FCS: BBQ Sides
Fountain City Superlatives: BBQ Sides Edition
Published June 16, 2020
Just last month, I recognized Kansas City’s barbeque joints for their excellence in smoked meats. You may have thought the conversation was over. That was a mistake. In Kansas City, barbeque is like roadwork: in season year-round and always creating lines. When people ask for recommendations on a BBQ joint and I ask, “what do you like?”; people don’t only respond with meats. Now I would be the last person to disparage someone from having a meal comprised entirely of meat, but it is nice to have something to go with it. The importance of a great side dish should never be disregarded. In fact, it could be argued that the diversity and array of side dishes across Kansas City is what really sets apart our town from other smoked meat Meccas. I would go so far as to argue that a barbeque place cannot be truly elite in this town without the balance of mouthwatering meats and exceptional sides.
Breaking away from the traditional template of ranking overall restaurants, Fountain City Superlatives recognize Kansas City establishments* for their proficiency in a particular category. Once again, these superlatives will focus on Kansas City barbeque. But, having already discussed the best meats, this month I will celebrate the brilliance of the city’s best barbeque side dishes.
The Classic Stuff
Anytime you roll into a barbeque joint anywhere in America, there are a handful of side dishes that you expect to be available. While the preparation and style of these sides may vary from city to city and restaurant to restaurant, these superlatives begin with the sides that most would consider standard for barbeque.
BBQ Beans
Best In Town: Fiorella’s Jack Stack BBQ
13441 Holmes Road, Martin City, Missouri
When I imagine what barbeque beans should taste like, I think of the hickory pit beans at Jack Stack. The Fiorellas’ restaurant has long set the BBQ bean benchmark in KC. They have a wonderful, smooth texture that is only disrupted by the smoky chunks of beef brisket littered throughout. Achieving perfect equilibrium between sweet and savory, Jack Stack’s beans are truly sugar, spice, and everything that is nice.
Worth A Mention^: Back Porch Bar-B-Q, Danny Edwards BLVD BBQ (Spicy Rancher Beans), Jousting Pigs BBQ, A Little BBQ Joint, Smoke Brewing Company, & Snead’s Bar-B-Q
Potato Salad
Best In Town: Woodyard Bar-B-Que
3001 Merriam Lane, Kansas City, Kansas
With fresh ingredients and a homemade flavor that takes me back to the church potluck dinners of my childhood, Woodyard sets the standard for what potato salad should be. The firm chunks of red-skinned potato are coated in a thick dressing and littered with diced bits of hard boiled egg, chewy smoked bacon, and mild green onion to create a full-bodied salad. The blend of dijon mustard and assorted seasonings in the dressing provides a nice bite on the back end of each bite. Much like Tyreek Hill on any given Sunday, this potato salad is miles ahead of the competition.
Worth A Mention: Danny Edwards BLVD BBQ, Filling Station Bar-B-Que, Jones Bar-B-Q, & Plowboys Barbeque
Cole Slaw
Best In Town: Q39
1000 West 39th Street, Kansas City, Missouri
At first glance, the cole slaw at Q39 looks like any other. Boasting the creaminess traditionally synonymous with midwestern slaws, there is much more to this side than meets the eye. The first thing you notice is the crunch of both the chopped cabbage and the ingredient that sets this apart from other slaws in town - the Granny Smith apples. The apple cider vinegar and green onion provide a refreshing sourness in concert with the sweetness of the apples and the aioli-like dressing that makes Q39’s Apple Slaw a must-order side.
Worth A Mention: Jazzy B’s Diner, Smokebox BBQ Cafe, Snead’s Bar-B-Q, & SLAP’s BBQ
Breads
Best In Town: Char Bar Smoked Meats & Amusements
4500 Pennsylvania Avenue, Kansas City, Missouri
Even if you have never given it much thought, there is an expectation that bread will accompany any barbeque platter. While in Kansas City a garnish of a handful of pickles and a few slices of white bread from Roma Bakery is a typical sidekick to any meal, there are a lot of spots that have taken the carbo-loaded accompaniment to the next level. At Char Bar in Westport, every meal begins with one of their fresh-baked cornbread muffins. Flaky, but never dry, with a hint of cheddar throughout, these muffins are served with chive butter, tabasco honey, and jalapeno jam. Go with one or a mixture of all three - there are no wrong decisions to be made here.
Worth A Mention: Back Porch Bar-B-Q (Texas Toast), County Road Ice House** (Green Chile Cornbread), Fiorella’s Jack Stack BBQ (Smoked Jalapeno Cheddar Cornbread AND Texas Toast), & Woodyard Bar-B-Que (Honey Cheddar Jalapeno Cornbread Muffins)
The hickory pit beans, cheesy corn, and colossal onion rings at Jack Stack are quite the formidable trio of KC barbeque sides.
