New to Kansas City, I tried this famous BBQ spot to see if it’s worth the hype
As someone who’s new to the Kansas City area, the most common question that I get asked is which barbecue spots have I been to. That usually comes with a response of “You’ve got to try Joe’s!”
It’s certainly been on my radar since I first moved here a few months ago, especially with all the national attention it has received. Yelp recently named Joe’s Kansas City Bar-B-Que as one of the best U.S. restaurants of 2026. The establishment has been cosigned by Patrick Mahomes, Barack Obama and Paul Rudd, and continues to be a staple when it comes to Kansas City barbecue.
I was once told that part of the Kansas City experience is eating inside Joe’s gas station location, 3002 W. 47th Ave., Kansas City, Kansas. Because people say there can be hour-long waits to get inside, I went during lunchtime to make sure I grabbed a seat for my first time in the restaurant.
So, does Joe’s have a case a for being Kansas City’s premiere barbecue spot? Here’s how the experience panned out for me.
KC’s highly rated BBQ restaurant... is in a gas station?
I tell people my favorite restaurants are usually the ones that aren’t trying to be cute. Whether it’s a hole-in-the-wall establishment, or somewhere where there’s nowhere to sit, those are usually my reliable spots. However, upon hearing that Joe’s was in a gas station, I was a bit skeptical.
Not that there is anything wrong with gas station food, as it’s gotten me through some long nights. But in a town like Kansas City, it surprised me that one of the better barbecue joints would be in a gas station.
Upon seeing the spot in person, my perspective completely changed. Right when you walk in, there’s a gas station clerk on the side with all the pit stop items you may need, like gum, soda, even beer being available.
They even had engine oil available for purchase. The idea of walking out with leftover brisket and a bottle of 5W-30 seems like an experience I can only have at Joe’s.
Joe’s menu features comforting and filling options
Patrick Mahomes once said that he would order the Z-Man sandwich ($12.79) from Joe’s every two weeks. That right there was enough to convince me to try it. The popular sandwich is loaded with brisket, provolone cheese, topped with onion rings and sauce.
I definitely enjoyed the sandwich, though it took a couple of bites to get that provolone taste, as there was a small amount considering the amount of meat and onion rings on it. And while a kaiser roll isn’t usually my first choice of bread, it certainly helped the flavor of the Z-Man while doing a good job on keeping everything together.
One warning I will issue about the Z-Man: This will probably make you sleepy after the fact, so be careful eating this on your lunch break.
Next up on my plate was a dinner platter that had ribs and burnt ends ($25.99). I’ll get my lows out of the way: I wasn’t a big fan of their burnt ends. I’ve grown to be a fan of the dish since moving to Kansas City, but this version tasted a bit dry for my liking. Maybe it was an off-day? Who knows, but the Joe’s sauce definitely helped out.
But the real star of the platter was the ribs. When I first saw them, I was curious about the lack of barbecue sauce, as I’m so used to eating ribs slathered in it. After one bite, all that curiosity was kicked out the window.
Those ribs might just be some of the best I ever had, and I’ve been to a lot of cookouts in my lifetime. The fact that I could visibly see the seasoning on the ribs was a telltale sign that I was in for something special.
But for the first time in my life, I could taste the smokiness in the ribs. I didn’t even think that was possible.
While I definitely see the hype for the Z-Man, those ribs at Joe’s might need the same amount of attention after what I had. The ribs also get extra points for not needing a lot of sauce, as it prevented things from getting messy while enjoying some pretty tender ribs.
As for the sides, the mac and cheese ($6.69) was acceptable. It wasn’t bad; I’m just a baked mac and cheese guy. Joe’s mac is kind of the standard version of the side dish, but it still did its job.
The BBQ beans ($5.19) were hands down my favorite side. With the amount of meat and beans they gave you, that could probably be your full meal right there. I also was given a gargantuan bag of fries for my dinner platter, which reminded me that the meat platter is meant to be shared.
The fries were alright, they were well seasoned but nothing special otherwise. But who goes to barbecue spots for french fries anyways?
Where would I rank Joe’s for KC BBQ?
Leading up to my experience at Joe’s, I tried Gates, Q39 and Jack Stack. I can confidentially say that Joe’s surpassed them all for me.
What stood out the most about Joe’s wasn’t just the food and the service, but the overall aesthetic. It felt like I was eating at a historical landmark because of how unique the space is.
A gas station that’s big enough for people to sit down and eat, while also attaining that aura of a local diner, was the best part of being there. Sure, maybe it’s not the fanciest space, but it certainly keeps things classic and simple, which is how I think barbecue restaurants should be.
The argument for Kansas City’s best barbecue is subjective, and it will continue long after giving my opinion on the debate. One thing is for certain, whether you’re new to town or here for a short trip, visiting Joe’s is definitely worth a trip to the Kansas side.
Joe’s Bar-B-Que is open 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and is closed on Sundays. It also has locations in Leawood at 11723 Roe Ave. and Olathe at 11950 S. Strang Line Road.
