Category Archives: Kansas City BBQ

Warning: No real estate or real estate investing will be discussed here during this post. But stay tuned…

Every year before school starts we have a tradition in our family. I take the boys on a “Father/Son” trip. Nothing fancy, and really no rules. We get away for a day, or two, or three.

It started when my oldest was entering Kindergarten.

1998 – Thurmont, Maryland: Cunningham Falls, camping and canoeing
1999 – Cooperstown, New York: George Brett’s Hall of Fame induction, camping
2000 – Assateague Island, Maryland: camping, wild horse chasing and swimming in ocean
2001 – Move from Maryland to Oklahoma scrubs this year’s F/S trip…I regret that.
2002 – Jet, Oklahoma: crystals digging, bat cave and OK sand dunes “Little Sahara”
2003 – death in family created “rain out”
2004- Dallas: Six Flags (first with Brandon after adoption)
2005 – Osage Beach, Missouri: Camping, jet skiing and cave exploring
2006 – Hutchinson, Kansas: Camping @ Cheney Reservoir and Smithsonian Air & Space Museum
2007 – St. Louis: Gateway Arch and Six Flags

Anyway, as you can see this year we went to the Gateway Arch in St. Louis. We got there early and went up. If you’ve never been, I don’t know why. The view from the top is awesome. And the museum below the ground is pretty informative and well done.

Then we headed on over to Six Flags. But on the way I spotted a BBQ. You know what that means. We pulled into the parking lot for some early grub before heading on into Six Flags. The place is called Super Smokers.

Immediately I liked the feel of the place, though I was prepared to dislike it. My past experiences with St. Louis BBQ hadn’t been good. I mean, how could a city equidistant from Kansas City and Memphis not have a good barbecue tradition?

Anyway, I was a little alarmed when I noticed the menu had items like Nachos. Is this a real BBQ? But I will make allowances because, again, BBQ isn’t part of the city identity in St. Louis.

All fears were relieved when I got my beef brisket sandwich and beans. The meat was moist and tender with a smoky flavor and the beans were good. Several sauces were available and I liked the sweetness of the Kansas City sauce and the smokiness of the Championship sauce. The Texas sauce was vinegary, as you would expect. I didn’t care for it too much.

The owner also happened to stop by our table and was very, very personable. He even gave me a rib to try which was moist and tender, as well. It had a dry rub? I could taste the smoke but there was another flavor in there as well. So I would recommend a stop there. It would be worth your time. Just don’t get the nachos. Go to a Mexican restaurant for that. 🙂

At Six Flags we had a great time, of course. The coolest ride for me was the new Tony Hawk. It’s a roller coaster and the cars you ride in spin 360 degrees around continually while you ride. That’s pretty cool.

I met this wonderful woman there, as well. We instantly connected but alas, she had to run off to save the world. I guess it was never meant to be.

When in Kansas City and on Ward Parkway, you may want to stop at McGonigle’s Market. Located at the intersection of 79th Street and Ward Parkway McGonigle’s is a great place to pick up some bar-b-q for lunch.

The pit is located just outside the market and the brisket that I had was fantastic. And just south of the parking lot you will find picnic tables in which to enjoy the sandwich or ribs when the days are nice.

Inside the market you will find all sorts of prime meats and groceries. Give it a try. You won’t be disappointed.

Hey folks. There must be 200 BBQ’s in Kansas City. Or Bar-b-q’s. Or Barbeques. See how confusing it can be.

Anyway, here is a map to my favorites. Now, if you aren’t on the map all you need to do is send me a gift certificate for $25 to come try yours! 🙂 Just kidding. It’s my goal in life to get to as many as I can before I die. Of course, eating all that barbeque might make that come sooner than later.

But what a way to go. Anyway, these are places I frequent. Obviously, living in Olathe, the maps is skewed towards where I’m at. Anyway, ENJOY!

Located on the east side of Olathe, Kansas is a BBQ that I really, really like called Big Bubba’s Bar-b-q. Now let me just say right off the bat that the BBQ is 1000% better than the website. The website looks bad. But the bar-b-q is oh so good.