The Cheesy Stuff
Right now you’re confused. I get it. You just scrolled through “The Classic Stuff” and something was missing. I know what you’re thinking. “Where the heck is the cheesy corn?!?” It may be hard to believe that this widely popular and available side does not have that status outside of Kansas City. If the beef burnt end is Batman, then Robin is undoubtedly this side dish that originated at Fiorella’s Jack Stack BBQ. These two items are the iconic duo of Kansas City barbeque. As we journey through the gooey, melty sides that we Kansas Citians adore, it only makes sense to help your anger over my omission subside and begin with a Kansas City classic.
Cheesy Corn
Best In Town: Blind Box BBQ
13214 West 62nd Terrace, Shawnee, Kansas
I remember the first time I took a bite of Blind Box BBQ’s version of the iconic Kansas City side. I had always known that I loved cheesy corn but now I was questioning everything I knew about what the dish could be. The cheesy corn at Blind Box is a divine symphony of maize and cheddar baked to perfection with a flaky crust atop it that is usually only reserved for the best homemade macaroni and cheese dishes. Nostalgic, but at the same time revolutionary, Blind Box’s take on this dish is truly transcendent.
Worth A Mention: Fiorella’s Jack Stack BBQ, Jousting Pigs BBQ, Roscoe’s BBQ, & Woodyard Bar-B-Que
Mac ‘n Cheese
Best In Town: Char Bar Smoked Meats & Amusements
4500 Pennsylvania Avenue, Kansas City, Missouri
Some would call my belief that macaroni and cheese should be side dish, not the main course, a controversial one. I am thankful that it has become much more of a staple in Kansas City ‘que over the past five to six years. In my humble opinion, cellentani or cavatappi noodles are always the preferred pasta for a good mac. That is just one of many factors that makes the Pigtail Mac ‘n Cheese at Char Bar the city’s best. Served in a cast iron crock, the pigtails are tossed in a creamy, decadent blend of cheeses with a hint of seasoning that checks every box of comfort food done right.
Worth A Mention: Plowboys Barbeque, Q39, SLAP’s BBQ, & Smokin’ Guns BBQ
Cheesy Potatoes
Best In Town: Smokin’ Guns BBQ
1218 Swift Street, North Kansas City, Missouri
The stowaway of Kansas City side dishes, variants of cheesy potato bakes, potato casseroles, and hashbrowns have snuck their way into the ever-expanding collection of available side dishes in this city. I once heard the potato casserole at Smokin’ Guns BBQ described as “heavenly” and I can think of no better word. Chunks of Yukon gold potato doused with gooey, molten cheeses, a hint of sour cream, and topped with a crunch corn flake topping moves this side to the top of the class.
Worth A Mention: Chop’s BBQ & Catering, Fiorella’s Jack Stack BBQ, & SLAP’s BBQ
The flaky breadcrumb crust that adorns the top of each serving of cheesy corn at Blind Box BBQ are one of many factors that make it the city’s best.
The Deep Fried Stuff
If you are craving something salty and fried, some of KC’s best options come from barbeque restaurants. More than just French fries, there is a wide array of deep fried treats to be found across this city’s barbeque landscape.
French Fries
Best In Town: Hawg Jaw Que & Brew
900 Swift Street, North Kansas City, Missouri
While there are a number of excellent candidates, the crispy seasoned fries at Hawg Jaw Que & Brew take the top spot. The lightly battered fries are well seasoned with just the right amount of salty flavor. Nice and crispy on the outside but with a white, fluffy potato filling that virtually melts in your mouth, Hawg Jaw’s fries are absolutely flawless. If you do feel the need to improve upon perfection, order them loaded and topped with one of Hawg Jaw’s smoked meats.
Worth A Mention: Bates City Bar-B-Q, County Road Ice House, Joe’s Kansas City Bar-B-Que, & Plowboys Barbeque
Hawg Jaw Que & Brew’s crispy seasoned fries are crunchy on the outside, mealy on the inside, and take the top spot in this year’s French fry rankings.
Sweet Potato Fries
Best In Town: Danny Edwards BLVD BBQ
2900 Southwest Boulevard, Kansas City, Missouri
Frequently offered at KC BBQ joints, sweet potato fries are a nice alternative to its savory Russet cousin. Nobody has mastered the sweet potato fry quite like Danny Edwards. Handcut and fried to a nice crisp, these vibrant orange strips are seasoned with a savory BBQ seasoning and possess a soft, stringy center, of delicious fluff. Wonderful as they are without any help, you cannot go wrong dipping Danny’s sweet potato fries in their signature sauce.
