I really enjoyed this meal. I waited in a line for twenty minutes just to get to the register. I wish this place was a little more new guest friendly but with the crush of people I understood. I wanted to try burnt ends, but they were not available. I went with the two meat plate and my girlfriend got the Z Man! Both were excellent. I also got the gumbo and a side of dirty rice. I was content but not stuffed. I guess that would be my only complaint. Maybe slightly larger portions, but the quality was excellent.
(5)
Amy W.
I've eaten here once. I ordered their only vegetarian item, the Portobello V-Man. It was okay, but not amazing. Also, Joe's will not allow you to make any changes or substitutions to any items on their menu. I felt sick afterwords, and some of my friends have noticed the same effect. It is inexpensive (can eat there for less than $10). It is unique place (order at the front), with a ridiculously long wait.
(2)
Mj J.
(Review from a lap-bander: small eating options) Oklahoma Joe's is generally so busy with a line out the door but it moves really quickly! I tend to gravitate towards the meat and slaw sandwiches. I got the pulled pork with slaw and fries. Always yummy! I don't eat the bun and graze after adding a 50/50 split of hot bbq sauce and regular. Their sauce is pretty dang good too! I like that the pulled pork is well "sorted". There is rarely the nasty bit in your mouth of fat or other unpleasantries. It happens though when real meat is on your plate (not pressed fast food meat.) Their fry portion is huge, so plan to share. -- My only complaint with Oklahoma Joes (and other restaurants) is the upcharge for an adult off the kids menu. Just because I'm an adult, I get charged $2 more for the exact same portion. There's a reason I'm ordering smaller. I just can't eat that much. So, I order off the standard menu due to price and throw away 3/4 of it. Silly really. The establishment is always very clean and cared for and staff are generally very pleasant. I appreciate that as soon as someone leaves, the table is cleared and clean for the next group within 90 seconds. Super quick!
(4)
John S.
Waited in a long line here, but was happy that I did! Got the dish on how to order when I was in line. "Meating up!" is definitely the way to go. Between the two of us it allowed us to get almost every meat on the menu. All good for sure, but I am partial to the brisket. As a side the red beans and rice are a must for me. As far as gas station barbecue goes it rivals Rudy's in Austin. That is high praise from me.
(4)
Sean R.
I ended up at the Strang Line location as this one is right off of I-35. I ordered the 4 rib & brisket combo, with a side of beans, beverage. You order and take the ticket to the end of the line and the staff really does shuffle to get your order to you by the time you get paid out. It's really humbling how nice they are. The entry line guy was really nice and appreciate but the cashier guy was somewhat rude and short. Maybe he was having a bad day. The pork ribs were awesome and full of smoke flavor, smoke ring, large sized. Not quite as seasoned as the Leawood location but still outstanding. Hiickory smoke provides the best flavor. Shaved slices of brisket was piled high and tasty. The beans are fantastic with smoke and lots of chunked brisket meats. The texas toast is fantastic too. $20.23 was total, which is the same out the door price as Leawood location.
(4)
Mylene B.
Had to try the best barbecue in Kansas but it didn't turn out to what I expect it to be or maybe I just have no idea what's the barbecue in Kansas is like. It was very dry and thick.., and I like my barbecue to be moist with sauce and thin. I'm probably just in the wrong state for my barbecue.
(3)
Caleb D.
Love this place. Great sauces and huge portions of awesome food. Favorite BBQ in KC
(5)
Reed N.
Just a solid update for OKJ's. I ordered to-go ribs... cold. I reheated them at home, and they give you instructions on how to do it. Do not ignore them. Your food is often reheated at BBQ places. If you do it right, it is BETTER than right out of the smoker. That's right... leftover BBQ is better than fresh in my opinion. My early knock (and a very light knock) on OKJ's was lightness of smoke flavor. Well, that has changed. The last three trips here floored me with smokiness. Not a smoke ring on the rib meat, but damn near full smoke penetration. Ridiculous and delicious. : ) The only other place in town that I have experienced this much smoke flavor recently is also take-out... at McGonigles. Sometime I am going to do both on the same day. God help me. LOL
(5)
Suzie R.
The Z-Man is the best. I am not a huge BBQ fan, but if I go out for BBQ, this is THE place to go.
(4)
Mindy H.
I love Joe's. The quality is always delicious and you cannot get juicier, tastier ribs anywhere else in the KC Metro. They're always busy, so we tend to use the carry out option. And if you like your barbecue spicy, their spicy sauce is to die for. Additionally, their staff is efficient and friendly.
(5)
Michael L.
Maybe it was too much hype, maybe it was my Texas tastebuds, but Oklahoma Joe's simply could not match the level of expectation I came to the restaurant with. Ribs were tender, but not that moist, and not fall of the bone. Still strongly recommend a try for anyone visiting Kansas city as it does seem to be an institution there. The Zman sandwich is a must try. Great value, great portion size. Sides were delicious.
(3)
Marcy R.
Love this barbeque, I think it is the best with or without sauce. The burnt ends are heavenly. Everything here is finger licking good!!! Love the fact plenty of tables for my family and if there is a line I never worry because it moves quickly. Love this place!!
(5)
Nathan A.
As good as it gets. I wished the menu was a bit more descriptive, but that's a minor detail. I would have got something different, but what I ended up with was fantastic anyways. Great experience.
(5)
J. D.
I stayed in a hotel across the street from this Joe's location for about six months in the summer of 2014. I ate here at least three times a week and never got tired of it. Personally, I think the gas station location is better, but that's no reason to pass on Joe's on Strang Line Road. I'm getting hungry just thinking about their ribs, brisket and amazing french fry seasoning.
(5)
Shannon N.
Best Burnt Ends I have ever had. Ambiance is a little different but in a unique way! Highly recommend.
(5)
Audrey D.
Ooo what I wouldn't give for a Z-man right now! Still getting use to the whole name change thing..... The food is always good though! If I could come here everyday I would!
(5)
Corey S.
Great bbq! You gotta try the Zman and their fries are really good! Sometimes has a line out the door, so try to go at non peak times unless you're prepared to wait awhile or just get take out. Worth the wait though for sure.
(4)
Rick E.
Awesome barbeque. One of the best in the greater kc area. The chili, which is a seasonal dish, is amazing. We get the Turkey sandwich....very good...or the pulled pork sandwich...very good. For a treat, i get the ribs which are fantastic.
(4)
Tanner L.
Impressive just how good this place really is. I came here on recommendation from several friends. They all cited this as a fantastic BBQ joint. I will admit I drove by two locations seeing lines of people so far out the doors. This was the third location I came to and decided that this food must be worth the wait. All in all the wait time for the long line only took 20 minutes which I was very pleased with. The Food was the real star of the visit though. We all ordered different food including Ribs, Brisket, and Pulled Pork Sandwich. I was not disappointed with any portion of their BBQ. The ribs were perfectly cooked and had such a great sauce to set them off. I was really impressed with the pulled pork as the flavor was just so full. If you're wanting a quality sample of what KC has for BBQ stop out here it will be worth your time.
(5)
Lincoln G.
Not the best in KC, but close. Definitely the most convenient as I work in Olathe and this location is pretty close to work. The Hog Heaven sandwich is awesome, all you could ever want on a BBQ sandwich. Sauce are pretty good, but unfortunately necessary. I like my BBQ to need no sauce and to only use as a compliment, not a necessity. Sides are okay, Dirty Rice is well above average, Red Beans and rice is okay. The most disappointing is the Gumbo. I love gumbo and have had it from New Orleans to Chicago and back, and theirs doesn't even break my top 10. I'll definitely eat here again, as the prices are reasonable, the food is good and the location is convenient, but there are better BBQ joints in KC.
(4)
Keith P.
burnt ends... nuff said
(5)
Matt C.
I don't understand the hype. Aside from the fries, which are amazing, the actual BBQ is mediocre at best. The ribs have always been overly dry. The brisket is extra fatty. The sausage is good, but the serving size is small. I was very excited to see they had a burnt end dinner, however, the burnt ends are nothing more than cubed brisket. There is no bark on the meat, which is what makes it a burnt end. Save yourselves some time, go to Gates or Bates City BBQ. Better meats, better sauces, faster service.
(3)
Casee E.
Absolutely THE BEST BBQ in Kansas City. The meat is super moist and full of flavor and there is a sauce for everyone in the family. I especially love the new layout in Olathe that keeps the call-in, carry-out, and dine-in lines separate. This is fast becoming out favorite place to order for large groups.
(5)
Christopher M.
Best BBQ in KC! My personal favorite is the Carolina Pulled Pork sandwich - spicy slaw on top of the pulled pork, delicious. Had the Burnt-Ends sandwich today and wasn't overly impressed but still not bad. The only thing I don't really dig is the potato salad but they have other good sides. If you're looking for top notch BBQ then this is your spot!
(5)
Dann M.
Amazing Meats, Delicious sauce. These guys know what they are doing.
(5)
Gregory P.
Excellent BBQ and service. Do not let the long line deter you, it moves quickly and you can always call in an order for pickup. I love their ribs, very meaty and tasty. Try the Chicken Gumbo, its also very good. My only disappointment was the sausage. It was dry and lacked the flavor I expected. It could be a one-off experience, so I would not hesitate to give it another try. Everything else from sandwiches to side-items are very good here and I would not hesitate to suggest this place to anyone.
(4)
Matthew D.
Best BBQ I've ever had. Before I ever went there, I was told about it by a self proclaimed BBQ snob. They informed me that all Kansas City BBQ is the best and nothing else I had ever had before mattered. I won't say I completely agree on all accounts... but they got it right with Oklahoma Joe's. This is definitely the best BBQ I've had. I always stayed a few blocks away for business, so this was a regular for me to grab while in town and it was one of my favorite things about coming to the KC area. I always went with the Z-Man... a smoked beef brisket, provolone cheese, and 2 onion rings on a sandwich. It was recommended by a friend and I am now passing my recommendation on to you... give the Z-Man a shot!
(5)
Den B.
The brisket was great, but the ribs were a bit dry for my taste. The bbq sauce was pretty decent, and there was a good selection of sauces, but I agree that this wasn't a five-star BBQ experience. Was it worth the price? Yes, and for my money, better atmosphere and food than Gates' BBQ.
(4)
Nikki P.
I've always been to the OK Joe's location on Rainbow, but recently went to this one with my family. I have to say, the food was just as good as their location in Westwood. Obviously, their original location will always be my fav go to place, but it's nice that they have been able to open other locations for people in the KC area. I OF COURSE go their Z-man, because it is my absolute favorite sandwich. My little brother and sister order of their kids menu, and I honestly don't remember what my parents ordered, ha ha. The z-man was just as good as their other location, as were their fries. The baked beans were just a little on the spicy side for my little brother and sister (who are 10 and 12), so it may be something to keep in mind if your kiddos aren't big into spicy food. The other thing that WAS nice about this location, was that (at least while we were there) it wasn't busy.Anytime I go to the other location, if you don't perfectly time your arrival, you can be waiting in line for a good hour sometimes. Here, we just walked right in and placed our order. There was also loads of seating, which was nice. So, if you can't make it up to Westwood, and still want some quality BBQ, this is the place to go.
(5)
Billie H.
As I start all of my BBQ reviews, I am not a giant BBQ fan. Every once in a while though, I get that craving and stop by one of the various places in town. Oklahoma Joe's has always been a favorite. After the original Arthur Bryants it is my favorite. The reason I love Oklahoma Joe's is because the meat taste good without covering it in sauce. This is the largest draw for me with a BBQ place the meat should stand on it's own. Generally I get the pulled pork. It is amazing. The taste of the smoked woods in the meat almost make you mmmmmmm with every bite. They also stand out because you can count on the same taste and quality at all of their locations. This is not the case of all BBQ joints, including my favorite. This last visit I decided to also try some of the sausage. After a visit to another BBQ joint and trying sausage for the first time, I became a fan and decided to try it at other BBQ places to see if it was a delicious treat everywhere. Although the same smoke flavor was evident in their sausage, the overall sausage was not a huge hit with me. I am not a huge fan of the sauce for a couple of reasons. First, if the meat is cooked right, you don't need sauce unless it is cooked into the meat. Secondly, Oklahoma Joe's sauce is too sweet for me. KC generally has a sweeter version of BBQ sauce and I personally do not find this appealing. Lines can be super long at Oklahoma Joe's especially on weekends no matter what time it is. Don't let this discourage you. The line moves fast and I have never had an issue getting a table at this location. If you are getting something to go, skip the line by calling in your order. One of these days I will break away from my pulled pork and try the burnt ends or ZMan, but then again why mess with perfection!
(5)
Lizz M.
Came here after a Royals game through the recommendation of a vendor at work. Lines move rather quickly, which is much appreciated as there is always a line here. I went with the rib and brisket combo. The ribs were SO GOOD. The brisket was a bit dry, and the red rice and beans were probably my favorite part of the meal. My one complaint is that all of my food was over-salted. But I'd definitely come here again.
(4)
Bob D.
Taking BBQ from the competition circuit to an everyday restaurant model is a fine line. On one side of that line you feel like the Q is made just for you, you feel like if you were 5 minutes sooner or later it would've been gone, you feel like there would be no way for you to be able to make it "that good" at home yourself. On the other side, you feel like there is an endless supply, wrapped in cellophane just waiting to get warmed up. You feel as if you are in a manufactured environment- just dressed up enough to not resemble an Applebee's. This location is on the wrong side of that line. Dry- machine sliced brisket, overly tender machine smoked ribs that lack any type of flavor profile. It is a fine example of when making $ becomes more important than making quality BBQ...I would "steer" clear of this location.
(2)
Leigh W.
Ribs & Brisket dinner was fantastic, great service & clean restaurant. Previous reviews where true to point. Nothing is cheap anymore so it is a little pricey.
(4)
Rob B.
Best BBQ joint I have ever been to. Buy their seasoning and take it home. We always bring out of town guests here and it never disappoints.
(5)
Steve C.
So we arrived and there was already a line up past the corner of the establishment. We waited 20 minutes in line...and the wait was well worth it!! As you enter you can't but help see all the trophies and articles written about this place... Definitely a winner. I ordered their half slab of pork ribs...7 meaty, perfectly tender ribs with a side of BBQ sauce. Scrumptious!! My wife had the Carolina Pulled Pork Sandwich which was fabulously melt in your mouth wonderful. The sides were also good... Creamy Cold Slaw and BBQ Beans. Portion of Fries ($2.79) could feed 3-4 people easily. I would give it 4.5 stars. Definitely worth the visit and the wait!!!
(4)
Jenn S.
There's a reason the line so often extends far past the front doors. The prices are reasonable, the portions are huge, and it's absolutely delicious. I've eaten here at least a dozen times over the years, probably got it to go at least a dozen more, and I have never had a bad experience. That alone is worth five stars; what other restaurant can you honestly say that about?
(5)
Ahmad J.
I decided to try Oklahoma Joe when i was in Olathe and had their Smoked Chicken and Beef Brisket BBQ sandwich. The smoked chicken was great with a lot of the smokey flavor with just about enough sauce to balance it went very well with the meat so i thoroughly enjoyed it. The Beef Brisket BBQ sandwich was a total waste - the meat had absolutely no flavor and i had to toss tons of BBQ sauce on it to get it down. Overall not bad but nothing like what i experienced in Jack Stack.
(4)
Richard B.
In my view, the heavyweight champion of cue. In fact, I would be hard pressed to remember having better ribs elsewhere. The flavor is sweet, perfectly cooked, and I loved mine dry. Kicks the best of Austin or Memphis in the ass.
(5)
Natalie B.
Don't know what all the fuss is about. It's good enough BBQ but I've had better. I ordered the Carolina sandwich and my friend ordered ribs. A filling meal but the sides (baked beans and potato salad) lacked flavor. Definitely not going to be in my regular restaurant rotation.
(3)
Matt C.
Rediculousness!!! BBQ heaven. Honesty said out loud, "I don't even know why I'm still eating?" It's just that good! I was a bit skeptical when we walked in to a line of 40+ people out the door. Well worth the wait. Even our 5 year old son ate all of his food. Bucket list- checked off!!!
(5)
Chad B.
I've eaten here about a dozen times and two times in the past few weeks so I thought it was time to put my thoughts down in a review. Every spring with the changing of the seasons I get what I refer to as BBQ Fever. It starts with hunger pangs, then this crazy look in my eyes that can only be cured with some of my favorite KC BBQ. First off I love the OK Joe's location in Olathe. Very cool atmosphere, the scent of smoke in the air, the only problem is all the damn customers. If you don't get there early the line is about 100 people deep, out the door, and around the building. Plan ahead and be there by 11:15 for lunch! My last visit I had the 3 rib, 1 meat lunch and shared fries with my buddy (more than enough for 2)! When I received my "medication" I received a BONUS 4th rib!!!!!! Man, oh man was it heavenly. The 1 meat I got was brisket and it may have been the best brisket I have EVER had. Very moist, but still smoky. OK Joe's fries are to die for which works out well because the only thing I don't like at Joes is their beans. NOT GOOD. They are smart to put a roll of paper towels at each table (I sometimes need a drop cloth). All in all a great experience and would highly recommend it to anyone!!!
We ate lunch there today. It was one of the best BBQ joints that I have ever been to. It was better than Gates of Berbecks. The meat fell off the ribs. The beef brisket was delicious and needed no sauce. I will definitely return to this location the next time I'm in Kansas City.
(4)
Jason P.
First time try the Z-Man (chicken or brisket), pulled pork or ribs with beans. Fries are for sharing. Sauce 'em up for good measure. Come early and don't cut in line :) It looks mean but moves fast and friendly. As other commenters have mentioned, the burnt ends are different here: heavily-marbled and soft. The mounted plaque with an article explaining that ~ "this is how burnt-ends should be" explains their approach but I'd still prefer crispier, leaner to make five stars.
(4)
Txgirl M.
Pulled pork, BBQ beans are so good. I'm eating as I'm typing right now. Service here is very fast its definitely worth the wait.
(5)
Joe M.
Sandwiches are really good too. Hard to beat this barbeque anything here.
(5)
Sharon M.
My 5 stars refers to their ribs. Outstanding. Every time. You won't regret it.
(5)
Lisa S.
I had their ribs, brisket and sausage. I liked the ribs the best. My sides were their BBQ beans and spicy slaw. Both were really good. Some of the best BBQ beans I've every had. If we come back through KS, we'll stop here.
(4)
Danny C.
I worked at the hotel behind here and when people would ask which BBQ place they should go to, I would always tell them to go to Oklahoma joes. I always say I'm going to try something different every time but I always get the Z Man. So good. KC BBQ is a toss up between Oklahoma Joe's and Jack Stack. Joe's has a much more relaxed atmosphere.
(5)
Alex D.
Not much to say that is any different than the rest. Brisket is fantastic. Arthur Bryant's has better ribs in my opinion.
(5)
Denisha J.
I just landed in KC (visiting from AZ) and feeling starved. With BBQ on our mind we checked out yelp for some suggestions and found this spot. The food was yummy and service was quick. Not a formal restaurant, but spacious and friendly staff. The Z-man was scrumptious and highly recommend so I tried it with the spicy slaw. It was a great pair. My husband ordered the pulled pork which was also delicious paired with the potato salad. We weren't feeling the potato salad, but everything else was on point.
(4)
Steve T.
Love this place for great BBQ and friendly people. The ribs and brisket were cooked perfectly and weren't too fatty . The toast and sauces were very good, The red beans and rice were good but different from what I think red beans and rice should be like. The place is packed with happy people and I am liking visiting Olathe.
(5)
Charles I.
I went at lunchtime so that was probably not the best time as the line went all the way to the door. Nonetheless, I was thru the line in 20 minutes. We had the Z-Man sandwich, the burnt ends sandwich, onion rings and bbq beans. I expected more flavor in the burnt ends but they were still good. The sauce is excellent and really makes the meal. I was disappointed in the bbq beans at first. They are not good without adding bbq sauce. However, after adding the bbq sauce they are excellent! How do you make bbq beans w/o bbq sauce? Anyway, the overall experience was good considering that this was my first time.
(5)
Larry G.
We were visiting from Las Vegas but used to live in Leawood, KS. I told a friend that my favorite BBQ restaurant was Jack Stack but he said that I needed to try Oklahoma Joe's and that he thought it was better. We got there before 5pm so the line was not that long yet. I guess I was not expecting the food assembly line style of ordering and felt rushed to finish and eat what we had ordered once we sat down so that others who came after us could have a place to sit and eat. I ordered the half rack of ribs and beans with a beer. Though it was ok...no way their food was better than Jack Stack's. Oklahoma Joe's is like the fast food of BBQs.
(3)
Ronn S.
You don't want to miss a meal here if your in town. Their ribs and brisket with their signature baked beans and sauces are truly scrumptious ! All for a $20 bill tip included ... I won't eat for a few days. Great food - good price. A must eat in while in Kansas if your hankering for ribs ;-) Ronn just Ronn the whole in the wall food guy !
(4)
Cade H.
Kansas City has great BBQ at every turn but Oklahoma Joes stands on the top of the mountain. I've had bbq throughout my whole life and the only place I want to go eat when I go back to KS is OkJ. The food is outstanding and you got plenty for your money. All of the sauces on the table are great and I can't seem to get enough. I just wish they would expand and open up stores in places our west because other states don't know what good bbq is. OkJ is a staple of Kansas City food and I can't wait till the next time I get to go eat there, only problem is it's so popular and busy ALL the time I'll have to wait in line for it, but it's well worth it.
(5)
Sarah H.
Ok, for real. I've got Kansas blood, so I'm not going to debate with Texans or other staters who claim their bbq is the best. Quite simply, it's not, and it can't compete with standard Kansas BBQ. This is NOT standard. This is superlative. If you are looking for the best bbq Kansas has to offer, you must hit Oklahoma Joe's. A streamlined ordering experience, your menu is posted on the wall. Notable nommables include the ribs, and the burnt ends. The best item on the menu, however, is the Z-Man Sandwich, which my husband has threatened to FLY TO KANSAS specifically to eat (and to maintain is frequent flier status). It's brisket on roll with sauce to die for and an onion ring. It's a mess of happiness in your face. This restaurant has been awarded all sorts of titles, from Manliest Restaurant in America, to Best BBQ of etc. It's inexpensive, it's fast, it's hearty, and it's delectable. If it's not the best you've ever had, please message me and tell me where it's better, because I'll have to try it to prove ya wrong.
(5)
Sara D.
I can't believe that I'm a born and raised Kansas City girl and have never stepped foot into Oklahoma Joe's! I finally redeemed my dignity the other week and my tummy has never been happier! I came prepared for a insane line and it was, indeed, insanely long. Surprisingly enough, the line moves really fast and we were at the register in no time. I knew enough about the place to order the Z-Man and fries. We got our food in literally seconds. Every bite was better than the next! I loved everything about the sandwich and loved the seasoning on my fries. Even the sauces were the perfect mix of tnagy and sweet. The service was great (even the bus boys were nice!) and I can't wait to return again.
(5)
Beth B.
I ate at the gas station location years ago, but some friends were talking about Oklahoma Joe's recently and I had a craving - so we came here on New Year's Eve. We got there around 6 pm and THERE WAS NO LINE!!! Couldn't believe it. The line formed around 6:30. Guess we timed it just right. I had the ribs and my husband had the brisket - what, no burnt ends? The ribs were AMAZING!!!!! They fell off the bone, were very lean, yet flavorful. The spicy sauce was awesome. I am definitely buying some of that. My husband loved the brisket. I had some leftovers today and it was very good. However, I did not really care for the baked beans. They had a vinegary taste to them. My husband loved them, however, so they did not go to waste. Next time, I will get the onion rings. They looked really good. My husband was also eyeing the sandwich with the onion ring - I think it is called the Z-man. Will we be back? Yes. This was 4 stars, because I can't give 5 stars to a BBQ restaurant where I don't care for the beans. However, I'll update my review when I try the onion rings. They looked awesome.
(4)
Kristen L.
Review of Carry Out experience: We've dined in many times, but recently we just wanted to grab food to enjoy at home while cheering on our Buckeyes. Instead of sandwiches, we ordered the pulled pork by the pound and a few sides. We thought the meat was much more tender this way because it wasn't pulled. It was just one big, wonder chuck of pork. Now that we got it this way, I'm not sure we'll go back. Much more meat than you get on two sandwiches. The meat was still hot once got home (15 min drive), but the fries were not. So we popped them in the over and the reheated nicely. We also ventured out and tried the Chicken gumbo, it had a great flavor kick. Highly recommend. Other than the grumpy person on the phone taking orders, this was a good experience.
(4)
Kristy V.
I think this place got popluar when the food channel came. I have had better BBQ in KC. Not really that good! The potato salad had a weird tang to it. The burnt ends were not that good either. Too much fat!
(2)
Teresa R.
Burnt end very tender and side of fries ... Love the seasoning on them. Sauce is great .. Just the right amount of spicy. Husband had ribs and said best your had in a long time... Meaty and tender, My new favorite BBQ place! Awesome!!
(5)
Matt K.
Had a great lunch here recently while in town on business - the guys I was with tried the sandwiches, but I felt like I'd get a better feel for KC BBQ by ordering brisket & pulled pork. The food was good, definitely some high quality BBQ.
(4)
Troy S.
Best BBQ around. We only go to Oklahoma Joe's for BBQ. My wife and I both get brisket sandwiches and we split an order of fries and rings. We have only gotten a sandwich with a little too much fat on the brisket one time and they fixed us a new sandwich when we complained. My wife hates any fat on the brisket and Oklahoma Joe's usually does a great job of trimming the fat off. I am not a rib fan but I have been told from friends they have the best ribs.
(5)
Amy C.
Best BBQ in KC hands down. I've tried others- as you can see from my review of the Rub but seriously as Sinead O'Connor said, "Nothing Compares to You". The Z Man is to die for. I'm addicted. I could of course do without the lines and I always wish they were open on Sundays but I'll take what I can get and I love Oklahoma Joes!
(5)
Allie M.
Best BBQ in our Solar System. Generally, I get the ribs or the brisket. Both are fantastic. Sides are always good. Portions are generous. Prices are very reasonable for what you get. The only knock on this place is standing in line waiting for food and finding a place to sit. It's always busy, and for good reason.
(5)
Jeff S.
Is there anything more to say about Joe's that practically every foodie magazine or blog has not already said?? Bottom line - you need to eat here before you die. The wait in line is worth it.
(5)
Bryan M.
After a couple of m'eh experiences with brisket at some other BBQ spots, I especially appreciated Oklahoma Joe's effort, this evening. Tender, and effused with a nice, smokey flavor. Joe's sauce was at the table. Also, very tasty! Not too sweet, not too spicy. Just a nice, KC-sauce.
(5)
Tim M.
Ok. I guess I do not get it. I have tried okie joes numerous times, but no more. There are some items, such as the ribs, that at times can be good, but overall, it is just not that good. I do not know if they are running on past reputation, but current food quality is not good. Tonight we had ribs, brisket, and sausage, along with beans and slaw. The ribs were ok. The brisket was dry and tough, and I swear was reheated in a microwave. The sausage was no better than Walmart mass produced sausage. I have had issues with the chicken in the past, as I saw it passed from the kitchen to the front, wrapped in plastic wrap, and obviously reheated in a microwave. The skin has been soggy and pretty disgusting. No sign of crispness at all. I personally do not like the green peppers in the beans, so that taste in them makes them below par to me. Far too many other BBQ joints in kc to waste time coming back here for mediocre food.
(1)
Travis H.
Simply the best barbecue I have ever had. They are able to serve a lot of food to a lot of people in a very efficient and organized way.
(5)
Aaron R.
Visited this place back in December as part of my Eastern United States Road Trip. As I am going back through some of my favorite places I have been to, I had to write about Oklahoma Joe's. I visited the Olathe location as it was the closest to the friend's house I was staying at. I had no idea about this place. It was just a suggestion from my friend when I stated that I wanted to try some decent Kansas City BBQ. Well she hit it out of the park. This is not just decent BBQ - this may be my favorite EVER. And that is with growing up with some great BBQ. Everything about this place just screams awesome. The atmosphere, the food, even the service (hectic as it was). I actually visited this place twice (eventhough I was only in KC one night). It was just so freakishly good, I had to go back the next day for more before I set back out on the road. First meal - Ribs & Brisket. Second meal - The Z-Man Sandwich with fries. I thought the ribs were great - tender but not so much that they didnt hold to the bone when picked up. But the brisket was where it was at! I still remember that brisket! And the Z-Man! Possibly one of the best sandwiches I have ever had. Brisket + Provolone + Onion Rings + OKJoes BBQ Sauce = Love. The Kaiser roll it was served on was perfect and complemented the interior quite well. The BBQ sauce has a sweetness to it. I ended up picking up some of the Cowtown Bottled Variety for my trip home. All props out to possibly my favorite BBQ place ever. Definitely worth waiting in the line. P.S. IMO, a line is just an indication of the quality. Better a place like this has a crazy line than none at all.
(5)
Christie F.
This is my family's go-to barbecue place! We love everything, especially the burnt ends and Z-man sandwhich! I highly recommend it if you're looking for Kansas City barbecue.
(5)
Jesse F.
Oaky Joes has the best BBQ brisket in my humble yet accurate opinion! Coupled with the red cream soda & fries makes the perfect combo! The sides are epic & price is reasonable. Show up at 11am to beat the rush or call in your order & eat at a park. The Z-man is always a win & even better with the dirty rice! I'll be heading there this week for sure.
(5)
Dawn H.
Best. BBQ. EVER! And I'm from Texas- I've had my share of amazing BBQ. Everything is fabulous, and the atmosphere is fun and lively. I'll be honest- there are times I crave their food like I'm pregnant again! Go here, eat too much, and order a beer.
(5)
Juan L.
Some of the best BBQ in KC. Ribs, brisket, & pulled pork is a must! Sides are great also. One that you have to order are the onion rings.
(5)
Zack F.
This is by far the best BBQ I've found. I've been back many times, gone out of my way to do so, forced people to come with and have never been disappointed. The ribs are do amazingly smoked and flavorful that considering sauce is a travesty. Taste the meat, really taste it! The potato salad is my go to side and is always creamy. Man, I love this place.
(5)
R O.
As Kyle said, "Not bad, but..." I've been here a couple times and had a year to sample some of the other BBQ around here. Some friends (who lived in Texas for have said that Joe's relies on its sauce for its flavor. I completely agree -- the meat is just too dry and you need a knife, it doesn't just fall apart like good tender BBQ should. There are other BBQ places that either do the tender stuff (Jack Stack) or that charred rustic stuff (Woodyard) much better. I think it also hurts that *so* many people recommend Joe's as being the best in KC ... if it were not so hyped I might give it another star.
(2)
Rachel E.
Regardless of the name change, Joe's still owns at barbecue. I had chicken and a side of potato salad over lunch, and was thoroughly impressed (and not to mention full)! My only complaint is it is more commercialized than some of the other KC barbecue joints, but well-deserved given their food. Be prepared to wait in line!
(4)
Kelly D.
I can't describe how awesome this place is. I consider myself a bbq snob and expert onion ring critic. I love the atmosphere here, super friendly staff and very clean restaurant. Their sauce is the best in KC. Now, let's talk about their onion rings. They are so flavorful, crisp, and perfect. Please try them yourself if you don't believe me.
(5)
Roman G.
Joe's is one of those famous BBQ restaurants that has gotten a lot of notoriety over the years. The brisket was tender and cole slaw flavorful. Ambiance is good and the restaurant was very busy for an early Monday lunch. Although not my favorite BBQ certainly top10.
(4)
Stacy M.
Love the BBQ! They give huge servings and it's just awesome. Even if you wait in line, it goes quickly because of the process they use of asking guests not to hold tables before you have food. This is such a great, efficient process. Especially when you gave large groups of people. The Z Man is my favorite sandwich and go to. Sweet tea is yummy. Love hitting this place up anytime I go to The Container Store that is close by.
(5)
Tom C.
Heard people talking about Joes when I landed at the airport and when I checked into my hotel. Along with Yelp reviews, I had to try. Did not disappoint. Had pretty much everything, pulled pork, Z-Man brisket sandwich, sausage, ribs, chicken gumbo, baked beans, potato salad, fries and rings. All was excellent. The ribs are out of this world!!! A must try in KC!
(5)
David M.
Great bbq, so much better than Jackstack. Best ribs I've had only good competitor is Gates.Truly great food.
(5)
Michele I.
Phenomenal barbecue that epitomizes Kansas City. Barbecue sauce is rich, slightly sweet, slightly tangy. The line may be out the door- but the food is worth the wait. Recommendations- the Z-man, the burnt ends, and the red beans and rice.
(5)
Marilyn C.
DISCLAIMER: I am still a Gates BBQ fan! My sister wanted local Kansas City BBQ. We've lived in Memphis before and we are huge BBQ fans. We were running late for dinner so we ended up going to Joe's. Even though it was after 9pm, the place was still packed. Food, service and atmosphere is one of a kind. My son ordered the Z-man sandwich, my niece the pulled chicken breast sandwich, my sister ribs and chicken dinner and my hubby and I just got a dinner slab with onion rings, fries and red beans and rice. EVERYTHING WAS DELICIOUS! We ate family style and we still had plenty of leftovers to take home for the next day.
(4)
Don K.
Well, I gave them another chance and they still failed. Sausage and brisket were barely room temperature and brisket was sliced as thin as paper. BBQ beans were good and so was cole slaw. I can't for the life of me understand how people rave over this place....the second star is for the sides because the meat is terrible.
(2)
Charley B.
