JoyceKC’s Quick Bites: KC votes for best BBQ, Tom+Chee sets opening in Olathe

Fiorella’s Jack Stack Barbecue is Kansas City’s favorite barbecue, with Joe’s Kansas City (formerly Oklahoma Joe’s Barbecue) a close second, according to a new survey by Remington Research Group.

The Kansas City-based public opinion firm typically does political polling but with the upcoming American Royal it decided to survey area residents about barbecue.

The survey found Kansas Citians narrowly prefer Fiorella’s Jack Stack (27 percent of those surveyed) over Joe’s Kansas City (24 percent). Gates Bar-B-Q garnered 17 percent of the votes, while Arthur Bryant’s was chosen by 10 percent of those surveyed.

Remington said Fiorella’s Jack Stack was the top choice in southern and western Johnson County, Cass County, Eastern Jackson County and Platte County. Joe’s Kansas City took the lead in northeast Johnson County, portions of the Country Club Plaza and Clay County. Gates got the most support in Kansas City, Kan., and the Kansas City portion of Jackson County. Arthur Bryant’s was strong in downtown Kansas City.

Residents also were asked to choose their favorite barbeque entrée and side dish.

Beef brisket tallied 28 percent of the votes. Pork spareribs came in a close second at 27 percent, followed by burnt ends at 17 percent. Pulled pork’s supporters numbered 10 percent of those surveyed.

As for side dishes, 49 percent of the respondents picked baked beans, while 18 percent preferred french fries and 14 percent opted for coleslaw.

The survey of 4,438 area residents was conducted Sept. 27 through Sept. 29.

Olathe’s new Tom+Chee

Cincinnati-based restaurant company Tom+Chee has set an Oct. 24 opening for its first area restaurant.

The location, at 14991 W. 119th St., Olathe, will specialize in tomato soup and grilled cheese sandwiches, but it also is known for its “fresh ingredients and quirky takes on comfort food classics.”

Menu items include the vegetarian Hippy+Chee (with hummus, cucumber, mixed greens, tomato and cheddar cheese on wheat bread), Grilled Cheese Donuts (including caramelized banana and Gouda) and fresh salads. It also offers a variety of vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options.

Tom+Chee started as a food tent in downtown Cincinnati, Ohio. But after the founders pitched their business on ABC's “Shark Tank” in May 2013, they said they received more than 20,000 inquiries from people who wanted to operate their own Tom+Chee.

This story was originally published October 1, 2014 at 2:03 PM with the headline "JoyceKC’s Quick Bites: KC votes for best BBQ, Tom+Chee sets opening in Olathe."