Experts' Choice Award Joe's Kansas City Bar-B-Que
What the experts agree on
Kansas City's legendary gas station BBQ spot serves consistently excellent burnt ends, ribs, and the famous Z-Man sandwich. Casual, no-frills setting with quality meat and customizable sauce.
“Ribs & fixings served in a gas station.”
– Zagat
Travel + Leisure "Beyond the shamrock gas station’s pumps and past the racks of Hostess cakes, a warren of tables and booths makes up this barbecue joint." Full review
Gayot "Brisket is served sans sauce on a bun; diners can add as much or as little of the spicy, fruity sauce as they want. Beans are thick and loaded with bits of meat, while french fries come well-seasoned." Full review
Where "This family-friendly spot offers all the barbecue hits." Full review
Eater "Joe’s has remained consistent over the years, with top-notch beef ribs, burnt ends, and thin-sliced brisket (try the brisket on the Z-Man, one of the city’s famous sandwiches). "
The 14 Best Barbecue Joints in Kansas City
June 22, 2022
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To eat like a local, call ahead for carryout and skip the line; don’t miss the seasoned fries or dirty rice.
The Infatuation "Enjoy the convenience store-meets-busy dining room vibes. Here’s your order: burnt ends, ribs, and the Z-Man Sandwich that’s loaded with brisket, provolone, onion rings, and barbecue sauce" Full review
Bon Appétit ""If you have a friend who was a vegetarian until a week ago, this is where I would take them—though they are going pretty hard about eating meat if they're jumping right into barbecue,"..."
Condé Nast Traveler "Many of KC’s modern pitmasters cut their teeth (and their brisket) on the competition circuit. That includes Jeff and Joy Stehney of Joe’s Kansas City, which opened inside a gas station..."
National Geographic
