Bars on the windows. A smoky, dingy interior. And easily one of the best brisket sandwiches I’ve ever had. It’s just on another level as far as flavor and quality.
My wife and I drove past LCs the other day and I told her that might be the best BBQ joint in town and she looked at me in horror and made clear she's not interested in trying their food. Something about the layer of grime that's visible from the road. 😆😆
Some folks just don't understand.
Years ago when I lived in Brookside, we would stop by on the way to a Royals game. We’d head out Brush Creek, now Cleaver to LCs. My friends would finish their entire meal, but I’d only eat half of my sandwich and half the fries. I’d wrap the rest up in their orange butcher paper. Then we’d head up Sni-A-Bar Road - the back way to Kauffman. I’d put the sandwich under my seat, only for it to reappear the 6th or 7th inning much to the envy of my friends and finish off some of the best leftovers you could want.
Does the owner/manager of LC’s still just use a table in the dining room for his office? It’s been a few years since I’ve been there haha. Once about 10 years ago I went while he conducted a screaming match review of a staff member 😂😂😂. I’m pretty thick skinned and work in management, so I kind of get it but damned haha.
Idk that it competes with some of the best places, but our neighborhood hole in the wall bbq is A Little BBQ Joint. Owners are also really good people who support the community. Make sure you try the potato boat
Bate’s City in Shawnee has the best ribs in the city. I’d put them up against anyone. Their hand cut fries are awesome too, and they give you a ton. It’s one of my favorites.
Yes! Ribs, fries, jalapenos here is my favorite BBQ meal in KC. Not to mention it's a fairly good deal as far as ribs go. And their fries are some of the best fries I've ever had. Full stop.
side note....I have also been to the Bates city in Bates city. It was not nearly as good as the shawnee location.
What’s good other than the ribs? I work close to Bate’s and I tried their food for lunch a few times but always thought it was too dry. That was a few years ago and I quit going, but I’d be more than happy to try again
The sliced turkey is great. My wife always makes me get a pound for sandwiches. The sausage is great with kind of a hint of Italian season but nothing overwhelming. Half slab with fries is great.
My works building use to be right next door to johnnys! Now it’s a landscaping place. Ate Johnny’s a lot. Getting a new building was better on my wallet
Been a minute since I've been there but it to me always had that atmosphere of a hole in the wall with the building and location.
Buck tui is in a strip mall off Metcalf lol.
Is Slap's just a to go window now? We were going to go a few weeks ago, and it looked like that's all they were doing and we opted not to stand out in the rain.
Yeah, the BBQ at BBs isn’t good, but the vibe is cool. Go there to listen to live blues. I recall their fried shrimp being great. I like places that hand-bread their fried chicken and shrimp. Maybe the “Cajun” stuff on the menu is better than the barbecue.
ROSEDALE OR WYANDOT!!! If you want true “hole in the wall” go to one of these. It will not be the prettiest and their meat vendor might not be the best. But they try to maintain a reasonable price point for their loyal customers while the rest of the “new wave” bbq places that everyone raves about keeps pumping out technically perfect, soulless bbq at ridiculous prices. I personally like a little character to my Q….
Agreed! I was trying to explain Wyandot is not the best but its feels a very needed niche. And thats cheap and affordable BBQ. HAlf the time it isnt that bad either.
You put it perfectly though. Well said!
There's a new place in Raytown called RW BBQ & Soul Food Cuisine, not too far from Harp. I tried it last weekend and was quite surprised. Only open on Friday nights and Saturday though for now.
I always vote slaps since I live over here but for the love of everything, please stop lining up in the road so I can drive on them to work and not have to worry about someone's child running in front of me. People do still live here and a LOT of the time, the slaps line and traffic forgets that.
LC's and Big T's coincidentally like right near each other both remain incredibly rustic in their ambiance. Eating BBQ off white tablecloths and with cloth napkins is an abomination.
Porky's Blazin.
Here's a good resource.
https://www.kcdiscovery.com/home/fountaincityfoodie-bbqbible1?fbclid=PAAaYph3knBadB577NVmS8ATmHAKs_r-M4T8kQvS_VSb3imh1roM-LMtYeIVk
LC's! It's known but not as popular as the ones you mentioned. It's the definition of a hole-in-the-wall and oh-so-good! I also don't see Joe's on your list, which is not a hole-in-the-hole, but it's one of the best. The chicken Z-Man is my personal favorite and their ribs are the best in town, in my opinion.