So, you say you like barbeque? Oklahoma Joe's is a good place to be. This suburban location has the same concept and menu as its older brother from the city. You walk in, wait in line (there is always a line,) you order, you pay, you get your food and then you feast. What's great about this location is the larger dining area and a HUGE parking lot. The line moves a lot quicker here, and as busy as it gets there always seems to be a table or two open no matter the size of your group. I recommend the Z Man or the pulled pork sandwich, a bag of onion rings or the red beans and rice and a nice cold glass of strawberry soda.
(4)
Libby J.
The sandwiches are great, but I live the fries! This is a great BBQ place. You can pick up something fast (as long as it is not 5pm or 12pm because you will wait in a long line since everyone wants the awesome food!) and it still tastes great!
(5)
Justin S.
I am 41 years old and have been eating Bbq for my entire life . I started smoking Bbq and started a competition team about 15 years ago. So I would say I have a pretty good grasp on Bbq . I don't know anywhere that you can get better Bbq in this country ! The consistency of the Bbq at Joes is unreal. They nail it everytime , everyday , every plate period! They are my favorite hands down Bbq joint in Kansas City and in my opinion have the best burnt ends , ribs and rings in the country !
(5)
Tony X.
I absolutely love the fries! They are to die for. I always get the chicken Z man, cant go wrong with this sandwich. Pair it up with some beans fries and slaw and you wont be disappointed! Their salads are just as great! I tried my friends salad and it was delish! Nothing really bad to say about this place except sometimes the wait is out the door, however the line goes by pretty quick.
(4)
Rod C.
Great BBQ. I was very impressed with Oklahoma Joe's. My standards might be a little lower than some people when it comes to BBQ, being from California. This was my first time passing through Kansas City and I heard that Oklahoma Joe's was the place to try. It was definitely better than any BBQ I've found in CA. We picked the Olathe location after reading about the lines and wait times at the Kansas City location. We did not regret this decision. There was absolutely no wait for us at Olathe and the service was very quick and efficient. I ordered the Z-Man based on the many positive reviews here on Yelp and it did not disappoint. I'm craving another one right now. Too bad it's 1500 miles away.
(5)
Emily O.
Best BBQ! Get the Z-man, you won't regret it & the fries are to die for. Had to buy a bottle of fry seasoning & original BBQ sauce for home.
(5)
Nicole B.
Great food. I'm vegetarian so BBQ in Kansas is a little tricky. But their portobello z man is great with extra cheese and a side of coleslaw ( which I dump on the burger) Everyone else in the group raved about the meat. Great place good food.
(5)
Rob M.
While shopping in the nearby centers I decided on BBQ for lunch. For a change I got out of my usual rut and ordered the pulled pork sandwich instead of the brisket. The pulled pork was nicely flavored and smoky, but not quite as juicy as I expected. It made a good, filling sandwich, though, especially when doctored with some of their spicy BBQ sauce! Seasoned fries made a generous side. I'll probably give the pulled pork another try sometime, but I think I'm going to remain loyal to the brisket sandwich -- it's just outstanding, IMHO! Service was friendly and efficient, and the restaurant wasn't crowded (so it was easy to get a table). SO glad Oklahoma Joe's is fairly close to where I live!
(4)
Jessica E.
I'm not a fan of BBQ. But before you get out the pitchforks, I just want to defend myself in saying that I may not be a fan, but I do appreciate it and enjoy BBQ when I get the chance. Now that I feel safe on this forum, now begins my review: I hope you have a smartphone or a gameboy (am I dating myself??) or a book because this line is almost always out the door during lunch time. But it's not for lack of hard work from the cashiers and line cooks, it's just a popular joint. And oh man, is it popular (and within reason!). My workplace usually gets OK Joe's catered for staff meetings or holiday parties, but we also get take-out. The service is stellar. They have things ready when they say they will. So you can bypass the line wrapping around the building to go to the pick-up counter and it's all gravy. If you decide to dine-in, I'm not sure how this happens, but I've almost always found a seat, even if the line is ridic. I'm not a big beef eater (unless it's in burger form) so I usually go with the smoked turkey sandwich and a side of the baked beans. The beans ROCK, no debate over that. The fries and potato salad are good, too. I prefer the spicier sauce over their house sauce; it's got a bit of a kick to it but it's not to the point where you can't enjoy your meal because you're gulping water down by the gallon. The ambience isn't your typical BBQ place. What I'm saying, is that I can rest my elbows on the table and I don't feel sticky for two days after. The busboys are efficient and the staff is kind. The awards on the wall are definitely well-deserved. It was close, but I still do prefer Jackstack. However, you won't have to twist my arm very much to get me to eat here (and that's a lot to say).
(4)
Josh M.
Guess which fat-ass ate an entire order of Oklahoma Joe's french fries last night? You guessed it.. This guy! Pro-tip: Try their smoked turkey.. It's amazing!
(5)
Jason V.
great bbq - had the rips, which were really good. not the best i've had but still really good. brisket was was good too. the fries are amazing and overall, this place is just good solid bbq. only downside, long lines. expect to wait an hour or longer.
(5)
Brett H.
Definitely my favorite BBQ in Kansas City. Even though the lines may be long, it does go fast. If you aren't sure what to get, go with the Z-Man sandwich for sure. Delicious beef brisket with an onion ring. My mouth is watering just thinking about it!!
(5)
Lori V.
When we moved to Kansas City we had never experienced Oklahoma Joe's and now we take our family and friends there whenever they come to visit us. We usually get a two meat dinner and split it between the two of us. If you order french fries, you get enough for two people - no kidding. Definitely recommend going here, even if you're just passing through. Don't go on Sunday though - they're closed!
(5)
Kari M.
Best bbq ever! Always a line but always a table when you need one. Line moves fast. Food is hot and delicious Meat is lean and tender Pulled pork Smokie joe Burnt ends Slabs The are all so good!!! Way better than gates and nobody yells at you "hi, may I help you?!"
(5)
Dawn C.
First time guest, and I guarantee it won't be the last! On a whim we decided to follow up on a tip from a friend who said this was his "go to" BBQ place. It was still morning and we arrived about 11:30 and were the very first people in line to be served. (Within 10 minutes of our arriving and sitting down to eat the place was full and a long line was waiting! That's always a great sign.) I ordered the pulled pork since the menu said it was their specialty. I found it to be juicy and smoky and I liked that it was served without sauce. On the table you found two bottles of regular and spicy Oklahoma Joes specialty sauce. They are sweet, and I like that! I ended up mixing a little regular with a little spicy to find my Goldilocks just right flavor. The pulled pork is served on white sliced bread with a few pickles. My husband ordered the Z-man. It had sliced brisket and was served with cheese and two onion rings. At first he felt a little disappointed that the meat wasn't piled as high as he had hoped (he's a big time carnivore) but he enjoyed it immensely and wasn't hungry when we left so he had his happy ending. We shared a side of beans and a side of fries. We LOVED the seasoned fries! Yum! But the beans, well, let's just say we liked Jack Stacks beans better. We found these tasted more like a side of chili. Good, but note quite seasoned like we would have liked. To earn my fifth star I would have liked to see sandwich platter with two sides (fries and coleslaw?) I don't like to have to pay for each side separately, and when forced I will always pick fries, but my healthy side always craves a little bit of veggies. Even just a little cup of coleslaw would have put a smile on my face. Nearly perfect, see you again soon!
(4)
Ruben P.
Oklahoma Joe's was the last stop on my trip to KC before heading to the airport to fly back to San Francisco. I had heard a bunch about Oklahoma Joe's from the various TV shows highlighting it and also from various friends, so I made it a point to go. We arrived in the middle of the lunch rush, so we waited in line for about 10 minutes, but it was completely worth it. From the Yelp reviews, the Z-man is the way to go, but I didn't want just a sandwich. I wanted a full on meal. I ordered the ribs and brisket with texas toast, pickles and dirty rice. I also added a small gumbo. I'm still craving those ribs. They were so tender and juicy, I can't get them off my mind. Everything was delicious and my friend was surprised that I finished the entire meal. It was sooooooooo goooooooood. After my massive meal, I stopped by to buy a shirt or two as a souvenir. The shirt I wanted was out of stock in my size, so I ended up getting two different ones and the great people at OK Joe's threw in another free shirt in my size that they didn't have for sale anymore. Then on top of that, the shirts were on sale, so I got 3 shirts for about $20. I love good deals! I cannot wait to get back to KC and eat at OK Joe's again. Nothing compares to KC BBQ.
(5)
Jillian C.
I had been told that this was the place to go for BBQ since I moved here to KC very recently. I ordered the lean-n-mean which was an open faced smoked turkey sandwich with spicy slaw on top. The boyfriend got the hog sandwich with sausage and pork. We then split the onion rings, beans, and coleslaw. Once we figured out that we should add more sauce to the sandwiches, things were great. I've always been a fan of the meat and slaw combo. There is something about hot meat and cool slaw mixed that just rocks my socks. The onion rings, another favorite food of mine, were good. I liked the hearty breading dipped in both ketchup and more BBQ sauce. The beans were good too but the coleslaw was just alright. Nothing overly special. Overall, I think things just needed some salt. Still a solid offering though.
(4)
Miriam N.
Dry, dry dry buns....".....Your killing me....what is with the buns for the pulled pork sandwiches. They taste like 5 day old buns...that somebody left the bag open. Here is the deal you are/were my favorite barbecue. Place. I brought friends from out of town in July 2013, I took more in September, I tried you today on nov.2... No body I have brought wants to go back because the sandwiches all three times are dry. You bite in and it is so dry. Mind you, I put on cole slaw, sauce and was as dry as can be. Did you change buns since you first started.? Possibly by the bakery buns from hyvee...they would be great. I work in a. Large office and they are saying the same thing. The family next to me said the same thing today and ate the meat and left the bun...are you noticing the amount of buns that. Are going in the trash? PLEASe charge me .25 cents more and get a better bun. Trying to love you, but your. Not noticing the signs...
(2)
David G.
Best KC BBQ hands down. Meat on ribs was very tender and the chicken was juicy and tasty. Great family and bbq atmosphere with friendly service. I'd weigh half a ton if I lived close to this place.
(5)
Jacob L.
One of the best BBQ joints in the best BBQ city in the world.
(5)
Sung K.
Between 3.5-4 stars Maybe I expected too much out of this place. It's voted as the best bbq in the nation as well as one of the 13 places to go before you die by anthony bourdain. They were very good, for sure. Ribs were fall of the bone and tender. But their outer tended to be a little tough for one of my friend's order. Brisket had a nice smoke ring, and were tender. But it certainly needed the bbq sauce in my opinion (which were fantastic btw) chicken gumbo was great. fries were awesome. All the other sides that i got to taste were great as well. No complaints whatsoever. Great joint. wish it was in nyc.
(4)
IJudge Q.
I am fortunate to not only be a certified BBQ judge, but to live in the best part of the country for any BBQ aficionado. Having said that let me preface my reviews with this comment: "the worst BBQ in the Kansas City area is usually better than the best BBQ found in the rest of the country". Also bear in mind that when one judges competition BBQ, we are trained to "Judge the meat - not the sauce". This will help explain why my reviews are so critical of the places who want to mask some deficiency in tenderness or taste by the over use of sauce. For the past few months, I have been visiting some of the most recommended BBQ joints in the Kansas City area. I am listing my 'overall' ratings at the beginning of the review for each of the establishments visited. ***** Fiorella's Jack Stack BBQ ***** Danny Edwards Boulevard BBQ **** Gates **** Arthur Bryant's *** Rosedale *** Woodyard *** Smokin Joes - Olathe ** Oklahoma Joes ** Johnny's OK Joes was a major disappointment to me. Three trips and three strikes. Meats were overcooked and tasteless while the sides were forgettable. Even their average sauces did nothing to improve overall taste. I know many people love this place and maybe I'm the jinx, because every time I dined with someone who 'just loves it', they left with the same "well that wasn't nearly as good as last time" remark. Can't explain it, but nothing there calls me back anytime soon.
(2)
Amy G.
Back home visiting the family and found myself at an old favorite. Will it live up the memories? Oh YES it did. Worth standing in the very long line. By far the best brisket in town. I look forward to my next visit to KC.
(5)
Nicole R.
Don't tell Gates that I cheat k? Oklahoma Joe's BBQ is hmmm...good. The meat just falls off the bone. The Texas toast is Bomb.com ! The onion rings are yummy to my tummy. So glad I cheated. But Gates' Hot sauce is still the business!
(4)
Scott G.
GLUTEN FREE OH MY! Oklahoma Joe's has removed gluten from the majority of their foods and this is a A+++++++ in my book! If you have a gluten intolerance and want some real food like you used to eat, and you know what I mean if this is you, then this is a food destination you can't afford to miss! Ribs, Chicken, BBQ black beans, creamy slaw, fries and sauce galore (regular and spicy night of the living dead!) is what we devoured and it was DELICIOUS! Before removing gluten from the diet I was a huge fan of the Z-Man sandwich they have. If gluten isn't a issue for you and you want one of the best BBQ sandwiches around, give this one a whirl! Or if you like the vinegar type BBQ give the North Carolina Style sandwich a try. You will not be disappointed. While Jack Stack, Zarda, Famous Dave's, Rosedale bbq all are good..... none of them hold a candle to Oklahoma Joe's in my book. Give in, give it a try and make sure you have time set aside for a nap afterwards because you wont want to stop eating!
(5)
Andrew ß.
Fan tactic Recent Forbes article had Oklahoma joes number one in the country I would Agree ! travel.yahoo.com/ideas/g…
(5)
Kathy V.
I was skeptical going in, but my friend hosting me sang it's praises. And I have to give it to her, it was DElicious! I'm not a big BBQ person, but this was so, SO good. So good.
(4)
Mike E.
After seeing Oklahoma Joe's show up on pretty much every TV show about BBQ in KC I figured I'd better check it out the next time I was in town. After doing some running around on the south side of KC on a recent road trip a friend and I decided to hit the Olathe location on our way out of town. I'd heard the original spot in KCK gets crowded early so we made sure to get to the Olathe one shortly after it opened. There wasn't a line when we got there but by the time we sat down to eat there was one almost to the door. I went for the beef/pork combo sandwich and my friend went with a pulled pork one. The pork was about as good as it gets, smoky and juicy strands of meaty heaven. The brisket was also awesome, maybe a little dry but still very tasty. Needless to say we both left with a big smile on our faces! The only negative thing either of us had to offer was the beans, too much chili powder and not near enough smoke flavor. The beans were also firm, not exactly slow cooked. The fries helped pick up the slack, they tasted fresh and had a nice dusting of dry rub for flavor. When I told the really nice guy that took our order we were heading out on the road and then asked if they could wrap some goodies up for travel he said they'd have it ready at the bar when we were done. How convenient! So I got a pound each of brisket and pulled pork, it was well packaged and easily made the trip back to Denver with us. I'm thinking next time I'll give the gas station location a try, and won't be surprised if OK Joe's makes it's way into my regular KC BBQ rotation!
(4)
Lucas R.
So I'm in the KC area for a couple weeks- and apparently it's a must to try OK Joes when you're there. Reading the reviews, you would think that most of these folks would give their first born son away just to eat one more Z-Man sandwich. So I obviously opted to order one. VERY average experience. Was the sandwich good? Absolutely. However, I was MOST surprised that the sandwich was actually pretty small. The order of fries was incredibly massive. 3/4 of the fries went in the trash can after I was done eating my good but way too small sandwich. $12.50 for an appetizer of a meal. First and last time.
(3)
Samantha B.
Great BBQ! I live in California so we don't get good BBQ very often. Love coming back to visit the family and get some good BBQ! Service is fast and efficient! Be prepared for lines but they move quickly.
(4)
Tod S.
I have eaten at the "original" in the gas station downtown but the extra room is nice. Food was consistent and delicious as always!
(5)
Kiranbir S.
Z Man. Best BBQ in the world.
(5)
Kelsey C.
I used to drive 20 minutes one way just to get fries and a sandwich here. I would drive an hour if I had to. It is the most amazing BBQ and fries I have ever had in my entire life. Lucky for me, this location tastes the same as the original location. I have since moved closer to this location and I get food from here about once per month. The employees are always super friendly and my to-go order is always on time. People in line are usually friendly as well, everyone is just excited to eat BBQ! I would definitely recommend this location!
(5)
Elibe E.
Oklahoma Joe's is THE best lunch value in metro KC. You can eat like a demigod for $10! Here's the deal: 1. There will almost always be a line here, ESPECIALLY during the M-F lunch hour 2. Check the specials! You can really optimize your nom/$ ratio here folks 3. Bring your friends (this is the best way to sample the entire menu without completely gorging yourself on noms) 4. DO order a beer with your food (e.g, Boulevard Wheat) 5. OK Joe's does a sauce on style bbq that's spicy with a hint of sweetness - standard bread and pickles on the sides. 6. The Z Man Conclusions: OK Joe's is eating Gates' lunch because the sides are superior (especially fries), AND the meats are butchered much cleaner (less gristle, dude). If you don't want to tuck your shirt in and eat in a fancy JackStack environment, this is the next best BBQ in KC.
(4)
Gail W.
We were in Olathe a few weeks ago and felt like BBQ for lunch. Unfortunately, the food we got was awful. The sandwiches were so slathered in sauce that you couldn't taste the meat! Folks, BBQ is about the meat, not the sauce! I had potato salad and it tasted like it was straight from a grocery deli. My husband had baked beans and they were decent, but I'm not going to a restaurant just for beans. Sorry, but we won't be back.
(2)
Dan H.
Great pulled pork sandwich. The spicy chicken gumbo was also really good. Definitely worth the 20 minute line. Staff is crazy proficient on remembering your order and passing it down the line to each involved. Kind of reminded me of a NYC deli in that regard.
(4)
Mike P.
"Let the f#ckers work that one out." - John Lennon on the lyrics to "I Am the Walrus. Lennon was amused that a teacher was having her students analyse Beatles' lyrics. To me Kansas City barbeque menus read like the lyrics to "I Am the Walrus". Burnt Ends, Carolina Style, Short End vs. Long End and Smoke Rings? In an attempt to gain clarity on the subject I sent questions to Clark S. and Reed N. Both Yelpers were very gracious in sharing their wisdom. After reading Clark's response there was zero chance I wasn't having barbeque for lunch. This called for a two man unofficial Yelp event lunch at Oklahoma Joe's BBQ in Olathe, Kansas. It was cool meeting Clark and doing barbeque "research". I had the Beef Brisket sandwich with a side of BBQ beans. I was able to see the smoke rings in the brisket and pick out flavors in Oklahoma Joe's sauces with what I learned. Clark showed me how to look for specs of spices to discern how it was created. I am a student of the Q and this Oklahoma Joe's location is my new classroom.
(4)
Long B.
I must be the minority on this, but all the hype was a bit misleading for me. I'll explain a bit later in this review. Arriving to Oklahoma Joe's was a packed parking lot. People were coming in and out of the place, so apparently this is a very popular spot. Walking in, immediately was a huge line from the ordering window to the front door. There are employees running around, making sure the tables were clean and emptied off for new customers, people helping pick up their orders, and then the loud yelling people getting food to all the hungry masses. It was a good 15 minutes before we were able to finally order something. I ordered the combination sandwich, because I wanted to try out both meats. The popular pulled pork, and the beef brisket. I also had a side of french fries, and a water. All together it only cost me about 9 dollars I believe. Your food comes on a very, very small brown plastic tray. Sure makes your food look huge in comparison. Wow, the amount of fries you get is ridiculous, in fact I never finished them completely. I recommend if you're eating with someone to have 1 person order the fries and share them. Unless the other person is a complete fat ass, then order one for yourself. They come seasoned and radiating hot in a white paper sack. The refreshment station had 2 soda pop stations, so that helps alleviate any huge lines of people waiting to fill up their drinks. Now the sandwich itself was not bad. I did feel a bit jipped because the pulled pork half was not cut down the center, so I got barely any pulled pork. The brisket was plentiful. Now here is why I feel I am the minority on this... the meat was extremely dry. It was not even juicy at all like the other Yelper's are claiming it to be. I tried to douse it with a lot of BBQ sauce, but alas it was still dry to me. So the BBQ sandwich was a big let down. Next time I'll try the Z-MAN sandwich and see if that will change my opinion about the place. Overall, I think the atmosphere is great, the people who work there seem to enjoy it for the most part, and the food is fresh. Just expect to be looking for empty parking spots for a while, and then wait for about 15-20 minutes before making your order. Another thing, they only offer 1 type of BBQ sauce, unlike Arthur Bryant's you get 3 choices. If they do offer more than 1, I hope they would incorporate that.
(3)
Reina R.
I love love love Oklahoma Joe's. My favorite dishes are the roasted chicken, brisket, and french fries. Services is friendly and efficient. A great place for a family get together.
(5)
Stephen H.
I always manage to go to OK Joe's for lunch and since large lunches usually make me want to go straight to bed, I never really go "all out" at OK Joe's. This, like the Leawood location, is one that actually accommodate the demand that savvy branding and great food create. Love not waiting in a line out the door to get great food.
(5)
P M.
What can you say that hasn't been said about this place? It is as advertised. It is the best of what Kansas City has to offer with regard to bbq.
(5)
Chris B.
I dream about lunch here! I used to work in Mission Hills a lot and the gas station was a definite stomping ground. Now that I live in Shawnee, I rarely get to either place but if I am remotely close, I am doing it! I travel frequently and with the lore of Kansas City BBQ, I am always challenged by clients and friends. All pale examples of BBQ and it's hard not to show my disappointment upon first bite, the taste is just not the mouth sex that Oklahoma Joe's is good for. KC has is critics about BBQ and what it really is. I do the rounds to all the other staples in KC but I never get the consistency of service and quality of food that I get with Oklahoma Joe's. that in itself is what drives me back, consistent, reliable and always delicious! I am a bit of a creature of habit, not the normal barbecue eater in that I don't eat ribs. My staple is the Smokey Joe, a side of spicy slaw and an order of fries. It's absolute goodness and more than I can eat but DAMN, it is good, good, good!
(5)
Jared S.
Hands down best ribs I ever had at a restaurant. Do not forget to get the red beans and rice as a side. The Z man is a good sandwich but take a friend as split some ribs.
(5)
Brad H.
Incredible! Perhaps best BBQ I have ever had. Pulled pork was juicy, big bits bit tender. Smokey and flavorful without sauce. BUT the sauce was amazing too! The beans had big chunks of pork and were delicious, sweet but not too much so. It took an hour to get up to the counter, but it was worth the wait. Add in $1.75 draft beers and I love this place.
(5)
John L.
I'm not a huge bbq fan but this was fantastic.
(5)
John W.
those giant lines you see there exist for a reason, this food is the best. the z-man is scrumptious, order it with double cheege (intentional spelling), double onion rings for a boost. if you are having a party their trays/platters/orders-by-pound of turkey are top notch. first and possibly last 5 star review i'll ever give.
(5)
Cristie D.
I am from DC so I was excited to try KC bbq. I have had Texas and Carolina style so might as well try something new. I had the rib and pulled pork dinner with fries. The pork was moist and tasty. Not too smokey. The ribs were tender and sweet. The fries were the best I have had in long time. I suggest this place to everyone.
(4)
Wayland W.
Honestly. I don't see what all the fuss is about. Place is expensive and nothing to rave about.
(3)
Emily C.
Oklahoma Joe's has some of the best ribs I've ever eaten and as a native Texan (yes, that's right, a NATIVE Texan) I've eaten more than my fair share of ribs. So, if you're going to eat here, do NOT skip the ribs. You MUST order them. I came here on a Monday evening for a late-ish dinner (around 8) and it was pretty busy. I cannot imagine the crowds at lunch or earlier in the evening. Oklahoma Joe's has a very unassuming atmosphere... walk up to counter, order your food, pay for your food, get your tea, wait for your tray, sit down and enjoy. The staff are all incredibly efficient and friendly and even though there are quite a few people moving through, the empty tables are all kept clean. For a location in a strip mall, it's actually very pleasant. Now, on to the food... I ordered the ribs and 1 meat plate... As I said above the ribs were heavenly. Oklahoma Joe's has a Jack Daniel BBQ sauce that has a whiskey sweetness to it. For my "meat" I chose the pulled pork. It was also fantastic. I'm used to have pulled pork BBQ in the North Carolina style, so to have it with this type of BBQ sauce was really a treat.... I piled the pulled pork high up on a piece of Texas Toast, added some BBQ sauce and topped it with dill pickle chips... man, I could die happy. It was truly fantastic. For my side, I opted for potato salad. Now, the potato salad was also really good, a perfect balance of potato chunks and creamy potato with a mustard base and fresh dill, but after all of the pulled pork and ribs I only managed a few bites. Since I don't live in KC I was thinking about trying out a new BBQ place every time I visit for work, but after sampling Oklahoma Joe's I'm not sure I'll be able to make myself go anywhere else!
(5)
Kirun M.
This was on my list of to-do in KC. I'm glad I was able to go. I think OK Joe's is a great option for lunch if you get there early enough to avoid the crazy lines, like we did today. Since I'm review number 191, hopefully I don't offend too many people by saying that all BBQ all kind of tastes the same to me. I went here for lunch today and enjoyed my Z-Man sandwich. It had brisket, provolone cheese, and two hefty onion rings on a bun. It was big and satisfying, especially when you add BBQ sauce, but it wasn't anything I need to eat again. I'm not a huge sweet meat fan though...that's my disclaimer. I did appreciate that the brisket tasted good and was lean. I hate when bbq places try to cheat you by using fatty gross meat.
(4)
Charlotte H.
This place is the BEST BBQ EVER!! First of the whole design of the place is nice its very well decorated! They have awards everywhere, magazine clippings, and old photos. There is normally a good sized line but its worth the wait!! The menu is on a big black board and you can read it while your in line. You tell the man once you reached the top of the line what you want and he prints out a piece a paper that the man on the end scans and you pay and get your food. Drinks are located once you have paid to your right. You find a table and EAT!! Omg I can eat the Z man sooooo fast!! Its crazy! If you are new to this place get the Z-man and the fries are to die for!! They BBQ original Sauce they have is perfect! They even sell it also!! They have a little small BBQ store right next door and sell all kinds of items! Please if you love BBQ you need to come here!! Its life changing!! hahaha
(5)
Erica T.
First, there's a line out the door all the time, but don't be alarmed! The line moves fast and you'll be at the order window in no time. You order at a window and by the time you walk about 6 feet down to pay, your food is ready to pick up. I haven't exactly been a fan of KC style BBQ since moving here, and this is the best place I've found so far. There are two sauces - their original, which is a little less sweet than most KC sauces I've tried, and the spicy, which I found way too sweet, but with a little bit of a bite. The pulled pork is very juicy. It doesn't come with any sort of sauce (I prefer North Carolina style pulled pork) and adding a bit of their original sauce helps. The Z-man sandwich (brisket, provolone, onion rings on a bun) is really tasty and a unique addition to the normal BBQ restaurant offerings. I've also had the pulled pork and sausage sandwich, which was simple and good, and topping each bite with some spicy coleslaw was really yummy. Now on to the sides! The fries are great - crispy and coated in their BBQ rub. The normal order is definitely enough for 2-3 to share - get them! The potato salad is mayo-based and has a lot of dill. The spicy coleslaw didn't seem spicy at all to me. They also have a smoked chicken gumbo that was surprisingly good! Don't let the lines hinder you from visiting OK Joe's. And, if you're in a hurry, you can always call in for pick up or order at the pick up window. You'll be in and out in about 8 minutes!
(4)
Eric D.
In from Dallas, had a decent meal. Ribs were tasty but the sausage was so-so. Sweet tea was perfect.
(3)
Stephanie W.
What can be said that has not been said by the Food Network, Anthony Bourdain, and other critics non par. Food is awesome, service stellar, a real jewel for KC. However, my time is valuable, and standing in line for food for hours is not my thing. So my only suggestion is if you are in a hurry and don't really need to eat there, order it to go. I was on a serious time crunch, and walked in to a hour long line. I saw the to go counter and employees were just milling around. So I simply walked back to my car, ordered my food, and ran some errands at the nearby Target. Came back in 20 minutes to an amazingly packaged lunch which I took home to my happy family, and was back to work in no time. Great food, just have to work the system.
(4)
Aaron R.
Some of the best quick BBQ in KC. Try the iconic Z-Man, the healthier Lean-N-Mean, or a rack of ribs. The "Night of the Living BBQ Sauce" is great especially in the beans.
(5)
SuzySnowflake Q.
After all the hype OK Joe's have gotten, I was expecting terrific food. Instead, it was OK food. If you want great BBQ food, I suggest you go somewhere else. It's Kansas City after all, not Oklahoma.
(1)
FJ H.
When I lived in Kansas, this was my BBQ mecca. Being situated over 1000 miles away does not help my cause. I don't have a BBQ fix!! waaahhh!! My all-time favorites -- half chicken and half slab of ribs if I'm really hungry. However, the two-meat sandwich (brisket & chicken) was my go-to for my lunch needs. Oh and, this place doesn't hurt the wallet; it's appropriately priced and I hope it stays that way. I have to mention this -- and as concisely as possible -- This is the world's best BBQ without a doubt!!! The recognition this place gets from acclaimed food critics is well deserved.
(5)
Vince P.
Ok, a little nervous when the line was out the door. These people have the service down. The line moved quickly and efficiently. I ordered an abundance of food to feed the family carnivore style. Had a slab of ribs, the ribs are great. Tender, tasty, delicious, mouthwatering! Had bbq beef sandwich, pretty good. Tasty and lean, but a little tough. Onion rings are a definite - great! Fries in abundance and they are good! Red beans and rice - different for a bbq place, but good. Now the bad parts. Bbq beans, kinda funky and not a lot of flavor. The slaw, I have to give it two thumbs down. No flavor and just wet cabbage. Bottom line, yeah I would go there again. But, sticking to ribs and onion rings. PS They have strawberry soda.
(4)
Jessica S.
I'm from Texas, you see. And the family (mostly from the uppder mid-west) was all in KC. And we hear all this stuff about "Great Kansas City BBQ." I was a little leery, aren't you? I do enjoy Texas BBQ. So someone recommends Oklahoma Joe's. Oklahoma? Really? You know what? It was actually pretty good. Yes, of course it's different from Texas BBQ. (Let's not go on too long about that). Mom and I shared a rib plate. They were good. And the sauce was good. And those onion rings I got a few bites of were good. I found myself surprised by how much I actually enjoyed it. So, good job, Oklahoma Joe's, in Kansas City, this Texas gal enjoyed the tasty vittles!
(4)
Noor B.
After hearing so much hype from TV personalities, it was hard to imagine that Oklahoma Joe's would deliver, but it sure did. Brisket is tender, well seasoned, and delicious. BBQ sauce is tasty; portions are generous, and the Texas toast is wonderfully buttery. I will definitely be back!
(5)
Sarah H.
I lovvveee me some oklahoma joes!!!! the wait isn't as bad as everyone is making it sound, it's a great tease before the perfect meal. and come on, you don't go to a BBQ place to have chicken, u gotta have the beef brisket! now that I live in texas, I really really appreciate this place. it is not comparable to ANY BBQ place I've been to anywhere! and for less than $10, phew, that's like stealing for this quality! be sure to go to their store next door, it's a dream to be in! I always buy 2-3 of their jars of BBQ sauce & use their seasoning on everything! enjoy this place, it'll be the best meal you've ever had!!!!!!!!
(5)
Tom F.
What can I say about Oklahoma Joe's that hasn't already been said? While the Olathe location doesn't have the panache of the original, it does have one thing... Just consistently the best rack of spareribs you can find in this country, and possibly the world. Nothing else. Do it, you won't be disappointed.
(5)
Heath F.
I may be one of the few to admit that I actually prefer the Olathe location over the OG location in the Gas Station. The food is the same perfection, but I just think the cluster of the dining experience is better in the bigger location...big shock. There's not really alot that can be added about this place at this point, but I think this is the best BBQ on the planet, not just KC. By far, the most delicious ribs I've ever eaten, and the Z-Man is what a sandwich was meant to be. Perfect in every way. One item I think gets overshadowed by the rest, but is still the best in town, is the smoked sausage. If I'm going all in with no plans for the rest of the night, I'll get the HogManiac's dinner, with ribs, pulled pork, and sausage. Simply put, the best dinner in all of KC, but will put you in a serious food coma for a solid 8-12 hours. Eat, go home, and put on some sweats, because you are going to be worthless for a while, and it's awesome!
(5)
Graydon M.
I'm a barbecue nut and this place is definitely the place to go. I tried several other restaurants in KC when I was here on business and this is the only one that I'd come back to. I had the Z-Man sandwich on the recommendation of a friend and it was the way to go the first time out. I almost went back for a second one but since I was leaving for the airport directly afterwards I didn't want to sit for hours on a plane stuffed to the gills. This place was packed for lunch too. That is always a good sign. I will be coming back here the next time I'm in town and will expand a bit on the menu. Now I can see why KC is the capital of barbecue.
(5)
Chris L.
Hate going at the height of lunch because I can't always easily get a seat. So that stinks. Too successful for their own good? :) But the meats are fabulous. The fries great. I don't really care for their beans, which is too bad because I loved smoked beans. But their sausage sandwich is one of the best ever.
(4)
David A.
