# How's the BBQ in your town? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [March 16, 2005, 5:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hows-the-bbq-in-your-town/294767 "2005-03-16T05:23:39Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![BubbaDog](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bubbadog/32/333_2.png) [@BubbaDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BubbaDog)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2005, 2:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hows-the-bbq-in-your-town/294767/41 "2005-03-17T02:28:02Z")
> [@ShibbOleth](#): > > KC folks: many years ago, I ate in some place right near the stockyards. I can’t remember the name of it (some colleagues took me there), but it was a fancy place on top of a regular old joint. Apparently the fancy folks went to the place upstairs, and they served the same (or similar) stuff underneath. Went through a screen door, and was surrounded by cowboys (the real kind, the guys who work with cattle) with weather worn faces, mostly over 50, wearing denim overalls and what not. I order the beef tip sandwhich. They took a plate, put a little hamburger bun in the middle, then covered the entire plate with bbq beef tips, then put a little hamburger bun on top. IIRC it was about $1.99. This would have been roughly 15 years ago. > > Any idea the place I’m thinking about? Is it still there? You know, it’s not a bar-b-que joint, but it sounds like you’re describing the **Golden Ox**. It’s actually a steakhouse. It has upscale dining through the front entrance but there is a back entrance that takes you into what appears to be a seperate place that serves most of the same dishes at a lower price. The tables and furnishings are old and cheap but the food is great. I had lunch there a couple of years ago. Put me down as agreeing that **KC Masterpeice** is a good BBQ joint in a town full of **great** BBQ joints. The meat has a nice flavor but the sauce is boring at best. If you’re in KC during the day you might want to try Jakes (lunch only). But don’t stay there too long. They have a sign on the door that says “eat it and beat it”. For the experience though, the best is **Gates**. Those scary, loud, friendly counter people are the best part of the show. ---
**Author:** ![ShibbOleth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/848f3c/32.png) [@ShibbOleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShibbOleth)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2005, 12:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hows-the-bbq-in-your-town/294767/42 "2005-03-17T12:39:27Z")
> [@BubbaDog](#): > > You know, it’s not a bar-b-que joint, but it sounds like you’re describing the **Golden Ox**. It’s actually a steakhouse. It has upscale dining through the front entrance but there is a back entrance that takes you into what appears to be a seperate place that serves most of the same dishes at a lower price. The tables and furnishings are old and cheap but the food is great. I had lunch there a couple of years ago. Yeah, that sounds about right. It’s built onto a slope so the “back entrance” is also downstairs, IIRC. Place definitely had character(s). ---
**Author:** ![Munch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/munch/32/5281_2.png) [@Munch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Munch)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2005, 2:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hows-the-bbq-in-your-town/294767/43 "2005-03-17T14:34:10Z")
> [@Mirror Image egamI rorriM](#): > > In Kansas City, there is so much BBQ, it’s ridiculous. > > However, you should go to Gate’s, just because when you go up to place your order, they yell “CAN I HELP YOU!” It’s not a question. It’s a tradition. Correction: it’s “HI, MAY I HELP YOU!” And while I love Gates, you can get their sauce anywhere. So if you’re in KC, head to either Jack Stack (for ribs or a rib tip sandwich) or Arthur Bryant’s (for the best beef & pork sandwich you’ve ever had). Once you hit St. Louis, go SOUTH. There is nothing left for you on I-70. I’m in Indianapolis, the BBQ wasteland of the world. ---
**Author:** ![HelloKitty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/ecccb3/32.png) [@HelloKitty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HelloKitty)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2005, 2:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hows-the-bbq-in-your-town/294767/44 "2005-03-17T14:45:27Z")
Since I also live in KC I might as well put in my $.02… I can’t believe no one has mentioned **Oklahoma Joe’s**! It’s in the perfect location…inside a gas station and right next to a liquor store! They have awesome pulled pork sammiches and if you’re into the whole 9 yds, their fries, cole slaw, beans and onion rings are wonderful. **Rosedale BBQ** is also great, they have such an unusual ginger-y sauce but their ribs are awesome. And they have those crinkle cut fries–yummy!! **Arthur Bryant’s** is the mecca of BBQ, so you must go there. They used to slap all the BBQ, fries and bread (white bread, not a bun) on a big sheet of newspaper, wrap it all up and hand it to you…and I believe back in the day there were no chairs in the place, just a counter where people would stand and eat. I haven’t been there in forever so I’m not sure if they do it that way anymore. Sounds like you’ll need to plan on staying at least a weekend in KC to sample all the BBQ joints!! 🆒 ---
