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The slab of ribs and Carolina-style pulled pork sandwich at Oklahoma Joe's BBQ, 3002 W. 47th Street.

Jeanne James serves the large lunch crowd at Oklahoma Joe's, 3002 W. 47th Ave. in Kansas City, Kan. The restaurant's unique location inside a gas station creates a buzz, but the food is also worth talking about.

TAMMY LJUNGBLAD — The Kansas City Star After finishing their meal at Oklahoma Joe's Barbecue, Kelley Bullard of Oakridge, Tenn., and Peggy Parten of Kingston, Tenn., shopped the barbecue sauces and rubs available for sale inside the gas station restaurant.

TAMMY LJUNGBLAD — The Kansas City Star Cindy Vu of Kansas City, Kan., bites into a barbecue sandwich at Oklahoma Joe's Barbecue.

Oklahoma Joe's consistently garners national attention. Its unique location inside a gas station adds to the flavor.

TAMMY LJUNGBLAD — The Kansas City Star Customers pack Oklahoma Joe's Barbecue in Kansas City, Kan.

TAMMY LJUNGBLAD — The Kansas City Star Customers pack Oklahoma Joe's Barbecue at 47th and Mission Road in Kansas City, Kan.

TAMMY LJUNGBLAD — The Kansas City Star Neon sign glows in the window at Oklahoma Joe's Barbecue, 47th and Mission Road in Kansas City, Kan.

TAMMY LJUNGBLAD — The Kansas City Star During a visit to Oklahoma Joe's Barbecue, Xinhong Wang (left) pauses while eating a rib so her husband Feng Shi can take her photo. The couple, visiting the United States from China, stopped by the famous barbecue restaurant on their way from Yellowstone National Park to Missouri. "This restaurant is famous," said Feng Shi.

TAMMY LJUNGBLAD — The Kansas City Star Xinhong Wang (left) pauses while eating a rib so her husband, Feng Sh,i can take her photo. The couple, visiting the United States from China, stopped by the famous barbecue restaurant on their way from Yellowstone National Park to Missouri. "This restaurant is famous," said Feng Shi.

TAMMY LJUNGBLAD — The Kansas City Star Oklahoma Joe's employee Maria Chavez wears a shirt proclaiming "My favorite restaurant is in a Gas Station. Oklahoma Joe's Barbecue."

TAMMY LJUNGBLAD — The Kansas City Star Oklahoma Joe's Barbecue is located inside the gas station at 47th and Mission Road in Kansas City, Kan.

TAMMY LJUNGBLAD — The Kansas City Star Carolina pulled pork sandwich with a side of beans from Oklahoma Joe's in Kansas City, Kan. The restaurant is located inside the gas station at 47th and Mission Road.

TAMMY LJUNGBLAD — The Kansas City Star Customers pack Oklahoma Joe's Barbecue, 47th and Mission Road in Kansas City, Kan., on a recent afternoon for a barbecue lunch. Photo by Tammy Ljungblad

CHRIS OBERHOLTZ/The Kansas City — \The Kansas City Star The Z-Man barbeque brisket sandwich at Oklahoma Joe's Barbecue.

CHRIS OBERHOLTZ — \The Kansas City Star The dinning room inside Oklahoma Joe's BBQ in Olathe was filled with barbeque lovers.

Sergio Alaniz chomps down on some pork barbecue prepared by his grandmother, Adela Tan.

Rosedale Bab-B-Q sign.

The Bacon Explosion. Photos courtesy of BBQ Addicts

Johnny's Bar-B-Q sign

The Bacon Explosion. Photos courtesy of BBQ Addicts

Jake Edwards Bar-B-Q Home of Sweet Potato Fries sign.

The Bacon Explosion. Photos courtesy of BBQ Addicts

Arthur Bryant's Barbeque sign.

Anthony Rieke who founded Rosedale Barbecue on the Fourth of July in 1935.

Papa Lew's BBQ and Soul Food sign

KEITH MYERS — THE KANSAS CITY STAR Tom Sliger (from left), Keith Ward and Donnie Alexander, members of the Myrtle's Place Back Alley BBQ team from Poplar Bluff, Missouri, rubbed down pork ribs that were heading back to the cooler for cooking.

Keith Myers — /The Kansas City Star The top of Kemper Arena is reflected behind American Royal barbecue mascot Barbecuelooza. The mascot overlooks the barbecue contest grounds from the upper level of American Royal building.

