559052 Sat Sep 20 18:10:46 -0700 2008 5 8 Midwest 0 4050076 I recently passed through Kansas City on a business trip and took the opportunity to hit some major BBQ restaurants. I was particularly excited as I'd sampled Q from Memphis, North Carolina and Lockhart/Luling, but had never been to KC. Sadly, the day I arrived, I came down with a heavy cold, which knocked me off my feet and into bed the entire time I was in town. I did not, however, let this sickness stop me from eating BBQ! I did let it stop me from eating any other kind of unhealthy food, which is still a big letdown. I live to fight another day. I managed to visit the original Bryant's, LC's, and Oklahoma Joe's. LC's was my favorite by far. I had a burnt ends platter with beans. I am not a big fan of beef in general but the sophisticated flavor and texture of LC's burnt ends were, as some have noted, a revelation. Hard to tell if I liked them better than the brisket at Luling City Market in Luling, TX. Both were top notch Q and absolutely delicious. An excerpt from my blog post on LC's: "A bovine counterpoint to pork rib tips, these fatty morsels of meat are whacked from the ends of a smoked brisket and placed back in the pit for a final burn. LC’s burnt ends are a hallmark of Kansas City BBQ. Each chunk is just big enough to fill the cradle of a human hand. Hearty, juicy, and multi-layered, each burnt end presents a sophisticated argument for beef. Its edges are crisp, red and black deposits of smoke. Encased within their candied protection is a tender, generously marbelized cut of meat that, when chewed, fires subtle shots of 'rare' through clouds of smoky 'well done.'" Bryant's was my second stop. I had a short ribs sandwich with fries. I liked the BBQ fine- it reminded me of Memphis style ribs- but I was in no way impressed by my lunch. The meat was well cooked, with that chewy, crispy texture that I love in pork ribs, but I felt they lacked any distinctive flavor, and the sauces didn't add much to the equation. The fries were fantastic! I'd love to go back and try the sausage and some other meats, but seeing how I was alone and sick, I didn't venture further than that one plate of food. OK Joe's was my final stop, and I was accompanied by fellow chowhound emassow for the meal. I ordered the rib and one-meat dinner with fries, choosing turkey as my one meat. emassow ordered a pulled pork sandwich, which I sampled. I would place OK Joe's a bit below Bryant's. The ribs were definitely more flavorful, but not in a way that would cause me to come back with all my friends. I can see why people praise the fries here so much, but their flavor had the same generically addictive taste as the ribs, which was very enjoyable but not particularly memorable. I liked Bryant's fries (are they still fried in lard?) much better, as they had a distinctively meaty flavor and heft to them that I haven't found at any other restaurant. In any case, my leftovers from OK Joe's made a fine roadside snack as I drove from KC to Denver the next afternoon :) Overall, I was satisfied, but not completely won over by KC BBQ. I'll be posting full stories on each restaurant on my blog with photos if you are interested. I'm looking forward to my next visit to the area, and would love to meet more local chowhounds on that day. Sat Sep 20 18:10:46 -0700 2008 117311 theeatenpath 1 4051824 The pulled pork is OK Joe's real shining star. I agree on Bryant's fries. They are amazing when done right. Sun Sep 21 20:19:58 -0700 2008 4050076 44450 asiansensation007 1 4059332 Enjoyed your blog. If you've been reading past post, you'll know I am a Devoted LC's Fan. Next time, try the Burnt Ends without sauce. I think the sauce takes away from the expertise they were smoked with. But, I'm a dry fan always. Wed Sep 24 17:10:56 -0700 2008 4050076 10737 Bobfrmia 2 4066815 Thanks! I did try to eat around the sauce at first, and I agree that at LC's the sauce didn't necessarily change the game for me- it was delicious, though. What a great smoking job with that meat. Sat Sep 27 19:42:31 -0700 2008 4059332 117311 theeatenpath 1 4068597 I really like Oklahoma Joe's burnt ends and the smoked Turkey. The sauce is very good and I like it a lot much better then Gates sauce which is unremarkable and runny. LC's is very good giving a lot of burnt ends for the money. We made 5 sandwiches out of what was given. I used to like Foreilla Jack stack until I saw the measly BBQ portions they give compared to OK Joes and LC's. Sun Sep 28 18:45:39 -0700 2008 4050076 176996 kcstarguy 1 4087160 I've finally gotten around to writing up my visit to Arthur Bryant's on my blog. This is probably it on KC for now, but I hope to make it back out for a much more poweful weekend sometime in the not-too-distant future! An excerpt from the post, on my favorite part of Bryant's: the fries! "The French fries— not just any fries, but fresh potatoes deep fried in pure lard— told a different tale. According to Bryant (according to Trillin), 'Pure lard is expensive. But if you want to do a job, you do a job.' Cold as they were, the fries piled next to my short ends confirmed the value of the most heart-clogging, PETA-insulting work ethic in America. Where most fries would have chased the light, crisp archetype of that classic McDonald's side, Bryant's lard fried potatoes delivered a punch of meaty heft that could have constituted its own meal. It was as if the founders of In-N-Out had decided to turn their noses at health-conscious California and plant their fry baskets in the Buffalo graveyards of the Oregon Trail." Tue Oct 07 00:01:50 -0700 2008 4050076 117311 theeatenpath