Joe's Kansas City
The original gas-station location is a Kansas City barbecue landmark; check the menu for its Z-Man sandwich.
Visit the restaurant2026 local guide
Best Kansas City BBQ: where to eat barbecue
Kansas City barbecue is easier to plan when you choose by neighborhood and kind of meal. Start with a Brooklyn Avenue classic, sit down in the Crossroads, or head to a counter in the West Bottoms. These 15 restaurants are independent picks, each linked to its own site.
Official restaurant pages checked November 5, 2026. Check hours, menus and sellouts before you go.
Kansas City, Kansas
Start here for an original gas-station restaurant, a daily sellout and long-running neighborhood stops.
Slap's BBQ
Cooked fresh daily and served until sellout, so check its current service before heading over.
Visit the restaurantRosedale Bar-B-Q
An established Southwest Boulevard stop with beef, pork and chicken on its menu.
Visit the restaurantWoodyard Bar-B-Que
A Merriam Lane smokehouse with a full kitchen and changing weekly specials.
Visit the restaurantBrooklyn Avenue and the East Side
Two Kansas City names on Brooklyn Avenue, plus a burnt-end stop farther south.
Arthur Bryant's Barbeque
The Brooklyn Avenue restaurant serves ribs, brisket and burnt ends; its own site tells the Bryant family story.
Visit the restaurantGates Bar-B-Q
Choose its Brooklyn Avenue location for a stop near Arthur Bryant's, or check the other branches.
Visit the restaurantLC's Bar-B-Q
Burnt ends, ribs and meat by the pound make this a stop for someone building a take-home spread.
Visit the restaurantCrossroads, West Bottoms and Midtown
Pick a table service meal or a counter stop, depending on the day you have in mind.
Jack Stack Freight House
A Crossroads dining room with table reservations and sides such as cheesy corn bake.
Visit the restaurantChef J BBQ
West Bottoms hickory-smoked meats are sliced to order; this spot may sell out.
Visit the restaurantQ39 Midtown
A sit-down restaurant with a wood-fired kitchen and a Midtown location.
Visit the restaurantWestport, south Kansas City and Overland Park
These make sense when you want room to linger after the meal.
Char Bar Westport
The Westport restaurant has a beer garden and outdoor games alongside smoked meats.
Visit the restaurantBB's Lawnside Blues & BBQ
Barbecue and a live-music calendar share one south Kansas City address; check the show details.
Visit the restaurantBuck Tui BBQ
Thai and Kansas City barbecue meet at this Overland Park restaurant.
Visit the restaurantNorthland and Independence
Use these for a trip that starts away from the center of town.
Scott's Kitchen
Near the airport, this kitchen puts barbecue into plates and tacos, including burnt-end options.
Visit the restaurantA Little BBQ Joint
An Independence stop for smoked meats, sauces and sandwiches.
Visit the restaurantPlan your own BBQ crawl
Choose two or three restaurants rather than trying to fit all 15 into one day. A Kansas City, Kansas route could pair Joe's, Slap's and Rosedale. For a central route, compare Chef J, Jack Stack Freight House and the Brooklyn Avenue spots. Check each restaurant's own site for its current schedule, then leave time for lines and travel. A place on this list is not a promise that it appears on a Barley Bus tour.
Kansas City BBQ questions
How many BBQ stops can I make in one day?
Choose two or three. That gives you room for the meal, a line or a sellout without turning the day into a race. Check the restaurants' current hours before leaving, especially if a kitchen has limited days or serves until the food runs out.
Is every restaurant here a stop on the Barley Bus tour?
No. This guide is a list of places to consider for your own outing. Tour stops can vary and are not promised by this page. See the bookable BBQ tour for Barley Bus tour details.