Kansas City barbecue scene heats up with bold new flavors

Kansas City's barbecue scene crackles with innovation and tradition, serving up everything from fusion menus to fresh spins on beloved classics. This list of stories outlines an explosion of creativity, featuring newcomers like Smoak Craft Barbecue’s brisket street corn and Barbacoa’s brisket taquitos, plus upscale dives like Night Goat combining honky-tonk charm with barbecue tacos.

Action takes center stage at events like the KC Smoke Show and the American Royal World Series of Barbecue, where pitmasters compete for bragging rights. Char Bar raises the game with its new location offering indoor pickleball, while Fiorella’s Jack Stack and LC’s keep locals debating the region’s best ribs. Whether you crave smoky tradition or bold international twists, Kansas City’s barbecue is hotter than ever.

The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories below were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.

The new owners of Arthur Bryant’s Barbeque are Chris Stuewe, left, and Andrew Miller.

NO. 1: MEET NEW OWNERS OF KANSAS CITY’S ARTHUR BRYANT’S BBQ. THEY’RE PLANNING SOME TWEAKS

”We want to remind the city, the region and the world that Arthur Bryant’s is one of, if not the best, barbecue restaurants in the world.” | Published January 6, 2023 | Read Full Story by Joyce Smith

Proud Souls Barbecue & Provisions Kansas City is selling a variety of barbecue supplies and equipment, along with meats.

NO. 2: WORLD CHAMPION PITMASTERS OPEN NEW KANSAS CITY BARBECUE STORE. THEY’LL OFFER CLASSES

“It’s a very family-friendly barbecue store with a lot of expertise and experience in the barbecue world.” | Published January 9, 2023 | Read Full Story by Joyce Smith

Joe’s Kansas City’s skin-on seasoned fries are its most popular side.

NO. 3: FOOD WEBSITE SAYS TO SKIP THESE SIDES AT BBQ RESTAURANTS. KANSAS CITY MIGHT DISAGREE

The website recommends skipping the macaroni and cheese, salad, vegetables, french fries and dessert. But one local barbecue sold 300,000 carrot cake cupcakes in 2022. | Published January 18, 2023 | Read Full Story by Joyce Smith

Philadelphia Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni speaks to the media during Super Bowl Opening Night in Phoenix.

NO. 4: WHY THIS KC BARBECUE RESTAURANT IS ESPECIALLY MEANINGFUL TO EAGLES COACH NICK SIRIANNI

Philadelphia Eagles coach Nick Sirianni has a fond place in his palate for Kansas City’s Jack Stack Barbecue. | Published February 7, 2023 | Read Full Story by Blair Kerkhoff

The smoked carnitas plate with pico de gallo, garlic crema and flour tortillas is on the menu at Barbacoa.

NO. 5: THEY LOVE KANSAS CITY BBQ AND MEXICAN FOOD. THEY COMBINED THEM IN THIS NEW RESTAURANT

The menu includes brisket taquitos, ceviche, smoked carnitas, shrimp diablo, and smoked turkey breast and mole with Yoli flour tortillas. The drink menu includes a Mexican mule and an agave martini. | Published April 11, 2023 | Read Full Story by Joyce Smith

Workers constructed one of dozens of tents on the south lawn of the National WWI Museum and Memorial Thursday in preparation for the NFL Draft activities. The NFL Draft Experience, interactive football exhibits and games, will take place on the south lawn.

NO. 6: BEST OF KANSAS CITY BARBECUE? YOU CAN BE THE JUDGE AS NFL BRINGS PITMASTERS HEAD-TO-HEAD

On the final day of the draft, fans can watch competitions and taste samples of beloved KC barbecue. | Published April 26, 2023 | Read Full Story by Joseph Hernandez

Contest participants Adam Henning of Sibley, Iowa, from left, and Tyson Sullivan of Omaha, Neb., chomped into their ribs under the watchful eye of actor Eric Stonestreet and NFL Commissioner as they competed in a rib eating contest at the KC Smoke Show at the NFL Draft on Saturday, April 29, 2023, in Kansas City. Sullivan was the Reserve Champion in the contest.

