Here in Kansas City, burnt ends are a true delicacy.

Done right, the charred tips of smoked beef brisket are like juicy nuggets of barbecue bliss wrapped in a deliciously smoky blackened bark.

Here, purists eat them straight-up, sans sauce. But you can also get burnt ends stirred into baked beans, piled high on a sandwich, or even atop a

heaping plate of spaghetti

.

There’s

some debate over what defines a true burnt end — just ask a few pitmasters at the American Royal’s World Series of Barbecue

this weekend — but there’s no doubt that Kansas City boasts some of the best burnt ends on the planet.

Which local barbecue joint do you think serves up the best, most mouthwatering burnt ends? Vote in our poll — and if you don’t see your favorite restaurant, leave a shout-out in the comments section below.

While you’re at it, vote in our polls for Kansas City’s best

brisket and ribs

.

Enterprise reporter Sarah Gish writes dining columns and guides for Ink magazine. Send her your burnt end recommendations by emailing sarah@inkkc.com or tweeting @sarah_gish.