1
7.8
American Way Smokehouse
Independence · $$
Arizona smokehouse takes on Kansas City
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BBQ Guide
Best BBQ in
Kansas City
Thick molasses-sweet sauce, burnt ends, and hickory-smoked everything — Kansas City barbecue from the metro's most storied pits.
54Featured Restaurants
21Kansas City Metro Areas
6Pitmasters Featured
Explore by DishFind the Best of
Find the Best of
Every Cut
Kansas City BBQ is defined by its iconic dishes. Follow each guide to find the best examples in the metro.
Burnt Ends
Kansas City's most iconic BBQ creation — the caramelized, smoke-kissed cubes cut...
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Brisket
The king of the smoker. Kansas City brisket is defined by its mahogany bark, dee...
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Ribs
From spare ribs to baby backs to the legendary Crown Prime beef ribs — Kansas Ci...
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Pulled Pork
While KC BBQ is famous for burnt ends and brisket, the pulled pork sandwich rema...
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Sausage
From jalapeño cheddar links to classic smoked sausage, KC pitmasters are putting...
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Sides
Great BBQ needs great sides. From hickory pit beans to cheesy corn, these restau...
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Z-Man
The Z-Man sandwich — brisket, smoked provolone, and onion rings — was invented a...
See the GuideBrowse by AreaBBQ Across the
BBQ Across the
Kansas City Metro
Kansas City BBQ spans neighborhoods and districts. Every area has its own character.
Crossroads Arts District
1 restaurantsOverland Park
5 restaurantsLee's Summit
4 restaurantsIndependence
1 restaurantsWest Bottoms
1 restaurantsBelton
1 restaurantsNorth Kansas City
2 restaurantsKansas City, MO
11 restaurantsGladstone
2 restaurantsDe Soto
1 restaurantsWestport
1 restaurantsKansas City, KS
6 restaurantsMartin City
1 restaurantsLenexa
1 restaurantsOlathe
2 restaurantsWaldo
1 restaurantsRiver Market
1 restaurantsLeawood
1 restaurantsBates City
1 restaurantsExcelsior Springs
1 restaurantsBrookside
1 restaurants
Kansas City
Missouri
The TraditionWhat Makes Kansas City
What Makes Kansas City
BBQ Different
Kansas City is one of America's great BBQ capitals. Here's what sets it apart.
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The Sauce
Kansas City sauce is thick, sweet, and tomato-and-molasses based — the style most Americans picture when they hear "BBQ sauce." It emerged in the early 20th century alongside the pits themselves, and the city has never apologized for putting it on everything.
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Burnt Ends
Born at Arthur Bryant's, where the point end of the brisket was given away as scraps until someone realized they were the best bite. Now a KC specialty — caramelized, bark-heavy cubes of rendered brisket, sweet and smoky, on every serious menu in town.
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All Meats Welcome
Kansas City is the one American BBQ city that refuses to specialize. Burnt ends, ribs, pulled pork, brisket, turkey, ham, sausage, chicken — the great KC pits smoke everything, and do it all well. Pick your plate.
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Hickory & Oak
KC smoke comes from a blend of hickory and oak — hickory for the sweet, bacon-like flavor that plays well with the tomato sauce, oak for the long, even burn. Arthur Bryant's, Gates, Joe's, Jack Stack — they all burn it.
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Worth Knowing
Good to Know
Kansas City BBQ — Frequently Asked Questions
What is Kansas City barbecue known for?
Thick molasses-sweet sauce, burnt ends, and hickory-smoked everything — Kansas City barbecue from the metro's most storied pits.
How many BBQ restaurants does KC BBQ Guide cover?
KC BBQ Guide ranks 54 Kansas City-area BBQ restaurants, each with its own review and rating.
What BBQ dishes is Kansas City known for?
Signature Kansas City BBQ includes burnt ends, ribs, and brisket.
Which Kansas City neighborhoods have the best BBQ?
Top Kansas City BBQ areas include Kansas City, MO, Overland Park, Lee's Summit, and Kansas City, KS.
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