5800 Blue Pkwy Kansas City, MO 664129
There have been few changes to the material aspects of LC’s Since 1986, when the restaurant first opened inside a liquor shop. One is the glossy black color of its brick-lined three-tiered pit after 30 years of hickory and grease smoke. What about the other change? Tausha is the new LC Richardson. She’s no longer coaxing crisp, barked, glistening ribs to come out of this pit. LC’s in Kansas City is a dream for old heads, as it’s one of the few remaining KC joints that allows you to order ribs by length or width. Do order those ribs—but, as you always should in KC, save room for the beef burnt ends.
Buck Tui BBQ
Overland Park
6737 West 75th Street, Overland Park KS 66204
The fusion of Thai flavors with Kansas City BBQ techniques Buck TuiThe restaurant is run by Teddy and Pam Liberda, two veteran Thai restaurateurs. The menu’s crossover highlights include an Isaan Thai sausage with makrut lime and Iemongrass, coconut red curry brisket, and an “X Man” sandwich—a riff on Joe’s famous Z-Man made with brisket, coriander-perfumed pulled pork, and a creamy version of the house Tiger Cry sauce.
Chef J BBQ
West Bottoms
1401 West 13th St. Kansas City, MO 664102
Kansas City earned a reputation as a Cowtown thanks to its bustling stockyards—at one time, the second largest in the country after Chicago. You won’t see any steers (live) wandering about the stockyards district anymore, but you will still find Chef J BBQ, a relative newcomer to the scene that turns out consistently tender ribs, moist pulled pork, and dewy, thick-sliced brisket—all smoked over hickory a few steps from the restaurant’s front door.
Night Goat Barbecue
Westside
2143 Summit Street Kansas City, MO 664108
Night Goat Barbecue This pop-up barbecue restaurant in chef Vaughn Good’s Midwestern bistro has risen to the top on many locals’ lists, despite only being open Saturdays. Fox & Pearl. This will not be a surprise to you if you try the succulent, butchered pork belly. Guy Danforth butchers it in house and Good smokes it. You can also order the pork belly tacos to sample another local speciality: Sonoran flour tortillas from tortilleria Caramelo in Lawrence, Kansas. Night Goat’s artisanal touch is evident in every element, from the pickles and sauces made on site to the cherry wood-smoked ice-cream. Check the website for the latest information. Hours may soon extend beyond Saturdays.
Harp Barbecue
Overland Park
Overland Park, KS, 66221 12094 W 135th Street
Tyler Harp might be the Dean of KC Barbecue’s New School. While Harp Barbecue It is now in its sixth year and it feels new because of its focus on thick-sliced, luscious sausages made by hand. Texas-style brisket and upgraded sides. (Think: twice-baked potatoes salad, or a silky-smooth mac and cheese). Detractors may argue that it’s not classically Kansas City. But that kind of gatekeeping is missing the point. By nodding to other regional styles, Harp stays true to the core of KC ‘cue: doing a little bit of everything well, and with sauce.
Jack Stack
Multiple Locations
101 W 22nd St. Kansas City MO 64108
Jack Stack’It’s no secret that the restaurant’s many locations, modern dining areas, and date night ambience may be difficult to sell to diners who are looking for “authenticity” in a grease trap. But the restaurant remains foundational thanks to its 50+ year local pedigree, its consistency with alternative cuts (lamb ribs, crown prime beef ribs), and its velvety cheesy corn—a side that has since spread to menus at many other KC barbecue spots. Jack Stack has a great cocktail menu and takes reservations.