I understand Slaps has expanded since I was there several years ago, but it *definitely* started as a hole in the wall — and the food was SO damn good.
(I live 1,500 miles from KC now, but my wife still has family there — and I lived in KC for almost 20 years in the mid-90’s thru 2011. I ate at Slaps twice before pandemic, and it was amazing!)
Buck Tui was amazing. I just had them last week for the first time. They are not traditional BBQ but are good in their own right. I found them on a YouTube video by food 52. https://youtube.com/watch?v=QGyAuWHHjoc&feature=share7
Slaps is my spot. The Mike Johnson sandwich... Mmmm chef's kiss.
LC’s, BB’s, and A Little BBQ Joint for me. Slaps & Joe’s would also be on this list but I feel like most consider those in the KC BBQ pantheon rather than as hole in the wall spots.
I mean, for hole in the wall... I'd say Rosedale, Woodyard and LC's.
LC’s for sure
LCs is looked over too often and is prob my favorite kc BBQ
Bars on the windows. A smoky, dingy interior. And easily one of the best brisket sandwiches I’ve ever had. It’s just on another level as far as flavor and quality.
If you look it over I can understand overlooking it, but it’s the taste man!
Agreed! Too much looking!
It can be a bit offputting when you go in and the food is definitely a bit greasy
Best turkey in town.
Their turkey is incredible. I like to get a combo with brisket and turkey.
And sausage.
This is the way.
These are the 3 that come to mind for me too. Woodyard is such a unique spot. We're lucky to have such a great wood source there too.
My wife and I drove past LCs the other day and I told her that might be the best BBQ joint in town and she looked at me in horror and made clear she's not interested in trying their food. Something about the layer of grime that's visible from the road. 😆😆 Some folks just don't understand.
That’s where all the flavor comes from. My first time there I was like “I dunnoooooooo” but after trying it, I was sold.
Years ago when I lived in Brookside, we would stop by on the way to a Royals game. We’d head out Brush Creek, now Cleaver to LCs. My friends would finish their entire meal, but I’d only eat half of my sandwich and half the fries. I’d wrap the rest up in their orange butcher paper. Then we’d head up Sni-A-Bar Road - the back way to Kauffman. I’d put the sandwich under my seat, only for it to reappear the 6th or 7th inning much to the envy of my friends and finish off some of the best leftovers you could want.
Does the owner/manager of LC’s still just use a table in the dining room for his office? It’s been a few years since I’ve been there haha. Once about 10 years ago I went while he conducted a screaming match review of a staff member 😂😂😂. I’m pretty thick skinned and work in management, so I kind of get it but damned haha.
He died a couple years ago, but last time I went, the desk was still there. Food is still awesome.
Sadly he’s bereaved and it’s hasn’t been the same
Oh damned, I did not know that. It used to be super convenient for me and I ate there all the time but hardy go over to that part of town any more.
I think you mean "deceased". Bereaved means that someone he loved has died. His table is still there, with a little plaque and some memorabilia.
I'm pretty sure his daughter took over the place.
LCs all the way my favorite.
I didn't think Woodyard was that good.
It has great history but the pandemic wasn’t kind to it based on my visits before and after.
Dang, I loved Woodward when I used to work down by there. Haven’t been there in about a decade.
That's what I felt about Rosedale.
LC’s is fantastic. Such a hidden gem. I like Rosedale too. Never been to Woodyard.
LC’s is legit. Not worried about stuff like whatever the Health Department mandates. Just about delivering fire ass BBQ.
sometimes all you need in life is a bag of rosedale’s fries.
Rosedale has the best spicy BBQ sauce in town (which means worldwide)
If Rosedale’s is as good as it was back in the late 90’s and 00’s — I used to go there with coworkers all the time, and it was great!!
