Bbq (Independence, Hayward, Rea: house, store, food)

[20yrsinBranson]

Originally Posted by xenokc

W/out getting into race, I kinda know where you are going. BBQ was started by those who couldn't afford good cuts of meat. Trying to neatly package it up and serve in a nice white table cloth restaurant (Jack Stack/KC Masterpiece) is a manufactured misrepresentation of true BBQ culture. It's taking short cuts that really misrepresents BBQ and many if not most restaurants do it, but not all. Restaurants are in the biz to make money, not always to properly make BBQ. Since BBQ by definition takes a lot more time than say, Chinese or Italian, there will be a higher % that don't do it very well.

At its best, the meat should fall off the bone. Not many places succeed at that. When done this well and with the right balance of rubs, a sauce shouldn't be needed, but doesn't hurt either.

what you said! xenokc

20yrsinBranson

[melissajo]

We cant visit KC without visit Arthur Bryants!

[pioneer88]

Oklahoma Joes is the best, but I haven't had BBQ that I scoffed at. I will agree with those that say Jack Stack is good for the sides, but overpriced for what you get otherwise. Oklahoma joes is consistently high quality in my experiences.

[xenokc]

OK Joes is as focused as it gets. Thu, ribs are on special though and they often move ribs faster than they can make them, meaning you have a higher chance of getting a tough one that wasn't slow cooked long enough. On other days, the ribs more consistently fall off the bone. Guess I'm being a purist here but as hard as it is to run a BBQ restaurant that does it right, they are spot on. The pulled pork is almost always perfect there.

[ykamom]

Does anyone else find it ironic that one of the premier bbq destinations, in KCMO, the bbq capital, is called Oklahoma Joe's? I've been to OK, and I don't remember outstanding BBQ.
Just sayin....

[aragx6]

^They have a history on their Web site, but basically, the first OK Joe's was in Stillwater.

Oklahoma Joe's History

[viva kc]

OK Joe's hands down. Get some ribs and the Z-Man Sandwich.

[pioneer88]

Had the Z-Man tonight. Magic...

[TabulaRasa]

Originally Posted by ykamom

Does anyone else find it ironic that one of the premier bbq destinations, in KCMO, the bbq capital, is called Oklahoma Joe's?

And that it's in KCK, not MO.


My caveat, which I always neglect to mention on the BBQ discussions on forums, is that my opinions and recommendations are based solely on sliced or shredded meat sandwiches, or just the meat used in same on its own...not in any way based on who does ribs best. I have no knowledge of who has the best ribs, because I patently refuse to eat ribs in public; ergo, I have yet to order ribs in any KC or metro establishment. So my recs are based on sandwiches/sandwich meat, be it brisket, pulled pork, what have you. And sides. Sides can figure heavily in.

[luzianne]

Originally Posted by knrstz

Gates is what was suggested but I ignored the suggestion. Maybe next time. Oh well.

I personally don't care for Gates. Seems too much like "fast food" BBQ to me. But maybe it's just me.