600 Sam’s Clubs selling Kansas City BBQ, with help from award-winning local pitmaster

“Kansas City-style” burnt ends will now be sold across the country as Sam’s Club launches the hardwood-smoked brisket under its Member’s Mark brand.

And the company turned to a Kansas City pitmaster to help create the recipe for the seasoned beef brisket points.

Todd Johns, co-owner of Plowboys Barbeque, has won more than 500 barbecue awards and four World Championships. He said Sam’s Club wanted their burnt ends to be “Kansas City authentic.”

“They came to Kansas City last fall specifically to learn about burnt ends. My part was the education and the cooking method,” Johns said. “It was definitely fun to be part of it, and they just didn’t put out a product and slap our city’s name on it. They came and did the research.”

He advised smoking the brisket for 10 hours. Sam’s Club later came up with a brown sugar and coffee rub. Its customers just heat up the morsels and brush on a little of the barbecue sauce that comes in the package. It even has the Kansas City Barbeque Society Seal of Approval.

A 2-pound pack sells for $19.98, and Sam’s Club says it can be used as an appetizer or main ingredient for sandwiches, nachos or even baked potatoes.

Sam’s Club is a division of Walmart and provides members exclusive savings on a variety of items. The nearly 600 Sam’s Clubs across the country, including Puerto Rico, are carrying the burnt ends.

Plowboys Barbeque was founded in Blue Springs in 2013 and also has locations in Overland Park and downtown Kansas City. The downtown location is temporarily closed because of a busted sprinkler line in late February and should reopen this summer.

This story was originally published April 24, 2021 at 5:00 AM.