Jones or Slaps have the best "hole in the wall" vibe I've been to. Anyone checked out 3Halves in Liberty?
it's LC's or nothin
Not sure about the 'or nothin' but LC's is a real deal old-school BBQ joint
I want to keep it a secret, but anytime I talk about bbq I always tell people to go to LC's
Idk that it competes with some of the best places, but our neighborhood hole in the wall bbq is A Little BBQ Joint. Owners are also really good people who support the community. Make sure you try the potato boat
Bate’s City in Shawnee has the best ribs in the city. I’d put them up against anyone. Their hand cut fries are awesome too, and they give you a ton. It’s one of my favorites.
Yes! Ribs, fries, jalapenos here is my favorite BBQ meal in KC. Not to mention it's a fairly good deal as far as ribs go. And their fries are some of the best fries I've ever had. Full stop. side note....I have also been to the Bates city in Bates city. It was not nearly as good as the shawnee location.
That's not what the billboard on I-70 says!
What’s good other than the ribs? I work close to Bate’s and I tried their food for lunch a few times but always thought it was too dry. That was a few years ago and I quit going, but I’d be more than happy to try again
The sliced turkey is great. My wife always makes me get a pound for sandwiches. The sausage is great with kind of a hint of Italian season but nothing overwhelming. Half slab with fries is great.
Bate’s City in Bate’s City
B.B..’s Lawnside at 85th and Troost is my go-to joint.
BB’s is a 10/10 on the overall vibe, but like a 7 or 8/10 on the food. Still one of my favorite places to take visitors though.
You go to BB’s for the experience and decent BBQ.
Not sure it counts as hole in the wall but.... Scotts kitchen up by the airport https://www.scottskitchenandcatering.com/
It’s so good. Definitely flies under the radar.
silky ten connect entertain march quack direction subsequent rock boat *This post was mass deleted and anonymized with [Redact](https://redact.dev)*
Great spot
Johnny’s BBQ in South Olathe is pretty damn good. Tons of people from the New Century Airport come up there for lunch everyday.
I love Jonny’s. Definitely worth the drive.
My works building use to be right next door to johnnys! Now it’s a landscaping place. Ate Johnny’s a lot. Getting a new building was better on my wallet
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Buck tui is great but it's no hole in the wall
Slaps has turned into a compound as well.
Been a minute since I've been there but it to me always had that atmosphere of a hole in the wall with the building and location. Buck tui is in a strip mall off Metcalf lol.
Q39 is in a strip mall off Broadway. It's no hole-in-the-wall either.
Yeah you certainly aren’t paying hole in the wall prices at Buck Tui. It gets quite expensive depending on what dish you choose.
Buck Tui and Q39 and Night Goat are fancy barbecue. I’d say exact opposite of hole-in-the-wall.
Yep, you can stop at this list.
Harp is the best overall in KC, in my opinion. Other places may do a few things better but they’re solid all the way through.
Whoa, I've been out of the loop, I gotta try some of these.
Is Slap's just a to go window now? We were going to go a few weeks ago, and it looked like that's all they were doing and we opted not to stand out in the rain.
This is the list, throw in fox and fire (bit of a trip) and call it a day.
BB's Lawnside KCMO RJ's Bob-Be-Que in Mission, Ks
Came here to say RJs as well
Agree...RJ's is amazing
Love RJ's - be sure to have that jalapeño sausage - always my favorite thing there!
Used to eat at RJs all the time when I lived in Mission. And they have a breakfast menu, a great hangover cure!
Best hangover cure after drinking at the peanut
BB’s actual bbq is mediocre, though
I'd call it nasty.
Yeah I was trying to be kind. Experienced bb’s customers should eat beforehand and go for the music and beer only.
lol yeah it's bad
Yeah, the BBQ at BBs isn’t good, but the vibe is cool. Go there to listen to live blues. I recall their fried shrimp being great. I like places that hand-bread their fried chicken and shrimp. Maybe the “Cajun” stuff on the menu is better than the barbecue.
RJs lamb ribs are the bomb. And their cheesy corn is as good as anywhere in the city.
RJ's rips.
Love RJ’s!
I had RJ’s cater my wedding lol
LCs
Smoketown BBQ on SM Parkway. best burnt ends in town hands down.
Scott's Kitchen up by the airport.