The Bacon Explosion. Photos courtesy of BBQ Addicts

Keith Myers — /The Kansas City Star The "command pig" bus of the A Boy and His BBQ team from Grimes, Iowa, stared back at visitors to The Great American Barbecue.

The Bacon Explosion. Photos courtesy of BBQ Addicts

JOHN SLEEZER — THE KANSAS CITY STAR A freshly finished brisquet is sliced at the Blues Hog team tent, from Perry, MO, during Satuday's October 4, 2003 24th annual American Royal Barbecue at the American Royals Complex in Kansas City, MO.

Smoke me Baby, Smoke me Baby sign

JILL TOYOSHIBA — /The Kansas City Star During a stop at Arthur Bryant's in Kansas City on Thursday, Sen. John Kerry greeted Gordon Clark and other labor leaders. Kerry spent about 15 minutes at the barbecue restaurant after an address at the Truman Museum and a tour of the Truman residence.

Kansas City-style slow-cooked spareribs do the trick for a_special Father's Day barbecue.

Big T's Bar-B-Q sign

1956 photo of Gates Famous Ol' Kentucky Bar-B-Q, 24th and Broadway 1956

Anthony Rieke, founder of Rosedale Barbecue in 1988 photo.

DAVID PULLIAM — THE KANSAS CITY STAR Brothers Mike (left) and Charlie Polsgrove of Oregon, Mo., chow down at Bryant's while in Kansas City hunting for car parts. Mike used to eat at Bryant's when he was a Kansas City firefighter. "It's good stuff," he says. BBQ17

Kansas City's Own Gates Bab-B-Q.

The Bacon Explosion. Photos courtesy of BBQ Addicts

DAVID PULLIAM — THE KANSAS CITY STAR Customers at Smokin' Guns in North Kansas City dine under some of the hundreds of barbecue contest ribbons won by owners Phil and Linda Hopkins.

DAVID PULLIAM — THE KANSAS CITY STAR A display of beef ribs sits on a kitchen counter at Fiorella's Jack Stack Barbecue in Martin City while pitmaster Tom Kupczyk flames the pit to burn off excess grease. "We do it mostly for entertainment," Kupczyk says.

Oklahoma Joe's Barbecue sauce bottle

DAVID PULLIAM — THE KANSAS CITY STAR Closeup of sausages on a grill.

JOHN SLEEZER Eric Metz adds more sauce to the meat smoking in Camporc, a 2200 pound smoker in the shape of a pig, during Satuday's October 4, 2003 24th annual American Royal Barbecue at the American Royals Complex in Kansas City, MO. Metz is a member of the Camcorp Smokers team, who was competing on Saturday.

The Bacon Explosion. Photos courtesy of BBQ Addicts

Allison Long — The Kansas City Star File photo of Ollie Gates who owns several Gates Bar-B-Q restaurants.

135th St. Bar-B-Q sign

DELORES JOHNSON — THE KANSAS CITY STAR Harley Goerlitz slices up his slab of ribs hot off the grill as he prepares for the meat competition on Saturday, October 5, at the American Royal.

Earl Quicks Bar-B-Q sign

The Bacon Explosion. Photos courtesy of BBQ Addicts

Arthur Bryant celebrates his 76th birthday with a rendition of "Happy Birthday" from his customers.

The Bacon Explosion. Photos courtesy of BBQ Addicts

The short ends with fries and beef on bun with a side of beans at Arthur Bryant's Barbeque at 17th and Brooklyn.

The Bacon Explosion consists of: 2 pounds thick cut bacon, 2 pounds Italian sausage, 1 jar of your favorite barbeque sauce, 1 jar of your favorite barbeque rub. Photos courtesy of BBQ Addicts

Mike Ransdell — The Kansas City Star Poor Russ sandwich at Fiorella's Jack Stack Barbecue at 4747 Wyandotte on the County Club Plaza.

Ray Echols has worked at Arthur Bryant’s Barbeque for 19 years, bantering with customers who visit for the beef and ribs — whatever keeps them happy.

JOHN SLEEZER Smoke rises from the Waldo Drinkers and Smokers team smoker during Satuday's October 4, 2003 24th annual American Royal Barbecue at the American Royals Complex in Kansas City, MO. The team has been competing for 17 years in the competition.

