Best BBQ in Missouri

A massive St. Louis favorite with sweet-and-smoky burnt ends not to be missed alongside legendary ribs. The sweet potato fries are like a hug from the inside.

Bold flavors and lines that wrap around the block — and locals will tell you it's worth every minute of the wait. A Tripadvisor top-10 KC mainstay built entirely on the strength of what comes off the smoker.

A Kansas City heavyweight with multiple locations and a Tripadvisor-based ranking of 4.5 from nearly 4,000 reviews. Hickory-smoked in a brick oven, with a menu broad enough to satisfy steakhouse regulars and BBQ purists at the same table.

Ranked #1 on Stacker's Tripadvisor-based list of Kansas City BBQ with a 4.5 rating across 3,289 reviews. Burnt ends, ribs, and apple slaw lead a menu that's trendier and pricier than the old-school joints, finished off with a chocolate pecan cheesecake worth the splurge.

Live blues music and smoked meats combine at this south Kansas City institution, a Stacker top-10 favorite for both food and atmosphere. A dinner-only spot that turns a BBQ meal into a full evening out.

Smoked meats and an actual arcade share the floor at this Westport favorite — part barbecue joint, part amusement hall. A Tripadvisor top-10 Kansas City restaurant that proves BBQ and entertainment can share a roof.

Named one of the eight best BBQ joints in Kansas City by Food & Wine, alongside names many times its size. A neighborhood shack that's earned a spot among the city's most respected pitmasters on reputation alone.

A beloved Kansas City-area favorite for over 40 years, with multiple locations spanning Blue Springs and Lenexa. Sweet, tangy sauce and reliably tender smoked meats have made this a multi-generational family tradition across the metro.

Part of Kansas City BBQ folklore since the early 1900s, with the current location open since 1949 and barely touched since. The Original sauce delivers an aggressive vinegar-and-paprika wallop, and the burnt ends served here are credited with starting the citywide obsession in the first place.

A Kansas City legend ranked #14 on Stacker's Tripadvisor-based citywide list, known for a no-frills approach and consistently excellent burnt ends. The kind of spot locals quietly insist is better than the famous names.

Founded in 1946 and instantly recognizable by its red-roofed buildings and the booming 'Hi, may I help you?' greeting every customer gets at the counter. The tangy, tomato-based sauce is a rare departure from KC's typical molasses-sweet style.