What Are the Best Breweries and BBQ in Kansas City?
Your go-to guide for Kansas City barbecue and breweries. Find the best and the rest, ensuring every bite and sip is worth your time.
Kansas City has a rich and vibrant history that intertwines with its renowned breweries and barbecue culture. Founded in the early 19th century, the city quickly became a bustling hub due to its strategic location at the confluence of the Missouri and Kansas Rivers. This advantageous position not only facilitated trade and transportation but also attracted a diverse population, which laid the groundwork for a thriving culinary scene. By the mid-20th century, Kansas City had established itself as a barbecue capital, famous for its unique style that blends sweet and tangy sauces with slow-smoked meats. The barbecue joints, often family-owned, became community staples, drawing locals and visitors alike. Simultaneously, the craft beer movement began to take root in the late 20th century, with a surge of microbreweries emerging to cater to the growing demand for artisanal brews. Today, Kansas City boasts a dynamic landscape of breweries that complement its barbecue offerings, creating a delicious synergy that reflects the city’s heritage and innovation. This guide is based on a long weekend with some good friends to go see the NASCAR Cup Series race at Kansas Speedway, with some breweries, and barbecue in between - here are my picks, along with places you can skip.
The Breweries!
Casual Animal Brewing
Relaxed and casual brewery serving mostly pilsners and IPA’s. Beer menu is not extensive but the pours are good and they do the job. In our visit, I started with the Mane Event, which was a Pilsner that had a crisp refreshing taste. The next one was a “west coast Pilsner” known as Packworthy, which had a very light IPA taste to it but also a bit of an aftertaste. The brewery is beautifully designed with art adorning the walls and plants all over the ceiling and interior, creating a very inviting space.
Border Brewing Co
Adorned with reclaimed wood both as lighting and the bar itself, this brewery features both beers and non alcoholic beers, a limited menu of cocktails and wine. Most of the beer on the menu features lagers, pilsners and IPA’s. I stuck with a Backyard Lager as my lone beer. We engaged in a conversation with the bartender where we discussed different spots of New England, and she relayed to us some recommended stops for barbecue, things to do and breweries in town.
Strawberry Hill Brewing Company
A very small brewery with only a few kegs, Strawberry Hill is situated next to Slaps BBQ (see review below) and is a great “overflow” spot for anyone who orders ahead at Slaps and brings it over for a beer at Strawberry Hill and some delicious BBQ. But if you just want the beer, this place has some terrific brews. When we stopped in, I had a Bramber Ale, which is a darker ale with a light caramel and chocolate flavor that didn’t overwhelm and had that easy drinking feel of an ale. My next beer would be the Long Road Ahead, an oatmeal stout that had the taste and feel of a Guinness beer. Great place that is worth a visit whether you’re having Slaps BBQ next door or not.
Strange Days Brewing
Located adjacent to a virtual reality taproom, it’s a terrific place to enjoy some Premier League games on a Saturday with some terrific beers. Beers on tap are mostly European in nature, so expect Czech dark lager, Italian Pilsner and a New Zealand Lite Lager, but there’s also IPA’s, brown ale, sour ale, etc. I started with an Italian Pilsner called “Mi Scuzi”, which was a good balance of crisp and refreshing with a clean taste. My next beer would be a Noisey Light, which was the New Zealand Lite Lager, which also had a crisp refreshing taste. Garage-style brewery that has the atmosphere of, you guessed it, drinking beers with your friends in their garage.
River Bluff Brewing
Located near City Market, within the North Kansas City district, this terrific spot houses numerous and different kinds of beers from IPA’s to cream ale to unfiltered lagers, and my personal favorite - Belgian strong ale. Speaking of my personal favorite, I had the Sandy Dunes, which was a tasty Belgian Strong Ale. Later, I would switch to a Goldlion, which was a “golden stout”, which had the taste of a stout but the look of a Bud Light. They also serve food at this location as well.
Boulevard Brewing
This is one of the more well known breweries in Kansas City. They have an extensive beer menu and are well distributed across the United States. When you arrive, you can do tours and/or just grab a beer at the bar upstairs. It is designed to look like a beer hall. As for beer, I went with Bob’s 47 Oktoberfest, as our visit coincided with the fall months. After that one, I had a flight of the higher ABV beers, including Nitro Three Philosophers (in collaboration with the terrific Ommegang Brewery - click here to scroll down to read my review), Bourbon Barrel Quad, Rye on Rye and the “Proper Pour”. Of all the beers I sampled? I enjoyed the Bourbon Barrel Quad the most as it had a rich flavor. The Nitro Three Philosophers added a creamy taste to an already terrific beer. Boulevard also offers tours of the brewery if you're so inclined!
Vine Street Brewery
Advertised as a “black owned brewery”, this particular brewery is quite colorful with numerous beers on tap. One of the aspects of breweries I enjoy is how different each one is in terms of its atmosphere and this is no different, right down to the walls and the “graffiti”. As for the beer, they did a terrific job. Numerous beers are on tap ranging from IPA’s to lagers to cream ale. I went with the East 71, which was a cream ale to start, and finally, the Hood Saison, which had a full rich flavor without making you feel overpowered.
