7.8
American Way Smokehouse
$$Independence, Independence
Arizona smokehouse takes on Kansas City
newIndependenceeast metro
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7.9/ 10
0 reviews“A Northland dream realized”
Off The Hook is the Gladstone storefront Wardell Hooks Jr. opened in 2025 after years of building the brand from the ground up—a passion project finally given a permanent address. It arrives with Southern touches that set it apart from the metro's burnt-ends arms race, trading trophies for hospitality and scratch cooking. The pulled pork and pulled chicken sandwiches are the anchors, tender and Southern-leaning, backed by pork ribs and from-scratch biscuits that nod to an early-morning, breakfast-minded approach few pits attempt. The smoked meats finish under a sweet, tomato-based Kansas City sauce rather than a heavy bark, aimed at comfort over competition swagger. It's a personal, owner-run pit trading on warmth and Southern comfort instead of contest hardware. Come for the sandwiches, and take a bag of the biscuits home for the next morning while you're at it.
Know Before You Go
- Hours
- Mon–Fri 7am–8pm, Sat 11am–8pm, Sun 11am–4pm
- Price
- Mid-range ($$)
- Don't miss
- Pulled Pork Sandwich, Pulled Chicken Sandwich, and Pork Ribs
What to Order
1
Pulled Pork Sandwich2
Pulled Chicken Sandwich3
Pork Ribs4
BiscuitsWhy It Stands Out
A passion-project pit with Southern touches the burnt-ends crowd skips—from-scratch biscuits and early-morning hours. Wardell Hooks Jr. built the Gladstone storefront over years, and it leans on pulled pork, pulled chicken, and hospitality.
Quick Facts
- Address
- 7506 N Oak Trafficway, Gladstone, MO 64118
- Phone
- (816) 503-6995
- Hours
- Mon–Fri 7am–8pm, Sat 11am–8pm, Sun 11am–4pm
- Website
- offthehookbbqllc.com/
- Price Range
- $$
- Established
- 2025
Ratings Breakdown
6 dimensions, each scored 0-10
Smoke8.0
Bark7.8
Tenderness7.9
Value8.2
Atmosphere7.8
Consistency7.8
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Good to Know
Off The Hook BBQ — Frequently Asked Questions
What should I order at Off The Hook BBQ?
Regulars point to Pulled Pork Sandwich, Pulled Chicken Sandwich, Pork Ribs, and Biscuits.
What are Off The Hook BBQ's hours?
Mon–Fri 7am–8pm, Sat 11am–8pm, Sun 11am–4pm
Is Off The Hook BBQ expensive?
Off The Hook BBQ is mid-range ($$).
What kind of barbecue does Off The Hook BBQ serve?
Off The Hook BBQ serves Kansas City Style barbecue — Kansas City BBQ is defined by its variety of meats (not just pork or beef, but both plus chicken, sausage, turkey, and more), thick tomato-and-molasses-based sauce, slow-smoking over hickory wood, and the legendary burnt ends.
When did Off The Hook BBQ open?
Off The Hook BBQ has been serving Kansas City barbecue since 2025.
