Kansas City’s barbecue craze can be traced back to Henry Perry, who, in the early 1920s, began barbecuing in an outdoor pit adjacent to his streetcar barn, serving slabs of food wrapped in newspaper. Perry’s ‘cue became so popular that fans began imitating his technique and style to create their own unique recipes.
The second wave of barbecue pioneers were the families of Bryant, Gates, Boyd, Harris, Fiorella and Thompson—three of which are familiar names that remain emblazoned on still-thriving restaurants. Kansas City had earned a reputation as a renowned stockyard and meat-packing city by the ‘30s and ‘40s, making it the ideal migration destination for pitmasters in search of work. Together, their distinctive tastes, talents and flair laid the groundwork for an unprecedented, eclectic barbecue culture that’s recognized on a global scale.
Now, Kansas City barbecue enthusiasts can satisfy their cravings at more than 100 mouth-watering restaurants dotted around the metro. There’s even the Kansas City Barbeque Society, an organization dedicated to promoting and sustaining the cuisine worldwide.
Download the App
For the barbecue enthusiasts, Kansas City has an app, KC BBQ Experience, that allows you to plan your taste-testing adventure. The app is billed as the ultimate resource for enjoying Kansas City’s signature cuisine. Check in to 100+ regional restaurants, earn badges for bragging rights, post photos of your ‘cue and embark on themed trails to explore new parts of the city. Download it from https://www.visitkc.com/bbq