WOW! The food is as good as the gas station location in KCK. The lines are a bit shorter here as the restaurant is bigger and can accomodate a larger crowd. It's a bit more upscale as is the clientele. They also have a separate store for BBQ unlike the gas station which has a small section. Unfortunately it had closed by the time I had finished dinner :( They have a great take out section with all the fixings to help you, too. I ordered a beef brisket (jumbo of course), onion rings and fries. All were to die for! I also smothered my sandwich in both the spicy and the original sauces. This place can't be beat. Funny thing is....I ate here with my friends from Oklahoma. I'm like, why don't you just go to the local one? Get this...IT IS CLOSED. What a shame right? There are few places that draw crowds in KC Metro, but this place is it. Given a choice, I prefer this place, but the gas station is better for the shock value for tourists :) The parking is easy, too. It might be my imagination, but I think the sides are a bit more $$$ than KCK.
(5)
Paul M.
Great place for lunch. Great barbecue. A wide selection of different styles of barbecue as well! Brisket, pulled pork, you name it. great slaw, too!
(4)
Rob S.
4.5 stars and hundreds of reviews tells the story. Great place, well organized, bustling, and excellent quality meats and sauces! Will hit this place again if I'm ever in town.
(5)
Robert P.
Anthony Bourdain was right. The Z Man is great, the pork, the brisket, the burnt ends, all of it. My favorite is their smoked chicken gumbo. Who knew Cajun food lived in BBQ country? Grab anything with a Boulevard (or a Pabst if you splurged in the jumbo sandwich or full slab) and just soak it all in.
(5)
Todd E.
I go to KC a couple times a year for work and always end up at Jack Stack's for the symbolic BBQ meal of my visit. This time I changed it up and went to Oklahoma Joe's with some coworkers. I had the sausage, beef brisket, pulled pork, beans and spicy slaw. Overall, I wasn't impressed and I feel like the place didn't live up to its reputation. I got the impression that everything was pre-portioned hours before I got there. Styrofoam cups of preshredded pork were dumped onto plates. Ribs taken out of a warming cabinet and unwrapped from tinfoil and overall the meats just weren't juicy and flavorful. The spicy slaw was pretty bring but the beans were good. The staff was friendly and smiley though! Overall, not at all bad--but I feel like I could have had a BBQ meal at any place back home in DC. When I come to KC, I expect better than this.
(3)
Tim M.
This was my first time at Oklahoma Joes and loved it. I had a ribs and one meat dinner (I chose sausage) and both were good but I loved the ribs! They had just the right amount of seasoning on them and were quite juicy. I also ordered fries and they give you a ton of fries! They are seasoned and quite tasty. I would definitely go back!
(5)
Kristina N.
Visiting KC from Denver, went here on a recommendation from my father, waited over an hour for BBQ. Hands down the ribs were the best selection out of all of the meat selections plus the onion rings were delicious!! BBQ sauce is delicious, compliments great flavor to the meat.
(5)
Bryan T.
Absolutely the best BBQ on the Planet! The ribs are the best you'll have in your life and the brisket melts in your mouth. There's almost always a line out of the door (for good reason) so it's likely not a quick in and out meal, but you'll never be unhappy once that tender goodness hits your tongue!
(5)
Curt W.
Went for lunch and there was a pretty long line. It moved quickly and there was a table available when we got through the line and had our food. Score: 5/5 for service I ordered the Smoky Joe sandwich, the special of the day. I picked the spicy slaw as a side. Both were excellent. I added the "Night of the Living" sauce for a little extra kick. It added a nice spicy sweet flavor. The food was very good and I would definitely return to try some of the other menu items that sounded good like the Z-man Sandwich. Food:4/5 Don't panic and miss out on great food if the line looks long. It is worth the wait and the line moves very quickly.
(4)
Tim M.
Always good, Gotta love it.
(5)
Tony P.
Best Pulled Pork Sandwich EVER! Damn good BBQ all around! There is a reason this place is jam packed all the time. Even though there is a huge line during prime time lunch/dinner, the staff moves through the line pretty quick. Although I've found the line trailing outside a few times, the place is large enough that you'll usually be inside while you wait. Now to the food! Okie Joes (as they are called) knows their BBQ. The quality of meat has always been superior to every BBQ place I've gone to. Super tender and not nearly as fatty as other places. Of course all BBQ has some fat...wouldn't be good without it! I don't know exactly what blend of wood chips they use and what they smoke the meat in, but damn that meat has a good, balanced smokey flavor. Last, but certainly not least, their sauce is incredible. I could drink this stuff straight! Not really..that'd be kind of disgusting, but it is my personal favorite BBQ sauce of all time....and I've had A LOT of BBQ. Those that prefer a BBQ sauce with a high vinegar taste will not enjoy it as much as the people who like the sweet, peppery, smokey type sauce. Don't like it? Too bad for you. Less people in line is ok by me. As far as sides go, I must admit I haven't mad much besides the fries because the fries go extremely well with the BBQ sauce. They are definitely large enough to split with someone, too. I always order the jumbo pulled pork. Nothing but tender, juicy, smokey meat on a bun with BBQ sauce. Honorable mentions: The ZMan & Carolina Pulled Pork I'm getting hungry thinking about it!!
(5)
Roger H.
If only I could transport this restaurant to central California, where I currently live, I'd be in heaven! Unfortunately for me, though, I can only enjoy this treat a few times a year during, usually during the holidays, when I fly back home to see my family. California is nice and the sun shines a lot here, but they don't know or do BBQ, period. Sure there are places that sell something they call BBQ, but nothing is even remotely as wonderful as Oklahoma Joe's BBQ here. My mouth waters just thinking about that Z-man sandwich the next time that I get my hands and mouth on one! Simply put, Oklahoma Joe's defines a perfect BBQ place. Yum!
(5)
Andrew H.
What can I say that hasn't already been said? The best BBQ in KC. Be prepared for long lines ;).
(5)
Lindsey H.
I've never walked into a bbq joint with so many awards on the walls. When I checked in on 4square, I was informed that this place was also recommended by Food Network. The line was not only out the door, but around the block on a Sunday morning. Luckily the line moves pretty fast, so we probably waited no more than 30 minutes to get our food. The place is very loud, and very casual (it's bbq), but there's a large seating area so there's enough room once you get your food. 4 of us split a full rack of ribs (~$20), and each of us ordered a regular sized sandwich and fries (~$8 each). All of us finished our sandwiches (get the pulled pork specialty, it's amazing), but we hardly made a dent in the ribs and fries. Definitely don't need that much food for 4 people. The sandwich was heavenly, and the pork ribs were perhaps the best I'd ever had. I slathered everything in Oklahoma Joe's BBQ sauce, and was in love. Pro Tips: Call ahead, and get your bbq to go, *or*, get a beer at the call-ahead line while you wait in line for your bbq. With pictures: bit.ly/yr6oHk
(4)
Matt M.
What can I say other than this is my BBQ benchmark. Ive dreamed about a Z-man and fries while on deployment only to wake up to frozen waffles and ultra pasteurized milk. The quality hasnt changed over the years, even when they opened this new location. The new location is more convenient, but its still fun to introduce friends to the original location. These days I find myself mixing more spicy BBQ sauce with the regular, which makes me wonder why all BBQ places havnt figured out this system. If your in the mood on a Friday night and dont want to wait 45 min you could always call in your order to go and pick it up by the time you get to the restaurant.
(5)
Paul N.
I have been participating in the KCBS BBQ competition series for over 10 years and have even taken home a 1st place brisket prize at the American Royal. I know BBQ and I can easily say that this is currently the BEST BBQ in the Kansas City area, by far. I don't usually go out for BBQ because I cook so much of my own at home, but when friends or family are in town, I take them to OK Joes. It's worth the wait to stand in line. PS - I get all of my BBQ supplies from the BBQ store next door.
(5)
Melissa S.
This is seriously the best BBQ ever! Definitely worth the 45 minute drive! Pulled pork or Z-man is a guaranteed hit. Pair with the french fries and extra pickles and I am one satisfied girl!
(5)
Rudy W.
love the ribs and the sandwich. can't go wrong to go to this place for a quick bite to eat and very appetizing. I have to hunt more of these when I travel.
(4)
Thomas P.
I have always wanted to go to the one Kansas City kansas, but the line is always out the door, which is a good sign. But I only have 30 minutes for lunch, they eventually put one in olathe. Me and the wife loved it, we get the turkey sandwich with the slaw on, i think it's the Carolina. There line moves very quick so it's never a long wait.
(4)
Colin B.
As a Texan who loves BBQ, I tend to fall on the snob side of things. Of course I think Texas BBQ is the best, but I realize other regions' BBQ can be very good. However, Okalhoma Joe's might be the best BBQ I have ever had, hands down. Pulled pork? Will make you believe in God. The sausage? Will make you slap a mama. The sauces? Sweet, spicy, flavorful. The french fries? Probably the best I have ever had. Whatever is in that seasoning is the greatest thing to ever go on a fry. We had two sodas, split a sandwich and got some fries and we were out of there for under $13. What a steal.
(5)
Todd D.
Visited this great spot in 2010 and again in 2011 before attending Chief games, will be my favorite BBQ spot for any trip to KC in the future. Go with a group of friends and order up a couple slabs of ribs (they literally fall off the bone). You don't need any sauce but it is great with as well. The z-man sandwich is top notch and the carolina is right there as well. The beans are full of flavor and the spicy slaw has a nice kick. Don't be scared off by the long line out the door, the line is there for a reason (GREAT FOOD) and well worth the wait.
(5)
Casey P.
As if this place needs another review. I recently moved to Texas and every time I come home Oklahoma Joe's is my first stop for lunch. I haven't explored a whole lot of their menu because why change a GREAT thing?? I order the turkey sandwich carolina style and fries. Y-U-M. The buttered bun, messy slaw, and a little bit o BBQ sauce go a looooong way. Their fries are also particularly delicious. I've gone with friends who have ordered the Z-man and have enjoyed it. Really, I haven't heard a bad thing about anything on their menu. I'm a huge BBQ beans fan, but I don't like them here as much as other places. Maybe some day I'll order something else, but until then I've got my order down pat.
(5)
Kansas A.
Oklahoma Joes never disappoints me. I think their ribs are outstanding! I'm a big fan of Kansas City bbq and this is one of my favorites! Its my go to place because its the closest one to me. Sadly I've never been to the original location, I need to do that soon!
(5)
Art M.
Simply the best....pulled pork, ribs, you name it.
(5)
Bobby P.
AWESOME BARBECUE!!! Word's cant describe how delicious this place is! I went on a Kansas City barbecue tour to try and eat at various barbecue restaurants within the Kansas City area. I've been to about 4 out of 7. Oklahoma Joe's is not far from my cousin's house in Olathe, KS so I definitely had to stop by. I took a to go order and ate it back at her place and boy oh boy! It was delicious! A few weeks later my cousin gave it a shot based upon my recommendation and after a sample of my meal. The ribs were perfect! Lots of sauce and fell right off the bone. And the fries? They weren't just plain old fries. These fries had a little spice seasoning on them which I loved!!
(5)
Ericka O.
My husband and I are visiting a friend in Kansas. We are both from California and were told that the BBQ here was great. The atmosphere was fun and casual. You walk right up to the counter in the back and order. The staff back there were very friendly and the food came out quickly. I ordered the pulled pork sandwich, which was amazing. The meat was tender and the sauce was fantastic. My husband ordered a rib and brisket combo. I thought the brisket was incredible. It was so tender and flavorful, it practically fell apart in my mouth. No chewing required! The ribs were good as well, but I thought the brisket was the best. My husband enjoyed a cold beer with his meal and said it was great. I'm really glad we chose to eat here, and am very sad we don't have this chain back home!
(5)
Robin H.
This place was stop #2 on my business trip turned KC BBQ quest. I can honestly say I was in BBQ Heaven! I had the "Hog -a Mania" that was suggested by the gentleman at the order counter and I am glad I took his suggestion, I even told him so afterwards and Thanked him whole-heartedly. The Hog-a-mania consists of 3 ribs, pulled pork, sausage and 2 sides (I had the spicey cole slaw and red beans and rice) and Texas toast. It was fantasic!! The pork was tender and juicy and the rib meat fell off the bones. The sauce had the right blend of spices, it's not one of those "burn your lips off to hide the taste" sauces. MMMMMM! I will be back!
(5)
Kim N.
We eat at this location a lot. It is just down the street from our office and it is good BBQ. I would rank it 3rd or 4th in KC. I know this goes against most peoples opinions. The Turkey Sandwiches are great. Tender and Juicy which is hard to do with Turkey. I am not big on the ribs here, every time I have had them they seemed dry to me, like they over cooked them or there wasn't enough meat to begin with. The brisket is also super yummy and tender. I love their sauces which are made by Original Juan's so can't go wrong there. My favorite is the Night of the Living Dead Sauce. The fries are also very good but not as good as Wyandotte BBQ. Same with the beans they are good but not as good as Jack Stack. The atmosphere is crazy but fun. There is always a super long line and you wait to go up and give your order. Be Kind and know what you want when you get up there so others don't have to wait while you make up your mind. Also don't steal tables and hold them for your friends while they order for you. The tables turn quick and you will get a seat, just be patient and be nice. The bus people are great they are quick and efficient and have the tables wiped and ready to go in seconds. Great customer service.
(4)
Samantha M.
Lived in Kansas City all this time but have never actually tried Oklahoma Joe's. I honestly don't know why it has taken me so long to try this wonderful place but I hate that it took me so long. Today I had a girls day out with my friend and recommended OK Joe's before we go to the movies. I bought the brisket sandwich with fries and oh my goodness the brisket was amazing! The meat was so moist/tender it basically melted in your mouth. It was one of the best bbq sandwiches I've ever had. The fries were nice and crispy but they had a little much seasoning on them but it wasn't that bad (it wasn't so much to were I was constantly drinking my water) My friend opted for the pulled pork special with a side of beans. She let me try some of the pulled pork and again the pork just melted in my mouth, it was so tender. I know next time I'll be getting the pulled pork, oh and the beans were delicious either (perfectly smoked). For the both of us it came to a little over $19 which in my mind isn't bad for lunch for 2 people. Highly recommend OK Joe's!
(5)
Kay L.
OK Joe's is part of the holy trinity of Kansas City BBQ, along with Jack Stack and the sainted Arthur Bryant. Anthony Bourdain was on the right track! Several well-deserved championship banners hang on the wall here... one taste of the brisket, tender and smoky, will confirm why. Pulled pork is a house specialty; but the must-try sandwich is the Z-man -- brisket, smoked provolone, and onion rings on a roll, which sounds a bit oddball but is an explosive blend of flavors that just begs to be devoured. Fries were a bit on the limp side, but handcut & fresh. Yes, the lines are always long, but move quickly.
(4)
Grace S.
The food hear is amazing! If it were only about the food this would get 5 stars. The Carolina Pulled Pork Sandwich is a must. It is always so crazy here and there us usually a wait when we go. The are a bit gruff when you order and you better know what you want. Then it is on to finding a table that gets tricky sometimes. We have staked out many a dirty table and on occasion cleaned it off ourselves. BUT REMEMBER! The food is AMAZING!
(4)
Don H.
My absolute favorite thing about KCMO is the BBQ. Well, that and visiting my friends (of course). We usually go to another BBQ place but my friend wanted to try something new with us. So we went to Oklahoma Joe's. First of all: it's in a gas station. And that's no lie. Imagine one of those roadside joints in the middle of nowhere that seemed to have gotten bigger over time mostly to save space or to provent family in-fighting (I want a restaurant! You've had your gas station for 30 years, Phil, and now it's my turn!). Also, when I say KCMO I mean pretty far from downtown area. I think it was something of a 30-40 minute drive. When we pulled in, the parking lot was packed. We knew this was going to happen so we were prepared. And there were 9 of us, including a 4-year old. We stood in line and waited about 25 minutes. We scoped out a table and one of us went to claim it. When I got to the counter, it was quick service. You're best off to know what you want -- you've had 25 minutes to decide, after all -- so I got the brisket and sausage and a side of fries. I also got a 32oz of beverage, which is one of the biggest dispensers, only rivaled by the likes of a 7-11. I got myself the strawberry Fanta because its fizziness cuts through just about anything. And holy !@#$ that was delicious! I was definitely not disappointed. The house sauce was well worth the effort and the fries seemed to have been fresh-picked from the farm. About 5 pounds worth, too. (I'm exaggerating.) It was a delicious meal and definitely a different kind of BBQ that I want to try again. And I miss the burnt ends.
(3)
Jeremy P.
Always a 10 here! Have never been disappointed. The Z-man sandwich is the way to go! For the first time ever, I came here about 1:30 pm and there was no line!
(5)
Erin B.
Have been to the original OK Joe's many, many times, but have never made it to the Olathe location. To my pleasure, it is just as delicious! I had my usual pulled-pork sandwich with fries. It was stuffed to the max with pulled-pork and so so so good! Husband had the Z-Man, brisket with provolone and onion rings on the sandwich with fries ($20 for both meals). We haven't had OK Joe's in almost a year and having it again made us happy we live in KC BBQ country! We went at 6:30 on a Tuesday and the line was almost out the door. Note to visitors: not a place to go when you need to keep a tight schedule. You never know how busy they will be, although the line most quickly and there will be plenty of food for all! But there is order/carry-out option available. Also, to be fair, management asks that patrons don't 'reserve' tables until they have their food. You always have people who get tables before food, but it does help having tables available if it's done in the correct order. More seating in this location than the original (probably helps that it's not connected to a gas station). You tell your meal to the kitchen staff and get your ticket to pay. Wait for your food and grab a table so that you can enjoy your fantastic meal. Visit the BBQ store next door and check out all the rubs and sauces to attempt to recreate OK Joe's at home!
(5)
Lauren P.
This is actually like 7 stars but the max on Yelp is 5... The BEST BBQ. Ever. Stop reading these reviews and just go. Right now. And be happy that you are close enough to have that option. Everything is GOOD, like good for the soul good. The only downside is that they do not serve red cream soda like Bryants. So order a red cream there...then go out to Olathe and order your BBQ and you can die happy. I love the pulled pork sandwiches, ribs, fries, beans, pretty much everything. Just be prepared to wait a bit for the food or call ahead and do take out but it is more than worth it. My mouth is literally watering up just thinking about it...so sad that I dont live in KC anymore.
(5)
Mama C.
The first thing you'll notice, other than the fantastic barbecue aroma, is the long line waiting to order at OKlahoma Joe's! And then, your heart starts pounding as you scan the restaurant for an empty seat, fearing that once you get your food you won't have a place to sit! ARRRRGH! But relax....this method works very well...and by the time you have your food in hand...there WILL be a place for you! So take note those who like to send someone from your party to hold a table! ( I call these folks, Table Hogs). It is NOT NECESSARY..and it is really rude!( and just because you sit there with your face glued to your cell phone screen doesn't mean we can't see you.) But that little frustration aside....the food. my GOSH the food. I don't think the atmosphere matters one bit, even though it is good, it is all about the barbecue! Our family always orders individually our favorite things....AND a slab of ribs. you can't go without the ribs. I've had just about everything on their menu and i've been satisfied with it all. But i have to say, my favorite item....is the Smoked Chicken Gumbo. It is thick and hearty...and just spicy enough...I've never seen a dish like this in a BBQ joint but I can't have BBQ without it. Their sauce is great, not that you need it. but very good. It's a fun, quick place to have a great meal. ALL of our out of town guests are treated to Oklahoma Joe's!
I've been to this Oklahoma Joe's location several times, but the last time I went was well more than a year ago. Today I went back, and it was even better than I remembered. It was lunchtime and we expected the rush, prepared for the worst. But the line really wasn't terrible and we hardly had time to decide what we wanted before the nice man with the very easy-to-hear voice was taking our order. I got the combo pulled pork and brisket sandwich. My BF and I also shared a serving of their massive (delicious) fries and some bbq baked beans. We thought we weren't going to be able to find a seat, but luckily we did find one after we made a lap around the place. It's amazing, they must engineer the area specifically to seat only the people who are dining in. Though the KCK location has more street cred, I don't envy them the parking situation. Come on down to Olathe!
(4)
Megan D.
The brisket is the best BBQ in America!!!
(5)
Gary M.
Great BBQ. Fantastic environment from when you walk in (including yelling your order back to staff) and just what you'd expect to eat barbeque right. Including lots of paper towel rolls. Had their original sandwich (with the brisket) and fries. Just what was suggested and definitely worth the trip!
(5)
Libby T.
Best place for BBQ in Kansas City! My husband is from KC, and whenever we go back to visit we make sure to stop here for lunch! I personally like their sausage and pulled pork, but I have had the brisket and really liked that as well. The sides are worth getting too. Be prepared to wait in line for at least 15 minutes. The good part is that the food comes out super fast after you order so the wait really isn't that bad. Even with all the people here, we have always been able to find an open table to sit at. We will continue to come here every time we are in the area!!
(5)
Nate A.
Best lunch in Olathe! Any sandwich regular or jumbo. Call in is the way to go if you time restraints, always in and out. We ate there once a week on my crew and always on cue. I take the family there for dinner to sit down and even when the line is out the door the wait is not bad and the ribs are a 10!
(5)
Amanda P.
I've been a recurring patron of Oklahoma Joe's since I moved to Kansas City back in 2007, and I'm just now getting around to reviewing what I consider one of the best (if not the best) BBQ establishments I've ever had. Ribs and brisket are definitely the stars at this place, which exemplifies KC-style BBQ. The sauce is slightly sweeter, keeping in tradition with this style of BBQ, and the meat is fall-off-the-bones tender. My favorite side is the fries, which are always seasoned with the house recipe. Not a fan of the slaw. The crew has been there a long time and I always see the same faces time and time again. The setup is similar to a fast food counter where you place your order and then pick it up and take it to a table. Someone goes around and busses the table afterwards but aside from that there is no table service. Can't remark on alcohol selection, as I'm mainly a to-go patron. The to-go section is nicely organized, with a separate line so you don't have to wait in the main restaurant line - which can get all the way to the door on some days! I advise calling ahead to place to go orders, as this place is usually very busy. Parking tends to be a bit of a problem during the dinner rush - Okie Joe's shares a lot with a bunch of other smaller shops, and it tends to get very crowded very quickly.
(5)
Michelle F.
Well yeah, can you really rate it anything less than 5 stars? Same BBQ, different zip code -- this place is every bit as good as #1.
(5)
Darcy K.
My favorite bbq in all of KC. The Z Man sandwich and ribs are my favorite. I also prefer this location to the original. There is more space, a much shorter wait, and you don't feel so rushed and crowded. The sides are just OK, but the fries are really good. It's all about the meat here!
(5)
Brian N.
It's a GREAT BBQ joint - LOVE the Carolina Pork Sandwich, BBQ Beans, and Chili!
(4)
Graham S.
Have never actually been to the gas station (original) location, but this one seems to faithfully sling out the same world famous OK Joe's BBQ. Doesn't get any better as far as BBQ goes.
(5)
Joseph H.
The reviews looked great, but I don't think it's my style. Someone from Texas said this is the best BBQ they've ever had; that about sums it up. I've only had Texas style BBQ from one place, and while it's alright, I don't think it has any soul. And by soul, I'm talking about Arthur Bryants, Gates, Haywards in the '80s kind of soul. Know what I mean? Back to Joe's: I shared a smoked turkey and a z-man. Everything was prepared well, nice and neat. And therein lies the problem. While I'm eating BBQ, if I can't imagine there's a guy in the back that prepares the meat at 2am or whatever using a hair mop to sop on the sauce occasionally inside the smoker, then the deal is off. Gravitas. Lineage. Tradition. These aren't just words, they're ingredients for God's sake! But it's good. Just watch out for the wait. Sorry Ant'ny, I prefer to eat somewhere else before I die.
(3)
Lindsay H.
Consistent quality? Yes. Memorable experience? Yes. Some of the best BBQ in Kansas City? Absolutely. I think I've eaten at just about every BBQ restaurant in KC. Oklahoma Joe's is easily one of the best dining experiences in the metro. There are tons of reviews about the food so I'm going to focus on the people and the company. I've been lucky enough to work with the staff at Oklahoma Joe's. They have a genuine dedication to the art of BBQ. If you follow their social media, they often post kudos to other local BBQ restaurants. Maybe this says something about their confidence as a leader in the restaurant scene, but mostly it tells me that they are willing to share the very bright spotlight they currently hold. The positive reviews are well-deserved.
(5)
Brent K.
i used to live down the street from the gas station location, and probably went there 4 or 5 times, mostly because i hated the line to get into the place. I go to their Olathe place probably once a month, mainly because I work in OP and it's easily the best BBQ in the state of kansas and that ain't no joke. the lines are never as long as the gas station place, and you can get in and get out and get your BBQ on. I love their meat, all flavors, i love their sauces. the giant bag-o-fries is way too much, and compared to the dinky little beans, it's almost as if they'd rather you just got fries. there's probably nothing that i can say about this place that hasn't already been said, but if you live or work down south, this is a special treat that just can't be beat. top 5 BBQ in KC easily, and very nice folks working for em. I've have never had a bad experience and the place is kept clean, which is more than I can say for some of the more popular BBQ places around town. If you don't feel like waiting in line, call em up and get it to go, much quicker.
(5)
C L.
I don't think you could get more un-American if you flew to France and threw french fries at the American flag...but I am not huge on BBQ. I crave it no more than twice a year. However, I am an accommodating friend, and I will allow you to persuade me into joining you for some BBQ a little more often...IF it's Oklahoma Joe's. There is no equivalent BBQ sauce. Their original is the ideal blend of sweet, flavorful, and spicy. It's not too thick, and not too thin. It spreads, but doesn't run. I prefer it over their hot version. An order of the fries will feed a tiny nation. I don't really like fries, but I eat theirs. No, not because they're good, but because I need a more discreet way of consuming extra BBQ sauce without drinking it directly from the bottle. I've tried several different things here, but I usually stick with a full slab or ribs or a quart of their amazing gumbo. Their faultlessly seasoned ribs are smoky, tender, and not overcooked. Unlike some silly places that serve you some receding jerky left on a dry bone, Joe's slabs satiate. (Say that 5 times fast.) And maybe I'm letting my ignorance shine, but a BBQ place making excellent gumbo? Sure didn't see it coming, but their gumbo is simply marvelous. It has hefty hunks of chicken breast in a thick, orangish-tan roux, just the perfect amount of chopped okra, all the right spices, and finishes with a peppery heat. Really, I crave that more than anything else at Joe's. One Spring, I went to pick up another quart of their chicken gumbo, and one of the guys behind the counter told me that they were gonna have a SEAFOOD gumbo for Lent, so I should be sure to come back soon. Damn me for forgetting about it till after Easter! I wonder if they will do it again next Spring. If anyone has tried it, please let me know how it is!
(5)
G. A.
Burnt Ends. Brisket. Upon arrival in Kansas, the locals tell me I need to go to Oklahoma Joe's, Jack's Stack, and perhaps also Arthur Bryants. This place did not disappoint. On the tables were two sauces, with a bit of tang, a bit of spice, and sweetness. The burnt ends were moist, and didn't need sauce to liven it up. I would highly recommend Oklahoma Joe's!
(5)
Justin F.
I was given the tip to check this place out from ESPN's Pat Forde. He reccommended this place in his point after in the Forde Minutes last week. I pulled up to this gem and could smell the smoke from inside my car. That told me right away this place is for real. The atmosphere inside the restaurant was very good. Lots of flat screen tvs and places to sit. It's a great sit down spot as well. ( Which was not the case at the Gates BBQ I tried on 32nd and Main ) I got a pulled pork and turkey sandwhich. Smoked really well and had alot of flavor. 2 Great BBQ sauces too. The Scary night sauce was a bit hotter but I thought it was very unique. All things considered you could tell this place has been doing BBQ the right way for along time. I even bought 3 jars of their rub for when I cook at home. Looking back I wish I would have bought some sauce. Maybe next time. Would highly reccommend this place to anyone who enjoys BBQ.
(5)
Veronica P.
Delicious BBQ that I look forward to eating every time I visit the KC area!
(5)
Paul R.
Love the turkey sandwich. Sides are big enough for sharing. Definitely in the top 5 of BBQ places in KC.
(5)
Chris D.
Oklahoma Joes is certainly a great place to go, however the one on Strang Line is not as good as the original one in the gas station off of Mission Rd. Their fries are absolutely amazing, however getting inside the door can be frightful. With lines that wrap around the building, make sure that you get there early. Going when you are in a rush will only leave you frustrated. Take your time to enjoy this delectable food! The BBQ sauce is a fairly sweet sauce, but not too sweet like Masterpiece. They also have extremely delicious onion rings! Their BBQ is good, but I would not like Oklahoma Joes speak for all of Kansas City. There are far better restaurants for BBQ in Kansas and Missouri. For example, try Hayward's Pit Bbq & Bar off of Antioch and College. When you are in Kansas, make sure to try all of our BBQ places. Each adds their own flavor to Kansas, and each is unique. Do not let one single restaurant speak for all of Kansas' BBQ places. If you do not like one place, rest assured - there will be one you like somewhere in Kansas.
(4)
Rich T.
BBQ Heaven!!! When your time comes and you land at the Pearly Gates St Peter will say "Y'all git in the truck we're goin up the big house for ribs!" They'll feed you ribs from Oklahoma Joes. I heard angels singing while I was eating them.
(5)
Chris M.
This place is so good it gave me meat sweats. Went with a buddy of mine and we split several items: Carolina Pulled Pork Sandwich, Z-Man and the Half Slab of Rib Dinner. Carolina Pulled Pork Sandwich was very good. I love having pulled pork with slaw on top. The Z-Man was ok. The Z-Man had brisket, provolone and two onion rings on it. Wasn't as good as the pulled pork but still a good sandwich. The Half Slab was really good as well. The meat just fell off of the bone. The ribs could use some more seasoning but I dunked them in the barbecue sauce and it tasted awesome. I think this is the best barbecue in KC and would highly encourage anyone interested in KC bbq to head over.
(4)
John T.
When I first moved to Kansas City, everyone would tell me that the bbq in KC is the best. Regrettably, I could not agree with this... that is until I found Oklahoma Joe's. This place is bbq at its best. We now eat here at any possible chance! Other bbq joints ive been to are boring with flavorless slices of meat with bread. This place, man, the meat is so juicy and their sauces are awesome. I totally recommend the Z-man sandwiches, and you can not go wrong with the ribs. This location is just as great as the original gas station location. The wait can still be long, but is not as bad as the other place.
(5)
Dee W.
OK, any place that has a line out the door is worth the wait! I was not disappointed and the ribs were very good. The menu offers a verity of dinner, meats and sides. In fact, let's talk sides. I'm from New Orleans and when I say that their smoke chicken gumbo is to die for, I meant it. It's a meal by itself. You owe it to yourself to go twice. Once for the staple items, like ribs and pull pork. However, your second trip has to be for that smoke chicken gumbo. WOW!!!
(5)
Jeff Z.
Very very good BBQ. A great place to take out-of-towners for KC BBQ. Also a great place for takeout. You gotta have the Z-Man sandwich.
(5)
Cat C.
During our weekend in KC, family took us here for dinner. I was skeptical of the long line and their "no saving seats" policy because we had a party of 8 and the place was packed! But it went fast and we scored a huge table. Onto the food: The Z~Man Sandwich (Brisket, smoked provolone topped w/ two onion rings on a kaiser bun) -- YUM! Husband called this first so he got the main share of the sandwich. The Hog Heaven (Pulled pork & sliced sausage on a bun) -- I'm not a big sausage fan, but I wanted to try something different than what the husband ordered and I was pleasantly surprised with the flavor. The sandwich was a little dry, but I just added more BBQ sauce and all was good. French Fries -- YES, you must get them. They've got like a cajun spice taste to them. Creamy Cole Slaw -- Good as a flavor breaker upper in between bites of sandwiches. Smoked Chicken Gumbo -- A little on the spicy side, but super tasty. A side order was plenty for us to share with all the other food we had going on. Their food is so yummy, I wish we had one of these on our side of the country!
(4)
Josh B.
TOP NOTCH. Burnt ends - just the way I like 'em. loaded with smoke flavor, tender as can be (and SHOULD BE). I'll go out on a limb and claim "Succulent". Probably the smokiest item tasted on this bbq trip (did I mention I like smoke?) Ribs - long and short cut. Very tender, richly flavored (good smoke content). Sauce or no sauce, these are at the top of the list (maybe second to Artie Bryants) Zman Sandwich: initially - wasn't too keen on this bastardization of good 'cue, BUT....... the guys convinced me to try it and.... not bad, in fact, pretty darn good. thin sliced brisket (you aren't in texas - thats fo 'sho), smoked provolone and that killer onion ring (what do they put in those things????) make a tasty sangwich. course I'd never use up the stomach capacity on something like that, especially when there are burnt ends and ribs to eat. BUT - EN and ET claim its a winner. who am I to say its not? beans: not sure what the big deal is with KC beans, seems like every place makes 'em extra sweet. I prefer less sweetness and maybe a little tang or spice - but thats me. If it ain't broke - don't fix it. Bottom line: If you are visiting KC - Okky Joe's is a must try.
(4)
Jannae R.
It took me a couple of tries to convince my husband to eat here after I told him the original was out of a gas station. Subsequently, several times while he's been driving us around time, we've "miraculously" ended up in the Oklahoma Joe's parking lot at meal time. Our favorites include the Z-Man (not 2 man) and the ribs and brisket dinner. The baked BBQ beans are delish.
(5)
Stephanie S.
Not bad at all! As a native St. Louisian, I have to give props to my hometown fave, Pappy's Smokehouse. But Oklahoma Joe's comes pretty darn close to the amazingness that is Pappy's! The line was SUPER long, which is a little annoying (I want my food NOOOOOWWWW!), but I also see it as a good sign, so whatever. The line moved quickly enough, and soon, we were at the front and ready to order. I'm a huge fan of pulled pork, so of course I went with their regular sized sandwich. The fries looked AMAZING, so I tacked that on to my order. The food was super cheap! For two people, the total was less than 20 bucks. I don't know what else to say! I would definitely recommend it. Is it the best BBQ in Kansas City? I don't know yet...I still have more places to visit!
