Just had Q39
 

Might be the most overrated BBQ joint in the city. Overpriced as hell. 1 appetizer, 4 beers, 4 entrees . . . $130. Sheesh.

Sauce was way too sweet. Joe's KC has a sweet sauce, but this is on a whole different level of sweet. The meat was good, but it's not BETTER than other meat in the city.

I mean, it's not BAD, but I don't understand the hype at all.

EDIT: Forgot to add that their french fries were bland as hell. Most fast food places have better fries. Although, I did like their slightly spicy ketchup. Fries still absolutely pale in comparison to Joe's, though.

Clay will be along soon to chastise you

The meat was good and sides were good minus beans

Beans were not great and sauces were aids

Also, you can keep that cornbread

Well damn it. Y'all better get this shit figured out pretty quick. I'm trying to decide if I should get a reservation there for while we're in town in September, or if I should just hit up a couple of the normal spots.

You can keep all cornbread. Nasty dry bullshit.

This. (October for me) I'll probably only have time to hit one new place. I was thinking Q39, but I don't want to waste my shot.

Never been there, but I can't imagine ever spending 25 dollars on a plate of barbecue.

Honestly, I think they have the best meat.

You'll get more bang for your buck at OK Joe's though. And bigger portions.

Nothing there costs $25.

The most expensive is the pick 3 plate, which costs $19.50 and includes a roll, coleslaw and beans.

But you have to remember that there is only one Q39, and it's relatively new, and the place isn't huge. Their prices have to be a little higher so they stay in business.

Best meat dish there?

Whatever your favorite is traditionally, go with that, IMO.

There is so much pretentiousness and snobbery over barbecue lately that I'd love to see people eat dishes blind and then rank them.

It's fine ... But not nearly as good as its rep. Just new and in a cool locale.

It's also more "craft" BBQ than KC BBQ, IMO.

It's officially off my list of places try now.

Thanks.

I could eat this stuff blind and pick it out immediately. The sauce would give it away. I eat Jack Stack sauce and OK Joe's sauce multiple times a week, so it would be easy to do. The pulled pork was different than most other BBQ places, as well.

I'd say most KC BBQ places could be easily identified purely by sauce.

I wouldn't say "never go there." I'd simply say that there are quite a few other places to go first, especially if your time in KC is limited.

No one ELSE in KC has that pork belly appetizer they have at Q39.

That shit is amazing.

if you got to get a reservation, it ain't the place

I'll be in town in a few weeks for a very brief stay so I think I'll try KC Joe's over Q39.

We had that tonight. It was very good. It was just eating pure fat, though lol

Had that on my list to try next month. It looks like it's off my list now.

What have you tried thus far? On my trips I've hit LC's, Gates, Arthur Bryants, and Oklahoma Joes. All multiple times. I was thinking Jack Stack and Q39's this time. I'm with you though, I don't want to waste my one or two shots at a place that ain't worth it.

As far as the ones I've tried so far, Gates has been the only disappointment. LC's was a very pleasant surprise.

I've had Jackstack several times and just don't get it. It's never been anything less than disappointing.

Don't not go to Q39. You should see for yourself. The meat was very well cooked.

Sauce wise gates is my fav
Jack stack pit beans and cheesy corn are awesome

Go to Martin city jack stack if you go to one though

Or maybe the freight house

The old Martin City Smokestack was awesome back in the day.

OP Jacstack has always been underwhelming if not extremely underwhelming.

The Freight House was better but the last time I was there, they allowed smoking, which ruined the meal.

Martin City Jack Stack. Got it.

You're kidding yourself if you don't think Q39 turns out better meat than all but maybe 3 or 4 places in the city. My tastes run similar to yours in terms of finding their sauces too sweet, but that's what the new money competition-style KC preference leans towards.

Goodluck and dont get the burnt ends. And Dane is right the Martin City and Prospect location when it was Smokestack was better. The family feud when they split and some restaurant became Jackstack and the others remained Smokestack I dont think they ever got back to what they were. I just don't understand the love for it. When I talk to people the talk is usually of the sides not the que. A bbq joint where the main talk is of the cheesy corn :spock:.

subjective..plenty of good Q in KC.

I am still going to try it not everyones tastes are the same. Oh and sweet BBQ sauce is KC BBQ very few stray from this just the level of bite or heat are the determining factors. Probably Bryants for the less sweet but still it is a little.

I think I've said this before, but the burnt end burger was fantastic and the beans were dreadful.
Overall....I'd rather go somewhere else

LC's has the best burnt ends in the city.

