There's a long running argument about who has the best barbecue.  Texas? No.  North Carolina? No.  St. Louis? Getting closer, but no.  There is no question that Kansas City, hands down, has the best barbecue in the United States.  I'll go so far as to say the best barbecue in the World...but then you get into a whole other realm of what barbecue is.

Kansas City is famous for it's tangy, sweet sauce, which covers it's world famous ribs and beef.  Let's get right down to the top three...so when you're in the area you can go ahead and check them off your list.

1. Gates BAR.B.Q. - still reigning champ.  Heavyweight of Kansas City. Knocking wanna be bbq weaklings out of the ring since 1946.  Bam!  It doesn't get much better than Gates original sauce.  When you walk in the door, there's going to be two lines. Pick one, both lead to great happiness..however temporary it may be.  Don't get scared when the woman behind the counted starts yelling at you: "Hi, May I help you?".  When the lady yells at you, give her your order please.  It doesn't matter that you are the seventeenth person in line no where close to the front. This is just how it's done, and she will keep yelling at you if you don't speak up.

Order:  I get a beef and a half everytime with fries....and a slab ribs that I usually split with someone.  This is like a normal beef sandwich on white bread, but bigger, stronger, faster, 2.0 version.  If you aren't really hungry, go for a beef on bun, which is great and not  too much food.  The ribs are phenomenal.  Wash it all down with a Boulevard Pale Ale, brewed in KC, served in frosty cold mugs.  

There is a bar at the Gates on Main downtown, and you can get pitchers there too...which is always good times and highly recomended.  All the Gates locations have TVs, too, if you want to settle in for a minute and watch a game.

2.  Arthur Bryant's Barbecue :  coming in at a close number two.  It's "The President's Choice".  Dubbed this because you go in and you'll see pictures of President's (dead and alive) all along the walls, gorging themselves on the bbq.  You'll also find pics of Speilberg and a bunch of other famous peeps who made the pilgrimage to this mecca.  Bryant's is cool, too, in my book because it's outside of downtown in a neighborhood with serious character, which most people don't venture to.  Any place in proximity to the Foundation has serious cred in my book.

Order: Beef sandwich. Again and again!  With fries..they are phenomenal.  They shave the beef right off the brisket right in front of you and they PILE it on.  They put it on white bread, but they give you like 1/2 a loaf on the side because you can make three or four sanwiches with the amount they give you.  I usually just try to make it into one sando that I can wrestle wit.  Bryant's original sauce is really unique, and really good.  But, I can't get enough of their rich and spicy sauce.  It goes on everything I eat there.  And, of course, I'd wash this down with a frosty cold one.  Some people like Strawberry soda w/bbq, whatever floats your boat, I suppose.  Pale Ale......

3.  Oklahoma Joes :   Gas Station.  This place is in a gas station.  You will never find better food in gas station in your life.  No matter what Jimmy Hurley tells you.  This is a rootsy place, as there was only one location in KC for forever, but they just opened a new one out south there.  

Order: Pulled Pork sandwich.  Best pulled pork in KC.  The fries are phenomenal too - well seasoned, thin and crispy.  They have this pulled pork sandwich that comes with a huge onion ring on it and a slice a provolone. It's called the "Z Man" I think?  Bomb.  When I waiver from the standard large pulled pork sando, you best know I'm having a Z Man...and ribs. 

HONORABLE MENTION: Jack Stack BBQ.  This place is pretty damn good.  I worked there for a short stint (good times in the smokehouse), so I got kinda burned out on it...but some people love it.  Their locations are  more of a "sit down" have a waiter type place, and their menu is more upscale...so if that's what you're into when it comes to BBQ check this place out. They have this side called 'cheesy cornbake', and as gnarley as it sounds, I could eat this stuff by the bowl full, and you would, too.  Try it...and tell the Fiorella's Matt Hutnington says hello.