(4)
Uomograsso U.
My wife and I went to Oklahoma Joe's for lunch on a Saturday. We got there a little after 11 am when they open. The place was already about 1/3 full and by the time we got out food and sat down the line was out the door. We got the rib +1 meat dinners. She got the brisket and I got the pulled pork. It comes with 1 side and we both got the fries. Their side of fries is enormous, more than enough for two to share. My suggestion is if you are going with someone, one order the fries and the other order a different side and share. The food was excellent. Every time I have gone to Oklahoma Joe's or gotten take out it has been fantastic. The brisket is tender with a nice smoky flavor as is the pulled pork. The ribs are meaty with a nice flavor as well. I have tried all the "name" BBQ places in KC and Oklahoma Joe's is the best in my opinion.
(5)
Phuc N.
This place cam highly recommended as THE local's favorite BBQ joint. There is definitely now messing around here as it's BBQ as it's finest. Since it was the first time for a few of us, we went for the smorgaborg: full slab, pull pork sandwich, beef brisket, sausage, fresh cut fries, baked beens, onion rings, and gumbo (or was it jumbalaya). The ribs are the main event here, tender-fall-of-the-bone type with an excellent rub to top it off. Utensils are definitely optional here and this has made me a huge fan of spare ribs. Everything else was also very good but are still only an accompaniment to these ribs. BBQ Sauce: "Night of the living..." is probably the best sauce I've ever had. It has a perfect blend of spiciness and sweetness that creates a level depth that makes it very satisfying. We buy cases of this stuff and is out number choice for all things BBQ. If you're in the area, you MUST come check this place out.
(5)
Tai D.
Wow. I make it a point to have lunch here every time I come to Olathe to visit our John Deere clients. Some of the best KC style BBQ ribs I have ever had. I'm sure there are better but coming from California and having being raised on dry rubbed Santa Maria Tri-tip, this sauce based hunk of burning love is absolutely outstanding. Clean digs. Efficient (but very busy) service. Wonderful food.
(5)
Sam B.
Brisket was pretty good. Is that all the meat I get!?!?!
(3)
Sarah F.
My husband and I's favorite barbecue place in KC.
(5)
B Q.
Great BBQ. Place was very clean the vibe was great... line out the door! It really was top notch BBQ. I had ribs and brisket...ribs were very good. Sides were ok
(5)
Ryan W.
Best BBQ I've had in KC so far. Get anything with the pulled pork and you won't regret it. The brisket is also very delicious. Don't be afraid if the line extends out the door when you arrive; it moves surprisingly quickly. And it's totally worth the wait.
(5)
Rodeo G.
Straight up ridiculous.. Line moves fast, and wednesdays/sundays are burnt ends I believe. Have not had a bad dish yet. Supposably, there seems to be a debate about the best BBQ in KC.. NOPE, here is the winner.. Bryant's brisket is great, Gate's Ham is bauwass, Jack Stack's sides are just silly, Woodlawn BBQ chili is dank, and wood selection for smoking is premier, Bubba's green beans are top notch, and RJ's breakfast and sliced sausage sando is PRIMO.
(5)
Steve T.
Visiting from CA, this is my 2nd time at OK Joes. Good prices, good portions, pretty damn good BBQ. Definitely stop here if you are in the area. I'd say the food here is on par with CA chains like Luceiilles BBQ, and Woodranch.
(4)
Ryan Z.
Many debates as to the best BBQ in KC. Clear winner is OJs. Line constantly out the door but it's worth it for the Zman- a brisket sandwich with provolone and onion rings.If I ever was forced to make love to a sandwich, the Zman would be my first choice. Love it
(5)
Jorge Z.
What I can I say that hasn't already been said? Nothing really. The thing about this place that makes it IMO the best BBQ place in KC is its consistency. I've ate here countless times and I've never been disappointed.
(5)
Mackey J.
i was only here once so i had to try everything i could. i had the pulled pork sando, chicken and ribs dinner, baked beans, bbq beans, and chili. I would highly recommend the ribs bbq beans and pulled pork sando. The chicken was good, but a bit dry. i'd also skip the chili and get double bbq beans.
(5)
Angelica H.
Who knew you could have the best food ever in a gas station??? I ate not only my Z-man but some of the hubbies sandwich that had sausage that was AMAZING and the kids pulled pork and brisket sammy's.... SO TASTY! The fries were also excellent, especially when drowned in some of their sauces. You must try this BBQ joint!!!
(5)
Alicia R.
Hmm. This one is hard, actually. My first time here was great, this past trip, not so much. My first time I had the brisket and ribs, and they were pretty darn good. I think I got potato salad as a side, and it was alright. The second trip: I ordered the Z-Man sandwich and coleslaw. The brisket on the sandwich was great, so no complaints with the actual meat. Sauce is great, too. Kinda wish they had a sweet option, but the regular is grand enough. The provolone didn't really add much, and I have to say I am not a fan of the onion rings. The ones on my sandwich mostly just added crunch, and I had a couple of my friend's, and they also seemed to lack flavor and were a bit too crunchy (I think I prefer crispy over crunchy? These are so crunchy they edge on being hard.) The brioche roll....I know brioche is supposed to be buttery and such, but sometimes it's almost too buttery, and this was one of those times. Was it a bad sandwich? No, but it wasn't awesome. I also got to snag a friend's rib (my friends are pretty cool, huh?), and it was so tender...sandwich, you were okay, but next time I'm going meat-only. That's, of course, where OK Joe's shines. As for the coleslaw...bleh. I didn't like coleslaw as a kid, but these days, I almost always finish it. I only ate half of my cup. It was a decent-sized serving, and texture was fine, but the dressing wasn't sweet enough, it was mostly just creamy and thus bland. I'm also sad that OK Joe's only has a few sides...beans, coleslaw, rice and beans, potato salad, and fries. I will have to try some of the others, as the coleslaw did not win my heart.
(4)
Jason H.
Best BBQ in KC hands down. Never had a bad meal here.
(5)
Michael P.
This place is like Cinemax After Dark for your mouth.
(5)
Justin L.
Best BBQ in Kansas City. There, I said it. Pork ribs are utterly delightful anyway, but this place really knows how to do them. Fries... don't even get me started. Also the best in KC. The only thing that would make this place more perfect would be to have one out by the new Sporting Kansas City Stadium! All in all, it's not only a good introduction to KC BBQ but also really the only one you need to hit if you're just visiting.
(5)
Rich Y.
This IS the best BBQ you will find in KC. I'm confident that I can say that because it's true. Most get the Z-man but I swear by the Carolina style pulled pork sandwich. Served with slaw on top of the juiciest pulled pork this side the the Mississippi River. The baked beans have a great kick and the fries are some of the best I've ever had. None of that screaming at the customer that some local chains market. The food does the screaming for them. You will not be disappointed. They have two locations. A larger restaurant at 119th and Strang-Line that can handle groups or the original in the gas station on the corner of 47th and Mission Road. You'll get the same quality at either place but I prefer the original for the ambiance alone.
(5)
Jeremy P.
Very good BBQ. Loved the brisket an pulled pork. KC style sauce was great (not too sweet). Ribs were good. Not fatty.
(4)
Eric N.
This was the final stop on our BBQ tour of KC. We went to the Olathe location, and when we arrived at 130pm, the line was out the door. It was a spacious dining room, and a very efficient staff behind the counter. We ordered enough for 3, and here are the results of our lunch: The Z-man sandwich - Brisket, provolone, and two onion rings, slathered in BBQ sauce. Awesome because of the multitiude of flavors and textures. Short end 1/2 rack of ribs - Very smokey, tender, and tons of flavor. Had a small amount of sauce, but it was just right. Very close in quality to Bryant's. Burnt Ends - Extremely tender and very tasty. Quite smokey, and served without much sauce Pulled pork - Billed as the house speciality. For KC, it was the best in town. A very good sandwich, with a good amount of flavor. Not super smokey Overall, this just about ties Bryant's as my favorite BBQ spot. It was definitely in my top 5 nation wide, and was a great way to end our BBQ tour of KC.
(5)
Michael P.
This place is like Cinemax After Dark for your mouth.
(5)
Rich P.
Stopped in for dinner while traveling on business. When I arrived, there was a long line. They had paper menus, so that gave me plenty of time to decide on what to order. I went with the One Meat Meal with the pulled pork and potato salad for the side. It was delicious. They do put a little bit of BBQ sauce on the pork when served, but there are one or two other sauces to try at your table. Overall, great service, great atmosphere, and great food. I would visit again.
(5)
Steve J.
food is always great and service is always fast
(5)
Cindy C.
Delicious! Saw the reviews for this place and had to try it. I ordered the two meat dinner with beef brisket and turkey. Best BBQ I've ever had.
(5)
Jeff L.
Brisket was really tender and I am very critical of brisket because usually its too dry, this was not Ribs were tender yet not falling off the bone Carry out was quick and easy, just walked up and we had our meat 5 minutes later Night of the living dead sauce had a nice kick to it
(5)
Shawn B.
First time I've eaten at this location and the first time I've been able to control my rib cravings and get a Z-Man. First off the line was really long but I was surprised it moved pretty quick. I order the Z-Man, cup of beans, cup of spicy slaw, and a drink. I was a little shocked at the bill for $17.45! I did order the sides in the "cup" size instead of the "side" size but that only added a total of $2.20. To the food...I bite into the Z-Man for the first time. First I get the crunch from the onion ring, then the smokey, tender, beefiness of the brisket accented by the BBQ sauce. Then as you're masticating that perfection the smooth, creaminess of the provolone rolls onto your tongue and the roof of your mouth and that's when you say: "This sandwhich has got it all, Baby!" One of the best parts is their PERFECTLY cooked brisket. Most brisket sandwiches, when you take a bite and pull away, you're gonna pull a slice or two of beef off the damned thing, and it's gonna hit you in the chin, and you're gonna look like an idiot with a BBQ sauce Soul Patch. Not so with Oklahoma Joe. The spicy slaw was OK, nothing special. The beans were good but more spicy than I like my Baked Beans. It was almost like eating a BBQ Chili. They were making me sweat. I think maybe they should have a milder version available during the summer months when I'm not in the mood for more sweating. Overall, 4 stars for the outstanding sandwich, shocking prices, and so-so sides. I think I'll stick to getting the meats to go and put together my own meal at home.
(4)
Sarah D.
This was the first place I ever tried BBQ and ever since then no one else compares. I will forever recommend the z-man. The food is amazing and the staff is very friendly. Unfortunately, the place is always so packed (because of how great it is) that it is hard to find a seat sometimes. Don't go during the lunch or dinner hour if you're in a rush.
(5)
Jose C.
I'm not a big bbq fan, but this is THE place for great bbq in a very casual setting. I've visited both their Kansas city and Olathe locations. The KC location is considerably smaller and come dinner time the line stretches well out the door, so plan ahead. Due to the small size and high volume it can be next to impossible to find a table. The Olathe location is much larger, I went for lunch there and ordered within a few minutes, and quickly found a table. We lived near the KC location and would order take out regularly. If ordering take out call with plenty of time as orders can take close to an hour to be ready, specially if ordering during the lunch or dinner rush. Their chicken, and ribs are delicious, soft and savory, but my favorite thing there are the fries and onion rings, I love the seasoning they use, and they are always nice and crispy, even when ordering takeout.
(5)
Crystal S.
It's good to comeback and visit in Kansas City and get some BBQ. Visited here and loved it. Ordered a dinner plate 3 ribs with another side meat and chose their house made sausage. I also got a potato salad side with an extra side of their bbq beans. I used their house bbq sauce which was great. I bought 2 to take back home to Cali for my grilling. I loved the sweet tea! It was perfect woth our lunch! Also had the popular pulled pork sandwich with fried onion rings and provalone cheese and their seasoned fries were delicious! Over pleasant visit. The restaurant was clean and nice. Bathrooms were clean as well. I like the organization of their lines when they do get busy. A take out line, a pick up line and the in house order and pay. Definitely going to comeback and visit this place again when I come back. #KC #BBQ #OKJoes
(4)
Elizabeth W.
I'm sitting here in the restaurant and all I can think is "this is the best bbq I've ever had." I'm not the biggest bbq fan because it's messy and usually a bit crunchy or dry. But this was the best ribs and brisket I've ever had, no extra sauce needed! I almost have nothing to say about the food because the pictures should say it all. We each got a dinner which came with one side. Full slab of ribs, ribs and brisket, and 1/2 smoked chicken dinner were all super delicious! I liked my spicy slaw! The line was out the door, and that's something in and of itself. This place, if it isn't famous, well, it should be! I can't write anymore, I have to go into food coma now.
(5)
Chad D.
Note to self: Self, do not eat BBQ out of state again. Or at least not from Joe's. If this is Kansas City BBQ, I'm glad I live in Texas. I had already had a light snack before having a late lunch here so I didn't order big. I decided to go with the brisket plate. Brisket, one side and a piece of toast. I opted for the spicy slaw. The slaw was decent. The cabbage tasted fresh and was nice and crunchy. The flavor was light but the spicy was non-existent. The brisket... The sad, sad, brisket. It was nice and lean, I'll say that. The thing that got me though was that it appeared to be sliced by one of those deli meat slicers. Every single piece of brisket was sliced uniformly thin. Really, thin. The meat was already lean so it made it a little too dry for me. I've seen pictures of the line going out the door so the best part for me was that when we went, we walked right up to the counter, no line!
(2)
Grant G.
Stopped in for a pulled pork sandwich on the way through town. Easy ordering, quick to the window, juicy and flavorful meat, sauce tasty.
(5)
Gaz H.
Burnt ends and brisket are both top notch. Fried toast, french fries and lots of other goodies are excellent. Ribs are good but not transcendent. Pulled pork is not as compelling. Great set up and fast service. The feng shue isn't as good here as it is in the Overland Park location. So that's something.
(4)
Brendan C.
I'm from Texas and we have crazy good BBQ there, so my standards for BBQ are pretty high. I ordered pork ribs with 1/4lb of brisket burnt ends according to personal taste and Yelper suggestions. I ended up with french fries and potato salads for sides. I 3 star their pork ribs. If you've been to St. Louis and had the pork ribs from Pappy's, your palate for this glorious cut may be spoiled forever. Oklahoma Joes ribs seemed almost there. The temperature or time on their pork ribs was too long and ended up making the pork ribs drier than I would've expected. The crust was great and so was the flavor, but it was overdone for my taste. Thus, it wasn't juicy when bitten into. I expect to see the juices flowing, and personally I thought they could've added more pepper to the rub. Sauces - Their sauces are good. There's a nice balance of sweet and sour with a good consistency. Fries were really good. Pretty much mandatory if you like crunchy potatoes at all. The seasoning was on point, in terms of flavor, but it was a bit over-salted. Brisket burnt ends - this is where it's at. There was a great smokiness and my mouth felt like what I imagine the inside of a smoker would taste like. If I were an ant somehow surviving in a smoker, I'd be inhaling air that tastes like this brisket. But...still it wasn't juicy enough! Yea, it's burnt ends, but a measure of juiciness wasn't really maintained in the parts that cut into the rest of the brisket. Perhaps they should consider a bit lower temperature cooking. The smokiness is definitely there though. Potato Salad - way too much mayo. The boiled eggs are nice inside, and this would've been a great complement to the BBQ if the mayo were cut back on. Happy Eating!
(3)
Nyla K.
If anyone knows KC bbq, you know to stop into Joes KC. I've only really been here for lunch but tonight we popped in for dinner. Surprised that there was a still a line that ended just right at the door. This time I went for the ribs and the pulled pork sandwich and a side of beans. We also had a small onion ring, which in my opinion, are the best onion rings I've ever had. I typically don't like onion rings in general but these were amazing! I'd pass up a side of fries for these any day! And the ribs we also finger licking good, literally. If you're stopping in KC, you have to experience lining up in a gas station and having the best ribs in town!
(5)
Byron H.
There isn't a lot that needs to be said about this icon of Kansas City BBQ. It's arguably the best in Kansas City. Kansas City arguably has the best bbq in the world. Thus, this may be the best bbq in the world that you can get at a restaurant. I've had a variety of their dishes (burnt ends and their ribs are a favorite), but by 3 their twice weekly burnt ends were sold out. At this satellite location there was inexplicably no line (there is always a 30 minute plus line at the original), so we got our order in right away of a jumbo pulled pork sandwich with fries. Joe's claims to have the best fries in the city, and I have trouble arguing with them. Whatever mixture of spices and crack they put on their fries, they are my go to side dish. The pulled pork is perfect, and a healthy dose of sauce is all you need to enter bbq heaven. Although I have moved 6 hours south, every time I'm in KC I make a point of visiting one of (if not The) best bbq in the world.
(5)
Alexandra S.
Good second choice for bbq in the kc area. Still way better the. WhT we have in California. Great food, large portions, and sides to die for. Also the bbq sauce selection was great. I like the order here,pickup there atmosphere. It was very busy and still the staff had everything under control. We were able to get a seat before our food was ready.
(4)
Joshua J.
What can I say, top notch BBQ and excellent fries with a classic bbq joint aesthetic. The service line was quick, even when the line of patrons is out of the door. There was even good local brew on tap to wash it all down. I have been to many BBQ spots and none compare.
(5)
M H.
Used to be my favorite but.. They are a victim of their own success. The lines are always out the door. The meats are always great. I do prefer Gates sauces. Room for improvement on expediting the order and delivery methods.
(3)
Adam S.
This is not only my go-to BBQ joint in KC, it is probably the restaurant I eat at the most. My wife never has to ask where I want to go for dinner. When guests want KC BBQ, this is where we go. The Z-Man is the best sandwich I've ever had. I wouldn't recommend this for newcomers, but as a Z-Man veteran, I like to order "the Z on toast". Its the Z-Man, but on delicious buttery Texas toast. Joe's is the only restaurant I've been to twice in one day. Ate lunch at the gas station location with one group of friends, and ate dinner at the Olathe location with a different group. My dream is to eat at all three locations in the same day. I'll reach BBQ nirvana.
(5)
Ben C.
We had brisket and pulled pork. My favorite kc bbq place. While some purists say the sauce doesn't matter I argue that they've not had a good kc sauce. I would give five stars if the bbq beans were better.
(4)
Lisa S.
It's ok, but I don't pick going there on my own. I only go when we are with friends who want to eat there. The pulled pork is ok. The ribs are WAY too smokey flavored. Call me crazy, but I don't think it's the best BBQ place around.
(3)
Arin A.
We all came from out of town and had to try this place as everyone said it was the best around. We ordered all the most popular things. The Z-Man was actually really good. The fries were very tasty. Ribs fell off the bone. The coleslaw we could all go without. Must try the burnt ends. Name does not give any justice as they are not burned at all, but soft, tender chucks of meat. Would come back if ever in Kansas.
(4)
Brant M.
Best. Restaurant. Ever. Speed 5- Once we order there was basically no wait! Once we ordered we paid and the food was there! It was so fast! Taste 5- I ordered the ribs diner + 1 meat. The ribs were amazing! Every thing else was great too! I highly recommend this place! We drove 17 miles out of our way home to get here and it was worth it! The food and atmosphere was amazing! I loved it and it deserves 5 stars!
(5)
Reid R.
Place was perfect minus Im a Jack Stack fan... I prefer a waiter or waitress to take my order instead of getting my own drink, silverware, etc... While we were siting there this guy came around and starting taking things off our table which I thought was rude or I would have given the place a 5 star review ... he could have waited until we were done eating ... oh and wipe the bbq sauce bottles down super gross!
(4)
Mw C.
Delicious!! Came here around 930 pm. The meat is tender and the best was the rice and beans. The place is big, clean and friendly.
(5)
Susie S.
Joe's KC BBQ is the best. I take our out of town guests here and they love it. The quality of the food is as good as the more expensive BBQ restaurant we have. The atmosphere is clean, fun and upbeat. It's casual and every item is so tasty. Way to go Joe's! We love you and love that you're making Kansas City BBQ famous!
(5)
Don E.
Some had the pulled pork and said it was real good. Some had the pulled chicken and said it was great. The ribs were OK. Fries were good. The beans were really good. The regular sauce was a little too sweet for me but others loved it. I'm still partial to Arthur Bryant's and LC's. I guess to each his own.
(4)
kyle t.
Not bad but. My boss took me here as one of the best KC BBQ places, cant go wrong with that. Now in fairness, my boss is from out East, not BBQ lineage to start with. He does know where it find good wings in Buffalo, that is a plus and of course he is my boss. That said, he wasn't wrong about the BBQ but I think it would be a far cry to call this place the best, in my opinion. In FTP, Fairness To Pig I didn't try the Ribs which are supposed to be very good and opted for the Pulled Pork. I didn't try a bunch of sides, only one side, being the beans so not the totally best way to evaluate a BBQ joint. I will say though that I have had some amazing Pulled Pork Sandwiches and when it comes to good BBQ it is one of my favorites for good meat evaluation. This one had an OK bun, but the meat was dry and not super flavorful and the beans were good but really nothing special in any way, just kind of normal beans. Some places (like this one) tend to make the meat fairly bland and depend on the sauce to heighten things. I prefer to place the sauce for extra spice and enjoy the meat. I would eat here again and might order something different but then again in a city with some much lovely meat smoking away every day I would be hard pressed not to try something else. KT
(3)
Simon K.
Consistently great. Ribs are well trimmed and perfect without sauce. Brisket is also a solid choice. The dark horse however are the red beans and rice. Every time I get it it's great.
(5)
Trudy P.
Some of the best BBQ I've ever had. The only reason I didn't give them 5 stars is the lengthy wait every time I have gone there. I know they say the wait is worth it but when I go out to eat I'm not a fan of waiting in line. Wish they had their burnt ends every day but worth the wait a couple days a week. Never had a bad meal here!
(4)
Jared D.
It is the very best brisket sandwich I have ever consumed. We try to stop here every year on our drive home from an annual road trip to a lake in Missouri. Although it is a bit out of our way. We are never disappointed because every bite will make you smile every time. If there was and option to give 6 stars, I would.
(5)
Neala B.
Burnt ends heaven on the tongue. Hubby loves brisket and fries extra crispy with the spicy sauce. We've been coming here for years, the food is consistently great and the service has gotten much friendlier. They package things up right for carry out too. As far as sides, I love the beans, they are hands down the best beans I've ever had, love love love. And the dirty rice is amazing. Spicy, wonderful, so good, could have it for a meal easily. Who would have thought the rice would be so good? We'd been coming for years before we tried it, now I order it every time we go. Want to try something different? Red pig chili in the winter dress it up with cheese, jalapeno, onion & house made pork rinds guaranteed to warm up your insides. This is BBQ done right.
(5)
Betsy M.
The best part of a recent biz trip to Olathe KS was my visit to Joe's Kansas City BBQ... no question. Thankfully, I called in my order after reviewing their online menu because when I got there - there was a HUGE line for dine in guests waiting to order. They have a special window for pick-up orders which is super cool, with a to go condiment bar close by. I went with the Z Man (thanks Yelpers) - and honestly it was the best barbecue I have ever tasted. I am not a fan of pulled pork, so I will always go with the beef brisket. I have tried southern and Texas barbecue and they ain't got nothin' on KC! I went with the fries which were also delicious. I am still dreaming about my Kansas City barbecue experience at Joe's.
(5)
Aziz M.
I'm a proud Texan at heart, I sang the song "Deep in the Heart of Texas" as a squirt and I know that the state flower is a bluebonnet but Kansas City has won my heart over to BBQ for life thanks to this spot. The food is THAT spectacular. I mean, I've had plenty of good brisket, ribs and pulled pork throughout years of eating out and getting together for various Barbecues but nothing that has come together in such a way that made me feel enamored like Joes. Let's start off with the WORST thing I had and move up from there. I live to eat Ribs and the ones here were alright, likely pretty good on a better day but nothing standout the day I went. Everything else was substantially better. The Pulled Pork was tender, packed with a punch of pepper and various other spices and barely stayed together long enough for you to stuff it on a piece of their white bread and douse it in their sweet, not so tangy and a little bit spicy BBQ sauce. Its to die for. Brisket is probably the most popular meat ordered in San Antonio so I'm sure I've eaten my body weight in it. With that being said, the stuff they're serving here was smoked for quite some time I'm sure by masters. It had such deep complex flavors and aromas steaming off of it. The Sausage was great too but I wouldn't say it really set itself above what I'd already had. I don't think I've ever even considered saying this before visiting this place but I think the sides were almost as good if not BETTER than the meats. We tried a little bit of almost everything. The dirty rice was so good, spiced to perfection without suffering from being overly salty. The baked beans were just plain delicious and again were sweet without being overkill. The red beans were pretty good but they don't compare to what I've had in New Orleans. And lastly, the potato salad was mostly traditional but still solid in their own right. Wow. It's been quite a while since I've had so much GREAT food in one place, much less in one sitting. Kudos. My only complaint which is not a REAL complaint is that the wait for the food was crazy long. I mean we waited like 20 mins for them just to take our order. Luckily the food was ready only 2 mins after we ordered but that's a long time for someone with a 2 year old. I'd highly recommend opening up more cash registers (They only had 1-2 for dine-in) to take care of your customers in a more timely fashion. With that being said, keep doing what you guys do b/c you sure know how to make some killer BBQ!
(5)
Justin P.
Round Two and I wanted ribs, so we hit Oklahoma Joe's to satisfy this craving, for more beans, fries and whatever else I could stuff in my gullet. This place was awesome, but since we didn't want to wait in line we didn't go to the original in the gas station so this one felt a little touristy/strip mall-ish. Truth is Oklahoma Joe's boasts a ton of trophies for BBQ battles, everyone was friendly and they even let me take a picture of/with the smokers, but Max indicated that if they changed the name to Kansas Joe's they may have more converts and even more local support HA! (I am still trying to understand this strange smokey BBQ'd city...even the name of the street it was on was Strang Line Rd). The ribs were scrumptious, tender meat that literally slipped of the bones if you held it vertically, and a pungent, yet not overpowering smokiness that I truly enjoyed. The beans were good, but nowhere near Gate's or Zarda's apparently, but the crisp, golden skin-on fries were a godsend (is that a bit much?). I preferred their sauce here, mostly because they give you bottles to douse at your leisure, like hot sauce at a taco shop, but more so I felt the flavor had a touch more sweetness. And herewith is the endless argument that divides this city, which is divided by a river. Sweet, smoky, spicy...umami, whatever you like you will find it in KC. And I only hope I get to go back for an extended stay to compare them all. Right now I am crying in my San Diego BBQ, which offers only feeble attempts at imitation. How humiliating. I dig KC; any place that feels this passionately about food, will hold a place in my heart...or stomach. People were genuine, and it's all gravy, except for the freeway system which is 1000x worse than any in California. Ending up on Troost and Grand at midnight was a real treat though! Gang signs and BBQ sauce make fickle bedmates.
(4)
Bob H.
Love this place. Very casual BBQ place that was right across from my hotel. The food was really good. I had the tri-tip sandwich.
(4)
Magan T.
I don't feel the need to say much after reading the other 5-star reviews except that this is the 1st place I have ever craved BBQ from. I love the Pulled Pork sandwich with the spicy sauce and fries. I get the Kid's meal since they give you a huge portion of fries when you order them as a side separately. Those are for sharing! =) I miss you Okie Joe's! I have also ordered pounds of Turkey, Ham, and Pork as take-out for large family dinners and it is always a BIG HIT!
(5)
John R.
Had been to the "gas station" location a few times. The Olathe location is bigger and just as yummy. My favorite BBQ in KC!
(5)
Bloss C.
I didn't have high expectations when approaching Oklahoma Joe's. Mostly because I don't eat meat, so barbecue restaurants usually don't have much to excite me. Plus it looks like a pretty lame chain restaurant. Service was ok but a little gruff; we were here durning a slow time, but I hear the lines can go out the door for dinner, so perhaps that's were the staff's gruffness comes from, but they were polite enough. I ordered the Portobello Zman (the only vegetarian sandwich), the side salad, and spicy slaw. The Portobello Zman was awesome, the mushroom covered with provolone cheese topped with 2 onion rings and smothered in some amazing BBQ sauce. Spicy slaw was good also, and the side salad was very fresh with legit buttermilk ranch dressing. Everyone I ate with enjoyed their ribs and brisket immensely. I'm only in KC for a few days but I think I'll be back before I head for the airport!
(4)
Keri F.
I got the pulled pork sandwich (no Z man for my milk issue) Other got the turkey sandwich Split the brisket just b/c we are starting the Q journey! Pork - moist, couldn't taste the smoke, average. 3/5 stars. Turkey - dry, little smoke, average. 2.5/5 stars. Brisket - dry, ok pink edge, just below average smoke. 3/5 stars Sauces were nice but nothing hit home for me. It's a good little place, but for me it misses something. I will have to try it again (ribs? 1/4 chicken?) when I go through KC next time. This place is part of a BBQ tour through 5 states. Overall rating is fifth.
(3)
Courtney H.
The Z-Man is my favorite BBQ sandwich of any place I've been. Sadly, I don't really stray from the sandwich to have much to say about any of the other meats. But my brother had the ribs recently and enjoyed them and our friend got the pulled pork sandwich, also a winner. The fries here are also delicious with a good crisp to them and spice and a great portion to complement the sandwich. There is always a line, but it goes fairly quickly. It's worth it. I try to get the sandwich whenever I'm in town!
(5)
KathyLynn J.
This definitely not my fav BBQ place in KC area. It might do in a pinch. Sides are mediocre, okay, fries & onion rings are pretty good. I want great smoke flavor, juicy & no need for sauce. You do not get that here. Try Jon Russell, Jack Stack, maybe even Gates.
(2)
M A.
This is might go to barbecue spot in Kansas City. I have eaten at this restaurant many times since it is opened and it is always been good I have never had a bad experience and never had bad service. I loved the location in Independence however it was very difficult to get to an out-of-the-way from where my parents stay in Kansas City. The only complaint I have about this location is their restroom. For a place this big you need a multi-person restroom.
(4)
Mike D.
I still haven't found KC BBQ I don't like and Oklahoma Joes is no exception. I don't think it necessarily lives up to all the hype caused by the TV shows, nor do I understand why it has 1,000 reviews but other KC BBQ greats do not....Anyways.... So this location is in a typical new looking strip mall off of Strang Line. It doesn't look very big from the outside but it's definitely decent size inside. Despite the line being out the door we were able to get a spot to sit. Even with continually long lines they ge the job done fast. I think my wait here was shorter than any other BBQ restaurant. Nice atmosphere, woodsy and outdoorsy, lots of BBQ trophies everywhere. Of course they sell tons of Oklahoma Joe's apparel for the people that just can't get enough. So I ordered the Z Man, not because it's their most famous item but because it actually had all of my favorite things on it. Also, a side of onion rings. So the Z Man comes with provolone and onion rings on it. It is quite amazing. I wouldn't say it's the greatest sandwich I've ever eaten, it is quite the tie though between this and Wodyard's Triple P. The meat was tender and had great flavor. Plus the sauce it was a little bit sweeter than I was expecting, but great nonetheless. Onion rings were fantastic, they give you a huge side so only order one if there's two of you. Don't think it lives up to the hype, but still great BBQ. I'll be sure to come back again.
(5)
Steve B.
I live for finding places like this. Got the ribs and brisket combo. Wow it's good. Ribs don't even need any sauce. Perfect as is. Very little fat on either meat. Joe's dirty rice is a new one on me and it's a MUST HAVE. Spicy sausage mixed in it! I'll be back next time I find myself in Olathe...
(5)
Shannon S.
So I saw all the reviews for this place and decided to check it out. Really glad I did. First of all walking in I was a little confused on where to order but quickly figured it out. Once I ordered and tried out the food I realized that the reviews are spot on . This is a great place for bbq
(4)
Kimberly B.
We ate here again tonight and it is always consistently good. My favorite meat is the brisket, which is dripping with juice. We also enjoy the turkey & ribs. The hot BBQ sauce is worth a try for something spicy. Our favorite side is the red beans & rice, which have deep slow cooked flavor. There is always a line-- so call ahead, it is worth it.
(4)
Vanessa S.
Born in Los Angeles, Raised in Missouri and live back in LA again. Every single time i go visit family in Missouri this is my first stop once I'm off the plane. Living in LA places try to do bbq but for me it never taste as good as being home. The pulled pork sandwiches are just so delicious and melt in your mouth. Mouthgasim! and the burnt ends I could eat all day,everyday. If your in the area you might miss it since its a renovated gas station. And also i love the store section where you can buy your own bbq spices. It does get busy around the lunch rush/dinner rush. But I mean of course it will be because it's that good. If your in the area and have time stop by. If you have to wait a little bit do it because you won't regret it.
(5)
Mike O.
The Olathe location of Oklahoma Joe's (recently rebranded as Joe's Kansas City Bar-B-Que) lacks the quirky charm of the original KCK gas station location, but it makes up for it in the amount of seating. This spot seems to always be hopping at peak times, but the depth of the restaurant makes the line a little less claustrophobic. It moves quickly too. My go-to order here is the Z-Man sandwich, but they also do ribs, burnt ends (on select days) and pulled pork really well. Their Night of the Living Bar-B-Que sauce is tasty and unique. To-go orders (always faster) can grab a generous amount of sauce to-go in covered styrofoam cups. This is my favorite BBQ in KC and the place I always recommend to others who are visiting for the first time.
