KCK will celebrate its iconic barbecue spots. Here’s how and when
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- Visit KCK will launch a 14-stop BBQ Trail in Kansas City, Kansas, this September.
- Mobile check-ins on the trail allow visitors to earn points and track progress.
- Wyandotte County honored BBQ spots for upholding Kansas City's food tradition.
Following the success of the taco trail and the addition of a legacy trail that takes visitors to cultural landmarks in Kansas City, Kansas, Visit KCK is adding a new trail for visitors to explore following a proclamation from the Unified Government of Wyandotte County.
The tourism department announced its BBQ Trail, which will take visitors on a journey to all of the county’s 14 barbecue restaurants. Visit KCK spokesperson Ritz Dasgupta said they’re looking to launch the self-guided trail in September.
While barbecue is the draw for the trail, she said that, like the taco trail, the goal is for people to explore businesses and neighborhoods in the Kansas City, Kansas, area that they may not have visited otherwise. When the trail launches, she said it’ll operate similarly to the other trails, allowing visitors to check in with a mobile passport to earn points and track the number of places they have visited.
“This is another way to experience KCK,” Dasgupta said. “Food brings people together in the most beautiful way, and Kansas City is known for barbecue, so we’re just showing you a fun way to experience Kansas City barbecue.”
The Red Machine Party Bus-style trip that’s associated with the taco trail could also be implemented for the barbecue trail, but since there are 14 barbecue stops on the trail, compared to the nearly 60 taco shops on the trail, Dasgupta said they’re still working on what that might look like if there’s enough interest from visitors.
The restaurants featured on the trail primarily serve barbecue. A restaurant can serve a barbecue item, but not be included on the trail if that’s not what they’re known for, she said.
“Kansas City, Kansas is a proud home to some of the most beloved and time-honored BBQ traditions in the country,” Mayor Tyrone Garner said in a statement. “From wood-fired smokers to sauce-dripped burnt ends, our community continues to set the standard — not just locally, but nationally — and we’re thrilled to celebrate that legacy.”
The proclamation from Wyandotte County comes as the government faces budget issues, a decision on potentially increasing property taxes and construction on major bridges in the area, that latter of which has put one of the restaurants on the trail in jeopardy of shutting down.
What barbecue restaurants are featured on Visit KCK’s BBQ Trail?
Garner honored 13 barbecue restaurants and the American Royal with the Dotte Proud Recognition Award on July 10 for their contributions to the community and upholding the tradition of Kansas City–style barbecue.
These restaurants are also featured on Visit KCK’s BBQ trail when it launches in September, and all are in Kansas City, Kansas, unless stated otherwise:
Big Q Barbeque: 2117 S. 34th St.
Blind Box BBQ: 1601 Village West Parkway (also located at 13214 W. 62nd Terrace in Shawnee)
Holy Smoke BBQ: 8050 Leavenworth Road
Famous Dave’s Bar-B-Que: 1320 Village West Parkway
Joe’s KC BBQ: 3002 W. 47th Ave.
Jones Bar-B-Q: 6706 Kaw Drive
KPOT Korean BBQ & Hot Pot: 1705 Village West Parkway (also located at 8502 N. Jefferson St. in Kansas City and 7001 W. 135th St. in Overland Park)
Quentin’s BBQ & Sides: 611 W. Second St., Bonner Springs
Rosedale Bar-B-Q: 600 Southwest Blvd.
Roscoe’s BBQ: 9711 Kaw Drive, Edwardsville
Slap’s BBQ: 553 Central Ave.
Woodyard Bar-B-Que: 3001 Merriam Lane
Wyandot Barbeque: 8441 State Ave.
American Royal’s World Series of Barbecue runs Nov. 5-9 at Kansas Speedway, 400 Speedway Blvd. It’s a competition that invites pitmasters from all over the world to compete and show off their smoked meats. Tickets go on sale for the event in August.
This story was originally published July 16, 2025 at 3:54 PM.