**Author:** ![mattmorgan64](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f19dbf/32.png) [@mattmorgan64](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mattmorgan64)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2005, 3:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hows-the-bbq-in-your-town/294767/45 "2005-03-17T15:21:48Z")
Did I somehow warp into a national forum where all the posters are actually from KC? ---
**Author:** ![Terrorcotta](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/dbc845/32.png) [@Terrorcotta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Terrorcotta)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2005, 3:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hows-the-bbq-in-your-town/294767/46 "2005-03-17T15:25:14Z")
Atlanta has a few interesting places. Fat Matt’s Rib Shack in Midtown is always good and we have a newer place in Roswell called (I kid you not) Swallow in the Hollow (pronounced ‘swaller in a haller’). Pretty good meat and terrific atmosphere but the sauces are just not what one would expect (raspberry vinegar bbq sauce?) If you are heading south on I-75 I would recommend Fresh Air BBQ outside of High Falls, GA just north of Macon. Sawdust on the floor, screened doors and a gravel parking lot. Only one kind of meat served one kind of way with two slices of Wonder bread. Mmmmmmmmm! ---
**Author:** ![BubbaDog](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bubbadog/32/333_2.png) [@BubbaDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BubbaDog)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2005, 7:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hows-the-bbq-in-your-town/294767/47 "2005-03-17T19:01:10Z")
> [@mattmorgan64](#): > > Did I somehow warp into a national forum where all the posters are actually from KC? BBQ — KC - Makes sense to me 😛 ---
**Author:** ![bclouse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e19adc/32.png) [@bclouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bclouse)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2005, 7:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hows-the-bbq-in-your-town/294767/48 "2005-03-17T19:04:09Z")
I appreciate everyone that added to this thread. I’m going to be printing it out and using these restaurants as a guide when planning my trip. I’m going to do the best I can to hit as many of these places as possible. This trip might take 10 years off my life. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![mattmorgan64](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f19dbf/32.png) [@mattmorgan64](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mattmorgan64)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2005, 7:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hows-the-bbq-in-your-town/294767/49 "2005-03-17T19:14:27Z")
> [@BubbaDog](#): > > BBQ — KC - Makes sense to me 😛 Oh, yes! But many of the posters, myself included, claim to be KC residents. It’s just … hmmm. Well, I come to the internet to get away from all these bastards! 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Munch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/munch/32/5281_2.png) [@Munch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Munch)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2005, 8:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hows-the-bbq-in-your-town/294767/50 "2005-03-17T20:06:19Z")
> [@HelloKitty](#): > > I can’t believe no one has mentioned **Oklahoma Joe’s**! It’s in the perfect location…inside a gas station and right next to a liquor store! They have awesome pulled pork sammiches and if you’re into the whole 9 yds, their fries, cole slaw, beans and onion rings are wonderful. Yes, they’re fantastic. But it’s Carolina-style BBQ, but without the Carolina sauce. If he’s headed all the way to the east coast, he may as well actually go to Carolina for the real deal. OK Joe’s is a great alternative for KC people, but I don’t think it’ll be a KC tradition like Bryant’s, Rosedale or Gates. ---
