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KC Barbecue Tours

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The roots of barbecue in Kansas City run deep. From its street vendor beginnings to over 100 barbecue restaurants today, there is no doubt Kansas City offers the best barbecue in the world!

Join KC Barbecue Tours on this bus-guided food tour as we travel through the city sampling barbecue from well known barbecue establishments and “hidden gem” barbecue joints.

Original KC Barbecue Tour: Fridays & Saturdays, 11:15 a.m.-3:15 p.m.

‘Cue & Brew Tour: Fridays & Saturdays, 5:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m.

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KC Barbecue Tours

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Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

KC Barbecue Tours - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

A Barbecue-and-Brewery Tour of Kansas City

Pair burnt ends with craft beers for a delicious way to experience kc..

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At 3Halves Brewing, you can pair session beers with a burnt ends sandwich from Jousting Pigs BBQ.

Courtesy of 3Halves Brewing Co.

For as long as anyone can remember, Kansas City has been synonymous with smoked meats. In fact, the city’s reputation for great barbecue dates all the way back to the early 1900s, when chef and restaurateur Henry Perry started slow-smoking a wide variety of meat and ended up launching a distinct regional style, now characterized by a thick, sometimes sweet tomato- or molasses-based sauce.

More recently, however, KC has also become known for its craft breweries. A wave of openings began in 2010, building on the foundation established by regional powerhouse Boulevard Brewing, which has been around since the 1980s. Today, these dozens of breweries serve beer drinkers throughout the city and suburbs with classic styles and creative interpretations of IPAs, lagers, goses, and more.

The best way to experience Kansas City’s two famous food groups is to pair them on a barbecue-and-beer tour of the town. Read on for a guide to the city’s best barbecue joints and nearby breweries for washing down your burnt ends.

A foundation of the Kansas City barbecue scene, Arthur Bryant’s is famous for its burnt ends.

Photo by Jason Dailey

Arthur Bryant’s Barbeque + Torn Label Brewing Co.

East crossroads.

When in Kansas City, you’re practically compelled to make a pilgrimage to Arthur Bryant’s in the East Crossroads. The city’s first official barbecue restaurant, it started as a food cart in 1908 and morphed into a brick-and-mortar “eat shop” two years later. It’s here that KC’s famous burnt ends first became a big deal. The restaurant used to offer the charred scraps—cut from the “point” half of a smoked brisket—for free at the counter, but after local journalist Calvin Trillin mentioned them in a 1972 article for Playboy (which also declared Bryant’s the “single greatest restaurant in the world”), they became a sought-after delicacy. Plan to arrive at Bryant’s prior to 11 a.m., before the burnt ends sell out, or opt for the saucy baby back ribs.

Swing by Torn Label Brewing Co. to try Belgian-inspired beers and hoppy IPAs.

Photo by Lesley Hunt (2)

Afterward, head a mile west to Torn Label Public House, located within Torn Label Brewing Co. , where you’ll find a selection of refined Belgian-inspired beers and hoppy brews. Must-tries include the Alpha pale ale, Monk and Honey Belgian ale, House Brew coffee-wheat stout, and any of the Hang ’em High IPAs.

Other barbecue in the area: Gates Bar-B-Q

Other breweries: City Barrel Brewing , Double Shift Brewing , Brewery Emperial , Casual Animal Brewing , and Nimble Brewing

You can’t go wrong with one of the meaty sandwiches at Danny Edwards BLVD BBQ.

Courtesy of Visit KC

Danny Edwards BLVD BBQ + Boulevard Brewing

Westside south.

Danny “Lil Jake” Edwards hails from Kansas City barbecue royalty. Inspired by his father, who operated a barbecue restaurant for more than 40 years, he opened his own 18-seat shop on Grand Boulevard in 1980 using his family’s recipes and the gruff slogan, “Eat it, and beat it.” In 2007, he relocated to his current space on Southwest Boulevard. When visiting, be sure to order the Big D sandwich, featuring burnt ends on rye bread with Swiss cheese and a pair of onion rings on top. Also grab a burnt ends plate or the ribs sandwich with spicy jambalaya.

Around since 1989, Boulevard Brewing is a stalwart of Kansas City’s craft beer scene.