NO. 7: SLAP’S, JOE’S KC OR GATES? ERIC STONESTREET, FANS SEARCH FOR BEST KC BBQ AT NFL DRAFT

Which legendary Kansas City barbecue will NFL fans name No. 1 pick of the draft? | Published April 29, 2023 | Read Full Story by Jenna Thompson

Q39 offers jumbo chicken wings with a chipotle barbecue sauce.

NO. 8: THE LATEST ON KANSAS CITY BARBECUE: ONE BIG REMODELING, TWO BIG NATIONAL SHOUTOUTS

Anthony Bourdain had 13 international restaurants that he loved. One was in Johnson County. | Published May 10, 2023 | Read Full Story by Joyce Smith

Brasa Nation’s chicken will be marinated at least 24 hours and then grilled for an hour.

NO. 9: PERUVIAN CHARBROILED CHICKEN EATERY OPENING ON SITE OF A LONGTIME KANSAS CITY AREA BBQ

The chicken will be marinated at least 24 hours. Sides will include french fries, beans and rice. | Published June 22, 2023 | Read Full Story by Joyce Smith

While some local businesses suffered, barbecue restaurants thrived during the NFL Draft. Fans flocked to Arthur Bryant’s Barbeque before the second round began Friday.

NO. 10: KANSAS CITY TOPS NATIONAL LIST OF BEST BARBECUE CITIES IN THE U.S. KCK CAME IN 3RD

Cities around the KC metro dominated the national rankings. | Published June 27, 2023 | Read Full Story by Joseph Hernandez

Brisket, pickles, and pickled onions sit atop a plate at Wolfepack BBQ.

NO. 11: HIS BBQ SOLD ONLY AT FOOD TRUCK OR POP-UPS. NOW HE’S OPENED THIS KANSAS CITY RESTAURANT

Customers are raving about the burnt ends. But don’t sleep on the turkey. | Published September 8, 2023 | Read Full Story by David Hudnall

A slab of baby back ribs at Jack Stack Barbecue’s Freight House location.

NO. 12: I TRIED THE KANSAS CITY BARBECUE THAT JOSH HAWLEY LOVES. HE’S RIGHT: IT’S GREAT

Daniel Desrochers, The Star’s Washington correspondent, spends an unusual amount of time thinking about Josh Hawley, even what food the senator prefers. Because that’s his job. | Published September 19, 2023 | Read Full Story by Daniel Desrochers

Choga serves its marinated short ribs, or galbi, on a bed of caramelized yellow onions. The ribs can be cooked to order, or customers can cook them themselves at the table.

NO. 13: YES, KANSAS CITY HAS GREAT BBQ. BUT MY FAVORITE RIBS IN TOWN ARE AT THIS KOREAN PLACE

Korean short ribs, called galbi, are a “must try” at this Johnson County restaurant: tender, sweet and smoky and oh so rich in flavor. | Published October 17, 2023 | Read Full Story by Katie Moore

American Royal barbecue contest is coming soon to Kansas Speedway

NO. 14: NEW CHAMPION NAMED IN AMERICAN ROYAL WORLD SERIES OF BARBECUE OPEN AFTER ERRORS MADE

Errors were found during the audit of the four meat categories resulting in a new grand champion of last weekend’s American Royal World Series of Barbecue Open competition in Kansas City. | Published October 6, 2023 | Read Full Story by Robert A. Cronkleton

The Dixie Lan Bar-B-Que sign at 19th and Vine streets where founders Oswald and Bertha Bartlett, with family, operated a restaurant for nearly 30 years.

NO. 15: HISTORIC NEON SIGN HUNG AT A KANSAS CITY BBQ JOINT FOR DECADES. WILL IT SHINE AGAIN?

This barbecue sign could be restored — as long as the city gives permission and someone gives several thousand dollars. | Published October 27, 2023 | Read Full Story by Eric Adler

A saucy plate of tender, smoky long-end ribs at LC’s Bar-B-Q on Kansas City’s East Side: the best.

