BBQ$$kck
Joe's Kansas City Bar-B-Que runs out of a working Shamrock gas station at 47th and Mission in Kansas City, Kansas, where the Stehneys opened in 1996 and invented the Z-Man sandwich.
Signature: Z-Man sandwich, Burnt ends, Carolina pulled pork
Order: The Z-Man sandwich, slow-smoked brisket with provolone, onion rings and barbecue sauce on a kaiser roll.
Tip: Open Monday through Saturday, closed Sunday. Walk-in only and the line moves; lunch sells out by 14:00 on weekends.
BBQ$$midtown
Rob Magee's Q39 on 39th Street in Kansas City applies a competition-circuit pitmaster's discipline to weeknight barbecue, with a full bar and table service.
Signature: Burnt ends, Pit Master Brisket sandwich, Mr. Burns sandwich
Order: Pit Master Brisket sandwich on a brioche bun and the burnt-ends plate to share.
Tip: Sun to Thu 11:00 to 21:00, Fri and Sat 11:00 to 23:00. Walk-ins and reservations both accepted; the brisket plate sells out late.
BBQ$$$crossroads
Jack Stack's Freight House in Kansas City's Crossroads serves Russ Fiorella's family barbecue under 25-foot ceilings inside a converted railroad warehouse.
Signature: Burnt ends, Hickory pit beans, Lamb ribs
Order: Burnt ends, lamb ribs and the famous hickory pit beans baked with sausage.
Tip: Reservations on OpenTable; the bar takes walk-ins from 17:00. Five metro locations including the Plaza and Martin City original.
BBQ$$kck
Slap's BBQ on Central Avenue in Kansas City Kansas runs a competition-pitmaster operation since 2014 and sells out daily by mid-afternoon, ribs first.
Signature: Burnt ends, Pork ribs, Brisket
Order: Burnt ends and pork ribs at the counter; grab them before the kitchen sells out.
Tip: Open Tue to Sat 11:00 to 19:00, often closed earlier if meat runs out. Walk-in only.
BBQ$east-kc
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.
BBQ$$westport
Char Bar in Westport, Kansas City pairs Mitch Benjamin's award-winning smoke programme with the city's largest dog-friendly patio plus games and a fire pit.
Signature: Burnt ends, Hot chicken and waffles, Charred cauliflower
Order: Burnt ends platter and the charred cauliflower, on the patio with a Boulevard draft.
Tip: Brunch on weekends from 10:00 to 14:00. Kitchen runs until 22:00 most nights; the beer garden stays open later.
