What’s the best BBQ in Kansas City? Vote for the winner in our bracket’s final round
Update: Out of respect for Rob Magee, the Q39 founder who passed away Dec. 3, we’re holding off on the Barbecue Bracket until after the first of the year. Use this time to remember him fondly and have some barbecue.
The final showdown is set for the Kansas City Barbecue Bracket.
After four rounds, thousands of votes and 32 contenders, two barbecue restaurants are still standing, both founded by former amateurs on the barbecue competition circuit who turned pro.
In this corner we have Joe’s Kansas City Bar-B-Que, which has drawn nationwide acclaim for its iconic Z-Man sandwich, ribs, fries and more. Jeff and Joy Stehney opened their first KC area restaurant (then called Oklahoma Joe’s) in 1995, and now operate three.
And in this corner we have Q39, beloved for its brisket and burnt ends, of course, but also for more unexpected offerings, such as chicken wings and apple coleslaw. The first Q39 opened in 2014, and now there are two. Sadly, founder Rob Magee died Dec. 3 of colon cancer.
To recap, last month we trimmed the 100-plus restaurants on our barbecue guide down to 32 and asked you to vote for your favorite 16, followed by your favorite eight, then four, then two to crown the best barbecue joint in the five-county Kansas City area.
In the Flavorful 4 round, 4,275 people voted, knocking out Fiorella’s Jack Stack Barbecue (a very close third place) and Zarda Bar-B-Q & Catering Co.
Now in the Tasty 2 round, you pick just one.
Check back in January to vote.
This story was originally published December 7, 2021 at 5:00 AM.
