KC World Cup travelers are flocking to BBQ restaurants: ‘Just been crazy’
On Wednesday afternoon, Gustavo Sosa bit into his first platter of Kansas City ribs.
After chewing and swallowing, the Buenos Aires native pinched his index finger and thumb together, then brought it to his puckered lips as if to say, “perfection.” His friends sat at the table in Q39, wearing their Lionel Messi jerseys, and continued to dig in.
“It’s quite similar to Argentine barbecue, which is great for us,” Sosa said. “It’s amazing.”
The midtown restaurant saw its fair share of international visitors Wednesday, as well as the few days before. Chef Patrick Peluso said they’ve sold twice as much food in the past few days as they typically do.
Not every restaurant is seeing a boost in sales from the World Cup, but several other barbecue spots told The Star on Wednesday that they’ve experienced a considerable influx in customers. Visitors near and far have heard about Kansas City barbecue and decided to taste for themselves.
‘Been insane’
Joe’s Kansas City, already a tourist attraction at its KCK gas station location, has been a hotspot for those seeking ribs and burnt ends.
“The last two days have been insane,” spokesperson Eric Tadda told The Star on Wednesday. “It’s just been crazy.”
Tadda said Joe’s sales numbers are up 20% to 25%. The Argentina and Algeria game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on Tuesday brought a sizable number of barbecue fans, especially among Argentine asado-lovers.
Argentina’s barbecue is different from Kansas City’s, so Tadda has learned. Asado is cooked over an open fire. KC’s is typically slow-cooked in a smoker. Asado typically features minimal spices and fixings, but Kansas Citians love to slather on the sauce.
And then there are Argentina’s cuts of meat, which include chorizo and short ribs. As KC BBQ historians are aware, burnt ends are famously tied to the Midwest city.
“A lot of them have been super excited just to see how the meats are compared to theirs,” Tadda said.
It’s all been good feedback, Tadda said, from both domestic soccer fans and foreigners. He’s seen a decent show of international travelers, who’ve utilized the menus Joe’s printed in Spanish.
Up near the airport, Scott Umschied’s restaurant Scott’s Kitchen and Catering has been seeing an overwhelming increase in customers.
Many are hopping off the plane and looking for Kansas City barbecue, and others are staying in hotels nearby.
“Yesterday it just went absolutely nuts,” he said Wednesday. “We were full with a line from lunch until 4 p.m.”
Fan fest is ‘slammed’
Historic barbecue joint Arthur Bryant’s, in the 18th & Vine District, has been sufficiently busy, according to general manager Taylor Tobin.
Business has increased 35% to 45% in the last three days. Customers are chowing down on brisket, turkey and burnt ends, but one of those more than the others.
“We’re selling a massive amount of burnt ends,” Tobin said.
He admitted he was worried at first when he didn’t see the foot traffic he’d hoped for the week before the first Kansas City game kicked off. These past several days have been the tipping point.
He expects his business — and others — to only grow busier.
“I’ve been seeing people saying the World Cup is a bust after these first couple games,” he said. “If it hasn’t hit you yet, it’s going to.”
Those high numbers at the restaurant are even with Arthur Bryant’s selling its cuisine at the FIFA Fan Fest. Within the Fan Fest barriers, Tobin said crews are selling so much ‘cue they’re barely able to keep up.
“(Tuesday) we were slammed pretty much the whole time.”
Jack Stack’s Freight House location sits near the FIFA Fan Fest. A manager who spoke to The Star did not wish to share specific numbers about World Cup patronage but confirmed that the games have been good for business.
‘Nothing but great reviews’
Columbus Park’s Wolfpack BBQ is singing the same sentiment: more business, more barbecue to smoke.
And, like the other barbecue restaurants The Star interviewed, foreign customers are reportedly enjoying their meals.
“We’ve gotten nothing but great reviews,” said owner Kevin Hill. “We’re pretty busy inside the walls of Wolfpack.”
Like many restaurants, Wolfpack has extended its hours. It’s now open seven days a week and closes at 11 p.m. instead of 9 p.m.
Back at Q39, Jose Castillo and Eddy Zepeva, who hail from Ecuador, sit at a high top and chat with an employee.
They just got off the plane this morning and are looking forward to Saturday’s game at Arrowhead. They finished their meal and promised to return before they head home.
“They really have a lot of good meat,” Castillo told The Star, straining his voice above English and Spanish chatter mixing in the background.
Peluso said the Lawrence and Overland Park restaurants are busy, too, with plenty of customers who’ve crossed borders for soccer and burnt ends.
“They wanna taste the Midwest, and they wanna taste the barbecue,” he said.