NO. 16: SORRY, JOSH HAWLEY, YOU’RE WRONG ABOUT THE BEST BBQ RIBS IN KC. THESE ARE THE GREATEST

Opinion editor Yvette Walker says it’s the smoke and the cut of meat that take these barbecue ribs to a higher level. | Published December 5, 2023 | Read Full Story by Yvette Walker

Night Goat, a Sunday barbecue pop-up inside Fox & Pearl, will get its own space in 2024.

NO. 17: ACCLAIMED KANSAS CITY RESTAURANT IS EXPANDING: BBQ AND HONKY-TONK DIVE BAR ON THE WAY

For four hours each week, this restaurant swaps out its upscale menu for a barbecue feast. Now the barbecue is getting its own home. | Published November 29, 2023 | Read Full Story by David Hudnall

The Holy Trinity: three ribs, black angus brisket, and burnt ends, with pit beans and fries.

NO. 18: KANSAS CITY BARBECUE RESTAURANT OPENS SECOND LOCATION, ADDS PICKLEBALL TO THE PLATTER

Check out the happy hour specials: $4 barbecue pork rinds, $5 local draft beers, $6 house wines and $7 pulled rib sliders, among other items. | Published December 5, 2023 | Read Full Story by David Hudnall

Roscoe’s Barbeque, a Wyandotte County favorite that closed in 2022, will reopen next year.

NO. 19: KANSAS CITY AREA BBQ JOINT CLOSED WHEN OWNERS RETIRED. THEIR SONS WILL SOON REOPEN IT

They expect burnt ends to continue to be a big draw, along with ribs (“dry rub, falling-off-the-bone style”) and sausage, all of which are smoked on site. | Published December 6, 2023 | Read Full Story by David Hudnall

The pulled pork sandwich from Smoak Craft Barbecue, coming soon to the Crossroads Food Stop. By Tarik Sykes

NO. 20: BARBECUE-AND-BURRITOS POP-UP WILL DEBUT PICKUP AND DELIVERY LOCATION IN KANSAS CITY

The breakfast menu includes burritos and bowls (brisket, pork, egg and potato). The lunch menu will serve barbecue plates, sandwiches and homemade sides. | Published March 5, 2024 | Read Full Story by David Hudnall

Burnt End BBQ will offer a burnt ends sandwich special at Crown Center.

NO. 21: THIS PART OF JOHNSON COUNTY DOESN’T HAVE A BARBECUE RESTAURANT. NOW ONE IS ON THE WAY

An old Johnson County Burger King will become a barbecue restaurant. | Published April 10, 2024 | Read Full Story by Jenna Thompson

Joe’s Kansas City Bar-B-Que is famous for brisket, burnt ends and (of course) ribs. The barbecue restaurant with locations in Kansas City, Kan., Olathe and Leawood was named one of the best restaurants in Kansas by a recent survey conducted by the Kansas Restaurant & Hospitality Association. By Tammy Ljungblad

NO. 22: THESE ARE THE BEST BBQ SPOTS IN THE US, YELP SAYS. FIVE ARE IN THE KANSAS CITY AREA

Barbecue restaurants in Texas and Arkansas beat out Kansas City in the rankings. | Published May 9, 2024 | Read Full Story by Jenna Thompson

Gerald Dunn, a jazz musician who also books acts for the Blue Room, has opened Dunn Deal BBQ in Grandview. By David Hudnall

NO. 23: BARBECUE AND JAZZ? NEW RESTAURANT IS POWERED BY KANSAS CITY’S TWO FAMOUS TRADITIONS

On the menu at this new barbecue joint: ribs, brisket, pulled pork, turkey and sausage (andouille with cheddar and jalapeno, served sliced). | Published June 12, 2024 | Read Full Story by David Hudnall

This report was produced with the help of AI tools, which summarized previous stories reported and written by McClatchy journalists. It was edited by journalists in our News division.