(5)
Gina M.
I like Joe's, though don't eat here very often, as it's not very friendly to those who are a bit more health-conscious. The people are always nice and the facility is clean. I had a seasonal soft-shell crab sandwich, and wouldn't recommend it. Not sure if it was me, or the prep. Stick with the traditional dishes that have put Joe's on the map! (and get the O-rings!!).
(4)
Tim C.
Joe's is the best barbeque in KC. Hands down, the ribs, sanwhiches, brisket...its all good. It might not be the oldest BBQ but it is the tastiest
(5)
Dave E.
First KC BBQ stop since moving from Texas. I gotta say, pretty darn good. Had a spread of all the meat and several sides. While Texas BBQ may have some edge on the meat, it's not available at all times like Joe's. Seems like a walk in and get good BBQ all the time. Will definitely be a regular.
(4)
Anna M.
It's pretty darn yummy, folks! Great food, great service, great prices. It doesn't get much better than this:-)
(5)
Joshua H.
The gold standard of barbecue in Kansas City. Outstanding ribs and pulled pork in particular, and a gold standard sauce. My only gripe is no Mac and cheese offered on their sides... Something that shouldn't be missing from any barbecue menu.
(5)
Joel K.
As a former local and now visitor to olathe Oklahoma Joe's is our number one place to eat when we want BBQ. Had a party of 40+ people here from NJ for soccer tourney and they stuffed themselves silly trying what is one of the best BBQ in America. Meat, sides, sauce are about as good as it gets.
(5)
Shawn T.
Zman is the flagship sandwich and it doesn't disappoint. Best BBQ sandwich in KC. Maybe the country from what I have heard others say.
(5)
Kendra L.
This was everything I ever wanted it to be. So good. The ribs were the best thing I have ever eaten and service was surprisingly quick.
(5)
Jay R.
I have waited 2 years to try their ribs and I have to say it was well worth the wait. We drove in from Wichita with intent on trying the ribs with 2 kids and when we got our table set up with high chair and a plug for the 10 year olds computer I went up to order. Steve saw me and asked if I needed any help and my response was no getting my families order was the bards part now I have it made. He laughed and showed me to the counter to order. While we walked I told him my 2 year story and about a friend who recommended their ribs years ago so he made a point to ask the cooks to make sure they were good for me. He also added a some Brisket for me to try. He helped me to the table and left to get me silverware and napkins which was awesome and I sat to eat. My first impression of the bbq was that everything was smoked perfectly and all was seasoned well. Shana had the pulled pork sandwich, wow! The pork was perfectly lean and fatty at the same time, the smoke flavor was perfect and the seasoning was great. Olivia had a smoked hotdog which I love to do at home, she ate almost the whole thing. Owen and I split a full rack which if you haven't had it I will try to explain what you get. These ribs a big, smoked perfectly and brushed with the perfect sauce. A sweet tangy sauce that is well balanced, not to sweet and not to tangy. The meat pulls perfectly off the bone and when you take a bite it doesn't pull or chew in a bad way. I have to say the bbq was perfect. Now Brisket is my personal favorite and I usually order it if a bbq joint has it on the menu, sometimes I am disappointed but not this time. I will just say perfect smoke ring, perfect slice and just the right amount of fat to make it moist and tender. These guys know how to smoke meat! You have to try Joe's when in KC! I tried to say good bye to Steve when I left but he had already gone so THANK YOU Steve for the great hospitality and perfect Que!
(5)
Anastacia D.
Spin off from the original with the same feel. My favorite KC BBQ. If you're looking for classy, this isn't it, but if you're looking for meat falling off the bone ribs this is the place.
(4)
K G.
Good food. Big menu so check it out online so your some what familiar as there is often a line out the door so you'll want to be ready to order. Sides are generous. I enjoyed the beans and coleslaw. I also has to open faced turkey sandwich which had a spicy coleslaw, which was good. Fries and onion rings are considered sides and are ample size to share, especially if you plan to order other sides to sample and share. You order at the counter and take you're own food to the table. There is not table side wait staff. Food was ready quickly. You also have to bus your own table when your done.
(3)
Jennifer G.
I miss the Z-Man every minute of the day. I love it. Amazing onion rings. The only downside is that it is hard to eat with a large group because it is so crowded and tables can be hard to find. (Which is why we take-out as often as we can.)
(5)
Rob D.
I wasn't impressed. One of those places iv wanted to try for awhile and just never got around to it until today. The BBQ beans were different. Not good or bad just different. The burnt ends were pretty basic. A lot of smoke flavor but that's it. Best thing about this place was the Texas toast.
(2)
Zach G.
Hate me if you may, but I believe I might be losing my love for Oklahoma Joes. Don't get me wrong, it's still solid BBQ...and anywhere else, it would be the most amazing BBQ in the world. However, there are some things I just cannot ignore. Previously, I had mentioned how everyone was always friendly. This isn't the case anymore. At one point, I noticed that the carry-out people got borderline rude when it got busy (which, unfortunately, is a good chunk of the time). That is still the case. In the last two months, I have been practically yelled at for having the gall to show up at a busy time to get carryout without phoning ahead (despite my calling 3 times without anyone so much as picking up). I asked them if they really wanted me to take my business elsewhere, and they said yes...so I did. Now on to the food. Some stuff is great - Z Man, of course, is solid. Ribs are delicious, but not the best. Fries and onion rings are like crack. Then, there are the disappointments - I think all other side dishes are mediocre. Their burnt ends may be the worst in KC, as I've had them more and more. They're never crispy, and lack almost every quality that burnt ends should. Will I continue going to OK Joes? Sure, of course. Is it the best BBQ in KC? Nope, not in my book...and it's dropping, especially from a service standpoint. Some people are still very friendly, but I've run in to more and more rude ones lately.
(3)
Leslie I.
Love their food. Very consistent and great! I like their brisket and harvest but tons of great food. Their fries are great and so are their beans. Be prepared for a wait in line, but it's worth it!
(5)
Alexandra D.
Honestly, you can't go wrong with anything on the menu. The Z-Man is a classic if you're looking for a sandwich but the pulled pork is KILLER. Amazing, all-around BBQ.
(5)
Melanie O.
So my husband and I both had opposite experiences here together. I had the pulled chicken sandwich and there was not a lot of chicken and about 1/2 tablespoon of sauce. It wasn't dry, which was good. I wish someone had told me how many fries you get because between my family if 3 (my husband, myself and my 3 year old), we could've survived on 2 orders. And they were delicious and I'm 6 months pregnant ;) My son had the hot dog and loved it, but he's never met a hot dog he didn't like. My husband had the burnt ends and they were AMAZING.
(3)
Jannie B.
Amazing! Amazing! Amazing! I would post a picture but it would be of my empty plate. The husband and I both ordered the brisket and the pulled pork with the "dirty rice," the gumbo and the slaw. The bbq sauce had a bit of a kick to it which was perfect.
(5)
Tim P.
I travel 26 weeks a year throughout the western USA and Oklahoma Joe's came highly recommended by a friend. The high recommendation was UNDER rated! First the atmosphere of the restaurant is awesome. They get you through the line and to a table quickly and the people are super nice. Second the food is to die for. If I wasn't on a diet, I swear I would have reordered again! Killer ribs, awesome brisket, great bbq beans, everything is fantastic. It's not like some places there they do one thing great and others "ok" ---- this is a place where EVERYTHING is freaking awesome!
(5)
Tram V.
Amazing bbq. A must go eatery in Kansas City! The line is long and you can't really dine because it is so popular and delicious. Expect at least an hour wait time or call you order in a day earlier.
(4)
Christina P.
We got it catered. It was ok. Nothing beats nc BBQ. :) Enjoyed the pork - tender. BBQ sauce was tasty. Maybe better if we dined there.
(3)
Abhi P.
This was my first visit to any of the barbecue joints mainly because of my abstinence from beef and pork foods but anyways this review is for the chicken z man which was awesome to say the least. I went to the place around 3 pm and admittedly the crowd was a little less prominent which helped me breeze through the smoky lines to barbecue nation capital of z mans. I swiftly ordered the chicken z man with light cheese and a side of onion rings, waited for about 5 mins for savoring the most juiciest and perfectly crafted chicken sandwich. At end of my 15 minutes Kansas barbecue adventure I was greatly satisfied and hunger dealt with.
(5)
Stephanie E.
We went to KC Joes for a St.Patty's Day Feast and it was just that with a full slab of ribs and fries it was delicious!! Thanks Joes KC for a yummy Happy Saint Patrick's Day Feast! #Delicious #KCJoes #HappySt.PatricksDay
(5)
Sesan O.
Best bbq in Kansas City! Hands down. I'm sad to be leaving it behind when I leave. Also, I love the new layout as it makes it much easier to get takeout.
(5)
Mika M.
I visit this place once in every month. Not like Arthur, even though joe was on the media but they keep great work and taste good as media showed. Staff knows how to serve, quick, friendly and polite. Food is one of the best. I just had BBQ last week, it was little salty BBQ rib more than usual. But it still good. Burnt end is juicy, fatty, little crunchy and right seasoning on it. I also had Carolina something sandwich. It was very good too. What I love most is baked BBQ beans. You must try it. It's smokey, spicy, little sweet, and good.
(5)
Jesse P.
Probably the best BBQ in the Kansas City area. Great atmosphere too! This is place is a mandatory stop in Kansas City or the suburbs.
(5)
Phon W.
I don't know why but I haven't tried the Zman which I need to do real fast. The first time came where I didn't really like this place but the more I came the more I knew what I liked from here and I just order the same thing now. I get the short end ribs yummy it's meaty. and the beans and I just get like meats by the pound. It's good that way i have lots of left overs through the week. :)
(4)
Ryan Y.
1st timmer in Kansas and i couldnt not grab some BBQ the BBQ was great! and worth the wait!!!
(4)
E P.
Family has been wanting to dine at Oklahoma Joe's for a long time, ever since we heard it was the best in Kansas City. While in Overland Park today, we learned that Oklahoma Joe's is now named Joe's Kansas City BBQ and found the restaurant in Olathe. There are two other locations in the area, one in Kansas City, Kansas and the other in Leawood, Kansas. This is very good Kansas City BBQ. The restaurant is large with lots of tables and chairs. We went mid afternoon, so we were able to get in immediately and place our orders without waiting in line. The east side of the restaurant is a wall of windows which add lots of natural light inside the restaurant. This restaurant is very clean. You place your order at a walk-up counter, and pick your order at a second counter. The man who took our orders was gruff, but had a twinkle in his eye and a smile when I told him that this was my first Joe's BBQ. The woman who served our food was friendly. The food came to us promptly. I ordered the Hog Heaven sandwich with pulled pork and slices of sausage on a toasted bun. I also ordered a side of BBQ beans which have bits of meat chopped into the beans. My husband ordered the traditional pulled pork BBQ sandwich served on a toasted bun. He also had the BBQ beans side. Grandson ordered the Brisket Dinner which is sliced brisket served on Texas toast with a side of French fries. The portion of French fries was so large that Grandson shared it with Grandpa and me. I tried the traditional sauce which was very good. They also have a spicy sauce. This is very good Kansas City BBQ. The brisket is amazing. Next time I'm there, I am ordering the Brisket dinner ~ just good meat and a good BBQ sauce. What more do you need? The pulled pork is really good. I might try something different ~ maybe the smoked chicken. Got to try the ribs next time, too. So many choices. We will definitely return.
(4)
Lizzie A.
Best BBQ in KC. Our go to favorite. Out of town guest are asking us to stop by before we make it back to the airport! So luck to have this close by!!! Pulled pork and onion rings are my favorite! I steal a couple of fries from my kids plates! Yummy!
(5)
Jerry S.
Fabulous food Weak service - they process the line pretty efficiently but anything breaks like soda machine its ignored for a half hour. Not good with hot bbq sauce.
(5)
Ken P.
Three stars was a reach... Has a cult like following but this is by no means the best q in KC Thee meat combo the brisket and turkey were dry... They use a steam table to keep quantiles available to serve They do not serve fresh cut Q from smoker or hot box A big sin to q lovers more like mortal sin Sides interesting but average quality Best fries in KC ? Self proclaimed and not earned
(3)
Scott H.
Some of the best BBQ I've had... including Texas. Tried the Brisket and Rib dinner plate with BBQ Beans. All 3 were amazing.
(5)
Tom M.
The z man was great, the brisket was perfectly done, but the onion rings were too salty.
(4)
Shannon M.
Okay, so a friend and I were visiting from IL and knew that we had to have BBQ somewhere while in Kansas City. Since Anthony Bourdain said we had to eat here before we kick the bucket, we agreed that this should be the place to go. Seriously? This place was good, but it wasn't THAT good. Now, I lived in Texas for 20+ years so maybe that's why I am why I am a skeptic. (If you care, my favorite is Ruby's in Austin.) Portion size wasn't even that great. I got the sausage and pulled pork and I felt like, "This is it?" on the latter. My side was not very good, a potato salad (I think the mustard seeds were disagreeing with my palate). The meat was definitely the star of the show, and the sauces were satisfying (I mixed the regular stuff with a touch of the "Night of the Living Sauce" for a sweet/spicy blend). People do obviously love this place, either out of experience or curiosity (like us). We arrived at the right time: when we showed up we were a few people back in line, and suddenly we turned around and there were people jostling out the door. What is the secret? It draws a wide array of folks: families along with good-ol' boys, and then me in my NPR t-shirt. Overall, this was plain old good eats, but sorry, Tony, you and I are just destined to disagree on this one.
(3)
Cara K.
Wow!! Long line when we arrived, but the grub was definitely with it. We had the Carolina pork slaw and the z-man with chicken. Both were great! Especially utilizing the BBQ sauces provided on the tables. If you are driving through the area this is a must stop.
(5)
Kristin S.
The chicken and bow sauce was awesome sauce. The beef brisket I'm not a fan of the ribs fall off the bone, very flavorful. Definitely a place the will be a regular spot when visiting KS.
(5)
Jack C.
My sister lives in Kansas City, and she's been trying to get me to go here for years; not that I was reluctant to do so, but I'm a big fan of 'Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives', and KC still has plenty of places that I've yet to try. However, I did promise her that the next time I came to town I would go to Oklahoma Joe's (now Joe's Kansas City Bar-B-Que). Back in July, a couple of buddies and I were heading down to KC for a card tournament, and seeing as you HAVE TO have barbecue when you go to Kansas City, and I made that promise to my sister, we decided to meet her and her husband at the location in Olathe, KS (closest location to their house). Before we got there, my sister warned us that there would be a line; we had no idea that it would stretch more than 100' out the door and onto the blacktop of the strip mall's parking lot! I took this as a good sign (not that I doubted my sister), because if all these people were here for the same reason, and were willing to wait in the god-awful heat and humidity of a summer day in KC... Surprisingly, the line moved rather quickly, and after waiting in line for about twenty minutes, we finally found ourselves at the 'Order Here' section of the line. Most people will judge a place's barbeque by their beef brisket, but not me; I ALWAYS go for the ribs, and another side meat! Coincidentally, I went with their Ribs & Brisket Dinner, so I got both. Everyone else got their own thing, but it didn't matter because we were picking off each other's plates all meal long! I'd like to think that I know my 'que, despite the fact that I've lived in North Dakota my entire life, and as much as it pains me to admit this, my sister was right. BEST. BARBECUE. EVER. Those ribs were so tender, and the sauce just pushed it over the edge into crazy town! I'm unsure if the beef brisket was the best I've ever had, but it was easily in the Top 3. From other people, I also got to try their pulled pork (house specialty), smoked chicken, ham and turkey, and their Z-Man Sandwich (beef brisket, provolone cheese and two onion rings). Their sides were pretty amazing, too! Just like with the ribs, I have my go-to barbecue side as well, and that's coleslaw. Theirs was pretty good, as were the bbq beans and dirty rice, but the side that I definitely liked the best was their Smoked Chicken Gumbo! I felt so bad, because I ate more than half of my sister's, but she was so happy that I liked it so much she just let me have at it. The next time I'm in KC I will definitely be eating at Joe's again, but I want to go to their original location (located in a gas station)!
(5)
Chris S.
So good! Went here tonight on the recommendation of a friend from the area, this place did not disappoint. We arrived 20 minutes before closing time and the dining room was 3/4 full, always a great sign. This is a walk up and order, walk over and pay, get your food and sit down type of place. I ordered the ribs and brisket plate with a side of the beans. The ruins were perfectly done, that great spot between juicy and falling off the bone as I take that first bite. The brisket was very tasty, nice and moist, but could be a touch hotter. The bread was fine, but the beans. They are the manly bbq version of a meaty three bean salad lol! We were in a rush and we were in and out in 29 minutes and completely satisfied. If we are ever in the area again, we will be coming back.
(5)
GD B.
Oklahoma Joe's is in the top 5 best bbq joints in the KC area, hands down. I live in Austin, TX and am a bbq snob. My Pop lives in the Olathe area and we eat at Joe's every time I visit. I have never had a bad meal there and I've sampled just about everything on the menu. The ribs are some of the best I've had. The brisket is good, but being from Austin, I'm kind of partial to TX brisket. I love the fact that KC bbq serves fries with their bbq. We don't have that here in Austin. All in all, Oklahoma Joe's stand tall among the great bbq joints in KC. Please do not pay any attention to the other Yelpers who are giving Joe's bad reviews, they just dont understand bbq.
(5)
Karen M.
OH MY GOSH. Need I say more? Apparantly I have to, so it is long enuff to be posted.
(5)
Ben L.
Ive been here several times and the standards are always good. Its clean environment and food is great. I always get the burnt ends and fries. Ive tried the Z-man sandwich, full rack pork ribs, jumbo brisket sandwich, etc. Overall, this place hits the spot.
(5)
Susan W.
Love Joe 's burnt ends & Zman, husband loves the BBQ chicken! Ribs are great also- can't go wrong with anything at Joe's -it's BBQ in Kansa after all!!enjoy!!
(5)
Minh D.
I been eating BBQ all over the country and we looked forward to coming to Oklahoma Joe's BBQ when we landed. We had the ribs and beef briskets. Since the ribs are spare ribs, we expect the meat to be less tender than baby back ribs. IMO, the spare ribs here is pretty standard, nothing outstanding. Could use some more smoke time to make the meat more tender. The beef briskets we had are somewhat dry and does not have as much flavor as the ones I've had elsewhere. This establishment slices the briskets paper thin, like ham slices, slicing the meat this way can help make it tastes more tender but still lacking in taste and juiciness. IMO beef brisket sliced at about 1/4" to 1/2" thickness are the best. That way you can taste the flavor and the tender juiciness of the brisket of a nicely and tasty done beef brisket.
(3)
Scott T.
Joe's has some damn tough competition in Kansas City and today... they got their proverbial pork butts kicked... by the original Oklahoma Joe's and several other KC BBQ joints. Maybe that's not fair because this is clearly not a joint. I almost expected an 18-something girl in red suspenders and striped shirt with an armful of menus exclaiming "Welcome to Oklahoma Joe's!" upon entering. OK, cut the snarky comments. It's a nice space. There are enough reviews by now that you can determine this is a brand new modern design set up in the finest south Johnson County tradition. Nothing wrong with that but it's not the kind of atmosphere that excites me. Hell, I *love* the original Joe's housed in a gas station so you know there has to be something wrong with me. Right? My lunch: BBQ rib and chicken plate with a side of fries. Ribs: come one, the original location, those ribs are mouth watering to die for. Today's offering (see pic) were way heavy on the sodium. So much so that I left part of one on the plate uneaten. Yes, BBQ needs salt and I'm no stranger to loving it but this was over the top for my tastes. Missing was the savory flavor of the meat it was so overpowering. The taste I'd have to give 3 out of 5 stars. They can do better. I'll agree with another reviewer that you can't instantly replicate taste in pits that are brand new next to those that have been operating continuously for years. Fries: again, for my tastes the original location has hands down the best fries in town among all restaurants, and there are some very good ones. These also seemed over seasoned and lacking flavor. Not quite as crisp as the original and missing something. Maybe a different frying oil, a fryer that's not yet tuned in to their standards? The chicken: The star of the plate. Surprised me. A nice leg and a thigh that melted in your mouth perfectly. Not over-seasoned. Can't fault it. But still, this place is a gold mine for the growing OJ's chain. Lines back to the door and probably out at times. I got there around 11:30 so not so bad. But face it, it's going to be very difficult to compete with the original location. Luckily, for those that are making this their regular lunch spot, and I'd guess there are many, they don't have to know the truth and they probably never will. It was a decent meal but not one that had me making plans to return. Since I was in the area car shopping it's unlikely I'll return just to eat here, but don't let that deter you. I guess I can't get by the experience that's the original Oklahoma Joe's. They represent everything that's great about KC BBQ. This south JoCo location certainly has its fans, but based on this meal I'm not going to be one of them.
(3)
John L.
I waited in line for 52 minutes for this rumored amazing bbq. I order brisket, pulled pork sandwich, ribs, and half a chicken. I ordered extra to take home on a hunch. Best decision I could have made as my friends were jealous later that night
(5)
Daryl T.
My daughter had a cheerleading event in Kansas City at Kemper Arena so one of my treats is trying different BBQ spots. After a full day at Kemper with screaming girls...BBQ is my treat for sitting in hard seats watching team after team cheer. We got to the restaurant at about 5:30 and already there was a line out the door. A very good sign. However, we almost turned around as we thought it would take forever to order and hopefully find a table. However, we moved through the line fairly quickly and found a table to eat. The restaurant is clean, well decorated and we had plenty of room in a packed restaurant. Now the food...I had their special which was Brisket smoked sausage and a few ribs. Texas toast and two sides, coleslaw and red beans and rice. The meat was tender and well smoked. I enjoyed it all. The meat is really tender and felt the quantity was worth the price. I would have given the restaurant a 5 star rating if the sides were as good as the smoked meat. The coleslaw was OK and the red beans and rice were good but not outstanding like the meat. Also, their BBQ sauce was just OK. Overall, I had a great experience and would definitely come back. It may be a while as I have more BBQ restaurants to explore while down in KC. But I will definitely be back. Thank you for the nice meal. My only advice to anyone wanting to eat at Joe's Kansas City Bar-B-Que is come early as I cannot imagine how busy this place gets by about 7:30 on a friday/saturday night and why did you change your name. I almost thought we were going to a different restaurant as the people we got recommendations from called it Oklahoma Joes.
(4)
Rhett P.
I have never tried some of these cuts of meats before and the first time we ordered take out from there it was love at first bite. The gas station is a really cool idea and they have and actual gas station on the other half. Great Great Experience
(5)
Mary S.
Great if you love meat. Meat in the beans, coleslaw...whatever! Brisket is as good as it gets.
(4)
Keith C.
The best ribs in Kansas City hand down. Came here twice. The first time was for dinner and got the rib and brisket dinner platter with a side of dirty rice. The ribs were grilled to perfection and were fall of the bone juicy and fantastically delicious. They may possibly be some of the best ribs that I've ever eaten. The brisket was brimmed with flavor and juicy. After devouring the plate, I was tempted to go back and order some more. But then I saw the line that went out of the door and realized I would have to settle with what I already had. Yes. The line literally goes out of the door and you will be waiting at least 15-20 minutes. One suggestion is to call in ahead of time and order a pick up. You get to go to a different line and wait. Then you just take your food out to the car and eat it there. The second time that I came back was for lunch. This time, the line went even further out the door. I waited about 20 minutes and ended up ordering the Z-man and the Carolina pulled pork sandwich. The Z-Man Sandwich (Slow smoked beef brisket, smoked provolone cheese, topped with two crispy onion rings on a toasted kaiser roll) and the Carolina Pulled Pork Sandwich (Pulled pork served on a toasted bun, topped with spicy cole slaw and Bubba's bbq sauce) were unbelievable. I preferred the Z-man but would go back for the pulled pork any day.
(5)
Don P.
The absolute best BBQ I have ever had! The Z Man lived up to its reputation and the burnt ends were soooo good!:) I'm gonna miss this place!:(
(5)
Sonny G.
Great BBQ. Perfect rack of ribs. It's not a fancy place but they know they do BBQ right and don't care. Surprisingly fast service considering the long line. We got through much faster than I thought we would. We will definitely be going back. The prices were much less than I though they would be too, bonus! Now I can safely say two places are a must in KC BBQ, Jack Stack and Oklahoma Joes. Of course Gates is pretty good too.
(5)
Hannah B.
Absolute best barbecue in the kc area. The Zee man is my favorite. A side of fries or onion rings is enough to feed two. Great rib tips, ribs, pulled pork, and chicken. Honestly you can search all the KC big names and this still reigns superior!
(5)
Jeremy H.
Went to Kansas City for business and our host had Joe's cater our going away lunch. WOW!!! It's going to be really hard to order any other bbq here in San Diego, Ca. This was absolutely amazing. I'm online now trying to see if I can order and they will ship to me here in So Cal. It's been 2 days now since Joe's and I'm having withdrawals!!!
(5)
Dominick V.
This has to be the best gas station food on the planet! As a St. Louis native, I must acknowledge the slight bbq rivalry between our fair cities. I also must acknowledge that the ribs at Oklahoma joes blow the socks off any back in stl. In fact, I don't think I've tasted better ribs anywhere. However, the brisket was far below what I would expect from such a respected establishment. Very thinly sliced and dry brisket, left much to be desired. Nevertheless, the ribs compensated for what the brisket lacked. The sauces helped too. I loved the thick, textured, sauce and the abundance of flavor. This is certainly a bbq destination. The line was out the door and Around the corner, yet we easily found a seat. It seemed almost magical. I'll be returning the next time I'm in KC.
(4)
Jennifer W.
Kansas City BBQ at its finest!
(5)
Corey K.
Am I missing something here? You are basically in a high school cafeteria, and the chefs in the cafeteria think they know BBQ. That was not BBQ, that was gross. I have had better ribs from the Chinese restaurant down the street. I have no idea why someone would come here instead of somewhere like Famous Daves which actually has decent BBQ. Why this place has such good reviews is beyond me.
(1)
Graeme S.
Definitely one of my favorite bbq joints! The only down side being I'm unable to stray from the Z-Man. i want to explore the rest of their menu but the sirens call of smoked brisket, smoked provolone cheese, two onion rings, barbecue sauce, all on top of a Kaiser roll is just to great for me to overcome. Luckily i offten go to oki joes with my brother, an ex vegetarian. This hiatus made him weak in body and soul. he is offten unable to finish his feast so i do as any brother would and do so for him alowing me to enter what is known as hog heaven.
(5)
Ryan G.
Un-freaking-believable. Every. Single. Time. Just go. Order whatever. You can't go wrong, with the Z-man, in particular. Good everytime.
(5)
Ron W.
Just had my first "dinner" at the Olathe location. I don't understand how this chain can be rated so highly. My rib/chicken dinner was cold, tasteless, and overbooked. The meat has clearly need laying around most of the day before service. The toast was greasy and lacked flavor. The only positive thing to say is the cafeteria style service was efficient and the table service was pleasant. Bottom line- don't waste your money, time, or appetite. KC must have better BBQ than this place.
(1)
Lisa P.
VERY good BBQ, lots of food and choices, the portions are great too! Be ready to wait in line though.
(4)
Melanie N.
While RJ's is my favorite BBQ spot, Oklahoma Joe's comes in a close second. The food is good, reasonably priced, and comes in pretty large portions. Among other things, their fries are SO addicting, and can definitely be shared. Oklahoma Joe's has been listed by Anthony Bourdain as one of the top 13 places to eat at before you die. The place gets crowded, but the line moves pretty fast.
(4)
Johnny B.
Oklahoma Joe's is the real deal. My only complaint is I could take or leave the ribs - didn't do much for me. Not a ton of flavor in the rub, had to dunk them in sauce (which was outstanding). The Z-Man brisket and the pulled pork sandwiches were both delicious, smoky and moist. Both stood up on their own well or with some sauce added. The Night of the Living Dead sauce is delicious and very unique. The fries were covered in some awesome seasoning salt. Would definitely wait in line again for another Z-Man with beans and fries.
(4)
Paul W.
Very greasy, out of the three orders two were very over cooked, badly burnt. Will not be going here when zardas is so close. Those that rave about joes have not eaten good bbq.
(1)
Jason G.
Best BBQ in KC? Quite possibly. If the overwhelming number of 4-5 star Yelp reviews doesn't convince you, drive by this particular location (or their KCK location) during peak business hours (people don't wait in 100 ft+ long lines for "mediocre" BBQ). Still not convinced? Check out the countless awards/accolades on the wall. Still not convinced? Well, you must have some validation issues. My weapon of choice here is the beef brisket sandwich. Tender texture, smoked to perfection, doused in divine sweet & spicy BBQ sauce. If you prefer a spicier BBQ sauce, the Night of the Living Dead is where it's at. I haven't experienced their sides, but the fries are delightful (albeit a tad overseasoned). I've committed myself to trying the Z-Man sandwich on my next visit.
(5)
Danny B.
My favorite of the KC BBQ joints... superior to Arthur Bryants, can go toe-to-toe with Gates. The Carolina sandwich and brisket are must haves. Grab some of their Cow Town sauces and rub to take home with you... you'll thank me later.
(5)
KungFu T.
All I have to say is, get the Z-MAN! Anywhere from the saunce and the meat of this place is the best BBQ I've ever eaten.
(5)
Lawrence P.
The Pulled Pork is good - moist & you can taste the smoke flavor. Everyone raves above the Z-man - but I think that it is just "OK."
(4)
Frank L.
Not as good as the original. Best sauce around.
(3)
Rolland M.
This is the hands down best lunch BBQ spot in all of KC and the BBQ in KC is the best in the World!! The meats are all outstanding. You cannot pick a bad sandwich and should really visit more than once and try them all.
(5)
Jim W.
Absolutely the BEST! Check out the foodies and critics who also give this BBQ rave reviews. EVERYTHING on the menu is great! While you are there (the Olathe location) check out the Kansas City BBQ Store in the same strip mall--amazing selection of rubs, sauces, equipment and great service.
(5)
Chet F.
The best BBQ, PERIOD!!!! As we all know Kansas City has the best bbq in the nation. Yah, some might disagree, but it's true and that's why the bbq championship is held there during American Royal every year. Well OK Joe's is the best in Kansas City. Every item on the menu will make you weak in the knees. The ribs, brisket, pork, and even chicken is bbq'd to perfection. To boot, I never liked baked beans or potato salad until I tried it here. The best beans you will ever eat! The french fries and onion rings come in sacks the size of grocery bags. More than enough for the entire table in 1 order. Bbq is a big thing in the midwest, and they do it up right. The Night of the Living bbq sauce is so good that they sell it by the gallon, yep I said gallon. I have the sauce shipped out to Seattle because nothing else compares to the flavor and heat it nurtures you with. MMmmmmm! There is a reason Anthony Bourdain put this on his top 13 places to eat. Don't ever miss the chance to eat at OK Joe's if you are in the Kansas City area. Yes, there are plenty of other great bbq joints in KC, but this will have you talking about bbq for the rest of your life.
(5)
Tony M.
I've had Bryant's, I've had Jack Stack's, Oklahoma Joe's is the best by far. The ribs were extra tender and juicy, the sides were plentiful and tasty, the chicken is to die for. Being on the west coast and visiting friends in O.P. is always a treasure and now is the only destination for food when I am there. The place is always packed, the line out the door is there for a reason, because it's that good.
(5)
Darin C.
This place has the best beef brisket sandwiches in K.C. They also have really good french fries. I always get the same thing when eating here so really cannot comment on anything else. Looks like I might have to try something else someday judging by the reviews.
(5)
Andrew J.
So....um.....question? How in the hell did I live in Kansas City for this long and fail to visit OK Joe's till now?? In a word, PHENOMENAL. It would seem that I have a new place to add to my short list of best barbecue in Kansas City (and therefore, best in the world). Since we were short on time, my wife and I decided to visit the location near our house, on 119th and Blackbob, and not the famed Gas Station locale. The place was slightly touristy, albeit in a charming sort of way. The restaurant is connected to a BBQ supply shop, and a selection of smokers for sale sit prominently in the entryway. We waited in line for about 15-20 minutes before finally sidling up to the counter and ordering our food. Here's the breakdown: CAROLINA PULLED PORK SANDWICH: Delicious, tender, slathered in coleslaw, on a nice sesame seed bun. Loved it. RIBS: Oh, man. UH-MAZING. Fall-off-the-bone deliciousness, covered in a beautifully spicy rub. You could eat it without sauce, though I heaped mine with some of the sweet-smoky-spicy-molassassy goodness that they offer here. These are among the best ribs I've had. Period. BRISKET: Perfectly cooked. Lots of great smoky flavor, but still moist and juicy. Cut super-thin and melt-in-your-mouth delectable. I'm getting hungry just thinking about 'em... POTATO SALAD: Very tasty, with a generous addition of dill that gives it a slightly unique flavor. BBQ BEANS: Very, very good, though something of an outlier among typical Kansas City offerings. The best way to explain them would be as a mashup between traditionall BBQ beans and chili. The flavor profile and texture is somewhere in between. But yes, very tasty. FRENCH FRIES: Perfection. Don't know if they're fresh-cut or not, but they're hot, delicious, and a perfect salty foil for the sweet/spicy BBQ that OK Joe's serves up. All in all, a splendiferous experience, and a great value. My wife and I got all of this and two drinks for only $28. Oh, yes. It's true. As soon as the bloat subsides, I can't wait to go back!!
(5)
Mark G.
