Oklahoma Joe's Barbecue

Since I was in the Kansas City area trying various BBQ restaurants, a friend suggested I try Oklahoma Joe's Barbecue, that it was their favorite. I took the family for lunch, and we all split various platters so I could sample as many meats as possible. I tried their pulled pork, which I wasn't too impressed with. It wasn't very juicy or tasty by itself. I also tried the sliced turkey, which I thought was okay. It had a good flavor to it and was moist. Their brisket was better than average, though. I liked it a lot. It had a good flavor to it and was very juicy. I believe baked beans to be a staple of a BBQ meal, so I tried theirs. I wasn't too impressed. It was more like chili than BBQ beans, very thick and it lacked meat. It had a spice to it that was more like chili should have, not BBQ. The regular BBQ sauce was average, but I did like their hot BBQ sauce a lot, which they called "Night of the Living Barbecue Sauce". It had a nice kick to it and was quite tasty.
I have to say, this restaurant was not consistent to Kansas City style barbecue. It was closer to a Texas style, which I usually prefer. But this BBQ was just above average in my opinion. I probably wouldn't go again, given my other choices in the Kansas City area. It's worth trying though.The prices were average, and it was fast and friendly, a good lunch place for sure.
Web site: http://www.oklahomajoesbbq.com/

 

Smokestack BBQ

While in Kansas City, I was told by someone close to me, that their favorite BBQ was Smokestack. We decided to get some takeout from the one location left, of more than one that used to exist. We got the Roundup Platter for Two, which came with four meaty ribs, and our choice of three other smoked meats. We chose the brisket, the pork loin, and the turkey. The platter also came with beans, cole slaw, bread, pickles, and fries. It was a generous portion for a great price - about $27 for all of that.
I wasn't too impressed. It was average BBQ at best. The beans were tasty, Kansas City style sweet, but did have lots of meat in them. The brisket was above average, but the rest was pretty plain. I wasn't a big fan of the ribs. They were pretty dry and tough. We got a side of what I was told was their spicier sauce. I didn't think it had much of a kick at all, and the flavor wasn't anything extraordinary.
With all the other BBQ options in the Kansas City area, I wouldn't go here again. It's pretty good, but there are many better choices. I give it three stars, maybe two and a half.
Web site: http://www.smokestackbbq.com/

Jack Stack Barbecue

After my critique of Arthur Bryant's barbecue in Kansas City, I was told there are other really good BBQ places in the Mid West. One of those places I was told is Jack Stack Barbecue. Being in the Kansas City area for family this weekend, I decided to try this out. It was actually the second time I have had Jack Stack, but I don't remember much about the first time. We got a few large portions for carry out this time. I have to say, I was really impressed this time. Kansas City BBQ is a bit different than what I am used to, being known for its sauces being tomato and molasses based, so on the sweet side. I really liked it, though. We got brisket, which was average as far as the meat taste alone. We also got the smoked pork, which I thought was amazing! The taste of the pork alone was excellent, and it was very tender and juicy. I liked Jack Stack original sauce on the meats. It didn't have very much of a "kick" like I prefer, but it was good. The beans on the side, however, were awesome! They were sweet, but very meaty with lots of pork mixed in. I say their beans are a must-try.
As for the restaurant itself, I remember dining in the first time I went here, and it was pleasant. The prices look comparable to other BBQ places. Overall, I give this BBQ four stars, and recommend it if you're in the Kansas City area. We went to the Overland Park location, but there are three others in the area.
Web site: http://www.jackstackbbq.com/

 

Arthur Bryant's - Kansas City

Just before moving back from Dayton, Ohio to Denver, Colorado in late 2009 I was watching the Travel Channel one night in the hotel after closing on selling our home. The special on the Travel Channel was about what the "Best BBQ in America" was. I don't remember who the judges were, but at the end, they decided that Arthur Bryant's BBQ in Kansas City was the best barbeque in the country.
Knowing that I was about to drive through Kansas City on my way to Denver, and that I was going to stay overnight with my sister in Kansas City, I called her and asked if we could go to this Arthur Bryant's place for dinner the night I was to be there.
We went to the one on Village West Parkway on the Kansas side of Kansas City. It was good, but nowhere near what I would call the "best" I have ever had. Granted we didn't go to the original one that was featured on the Travel Channel, but I assume the taste is the same. I was impressed with their pit, but the ribs were too dry for my tastes. I also had the pulled pork, which was good but again, not the "best".
Perhaps I am just not partial to the  Kansas City style BBQ. If I were to go for BBQ in KC again though, I would try a different place. My personal opinion is that Arthur Bryant's paid off the Travel Channel to do a special on them.
Web site: http://www.arthurbryantsbbq.com/index.htm