Stop #3 Smokestack B-B-Q

Smokestack B-B-Q

8920 Wornall

Kansas City, MO 64114

http://smokestackbbq.com/

The KC Barbeque team had yet another great Kansas City BBQ experience. On Thursday evening, we had dinner at Smokestack B-B-Q. Smokestack is a restaurant started by the Fiorella family, who also owns Jack Stack in Kansas City (we’ll go there later in the year—it will be interesting to see how it stacks up).

Our overall experience at Smokestack was pretty good. We ordered a pretty wide variety of barbeque fare including ribs and pulled pork, burnt ends and combination sandwiches. The pulled pork is not the best I’ve ever had, but everything else comes highly recommended. Smokestack’s sides are delicious, which saved my meal and only made everyone else’s better. Grace was so full (after eating two whole ribs!) all she could muster up was “Mmmmm,” which seemed to be echoed around the table.

Smokestack was barely, just barely, edged out by Gates coming in with an average acore of 4.0 in comparison to its 4.1. Here’s how it shook out:

Meat:

Flavor 3.9

Consistency 3.9

Quality 3.8

Sauce:

Flavor 3.9

Consistency 4.2

Sides:

Distinctiveness 3.6

Variety 3.9

Flavor 4.4

Restaurant:

Service 4.4

Atmosphere 3.6

Value 4.2

Overall Experience 3.9

It seems that Nick has been named the expert among the group and Jeff could only say, “I tell you what, it was a pleasure watching a food connoisseur like Nick eat his meal. If he was impressed, so was I.” Actually, Jeff has named Nick the expert, but Nick has spoken and he was impressed; here’s what he had to say: “The quality of the BBQ at Smokestack is very impressive … the smoked chicken was surprisingly good, but my favorite part of the BBQ Challenge so far is Jeff’s obsession with what my comments will be for the night.”

I think I speak for everyone when I say that aside from the food, I’m glad to have some additional entertainment provided by the lovable banter between Nick & Jeff.

Stop #2 Gates Bar-B-Q

Gates Bar-B-Q

http://www.gatesbbq.com/

Various locations in the KC area

“Hi, may I help you?"

--- Famous first words of any Gates employee

We came into Gates on a snowy Kansas City evening, but it did not disappoint. We all had some pretty nice things to say about our meal, which were reflected in our overall scores, which I’ll get to shortly.

If you’ve never been to Gates, you’re missing out on quite the

experience, not to mention some pretty good barbeque. Those famous first words—which are shouted emphatically over and over until you reply—are a staple in the overall Gates experience. Although Gates is an “order at the counter” restaurant, its service does not disappoint. Our table was visited at least three times to make sure everything was OK and to bring to-go boxes when we finishing up.

Let’s get down to business. Most everyone enjoyed his or her meal. Gates has fabulous barbeque; the one thing that they’re missing, in my opinion, is that wide array of sides that can be expected at many barbeque restaurants. That being said, they do offer very traditional sides that really showcase the barbeque. You really get simple, authentic barbeque. “Strawberry soda, mixed plate.” – Tech N9ne via Dave. ‘Nuff said.

Grace, a loyal fan of Gates’ burnt ends, said hers were “a little dry … just not as good as usual.” Nick, on the other hand, said, “’It’s hard to beat Gates when they are on top of their game … perfect ribs tonight.”

Here’s how Gates stacked up:

Meat: Flavor – 4.7

Consistency - 4.6

Quality - 4.8

Sauce: Flavor – 4.4

Consistency - 4.3

Sides: Distinctiveness - 3.3

Variety - 3.3

Overall Flavor - 3.5

Restaurant: Service - 4.1

Atmosphere - 4.1

Value - 3.9

Overall Experience: 4.5

Our average score for Gates came in at 4.1.

Not that the competition is too stiff yet, but I am confident Gates will give the rest of our restaurants a run for their money. Jeff, who had the combo sandwich with beef and ham, said “’both melted in my mouth … just may be Kansas City’s finest.” I guess you’ll just have to wait and see …