Worth A Mention: Hawg Jaw Que & Brew, Plowboys Barbeque, & SLAP’s BBQ
Onion Rings
Best In Town: Fiorella’s Jack Stack BBQ
13441 Holmes Road, Martin City, Missouri
Whoever said bigger is not always better was obviously not talking about the onion rings at Jack Stack. These oversized, hand breaded rings, that are appropriately billed as colossal. are truly a fork-and-knife starter. The crispy, golden brown, sweet onion rings taste great with any of their sauces or ketchup. Best of all, there are no concerns about separation of the onion and the outer shell. You never have to fear a mouthful of hollow breading when you order these onion rings.
Worth A Mention: BB’s Lawnside BBQ, Danny Edwards BLVD BBQ, & Johnny’s BBQ
Corn Nuggets
Best In Town: Wabash BBQ and Blues Garden
646 South Kansas City Avenue, Excelsior Springs, Missouri
Perhaps not a side dish you expected to see make the cut in these superlatives but similar to the cheesy potatoes category, much more widely available than you would think. With both a regular and spicy option, the best corn nuggets in the city are up north in Excelsior Springs. Crispy golden shells contain a molten center of sweet corn and cheeses that is absolutely sublime. The spicy corn nuggets have an almost Cajun flair to them that makes them phenomenal. Either option served with a side of ranch is the obvious way to kick off your meal at this Northland establishment.
Worth A Mention: Chop’s BBQ & Catering, Rosedale BBQ, & Smokin’ Guns BBQ
Assorted Fried Veggies ^^
Best In Town: Smokin’ Guns BBQ
1218 Swift Street, North Kansas City, Missouri
The variety of deep fried sides served up by barbeque restaurants is simply astounding. Having covered many of the widely available favorites, there are still a number of items served across this city that deserve recognition but don’t quite fit the mold of any other dish. With all the ways that produce is being deep fried in this town, it seemed appropriate to recognize the best of the rest. While there are a number of great choices, this superlative has to go to the fried green beans at Smokin’ Guns BBQ. These beautiful fresh green beans that snap in your mouth are deep fried to a perfect golden brown . Be sure to dip this salty treat in a side of Smokin’ Guns’ housemade ranch dressing which is also some of the city’s best.
Worth A Mention**: Char Bar (Fried Green Tomatoes), Fiorella’s Jack Stack BBQ (Fried Mushrooms), Hawg Jaw Que & Brew (Fried Pickles), & Q39 (Onion Straws)
The fried green beans at Smokin’ Guns BBQ have a delightful snap. They are best when served with the housemade ranch dressing.
The Other Stuff
The Sauces
Best In Town: Joe’s Kansas City Bar-B-Que
3002 West 47th Avenue, Kansas City, Kansas
It may not categorically fit the profile of a side dish but the ever-widening spectrum of sauces in town are often served on the side and deserve recognition as well. I have always been fascinated by restaurants with a small menu because I assume that when they only serve a couple items, they must prepare them incredibly well. The same principle applies with my choice here. There are several restaurants that have a much more extensive lineup of barbeque sauces than Joe’s Kansas City but their delicious duo cannot be topped. Joe’s Original has a signature sharpness that quickly dissipates. The thick sauce is smoky, tangy, and the sweetness of brown sugar just rolls over your taste buds. The Original’s evil twin, the “Night of the Living Dead Sauce” is straight fire (double meaning very much intended). The Living Dead has an outrageously blazing flavor that rockets this sauce straight up the Scoville Scale without sacrificing any flavor along the way. You will be hard-pressed to find a better line-up anywhere than what this pair has to offer.
Worth A Mention: Arthur Bryant’s Barbeque, Chop’s BBQ & Catering, Gates Bar-B-Q, & Plowboys Barbeque
Appetizers
Best In Town: Char Bar Smoked Meats & Amusements
4500 Pennsylvania Avenue, Kansas City, Missouri
There are so many great appetizers being served up at barbeque spots here in KC but once again, no place to give this category the recognition it deserves. When I think about the pre-eminent starters in Kansas City barbeque, the cheesy hushpuppies at Char Bar take the cake. These fritters have a nice, crusty exterior that gives way to doughy cornbread and a stiff custard of melted Tillamook cheddar and stone ground grits. The grits provide a delightful grainy texture and a mildness that balances out the fierce boldness of the cheese. The tart chunks of pepper that adorn each hushpuppy and the drizzled jalapeno jam is the coup de grace that catapults this manna of the gods to Fountain City Superlative glory.
Worth A Mention: BB’s Lawnside BBQ (Louisiana Swampman Boudin Balls), Brobecks Barbeque (Smoked Ham Salad), & R.J.’s Bob-Be-Que Shack (Bison Empanadas)
At Char Bar, the cheesy hushpuppies combine the traditionally southern staples of hushpuppies and grits into a fantastically new and exciting appetizer.
