One afternoon in Kansas City

[Cabrito]

I will be in Kansas City next week for one day. Will be arriving at 10am and have a dinner meeting at 6pm. The business dinner unfortunately will not be BBQ but I want to take advantage of the small window and sample some of Kansas City's finest. Any suggestions for an itinerary that will enable me to try at least 2-3 places between 11am and 4pm? I plan on eating a very light dinner so I can eat a big lunch!

 

[Plowboy]

Where will you be working/staying in town?

 

[Rookie'48]

Cabrito -
Just a warning --- if Todd takes you to 2 or 3 different places for food, you may gain a few (20 to 50) pounds. The Plowboy does some kind of good cookin' his own self, so whatever he recommends is probably better than O.K.

 

[Cabrito]

I will be staying in town at Crown Center. The dinner meeting is at the American Restaurant. Since I need to be there by 5:30/6pm, I figure I have enough time from the time I land to try a few places.

 

[Plowboy]

Okay, check out Smoking Guns for lunch and have the burnt ends, cheesy corn, and fries. http://www.smokingunsbbq.com Phil and Linda Hopkins are long time and very successful competition cookers. They have a lot of their awards, including their Jack GC trophy, in the restaurant.

JackStack is close to where you will be. You could walk there going through the skywalks connecting to Union Station. http://www.jackstackbbq.com

The original Arthur Bryant's isn't too far either. http://www.arthurbryantsbbq.com/

 

[Cabrito]

Thanks Todd!

What about Gates? How does it compare to Arthur Bryants?

 

[KC_Bobby]

What about Gates? How does it compare to Arthur Bryants?

Depends ... do you consider the meat the BBQ or the sauce? I think Bryant's meats are better, but I love Gates sauce. (But you can get that at any grocery store while you're in town)

 

[Roo-B-Q'N]

Okay, check out Smoking Guns for lunch and have the burnt ends, cheesy corn, and fries. http://www.smokingunsbbq.com Phil and Linda Hopkins are long time and very successful competition cookers. They have a lot of their awards, including their Jack GC trophy, in the restaurant.

JackStack is close to where you will be. You could walk there going through the skywalks connecting to Union Station. http://www.jackstackbbq.com

The original Arthur Bryant's isn't too far either. http://www.arthurbryantsbbq.com/

JackStack has a storefront at Union Station? couldn't tell by the website. Have always wondered about them.

 

[KC_Bobby]

It's just north of Union Station on the other side of the tracks. Recently, they put in a pedestrian walkway above the tracks to get from Union Station to the area Jack Stack is in so you don't have to walk/drive around the block.

 

[Bigdog]

My reccomendation for real KC BBQ is Lil Jakes. It is very near Crown Center. You could walk there since it is only 4-5 blocks and is safe during the day. A great lunch place. Not reccomended for supper. Don't even know if they are open for supper. Here is a y-tube link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dJyQ0kEgRnc

Here is a list of other BBQ spots:
http://www.pitch.com/search/restaurants.php?cuisine=Barbecue

If I were you, I would try Lil Jake's for lunch and then go to Arthur Bryant's for dinner. Both are close to Crown Center area. You will need a car or taxi to get to and from AB. BB's Lawnside BBQ is cool if you like the Blues and there is a band there. But what ever you do, do not go to KC Masterpiece. It sucks.

 

[Bigdog]

It's just north of Union Station on the other side of the tracks. Recently, they put in a pedestrian walkway above the tracks to get from Union Station to the area Jack Stack is in so you don't have to walk/drive around the block.

Jack Stack is good, but not great. Over priced IMHO. Lil Jake's is the real deal.

 

[Plowboy]

My reccomendation for real KC BBQ is Lil Jakes. It is very near Crown Center. You could walk there since it is only 4-5 blocks and is safe during the day. A great lunch place. Not reccomended for supper. Don't even know if they are open for supper. Here is a y-tube link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dJyQ0kEgRnc

Here is a list of other BBQ spots:
http://www.pitch.com/search/restaurants.php?cuisine=Barbecue

If I were you, I would try Lil Jake's for lunch and then go to Arthur Bryant's for dinner. Both are close to Crown Center area. You will need a car or taxi to get to and from AB. BB's Lawnside BBQ is cool if you like the Blues and there is a band there. But what ever you do, do not go to KC Masterpiece. It sucks.

The KC Masterpiece on the Plaza has been closed for a couple of years. Only location is I-435 & Metcalf. And yes, it sucks.

Lil' Jakes is gone to make room for the new Sprint Arena. Danny Edwards moved to a place on SW Blvd called BLVD BBQ. Has a lot of the Lil' Jakes memorabilia in it. Wife and I ate there yesterday... IT SUCKS ARSE!!!!!

Gates would be a good choice as well. Personally, go for Smoking Guns at lunch as the first choice. Bryant's, JackStack, and Gates would all be tied for second. Gates is more like a fast food joint in a way. Bryant's is a nostalgic greasy dive. Jackstack is traditional bbq with an upscale dining hall. Nice place.

 

[Bigdog]

The KC Masterpiece on the Plaza has been closed for a couple of years. Only location is I-435 & Metcalf. And yes, it sucks.

Lil' Jakes is gone to make room for the new Sprint Arena. Danny Edwards moved to a place on SW Blvd called BLVD BBQ. Has a lot of the Lil' Jakes memorabilia in it. Wife and I ate there yesterday... IT SUCKS ARSE!!!!!

Gates would be a good choice as well. Personally, go for Smoking Guns at lunch as the first choice. Bryant's, JackStack, and Gates would all be tied for second. Gates is more like a fast food joint in a way. Bryant's is a nostalgic greasy dive. Jackstack is traditional bbq with an upscale dining hall. Nice place.

Thanks for the update Bro. Too bad about Lil Jake's. It was farking awesome at one time. I was there several years ago and it was starting to go down hill. Now my favorite is LC's for real KC BBQ. It is off of I-435 over by the stadiums. Ever been there?

 

[Plowboy]

Thanks for the update Bro. Too bad about Lil Jake's. It was farking awesome at one time. I was there several years ago and it was starting to go down hill. Now my favorite is LC's for real KC BBQ. It is off of I-435 over by the stadiums. Ever been there?

LC's is the REAL DEAL!!!

 

[HoDeDo]

BB's Lawnside... LC's ...
Okie Joes... Quik's...

I would choose Gates over Bryants anyday. I like thier ribs dry much better. And where else do you get yelled at until you place your order.

 

[Jaberwabee]

BB's Lawnside... LC's ...
Okie Joes... Quik's...

I would choose Gates over Bryants anyday. I like thier ribs dry much better. And where else do you get yelled at until you place your order.

Of course you have to go to the Gates by Big Eleven Lake, right in the middle of the dotte.

I have always liked Rosedale but have been by there in a couple years.

 

[Cabrito]

Thanks for all the recommendations. I went to Gates about 10 years ago and I remember being yelled out. I thought this was the standard for KC BBQ places- I guess not. It was great but I do remember liking the sauce enough that I brought home a case.

I will have a car for my visit so I don't mind driving for BBQ.

 

[Plowboy]

Of course you have to go to the Gates by Big Eleven Lake, right in the middle of the dotte.

I have always liked Rosedale but have been by there in a couple years.

You either like Rosedale or hate it from my experience.