Joe's KC BBQ

From TX so had to see if comprable and YES! Had nice smoke flavor but not too much. My preference but vinegar sauce was perfect for the brisket. Ribs needed a little more tug, but again my preference. Potato salad I'm a mustard kinda person this wasn't up there for me as more mayo base and missed the onion and dill. Mac n cheese was wet vs baked again my preference only, I prefer the ewwyy goey multi cheese bake kind so not my style but those that like the more liquid style flavor was good, still needed more cheese to thicken up slightly. Burnt ends I've had different so to be honest not sure how to review as how I've had previously was more fatty these had more meat vs fat ratio, which I prefer but not sure how supposed to be done, but was more meat ratio to fat. Rubs were spot on perfect pepper taste. Ok y'all I'm still counting as a win in my book because brisket and ribs had that smokey pit flavor spot on. Check er out!

Joe’s is as authentic as it gets. Very cool spot that is liking a cafeteria style set up. I waited in line for about 5 minutes and then ordered the burnt ends and pork ribs with spicy slaw and had a diet Dr Pepper! The food came out super fast and was absolutely delicious! I used a lot of paper towels as my face and fingers were covered in sauce.

My second-favorite BBQ spot in Kansas City and a place that’s earned its reputation the straightforward way. There’s no table service and no reservations. You order at the window, find your own seat, and settle up with a tray in hand. The lines can be long, but it’s not tourist theater. It’s just demand for a place locals have been backing for years. The burnt ends are some of the best examples of Kansas City–style brisket point you’ll find, cubed thick, generous in portion, with a dark bark that carries the smoke instead of masking it. When you bite, it’s tender and juicy with a real chew, rich without being greasy, and smoky without tipping bitter. They’re consistent, which matters more than anything in BBQ. You don’t hope they’ll be good, you generally expect it. The ribs hit the same reliable notes. Hickory smoked with a pepper-led rub, they pull clean from the bone but still hold together when you pick them up. The meat is soft, but not fall-apart soft. The seasoning shows first, the smoke hangs around, and the sauce, when added, supports rather than overwhelms. They’re the kind of ribs you don’t overthink, you just eat, and you finish the last one appreciating the craft instead of critiquing it. The sauce is classic Kansas City BBQ, tomato-based, a touch sweet, a touch tangy, and built to balance smoked beef and pork without drifting into syrup or heat gimmicks. On the burnt ends, it forms a light glaze that sticks without smothering, keeping the smoke in the conversation. On the ribs, it brings just enough sweet and tang to round the bite without taking it over. It’s the kind of sauce you find yourself dipping into again, because it complements more than it competes.

Absolutely incredible! This place is truly unbeatable. I visited Joe’s Kansas City BBQ during a trip, and on our very first evening we decided to check it out. There was about a 30-minute wait, which honestly made me even more curious to see what the hype was about. WE ordered the beef brisket and the famous Z-Man sandwich, and wow—they were both insane! The meat had a deep, smoky flavor that soaked all the way through, and the texture was both tender and satisfyingly chewy. Every single bite of that brisket gave off this rich, smoky Kentucky-style flavor that felt so special. We loved it so much that we decided to go back the next day. This time it was a Saturday, and the line was way longer—stretching from the front door all the way to the end of the building. It looked like it would take over an hour and a half to get in, so we decided to order online for pickup instead. We took our food to a nearby park for a little picnic, and it was perfect. That day we got the pork ribs and a one-meat plate. The ribs were packed with smoky flavor, perfectly moist, and just fell off the bone. They were amazing, but I have to admit—I’m still partial to their beef brisket. It’s just next-level. One thing I really loved was the variety of sauces: the classic BBQ sauce, a spicier BBQ sauce, hot vinegar sauce, and even ketchup. Mixing and matching the sauces with different meats was half the fun. The staff here were all super friendly and energetic, which made the whole experience even better. The atmosphere felt lively, warm, and welcoming. If I ever come back to Kansas City, Joe’s will absolutely be at the top of my list again. Highly, highly recommend!

Unique location in an old gas station! We went right at their opening time at 10am and got seated right away. Highchairs are available. You order at the counter and they will call your order once it’s ready, which was about 10 minutes. Everything tasted delicious and was really a great meal. Highly recommend!

I hadn't been here in almost a decade and was so surprised by how much they've grown. It's basically a restaurant now that has a gas pump instead of a gas station that has a tiny restaurant in it. We got a brisket sandwich and a sausage sandwich, plus a side of potato salad. Everything was so delicious, and served quickly despite the long line. We grabbed some BBQ sauces to go. Great experience!

Award winning BBQ, literally! Yes parking can be difficult, and with that usually means the line is out the door, but it's so worth these minor inconveniences. From beef, to ribs, to chicken, and plenty of side options, they have it all. My go-tos are their famous Z-Man (sliced brisket sandwich topped with provolone, onion rings (I like getting mine on the side), and their signature sauce) or the Rocket Pig (Joe's pulled pork tossed in a sweet-hot competition BBQ glaze, bacon, pepper jack cheese, and a BBQ mayo, topped with fried Jalapeños) paired with both an order of fries and onion rings which are generously portioned to share. The staff is always friendly and are quick to turn and burn as this place is always packed. Come hungry. Leave happy. This is definitely a must stop for anyone who loves BBQ!