New KC area barbecue restaurant opens. ‘Best of what you can make’
The first two days at American Way Smokehouse in Independence were busy, to say the least.
Customers began lining up before the restaurant even opened its doors. By the time service began at 10 a.m., visitors were hungry for pulled pork, ribs, coleslaw and more.
“Barbecue brunch,” owner Patricia Moore joked.
She and husband Mike Moore traveled from Arizona for the opening of their new restaurant last week. With the help of manager Jace Sanders, they brought the Chandler restaurant from the Phoenix area to the barbecue capital.
While they don’t have ties to the area, Mike said he traveled across the country to curate items for his menu, and he thinks Kansas City does barbecue best.
“We already love and always have loved the Kansas City culture,” Mike said.
The Moores also own the adjoining business, antique mall Merchant Square, at 17730 E. 39th St S.
Mike called the combination of businesses a “retail entertainment experience.” As a bonus, American Way has a stage to welcome live bands. They’re planning a show this Saturday, from 5 to 7 p.m.
On American Way’s barbecue-centric menu: pulled pork and brisket sandwiches, rib plates, smoked chicken, beans and more.
The beans and coleslaw have a slight kick to them. The Moores say that’s the Arizona inspiration showing through.
The restaurant is also part-bakery, selling a variety of cookies: sugar, lemon poppy seed, snickerdoodle, orange dreamsicle, etc.
The reception to the food has been overwhelmingly positive, both owners and Sanders said.
“It’s like when you have someone over to your house for dinner,” Patricia said. “You want to give them the best of what you make.”
“You should come here expecting to feel like you came to someone who loves you,” Mike added.
While Kansas City has its fair share of barbecue restaurants, there aren’t as many in Independence. One is Gates, which is at 10440 E. U.S. Hwy 40.
“We’ve had a lot of people who are local here in Independence saying, ‘Thank you so much, we needed this here,’” she said, adding that there’s a lot of fast food nearby.
Merchant Square first started in Chandler, Arizona, around 2001. The Moores opened a restaurant next door and quickly decided they wanted to expand.
More than two years ago, they did. Sanders moved out to manage the store, since he has a good friend in Independence. The restaurant plans were always in the works but have only just come into fruition.
The first days were so busy that they had to close Sunday.
“I just didn’t have any food to sell,” Sanders said.
They hope the excitement for American Way will continue.
Up in the Northland, another barbecue restaurant also recently opened. Longtime barbecue caterer and food truck Off the Hook is now open at 7506 N. Oak Trafficway in Gladstone.