One of the best bbq restaurants I've ever been to. It's rare to find a place that does both meats and sides well. This place pulled it off quite nicely. I had a beef and pork sandwich and beans. Will definitely return to this place if I'm ever in the KC area again. Lunch crowd was huge. Try to get here by 11:30 if you don't like waiting in line.
(5)
Holly H.
Best BBQ I've ever had! I love this place. Growing up in Kansas I always loved BBQ, but wasn't really a fan of the BBQ sauces, just the style of food. It wasn't until I found Oklahoma Joes that I found a BBQ sauce that I love to eat! I use the regular sauce and add in some of the hot sauce to spice things up on anything that I order there! So yummy! I completely miss this place now that I've move to Florida. You can't find any good BBQ here! I stopped by Oklahoma Joes whenever I go back to Kansas to visit family!
(5)
Keith T.
Great place today a variety of BBQ meats. Make sure you come with a group & order different meals to sample the difference.
(5)
Bill M.
Wife loved her Z-man. I loved the fries. The line you stand in to order took about 25 minutes. It was actually out the door. But 2 minutes later you're walking to a table with your order.
(4)
Dolphyn N.
Z-Man... yum!!!
(5)
David C.
Oklahoma Joe's is terrible. Jack Stack BBQ is so much better. I booked them for my wedding and they agreed, signed the contract, gave them a deposit, etc. Two months later they emailed me and said they were canceling because they "couldn't make anymore food." So stupid! We only booked them because they were cheap, however we are glad that this happened because now we can book Jack Stack BBQ which is so much better. Arthur Bryants, Gates and Jack Stack are far better than OK Joe's. People only like it because it started in a gas station which makes it "cool" when in reality it's just normal BBQ, not good not bad. It's also franchising out and becoming the McDonald's of KC BBQ. Save yourself some time and money and eat at Jack Stack where it's a way better environment and all around better food. DO NOT EAT HERE!
(1)
Destiny S.
I am usually not into BBQ but this place was awesome. Went there for my Moms birthday and everyone in my family enjoyed their meal (even my 1 year old nephew). The portions were massive and the fries were top notch. Will defiantly visit again
(4)
Joyce L.
Now this is awesome bbq, better than Jack Stack's I'd argue. Ribs perfect fall off the bone. Sauce--spicy, yum! Pulled pork sandwich, to die for. Sides--oh so good. And all these good things to say even though this was our second dinner of the evening! Imagine if we'd have eaten this on an empty stomach? Do it up!
(5)
J O.
Counter service was fast and priced fairly.Very good value for the quality of food you get. Ribs were very large, brisket was thin and flavorful. Coleslaw is good. The dinning room was clean and not overly loud for the amount of people there. Two thumbs up!
(5)
Stephen R.
This place is just a breath away from 5 stars in my book. Really excellent BBQ. There's not much to elaborate on with the food. It's just brilliant. These are ribs the way ribs should be. Tender, and falling off the bone. The sauce is as close to perfection as you could hope for. Why no fifth star then? The whole join stinks of suburban strip mall... and that's because it's in a suburban strip mall. But the real issue is that it dresses itself up too much like a Chilis or Applebee's when it simply doesn't need to. The other annoying part is the line. I'd just rather not stand in line for $16-20 worth of food. It does move fairly well, but it seems out of place for what should be a real restaurant. But don't worry about all that. If you're anywhere near this Olathe and you like BBQ: EAT HERE!
(4)
Noel J.
4 AM The sun is just beginning to peak over the treetops, as I cower in the fetal position in my Seattle condo. I crave the sauce! Even here, two thousand miles away from Kansas City, I can, at any given time, point directly towards Oklahoma Joe's. It's like some pulled pork voodoo magnetism is inexorably calling me back. A craving that can only be satisfied by that sweet/spicy concoction slathered over a Z-man. Yes, you can import the sauce online. And rumors of me studiously donned in a lab coat, trying in my kitchen to reverse engineer the stuff are only marginally fictionalized. It's true - my favorite restaurant IS in a gas station!
(5)
Ken N.
This place is amazing! I was lucky enough to get introduced to this place by my cousins when we came into town. After eating at various BBQ places and getting disappointed our cousin told us about this diamond in the rough. Once we arrived to the original spot (the gas station location) we know it had to be good. The was out the door and people were all willing to wait just to get some BBQ. This was obviously a good sign. After waiting and deciding what to eat, one thing caught my eye and that was the Z MAN! OMG this is totally amazing, what is better than stacks of amazing meat and to top that off an onion ring?! After eating that there, every time we go to Kansas this is the spot we look forward to going. The last time we visited one of their newer locations and were able to get the chili and had it loaded. This is definitely to die for! The pork rind, onion, jalapenos, and cheese really makes the chili a winner. My mouth is drooling as I'm writing a review. If you go here, those are two that items I would definately recommend.
(5)
Josh S.
Attention Z-Man Lovers: Try to Carolina Pulled Pork Sandwich with spicy slaw and a side of half original/half spicy sauce. Yes, the slaw goes on the sandwich! Ok, maybe the gas station is a better atmosphere for some bbq - but I really could care less when I want my bbq fix. I could go on and on with all the menu items I've tried here - but we all know what to order: The Z-Man or the Carolina Pulled Pork
(5)
Greg H.
My sister insisted on dragging us here.......I've been disappointed with the food here in the past and today was no exception. Brisket was tender but not smoky and almost no smoke ring. Fries are not fresh cut and are way too salty. The beans tasted more like chili. And the "spicy" cole slaw was anything but. I don't understand all the hype for this place. Overrated.
(2)
Chris D.
I told myself I wasn't going to bother ever writing a review for this place because everyone already knows how good it is; but I felt compelled. Stopped in today for probably the 100th time. I have rarely strayed from what I believe to be one of the best sandwiches I have ever had; the Carolina style pulled pork sandwich.....awesome. But today I felt like ribs. Somehow I have just never had the ribs here. Wow....damn good ribs. Nothing new to say, just damn good ribs.
(5)
Nicole B.
Best.BBQ.Ever!!! There aren't words to describe it. I always get the Z-Man and Onion Rings. Just order it and you won't be disappointed. The End.
(5)
Wendy Y.
This place Rocks! If you go to KC you have to come here. Best BBQ I've had!
(5)
Randy B.
Spent a week in Kansas City, and asked around - this was the locals favorite and I can see why. Great food - once you park in the parking lot, you can smell the bbq... Hope I can return soon and enjoy the best bbq in the city.
(5)
Annie B.
I was recently in town for a business trip for my new job. I was only around for 1 night so when the crew in the office and the big boss man asked me where I wanted to eat, I asked for something local that I couldn't get in Colorado. They all unanimously picked Oklahoma Joe's. From what I had heard from others, my hours spent staring at Food Network on TV and from the locals I spent time with in Kansas, the folks in Kansas know their BBQ! After my experience, I have to agree! You walk in to this place and wait in line (which is not something I usually enjoy). The line was out the freakin' door! At least the group I was with was a lot of fun so it didn't seem like a long wait. I also noticed that there was a framed newspaper article by the door featuring Anthony Bourdain and how he ate at Oklahoma Joe's and enjoyed it. I knew I was in for a treat after seeing that article! It's an order at the counter type place, walk down to the end of the counter, pick up your beer and your tray and find a table. I had a smoked chicken sandwich that was dripping with BBQ sauce and mayonnaise. They also stacked a little pile of thick cut dill pickles on the plate, bonus! I had a side of spicy slaw which was decent and one of the people I was with got a couple racks of pork ribs, fries and onion rings to share with everyone. It was quite a smorgasbord! The food was fantastic! I had never had a smoked chicken sandwich like that before! The ribs were so tender that they were falling right off the bone. I'm not a huge meat eater (or at least not meat in such huge portions and without some healthy veggies to balance it out) but this was one awesome exception! There was a full roll of paper towels at the table plus a couple of BBQ sauce flavors to choose from. A nice addition to the meal! The down side was the beer. I had been hearing about a local brewery called Boulevard and how great their wheat beer is. I got a Boulevard wheat (which was on tap) with my meal. It was just OK. Sorry Kansas, but I'm a Colorado girl and we not only have more micro-brews than I can list, but just about any one of them could kick Boulevard's ass! I will hand it to Kansas for their BBQ, but next time I come out, I'll have to bring some Colorado beer with me to add to the feast! Overall, Oklahoma Joe's was fantastic! Those of you that are local have a real treat in your neighborhood!
(4)
Chris T.
I normally go to the KCKS location off of Mission but was meeting coworkers at this location. The food is top notch and there's a BBQ store next door. OK Joe's is by far the best BBQ in KC. Go with the Z-Man!
(5)
Barry B.
Okie Joe's as it's known is a place that seems fun and has decent BBQ - IF and I mean IF you're NOT from Kansas City and you don't know any better. Good sauce which is imperative to start - however the meat was only mediocre and the fries are gimmicky. The ribs were not flavorful.. The best thing I had was the sliced meat sandwich, but the pickles are louzy. The okie sandwich was slathered in sauce and NOT good. Thank God they have strawberry soda. OK okie in a pinch but Gate's forever is all I have to say.
(3)
Turf B.
Had the pork sandwich, and shared beans, creamy slaw, rings and fries with others. Everything was killer. Does this place need another 5-star review? Maybe not, but they've earned it. It's huge and the place was packed, even at 2:00 pm. Be sure to check out the adjacent BBQ shop - damn near every sauce and rub you can imagine for sale.
(5)
Melanie T.
"Smoky" flavor with a hint of butane best describes the food here. I really wanted to love this place as much as everyone else seems to, but I'm just not sure I can. I get that KC BBQ is suppose to be smoky, and this certainly was, but my mom kept saying she tasted butane and I have to agree. I had the smoked chicken dinner with a side of slaw. For anyone who's familiar with the standard that Babe's Chicken in Dallas has set, let me tell you, Oklahoma Joe's missed the mark. The first bite I had I thought "Wow! This is pretty good!" It was tender and smoky and delicious, but by the time I swallowed, I had a funny chemical aftertaste. And the slaw was soooo bland that I kept taking bites to try to detect some flavor. It tasted like bagged cabbage with whipping cream poured over it. No salt, sugar, vinegar... Nothing! I didn't try the spicy slaw because the lady behind the counter said it was the same but with cayenne pepper sauce mixed in and I'm not sure that sounds much better. Mom ordered the ribs and brisket combo with the baked beans, which I happily helped myself to. The ribs were pretty good. They weren't as meaty as some I've had, but they were prepared well and not dried out. They also had the strange smoky flavor. The brisket was fairly tender, a bit on the dry side and not smoky. It was okay, but if you want excellent brisket that is so tender and juicy it melts in your mouth, go to the original Arthur Bryant's on 17th & Brooklyn. OMG! Oklahoma Joe's serves good baked beans, but again not the best I've had. The dish is a potpourri of mixed beans, leftover meat pieces and hot dogs that is fairly saucy and not too sweet. I will try Oklahoma Joe's once more and order the Z-man, a brisket sandwich with onion rings and provolone and a side of potato salad or fries. But not before I go back to Bryant's!
(3)
Matt J.
This place is the only place in KC I will get BBQ. This place blows Arthur Bryant's out of the water. I normally get the brisket/pulled pork combo. Under $10 and just the right amount of food. Don't be discouraged if the line is really long, it goes pretty quick. The line here is backed up up to the door a lot... It's not because they have been featured on different shows or because famous people have eaten here... It's because they have great food. Also check out the BBQ store next door.. They have great supplies and spices. The only place I've seen you can buy wood chips in bulk. (Chips, chunks, pellets and logs.)
(4)
Yvonne C.
I'd like to say that I don't eat a lot of meat, but who the F am I kidding? I eat meat. I think I should start calling myself a meat lover. So, I was told I needed to check this place out when I came to Kansas City and they were right! Their pulled pork sandwich was amazing and the BBQ sauce was so good, J & I took some home. I will also say that the sandwich and ribs travel well. I had the stomach flu all weekend and could barely choke anything down when we went to OK Joe's so I had to basically wrap my entire sandwich up and take it home with me. It was delicious when I finally ate it two days later! I can't wait to go back for more and hopefully this time I will be healthy and in good spirits so that I can eat the pulled pork sandwich AND the ribs!
(5)
Josh S.
I've been all over the US eating barbeque and one ting I can say without a doubt is: Oklahoma Joe's makes some awesome brisket. When I go to a barbecue joint I get a little bit of everything. The pulled pork was okay, good even, but the brisket on the Z-man sandwich was out of this world. They have to use a deli slicer to cut it so thin. And the onion ring was perfect - pure heaven. The beans were super awesome. I swear they had a little bit of everything in them plus a little kick. One kicker is the line. I showed up at 1120 and was eating in about 8 minutes. By the time I sat down the line was out the door and probably 20 minutes long. Hit it right and you've scored. If you love to barbecue like I do then you need to check out the attached store. It has every grill you could ever want and wood chips/chunks by the bin.
(4)
Jason W.
The meat is good but as a former KC native, there are many places which have good BBQ from a flavor standpoint. What is concerning is the price for the amount of food you get. I paid 7 bucks for a sandwich which barely had enough meat to cover the bun and was only about a quarter of an inch thick. There are too many other great BBQ places in KC to go to which give you awesome portion sizes for the same money or even less, to bother with this.
(2)
Estebam F.
Ribs we're great but a little salty. The brisket was to die for.
(5)
Stephanie P.
This is the best BBQ in KC. Everyone else with the great comments, I AGREE. Nuff said. Try it and you'll be hooked.
(5)
Jeff R.
Best BBQ in KC. Period. I eat here quite a bit, and also at the location in KCK, which is in a gas station! If you haven't eaten at the original location, you should - just to experience the ambiance. The Hog Heaven sandwich and fries is....heaven! My favorite, and what I usually get. I also ordered their BBQ for my Superbowl party last year - ribs, brisket, pulled pork and sausage - all delish!
(5)
Timmy J.
I love this place! This place is so good you better get there early.
(5)
Kev L.
Take it from a Louisiana Transplant. If you ask who has the best BBQ in Kansas City, you are bound to receive a wide variety of responses. However I can personally say that after living here for five years, I can personally put my seal of approval behind Oklahoma Joe's BBQ for best in KC (If not the whole country). And my fetish for this place is far and beyond the myriad of BBQ competitions the place has won. (Or the fact that Anthony Bourdain ate there and absolutely adored it) Pulled pork is the specialty here. A Jumbo Pork sandwich here is one of life's pleasures. Instantly my favorite pork sandwich of any-kind, anywhere. Period. The sausage here is also the best in town. Flavorful and extremely tasty, I have caught myself ordering it a-la-carte to go as it is one of those things you can crave for at any moment. and the ribs? Let's just say that I never ever cared for ribs till I had them here. They are super! Brisket here is above average, however I would not say it's the best in town (I would say Gates or Jack Stack is better, and of course portion sizes at Gates are pathetic) Brisket is sweet with medium smoke tones. As far as side items, the fries here are seasoned and some of the best around. However at times, depending on who's running the show in the back, the fries can come out a bit salty. They are however fried to perfect texture and are crispy. The Chicken Gumbo that's on the menu is definitely not authentic Cajun by any means, but it is stupid delicious. Very few restaurants outside of Louisiana can make okra in a dish without turning it into a slimy mess. Baked beans and potato salad are also above average but nothing to go crazy about. My only drawback to this place is the (almost un-ethical) long lines at both locations. It's sheer torture to wait in line for this stuff, especially if you are hungry. However, the wait is ALWAYS worth it in the end. this place does NOT disappoint and there is no such thing as an "off-day" with the pro's smoking in the back., Oh, and the sauce . . . . . . I mean . . . . . . it's not even fair. There's a regular and a spicy version. And both are absolutely to die for. I actually brought a bottle of cowtown BBQ sauce with me to Bryant's once (I do not care for the vinegar stuff). To this day, I don't know how I made it out of there alive. People, this sauce is serious and it will bring the pain to any other sauce out there. In short, if you are looking for the best pork you have ever had in your life, this is it. It simply does not get better than this. It is a must-visit for out of town visitors, family and friends!
(5)
Lori T.
My favorite BBQ in KC. I love that we have the Strang Line location but before it was here, we drove to the gas station location. Best advice I have is to call in your order in advance and pick it up. There is always a line when I go there. My personal choice is the Carolina pulled pork with slaw. I cannot resist their fries but luckily the orders are so huge I just steal a couple from husband or sons (when they are not looking). Don't forget them for tailgates and catering. Huge trays of meat and it will go very fast!
(5)
Kore P.
Ohh yeah... the meat just fell off the rib bone and had a nice smoked flavor. Would not mind a hotter BBQ sauce to go with it as I like things really spicy. If you are traveling through the area on 35 this is definitely worth the short drive for great food.
(5)
Dawn D.
OMG! I am not a BBQ fan but went along as we had visitors from out of town that really wanted some KC BBQ. I had the Z-man sandwich and am now a total convert! Loved it! Can't wait to go back!
(5)
Rhett T.
If you are in KC and really like BBQ, Oklahoma Joes should be on your short list. Great Midwest BBQ. Besides, they have a BBQ specialty store with every tool and rub known to man.
(5)
Fernando R.
One of my favorite BBQ eateries in KC. The Z-man is my favorite. Great place and nice atmosphere. Just expect long lines during lunch and dinner, but it's not too bad.
(5)
Holly Y.
BEST and I do mean - THE BEST pulled pork EVER! Love their ribs too! Baked beans & cole slaw - NOT worth it! Fries - BEST EVER! Love their sauce too! Lines are always out the door they are so good!
(5)
D G.
Count me in for 5 stars here. Best fries I've ever had. The ZMan is the option to go with. Those that know it stop getting everything else. Is it pricey for BBQ, sure but considering you don't need a tip and there is a ton of staff to pay for great service and getting your food fast to your mouth.
(5)
Bret s.
I have to say that I have had some good BBQ and will say that this is probably in the top 3 the only reason 4 stars is because of a pretty bad beer selection which is essential to the experience in my opinion. I would say the line was really long and we waited a good 20 min to put in our order which only took maybe two minutes to get served. You cannot blame a place well known for a long line and in this instance we were happy to wait in fact I like to see a place doing enough business to keep a healthy line as long as it is not a lazy thing making it happen. Now I got the ribs and pulled pork and man so good loved them both and the portions were massive plenty for two people or one healthy-ish Midwesterner. Even with the long line seating was not a problem for us and I was carrying a car seat which makes us kind of picky on seating (so no one walks by and drops hot food and the such). I would like to check out original location one of these days but in the meantime for killer BBQ check it out for sure it is easy to get to right off of 35 and worth the wait.
(4)
David M.
In my opinion this is the Gold standard of BBQ! I compare all other BBQ places to this. I love the jumbo brisket. It is juicy and good. I alway ask for it on unbuttered Texas toast. The fries are out of this world, the put (I think) garlic cayenne and sugar on them, not quite sure but whatever it is it's so good I ask for extra fries sprinkles on the side. This is the best brisket. I have ever had. Love the brisket, the sauce is sweet with a bite. My coworkers enjoy their Night of the Living dead sauce. They get The Z man sandwich with brisket onion rings and cheese. I like the brisket by itself. Unadultered, pure bliss! I hate the beans. If I could have jack Stack beans and ok Joe's brisket I would be happy! Reasonably priced and fast! One of my favorite place to eat!
(5)
Justin M.
This is my favorite BBQ place. I always say I'm going to try something new on the menu, but always order the Z-man and fries. I've had enough Z-men to say without a doubt that Okie Joe's is the most consistent BBQ place I've ever eaten. I've never had brisket that it too fatty or too dry like many other famous KC joints. There are tons of other BBQ places near our house, that I would love to try, but I can't justify going to any of those places when its just a short drive to the best. Just make sure you bring a friend to share your giant order of fries.
(5)
Jeremy F.
I ate here about 3 times when I was in KC for 2 weeks. Now that i'm back in OKC, I can't wait until I go back. Ribs were excellent and the pulled port was awesome. But get the chicken Gumbo...I know Chicken gumbo at a bbq restaurant, but you will thank me later!
(5)
BEN K.
Long lines, great bbq. It took about 25-30 minutes in line, but once you order, the food comes up in less than 3 minutes. This was my second time at OKJ and I had the ribs. Very good. Not the best ribs I've ever had, but still good and worth the wait.
(4)
Jon S.
Usually, when I go to highly rated barbecue places, I find myself wondering if maybe I just don't like barbecue that much. This place convinced me I was wrong. I really do like barbecue. It's just that none of the other places live up to the hype.
(5)
John S.
The best bbq ever! I have tried a lot of places and still think oklahoma joes is the best! Id like to try more things from their menu, but i cant get away from the ribs and brisket! Yummy!
(5)
Chris W.
When you go to Kansas you cannot miss Oklahoma Joes! The ribs are flavorful, meaty, and fall off the bone. The flavor, fries, pickles, and onion rings are great. The line can be long over lunch but if you get there at off times you can get a seat. I'm so happy that I was introduced to this place.
(5)
stephanie w.
SO GOOD! Love their food, the wait is worth it, definitely stop in.
(5)
Janet C.
Z-man!! Surprising but amazing combination of bbq beef brisket, provolone cheese and onion rings. Get with a side of fries (which may be some of the best fries that are not duck-fat fries, especially at the Olathe location), onion rings or bbq beans. Olathe location is much better on your schedule since the lines move faster than the original gas station location. Think they have slightly better fries too. But the meat always seem slightly juicier at the gas station.
(5)
Charles B.
Great BBQ spot. Enjoyed the pulled pork, Carolina style. Budget friendly and good atmosphere. Avoid the place during the noon rush if possible, but if you can't the food is worth the wait.
(4)
Rose V.
OK Joe's never disappoints. I always order the carolina...pulled pork topped with spicy slaw on a bun. I love the variety of different sauces available at every table. It's always a must to order a side of their delicious fries. It's too bad I can't finish them since the sandwiches are so huge :) I lived in KC for almost 7 years and it's hands down the best BBQ. OK Joe's is perfect..and you don't have to pay an arm and a leg for amazing BBQ :)
(5)
Michael R.
I have eaten at this place twice, and honestly, I don't plan on going back again. First time, I actually liked the food, except the sausage was served cold. Went there yesterday, and with three of us, the food didn't agree. They must be doing something right since there's a line going in any time of the day. Nevertheless, I won't be in that line again.
(2)
Adam P.
This is the BEST BBQ in KC hands down. I have also had quite a few dinners in other 'BBQ' areas - Memphis, Tulsa/OK, Texas, etc. They do not hold a candle to Okie Joes. The sauce is the right consistency, sweetness, and heat. The meat has the best flavor and the Fries are untouchable!
(5)
Jay A.
Awesome BBQ and one of the best in KC! The line normally goes out the door and around the corner on busy days and at least out the front doors on a daily basis for lunch and dinner. They have a huge variety of smoked meats and amazing side dishes. The proportions are huge, especially the fries. I always have too much and leave with a box of food. They have amazing smoked turkeys for Thanksgiving too.
(5)
Dan D.
SIMPLE... You would be stupid to go elsewhere. Don't let the long line fool ya. They are as efficient as it gets. Everybody raves about their pulled pork (which is divine) But, the RIBS... Don't ruin them w/ sauce... They are perfect w/out. Only downside... Closed on Sundays...
(5)
mark d.
AWESOME, too bad burnt ends are only on Wednesday.
(4)
Kevin B.
I've eaten at Oklahoma Joes 2 or 3 times and I have never been all that impressed. Maybe I'm not ordering the right thing but I've had a sandwich that came with cole slaw on top and I've had the beans, which I just am not a fan of. The beans are mixed with a few different types and colors. My company has also catered from Oklahoma Joes and I've had a chance to try the brisket and the ribs; which are good, but I don't think they are better than Jack Stack. So maybe I need to go back for a 3rd or 4th time or try the original location to get a feel for the amazing bbq that everyone says they offer.
(2)
Drew Y.
Oklahoma Joe's is a great BBQ stop in the KC area. Great lunch specials and the brisket is ridiculously good! Be sure to try the different BBQ sauces at your table and wash it down with a Boulevard Wheat. Great, great restaurant.
(5)
Michael W.
My favorite BBQ place in KC! The sauce is what makes this the best. I highly recommend the Z-Man sandwich. It is beef brisket on a bun, with melted provolone cheese topped with two onion rings. Outstanding. You can make it a "Jumbo" (not on the menu) which adds about another 1/4 pound of brisket. The French Fries are some of the best I've ever had! Dip them in some BBQ Sauce and wow! My friend jokes the fries are laced with crack or something to make them so addictive! The fries come in a huge package and are enough to share! Expect a line for Friday/Saturday night dinner. If the line is to the door, you have about a 30-45 minute wait; however, they are as efficient as it comes. Take-out is a quick way to bypass the line and is the same great food, just don't eat it there. People wait in line to eat there, don't be a jerk. This is their new location in Olathe which has much more seating and better crowd flow than their original location in Kansas City, KS. Same great food though!
(5)
Cathy W.
Oklahoma Joe's has amazing turkey - my favorite - and GREAT fries. The potato salad and cole slaw are also fantastic. What a wonderful place to go during these FREEZING days to WARM UP !!!
(5)
C J.
Best KC BBQ place in this gal's opinion. The ribs are fall off the bone tender with the right amount of smoke. The Z-man always brings a smile to my face. You cannot miss with Oklahoma Joe's
(5)
Joe H.
My favorite barbeque in the city. I always opt for the pulled pork sandwich, which is delicious every time. The rub is awesome enough that I never need to put sauce on it. Fries, onion rings and beans are all quality. The beans aren't your standard BBQ bean, but that's one of the reasons I like them. This location is much nicer looking than the original on Mission Rd, but the wait is the same if not worse. I have never actually dined in either location. If you want to save yourself some hassle, pick up a copy of the menu to take home with you and just call in with your orders. You'll have to pick it up yourself, but it saves you the grief of hanging out in line. In all honesty, you can probably call in and go pick up your food faster than if you waited in line at a peak time.
(5)
Jav V.
This is really good BBQ. I had brisket and it was delicious. The sauces were really good and the fries were amazing.
(5)
Glen D.
Was amazing and they have won COUNTLESS bbq competitions and in Kansas thats a big deal. they also have a attached bbq supply store.
(5)
Marshall H.
Average. Meat isn't as refined as jackstacks. Seems rushed. Sauce doesn't have enough character to be anything better than you could find in the BBQ sauce aisle in the grocery store.
(3)
Nick K.
When you walk up to a restaurant and see a 90 person line stretching out the door, you know it is going to be good. Oklahoma Joe's is one of my favorite BBQ joints in the greater KC area offering great quality Barbeque at very reasonable prices (sandwitch dinner runs about $8, pretty cheap compared with others at about $12). I have sampled almost every well-known Barbeque restaurants in the KC KS/MO area including Bryants, Gates, Jackstack, ect, and this is right up there with the best I have had. The atmosphere may be a bit different for the non-barbeque restaurant goer (long line, no waiter service, tray style ordering), but to me, It makes me feel at home. If I had one recommendation, I would say to go out on a limb and try the Z-man, a brisket based sandwich with smoked provolone and onion ring. Normally I am a purest and prefer a heap of brisket on white bread, but there is something about this sandwich that is very unique with a mix of flavors that you normally don't get with other sandwiches, and definitely sets it apart from other restaurants renditions in a very good way. If I do have one negative about the restaurant is its popularity. Lines on weekend nights after 5:30 can stretch out the door and run you about an hour to get your food, but like I stated above, when the line is that long you are guaranteed a great meal.
(5)
Lily L.
We tried Z-man, chicken, and pulled pork. There was a wait but it's well worth it.
(5)
Eric T.
Hard for me to believe this place has any negative reviews, because I would have to rate this place among the best barbecue places in America....and I've eaten barbecue from North Carolina to Texas. The ribs are nearly as good as Arthur Bryant's, about a 9 out of a perfect 10, full of smokey flavor, tender and juicy. The line was out the door at 1:30 PM when we arrived...always a good sign (unless of course you are at Kreutz's in Texas, but I won't go into that here). The burnts end were also excellent if not just a notch below Bryant's and the pulled pork was the best I've had west of the Mississippi. Don't miss this place if you are in KC.
(5)
Grant H.
Best pulled pork in the city by far. Outstanding Kansas City BBQ.
(5)
Tom K.
the location sucks ass, but ok joe's bbq cannot be denied. it's a wonder than any of the fast food fry pits stay open with ok joe's around them. it is places like ok joe's that define the bbq tradition in kansas city. the fries are great and portions are overwhelming. can't go wrong with most anything they offer here. carolina style is particularly notable. ok joe's is the best bbq in the ks suburbs.
(4)
Jamie Q.
I agree with the reviewer who said that this place is overhyped. I went into my KC trip most excited about eating at this place and ultimately the experience disappointed. I thought that Arthur Bryant's was better than this place. That being said, "Was the food bad?" No it wasn't. It just wasn't crazy out of this world good. I got both the Hog Heaven and Z-Man sandwiches. Both are good but nothing to write home about. The location is pretty cool because its inside a gas station and the service was fast (but probably because I went at 5 pm).
(3)
Yehoy L.
Country Meat. Slow cooked, perfectly seasoned, ample amounts of sauce, and mighty darn tasty. You really can't go wrong w/ any forms of meat for your inner carnivore. The brisket is thinly sliced and cooked to a medium tenderness. Chicken is falling off the bone tender along w/ the ribs. However you can't beat the pulled pork. It'd be a toss up between perfect carnitas or the BBQ pulled pork here to satisfy the piggy cravings. You can think of this as the original version of Armadillio Willie's (CA). However the food is 10x's better. You can even get meat by the pound if you like. If you're going for lighter fare, I would say you must go for the pulled pork sandwich. Add some more BBQ sauce (mild or spicy) and you got a mighty tasty sandwich that'll appease all taste buds. If there's one thing you gotta have in Kansas, it's BBQ, and this would be one place to help satisfy that craving.
(5)
Danny S.
BBQ is excellent. The service on the other hand sucks!
(4)
Rick K.
I was recommended to go to several BBQ places in Kansas City. I have been to 3 places and found this place to be the best out of the 3. The other places are Arthur Bryant's (okay) and Gates BBQ (hard and dry as sandpaper). Joe's ribs were smokey, pulled right off the bone and juicy. I hear their sandwich named Z sandwich is to die for.
(4)
Nicole D.
First off just so you know we are from Minnesota where the only option for BBQ is famous dave's or the grocery store. Not that Famous Dave's is bad but compared to this we thought we had died and gone to BBQ heaven!!! We go here almost every chance we get! The Z burger is awesome!!!
(5)
Green D.
Standouts here are the ribs and pulled pork sandwiches!! To-go service is always great!
(3)
Josh S.
Very high quality food at generally good prices. They put a lot of work into making high-quality BBQ and it shows... I prefer the smoked chicken or ribs. Sauce is a bit on the sweet side but smoky and pretty good.
(4)
Stephen F.
Enjoyed the pork ribs and Texas style bread. Quick and friendly service.
(4)
Sarah R.
Best BBQ in KC+KC has the best BQQ=Best BBQ in the World. Fries are delish, pulled pork is soooooo good. Z Man is to die for. Ribs are amazing. Yeah, everything is really good except their beans are different. Go eat there now.
(5)
Collin F.
I've been to this location a few times before, but oddly enough I've never found myself in the original location in KCK. But for the family to meet up together for dinner before going our separate directions, we chose the Strang Line Road location in Olathe as our dinner spot. We arrived at a good time, around 5 PM on a Friday. The line was not bad and there were still plenty of tables to choose from. My wife ordered the 1/2 chicken dinner with beans; I orderd a 1/2 slab of ribs with cole slaw and some onion rings for sides. In short, my wife liked her chicken very much - she said it was moist and had good flavor. I thought the ribs were done well. I am not a big fan of the sauce at OK-Joe's. It's okay, but I prefer something less sweet. It's not KC Masterpiece sweet, but it certainly is sweeter than, say, Arthur Bryant's or even Gates BBQ. I didn't try the beans, but my wife thought they were fairly good. The cole slaw was too watery and not much flavor, The onion rings were also just okay. I miss Adam's Rib in Overland Park for onion rings. Service - well, it's fine but it's a BBQ joint not a waiter-service restaurant, so you don't interact much with the employees other than to place your order, pay, and pick up your food. In my opinion, Oklahoma Joe's does very good BBQ, but I've had better. For sides they are lacking in taste and for ambience you probably want to try the original location in the gas station.
(3)
Russ K.
If you don't mind standing in line to place your order the food is very good and you won't go hungry. Side dishes are well prepared and service once you order is typically excellent. Good value for the money, would recommend as a great family BBQ spot.
(4)
Adam S.
This is arguably the best bbq in KC. It's in a gas station, and a bit expensive for what you get, but once you start eating the spendiness will seem soooooo worth it. Everything on the menu is good. The fries are excellent.
(5)
Kevin S.
I've had enough BBQ to know these beans are amazing, the pork was excellent, the chicken chicken gumbo was a great enjoyable surprise. The sweet sauce rocks, the spicy/sweet was even better.
(5)
Dylan G.
Probably the best ribs I've ever had and their hot BBQ sauce has the perfect level of spice. Love that they load up the pickle slices on the side, too. Service was efficient and friendly and the beer was cold. No complaints here.
(5)
Chow T.
Great BBQ! It isn't the best in KC. The best is Jack Fiorellas IMO, but Oklahoma Joe's is like the same price as McDs and you get a seriously good meal. The sauce is of a similar variety as Jack Fiorellas. On the sweet side, but not sickeningly sweet. The Zman sandwich was really good for $6. Service was very good relative to Gates. I hate Gates BBQ service!! The ribs were good, but not the best in KC, but come on KC has high standards for BBQ ribs. They were still pretty damn good.
