original members make it around on a regular basis these days (that includes me). The place is lacking for it.

Their burnt ends are pretty nice. But again: gas smoker. So it automatically has a ceiling of "above average."

No.

I do like the place, concept and location.

Char Bar, it's where the Beaumont Club used to be.

Back atcha', Simply Red

I worked in a kitchen with Donnell Bennett's step dad. He made pretty good ribs.

This one.

http://www.chiefsplanet.com/BB/showp...&postcount=102

you moving before the outdoor area is completed?

congrats on your promotion!

Thanks, stevieray. Good to see ya!

Q39/KC Joe's/Arthur Bryants.

LC's is close.

Wtf is Q39?

Only the 2nd-rated KCMO BBQ restaurant on yelp.

http://www.yelp.com/search?find_desc...&sortby=rating

http://s3-media4.fl.yelpcdn.com/bpho...mXw4rkhg/o.jpg

Since when? Holy crap. I've literally never heard of this until I just clicked the thread. Is it newish at least?

Been around for almost a year.

Agreed. The burnt end burger was outstanding. the beans didn't do much for me, but the sammich made up for it.

Last year sometime, best sliced brisket and burnt ends I've had.

The Mac n cheese was my favorite side.

Nice. I'll def think about heading up there then. Didn't realize we had a nOOb in town other than Burnt End BBQ.

My parents eat there all the time. They swear by it but it's been 5 or more years since I have been there.

Onion straws

Mmm

The ones in Independence and Zona Rosa are not in the same galaxy. We actually had our rehearsal dinner there. LMAO

http://www.eatpbj.com/images/burntend-kc/bbq.jpg

The 119th Bowl at Burnt End looks similar to this, but a little bit more food. It's superb.

Hey BossChief: walk down the street and get dessert here

http://www.yelp.com/biz/sultans-bakery-kansas-city

Mmm

MMm ribs

No baby backs though

If I eat another bite, I might burst.

I'm getting a $6 piece of cheesecake to go to share with the old lady at the hotel and calling it a night.

That meal was amazing, btw

Good shit!

The service was outstanding, too. Owner came over to say hello and make sure everything went perfectly and everything.

Thanks clay (and everyone else) for the suggestion.

I'm coming to KC in the spring. Who wants to meet at Q39 for a serious chow down? I've got to try this.