**Author:** ![LindyHopper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/ebca7d/32.png) [@LindyHopper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LindyHopper)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2005, 10:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hows-the-bbq-in-your-town/294767/51 "2005-03-17T22:12:19Z")
Well, you should probably skip Montana (like you couldn’t have figured that out yourself). Missoula has this new place (within the last year) called Knucklehead’s, which is not bad. We used to have a place called Bad Bubba’s, but I think it closed. > [@NoClueBoy](#): > > Every BBQ place in the OKC is good. > > I kid you not. Just about every place in Tulsa is good. My personal favorite is Elmer’s (slogan: “It Be Bad”), but there are others, like Latimer’s and Reece’s on the north side. People make a lot of noise about the Knotty Pine, but I think it’s touristy and overrated. Slick’s, which is in Muskogee, is excellent. In Tahlequah, there’s another great BBQ joint; I can’t recall the name, but it might be Jasper’s. I once also went to this place out in the country outside of Tulsa (near Sand Springs) called Ethel’s, which was awesome, but I have no idea if it’s even still around. You’ve got to go to some OK BBQ place, though, just to taste the hot links (OK’s contribution to the BBQ lexicon). BBQ bologna (I know, I know) is great too. In Houston, everybody talks about Goode Co., which is good (heh), but much better, for my money, is Green’s. It’s in the 3rd Ward, so the neighborhood’s a little sketchy, but it’s some of the best BBQ I’ve ever had (haven’t been to KC since I was a little kid, and I’ve never been to Memphis). Also, in the 5th Ward (home of the Geto Boys, so the neighborhood is _very_ sketchy), there’s a place called the Lockwood Inn (I think; it’s been over 10 years) which is great. In Dallas, I’ve been to Sonny Bryan’s (the original location, on South Inwood), and I thought it was really good, although the consensus at Chowhound seems to be that it’s nothing special. :shrug: Personally, I don’t like the eastern NC style of BBQ (the vinegar-based, no-tomato sauce). I tried hard to like it, too, but after four or five tries inside of two weeks, I had to conclude that I just didn’t care for it. Side note: Anybody ever had the South Carolina Low Country style of BBQ? I heard the sauce contains mustard (as in, the BBQ sauce is yellow). I’ve only been to SC once (Charleston, and I was too busy eating seafood), so I’ve never had it, but I’m intrigued. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2005, 11:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hows-the-bbq-in-your-town/294767/52 "2005-03-17T23:55:31Z")
It’s a chain now but try to stop by a [Red Hot & Blue](http://www.redhotandblue.com/locations.htm) somewhere. I’ve been in the first two locations - the ones on Wilson Blvd. in Arlington, VA - the second was established as a takeout counter because the original became so busy. The takeout counter itself became so busy that a seating area was added. A smaller DC-area chain is [King Street Blues](http://www.kingstreetblues.com/ourstory.asp). I’ve been to their first and third locations; the thrid one is right up the street from where I work. ---
**Author:** ![Rick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/9f8e36/32.png) [@Rick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2005, 2:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hows-the-bbq-in-your-town/294767/53 "2005-03-18T02:35:40Z")
> [@Terrorcotta](#): > > Atlanta has a few interesting places. Fat Matt’s Rib Shack in Midtown is always good Funny story about the Rib Shack. I was in Atlanta for a seminar several years ago and a bunch of us decide to go out for some Q. One of the locals suggests the Rib Shack. I go to look up the address in the phone book, and I can’t find the Rib Shack listed, but I do find the Chicken Shack. So I copy down just the address on a piece of paper and head to the lobby. I stop at the bell desk to ask directions and show the bellman the paper with just the address on it, and ask how to get there. His response was a classic. “That’s the Chicken Shack, you want the Rib Shack, it’s next door.” :eek: Damn that was some good Q. ---
**Author:** ![Euthanasiast](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/6f9a4e/32.png) [@Euthanasiast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Euthanasiast)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2005, 9:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hows-the-bbq-in-your-town/294767/54 "2005-03-18T09:32:38Z")
**Mack’s** in Brunswick, Ga. with their eye-catching slogan, **“Nobody can beat our meat!”**. They have great Brunswick Stew (where it originated–don’t care what those losers from Virginia say) and the battered fries are also very good. ---
**Author:** ![Kitchen\_Wench](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/f08c70/32.png) [@Kitchen\_Wench](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kitchen_Wench)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2005, 10:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hows-the-bbq-in-your-town/294767/55 "2005-03-18T10:47:23Z")
Another KC resident here. I can’t recall if anyone mentioned LC’s yet, but ya gotta stop there! They have the best beans in the world. And their burnt ends are killer. RE other KC b’que joints: Don’t like Gates because their meat is tough and the sauce is a bit too heavy on the celery seed. Never tried Rosedale because I heard the same about them. Don’t like Smokehouse (in Independence) because their sauce is bland and their tables are covered in WHITE TABLE CLOTHS? Fer chrissakes, barbeque is meant to be messy! Never tried Jack Stack because hey, I’m biased when it comes to b’que… For sweet, I go to LC’s. For wangy, I go to Bryants. As I’ve said before, barbeque in KC is like religion and politics- expect a heated debate when the subject comes up. I agree with a previous poster. You _must_ spend a weekend here in KC. Compare all the big guys: Gates, Bryants, LC’s, Rosedale & Jack Stack. Then report back to us on what you liked the best. ---