Photo by Lisa Corson

Then go straight to Boulevard Brewing , which launched Kansas City’s craft brew scene when it opened in 1989. Sample an array of IPAs, sour ales, stouts, saisons, low-ABV options, and imperial powerhouses in the Beer Hall, or take your suds to the Rec Deck, where you can enjoy them alongside a game of shuffleboard or foosball.

Other breweries in the area: Alma Mader Brewing , Rochester Brewing and Roasting

Hawg Jaw’s Irish Hawg sandwich comes piled high with smoked corn beef, smoked sausage, Swiss cheese, and spicy sauerkraut.

Courtesy of Hawg Jaw Que and Brew

Hawg Jaw Que and Brew + The Big Rip Brewing

North kansas city, mo.

Hawg Jaw Que and Brew uses cherry wood to smoke its meat and rib racks, imparting a lighter—and some would say sweeter—flavor than traditional hickory-smoked barbecue. Come here for the Irish Hawg, a towering sandwich composed of smoked corned beef, smoked sausage, Swiss cheese, spicy sauerkraut, and Thousand Island dressing on toasted marble rye. Also popular is the rib dinner, available in a half or full rack and served with your choice of a side, like beans, cheesy corn, or smoked mac-and-cheese.

When you’re done feasting, roll next door to the Big Rip Brewing , where the beers are often named for sci-fi or horror films. Some of the tastiest options include the balanced IPAs, the 237 milk stout, the Hefe the Killer hefeweizen, and even the gluten-free Satine Raspberry beer, brewed with sorghum, Belgian candy syrup, and raspberry puree.

Other barbecue in the area: Smokin’ Guns BBQ

Other breweries: Callsign Brewing , Cinder Block Brewery

Barbecue and live blues come together at B.B.’s Lawnside in South Kansas City.

B.B.’s Lawnside BBQ + Kansas City Bier Co.

South kansas city.

At B.B.’s Lawnside BBQ , you can indulge in a rib tip platter or hefty slab of pork ribs while being serenaded by live blues. Owners Lindsay and Jo Shannon opened the beloved spot in 1990, replete with a barbecue pit from the 1950s, and offer Kansas City ’cue paired with Louisiana-inspired dishes like deep-fried boudin rice balls.

When you’ve had your fill, head to Kansas City Bier Co. for German-style classics, such as dunkel, helles, pils, kölsch, and hefeweizen, all made with malts and hops imported from Germany. The bierhalle and biergarten here offer a truly Bavarian cultural experience, complete with pretzels, sausages, and live polka music on select dates.

Other breweries in the area: BKS Artisan Ales

Jack Stack offers a little bit of everything, from burnt ends and pork spareribs to bone-in barbecue chicken.

Courtesy of Jack Stack Barbecue

Jack Stack BBQ + Martin City Brewing Co.

Martin city.

Visit Jack Stack BBQ in Martin City for burnt ends, pork spareribs, and the Big Pig, a mountain of a sandwich that comes with pulled pork, smoked ham, bacon, smoked provolone, a fried onion ring, and mustard barbecue sauce. Equally delicious is the Smokin’ Russ, which unites chopped burnt ends with jalapeños, spicy sauce, cheddar, and jack cheese.

Jack Stack has several locations, but the Martin City outpost is less than a quarter mile from the cold beer at Martin City Brewing Co. Pizza and Taproom . Favorite brews here include the Hard Way IPA, the Belgian-style Abbey Ale, and the Operation Yoga Pants gluten-free ale, as well as limited releases like the summery Double Berry sour and the Donut Stout flavored with maple and vanilla.

Other breweries in the area: Transparent Brewing

The burnt ends sandwich at Jousting Pigs is a thing of beauty.

Courtesy of Jousting Pigs BBQ

Jousting Pigs BBQ + 3Halves Brewing Co.

Liberty, mo.

Just 16 miles north of Kansas City, Jousting Pigs BBQ is actually located inside 3Halves Brewing . It’s run by Liberty natives John and Brandi Atwell, who got their start competing together in barbecue competitions and snagged multiple awards over a five-year span, along with their friend and fellow competitor Rod Blackburn. Order the burnt-end sandwich and brisket-loaded mac-and-cheese, take it outside to the spacious patio, and pair it with one of 3Halves’ unfussy session beers, like the Stick’em Up Stout (named after Jesse James’ 1886 daylight bank robbery in the surrounding neighborhood) or the lighter Civic Duty ale.