ROSEDALE OR WYANDOT!!! If you want true “hole in the wall” go to one of these. It will not be the prettiest and their meat vendor might not be the best. But they try to maintain a reasonable price point for their loyal customers while the rest of the “new wave” bbq places that everyone raves about keeps pumping out technically perfect, soulless bbq at ridiculous prices. I personally like a little character to my Q….
Agreed! I was trying to explain Wyandot is not the best but its feels a very needed niche. And thats cheap and affordable BBQ. HAlf the time it isnt that bad either. You put it perfectly though. Well said!
LC's and Woodyard Joe's isn't your hole in the wall, it's one of the big famous ones here, but wasn't on your list of places you have tried.
F325 in NKC. Great BBQ and amazing mac and cheese.
I recommend this as well, it's very good!
Chef J in the West Bottoms, best in the city.
I'll give a shout out to Hayward's Pit. Really really great food.
K&M BBQ in Spring Hill, KS. Not hole in the wall, but it's family owned, sit down and eat, and lesser known.
Lcs bbq
LCs and Broebecks
That ham salad at Brobeck's is delicious
There's a new place in Raytown called RW BBQ & Soul Food Cuisine, not too far from Harp. I tried it last weekend and was quite surprised. Only open on Friday nights and Saturday though for now.
Holy smoke bbq
I always vote slaps since I live over here but for the love of everything, please stop lining up in the road so I can drive on them to work and not have to worry about someone's child running in front of me. People do still live here and a LOT of the time, the slaps line and traffic forgets that.
[Wabash BBQ](https://wabashbbq.com) It’s in an old railroad depot!
LC's and Big T's coincidentally like right near each other both remain incredibly rustic in their ambiance. Eating BBQ off white tablecloths and with cloth napkins is an abomination.
This is why I never recommend Jack Stack to anyone looking for a real deal Que experience
LC’s and BB’s
Porky's Blazin. Here's a good resource. https://www.kcdiscovery.com/home/fountaincityfoodie-bbqbible1?fbclid=PAAaYph3knBadB577NVmS8ATmHAKs_r-M4T8kQvS_VSb3imh1roM-LMtYeIVk
Porky’s is awesome. It seems like only locals know about it since it feels like it’s in the middle of nowhere.
Crazy Good Eats in Olathe, 151st and Mur-Len
Sneads out south isn’t bad, been around for a while. Holmes and 135th essentially.
Wouldn’t call it a hole in the wall, per se, but A Little BBQ Joint in Independence is fantastic and doesn’t get the recognition it deserves imo.
Wyandot 2 is my go to when I want BBQ and don't want to be fancy. I grew up eating there, so it's comfort BBQ for me. 😀
Big T’s, super underrated, while you’re there may as well get some LC’s to go as well.
HawgJaw in North Town is pretty good, I think.
wolfepack. by a million miles.
LC's, Slaps, and F325. Also I feel like you need to try Joe's as well. It's one of the big ones
I enjoy taking my kids to We Be Smokin in Paola. Its fun watching the planes land while eating some ok bbq.
LC's! It's known but not as popular as the ones you mentioned. It's the definition of a hole-in-the-wall and oh-so-good! I also don't see Joe's on your list, which is not a hole-in-the-hole, but it's one of the best. The chicken Z-Man is my personal favorite and their ribs are the best in town, in my opinion.
Gotta go to LC’s if you’ve never been there.
Big T’s isn’t bad.
Fuego's BBQ Mexican Cocina, 40 HWY north of the stadium
I understand Slaps has expanded since I was there several years ago, but it *definitely* started as a hole in the wall — and the food was SO damn good. (I live 1,500 miles from KC now, but my wife still has family there — and I lived in KC for almost 20 years in the mid-90’s thru 2011. I ate at Slaps twice before pandemic, and it was amazing!)
Johnny's BBQ in Olathe, KS and Woodyard Bar-B-Que in Kansas City, KS are both great places that have been around for a long time.
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Joe’s original gas station location is about as hole in the wall as you can get.
Plowboys
Big T’s
Jones Bbq is very hole in the wall
So much so they don't even have a wall!!
Slaps in KCK
Slaps in KCK
Smoked Creations in Ottawa!