Chili
Best In Town: SLAP’s (Squeal Like A Pig) BBQ
553 Central Avenue, Kansas City, Kansas
While chili can definitely be the main event, a growing number of Kansas City barbeque spots offer their own versions as a side item - especially during the cold months. While only available seasonally, the burnt end chili at SLAP’s in Strawberry Hill is the best barbeque iteration of this dish. Barbeque is the key word for this dish brimming with kidney beans and generous chunks of tasty burnt ends. The spicy barbeque sauce used in the base gives this chili a complexity that makes the flavor hard to define. It has a pleasant heat that continually builds like many chilis but is never overwhelming or even spicy. Due to the meat, sauce, and bell pepper within, there are subtle notes of smoke, sweetness, and barbeque underlying each bite. Topped with shredded cheddar and a few slices of jalapeno if so inclined, it is hard to beat a cup of SLAP’s chili on a cold day.
Worth A Mention: BB’s Lawnside BBQ, Danny Edwards BLVD BBQ, Joe’s Kansas City Bar-B-Que, & Woodyard Bar-B-Que
That’s All She Wrote
The sequel that you did not know you wanted but that you now realize you desperately needed has come to an end. Now that the other shoe has fallen for Kansas City barbeque, let’s take a look at how your favorite BBQ joints fared in this year’s side dish Fountain City Superlatives:
Fountain City Superlative Winners:
Char Bar Smoked Meats & Amusements (3)
Fiorella’s Jack Stack BBQ (2)
Smokin’ Guns BBQ (2)
Blind Box BBQ (1)
Danny Edwards BLVD BBQ (1)
Hawg Jaw Que & Brew (1)
Joe’s Kansas City Bar-B-Que (1)
Q39 (1)
SLAP’s (Squeal Like A Pig) BBQ (1)
Wabash BBQ and Blues Garden (1)
Woodyard Bar-B-Que (1)
Honorable Mentions:
Plowboys Barbeque (5)
Danny Edwards BLVD BBQ (4)
Fiorella’s Jack Stack BBQ (4)
SLAP’s (Squeal Like A Pig) BBQ (4)
BB’s Lawnside BBQ (3)
Chop’s BBQ & Catering (3)
Woodyard Bar-B-Que (3)
Back Porch Bar-B-Q (2)
County Road Ice House (2)**
Hawg Jaw Que & Brew (2)
Joe’s Kansas City Bar-B-Que (2)
Jousting Pigs BBQ (2)
Q39 (2)
Smokin’ Guns BBQ (2)
Snead’s Bar-B-Q (2)
Arthur Bryant’s Barbeque (1)
Bates City Bar B Que (1)
Brobecks Barbeque (1)
Char Bar Smoked Meats & Amusements (1)
Filling Station Bar-B-Que (1)
Gates Bar-B-Q (1)
Jazzy B’s Diner (1)
Johnny’s BBQ (1)
Jones Bar-B-Q (1)
A Little BBQ Joint (1)
R.J.’s Bob-Be-Que Shack (1)
Roscoe’s BBQ (1)
Rosedale Bar-B-Q (1)
Smoke Brewing Company (1)
Smokebox BBQ Cafe (1)
Do you agree with my choices? Did I overlook a worthy candidate completely? Feel free to leave a comment below!
Those Pesky Endnotes That I Often Insist On
*Kansas City barbeque is defined as those restaurants whose original, sole, and/or flagship location resides within one of the fifteen counties in Missouri and Kansas that define the metro area.
^Please note that all “Worth A Mention” nominees are listed in alphabetical order and are not ranked by proficiency in that particular category.
**Since County Road Ice House is a Joe’s Kansas City restaurant concept and serves all their smoked meats, I only list them as a separate establishment for ranking individual dishes in regard to the side dishes they offer that Joe’s does not. That being said, I made an exception with the fries because even though they are listed as “Joe’s Famous Fries” on the menu, I actually prefer the fries at County Road Ice House to those served at any Joe’s Kansas City location. At County Road Ice, the same potatoes with the same seasoning that Joe’s serves are always cooked to much more of a crisp with a crunchy outside but a nice mealy interior. Meanwhile at Joe’s, the most popular fries in Kansas City (based on a 2018 poll by “The Kansas City Star”) are famously more limp. While a big fan of both, it is my personal preference for the subtle, yet noteworthy, difference in preparation at County Road Ice House that causes me to consider the two as separate dishes and merit an honorable mention for each place in the category of fries.
^^Yes, I realize that not all of these are fried “veggies” persay. Technically, some of them are fruits or fungi. Would you feel better if I would have called this section fried produce? Alrighty then, everyone happy? Moving on.
