From the BBQ Capital of the USA---Kansas City, Missouri

BBQ preference is individual to each person. I think the wide variety of Q available is what makes BBQ in this country so great. I happen to love KC BBQ. Taking the family there next week and had to make sure we stayed an extra day to eat at the different places we like so much. The three places we cannot miss are Bates, Oklahoma Joes, and Jack's stack in that order. I have a friend who lives in KC and he scouts out new places for us to try. So we will try at least one new place this trip.

I have visited Texas a couple of times - my brother lives in Austin. Next time I am there I do plan to try some of the small town Q places. The BBQ & steak I did try was good, but not incredible. Growing up in the midwest on corn feed beef really slants your perspective on what beef should taste like.

Stephen,

One of my co-workers has been traveling to KC regularly on business. He raves about the barbecue he eats there. He's originally from North Carolina, so that is pretty high praise. I'll mention your top choices to him.

Jim

Very good.

Ok Joes & Bates are both very casual reasonably priced places. Jack's is a nicer sit down type of place. Ok Joes has very good pulled pork sandwich. Bates has very good sliced beef & burnt ends. Jack's has the best beans I have ever tasted. My friend is originally from Iowa. Whan he comes home he drives through Des Moines. When I know he is coming I have him drop off Jacks stack beans.

Man I am getting hunry talking about this. Can't wait until next week.

Just moved away from KC area to Cleveland. Lived in Lexinton,
35 miles east of KC just 10 miles south of 70. Great little shack
called `The Franklin Hole`. that has some killer
ribs. Gates has the geunine taste of bbq.
Bryants hooks up the huge portions, which makes it worth it,
but the sauce was not my favorite, nowhere near.
Found a sauce in Lexinton at an orchard called`Ozark county
barbecue sauce`........what a hidden treasure.
Made by an amish family in the Ozark mountains...

Welcome to the board whitepine!

Good to see you posting. You were not far from where I was stationed when I was at Whiteman Air Force Base. We were practically neighbors.

Doesn't the County Courthouse in Lexington still have a cannon ball lodged in it?

Found it!

We went there when I was very young. (Yes... after the war )

yes we were nieighbors. In fact, I lived almost directly across the street
from the courthouse. Did you ever try the Franklin Hole?
Pretty good for a hole in the wall.

Never got to eat there. I'll have to keep it in mind if we ever get back to that part of the country.