We toured the new Museum of BBQ. See photos from inside KC’s latest attraction
If you want to understand Kansas City, you better understand barbecue.
One Kansas City man has made educating the masses on the topic of KC’s gift to the culinary world his mission.
After six years of hard work, Jonathan Bender’s dream of opening the Museum of BBQ in Kansas City is coming to fruition. Bender’s passion project is set to open Saturday on the second floor of the Crown Center Shops.
“It’s been six years in the making, so the idea that the day is almost here, when we can welcome people in, is really joyous,” Bender said. The local author and foodie was excited to greet guests Wednesday during a soft opening for family and friends.
Bender explained the museum’s concept. “It’s a series of ten installations that are intentionally interactive, so you get to smell the components of spice and you get to touch the wood that fuels smokers,” he said, pointing out a large display of five types of wood. “Our goal really is for you to understand how flavor is built in barbecue and then tour you through the main American regions, so you learn about the different spice profiles of Memphis and Texas and the Carolinas and of course, Kansas City.”
Of course, no story of barbecue is complete without beans, so the museum features a “bean pit”—a massive, oversized crock of beans that visitors can immerse themselves in and play in regardless of age.
Explaining his love for barbecue, Bender said, “Barbecue is such a communal thing, right? It’s about celebrating and being together. I just discovered that pitmasters are amazing storytellers and barbecue is so sensorial. So the idea that we can build a place that would celebrate those things and bring people together in person felt really meaningful and important.”
Bender collaborated on the museum with Alex Pope, butcher and co-owner of Local Pig, who is his partner and business manager.
“Jonathan’s a friend, and he has been telling me about this idea for years,” Pope said. “I can’t take any credit for the inspiration here. This is his brainchild, it’s great.”
Pope explained that the Museum of BBQ has generated unexpected excitement globally, hearing from people and journalists from Brazil, Italy and all of the United States expressing interest in the museum.
In addition to the exhibits, the museum gift shop is well-stocked with sauces, spices, rubs and barbecue merchandise like shirts, hats and fuzzy dog toys.
David Gist, a visitor from Mississippi, was surprised to see barbecue sauce from Memphis in the gift shop when he stopped in during a break from a conference he was attending in Crown Center.
During the Wednesday event, Bender greeted visitors with a smile and walked through the exhibits. “The best part about sharing Kansas City’s barbecue history with Kansas City and the world is telling all the stories,” Bender said. “Barbecue is really about people and about culture.”
Tickets are available online and at the museum. Hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday.
This story was originally published April 10, 2025 at 7:00 AM.
