Eat in east-kc, Kansas City

L.C.'s Bar-B-Q ★ 4.5

L.C.'s Bar-B-Q on Blue Parkway in Kansas City is the East Side dive that pitmasters cite quietly, with heavy smoke and heavier sauce since 1986.

Signature: Burnt ends, Beef sandwich, Ribs

Order: Beef sandwich piled high, sauce on the side, with fries.

Tip: Open Monday through Saturday lunch through dinner. Cash works best, line and decor are part of the experience.

L.C.'s Bar-B-Q ★ 4.5

L.C.'s Bar-B-Q on Blue Parkway in Kansas City is the East Side dive that pitmasters cite quietly, with heavy smoke and heavier sauce since 1986. Cheap, smoky, plentiful.

Try: Beef sandwich

Tip: Cash works fastest; the line is the experience.

L.C.'s Bar-B-Q ★ 4.5

Why locals love it: Tourist routes flow through Arthur Bryant's and Joe's KC; L.C.'s is the East Side dive that Kansas City pitmasters quietly cite as the city's best smoke for the dollar.

Tip: Cash and the time to wait; meat sells out by late afternoon.