may do a road trip late december.
Joe’s Kansas City (the gas station https://www.joeskc.com/) is a must. First timers need to get the Z-Man sandwich, which is brisket, smoked provolone, an onion ring and barbecue sauce on a bun. I also have 2x half gallon jugs of sauce in the pantry, it’s that frigging good.
Q39 is more of a restaurant but the barbecue is spectacular. (https://q39kc.com/). Brisket, ribs and sausage combo is a droolfest. I also got some to go and took it in my carry-on home. The wife and I feasted that night!
+1 on Q39 tho I wouldn’t call it more of a restaurant. Definitely a chef-y arrogance about the place but the place is just a rustic, cavernous BBQ hall. Food is very good to excellent and they have a decent local beer selection.
Arthur Bryant’s is a good stop for old school BBQ. Skip Jack Stack if anyone recommends it for BBQ.
I always take visiting wine dignitaries to LC’s when they are in town. If you want to see mayhem, go with Brian Loring. After his second trip here, I learned to stop ordering anything and just eat off his plates.
Joe’s is good, too, but the wait can be ridiculous.
Q39 is definitely good for a less “rustic” experience. They even have a wine list - nothing too esoteric, but if you want wine, they have some.