Kansas City has more than its share of barbecue restaurants, and the hardest part of a visit is choosing where to eat. The Original KC Barbecue Tour solves that by taking you to four of the most famous names in one afternoon. The bus leaves from the parking lot of Arthur Bryant’s on Brooklyn Avenue, the restaurant that helped make Kansas City barbecue famous, and continues to LC’s Bar-B-Q, Danny Edwards BLVD BBQ and Gates Bar-B-Q, with tastings at each stop and a guide explaining the history, the cuts, the sauces and the rivalries along the way. Skip-the-line entry and the restaurant staff gratuities are included, the bus is air-conditioned, and the route passes landmarks such as the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, the Country Club Plaza and Union Station between stops. It is one of the best-reviewed experiences in the city, with nearly two hundred reviews averaging close to five stars, and it suits first-timers who want to understand what makes Kansas City barbecue different without spending a week eating it.
Kansas City barbecue grew out of the city’s stockyards and the Black pitmasters who opened smokehouses in the early twentieth century, and it is known for its variety: slow-smoked beef, pork, ribs, chicken and sausage, served with a thick, sweet and tangy tomato-based sauce. The city also claims burnt ends, the crusty, smoky trimmings from the point of a brisket that started as a giveaway at the counter and became a delicacy. Each stop on this tour shows a different side of the tradition, from the old-school counter at Arthur Bryant’s to the neighbourhood smokehouse feel of LC’s and the shouted greetings of the Gates chain.
The tour runs about four hours, with roughly half an hour at each stop and the first stop slightly longer. Tastings are generous, so arrive hungry and skip breakfast. Drinks are not included but can be bought at each restaurant, and tipping the driver and guide is customary. The meeting point is the south parking lot of Arthur Bryant’s at 1727 Brooklyn Avenue, close to the 18th and Vine Jazz District.
Book ahead, especially on weekends, because the tour is marked as likely to sell out. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start. If you want a sit-down barbecue meal as well, save it for another day: after four stops, few guests can manage dinner. The tour is a great first-day activity, giving you a map of the city’s barbecue scene to explore on your own afterwards.
What to expect
The experience
A guided bus tour with tastings at four famous barbecue restaurants, Arthur Bryant’s, LC’s, Danny Edwards BLVD and Gates, including skip-the-line entry and restaurant gratuities.
Best time
Book it early in your trip so you know which places you want to return to, and arrive hungry with no big meal beforehand.
How long
About four hours from the meeting point at Arthur Bryant’s and back, with around thirty to forty minutes at each restaurant.
Tips
Drinks are extra, tipping the driver and guide is expected, and you should book a few days ahead for weekends because the tour often sells out.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Food lovers and first-timers who want a crash course in Kansas City barbecue from the most famous names in one afternoon.
- Families
- Older children with big appetites will enjoy it, but four hours on a bus with food stops can be long for little ones.
- Couples
- A fun, social afternoon out, and you will leave with strong opinions about burnt ends to debate over drinks later.
- Pair with
- The Negro Leagues Baseball Museum at 18th and Vine, a few minutes from the meeting point.
- Time needed
- Half a day, and plan a light dinner afterwards at most.
Good questions
Which barbecue restaurants does the KC barbecue tour visit?+
It stops at Arthur Bryant’s, LC’s Bar-B-Q, Danny Edwards BLVD BBQ and Gates Bar-B-Q. The route also passes landmarks such as the Nelson-Atkins and Union Station.
Where does the barbecue tour start?+
It meets in the south parking lot of Arthur Bryant’s at 1727 Brooklyn Avenue. The tour returns to the same spot at the end.
Are drinks included on the barbecue tour?+
No, drinks are not included, but you can buy them at each restaurant. Food tastings, transport and restaurant staff gratuities are included.
What are burnt ends?+
Burnt ends are the crusty, smoky pieces from the point of a smoked brisket. They are a Kansas City specialty and a highlight of any barbecue crawl.
Can I cancel the barbecue tour?+
Yes, cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start for a full refund. After that, the booking is not refundable.
