THE REVIEW - Jack Stack BBQ, Kansas City, Mo.

Last, but certainly not least for Kansas City, was Jack Stack BBQ - www.jackstackbbq.com. Knowing its popularity and its place as Zagat’s “Highest Rated BBQ,” we made reservations for Jack Stack a couple weeks ago. A majority of previous bbq joints were order-at-the-counter type places. Jack Stack was a make-a-reservation, sit-down-in-a-booth, order-from-a-waitress (more on our waitress later) type bbq place. The menu was massive with all the usual bbq suspects plus a variety of appetizers, soups, steaks and seafood. Being a bbq trip we mostly stuck to the bbq items (Mama D couldn’t resist the succulent Kansas City strip steak). We were blown away at several of their items, most notably the Crown Prime Beef Rib. The sides were also a highlight. The only disappointment was in their sauce; fortunately, the meat was tasty enough the sauce wasn’t needed. All around, Jack Stack was one of the best places we've experienced so far. Next up is Memphis!!

Me outside Jack Stack BBQ in the Country Club Plaza in Kansas City, Mo.

A look at the bbq feast we had at Jack Stack BBQ in Kansas City, Mo. - mid video the manger came over to offer us a tour of the kitchen to see the smoke pits, see video below.

A look inside Jack Stack's hickory pit and smoker

We need to give a big thank you to our super cool (and cute) waitress, Kristin, who hooked us up with great recommendations for our bbq feast. Jack Stack has a massive menu that is tough to navigate so she helped big time. Plus, she and manager Ashley and Assistant Kitchen Manager Nathan helped hook up the kitchen tour where we got to see the smoke pits.

Sauce – 2 – They had three main sauces – Original, Spicy and Hot. All were a bit bland with no smoky or tangy flavor. We felt they were a bit too tomatoey. Spicy was the best of the bunch.

Sides – 4.5 – The bbq beans stood out among the many beans we’ve had for two reasons: one, they were hickory smoked beans, not baked, and they shared the hickory pit with the spectacular meat. As we saw in our tour of the pits, the meat would drip on the beans as they cooked, adding a dynamite flavor. Two: along with the meat drippings, the beans actually had small chunks of tender meat in them. The cole slaw was the best we’ve had so far – it was sweet and creamy and the lettuce was crisp, three main factors in an ideal slaw. Finally, the steamed veggies were cooked nicely and covered with a parmesan and garlic seasoning – anything with parmesan and garlic is okay by me.

Jack's Best, as the menu item was called, included a beef rib (left), burnt ends (center), baby back ribs (right) and the tasty and nicely seasoned steamed veggies (top)

Slabs – 4 – We had beef ribs for the first time and the Jack Stack Crown Prime Beef Rib was the biggest beef rib we’ve ever seen, not just on this trip, but ever! It’s impressive appearance was backed up by its delicious taste. The beef fell right off the bone and it was tender and moist and had so much flavor. The pork ribs were nicely cooked with tender meat and crispy skin. They were flavorful, but not as impactful as ones we've had. BE SURE TO CLICK ON THE PIC TO GET A CLOSER LOOK AT THE MASSIVE BEEF RIB.

Jack Stack's amazing Crown Prime Beef Rib had us in awe

Pork ribs smothered in Jack Stack bbq sauce

Steaks – 3.5 – We had beef burnt ends for the first time. Burnt ends are the end parts of the beef brisket that are cut off after cooking. They are chopped up and served to those who like crispier and more well-done beef. They have the terrific brisket flavor combined with a slight burnt taste and crusty texture.

Sandwiches – Didn’t order sandwiches/pulled pork

Honorable mentions – Mama D. got a delicious Kansas City strip steak. It was cooked medium and the juices flowed onto her plate after the first cut. Another honorable mention goes to the triple chocolate brownie dessert. Wow! It was served warm with a crispy hard chocolate outside and rich gooey inside and then it was topped with vanilla bean ice cream...it was amazing!!

Kansas City strip steak cooked perfectly medium

Triple chocolate brownie topped with vanilla bean ice cream

THE REVIEW - Arthur Bryant's, Kansas City, Mo.

We went for a late afternoon meal at Arthur Bryant’s BBQ – www.arthurbryantsbbq.com – at the original location near downtown. Like Gates BBQ, Bryant’s is one of the more popular restaurants on the trip. Bryant’s appeal is not only its food, but its mellow nonchalant character. It’s a massively famous spot, but you wouldn’t know it from the modest establishment – regular tables, old chairs, in need of a new paint job, dated décor, etc. None the less, when we walked up the line was out the door and every table was filled. It was an order-at-the-counter place and you had to order quickly because the seasoned bbq veterans running the place didn’t mess around; order and get out of the way. Our expectations for the food were lofty and fortunately, we were not disappointed.

Arthur Bryant's original location near downtown Kansas City, Mo.

The menu at Arthur Bryant's

The smoke pit at Arthur Bryant's BBQ - Note the loaf of wonder bread on the left; there were stacks and stacks of white bread because that's what they used for their sandwiches

Arthur Bryant's modest interior added to the place's nonchalnt attitude

Sauce – 4 – Three kinds – Original, Rich & Spicy and Sweet Heat. Impressive all around and something for everyone. We enjoyed the sweet heat the most. Nice sweet flavor with a slight finishing kick, nice combination.

Sides – 3 – Beans were sweet with a nice bbq flavor. Potato salad was creamy with a sweet dill flavor. Both were good, but not great.

Slabs – 4 – Some of the best ribs we’ve tried. It was a nice combination of moist meat and crispy glazed skin. The tender meat fell off the bone with ease. Only drawback is they weren’t super meaty. Tasty and full of flavor, but a bit small.

Steaks – Didn’t order steaks.

Sandwiches – 4 – We had a terrific juicy pulled pork sandwich smothered in sweet bbq sauce. It was full of a nice smoke pit flavor. Only drawback was it was made with standard white bread, which is a major tradition here in KC; they give you four or five pieces, but with all the sauce the bread gets soggy. None the less, it was by far among the top pulled pork we’ve had.

The pulled pork sandwich came with multiple pieces of wonder bread