City Consensus · Kansas City
BBQ in Kansas City
Community consensus
The consensus is still forming.
Top Tier Editorial has a take on BBQ in Kansas City below. The community ranking opens up once a few locals have weighed in.
Top 4 BBQ in Kansas City
The KC BBQ picks — cross-referenced from Kansas City Magazine's Best of KC 2024 readers' choice winners and KC Mag's ranked BBQ guide.
- #1
Jack Stack Barbecue - Freight House
Crossroads
“Best of KC 2024 reader winner for Best Burnt Ends, Best Ribs and Best Barbecue Rub. Zagat-rated 'Highest Rated Barbecue in the Country' and the largest wood-fired cookery in the U.S.”
- #2
Q39 - Midtown
Midtown / Westport
“KC Magazine's #3 BBQ pick — British pitmaster Philip Thompson applies classical French technique to Kansas City smoke. Known for the Mr. Burns burnt-ends sandwich.”
- #3
Harp Barbecue
Overland Park
“KC Magazine's #6 BBQ pick — Tyler Harp's 'world-beating sliced brisket and top-tier sausages,' relocated from the Raytown pop-up to a full Overland Park smokehouse.”
- #4
Gates Bar-B-Q
Rockhill
“KC Magazine's #7 BBQ pick — operating since 1946 with its trademark 'Hi, may I help you?' and chopped brisket on Bunny Bread. Ollie Gates inducted into MRA Hall of Fame in 2024.”