by Keri Nadeau

Created on: June 17, 2008   Last Updated: June 18, 2008

One of the most well known barbecue regions in the US is Kansas City. The basis for good barbecue in this town is sauce- and every joint has a different take on what makes perfection. There are several famous barbecue places in Kansas City. In this short piece, I will discuss just a few of them, to give you a flavor of that special Kansas City barbecue.

Probably the most famous barbecue in Kansas City is Arthur Bryant. In 1974, writer Calvin Trillin wrote in Playboy that Arthur Bryant's in Kansas City was "possibly the single best restaurant in the world." Step into the original, at 18th and Brooklyn, and you won't find anything fancy. You stand in line to place your order. Come at lunch time, and that line stretches out the door, past the autographed photos that line the walls, all of celebrities, sports figures, dignitaries and presidents, all of whom have visited this landmark. Your meal comes served up on a melamine plate with a slice of wonder bread. You carry it on a tray, cafeteria-style, to your table. Seating is nothing more than Formica tables lined up in the two rooms that make up the dining area.

The signature sauce at Arthur Bryant's is tangy. Built on a base of vinegar and paprika, this sauce will perk you up. They also offer a sweet sauce- based more heavily in tomato. While Arthur Bryant, was originally known as the king of ribs', the most commonly recognized specialty today is the burnt ends, which, contrary to how they may sound, are actually the flavorful end pieces of the beef brisket.

Another Kansas City institution in barbecue is Gates. Since 1946, Gates has been serving up their famous sauce, today in six locations around the city. Their trademark "hi may I help you" is barked out from behind the counter as you enter the restaurant. Be prepared to order when you hear it. And if, for some reason, they happen to be out of your favorite, or if you happen to order wrong', you are likely to get a "no" from behind the counter- nothing more. This experience is not for the timid, but it is worth it for some great barbecue. Favorites include the beef on a bun and burnt ends. If you like it spicy, no one does it better than Gates- their sausage on a bun has got a serious kick, and their "Extra Hot" barbecue sauce will leave a just a little perspiration on your upper lip.

Oklahoma Joe's barbecue proves that you cannot judge a book by its cover- or in this case, a restaurant by the gas station (?) that it is housed within. It really does not get any

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