Make a trip to Excelsior Springs The Wabash BBQ might change your mind.
http://www.yelp.com/biz/wabash-barbe...elsior-springs

http://s3-media3.fl.yelpcdn.com/bpho...-BkCEe9g/o.jpg

You can buy a President's Party Tray at Gates for that, and get $$ back.

If you don't like Gates, try Smokin' Guns in NKC, or Hayward's in Overland Park, or Big T's a block down the street from LC's. They're all unique.

Almost everything has some sweetness to it, but not everything is correctly characterized as "sweet."

A lot of the sauces from classic, black-owned KC joints have more heat and vinegar to them than sauces from Jack Stack, Joe's, etc. FOR ME the sauces from Gates, LC's, Big T's, etc. don't register as "sweet" sauces overall.

All tomato-based sauces are going to be sweeter than vinegar-based or mustard-based, which is where KC gets its sweet reputation from (well, that and KC Masterpiece's nationwide existence).

KC Masterpiece is made by the same people who own Clorox. They basically cheapened up the sauce with HFCS and other cheap ass ingredients, and ruined it.

You can buy the original formula sauce here in KC. It costs three times as much, but it's worth it. I use it in my BBQ beans and on chicken.

That makes sense to use it for beans.

KC Masterpiece is disgusting sauce and makes KC look bad considering it's sold in stores all over America.

And it's made in Oakland I believe.

It's more of a hipster place. It was good, but there are better BBQ choices in the city IMO.

But shit KC has so many really good BBQ places anyways, its like arguing religion or politics nobody is going to agree on any of them.

Q

:thumb:

Expensive and small portions.

I try something new each time I come to town and so far, everything has paled in comparison to Q39.

Not sure where the small portions stuff started, none of us could finish our meals...loaded plates and everything was exceptional.

I don't want anyone telling me how big of a meal I can have, so that's why I only dine at Golden Corral.

Jack Stack in Lee's Summit is horrible.
I now assume they all are

Hit all of those more than once, except LC's which I've only had at a tailgate. I'll also be having catered Joe's at a party I'll be at. Looking to hit up something besides the usual suspects. Not a huge fan of Jack Stack except for their sides. (Which will also be at the party)

I like the different bbq options KC is providing. I don't need to waddle out of every bbq joint I go to. That said, bbq is approaching shark jumping territory for me. The margin has to be pretty thin on brisket if you take into account the 12+ hours it takes to make it edible.

As far as restaurant prices go, we have to stick to a 2 drink, one app, shared entree formula to keep it under $50. The many BYOB restaurant options in Chicago are a god send.

I'm thinking Jack Stack is gonna be the one I leave out. I've heard that info about the sides/meat prior to this thread.

Besides, if Q39 turns out to be a flash in the pan, I'd like to be able to say I tried it while it was around.

Anyone had their smoked wings? I've heard great things about them.

Q39 is gonna expand into Overland Park. They are here to stay. Atmosphere wise it's seemingly the perfect middle-ground between the other two joints that white Kansas Citians flock to; it's in-between Joe's gas station frumpiness and Jack Stack's tablecloth & expense account vibe.

This.

Now I'm wondering...with two locations, will the quality go down?

Exactly. The owner is present most of the time at the original location and that is the motor of the whole thing.

That is a mistake. Just say'n.

What place is better?

Does the word hipster actually mean anything anymore? How is a really popular place a lot of people go to a "hipster" place.

I've been there a few times and really enjoyed the food. It is really good but i agree its def more expensive than OK Joes but i've never regretted their food. The fries are ok but i always compare them to joes which isnt fair.

I prefer Joes slightly over Q39 then like jack stack after those 2.

How is it a cool locale? It's by a nail place and a laundry mat is across the street. The space it is at now used to be a shitty Chinese buffet.

it's been open for about 10 minutes LMAO

I saw lots of SKC fans in there when I was there. That automatically qualifies it as a hipster spot.

As for the "locale" being cool, that west 39th has a lot of bars and is "trending" upwards.

So hipster now means "really popular"

Going to be honest I am really confused by you guys.

No offense but you're not using the correct definition of "hipster".

Yea but that area has been like that for a while now way before 39 came in and nobody was in that little strip location ever until now.

Maybe the food is really good.

Q39 is about as "major" on the KC BBQ scene as MLS is a "major" soccer league on the world stage.