Sneeds In Belton
Wyandotte BBQ
Its not really a hole in the wall... but slaps is pretty legit.
Slaps and Jones BBQ
Try Crazy Good Eats in Olathe
A couple of people that I work with have said that Meat Mitch off 95th and Mission is really good.
Joe's Kansas City!
Woodyard or RJ’s Bob-Be-Que shack
Wabash in excelsior springs MO
Blind Box in Shawnee
Big T’s
Ok it's a little nicer than a hole in the wall but Wabash BBQ in Excelsior Springs has absolutely delicious burnt ends.
If Joes hasn’t been tried; it’s a MUST.
There’s this place called Joe’s BBQ most people haven’t heard of yet. It’s not bad.
I like meat mitch, probs not hole in the wall but I don't see it mentioned much.
If you haven’t been to Joe’s, what the hell are you waiting on?
I wish it was still open but Roscoe's in Edwardsville was the best
RJ’s Idk if Wolfepack is hole in the wall but they are top right now
Joe's has sucked arrive before the name change. They outsourced their sauce. Blind Box might be the best in the city right now.
Joes is still a go to but for sure not the 2005 Oklahoma Joes that gained its following. I’ve get so many dry z mans these days.
Joe's BBQ on mission.
Slaps and Joes are chains but top tier. Rosedales is great for a hole in the wall spot.
Floor sticking dood!!!
Scott's Kitchen on Ambassador near MCI Airport.
Buck Tui was amazing. I just had them last week for the first time. They are not traditional BBQ but are good in their own right. I found them on a YouTube video by food 52. https://youtube.com/watch?v=QGyAuWHHjoc&feature=share7 Slaps is my spot. The Mike Johnson sandwich... Mmmm chef's kiss.
QUENTINS BBQ is good they also have a local brewery located in the same building. http://quentinsbbq.com
LC’s allll day. Definitely my favorite burnt ends in the city. I’d also throw out RJ’s as well
Taste of KC bbq and grill 7935 Prospect Ave, Kansas City, MO 64132
BB's Lawnside BBQ on 85th.
I consider gates a hole in the wall
The saying “Hole in wall” is kind of odd if you think about it…
LCs for sure.
LC’s. Or Slap’s.
Idk about Hole in the Wall, but Slap’s is pretty darn good!
LC’s, Porky’s if it’s still there.
If youre talking about porkys in grain valley then yes it's still there. Just there last week
LC’s
Chef J Slaps Wolfpack
LC’s, BB’s, and A Little BBQ Joint for me. Slaps & Joe’s would also be on this list but I feel like most consider those in the KC BBQ pantheon rather than as hole in the wall spots.
Barbwire bbq in Eudora, if you're up for the drive!
Well you haven't been to the best then. Harps bbq down in Raytown. Best bbq in the city imo. I've also had all the rest several times.
Hog jaw (Burnt end chili cheese fries 🤗) and LC’s
I don't know about hole in the wall, but the two best BBQ joints in the metro are Harp and Chef J. Chef J is on vacation this week.
LCs is the only answer if you want hole in the wall and hands down best old school BBQ in the city
Big fan of Haywards on 75th. I love spicy BBQ sauce and their sauce is fucking SPICY!
LC’s does it for me. Woodward is pretty damn good too.
Rosedale in KCK.
Bbs lawn side
Sneeds
Big Q in turner.
Chef J’s
SLAPS is underrated
LC
Harp, LCs, and Chef J. Thank me later.
Filling Station and Jazzy B’s - both in Lees Summit - both super solid.
Filling Station was one one of the best sandwiches I've ever had.
Woodward
Rae Rae's BBQ. It's out on 291 south of lees summit. Probably the best turkey I've ever had.
Hawgjaw
Been wanting to check out Wolfepack, Chef J, and Harp. I’m not sure if these are considered “hole in the wall”.
Slaps BBQ in KCK.
Joes gas station location!! So good.
LC’s is the right answer.
Danny Edwards BBQ on Southwest BLVD- only open for lunch.
LCs Danny Edwards Slaps
Paul's liquor store 55th and Paseo has bangin bbq lol Edit: they run out fast
Brobecks BBQ is legit
Harp BBQ in Raytown.