Burn Theory Fire Kitchen + Diametric Brewing

Lee’s summit, mo.

You’ll find another barbecue-at-a-brewery situation in Lee’s Summit, 22 miles east of Kansas City. Burn Theory Fire Kitchen offers hickory-smoked barbecue (St. Louis–style ribs) and international pub fare (a Cubano sandwich with smoked pulled pork, a Mexican street food–inspired corn casserole baked directly on the smoker), while Diametric Brewing is beloved for its TD Tossin Patrick MaHazy NEIPA and Baby Mahazy hibiscus pale ale (both named for Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes) as well as its Pond Side pale ale and sour-fruited gose.

Other barbecue in the area: Jazzy B’s Diner

Other breweries: Fringe Brewing , Grains and Taps , the Goat Brewing Co. , and Smoke Brewing

Harp Barbecue + Crane Brewing

Raytown, mo.

Place an advance order online with Harp Barbecue for Texas-style sliced brisket, whole pork butt, and party platters of assorted meats, then pick it up on Saturdays at next-door Crane Brewing . There, pitmaster Tyler Harp also hawks weekend specials (Cajun shrimp poutine, sausage stuffed with blueberries and sharp white cheddar) until they sell out.

Just 20 minutes southeast of Kansas City, right next to the Rock Island bike trail, Crane Brewing is known for its sour fruit–forward gose, Tea Weiss, and Farmhouse IPA. You should also ask about their limited releases and collaborations, which have included a coffee stout made with Missouri-roasted Oleo Coffee and the Waldo Thai-PA (a NEIPA brewed with lemongrass, lime leaf, coconut, and galangal).

Other barbecue in the area: Big T’s Bar B Q , LC’s Bar-B-Q

At Zarda’s, the finest meats are smoked over Ozark hickory for a unique flavor.

Courtesy of Zarda Bar-B-Q

Zarda Bar-B-Q + East Forty Brewing

Blue springs, mo.

A family-run operation, Zarda Bar-B-Q in Blue Springs uses only Ozark hickory to smoke the finest cuts of meat. The menu features everything from burnt ends, brisket, and ribs to turkey, ham, and smoked Italian sausage, but the Pitmaster special—complete with pulled pork, ribs, pit-charred burnt ends, beans, and fries—is the must-order meal.

Less than a three-minute drive away is East Forty Brewing , one of the better suburban craft breweries that has opened around Kansas City in recent years. Come here to savor the crisp Jackson County Common ale, refreshing Blue Springer Weisse, or Sunrise Saison, accented with ginger and lime.

>>Next: The AFAR Guide to Kansas City

Explore the metro by embarking on Trails, each a veritable barbecue expedition showcasing restaurants grouped by themes, such as old-school joints, geography and more. Enjoy the sights and sounds of the districts and neighborhoods along the way for a full Kansas City experience.

KANSAS CITY BARBECUE AS SEEN ON TV

Thanks to high-profile features on travel and food television, there’s no shortage of celebrity smokers in KC, from old-school classics to modern marvels—each featured in the KC BBQ Experience app’s As Seen on TV trail.

BARBECUE BUCKET LIST

Hotspots and highlights shine along this trail featuring crowd favorites.

CENTER OF THE BARBECUENIVERSE

Embark on a trail that highlights some of the finest joints in the heart of the city.

CONQUERING JOHNSON COUNTY

A short drive south guarantees saucy splendor in popular hubs like Overland Park and Olathe.

Aged like a fine wine, these classic joints have been smokin’ for more than 50 years.

RULER OF THE NORTH

Discover delicious bites at hotspots north of the Missouri River.

SHORT DRIVE, BIG FLAVOR

From Blue Springs to Lee’s Summit, travel south and east for unbeatable barbecue tastes.

THE KANSAS SIDE

Barbecue spots located on the other half of the state line.

Download the app for iOS and Android

#KCBBQExperience

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Taste of Kansas City Food Tours

Kansas city food & drink tours, kansas city's original foodie tour.

Kansas City is home to a seriously hip & happening food scene. This is where chefs’ and restauranteurs’ have migrated to show off their culinary flair. Sip, savor & explore 5-6 mom & pop cafe’s and restaurants within 3 of KC’s most historic, off-the-beaten path neighborhoods on this 3 hour, guided bus tour. read more …

Tour Length

Tour Distance

3 – 5 Miles

Neighborhoods

KC’s Most Historic

Kansas City's Original BBQ Tour

Do you love BBQ?  