(5)
ME E.
My favorite BBQ place in KC. Best tasting and much more affordable than other BBQ restaurants in town. I take my friends and family when they visit from out of town so they can eat authentic KC BBQ! Just remember they are closed on Sundays.
(5)
Clara B.
The food at this restaurant is mouth-wateringly AMAZING. The beef brisket is the best brisket I've ever had in my life. It's savory and tender and not riddled with fatty edges. Since it's my favorite, I usually pick up a brisket sandwich (the Z-man is delicious as well) and an order of french fries, which are some of my favorite fries of any restaurant. I'm not sure what seasoning they use, but it's more flavorful and exciting than regular boring old salt. The other meats I have tried at Oklahoma Joe's are also top notch and hands down some of the BEST bbq I've ever had in my life. The regular and spicy sauces are awesome, although I'd like a little more heat in the spicy. The regular has a nice sweetness to it that complements the savory meats very well. I love this place so much, I have the number for take out saved in my phone! This place is a can't miss if you happen to find yourself in Olathe. It's definitely the best food you'll find in the 119th/I-35 corridor.
(5)
Ronald S.
I've been to this place a few times and they have pretty decent food. Unfortunately this most recent time they totally grossed me out. They gave my food to the wrong person and he left. Since it was crowded I figured they were just slow. After about 15 mins of waiting I head back to the counter just as this guy returns to let them know he was on his way home looked in the bag opened the food and realized it was not his order. The clerk looked in the bag and apologized to the guy and gave him the correct order. She then gave me the bag he brought back. I'm pretty sure there's some health code violation that took place there. She should have offered to prepare my order fresh or something. He could have done anything to that food. Who knows what was on his hands? Who wants food that some stranger off the street has had his hands over. And here's the kicker. The clerk for the life of her didn't have a clue. She stood there staring at me wondering why I didn't want the food.
(2)
Mike B.
I love barbeque and am very proud of our Kansas City barbeque heritage. That's probably why It steams me so much that a place called OKLAHOMA Joe's is so darn good. Yeah I know it's a local joint but still, OKLAHOMA? Like everyone else says, for a truly excellent experience simply order the pulled pork sandwich, a bag fries and a beer. It's perfection!
(5)
Joey V.
my favorite bbq ive tried in the area ive been known to eat a shitload of food when im here
(5)
Tim O.
Pulled Pork sandwich is out of this world good. The barbecue sauce is sweet and tasty just the way I like it. The restaurant is nice and clean and seems to be a fairly new location.
(5)
annie t.
We have lived in Kansas City all our lives, and we have decided the ribs at OK Joes are the best you can find around here. There aren't a million kinds to choose from so you are guarenteed the ones they serve you are their best! They are so tender and meaty, even my 5 and 2 year olds love them and can eat them with ease. Their chicken is delicious and cooked tenderly every time, and if you are hungry get the ZMan sandwich...it will satisfy a big appetite. Their portions are big so you can split them if you want; especially the fries (which have a surprising sweetness to them.) The only thing I don't love about it is that you order from the counter, so if you have kids or not a lot of time, DO NOT go during the lunch rush! The line is always out the door and although it moves at a pretty quick pace, it can get a little overwhelming in there. But if you catch it at the right time (before or after lunch and dinner) you can walk right up to the front and get your food in about 5 minutes. Be sure and come hungry, and try the "Night of the Living Q" sauce if you dare!
(5)
Sarah D.
This was the first place I ever tried BBQ and ever since then no one else compares. I will forever recommend the z-man. The food is amazing and the staff is very friendly. Unfortunately, the place is always so packed (because of how great it is) that it is hard to find a seat sometimes. Don't go during the lunch or dinner hour if you're in a rush.
(5)
Jose C.
I'm not a big bbq fan, but this is THE place for great bbq in a very casual setting. I've visited both their Kansas city and Olathe locations. The KC location is considerably smaller and come dinner time the line stretches well out the door, so plan ahead. Due to the small size and high volume it can be next to impossible to find a table. The Olathe location is much larger, I went for lunch there and ordered within a few minutes, and quickly found a table. We lived near the KC location and would order take out regularly. If ordering take out call with plenty of time as orders can take close to an hour to be ready, specially if ordering during the lunch or dinner rush. Their chicken, and ribs are delicious, soft and savory, but my favorite thing there are the fries and onion rings, I love the seasoning they use, and they are always nice and crispy, even when ordering takeout.
(5)
Crystal S.
It's good to comeback and visit in Kansas City and get some BBQ. Visited here and loved it. Ordered a dinner plate 3 ribs with another side meat and chose their house made sausage. I also got a potato salad side with an extra side of their bbq beans. I used their house bbq sauce which was great. I bought 2 to take back home to Cali for my grilling. I loved the sweet tea! It was perfect woth our lunch! Also had the popular pulled pork sandwich with fried onion rings and provalone cheese and their seasoned fries were delicious! Over pleasant visit. The restaurant was clean and nice. Bathrooms were clean as well. I like the organization of their lines when they do get busy. A take out line, a pick up line and the in house order and pay. Definitely going to comeback and visit this place again when I come back. #KC #BBQ #OKJoes
(4)
Elizabeth W.
I'm sitting here in the restaurant and all I can think is "this is the best bbq I've ever had." I'm not the biggest bbq fan because it's messy and usually a bit crunchy or dry. But this was the best ribs and brisket I've ever had, no extra sauce needed! I almost have nothing to say about the food because the pictures should say it all. We each got a dinner which came with one side. Full slab of ribs, ribs and brisket, and 1/2 smoked chicken dinner were all super delicious! I liked my spicy slaw! The line was out the door, and that's something in and of itself. This place, if it isn't famous, well, it should be! I can't write anymore, I have to go into food coma now.
(5)
Chad D.
Note to self: Self, do not eat BBQ out of state again. Or at least not from Joe's. If this is Kansas City BBQ, I'm glad I live in Texas. I had already had a light snack before having a late lunch here so I didn't order big. I decided to go with the brisket plate. Brisket, one side and a piece of toast. I opted for the spicy slaw. The slaw was decent. The cabbage tasted fresh and was nice and crunchy. The flavor was light but the spicy was non-existent. The brisket... The sad, sad, brisket. It was nice and lean, I'll say that. The thing that got me though was that it appeared to be sliced by one of those deli meat slicers. Every single piece of brisket was sliced uniformly thin. Really, thin. The meat was already lean so it made it a little too dry for me. I've seen pictures of the line going out the door so the best part for me was that when we went, we walked right up to the counter, no line!
(2)
Grant G.
Stopped in for a pulled pork sandwich on the way through town. Easy ordering, quick to the window, juicy and flavorful meat, sauce tasty.
(5)
Gaz H.
Burnt ends and brisket are both top notch. Fried toast, french fries and lots of other goodies are excellent. Ribs are good but not transcendent. Pulled pork is not as compelling. Great set up and fast service. The feng shue isn't as good here as it is in the Overland Park location. So that's something.
(4)
Alexandra S.
Good second choice for bbq in the kc area. Still way better the. WhT we have in California. Great food, large portions, and sides to die for. Also the bbq sauce selection was great. I like the order here,pickup there atmosphere. It was very busy and still the staff had everything under control. We were able to get a seat before our food was ready.
(4)
Joshua J.
What can I say, top notch BBQ and excellent fries with a classic bbq joint aesthetic. The service line was quick, even when the line of patrons is out of the door. There was even good local brew on tap to wash it all down. I have been to many BBQ spots and none compare.
(5)
M H.
Used to be my favorite but.. They are a victim of their own success. The lines are always out the door. The meats are always great. I do prefer Gates sauces. Room for improvement on expediting the order and delivery methods.
(3)
Brendan C.
I'm from Texas and we have crazy good BBQ there, so my standards for BBQ are pretty high. I ordered pork ribs with 1/4lb of brisket burnt ends according to personal taste and Yelper suggestions. I ended up with french fries and potato salads for sides. I 3 star their pork ribs. If you've been to St. Louis and had the pork ribs from Pappy's, your palate for this glorious cut may be spoiled forever. Oklahoma Joes ribs seemed almost there. The temperature or time on their pork ribs was too long and ended up making the pork ribs drier than I would've expected. The crust was great and so was the flavor, but it was overdone for my taste. Thus, it wasn't juicy when bitten into. I expect to see the juices flowing, and personally I thought they could've added more pepper to the rub. Sauces - Their sauces are good. There's a nice balance of sweet and sour with a good consistency. Fries were really good. Pretty much mandatory if you like crunchy potatoes at all. The seasoning was on point, in terms of flavor, but it was a bit over-salted. Brisket burnt ends - this is where it's at. There was a great smokiness and my mouth felt like what I imagine the inside of a smoker would taste like. If I were an ant somehow surviving in a smoker, I'd be inhaling air that tastes like this brisket. But...still it wasn't juicy enough! Yea, it's burnt ends, but a measure of juiciness wasn't really maintained in the parts that cut into the rest of the brisket. Perhaps they should consider a bit lower temperature cooking. The smokiness is definitely there though. Potato Salad - way too much mayo. The boiled eggs are nice inside, and this would've been a great complement to the BBQ if the mayo were cut back on. Happy Eating!
(3)
Nyla K.
If anyone knows KC bbq, you know to stop into Joes KC. I've only really been here for lunch but tonight we popped in for dinner. Surprised that there was a still a line that ended just right at the door. This time I went for the ribs and the pulled pork sandwich and a side of beans. We also had a small onion ring, which in my opinion, are the best onion rings I've ever had. I typically don't like onion rings in general but these were amazing! I'd pass up a side of fries for these any day! And the ribs we also finger licking good, literally. If you're stopping in KC, you have to experience lining up in a gas station and having the best ribs in town!
(5)
Byron H.
There isn't a lot that needs to be said about this icon of Kansas City BBQ. It's arguably the best in Kansas City. Kansas City arguably has the best bbq in the world. Thus, this may be the best bbq in the world that you can get at a restaurant. I've had a variety of their dishes (burnt ends and their ribs are a favorite), but by 3 their twice weekly burnt ends were sold out. At this satellite location there was inexplicably no line (there is always a 30 minute plus line at the original), so we got our order in right away of a jumbo pulled pork sandwich with fries. Joe's claims to have the best fries in the city, and I have trouble arguing with them. Whatever mixture of spices and crack they put on their fries, they are my go to side dish. The pulled pork is perfect, and a healthy dose of sauce is all you need to enter bbq heaven. Although I have moved 6 hours south, every time I'm in KC I make a point of visiting one of (if not The) best bbq in the world.
(5)
Adam S.
This is not only my go-to BBQ joint in KC, it is probably the restaurant I eat at the most. My wife never has to ask where I want to go for dinner. When guests want KC BBQ, this is where we go. The Z-Man is the best sandwich I've ever had. I wouldn't recommend this for newcomers, but as a Z-Man veteran, I like to order "the Z on toast". Its the Z-Man, but on delicious buttery Texas toast. Joe's is the only restaurant I've been to twice in one day. Ate lunch at the gas station location with one group of friends, and ate dinner at the Olathe location with a different group. My dream is to eat at all three locations in the same day. I'll reach BBQ nirvana.
(5)
Ben C.
We had brisket and pulled pork. My favorite kc bbq place. While some purists say the sauce doesn't matter I argue that they've not had a good kc sauce. I would give five stars if the bbq beans were better.
(4)
Lisa S.
It's ok, but I don't pick going there on my own. I only go when we are with friends who want to eat there. The pulled pork is ok. The ribs are WAY too smokey flavored. Call me crazy, but I don't think it's the best BBQ place around.
(3)
Arin A.
We all came from out of town and had to try this place as everyone said it was the best around. We ordered all the most popular things. The Z-Man was actually really good. The fries were very tasty. Ribs fell off the bone. The coleslaw we could all go without. Must try the burnt ends. Name does not give any justice as they are not burned at all, but soft, tender chucks of meat. Would come back if ever in Kansas.
(4)
Brant M.
Best. Restaurant. Ever. Speed 5- Once we order there was basically no wait! Once we ordered we paid and the food was there! It was so fast! Taste 5- I ordered the ribs diner + 1 meat. The ribs were amazing! Every thing else was great too! I highly recommend this place! We drove 17 miles out of our way home to get here and it was worth it! The food and atmosphere was amazing! I loved it and it deserves 5 stars!
(5)
Reid R.
Place was perfect minus Im a Jack Stack fan... I prefer a waiter or waitress to take my order instead of getting my own drink, silverware, etc... While we were siting there this guy came around and starting taking things off our table which I thought was rude or I would have given the place a 5 star review ... he could have waited until we were done eating ... oh and wipe the bbq sauce bottles down super gross!
(4)
Mw C.
Delicious!! Came here around 930 pm. The meat is tender and the best was the rice and beans. The place is big, clean and friendly.
(5)
Susie S.
Joe's KC BBQ is the best. I take our out of town guests here and they love it. The quality of the food is as good as the more expensive BBQ restaurant we have. The atmosphere is clean, fun and upbeat. It's casual and every item is so tasty. Way to go Joe's! We love you and love that you're making Kansas City BBQ famous!
(5)
Don E.
Some had the pulled pork and said it was real good. Some had the pulled chicken and said it was great. The ribs were OK. Fries were good. The beans were really good. The regular sauce was a little too sweet for me but others loved it. I'm still partial to Arthur Bryant's and LC's. I guess to each his own.
(4)
kyle t.
Not bad but. My boss took me here as one of the best KC BBQ places, cant go wrong with that. Now in fairness, my boss is from out East, not BBQ lineage to start with. He does know where it find good wings in Buffalo, that is a plus and of course he is my boss. That said, he wasn't wrong about the BBQ but I think it would be a far cry to call this place the best, in my opinion. In FTP, Fairness To Pig I didn't try the Ribs which are supposed to be very good and opted for the Pulled Pork. I didn't try a bunch of sides, only one side, being the beans so not the totally best way to evaluate a BBQ joint. I will say though that I have had some amazing Pulled Pork Sandwiches and when it comes to good BBQ it is one of my favorites for good meat evaluation. This one had an OK bun, but the meat was dry and not super flavorful and the beans were good but really nothing special in any way, just kind of normal beans. Some places (like this one) tend to make the meat fairly bland and depend on the sauce to heighten things. I prefer to place the sauce for extra spice and enjoy the meat. I would eat here again and might order something different but then again in a city with some much lovely meat smoking away every day I would be hard pressed not to try something else. KT
(3)
Simon K.
Consistently great. Ribs are well trimmed and perfect without sauce. Brisket is also a solid choice. The dark horse however are the red beans and rice. Every time I get it it's great.
(5)
Trudy P.
Some of the best BBQ I've ever had. The only reason I didn't give them 5 stars is the lengthy wait every time I have gone there. I know they say the wait is worth it but when I go out to eat I'm not a fan of waiting in line. Wish they had their burnt ends every day but worth the wait a couple days a week. Never had a bad meal here!
(4)
Jared D.
It is the very best brisket sandwich I have ever consumed. We try to stop here every year on our drive home from an annual road trip to a lake in Missouri. Although it is a bit out of our way. We are never disappointed because every bite will make you smile every time. If there was and option to give 6 stars, I would.
(5)
Neala B.
Burnt ends heaven on the tongue. Hubby loves brisket and fries extra crispy with the spicy sauce. We've been coming here for years, the food is consistently great and the service has gotten much friendlier. They package things up right for carry out too. As far as sides, I love the beans, they are hands down the best beans I've ever had, love love love. And the dirty rice is amazing. Spicy, wonderful, so good, could have it for a meal easily. Who would have thought the rice would be so good? We'd been coming for years before we tried it, now I order it every time we go. Want to try something different? Red pig chili in the winter dress it up with cheese, jalapeno, onion & house made pork rinds guaranteed to warm up your insides. This is BBQ done right.
(5)
Betsy M.
The best part of a recent biz trip to Olathe KS was my visit to Joe's Kansas City BBQ... no question. Thankfully, I called in my order after reviewing their online menu because when I got there - there was a HUGE line for dine in guests waiting to order. They have a special window for pick-up orders which is super cool, with a to go condiment bar close by. I went with the Z Man (thanks Yelpers) - and honestly it was the best barbecue I have ever tasted. I am not a fan of pulled pork, so I will always go with the beef brisket. I have tried southern and Texas barbecue and they ain't got nothin' on KC! I went with the fries which were also delicious. I am still dreaming about my Kansas City barbecue experience at Joe's.
(5)
Aziz M.
I'm a proud Texan at heart, I sang the song "Deep in the Heart of Texas" as a squirt and I know that the state flower is a bluebonnet but Kansas City has won my heart over to BBQ for life thanks to this spot. The food is THAT spectacular. I mean, I've had plenty of good brisket, ribs and pulled pork throughout years of eating out and getting together for various Barbecues but nothing that has come together in such a way that made me feel enamored like Joes. Let's start off with the WORST thing I had and move up from there. I live to eat Ribs and the ones here were alright, likely pretty good on a better day but nothing standout the day I went. Everything else was substantially better. The Pulled Pork was tender, packed with a punch of pepper and various other spices and barely stayed together long enough for you to stuff it on a piece of their white bread and douse it in their sweet, not so tangy and a little bit spicy BBQ sauce. Its to die for. Brisket is probably the most popular meat ordered in San Antonio so I'm sure I've eaten my body weight in it. With that being said, the stuff they're serving here was smoked for quite some time I'm sure by masters. It had such deep complex flavors and aromas steaming off of it. The Sausage was great too but I wouldn't say it really set itself above what I'd already had. I don't think I've ever even considered saying this before visiting this place but I think the sides were almost as good if not BETTER than the meats. We tried a little bit of almost everything. The dirty rice was so good, spiced to perfection without suffering from being overly salty. The baked beans were just plain delicious and again were sweet without being overkill. The red beans were pretty good but they don't compare to what I've had in New Orleans. And lastly, the potato salad was mostly traditional but still solid in their own right. Wow. It's been quite a while since I've had so much GREAT food in one place, much less in one sitting. Kudos. My only complaint which is not a REAL complaint is that the wait for the food was crazy long. I mean we waited like 20 mins for them just to take our order. Luckily the food was ready only 2 mins after we ordered but that's a long time for someone with a 2 year old. I'd highly recommend opening up more cash registers (They only had 1-2 for dine-in) to take care of your customers in a more timely fashion. With that being said, keep doing what you guys do b/c you sure know how to make some killer BBQ!
(5)
Jen W.
Best BBQ I've had in a long time. Don't waste you time going to Arthur Bryant's. Kansas City Joe's (Oklahoma Joe's) is the best BBQ in Kansas City. Period.
(5)
Roxy S.
Omg this place is amazing. Probably the best barbecue I've had! The brisket is drool worthy, tender, and the sauce is out of this world! My friend and I ordered the ribs and brisket combo and ordered fries on the side. So, so good. We got take out, called ahead so that it would be ready to be picked up and the whole process took less than 5 minutes. There's also something incredibly charming about the fact that it shares a space with the gas station called Shamrock next door. Super cute and unique! Service was great, will definitely be back!!
(5)
Melissa G.
The "Z"-man brisket sandwich is the bomb! Sliced brisket with a smokey taste, provolone cheese, and topped perfectly with an onion ring...mmmm. The fries are crispy and seasoned with the best tasting rub mix that will leave you craving these later. Good thing is the order is huge so you can either pig out or have plenty to share. I have been here many times before and seriously have gotten the same thing every time... If it ain't broke...don't fix it! This place gets busy for lunch and dinner so plan accordingly (beat the lunch rush and get there about 11:45am and you should be good). You wait in line and place your order. Food is fast and generally ready by the time you pay. There is also a take out line which is always great to pick up and take home. Buy you meat by the pound too! Always a hit when hosting get togethers!
(5)
Paul T.
We sadly don't have ribs like these anywhere in southern California. The ribs in Cali are smothered in sauce and tend to be sweet. Being that it was my first time in Kansas for a quick overnight business trip, I knew I had to make my one dinner count. Having never had Kansas style bbq ribs before, I Googled "best ribs in Kansas City", resulting in a handy top 10 list. Joe's was #1 on the list. It was fate that my hotel, Hilton Garden Inn in Olathe, was literally a 2 minute walk door-to-door to Joe's. Getting off the plane at Kansas City International Airport at 7pm, I had only one thing on my mind: get my ass in that rental car, and haul ass for the 45 minute drive south to Olathe because Joe's is open until 9pm on weekdays. I chose the combo with 3 ribs and sliced brisket for $13.89, which also includes Texas Toast and choice of 1 side dish. The ribs are quite large and very meaty. I thought this was a great value, as people in southern California would gladly pay $20 for bbq of this quality if it were available here. Phil's BBQ in San Diego pales in comparison to the flavors and quality of Joe's. For my side, I got the red beans and rice, which was also the best I've ever had. Oddly, they don't offer any desserts of any kind. I was actually too stuffed to have dessert anyway. But who's kidding who? I would have ordered dessert if they had any.
(5)
Guy H.
This is my "must" stop when I'm in KC. There is nothing that compares to Joe's in California. But what I really like about this place is the service. I walked in 15 minutes after they closed. The manager went to the back and packaged up a half rack of ribs (actually gave me long ends). I can't say enough about this place other than if you find yourself in Kansas City, Joe's is simply the BEST!!
(5)
Hannah C.
My husband and I just moved from San Diego and this is the first BBQ place we tried. Can I just say, "is this real life?!" The BBQ here is absolutely amazing and incomparable to any BBQ I have ever had. I had a great experience not only with the food, but I was very impressed with the staff and their friendliness!
(5)
Greg B.
Had to stop in for some spare ribs. Wow so much of the decor is all about awards this place had to be good and indeed it was. Only 3 locations on KC area. Love these local favorites.
(5)
John L.
This is an absolutely wonderful place to have barbecue, in a city that is famous for it. The original Joe's, in a gas station, is closer to downtown. This more suburban location, however, still has the same food, identical to what you get at the original. You will not likely be able to find any time during the day that there is not a fairly long line, but the wait is worth it. But always come back here when we are in Kansas City.
(5)
Daniel H.
I came here later than I wanted to because I had to shovel snow in front of my garage; in addition, I was trying to get some money. Anyways, I finally made it down here around 12:25pm on a Saturday and the line was out the door. I don't think it would've mattered if I came here at 12pm but who knows. I know this place wasn't the original location, but you know I wanted to write more reviews. lol It took 33 minutes to get to the counter and order my food. There were a lot who called in for takeout which was smart except I don't live close by (maybe 45 minutes away?) so that wasn't an option. I was just hoping there would be a table left for me and luckily, there were a few tables open. I ordered The Z-Man Sandwich ($6.79), french fries ($2.79), and a fountain drink ($2.29) which came out to $12.90 total. I was pretty thirsty so I drank a bunch of soda before biting into The Z-Man Sandwich. It was awesome and just like the original location. Each table had a roll of paper towels, original BBQ sauce, the spicy BBQ sauce, and ketchup. I think there was also pepper and salt on the other side as well as sugar. The French Fries were pretty good and the amount was enough to split with two people. This location had a lot more room than the original location and a lot more parking. Awesome food and BBQ sauce. I'd recommend coming here if you're close to this than the original location. Good stuff!
(5)
Gus E.
Quick service. Food was great! Gave me hope in BBQ again. I mean look how many reviews this place has. Zman was amazing.
(5)
Alexandra C.
The BEST bbq I've ever had in my life. Granted I am from NYC where they don't really know how to do good bbq. The pulled pork was like nothing I've ever had -- thick pieces, tender cooked to perfection and full of flavor..and their sauces on the table-- the best bbq sauce on the planet. Everyone loved their brisket and ribs. I tried the smoked turkey- was pretty good. The fries though weren't too good..though putting bbq sauce on top helped. Never had sweet tea before - man is it sweet and very smooth. Oh OK Joe, I wish I weren't 1,400 miles away from you. GO!
(5)
Jacq R.
Maybe I'm spoiled by AMAZING Carolina bbq joints but Joe's is kind of "meh" to me. They got my order wrong twice, it was overly greasy and there are really few options for sides. Meh.
(2)
Stephen N.
Best BBQ I've ever had. The brisket is so tender and moist. This place is a must visit for any out of towner.
(5)
Tom H.
Wow ! I mean WOW ! No wonder the Food Network listed Oklahoma Joe's as the " Manliest Place to Eat". I have a customer that I visit from time to time in KC, and I always make a point to stop. Their pork ribs are the BEST I have ever had, literally mouth-watering. I have eaten a lot of BBQ all over the U.S., in my opinion for me nothing comes close to the flavor and quality.
(5)
Steve S.
I've lived in Dallas for over 30 years, and Oklahoma Joe's ranks in the top tier of BBQ I've ever had. I've never waited for an hour in a line for any food anywhere other than here, and 15 minutes of that were in the entryway buffer area on a windy sub-zero winter day. I'm a rib-man here (get the whole rack and take what you do not eat home), and Jamie belongs to the church of Oklahoma Joe's pulled pork, which is mighty tasty too. Beans are solid (second only to Jack Stack's world-best beans), and fries are good (best ordered "crispy") as my preferred sides. This place is BBQ heaven, so enjoy it with reverence, over and over again.
(5)
S Y.
Ok...first off full disclosure, I'm from so cal, and really hardy BBQ places are not as common place as they are in other parts on the country. That said....this place was soooooooo good. The portions are large. The prices are very reasonable. The line was very long. I had BBQ ribs. So good, the meat slid right off the bone. The ribs has excellent flavor. They were very tender. I also had the smoked turkey. This was good. I just wished it had a bit more moisture, but no complaints. The BBQ beans were really good. Has excellent spice with just a bit of sweet. I will caution to say this was also really salty. The dirty rice was average. If you have been down in New Orleans and had dirty rice there, you will be disappointed. The Texas toast, by far this was the largest disappointment of the plate. Skip the toast and consume your carbs else where.
(4)
Bruce E.
Can't beat the ribs here. Stop by for lunch every time I'm in town and sample items asking with the ribs.
(5)
RosaLinda R.
We heard this was the best in town, however, we didn't feel that it was worth the wait. The food was dry and lacked flavor.
(2)
Brian E.
I finally tried Joe's after living down the street for 2 months. I received my food almost immediately after ordering it. I ordered a pulled pork dinner with fries. The meat was very tender and flavorful. The fries were some of the best I'e ever had.
(5)
Brent G.
Great BBQ - some of the best in the area!
(5)
Brett H.
Definitely my favorite BBQ in Kansas City. Even though the lines may be long, it does go fast. If you aren't sure what to get, go with the Z-Man sandwich for sure. Delicious beef brisket with an onion ring. My mouth is watering just thinking about it!!
(5)
Dawn C.
First time guest, and I guarantee it won't be the last! On a whim we decided to follow up on a tip from a friend who said this was his "go to" BBQ place. It was still morning and we arrived about 11:30 and were the very first people in line to be served. (Within 10 minutes of our arriving and sitting down to eat the place was full and a long line was waiting! That's always a great sign.) I ordered the pulled pork since the menu said it was their specialty. I found it to be juicy and smoky and I liked that it was served without sauce. On the table you found two bottles of regular and spicy Oklahoma Joes specialty sauce. They are sweet, and I like that! I ended up mixing a little regular with a little spicy to find my Goldilocks just right flavor. The pulled pork is served on white sliced bread with a few pickles. My husband ordered the Z-man. It had sliced brisket and was served with cheese and two onion rings. At first he felt a little disappointed that the meat wasn't piled as high as he had hoped (he's a big time carnivore) but he enjoyed it immensely and wasn't hungry when we left so he had his happy ending. We shared a side of beans and a side of fries. We LOVED the seasoned fries! Yum! But the beans, well, let's just say we liked Jack Stacks beans better. We found these tasted more like a side of chili. Good, but note quite seasoned like we would have liked. To earn my fifth star I would have liked to see sandwich platter with two sides (fries and coleslaw?) I don't like to have to pay for each side separately, and when forced I will always pick fries, but my healthy side always craves a little bit of veggies. Even just a little cup of coleslaw would have put a smile on my face. Nearly perfect, see you again soon!
(4)
Ruben P.
Oklahoma Joe's was the last stop on my trip to KC before heading to the airport to fly back to San Francisco. I had heard a bunch about Oklahoma Joe's from the various TV shows highlighting it and also from various friends, so I made it a point to go. We arrived in the middle of the lunch rush, so we waited in line for about 10 minutes, but it was completely worth it. From the Yelp reviews, the Z-man is the way to go, but I didn't want just a sandwich. I wanted a full on meal. I ordered the ribs and brisket with texas toast, pickles and dirty rice. I also added a small gumbo. I'm still craving those ribs. They were so tender and juicy, I can't get them off my mind. Everything was delicious and my friend was surprised that I finished the entire meal. It was sooooooooo goooooooood. After my massive meal, I stopped by to buy a shirt or two as a souvenir. The shirt I wanted was out of stock in my size, so I ended up getting two different ones and the great people at OK Joe's threw in another free shirt in my size that they didn't have for sale anymore. Then on top of that, the shirts were on sale, so I got 3 shirts for about $20. I love good deals! I cannot wait to get back to KC and eat at OK Joe's again. Nothing compares to KC BBQ.
(5)
Jillian C.
I had been told that this was the place to go for BBQ since I moved here to KC very recently. I ordered the lean-n-mean which was an open faced smoked turkey sandwich with spicy slaw on top. The boyfriend got the hog sandwich with sausage and pork. We then split the onion rings, beans, and coleslaw. Once we figured out that we should add more sauce to the sandwiches, things were great. I've always been a fan of the meat and slaw combo. There is something about hot meat and cool slaw mixed that just rocks my socks. The onion rings, another favorite food of mine, were good. I liked the hearty breading dipped in both ketchup and more BBQ sauce. The beans were good too but the coleslaw was just alright. Nothing overly special. Overall, I think things just needed some salt. Still a solid offering though.
(4)
Miriam N.
Dry, dry dry buns....".....Your killing me....what is with the buns for the pulled pork sandwiches. They taste like 5 day old buns...that somebody left the bag open. Here is the deal you are/were my favorite barbecue. Place. I brought friends from out of town in July 2013, I took more in September, I tried you today on nov.2... No body I have brought wants to go back because the sandwiches all three times are dry. You bite in and it is so dry. Mind you, I put on cole slaw, sauce and was as dry as can be. Did you change buns since you first started.? Possibly by the bakery buns from hyvee...they would be great. I work in a. Large office and they are saying the same thing. The family next to me said the same thing today and ate the meat and left the bun...are you noticing the amount of buns that. Are going in the trash? PLEASe charge me .25 cents more and get a better bun. Trying to love you, but your. Not noticing the signs...
(2)
David G.
Best KC BBQ hands down. Meat on ribs was very tender and the chicken was juicy and tasty. Great family and bbq atmosphere with friendly service. I'd weigh half a ton if I lived close to this place.
(5)
Jacob L.
One of the best BBQ joints in the best BBQ city in the world.
(5)
Sung K.
Between 3.5-4 stars Maybe I expected too much out of this place. It's voted as the best bbq in the nation as well as one of the 13 places to go before you die by anthony bourdain. They were very good, for sure. Ribs were fall of the bone and tender. But their outer tended to be a little tough for one of my friend's order. Brisket had a nice smoke ring, and were tender. But it certainly needed the bbq sauce in my opinion (which were fantastic btw) chicken gumbo was great. fries were awesome. All the other sides that i got to taste were great as well. No complaints whatsoever. Great joint. wish it was in nyc.
(4)
IJudge Q.
I am fortunate to not only be a certified BBQ judge, but to live in the best part of the country for any BBQ aficionado. Having said that let me preface my reviews with this comment: "the worst BBQ in the Kansas City area is usually better than the best BBQ found in the rest of the country". Also bear in mind that when one judges competition BBQ, we are trained to "Judge the meat - not the sauce". This will help explain why my reviews are so critical of the places who want to mask some deficiency in tenderness or taste by the over use of sauce. For the past few months, I have been visiting some of the most recommended BBQ joints in the Kansas City area. I am listing my 'overall' ratings at the beginning of the review for each of the establishments visited. ***** Fiorella's Jack Stack BBQ ***** Danny Edwards Boulevard BBQ **** Gates **** Arthur Bryant's *** Rosedale *** Woodyard *** Smokin Joes - Olathe ** Oklahoma Joes ** Johnny's OK Joes was a major disappointment to me. Three trips and three strikes. Meats were overcooked and tasteless while the sides were forgettable. Even their average sauces did nothing to improve overall taste. I know many people love this place and maybe I'm the jinx, because every time I dined with someone who 'just loves it', they left with the same "well that wasn't nearly as good as last time" remark. Can't explain it, but nothing there calls me back anytime soon.
(2)
Amy G.
Back home visiting the family and found myself at an old favorite. Will it live up the memories? Oh YES it did. Worth standing in the very long line. By far the best brisket in town. I look forward to my next visit to KC.
(5)
Nicole R.
Don't tell Gates that I cheat k? Oklahoma Joe's BBQ is hmmm...good. The meat just falls off the bone. The Texas toast is Bomb.com ! The onion rings are yummy to my tummy. So glad I cheated. But Gates' Hot sauce is still the business!
(4)
Scott G.
