This KC barbecue spot is one of the best restaurants in the nation, Yelp says
One of Kansas City’s premiere barbecue spots is the 15th best restaurant in the country, according to Yelp’s new ranking. The business review website the highest-reviewed restaurants, diners, fast-casual spots, food halls, and more — all ranked by the Yelp users.
At No. 15 was Joe’s Kansas City Bar-B-Que, which was described by Yelp as a place that turns “humble handhelds into destination-worthy bites.” Joe’s was one of nine sandwich spots to make Yelp’s top 100 list. It currently has a 4.6/5 stars with over 5,000 reviews on Yelp.
Last year, Triune, a fine-casual establishment near Kansas City’s West Side was the 21st best new restaurant on Yelp’s 2025 list. Triune, which means three in one, currently has a 4.4/5 stars with 70 reviews on Yelp.
What were Yelp’s top five U.S. restaurants?
According to Yelp users, these are the five best restaurants in the U.S.:
1. Ci Siamo, New York
2. Taste of Texas, Houston
3. NAM Kitchen, Gardena, California
4. Waffle and Berry, Honolulu
5. Comfort Cafe, San Antonio
Joe’s national recognition continues
This isn’t the first Yelp list that Joe’s has been included on. In 2024, they released the top 100 U.S. barbecue spots, where Joe’s came in at No. 6. Four other barbecue restaurants made the 2024 list, including Q39 Midtown, Scott’s Kitchen and Catering at Hangar 29, Slap’s BBQ and Char Bar.
At this point, Joe’s is used to the national attention that it gets. In 2019, Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes said that he would get the Joe’s Z-Man sandwich delivered to him once every two weeks when he appeared on “Jimmy Kimmel Live.” The sandwich features your choice of brisket, pulled pork, pulled chicken or portobello, topped with onion rings, provolone cheese and Joe Bar-B-Que sauce.
During former President Barack Obama’s visit to Kansas City in 2014, a takeout order for about $1,400 worth of ribs, pork, sausage, and side dishes was packed up and shipped out on Air Force One.
In 2022, Joe’s was the winner of The Kansas City Star’s barbecue bracket, which was based on reader suggestions. Joe’s won with 1,188 votes.
Joe’s Bar-B-Que can be found at its iconic gas station location, 3002 W. 47th Ave. in Kansas City, Kansas. It is open 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and is closed on Sundays.
It also has locations in Leawood at 11723 Roe Ave. and Olathe at 11950 S. Strang Line Road.
