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Devan’s (Double) Dozen: BBQ Edition, Part II
After a year that took me to nearly every barbeque restaurant, joint, stand, pop-up, and concept in the Kansas City metro, a lot of readers were left asking the one question I had failed to answer, “Which is best?” Here in Kansas City, talking about barbeque is as common as discussing the weather or the local sports team, but far more precarious. The BBQ joint one person swears by will be the one another swears they won’t visit again. That didn’t stop me from weighing in with the first-ever double edition of Devan’s Dozen. This part contains a countdown from #12 to #1!
Devan’s (Double) Dozen: BBQ Edition, Part I
After a year that took me to nearly every barbeque restaurant, joint, stand, pop-up, and concept in the Kansas City metro, a lot of readers were left asking the one question I had failed to answer, “Which is best?” Here in Kansas City, talking about barbeque is as common as discussing the weather or the local sports team, but far more precarious. The BBQ joint one person swears by will be the one another swears they won’t visit again. That didn’t stop me from weighing in with the first-ever double edition of Devan’s Dozen. This part contains a countdown from #24 to #13!
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.
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.
Devan’s (Half) Dozen: Ted Lasso Edition
Last week, millions around the world said a bittersweet farewell to Ted Lasso and Premier League club AFC Richmond. Here in Kansas City, the finale hit especially hard as over the past three years, Ted became one of this city’s favorite sons. Given the love that Lasso always showed to his hometown, this edition of Devan’s (Half) Dozen ranks the best Kansas City / Kansas references from the show’s run.
Devan’s Dozen: Part 2 Hearts
After the overwhelming success of the Parade of Hearts in 2022, it was announced that the public art installation would return in 2023 and 2024. Initially, the hearts will be rather concentrated for the NFL Draft but then will be relocated to spots all across the city. Having had the opportunity to see them all in one place last weekend, I decided that, once again, I would rank the 12 you should prioritize. That said, with only 40, it should be much easier to get out and see them all.
Devan’s Dozen: BBQ Sandwiches Edition
I have ranked the BBQ joints and their sauces but now I tread into new territory - the specialty sandwich! It is hard to believe but 25 years ago, the BBQ specialty sandwich was largely unheard of but due to the creation of the Z-Man and its popularity, nearly every restaurant has at least one specialty handheld they are known for. These are my Top 12 in the city.
Devan’s Dozen: Fried Chicken Edition
When I was a kid, fried chicken was a special treat. It wasn’t that fried chicken was reserved for special occasions. Instead, it was that fried chicken made any meal a special one. A friend asking me the question a couple years ago of, “What’s the best fried chicken in KC?” spawned a very intentional quest to answer that question. So here are my Top 12 Fried Chicken Spots in KC. If you’re expecting Stroud’s or Go Chicken Go, you won’t find that here.
Devan’s Dozen: Sauce Edition
Kansas City BBQ is all about the sauce! Or at least, that’s what strangers try to tell us. Our barbeque is so much more than the sauce but there is no denying it has an important role in our city’s history and whether it is robust, smoky, salty, sour, sweet, savory, or spicy - that barbeque sauce is delightful. It’s the cherry on top of the sundae. In honor of National BBQ Month, I ranked the Top 12 Kansas City BBQ Sauce lineups!