Crossing State Lines

Last night we hit the jackpot with some A-1 late-night barbecue, but I was convinced we could still do better. So today we set out for the Kansas side of Kansas City (the city straddles both states) to see what all the fuss about Oklahoma Joe's was. Although there are a number of highly-rated BBQ spots in KC, every local swore by Oklahoma Joe's.

We were thrown off a tad when we pulled up to a gas station, but realized that OJ's was connected. Undeterred, we entered and found a line snaking through the establishment. We took the time during the brutally long wait to strike up a conversation with a local couple behind us. They made some suggestions as to what to order, but ultimately we decided the best thing to do would be to order every style of meat and break our budgets--a wise decision.

Neither Will nor I would be lying in saying the ribs here are the best in the nation. The meat was as tender as a mother's kiss and slid off the bone with ease. The Z-Man sandwich was a flavorful combination of brisket, provolone and sweet onion rings that we scarfed down. Added to the this was a combination of pulled pork and sausage, both cooked to perfection. But still we weren't done, as we ordered a side of chicken gumbo, BBQ beans and seasoned fries.

It was a feast fit for a king, and the only thing lacking were some spirits to wash it all down. We ordered a local draft brew, Boulevard Wheat, with a smooth, crispness that went down easy without further filling us.

Quite possibly, this meal may take the cake for best meal of the trip. But with much of the West ahead of us, it's too soon to call it.

The Z-Man: Beef Brisket, smoked provolone and onion rings

Best ribs ever!!!

Sausage and pulled pork

They really take BBQ serious in KC. This is the sauce section at the gas station. 

Oklahoma Joe's won the BBQ tournament. 

The feast

Boulevard Wheat, a must buy. 

BBQing

Well, yesterday was July 4th and as we left Chicago we had only one thought in mind: getting to Kansas City and getting some good BBQ.

Being on the road, we were missing out on all the BBQs taking place across America, so finding some good 'cue in Kansas City would fill the void. Unfortunately, the long drive from Chicago and our stop in Hannibal meant we arrived to KC late and very few of the renowned restaurants were still open. So, we resolved to find a place to stay, clean up and venture into the city's downtown area to find some late-night grub to sate our appetites.

While we didn't find any food in the downtown area, we did find a brewery to grab a beer and seek advice on where to head next. A friendly waitress directed us to the city's historic district, Westport, believing that restaurants and bars would still be open at that late hour. We headed that direction, soaking in the cool summer night of the midwest city, when our noises were overpowered by the smell of some smoky BBQ. Will swiftly turned the car around and we pulled into the parking lot of Gates Bar-B-Q, a spot we'd heard little of, but chose to risk trying.

As we walked in, the staff immediately began bombarding us with instructions, which was a bit overwhelming and annoying, but the smell of the food was all we could focus on at that point. I was acting indecisive, so Will made an executive decision and order the Slab, which at 20 bucks seemed pricey to me, especially considering we had no idea of its size. As the following photo will attest, it was plenty; but more importantly, it was delicious. The ribs had a great, smoky flavor and the sauce was tangy  with a bit of a kick. I wished the meat had been a bit more tender, but Will felt that it was on par with the best barbecue he'd ever had.

I'm still holding out, as this afternoon we'll be heading to Oklahoma Joe's, which locals suggest is the best in the city. Still, for late night grub, this stop was a success.