Home of the One and Only Kansas City #BBQBible!
Home of the One and Only Kansas City #BBQBible!
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2Q23 in Review
A year ago, I wrote to you, my readers, about a dramatic shift for this website in 2023. I declared 2Q23 to be the “Year of the Pit”. After a year that took me to every single BBQ joint in the metro worth visiting, and writing the most comprehensive guide to KC BBQ ever assembled, I sit back and reflect on the year that was 2Q23.
FCS: BBQ Sides
Oftentimes, my recommendation on what BBQ joint a person should try is simply based on the question of “What do you like?” While that typically is all about the meats, the fact is that the side dishes are just as much a part of the barbeque experience. Typically, BBQ restaurants aren’t judged on everything else but as a follow up to my meat rankings, I decided to rank, well, everything else that can be found at KC BBQ joints.
FCS: The Meats
“With great palate comes great responsibility.” Perhaps that was not the line exactly as Ben Parker famously delivered it, but does it not hold true? Oftentimes, my recommendation on what BBQ joint a person should try is simply based on the question of “What do you like?” With that in mind, after a year that took me to every BBQ joint worth visiting, this column names the best BBQ joints in the metro, based on the cuts of meat where each spot excels.
Everything but the Bread
Every year thousands travel to Kansas City to try the best that the World Capital of Barbeque has to offer. With over a hundred spots to choose from, locals and travels alike visit a number of barbeque restaurants, joints, stands, trucks, and pop-ups, and enjoy a variety of sauces, sides, and smoked meats. Regardless of where they choose to eat or what they order, nearly every single sandwich and tray in the city is united by a common thread. Everyone in KC seems to know it, but nobody really acknowledges KCQ’s best supporting actor.
Bar-V-Que
Barbeque is a community food. It is best when shared with others. And yet? Not every member of every community eats meat. Year after year, vegetarianism becomes more popular in the United States. And whether it’s a lifestyle, or just for a meal, more and Kansas City pitmasters are flexing their creative muscles to serve up Kansas City flavors that are inclusive to a much wider audience. These are some of the best places to enjoy bar-v-que in the city.
Q in the Lou
Sandwiched between Kansas City and Memphis, St. Louis often struggles to stand out nationally from the styles of either. And even though St. Louis’ greatest landmark encourages all who see it to head west to the World Capital of BBQ, that does not mean their scene should be overlooked. While the majority of BBQ joints in St. Louis are rather new, the city very quietly owns one of the better BBQ restaurant scenes in America, and it should be enjoyed for what it is.
Devan’s Dozen: Burnt Ends Edition
While it is unclear exactly how long the beef burnt end has been a part of Kansas City’s barbeque tradition, they have been our national calling card for over half a century. These delightful chunks of meat candy are often replicated in other regions but have no doubt, they were created and popularized here. In honor of National Burnt End Day, I talked about my own love affair with burnt ends and ranked my Top 12, make that 13, places to find them in KC.
Once Upon a Time… in Kansas City
Have you ever wondered how it came to be?
That the default for American BBQ flavors is straight-up KC?
Not vinegary like Carolina or packed with Texas heat.
It’s KC sauces the people reach for - thick, tangy, and sweet.
So why does America associate BBQ with the Kansas City sort?
You will understand after reading these three barbeque shorts.
Devan’s Dozen: (Pork) Ribs Edition
When it comes to barbeque, I consider few meats more luxurious than a properly smoked pork rib. Given the wide range of ribs present in KC, from the truly great to the utterly inedible, I decided to rank the 12 best slabs of ribs in the city. But first, I laid out my own 4 C’s as it relates to ribs for explaining what one should look for in a truly great rib. After all, every single great rib has one key characteristic in common.