With the ICCFA Annual Convention & Exposition heading to Kansas City, Missouri, for the first time, there’s a ton to discover, including KC’s staple cuisine – barbecue. According to visitkc.com, “Barbecue in Kansas City is more than a menu item or a method of preparation. It’s an institution, rich with history and culinary tradition that shapes the city’s dining landscape every day—and has since the early 1900s.” Check out this list of ten barbecue restaurants you can try during your stay in Kansas City this May:

  •  Arthur Bryant’s Barbecue
    • “Celebrated spot for smoked meats served with Wonder bread & fries in plain self-service digs.”
    • Located Downtown, 2.5 miles from the Kansas City Convention Center.
  • Gates Bar-B-Q
    • “Part of a celebrated local chain serving all the barbecue basics & known for its signature sauce.”
    • Located Midtown, 2.5 miles from the Kansas City Convention Center.
  • Joe’s Kansas City Bar-B-Que
    • “Relaxed BBQ pit stop for slabs of ribs, pulled pork sandwiches, meat by the pound & sides.”
    • Located across the state border in Kansas, 5 miles from the Kansas City Convention Center.
  • B.B.’s Lawnside Bar-B-Q
    • “Barbecue is eaten at communal picnic tables in this no-frills roadhouse joint with live blues.”
    • Located in South KC, 12 miles from the Kansas City Convention Center.
  • LC’s Bar-B-Q
    • “Old-school spot for traditional barbecue & sides offered in a no-frills dining room.”
    • Located in East KC,  7.5 miles from the Kansas City Convention Center.
  • Fiorella’s Jack Stack Barbecue
    • “Bustling local chain known for its vast barbecue menu encompassing steak & seafood.”
    • Located in Midtown, .7 miles miles from the Kansas City Convention Center.
  • Q39
    • “Hip, airy joint with beamed ceilings & exposed brick serving smoked BBQ & wood-fired meats.”
    • Located in Midtown, 3 miles from the Kansas City Convention Center.
  • Rye
    • “Farm-to-table American fare & rye cocktails served in a stylish, urban-farmhouse setting.”
    • Located in the Country Club Plaza, 4.5 miles from the Kansas City Convention Center.
  • Char Bar
    • “BBQ & Southern eats with a modern twist in a big space with a retro vibe & beer garden with games.”
    • Located in Midtown, 3.2 miles from the Kansas City Convention Center.
  • Slap’s BBQ
    • “No-nonsense barbecue joint serving classics such as brisket & hushpuppies from a counter.”
    • Located across the state border in Kansas, 2.3 miles from the Kansas City Convention Center.

For more information on the 2023 ICCFA Annual Convention & Exposition, click here.