Exactly.

I have a friend that has a Green Egg (I don't have one, yet) that's done prime rib and brisket for us during Sunday NFL games and it's been nothing short of amazing each time.

That said, all of the rubs and sauces are from out of state, mostly from the KC area, but from other niche cities as well.

BBQ restaurants in Los Angeles however? Nope, not good. The meat here isn't right although Tri-Tip, if done well, can be flavorful but the local sauces are nothing short of awful.

I got dragged into Swagat in Zona Rosa at the lunch buffet. I got the same spiel from my coworker so much spice and flavor in the food. First and last I just when we worked that way dropped him off and ate from my lunch pail.

I find it very interesting the two white guys from Prairie Village, Kansas have completely changed the world of restaurant BBQ. Jeff Stehney (Joe's KC) and Rob Magee (Q39) have figured it out. A shout-out to Rod Gray from KCMO. He doesn't own a restaurant, but he consults. He was two spots down from us for a couple of years in the Shawnee BBQ contest. Hell of a guy. He was champion on BBQ Pitmasters TV show last year or the year before.

The Stack is the very definition of average.

Yelp can be a good tool when a place first opens. I wrote a review for Char Bar noting some obvious technical flaws and the general manager responded to me directly noting that the flaws I pointed out were processes given to the kitchen staff that they'd revisit based on my review. I much prefer Char Bar when sitting at the bar sharing a couple apps with drinks as opposed to sitting down for a traditional bbq meal. I think its cool they can provide both though.

Mostly though, I only use Yelp for specific dishes. I pull up a places menu, spot a couple things that I'd want to order and do a search for those items on their Yelp. **** what people think of service, decor, gluten free options or "vibe".

Joe's sides suck ass except the onion rings. Their beans suck. Their slaw sucks. Their potato salad sucks. But their meat is tasty. I have gone to get meat from them then drove over to Jack Stack to get sides. They are mirrored opposites of each other. Jack Stack meat sucks but their sides kick ass.

I take some Gates regular, Gates extry hot and some Rufus Teague "touch of heat" and mix 1-1-.25. Then add some brown sugar and honey and you get that perfect sweet-hot sauce. The kind when you take a bite you go "mm that's a good sweet sauce.." and then about 3 seconds later you're like "wow that's got some heat". That extra little splash of Rufus makes a big difference.

K&M BBQ in Spring Hill is pretty damn tasty. Haven't had their ribs yet but I get their "Killer Combo" sandwich and it is awesome.

Smokey's in OP has some great ribs at a great price too

super sweet sauce though

Haven't tried sides except beans (they were ok) rice(was pretty good) and potato salad (awful imo).

I am a sandwich and fries guy there. JS sides are delicious

You're wasting valuable stomach space on sides that could be better filled by more delicious meat.

Joe's pulled pork sandwich and Xi man still can't be beat IMO.

Q39 wasn't bad at all but I'm picking Joe's every time

This...their beans suck..its just regular non bbq beans...Jack Stack, Gates and even Zarda destroy them in that department. Not trying to sound like a BBQ snob, but I think Joes is overrated, not saying its bad...just very overrated.

Unless it comes with the meal I dont often get sides as the order is usually more than enough for me. I do agree Joes KC is overrated but very very good. I just dont know how with all the great joints around kc and all different tastes of people you can pin the title best.

Hey Clay get one of these and get out and about a bit more.
http://aboveaverage.com/wp-content/u...8.44.12-AM.png

Your crazy. Go to Korma Sutra IMO it is the best Indian food in KC and you won't be disappointed.

As far as the OP goes I haven't gone to Q39 yet but I am thinking about making a trip up there tomorrow to give it a try to see how well it matches up with Joe's.