**Author:** ![Jaade](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/dfb087/32.png) [@Jaade](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jaade)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2005, 11:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hows-the-bbq-in-your-town/294767/56 "2005-03-21T23:47:50Z")
> [@Euthanasiast](#): > > **Mack’s** in Brunswick, Ga. with their eye-catching slogan, **“Nobody can beat our meat!”**. They have great Brunswick Stew (where it originated–don’t care what those losers from Virginia say) and the battered fries are also very good. Now c’mon, you gotta give Twin Oaks props before Mack’s, simply because they existed first and the cook from Twin Oaks started Mack’s. Dear god the fries…I’m coming home next weekend, I’m gonna have to stop at Mack’s and get some fries. ~drools~ ---
**Author:** ![Theodore\_Striker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/74df32/32.png) [@Theodore\_Striker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Theodore_Striker)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2005, 1:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hows-the-bbq-in-your-town/294767/57 "2005-03-22T01:07:44Z")
If you make it around Cincinnati, which if you are going to be in Owensboro, KY, you might as well come on up a little further, go to a little place called Big Art’s on the northern side of town. Many people in town swear by the Montgomery Inn, but they’re just blowin’ smoke to sound in the know, but the eaters will wait in line for the little guy. ---
**Author:** ![Motorgirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e36b37/32.png) [@Motorgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Motorgirl)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2005, 1:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hows-the-bbq-in-your-town/294767/58 "2005-03-22T01:21:56Z")
Not so good. Anybody surprised? 😃 There are 2 OK places - Redbones and Blue Ribbon. Of the two, I like the pulled pork at Blue Ribbon best, and the brisket at Redbones. Neither can make Memphis style ribs that remotely resemble the heavenly goodness found at Corky’s in Memphis. Mmmm. ---
**Author:** ![Nightsong](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nightsong/32/3083_2.png) [@Nightsong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nightsong)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2005, 1:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hows-the-bbq-in-your-town/294767/59 "2005-03-22T01:35:12Z")
Another Memphian here… I’ll second the Central BBQ reccomendation. They keep the sauce in nicely heated containers (by where you get your soda), so you aren’t putting cold sauce on hot meat. Rendevouz is more for the atmosphere, but they do have lamb, which is something I don’t normally see. If you arrive on the right day, the Pig and Whistle has a Sunday all-you-can eat buffet until about 2 PM (I think). I find them to be relatively middle of the road. If you really want Corky’s BBQ, head down to Sam’s Town casino in Tunica: there’s a buffet version of Corky’s there. (I found it to be slightly lower quality than the restaurants, but it is all you can eat and there’s draft beer to boot.) My opinion on Corky’s is ‘meh’: I truely don’t see what people see in it, but its edible. As an added bonus: In the Monterey-Salinas (California) area, up in Castroville there’s the Central Texan BBQ: served by a dude missing several teeth. If yer cute, he’ll generally give you more. 😃 Sawdust on the floor, rough hewn tables and benches, nice and dark. * * * \<\< No wanna work! Wanna bang on keyboard! \>\> ---
**Author:** ![elmwood](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/elmwood/32/3060_2.png) [@elmwood](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elmwood)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2005, 1:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hows-the-bbq-in-your-town/294767/60 "2005-03-22T01:47:06Z")
Two more KC nominations - Oklahoma Joe’s in Kansas City, Kansas - it’s in a gas station, so you know it’s good! BB’s Lawnside Barbecue on East 85th in KCMO - their slogan is “Eat, drink and be mildly depressed.” If you’re going to one place, though, make it Arthur Bryant’s. I can’t say much about Cleveland BBQ, since I never tried it. Whitmore’s seems to be everywhere, though. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hows-the-bbq-in-your-town/294767.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hows-the-bbq-in-your-town/294767.md?page=4)