Joe's Kansas City Bar-B-Que

I was in Onaga, KS (staying in Centralia, KS) for school with some classmates and we headed to Kansas City to hang out before our flights home from MCI the next day. All of us are from larger cities in California, so the Kansas life was a culture shock to us and we needed some city time, we wanted to get a taste of some local food. After asking around, we kept hearing that we should get BBQ at Joe's. Not just any Joe's though. Specifically the one with the gas station.

I cannot tell you how happy we were that we took the local advice. First of all, the character of this place was amazing. I loved that there was a gas station cashier ready to take our orders for beer as we waited in line. They pump out the food so quickly that the line wrapping around the building did not take much time at all.

The BBQ is on point! I highly recommend trying the spicy sauce. I even got a couple shirts for family and myself. This place is so cool! It's got so much personality and the people are GREAT!!!!

This is a hard one for me. We had a trip planned to Kansas and tried to research the best BBQ spots in the area. Everyone seems to agree that Joe's is it.

I was hopeful, the line was reminiscent of the Texas BBQ spots we've tried. It wrapped around the front of the building and it took us maybe 30 minutes to get our order in.

We chatted with the locals and were told we definitely have to try the brisket, burnt ends and of course the ribs. We ended up adding a single sausage to our order because that's our usual favorite at BBQ places and we splurged with onion rings.

The meats were...ok. I think the highlights would be the ribs or the burnt ends. The ribs had a nice bark, were juicy, and tender. The burnt ends were also very flavorful.

I'm just not sure about this brisket. It was sliced super thin and was just a bit underwhelming. I think we should have ordered it on the sandwich because that seemed to be the most popular item on the menu here. If you walk in here expecting Texas brisket, you will be disappointed.

I wouldn't recommend the sausage, I sliced into it and saw how dry it was. I tried adding some BBQ sauce, but it was still very dry.

Those onion rings were on point, especially with their ranch to dip in.

All in all...we enjoyed ourselves, the service was great, the restaurant was clean and the locals gave that mid west vibe, so very friendly.

This review is long overdue but I just can't get my mind past how disappointing this food was for us.

Maybe it's because we travelled 14 hours from Texas, which undoubtedly has the best bbq joints, and our standards are high... or maybe it's because we waited 30 minutes in a line that went out the door and we read all the raving reviews on the wall of Joe's BBQ (apparently one of the "top 10 places to try before you DIE" )... but this place certainly did NOT meet our expectations.

I have rated this restaurant a 2 star instead of a 1 star, and it's not because of any of their meats, that's for sure. Their redeeming factors are their sides - all very delicious, and their exquisite bbq sauce. But at the end of the day, that's not what we waited in line excitedly for.

The sausage was pale, dry, and almost cold. Same with the ribs, and they were very tough. The most disappointing part for me, however, was the brisket. Is this how people like their brisket in Kansas? Extremely thin, dry, and unappetizing. I will admit the meats had a smoky flavor, but that was not enough to make it worth it.

I suppose I am just used to juicy, tender, and flavorful bbq meat where we are from in South Texas. ‍ I mean, seriously! Even our local grocery stores (H-E-B) and fast food bbq chains (Bill Miller's) have bbq far superior to whatever this is! And that's just 2 examples of FAST and CHEAP bbq!

We loved Kansas City, but we won't be back to Joe's. I honestly feel sad that people don't know what good bbq tastes like.

Such a great bbq spot. There is some parking but it is likely full. Once you get inside, you walk up and order and then grab your food and find a table. The ribs were good however the brisket was a little thin and dry. I love the baked beans as they have a good spicy kick. The potato salad is good. You definitely won't leave hungry. It can be loud and busy but you will get your food quickly.

Best BBQ I've ever had! 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. I already knew I was going to love it when I first had the ends sans bbq sauce... and of course, the sauce was delicious!

Service was friendly even being so busy.

Ambience was that older restaurant feel with lots of photos of people enjoying Kansas City... love it!

10/10 RECOMMEND!

Joe's Kansas City BBQ, nestled within the confines of a gas station, is a culinary gem that defies expectations. Despite its unassuming location, Joe's delivers an unforgettable barbecue experience. From the moment you walk in, the tantalizing aroma of smoked meats beckons you to indulge.

The menu boasts a variety of mouthwatering options, from succulent ribs to tender brisket, all expertly smoked to perfection. Each bite is a flavor explosion, with the perfect balance of smokiness, tenderness, and seasoning. Whether you're a barbecue aficionado or a newcomer to the scene, Joe's has something to satisfy every palate.

Despite the unconventional setting, the atmosphere at Joe's is warm and inviting, with friendly staff adding to the overall experience. The no-frills approach to dining only adds to the authenticity of the experience, allowing the food to take center stage.

In conclusion, Joe's Kansas City BBQ is a must-visit destination for anyone craving top-notch barbecue. Don't let the gas station setting fool you - this is barbecue at its finest. So next time you find yourself in the area, do yourself a favor and make a pit stop at Joe's. You won't be disappointed.

The sausages were really average. The brisket slices were pretty thin, but were juicy and pretty well seasoned. The ribs were well seasoned and extremely juicy. All of the meats went extremely well with the bbq sauces on the side and the table. The mac and cheese was creamy, rich, and salty. The kicker was the spicy slaw which helped cut down the fattiness of the meats.

Cheers!

To quote my 9-year old daughter, "Everything is awesome!"

Having lived in the KC area 17 years ago, I miss getting Oklahoma Joe's. Now I bring my husband and kids and they love it too.

This location is the original and last on my list of their locations to visit. Another win...
No matter which site I visit, the food is always great, consistent, flavorful and filling. The wait is usually long, but the results are worth the wait. The night I stopped in, they were packed with patrons. Regardless, everyone (both staff and guests) were happy and enjoying their evening. My go-to is always The Rocket Pig. Can't get enough of this pork sandwich delight. This time I tried the BBQ Beans, which were great, and always an order of fries. The fries are your norm... but the seasoning is a game changer!

Well worth a visit and look forward to returning in the future.

Really yummy BBQ. Got in right when they opened and there was already a line! The food came out really quickly. There's also plenty of seating and parking but again, there's always a crowd here!