Cinder Block Brewery
Situated in an industrial area in North Kansas City (which is actually separate from Kansas City), this spot offers an eceletic menu of beers ranging from IPA’s to seasonal pours. One beer I tried was a “pumpkin cream ale” which blended the cream ale flavor with just the right amount of pumpkin flavor. My next and final beer was a Doppleblock, which resembles a darker beer but has plenty of flavor. Both beers were quite tasty and shows the creativity of this establishment.
Brewery and Food!
Brewery Emperial
Lovely outdoor/indoor space featuring picnic tables on the outside, and plenty of seating inside. Food options are a blend of German food and beer, complete with steins! Cornhole boards can be seen outside, and there’s plenty of vintage signs and even a vintage telephone booth. Their ordering system utilizes a menu that you use your phone to pull up the menu and you can order direct from this menu, both food and beer. Servers will bring the beer and food out to you. As for food, I went with a BLT and fries, you can’t go wrong there. And this one was excellent - fresh lettuce, garden fresh tomatoes, and tasty bacon on toasted buttered bread. As simple of a sandwich as this is, fresh just tastes better and makes all the difference. As for beer, I had a pilsner in a stein and it was terrific.
The Barbecue!
Woodyard Bar-B-Que
When we arrived at this barbecue restaurant, the sign outside has this big display that they were featured on numerous food shows, which can sometimes be a bad sign. I ordered a three meat patter with one side, featuring three of their meats. I chose brisket, turkey and sausage. While the meal was filling, it was a little underwhelming. It was mostly deli sliced barbecued meat, starting with turkey and then the brisket which almost resembled roast beef. These would be nice on a sandwich perhaps but I’m not sure how this qualifies as barbecue? Sauces were tasty, and while the meat was good, I guess I expected a better experience. This is another example of a restaurant being featured on food shows that almost become a victim of their own success.
Slaps BBQ
This was one of the recommended stops as we chatted with locals at the hotel and the various breweries we visited on the first night, and consistently, this was top of the list. When we arrived, the line went outside the door and we waited over 45 minutes and that’s usually a good sign for any barbecue establishment. As we waited in line, we all grabbed a beer at the entrance and headed in as the line continued to move. There were many options including meat by the pound, platters, sandwiches and sides. The menu is extensive enough and allows you to customize as well. As I was interested in the meat only, I decided to make my own meat platter and went with 1/4 pound of burnt ends, brisket and smoked turkey respectively. No sides, just give me the meat! Though I did get bread, pickles and jalapeño peppers to top things off. As for sauces, only two are available: Spicy and Sweet, both have a sweet backbone, sweet tastes very sweet and the spicy sauce has a honey backbone with a decent amount of heat. It’s that perfect blend of spicy and sweet. But you won’t need it. The meat is melt in your mouth good, especially the smoked turkey which was moist and tender, with just the right amount of seasoning. The burnt ends had a good blend of bark and fat, and the brisket was moist and delicious. It’s worth the wait to wait in line and you can sit down and eat at the picnic tables on the enclosed patio. But if you don’t have time or would rather eat at a local brewery, they have order ahead service available as well so you can order ahead, pick up your order and take it with you to your next stop. In any event, you can’t go wrong. This is excellent barbecue, and without a doubt a "top 5" experience for me when it comes to Barbecue.
It's Not Just Breweries and Barbecue in Kansas City
I firmly believe in engaging with the locals in every city and place I explore, as they possess a deeper understanding of the area than anyone else, and generally, they won't lead you astray. Through countless discussions with those who serve the amazing barbecue and beers, I've sensed a genuine pride in the city and its offerings. You can simply come here, relish the beers and barbecue, and still have a great time. While conversing with the locals, I discovered the various museums Kansas City has to showcase, including the National WWI Museum and Memorial, as well as the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum, among others. If you're keen on discovering some of Kansas City's fantastic museums, there's an excellent deal available that allows you to save on admission fees and visit all the major museums with one pass, whether you opt for a 1-day or 3-day admission. For sports fans, the Kansas City Royals baseball team and the Kansas City Chiefs football team are also great choices!
Where Can I Stay in Kansas City?
When considering where to stay in the Kansas City area, you have numerous options that cater to various preferences and budgets. The downtown district is a popular choice, featuring modern hotels that are within walking distance of attractions such as the Power and Light District, the Kansas City Convention Center, and an array of vibrant dining and entertainment venues. If you're seeking a more laid-back atmosphere, the Country Club Plaza is an excellent alternative; this area boasts charming Spanish-inspired architecture, upscale shops, and an impressive selection of restaurants, making it perfect for leisurely strolls. Families may find the suburbs, like Overland Park or Lee's Summit, appealing as they offer quieter environments, parks, and larger accommodations, all while still granting easy access to the city's attractions. For those with a taste for history, the Westport neighborhood provides a unique blend of boutique hotels and historic inns, surrounded by a lively cultural scene that echoes Kansas City's rich jazz heritage. Each of these areas offers distinctive experiences and amenities, ensuring that visitors can find the ideal lodging to suit their needs while exploring all that Kansas City has to offer.