Kansas City's barbecue mogul, Arthur Bryant, relaxes in the office behind his business at 1727 Brooklyn in 1981.

DAVID PULLIAM — THE KANSAS CITY STAR Woodrow Bacon started as a dishwasher back when Arthur Bryant was alive, though he had graduated to the barbecue pit by the time Bryant's moved to 18th and Brooklyn.

D's Rib House Barbeque

JILL TOYOSHIBA — JILL TOYOSHIBA From left, Mark Grieco of Olathe, James McMeins of Lenexa and Charles Grieco of Lenexa (Mark's dad) of Four Men and a Pig, prepare for the 25th American Royal Barbecue.

George Gates.

JOHN SLEEZER Smoke rises from smokers in the parking lot on the east side of the American Royal complex on Satuday morning October 4, 2003 before judging in the 24th annual American Royal Barbecue at the American Royals Complex in Kansas City, MO.

Arzelia Gates.

Mary Martin of Lenexa, can't get enough of Keb' Mo's performance on Saturday at the 2005 Rhythm and Ribs 18th and Vine Jazz Fest in Kansas City. "This is my fourth time seeing Keb' Mo'. He is awesome." addes Martin.

DAVID PULLIAM — THE KANSAS CITY STAR Pictured is a slab of ribs with barbecue sauce on it.

Fiorella's Jack Stack Barbecue sign

Hayward's Pit Bar-B-Que sign

DAVID PULLIAM — THE KANSAS CITY STAR David Stansbury says he'll answer to "Big Daddy" if the customer buys some ribs, but he really came up with the name just to get attention for the restaurant. Big Daddy's is at 5200 Raytown Road, Kansas City.

TIM JANICKE — THE STAR She knows the barbecue may be messy, but Kelley Carpenter (foreground) tries to make it to Lil' Jake's for lunch when she has meetings in Kansas City. She lives and works in Topeka.

MARCIO JOSE SANCHEZ — THE STAR A sampler tray from Gates Barbecue on 47th Street and The Paseo in Kansas City is the end result of slow-cooking efforts by cooks such as Jose Gonzalez.

The Bacon Explosion. Photos courtesy of BBQ Addicts

TIM JANICKE — THE STAR At the 12th and Brooklyn location, Arzelia Gates chomps into a barbecue rib.

Feb. 21, 1970 photo of Ollie Gates Barbeque

Long line of customers in Arthur Bryant's in 1975.

WHITNEY CURTIS — THE KANSAS CITY STAR Tim Muir of Lenexa, a member of the team Big Sausage, had his hands and mouth full keeping watch over the cooking during the 22nd annual Great Lenexa Barbecue Battle.

MARCIO JOSE SANCHEZ — THE STAR A sampler tray from Gates Barbecue on 47th Street and The Paseo in Kansas City is the end result of slow-cooking efforts by cooks.

1956 photo of Gates Famous Ol' Kentucky Bar-B-Q, 24th and Broadway 1956

Oden's Family Bab-B-Q Kansas City Barbecue.

TALIS BERGMANIS — THE STAR Three generations of the Gates family in their restaurant at Brush Creek and the Paseo. From left: Winnifred Gates; her brother, Ollie Gates; Arzelia June Gates and Ollie Gates' daughter, Arzelia F. Gates.

Laura's BAR-B-Q n stuff sign.

A creamy sweet-sour pasta salad complements chicken barbecued in a zesty tomato-based sauce.

Mike Ransdell — The Kansas City Star Certified Barbecue Judge Steve Aue of Pensacola, Fla., dove into some BBQ chicken during the judging portion of the American Royal BBQ.

Mike Ransdell — The Kansas City Star American Royal Barbecue judge Don Patterson of Cass County found the tasty entries Saturday to be, well, finger-licking good. Contestants at the local event came from both coasts and Australia.

TIM JANICKE — THE STAR Grace Harris, cook at the Grand Emporium, holding a plate of barbecue and fries.

Undated photo of Arthur Bryant.

JULIE JACOBSON — THE STAR Arthur Bryant's pitmaster Woodrow Bacon learned the well known establishment's secrets from Bryant himself when he started working there in 1959. Now, the 73-year-old cook is in charge of the many pounds of beef, pork, turkey, ham and chicken that enter the pit.