Whether or not you are from KC the word “barbecue” is synonymous with our town, history, and is often times what draws visitors to our city. read more …

3-3.5 Hours

Kansas City Private Group Tours

Enjoy an exclusive experience limited to your group members only; a perfect activity option for large groups, families, corporate outings, birthday celebrations, and team-building events. read more …

Prices Vary

Our Reviews at Tripadvisor

Tasteofkcfoodtours.

EAT. DRINK. LOCAL.

Celebrating 12 years in Business!

Founded in 2010, TASTE OF KANSAS CITY FOOD TOURS® became the proud pioneer of KC’s first food tour. The very first locally owned company wild enough to lead a group of strangers’ through the streets of KC while tasting delicious food from our favorite places. We are Kansas City’s original & #1 rated culinary, cocktail & history tour.

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KC’s First & Original Culinary Tour 

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Kansas City Barbecue Tour

Recipes from this episode.

Pulled Pork with Some Serious Bite

Jalapeno Sausage

Kansas City-Style Burnt Ends

Three Bean Burnt End Chili

Restaurants from this episode.

Woodyard Bar-B-Que

Smokin' Guns BBQ

Johnny's Bar-B-Q

RJ's Bob-Be-Que Shack

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Discover Kansas City BBQ: Restaurant Tours and More

Written by teresa bitler, eat & drink | kansas | missouri | restaurants | travel.

No trip to Kansas City is complete without a stop at one of the city’s more than 100 barbecue joints to taste Kansas City BBQ.

A Kansas City BBQ tour is an ideal foodie foray into the barbecue world. For carnivores, no trip to Kansas City is complete without a stop at one of the city’s more than 100 barbecue joints.

Instead of randomly picking one place for lunch or dinner, I boarded a bus for a 4-hour tour with KC Barbecue Tours . We stopped at four local favorites, sampling at least one generous serving of meat, plus a side dish. (I was stuffed by the end of the tour.)

Here’s where we went, what we sampled, and what I learned about Kansas City BBQ.

What's in This Article:

Kansas City BBQ Birthplace: Arthur Bryant’s

Our first stop was Arthur Bryant’s , the birthplace of Kansas City barbecue. As we approached, we learned how Henry Perry moved from the Memphis area to Kansas City and, in 1908, began selling slow-smoked ribs drenched in a peppery sauce from a cart. Soon, he could purchase a small restaurant that became a favorite with musicians during the Jazz Age.

The sign outside Arthur Bryant’s BBQ. Photo by Teresa Bitler

He also hired an assistant, Charlie Bryant, whose brother, Arthur Bryant, followed him into the business. When Perry died in 1940, Charlie took over, and six years later, the company passed to Arthur, who renamed the restaurant Arthur Bryant’s.

The restaurant became a local institution and in 1974 gained national when Kansas City native Calvin Trillin wrote an article in the New Yorker proclaiming Arthur Bryant’s the best restaurant on the planet.

Arthur Bryant’s is known for its ribs. Photo by Teresa Bitler

Some barbecue aficionados will debate that (more on that later). Still, over the years, presidents including Harry Truman, Ronald Regan, and Barack Obama have enjoyed ribs at Arthur Bryant’s, as have celebrities such as Steven Spielberg and Jack Nicholson.

We were treated to a platter of smoked ribs, sliced ham, coleslaw, pickles, and white bread served with several sauces. The ribs were fall-off-the-bone tender and the ham tasty, but I admit I wasn’t a fan of the peppery sauce at first. It wasn’t until I bought a bottle in my local grocery store so my husband could try it that I came to appreciate it.

LC’s Bar-B-Q

Next was LC’s Bar-B-Q , a labor of love for L. C. Richardson, who worked as a corporate chef for years. After taking an early retirement, he perfected the techniques he watched relatives using growing up in Mississippi. When he had the recipe right, he began selling his meats from a counter in a gas station.

Meats smoking at LC’s Bar-B-Q. Photo by Teresa Bitler

Even though LC’s Bar-B-Q has expanded to take over the entire building, it’s still a small restaurant with only eight tables, including L. C.’s favorite in the corner. (He was there briefly the day we visited.)