I completely disagree. The place is packed all the time. So much so that you are getting posts of people who don't like it just because people have been building it up so much. The traditional blacked own favorites have been asleep at the wheel for a long time...places like Q39 and Slap's as well as others have people streaming in at all hours. Though your conversation doesn't even seem to have to do with BBQ and you don't really get KC so sorry you don't like soccer I guess? #confused

In my opinion, Char Bar is much tastier. Their pulled pork is ridiculous. Q39 was pretty good as well, though.

[Oklahoma] Joe's KC is still probably my favorite, but it may be getting a little less consistent.

They use gas grills there. Not possible.

I like Char they do some cool things that have nothing to do with BBQ. It's not my favorite but def and enjoyable spot.

I guess I sort of like them all.

They're both fine products. Neither as good as their fans think they are.

But there's nothing wrong with being the 7-10th best BBQ joint in the city.

Ok man at least we don't have to pretend that was a cool spot before they got there or that this has anything to do with soccer.

Q39's pulled pork is outstanding. The rest is all average. I also like that white bean cassoulet they serve.

I don't even go out for BBQ where I live because of KC.

Speaking of hipster places...went to Local Pig in Westport last night. AMAZING shit.

They actually have some BBQ stuff on the menu so I'm gonna have to go back and try it. Pulled pork burger, half a smoked pig's head and some pork belly dish.

I had the lamb pot pie.

Here's what blows my mind about KC: it supports eleventy billion BBQ joints and a lot of them suck. There's a Dickey's around town for crying out loud, and there's a place down the street from me called The Stack which I'm almost 100% sure sucks complete ass.

In a town with good BBQ places these shitty places should not last but they do.

Have you ate at those places? I will admit I have not heard of any of those might be good. Its been awhile for a gay day.

Yup. And I'm not saying that Q39 is shitty. It's good. I just had much higher expectations based on all the hype it's getting and I was let down.

Others may feel differently, and I'm okay with that.

Dickey's is a chain, of course it sucks.

The reviews on The Stack were not good, and I went in there and could just tell.

I am considering hitting up BB's Lawnside BBQ, though, mostly because the portions are HUGE.

http://s3-media4.fl.yelpcdn.com/bpho...T6zd9mKg/l.jpg

I like BB's its not as bad as its reviews and deserves better. I always thought BB's and Winslows were pretty similar.


But hey I absolutely love Rosedale and people tear it to shit in here. Probably the Jackstack lovers. By the way have you heard about the cheesy corn? :spock:

Dude it has 4/5 stars on 136 reviews on yelp. It's a fine place.

I've heard mixed reviews on bb

I hope to go there some day

Yeah yelp. It doesnt get high marks from BBQ sites.

BBQ KC review of The Stack. You better get in there and try it Clay.




Tuesday, August 14, 2012
The Stack BBQ
note: this joint is the former Smokestack of Fiorella's Smokestack fame... it's a long story

Disappointment swept over me as I stood inside the door of The Stack at about 12:45pm on a Tuesday. The dining room was no more than half full, but the one waitress was too busy to notice my sidekick and me. We found a table and did what our waitress was supposed to do… waited. After another party came in and got her attention, I tracked her down and pleaded for a little attention myself. She was sincerely apologetic and quickly made up for the slight. (She was the only gal handling about 8 tables.)


perfection in a basket...
The Stack's ribs can be found at the TOP of the stack!
Today’s special was ribs with fries, beans, and a drink (and pickles and toast) for $9.99. Ribs are usually a little pricier than a lunch sammich special, but this seemed like a reasonable offer. When our order arrived I was perfectly aghast to see SEVEN meaty bones staring back at me. That’s half a slab in most counties!

I’m telling you, I’m trying to hold down the hyperbole, but these porksicles BLEW ME AWAY. The rub was exquisite and the smoke was ethereal. I’ve described meat tenderness many ways, but tenderness of these ribs was so endearing a harlequin romance writer would blush. After a bone and a half, I told my running mate that these were going on the Q’uest for the Best list. So let it be.

My professional assessment (based on my scoring standards):
Ribs... Taste: 9 Tenderness: 9 Appearance: 9 = Overall: 9

I asked for a wee sample of burnt ends. They were nice, but not barky or smoky. Turns out you sorta have to request the burnt end of the burnt end to get the burnt end. Anyway, the taste and tenderness assured me that if I’d gotten the business end of the burnt end, I’d been glad I had.

New ownership at The Stack BBQ is a few divorce courts removed from the majestic Fiorella name and bloodline, but they pale in no wise to their high-falutin kin. Get yourself down to whatever part of Kansas City’s backside this area is called and get yourself a plateful of these Ribs of Renown.

This is destination barbeque.
I’m awarding a rare FIVE piggies.