KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Five of the country’s top 100 barbecue spots are in the Kansas City metro, according to Yelp.
The crowd-sourced review site released its annual list, compiling the top barbecue restaurants based on the rating and number of reviews.
Joe’s Kansas City Bar-B-Que came in sixth, with Yelp noting its burnt ends and Z-man sandwich were customers’ favorites.
“The burnt ends with a side of mac and cheese were so good that I kept doing the happy dance even hours after we left,” one Yelper wrote.
Founded in a Kansas City, Kan., gas station at 3002 W. 47th Ave. in 1996, Joe’s has locations in Olathe (11950 S. Strang Line Road) and Leawood (11723 Roe Ave.).
Q39 in midtown (1000 W. 39th St.) came in at No. 15. (It also has a location in Overland Park.)
Scott’s Kitchen and Catering at Hangar 29 (11920 N. Ambassador Drive) placed 35th. Slap’s BBQ (553 Central Ave., Kansas City, Kan.) rang in at No. 95, and Westport’s Char Bar (4050 Pennsylvania Ave.) came in 98th.
So, who upstaged Kansas City, the birthplace of burnt ends and barbecue capital of the world?
Texas had two in the top five: CorkScrew BBQ in Spring, and Tyler’s Barbecue in Amarillo. Reviewers were impressed with their brisket options.
The top spot went to Wright’s Barbecue in Johnson, Ark. Reviewers raved about the bacon burnt ends, collard greens and loaded mac ‘n cheese.
“The bacon burnt ends were unique and amazing; and the BBQ sauces were all top-notch,” a Yelp user wrote.