It seems that the whole world has seen or read something about Joe’s KC Bar-B-Que. When we think of KC barbeque restaurants, this is one of the most well-known. The love for Kansas City-style barbecue is strong enough, that on any given day, you can see license plates from across America. A visit to one of Joe’s KC restaurants will usually result in taking a turn at the waiting game. Although the lines may be long, Joe’s staff has refined the ordering process to a fine art. This helps them serve the largest number of customers efficiently.
A Prestigious Past
Even though their delectable dishes are familiar to many, their rise to fame is less well-known. Kansas City is a barbecue town. The smoke of hundreds of grills rises above our sports stadiums on game days. New KC barbeque restaurants appear regularly, with hope of rising to the national acclaim of Joe’s KC. Many rely upon the laurels they receive at barbeque competitions and invitationals to fuel their success. (You can read about another contest-winning BBQ here.) Jeff and Joy Stehney were bitten by the barbeque bug after attending their first competition. Their passion grew to the point that they started their own team, named Slaughterhouse Five. Before long, their collection of awards was piling up.
Playing the Waiting Game
On the BBQ circuit, competitors often become friends. Striking up a relationship with the founder of the Oklahoma Joe’s Smoker Company helped the Stehneys enter the restaurant business. By 1996, their first store opened in Stillwater, Oklahoma. The legend of Oklahoma Joe’s BBQ had begun. They wouldn’t have to play the waiting game before their next break would appear. It was less than a year later, when a space inside a local Kansas City gas station became available. Being close to their home, this was the perfect fit and Oklahoma Joe’s BBQ launched in Kansas City. The business partnership ended when the owner of the smoker company sold his share and moved to Texas.
Spreading the BBQ Love
Today, there are three Joe’s KC Bar-B-Que locations (Their new name). That seems the way the Stehneys want it to stay. To date, we have visited the KCK and Olathe locations. We’ve played the waiting game, joining the hungry crowds yearning for a lunchtime meal. The line moved steadily, and it didn’t take long for us to get our turn at the counter. The time in line allowed us to determine our choices, and soon we were at a table ready to dine. Of course, first, we need to get photos.
Carolina Meets Midwest
I was longing for something besides my usual pork ribs. I spotted the Carolina Pork Sandwich and immediately chose my dinner. It starts with a heaping helping of pulled pork. This is covered with a healthy dose of spicy Cole slaw and “Bubba’s” sauce. Add in a handful of crisp fries and I was ready to dine. The flavor was good but no specific taste stood out from the others. Next time I’ll add an extra shot of BBQ sauce.
What's in a Name?
The Z-Man Sandwich is quite a flavorful treat. To commemorate the creation of this masterpiece, a contest was held to name it. Mike Zarrick, a local sports radio jockey, played up the new sandwich on air. With a growing audience and a cool nickname, the Z-Man feverishly promoted Joe’s and their sandwich. By the end of the contest, the name Z-Man became the way many people would order the sandwich. Crystal’s version was altered to include burnt ends and remove the cheese. It still featured the crispy onion rings and a drizzle of sauce.
The Wait is Over
These days, the Stahneys continue to share their love for barbeque with as many as possible. The magic of the smoke still captures their hearts and is the drive behind their desire to create the best barbeque in the Midwest. With this passion still burning, each day brings them another chance to endear new fans. As with any cuisine, BBQ lovers have their favorites and many hold allegiance to only one or two. We have found a love for all barbeque since each location has its unique flavors. Places like Joe’s KC Bar-B-Que help spread the message of Kansas City barbeque far and wide. In the end, this type of notoriety helps keep the KC BBQ spirit alive and growing. What are some of your favorite Kansas City barbeque joints?
Mmmmmm, BBQ. I am hoping to roll through KC later this year and I will be sure to stop at Joe’s.
Hope you enjoy it. Be sure to try out some of the others while here. You can bring a cooler and take home some meaty treats.
Looks mighty good , I’m not into to much bbq , but always willing to try when i go with my children ,when i end up in kc do enjoy your telling about all of it tho,thanks for all your stories
Always enjoy showing off places we have discovered to you when you visit.
When we visited our friends in KC a while back, they insisted on taking us to Joe’s. It lived up to their reputation. Burnt ends…MMMM good.
So happy to hear that your taste buds were satisfied. We Kansas Citians pride ourselves with our barbecue.
Looks absolutely Yummy! Thanks for all the information and I shall definitely bookmark this for future reference. Shared on Pinterest too 🙂
Thanks for sharing. Hope you have a chance to sample it some day.
We have nephews in KC and we stand in line at Joe’s every time we visit them. There’s the history, and there-s the special BBQ flavor, but I also have about the sides!!!
So glad you have had a chance to sample some true Kansas City flavors.
The photos left my mouth-watering and me lusting for BBQ and it isn’t even 7 a.m. in Greece!
Wow! Hopefully you can grab a quick flight to our area and satisfy that urge. Lol! So glad you enjoyed the article.
That plate looks so fabulous guys. I can just taste it. Nice change up from all the veggie curry I eat here in Thailand.
Perhaps you will get a chance to enjoy some KC Barbecue some day.
I’ve lived overseas for 20+ years and don’t miss much about the US, but I miss proper BBQ. Joe’s KC BBQ sounds like the real thing!
Rachel, it is the real deal. If you ever make it back to the US, you need to set your sights on some Kansas City BBQ.