Quick’s BBQ closing after 50 years in KCK

After 50 years of operations, Quick’s Bar-B-Q is closing in Kansas City, Kan.

The restaurant, at 1007 Merriam Lane, plans to close by Nov. 14.

“I’ve been doing this my entire life, since I was a little kid and solid for the last 40 years,” said Ron Quick, son of the founder. “My wife and I had a goal to make it to our 50th anniversary and we have succeeded in doing that and I want to get out on my terms and while things are good.”

Quick said construction on Merriam Lane also has blocked some access into the restaurant.

“It is hard and these little mom-and-pop folks, you see them dropping. And we have at least another year of this so it will be a struggle,” he said.

Dustin Quick, Ron’s son, has served as general manager of the restaurant and will continue to oversee the company’s food truck, Quick’s on Wheels, which opened in mid-2013, as well as its catering operation.

“It has been very prosperous lately,” Dustin Quick said.

Quick’s also will continue to sell its barbecue sauce online at www.quicksbbq.com.

Ron’s father, Earl Quick, founded the restaurant in 1964 and Ron took over as manager in 1978. He became the owner in the mid-1990s. Most days he was at work by 7 a.m. But on Wednesdays, since the late 1970s, he was in by 3 a.m. to smoke as many as 500 slabs for the daily special.

“It has been a pleasure to have a been in friendly competition with the other barbecues and I have had great respect for all of them,” he said. “ I’m just ready to do something different while I still can and enjoy life. It’s kind of an emotional thing to close but it has been a good run.”

This story was originally published November 6, 2014 at 9:35 AM with the headline "Quick’s BBQ closing after 50 years in KCK."