My Recommended Stops On The KCK BBQ Trail

Kansas City is known for a few things, but nothing stands out more for foodies than the barbecue scene. On the Kansas side, a new barbecue trail has been formed to encourage visitors (and locals) to try the various eateries serving up ribs and smoked meats. I’ve visited Kansas City, Kan., enough times to have visited some of these BBQ restaurants before the trail formed. Now, I have reason to keep returning and checking off a stop or two each time!

Disclosure: My visits have been hosted by Visit Kansas City Kansas. All thoughts, opinions and typos are my own. This post may contain affiliate links.

What I like about the KCK BBQ Trail is that it’s a mix of old-school spots, modern pitmasters, and some pretty specialized menus. Turkey Legg Man being one of those niche menu places. And they do it well. In September 2025, they were listed in The New York Times’ list of the 50 Best Restaurants in America, with the writer, Brett Anderson, remarking “The turkey legs at this exceptional-if-niche barbecue joint in northwest Kansas City demand your full attention — and then reward it.”

The stops on the KCK BBQ Trail

Ready for some barbecue? Visit the KCK BBQ Trail website to download the digital passport. There is a check-in sign you can scan at each restaurant you visit. You get points for each visit, and the more points you collect, the more prizes you unlock. Complete the BBQ Trail by May 16, 2026 (AKA, National BBQ Day), and you’ll be entered to win the grand prize: A Gas Grill and a deluxe at-home BBQ kit, valued at over $1,000.

Here’s where the trail will take you: 

• Big Q Barbecue
• Blind Box BBQ
• Famous Dave’s BBQ
• Holy Smoke BBQ
• Joe’s Kansas City Bar-B-Que
• Jones Bar-B-Q
• Quentin’s BBQ & Sides
• Roscoe’s Barbeque
• Rosedale Bar-B-Q
• Slap’s BBQ
• Woodyard Bar-B-Que
• Wyandot Barbeque
• Turkey Legg Man
• Bonus Stop: NFM Grill & Outdoor Section

My favorites (so far)

Two places stand out to me: Joe’s Kansas City Bar-B-Que and Slap’s Bar-B-Que. Both places will undoubtedly have a line if you go. Just know, they are worth the wait.

What’s the big deal about these two places? Well, they have a lot of awards under their belts. Joe’s trophies come from competitions like the Lenexa Kansas State BBQ Championship, American Royal Open, and American Royal Invitational. Slap’s was started by two brothers, and even with their popular restaurant in Strawberry Hill, they are one of the few restaurants in the city that actively competes on the KCBS.

Joe’s is “the gas station place,” the barbecue joint is in a gas station. Well, the OG location is in the gas station (it’s not really operating as a gas station now but very much looks like one still). Two other locations are not going to give you that gas station feel, which is a pity, right?

I’ve been to Joe’s three times now (twice at the KCK location, once at the Olathe location), and sampled quite a few specialties. If I had to recommend just one, I’d say you should get the burnt ends, and then smother it all with sauce. I also tried the Z-Man, one of their specialties. It’s a kaiser roll sandwich consisting of slow-smoked beef brisket and smoked provolone cheese, topped with two crispy onion rings. It’s a lot, and just doesn’t compete with the burnt ends.

Slap’s stands out not just for their meats, but for their delicious sides. Do not pass up the cheesy corn and baked potato casserole. You’re also going to want to order their ribs. If you want to be like me, go for their most popular entree, the ribs and burnt ends combo. 

I’m curious if you’ve been to any of these KCK BBQ spots. Let me know if you have and if you’d recommend it for my next stop!