Burnt ends with French fries. Photo by Teresa Bitler

I’m told the ribs, sliced pork, beef brisket, and other meats here are excellent, but we sampled the burnt ends with a stack of hot, thick-cut fries. The burnt ends were my favorite meat of the day, flavorful with the right amount of smokiness. If I could only visit one barbecue joint on my next visit to Kansas City, it would be LC’s Bar-B-Q for the burnt ends.

Fiorella’s Jack Stack Barbecue

Our third stop was Fiorella’s Jack Stack Barbecue , the offshoot of a barbecue joint opened by Russ Fiorella in 1957. Russ expanded to four restaurants, and in 1974, his eldest son, Jack, took over one of them, the Smoke Stack.

He renamed it Fiorella’s Jack Stack Barbecue and, to set it apart, expanded the menu to include lamb ribs, crown prime beef short ribs, and other meats that are usually not smoked. He also began grilling Angus steak and fresh seafood over a hickory wood fire and began serving wine and cocktails.

Beef short ribs at Fiorella’s Jack Stack Barbecue. Photo by Teresa Bitler

We skipped the wine and cocktails (alcohol is not included in the Original Tour, although you can purchase it directly from the restaurants you visit) and dug into the crown prime beef short ribs, sliced brisket, cheesy corn, and hickory pit beans.

Although I was already getting full, I couldn’t help devouring the short rib. Beefy and fork tender it was my second favorite meat of the day (second only to LC’s burnt ends).

Gates Bar-B-Q

In Kansas City, you fall into one of two camps: Arthur Bryant’s or Gates Bar-B-Q . The rivalry goes back to Perry, who had more than one cook. In addition to Charlie Bryant, Perry hired Arthur Pinkard, who eventually left to work for George and Arzelia Gates when they opened a barbecue restaurant.

A platter of barbecue from Gates Bar-B-Q. Photo by Teresa Bitler

Gates Bar-B-Q gained a steady following, and soon, Kansas City residents declared their allegiance to one or the other of the two restaurants.

Lining up for barbecue at Gates Bar-B-Q. Photo by Teresa Bitler

Here, we served ourselves from platters filled with ribs, brisket, and sliced chicken. I have to admit, I was pretty full at this point, but I made room for a bite of each.

The verdict? Since I don’t live in Kansas City, I think I can get away without deciding between Team Arthur Bryant’s and Team Gates, which is a good thing because I liked them both: Arthur Bryant’s for their ribs and Gates Bar-B-Q for their sauce.

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Other Things to Do in Kansas City

Kansas City has a lot more to offer than barbecue. When you’re not working your way through a saucy slab, tour the National World War I Museum , the only national museum dedicated to interpreting and understanding the First World War.

Or, spend a few hours perusing the impressive collection of American, European, and Asian art at the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art . It’s free, so don’t feel you need to see everything in one visit.

If you want to explore the historic African-American neighborhood where Arthur Bryant’s and Gates Bar-B-Q started, head to the American Jazz Museum to explore the beats that rocked the area during the 1920s. Next door, visit the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum .

And, of course, after all this touring, you’re sure to be hungry for some good ol’ Kansas City BBQ. We invite you to learn more about Kansas and the Midwest on Wander With Wonder . Save

BBQ | Culinary | Culinary Travel | Kansas City | Midwest

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Kansas City does inded have a wonderful BBQ tradition. I am glad that you mentioned Arthur Bryant’s, because i consider it to be the essential Kansas BBQ restaurant. I have been a frequent client at both Arthur Bryant’s restaurants – at 1702 Village and at 1727 Brooklyn Ave and can attest to the quality and the taste https://restaurantguru.com/Arthur-Bryants-Kansas-City-Missouri https://restaurantguru.com/Arthur-Bryants-Barbeque-Kansas-City-Missouri Bryant deserves every bit of acknowledgement people are willing to spare.

I really loved Aurther Bryants BBQ.

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Tour Kansas City!

Two States, One Great City

Welcome to KC! There’s an array of activities to do in Kansas City that entertain and excite all walks of life.

KKansas City is the hidden gem of cities; An excellent city to work, play, and live fully! Poke around here to gather information on many exciting and wonderful ways to explore Kansas City.