Although I haven't been to Gates in maybe 2 yrs, they DO§ have something no one else in town has (in fact the nearest similar dish is in Owensboro KY) a lamb sam. It's actually a mutton sam, from the breast, greasy, fatty and very very tasty. Yummm.

If you go to Smokestack, get the beans as a side.

Geo

§ I hope this isn't past-tense...

stevez wrote:I'd recommend both of those places. Also, I'd suggest trying Smokestack BBQ for the Crown Prime Tip. Please note that Danny Edwards has moved. The new address is:

Danny Edwards Blvd Barbeque
2900 Southwest Boulevard
Kansas City, MO

Smokestack BBQ
8920 Wornall
Kansas City, MO
816-444-5542

Sadly, the Crown Prime Tip is longer offered at Smokestack on Wornall, leaving that restaurant as just a good neighborhood joint and not a true BBQ destination IMO. I guess if you don't put it on the menu, nobody orders it. Go figure.

I'd second (third?) subbing Danny Edwards and/or Woodyard for Gates.

Historically, Gates is just as important to Kansas City's Barbecue Lore as Bryant's. Unfortunately, neither one of them is serving the best examples of 'Que to be had in KC. If you're wanting to experience these places for the tradition and reputation alone, by all means check them out. However, there are much better food options to be had.

A better alternative to both, as previously mentioned is the Woodyard. It is important to note that The Woodyard is only open for lunch, until 5pm. Another new favorite of ours is BB's Lawnside BBQ. Excellent 'Que, great greasehouse ambiance, and live music to boot after 9pm, if that's what you're after.

LC's is a good choice. I can't comment on that particular location of Jack's Stack, having never been, however if they are serving anything that is close to what is available at their original location in Martin City, it is a safe bet.

Haven't been to Danny Edwards new location, but it too has an excellent reputation and is probably worth visiting.

If you get overwhelmed by Barbecue, Stroud's for fried chicken is another KC institution and a good change of pace. They have two locations, the Oak Ridge Manor location up north and a new spot replacing their original store that was on 85th Street.

Have a good trip.

Buddy

Woodyard Bar-B-Que
3001 Merriam Lane
Kansas City, KS
(913) 236-6666

BB's Lawn Side BBQ
1205 E. 85th Street
Kansas City, MO
(816) 822-7427

Stroud's Oak Ridge Manor
5410 NE Oak Ridge Dr
Kansas City, MO
(816) 454-9600

Stroud's South
4200 Shawnee Mission Parkway
Fairway, KS
(913) 262-8500

Reports to me are that Stroud's new place hasn't lost a step compared to the old place. First stop next month when I return for the Fall Season.

Geo

DougT wrote:Sadly, the Crown Prime Tip is longer offered at Smokestack on Wornall

My heart is breaking.

I really found Jackstack the most overrated of the places Cathy and I tried that day.

Finally back from our trip and here is a recap. First of all, we took I88-I80-I35 and straight down. No problems at all with flooding, tho we did see some along the way. Highlight: the Iowa80 truck stop, largest in the world!

We ate dinner Tuesday night at Fiorellas Jack Stack, in the Freighthouse. One big reason for starting there was the walking distance from our hotel (Westin Crown Center). Daughter got salmon, which she loved, her friend the brisket sandwich and potatoes au gratin. She liked both alot. The brisket looked a little dry. I got the 3 meat dinner- crown rib, baby backs and burnt ends. My husband got the 2- lamb rib and baby back. We both thought they were ok, but all overly salty, especially the crown rib. The crown was super tender, alot of meat. The lamb rib was very good- I liked it more than husband. He like the burnt ends alot. Again, just all a bit salty. I didn't care for the cheesy potatoes at all. We completely over ordered and were beyond stuffed when we left.

The next day we had breakfast at Harvey House. That was fun- good food at reasonable prices in a fun environment. The whole of Union Station is beautiful, and Harvey House is nicely in period.

Lunch we hit Arthur Bryant's on Brooklyn. Figured in case we burned out on BBQ after lunch at least we went there. It was very, very good. We learned from the night before and split a combo baby backs and brisket. Both were excellent. Really liked the sweet sauce, too. Beef was very tender, ribs were just right. Way better than Jack Stack.

We recouped our strength by dinner and after agonizing over choosing one last place to go we decided on Oklahoma Joe's. Extremely good choice. We got lucky also that it was Wednesday, when they have burnt ends. We chose there partly because of the burnt ends reputation, but hadn't realized they didn't have them regularly. We got there in a rain storm, and the line was snaked around to the door. After waiting in line about 35 minutes we went with the combo spare ribs/burnt ends, coleslaw and hubby tried the red beans and rice (which he didn't care for). Third times the charm because we thought OK Joes to be the best of the 3 places we tried. The spare ribs were large and meaty, and the burnt ends melted in your mouth. Sauce was very good, as well. Enjoyed it more than Bryant's and no comparison to Jack Stack. Our favorite of the 3 places we tried.

Thanks to all for all the help and recommendations.
Side note: ate the best french dip of my life in a gas station right off I35 in Decatur City, Iowa. Thick cut, home made roast beef. To die for!

Tnx for the report Aviva! Now you can see why I'm glad that my KC home is only about a 3 min drive from Okie Joe's! I really think their ribs are great, but there has been some serious dissension from my view on this very board... (Shocked! I'm *shocked* to hear that there's disagreement about BBQ, can you imagine? :^)

What did you have at the I-80 truck stop? I've had a huge breakfast or two, plus, once, the Reuben which wasn't bad at all.

And I hope that you can remember exactly and precisely where that French-dip sammich came from...

Geo

We didnt eat at the Iowa80, we were inbetween meals, unfortunately. I also wanted to stop at Amana Colonies but that didn't work out either. We did eat on the way back at Bob's Your Uncle in Iowa City. We originally stopped because of the name, but actually the food was quite good.

The french dip place is the restaurant attached to the only gas station at Decatur City--directly off I35 to the west. It's on the north side of the street. I think it was a cash only place.

Interesting report as it's pretty much inline with my opinion. BBQ technically isn't BBQ unless it's slow cooked for at least 3-4 hours. Many BBQ places in KC cheat or take short cuts, JackStack being one of them. I just think it's one of the worst in KC, way overrated. And BBQ served in white table cloth dining just ain't not right.

Bryant's is a step up but I think they take shortcuts too. Meat can come out with gristle or fat at times, implying not slow cooked long enough. But way better than JackStack (if you can handle salty sauces).

OK Joes is king me thinks. The pulled pork is simply the best in KC, clearly slow cooked in smokers. Fries are too salty for me though and I wish they had a sweet sauce. But hands down one of the better in KC. Atmosphere is appropriate for true grit BBQ too - in a gas station.