GLUTEN FREE OH MY! Oklahoma Joe's has removed gluten from the majority of their foods and this is a A+++++++ in my book! If you have a gluten intolerance and want some real food like you used to eat, and you know what I mean if this is you, then this is a food destination you can't afford to miss! Ribs, Chicken, BBQ black beans, creamy slaw, fries and sauce galore (regular and spicy night of the living dead!) is what we devoured and it was DELICIOUS! Before removing gluten from the diet I was a huge fan of the Z-Man sandwich they have. If gluten isn't a issue for you and you want one of the best BBQ sandwiches around, give this one a whirl! Or if you like the vinegar type BBQ give the North Carolina Style sandwich a try. You will not be disappointed. While Jack Stack, Zarda, Famous Dave's, Rosedale bbq all are good..... none of them hold a candle to Oklahoma Joe's in my book. Give in, give it a try and make sure you have time set aside for a nap afterwards because you wont want to stop eating!
(5)
Andrew ß.
Fan tactic Recent Forbes article had Oklahoma joes number one in the country I would Agree ! travel.yahoo.com/ideas/g…
(5)
Nicole B.
Great food. I'm vegetarian so BBQ in Kansas is a little tricky. But their portobello z man is great with extra cheese and a side of coleslaw ( which I dump on the burger) Everyone else in the group raved about the meat. Great place good food.
(5)
Rob M.
While shopping in the nearby centers I decided on BBQ for lunch. For a change I got out of my usual rut and ordered the pulled pork sandwich instead of the brisket. The pulled pork was nicely flavored and smoky, but not quite as juicy as I expected. It made a good, filling sandwich, though, especially when doctored with some of their spicy BBQ sauce! Seasoned fries made a generous side. I'll probably give the pulled pork another try sometime, but I think I'm going to remain loyal to the brisket sandwich -- it's just outstanding, IMHO! Service was friendly and efficient, and the restaurant wasn't crowded (so it was easy to get a table). SO glad Oklahoma Joe's is fairly close to where I live!
(4)
Lori V.
When we moved to Kansas City we had never experienced Oklahoma Joe's and now we take our family and friends there whenever they come to visit us. We usually get a two meat dinner and split it between the two of us. If you order french fries, you get enough for two people - no kidding. Definitely recommend going here, even if you're just passing through. Don't go on Sunday though - they're closed!
(5)
Kari M.
Best bbq ever! Always a line but always a table when you need one. Line moves fast. Food is hot and delicious Meat is lean and tender Pulled pork Smokie joe Burnt ends Slabs The are all so good!!! Way better than gates and nobody yells at you "hi, may I help you?!"
(5)
Kathy V.
I was skeptical going in, but my friend hosting me sang it's praises. And I have to give it to her, it was DElicious! I'm not a big BBQ person, but this was so, SO good. So good.
(4)
Kelsey C.
I used to drive 20 minutes one way just to get fries and a sandwich here. I would drive an hour if I had to. It is the most amazing BBQ and fries I have ever had in my entire life. Lucky for me, this location tastes the same as the original location. I have since moved closer to this location and I get food from here about once per month. The employees are always super friendly and my to-go order is always on time. People in line are usually friendly as well, everyone is just excited to eat BBQ! I would definitely recommend this location!
(5)
Reina R.
I love love love Oklahoma Joe's. My favorite dishes are the roasted chicken, brisket, and french fries. Services is friendly and efficient. A great place for a family get together.
(5)
Stephen H.
I always manage to go to OK Joe's for lunch and since large lunches usually make me want to go straight to bed, I never really go "all out" at OK Joe's. This, like the Leawood location, is one that actually accommodate the demand that savvy branding and great food create. Love not waiting in a line out the door to get great food.
(5)
Mike E.
After seeing Oklahoma Joe's show up on pretty much every TV show about BBQ in KC I figured I'd better check it out the next time I was in town. After doing some running around on the south side of KC on a recent road trip a friend and I decided to hit the Olathe location on our way out of town. I'd heard the original spot in KCK gets crowded early so we made sure to get to the Olathe one shortly after it opened. There wasn't a line when we got there but by the time we sat down to eat there was one almost to the door. I went for the beef/pork combo sandwich and my friend went with a pulled pork one. The pork was about as good as it gets, smoky and juicy strands of meaty heaven. The brisket was also awesome, maybe a little dry but still very tasty. Needless to say we both left with a big smile on our faces! The only negative thing either of us had to offer was the beans, too much chili powder and not near enough smoke flavor. The beans were also firm, not exactly slow cooked. The fries helped pick up the slack, they tasted fresh and had a nice dusting of dry rub for flavor. When I told the really nice guy that took our order we were heading out on the road and then asked if they could wrap some goodies up for travel he said they'd have it ready at the bar when we were done. How convenient! So I got a pound each of brisket and pulled pork, it was well packaged and easily made the trip back to Denver with us. I'm thinking next time I'll give the gas station location a try, and won't be surprised if OK Joe's makes it's way into my regular KC BBQ rotation!
(4)
Lucas R.
So I'm in the KC area for a couple weeks- and apparently it's a must to try OK Joes when you're there. Reading the reviews, you would think that most of these folks would give their first born son away just to eat one more Z-Man sandwich. So I obviously opted to order one. VERY average experience. Was the sandwich good? Absolutely. However, I was MOST surprised that the sandwich was actually pretty small. The order of fries was incredibly massive. 3/4 of the fries went in the trash can after I was done eating my good but way too small sandwich. $12.50 for an appetizer of a meal. First and last time.
(3)
Beth B.
I ate at the gas station location years ago, but some friends were talking about Oklahoma Joe's recently and I had a craving - so we came here on New Year's Eve. We got there around 6 pm and THERE WAS NO LINE!!! Couldn't believe it. The line formed around 6:30. Guess we timed it just right. I had the ribs and my husband had the brisket - what, no burnt ends? The ribs were AMAZING!!!!! They fell off the bone, were very lean, yet flavorful. The spicy sauce was awesome. I am definitely buying some of that. My husband loved the brisket. I had some leftovers today and it was very good. However, I did not really care for the baked beans. They had a vinegary taste to them. My husband loved them, however, so they did not go to waste. Next time, I will get the onion rings. They looked really good. My husband was also eyeing the sandwich with the onion ring - I think it is called the Z-man. Will we be back? Yes. This was 4 stars, because I can't give 5 stars to a BBQ restaurant where I don't care for the beans. However, I'll update my review when I try the onion rings. They looked awesome.
(4)
Kristen L.
Review of Carry Out experience: We've dined in many times, but recently we just wanted to grab food to enjoy at home while cheering on our Buckeyes. Instead of sandwiches, we ordered the pulled pork by the pound and a few sides. We thought the meat was much more tender this way because it wasn't pulled. It was just one big, wonder chuck of pork. Now that we got it this way, I'm not sure we'll go back. Much more meat than you get on two sandwiches. The meat was still hot once got home (15 min drive), but the fries were not. So we popped them in the over and the reheated nicely. We also ventured out and tried the Chicken gumbo, it had a great flavor kick. Highly recommend. Other than the grumpy person on the phone taking orders, this was a good experience.
(4)
Kristy V.
I think this place got popluar when the food channel came. I have had better BBQ in KC. Not really that good! The potato salad had a weird tang to it. The burnt ends were not that good either. Too much fat!
(2)
Teresa R.
Burnt end very tender and side of fries ... Love the seasoning on them. Sauce is great .. Just the right amount of spicy. Husband had ribs and said best your had in a long time... Meaty and tender, My new favorite BBQ place! Awesome!!
(5)
Matt K.
Had a great lunch here recently while in town on business - the guys I was with tried the sandwiches, but I felt like I'd get a better feel for KC BBQ by ordering brisket & pulled pork. The food was good, definitely some high quality BBQ.
(4)
Troy S.
Best BBQ around. We only go to Oklahoma Joe's for BBQ. My wife and I both get brisket sandwiches and we split an order of fries and rings. We have only gotten a sandwich with a little too much fat on the brisket one time and they fixed us a new sandwich when we complained. My wife hates any fat on the brisket and Oklahoma Joe's usually does a great job of trimming the fat off. I am not a rib fan but I have been told from friends they have the best ribs.
(5)
Amy C.
Best BBQ in KC hands down. I've tried others- as you can see from my review of the Rub but seriously as Sinead O'Connor said, "Nothing Compares to You". The Z Man is to die for. I'm addicted. I could of course do without the lines and I always wish they were open on Sundays but I'll take what I can get and I love Oklahoma Joes!
(5)
Samantha B.
Great BBQ! I live in California so we don't get good BBQ very often. Love coming back to visit the family and get some good BBQ! Service is fast and efficient! Be prepared for lines but they move quickly.
(4)
Tod S.
I have eaten at the "original" in the gas station downtown but the extra room is nice. Food was consistent and delicious as always!
(5)
Jen W.
Best BBQ I've had in a long time. Don't waste you time going to Arthur Bryant's. Kansas City Joe's (Oklahoma Joe's) is the best BBQ in Kansas City. Period.
(5)
Roxy S.
Omg this place is amazing. Probably the best barbecue I've had! The brisket is drool worthy, tender, and the sauce is out of this world! My friend and I ordered the ribs and brisket combo and ordered fries on the side. So, so good. We got take out, called ahead so that it would be ready to be picked up and the whole process took less than 5 minutes. There's also something incredibly charming about the fact that it shares a space with the gas station called Shamrock next door. Super cute and unique! Service was great, will definitely be back!!
(5)
Melissa G.
The "Z"-man brisket sandwich is the bomb! Sliced brisket with a smokey taste, provolone cheese, and topped perfectly with an onion ring...mmmm. The fries are crispy and seasoned with the best tasting rub mix that will leave you craving these later. Good thing is the order is huge so you can either pig out or have plenty to share. I have been here many times before and seriously have gotten the same thing every time... If it ain't broke...don't fix it! This place gets busy for lunch and dinner so plan accordingly (beat the lunch rush and get there about 11:45am and you should be good). You wait in line and place your order. Food is fast and generally ready by the time you pay. There is also a take out line which is always great to pick up and take home. Buy you meat by the pound too! Always a hit when hosting get togethers!
(5)
Paul T.
We sadly don't have ribs like these anywhere in southern California. The ribs in Cali are smothered in sauce and tend to be sweet. Being that it was my first time in Kansas for a quick overnight business trip, I knew I had to make my one dinner count. Having never had Kansas style bbq ribs before, I Googled "best ribs in Kansas City", resulting in a handy top 10 list. Joe's was #1 on the list. It was fate that my hotel, Hilton Garden Inn in Olathe, was literally a 2 minute walk door-to-door to Joe's. Getting off the plane at Kansas City International Airport at 7pm, I had only one thing on my mind: get my ass in that rental car, and haul ass for the 45 minute drive south to Olathe because Joe's is open until 9pm on weekdays. I chose the combo with 3 ribs and sliced brisket for $13.89, which also includes Texas Toast and choice of 1 side dish. The ribs are quite large and very meaty. I thought this was a great value, as people in southern California would gladly pay $20 for bbq of this quality if it were available here. Phil's BBQ in San Diego pales in comparison to the flavors and quality of Joe's. For my side, I got the red beans and rice, which was also the best I've ever had. Oddly, they don't offer any desserts of any kind. I was actually too stuffed to have dessert anyway. But who's kidding who? I would have ordered dessert if they had any.
(5)
Guy H.
This is my "must" stop when I'm in KC. There is nothing that compares to Joe's in California. But what I really like about this place is the service. I walked in 15 minutes after they closed. The manager went to the back and packaged up a half rack of ribs (actually gave me long ends). I can't say enough about this place other than if you find yourself in Kansas City, Joe's is simply the BEST!!
(5)
Hannah C.
My husband and I just moved from San Diego and this is the first BBQ place we tried. Can I just say, "is this real life?!" The BBQ here is absolutely amazing and incomparable to any BBQ I have ever had. I had a great experience not only with the food, but I was very impressed with the staff and their friendliness!
(5)
Michele I.
Phenomenal barbecue that epitomizes Kansas City. Barbecue sauce is rich, slightly sweet, slightly tangy. The line may be out the door- but the food is worth the wait. Recommendations- the Z-man, the burnt ends, and the red beans and rice.
(5)
Marilyn C.
DISCLAIMER: I am still a Gates BBQ fan! My sister wanted local Kansas City BBQ. We've lived in Memphis before and we are huge BBQ fans. We were running late for dinner so we ended up going to Joe's. Even though it was after 9pm, the place was still packed. Food, service and atmosphere is one of a kind. My son ordered the Z-man sandwich, my niece the pulled chicken breast sandwich, my sister ribs and chicken dinner and my hubby and I just got a dinner slab with onion rings, fries and red beans and rice. EVERYTHING WAS DELICIOUS! We ate family style and we still had plenty of leftovers to take home for the next day.
(4)
Don K.
Well, I gave them another chance and they still failed. Sausage and brisket were barely room temperature and brisket was sliced as thin as paper. BBQ beans were good and so was cole slaw. I can't for the life of me understand how people rave over this place....the second star is for the sides because the meat is terrible.
(2)
Doug D.
I really enjoyed this meal. I waited in a line for twenty minutes just to get to the register. I wish this place was a little more new guest friendly but with the crush of people I understood. I wanted to try burnt ends, but they were not available. I went with the two meat plate and my girlfriend got the Z Man! Both were excellent. I also got the gumbo and a side of dirty rice. I was content but not stuffed. I guess that would be my only complaint. Maybe slightly larger portions, but the quality was excellent.
(5)
Amy W.
I've eaten here once. I ordered their only vegetarian item, the Portobello V-Man. It was okay, but not amazing. Also, Joe's will not allow you to make any changes or substitutions to any items on their menu. I felt sick afterwords, and some of my friends have noticed the same effect. It is inexpensive (can eat there for less than $10). It is unique place (order at the front), with a ridiculously long wait.
(2)
Christie F.
This is my family's go-to barbecue place! We love everything, especially the burnt ends and Z-man sandwhich! I highly recommend it if you're looking for Kansas City barbecue.
(5)
Bloss C.
I didn't have high expectations when approaching Oklahoma Joe's. Mostly because I don't eat meat, so barbecue restaurants usually don't have much to excite me. Plus it looks like a pretty lame chain restaurant. Service was ok but a little gruff; we were here durning a slow time, but I hear the lines can go out the door for dinner, so perhaps that's were the staff's gruffness comes from, but they were polite enough. I ordered the Portobello Zman (the only vegetarian sandwich), the side salad, and spicy slaw. The Portobello Zman was awesome, the mushroom covered with provolone cheese topped with 2 onion rings and smothered in some amazing BBQ sauce. Spicy slaw was good also, and the side salad was very fresh with legit buttermilk ranch dressing. Everyone I ate with enjoyed their ribs and brisket immensely. I'm only in KC for a few days but I think I'll be back before I head for the airport!
(4)
Keri F.
I got the pulled pork sandwich (no Z man for my milk issue) Other got the turkey sandwich Split the brisket just b/c we are starting the Q journey! Pork - moist, couldn't taste the smoke, average. 3/5 stars. Turkey - dry, little smoke, average. 2.5/5 stars. Brisket - dry, ok pink edge, just below average smoke. 3/5 stars Sauces were nice but nothing hit home for me. It's a good little place, but for me it misses something. I will have to try it again (ribs? 1/4 chicken?) when I go through KC next time. This place is part of a BBQ tour through 5 states. Overall rating is fifth.
(3)
Courtney H.
The Z-Man is my favorite BBQ sandwich of any place I've been. Sadly, I don't really stray from the sandwich to have much to say about any of the other meats. But my brother had the ribs recently and enjoyed them and our friend got the pulled pork sandwich, also a winner. The fries here are also delicious with a good crisp to them and spice and a great portion to complement the sandwich. There is always a line, but it goes fairly quickly. It's worth it. I try to get the sandwich whenever I'm in town!
(5)
KathyLynn J.
This definitely not my fav BBQ place in KC area. It might do in a pinch. Sides are mediocre, okay, fries & onion rings are pretty good. I want great smoke flavor, juicy & no need for sauce. You do not get that here. Try Jon Russell, Jack Stack, maybe even Gates.
(2)
M A.
This is might go to barbecue spot in Kansas City. I have eaten at this restaurant many times since it is opened and it is always been good I have never had a bad experience and never had bad service. I loved the location in Independence however it was very difficult to get to an out-of-the-way from where my parents stay in Kansas City. The only complaint I have about this location is their restroom. For a place this big you need a multi-person restroom.
(4)
Mike D.
I still haven't found KC BBQ I don't like and Oklahoma Joes is no exception. I don't think it necessarily lives up to all the hype caused by the TV shows, nor do I understand why it has 1,000 reviews but other KC BBQ greats do not....Anyways.... So this location is in a typical new looking strip mall off of Strang Line. It doesn't look very big from the outside but it's definitely decent size inside. Despite the line being out the door we were able to get a spot to sit. Even with continually long lines they ge the job done fast. I think my wait here was shorter than any other BBQ restaurant. Nice atmosphere, woodsy and outdoorsy, lots of BBQ trophies everywhere. Of course they sell tons of Oklahoma Joe's apparel for the people that just can't get enough. So I ordered the Z Man, not because it's their most famous item but because it actually had all of my favorite things on it. Also, a side of onion rings. So the Z Man comes with provolone and onion rings on it. It is quite amazing. I wouldn't say it's the greatest sandwich I've ever eaten, it is quite the tie though between this and Wodyard's Triple P. The meat was tender and had great flavor. Plus the sauce it was a little bit sweeter than I was expecting, but great nonetheless. Onion rings were fantastic, they give you a huge side so only order one if there's two of you. Don't think it lives up to the hype, but still great BBQ. I'll be sure to come back again.
(5)
Steve B.
I live for finding places like this. Got the ribs and brisket combo. Wow it's good. Ribs don't even need any sauce. Perfect as is. Very little fat on either meat. Joe's dirty rice is a new one on me and it's a MUST HAVE. Spicy sausage mixed in it! I'll be back next time I find myself in Olathe...
(5)
Shannon S.
So I saw all the reviews for this place and decided to check it out. Really glad I did. First of all walking in I was a little confused on where to order but quickly figured it out. Once I ordered and tried out the food I realized that the reviews are spot on . This is a great place for bbq
(4)
Kimberly B.
We ate here again tonight and it is always consistently good. My favorite meat is the brisket, which is dripping with juice. We also enjoy the turkey & ribs. The hot BBQ sauce is worth a try for something spicy. Our favorite side is the red beans & rice, which have deep slow cooked flavor. There is always a line-- so call ahead, it is worth it.
(4)
Vanessa S.
Born in Los Angeles, Raised in Missouri and live back in LA again. Every single time i go visit family in Missouri this is my first stop once I'm off the plane. Living in LA places try to do bbq but for me it never taste as good as being home. The pulled pork sandwiches are just so delicious and melt in your mouth. Mouthgasim! and the burnt ends I could eat all day,everyday. If your in the area you might miss it since its a renovated gas station. And also i love the store section where you can buy your own bbq spices. It does get busy around the lunch rush/dinner rush. But I mean of course it will be because it's that good. If your in the area and have time stop by. If you have to wait a little bit do it because you won't regret it.
(5)
Mike O.
The Olathe location of Oklahoma Joe's (recently rebranded as Joe's Kansas City Bar-B-Que) lacks the quirky charm of the original KCK gas station location, but it makes up for it in the amount of seating. This spot seems to always be hopping at peak times, but the depth of the restaurant makes the line a little less claustrophobic. It moves quickly too. My go-to order here is the Z-Man sandwich, but they also do ribs, burnt ends (on select days) and pulled pork really well. Their Night of the Living Bar-B-Que sauce is tasty and unique. To-go orders (always faster) can grab a generous amount of sauce to-go in covered styrofoam cups. This is my favorite BBQ in KC and the place I always recommend to others who are visiting for the first time.
(5)
Gina M.
I like Joe's, though don't eat here very often, as it's not very friendly to those who are a bit more health-conscious. The people are always nice and the facility is clean. I had a seasonal soft-shell crab sandwich, and wouldn't recommend it. Not sure if it was me, or the prep. Stick with the traditional dishes that have put Joe's on the map! (and get the O-rings!!).
(4)
Tim C.
Joe's is the best barbeque in KC. Hands down, the ribs, sanwhiches, brisket...its all good. It might not be the oldest BBQ but it is the tastiest
(5)
Dave E.
First KC BBQ stop since moving from Texas. I gotta say, pretty darn good. Had a spread of all the meat and several sides. While Texas BBQ may have some edge on the meat, it's not available at all times like Joe's. Seems like a walk in and get good BBQ all the time. Will definitely be a regular.
(4)
Anna M.
It's pretty darn yummy, folks! Great food, great service, great prices. It doesn't get much better than this:-)
(5)
Joshua H.
The gold standard of barbecue in Kansas City. Outstanding ribs and pulled pork in particular, and a gold standard sauce. My only gripe is no Mac and cheese offered on their sides... Something that shouldn't be missing from any barbecue menu.
(5)
Joel K.
As a former local and now visitor to olathe Oklahoma Joe's is our number one place to eat when we want BBQ. Had a party of 40+ people here from NJ for soccer tourney and they stuffed themselves silly trying what is one of the best BBQ in America. Meat, sides, sauce are about as good as it gets.
(5)
Shawn T.
Zman is the flagship sandwich and it doesn't disappoint. Best BBQ sandwich in KC. Maybe the country from what I have heard others say.
(5)
Kendra L.
This was everything I ever wanted it to be. So good. The ribs were the best thing I have ever eaten and service was surprisingly quick.
(5)
Jesse F.
Oaky Joes has the best BBQ brisket in my humble yet accurate opinion! Coupled with the red cream soda & fries makes the perfect combo! The sides are epic & price is reasonable. Show up at 11am to beat the rush or call in your order & eat at a park. The Z-man is always a win & even better with the dirty rice! I'll be heading there this week for sure.
(5)
Dawn H.
Best. BBQ. EVER! And I'm from Texas- I've had my share of amazing BBQ. Everything is fabulous, and the atmosphere is fun and lively. I'll be honest- there are times I crave their food like I'm pregnant again! Go here, eat too much, and order a beer.
(5)
Juan L.
Some of the best BBQ in KC. Ribs, brisket, & pulled pork is a must! Sides are great also. One that you have to order are the onion rings.
(5)
Zack F.
This is by far the best BBQ I've found. I've been back many times, gone out of my way to do so, forced people to come with and have never been disappointed. The ribs are do amazingly smoked and flavorful that considering sauce is a travesty. Taste the meat, really taste it! The potato salad is my go to side and is always creamy. Man, I love this place.
(5)
Jay R.
I have waited 2 years to try their ribs and I have to say it was well worth the wait. We drove in from Wichita with intent on trying the ribs with 2 kids and when we got our table set up with high chair and a plug for the 10 year olds computer I went up to order. Steve saw me and asked if I needed any help and my response was no getting my families order was the bards part now I have it made. He laughed and showed me to the counter to order. While we walked I told him my 2 year story and about a friend who recommended their ribs years ago so he made a point to ask the cooks to make sure they were good for me. He also added a some Brisket for me to try. He helped me to the table and left to get me silverware and napkins which was awesome and I sat to eat. My first impression of the bbq was that everything was smoked perfectly and all was seasoned well. Shana had the pulled pork sandwich, wow! The pork was perfectly lean and fatty at the same time, the smoke flavor was perfect and the seasoning was great. Olivia had a smoked hotdog which I love to do at home, she ate almost the whole thing. Owen and I split a full rack which if you haven't had it I will try to explain what you get. These ribs a big, smoked perfectly and brushed with the perfect sauce. A sweet tangy sauce that is well balanced, not to sweet and not to tangy. The meat pulls perfectly off the bone and when you take a bite it doesn't pull or chew in a bad way. I have to say the bbq was perfect. Now Brisket is my personal favorite and I usually order it if a bbq joint has it on the menu, sometimes I am disappointed but not this time. I will just say perfect smoke ring, perfect slice and just the right amount of fat to make it moist and tender. These guys know how to smoke meat! You have to try Joe's when in KC! I tried to say good bye to Steve when I left but he had already gone so THANK YOU Steve for the great hospitality and perfect Que!
(5)
Anastacia D.
Spin off from the original with the same feel. My favorite KC BBQ. If you're looking for classy, this isn't it, but if you're looking for meat falling off the bone ribs this is the place.
(4)
K G.
Good food. Big menu so check it out online so your some what familiar as there is often a line out the door so you'll want to be ready to order. Sides are generous. I enjoyed the beans and coleslaw. I also has to open faced turkey sandwich which had a spicy coleslaw, which was good. Fries and onion rings are considered sides and are ample size to share, especially if you plan to order other sides to sample and share. You order at the counter and take you're own food to the table. There is not table side wait staff. Food was ready quickly. You also have to bus your own table when your done.
(3)
Jennifer G.
I miss the Z-Man every minute of the day. I love it. Amazing onion rings. The only downside is that it is hard to eat with a large group because it is so crowded and tables can be hard to find. (Which is why we take-out as often as we can.)
(5)
Rob D.
I wasn't impressed. One of those places iv wanted to try for awhile and just never got around to it until today. The BBQ beans were different. Not good or bad just different. The burnt ends were pretty basic. A lot of smoke flavor but that's it. Best thing about this place was the Texas toast.
(2)
R O.
As Kyle said, "Not bad, but..." I've been here a couple times and had a year to sample some of the other BBQ around here. Some friends (who lived in Texas for have said that Joe's relies on its sauce for its flavor. I completely agree -- the meat is just too dry and you need a knife, it doesn't just fall apart like good tender BBQ should. There are other BBQ places that either do the tender stuff (Jack Stack) or that charred rustic stuff (Woodyard) much better. I think it also hurts that *so* many people recommend Joe's as being the best in KC ... if it were not so hyped I might give it another star.
(2)
Rachel E.
Regardless of the name change, Joe's still owns at barbecue. I had chicken and a side of potato salad over lunch, and was thoroughly impressed (and not to mention full)! My only complaint is it is more commercialized than some of the other KC barbecue joints, but well-deserved given their food. Be prepared to wait in line!
(4)
Kelly D.
I can't describe how awesome this place is. I consider myself a bbq snob and expert onion ring critic. I love the atmosphere here, super friendly staff and very clean restaurant. Their sauce is the best in KC. Now, let's talk about their onion rings. They are so flavorful, crisp, and perfect. Please try them yourself if you don't believe me.
(5)
Roman G.
Joe's is one of those famous BBQ restaurants that has gotten a lot of notoriety over the years. The brisket was tender and cole slaw flavorful. Ambiance is good and the restaurant was very busy for an early Monday lunch. Although not my favorite BBQ certainly top10.
(4)
Stacy M.
Love the BBQ! They give huge servings and it's just awesome. Even if you wait in line, it goes quickly because of the process they use of asking guests not to hold tables before you have food. This is such a great, efficient process. Especially when you gave large groups of people. The Z Man is my favorite sandwich and go to. Sweet tea is yummy. Love hitting this place up anytime I go to The Container Store that is close by.
(5)
Zach G.
Hate me if you may, but I believe I might be losing my love for Oklahoma Joes. Don't get me wrong, it's still solid BBQ...and anywhere else, it would be the most amazing BBQ in the world. However, there are some things I just cannot ignore. Previously, I had mentioned how everyone was always friendly. This isn't the case anymore. At one point, I noticed that the carry-out people got borderline rude when it got busy (which, unfortunately, is a good chunk of the time). That is still the case. In the last two months, I have been practically yelled at for having the gall to show up at a busy time to get carryout without phoning ahead (despite my calling 3 times without anyone so much as picking up). I asked them if they really wanted me to take my business elsewhere, and they said yes...so I did. Now on to the food. Some stuff is great - Z Man, of course, is solid. Ribs are delicious, but not the best. Fries and onion rings are like crack. Then, there are the disappointments - I think all other side dishes are mediocre. Their burnt ends may be the worst in KC, as I've had them more and more. They're never crispy, and lack almost every quality that burnt ends should. Will I continue going to OK Joes? Sure, of course. Is it the best BBQ in KC? Nope, not in my book...and it's dropping, especially from a service standpoint. Some people are still very friendly, but I've run in to more and more rude ones lately.
(3)
Leslie I.
Love their food. Very consistent and great! I like their brisket and harvest but tons of great food. Their fries are great and so are their beans. Be prepared for a wait in line, but it's worth it!
(5)
Alexandra D.
Honestly, you can't go wrong with anything on the menu. The Z-Man is a classic if you're looking for a sandwich but the pulled pork is KILLER. Amazing, all-around BBQ.
(5)
Melanie O.
So my husband and I both had opposite experiences here together. I had the pulled chicken sandwich and there was not a lot of chicken and about 1/2 tablespoon of sauce. It wasn't dry, which was good. I wish someone had told me how many fries you get because between my family if 3 (my husband, myself and my 3 year old), we could've survived on 2 orders. And they were delicious and I'm 6 months pregnant ;) My son had the hot dog and loved it, but he's never met a hot dog he didn't like. My husband had the burnt ends and they were AMAZING.
(3)
Jannie B.
Amazing! Amazing! Amazing! I would post a picture but it would be of my empty plate. The husband and I both ordered the brisket and the pulled pork with the "dirty rice," the gumbo and the slaw. The bbq sauce had a bit of a kick to it which was perfect.
(5)
Tim P.
I travel 26 weeks a year throughout the western USA and Oklahoma Joe's came highly recommended by a friend. The high recommendation was UNDER rated! First the atmosphere of the restaurant is awesome. They get you through the line and to a table quickly and the people are super nice. Second the food is to die for. If I wasn't on a diet, I swear I would have reordered again! Killer ribs, awesome brisket, great bbq beans, everything is fantastic. It's not like some places there they do one thing great and others "ok" ---- this is a place where EVERYTHING is freaking awesome!
(5)
Christina P.
We got it catered. It was ok. Nothing beats nc BBQ. :) Enjoyed the pork - tender. BBQ sauce was tasty. Maybe better if we dined there.
(3)
Abhi P.
This was my first visit to any of the barbecue joints mainly because of my abstinence from beef and pork foods but anyways this review is for the chicken z man which was awesome to say the least. I went to the place around 3 pm and admittedly the crowd was a little less prominent which helped me breeze through the smoky lines to barbecue nation capital of z mans. I swiftly ordered the chicken z man with light cheese and a side of onion rings, waited for about 5 mins for savoring the most juiciest and perfectly crafted chicken sandwich. At end of my 15 minutes Kansas barbecue adventure I was greatly satisfied and hunger dealt with.
(5)
Stephanie E.
We went to KC Joes for a St.Patty's Day Feast and it was just that with a full slab of ribs and fries it was delicious!! Thanks Joes KC for a yummy Happy Saint Patrick's Day Feast! #Delicious #KCJoes #HappySt.PatricksDay
(5)
Sesan O.
Best bbq in Kansas City! Hands down. I'm sad to be leaving it behind when I leave. Also, I love the new layout as it makes it much easier to get takeout.
(5)
Mika M.
I visit this place once in every month. Not like Arthur, even though joe was on the media but they keep great work and taste good as media showed. Staff knows how to serve, quick, friendly and polite. Food is one of the best. I just had BBQ last week, it was little salty BBQ rib more than usual. But it still good. Burnt end is juicy, fatty, little crunchy and right seasoning on it. I also had Carolina something sandwich. It was very good too. What I love most is baked BBQ beans. You must try it. It's smokey, spicy, little sweet, and good.
(5)
Jesse P.
Probably the best BBQ in the Kansas City area. Great atmosphere too! This is place is a mandatory stop in Kansas City or the suburbs.
(5)
E P.
Family has been wanting to dine at Oklahoma Joe's for a long time, ever since we heard it was the best in Kansas City. While in Overland Park today, we learned that Oklahoma Joe's is now named Joe's Kansas City BBQ and found the restaurant in Olathe. There are two other locations in the area, one in Kansas City, Kansas and the other in Leawood, Kansas. This is very good Kansas City BBQ. The restaurant is large with lots of tables and chairs. We went mid afternoon, so we were able to get in immediately and place our orders without waiting in line. The east side of the restaurant is a wall of windows which add lots of natural light inside the restaurant. This restaurant is very clean. You place your order at a walk-up counter, and pick your order at a second counter. The man who took our orders was gruff, but had a twinkle in his eye and a smile when I told him that this was my first Joe's BBQ. The woman who served our food was friendly. The food came to us promptly. I ordered the Hog Heaven sandwich with pulled pork and slices of sausage on a toasted bun. I also ordered a side of BBQ beans which have bits of meat chopped into the beans. My husband ordered the traditional pulled pork BBQ sandwich served on a toasted bun. He also had the BBQ beans side. Grandson ordered the Brisket Dinner which is sliced brisket served on Texas toast with a side of French fries. The portion of French fries was so large that Grandson shared it with Grandpa and me. I tried the traditional sauce which was very good. They also have a spicy sauce. This is very good Kansas City BBQ. The brisket is amazing. Next time I'm there, I am ordering the Brisket dinner ~ just good meat and a good BBQ sauce. What more do you need? The pulled pork is really good. I might try something different ~ maybe the smoked chicken. Got to try the ribs next time, too. So many choices. We will definitely return.
(4)
Lizzie A.
Best BBQ in KC. Our go to favorite. Out of town guest are asking us to stop by before we make it back to the airport! So luck to have this close by!!! Pulled pork and onion rings are my favorite! I steal a couple of fries from my kids plates! Yummy!
(5)
Jerry S.
Fabulous food Weak service - they process the line pretty efficiently but anything breaks like soda machine its ignored for a half hour. Not good with hot bbq sauce.
(5)
Phon W.
I don't know why but I haven't tried the Zman which I need to do real fast. The first time came where I didn't really like this place but the more I came the more I knew what I liked from here and I just order the same thing now. I get the short end ribs yummy it's meaty. and the beans and I just get like meats by the pound. It's good that way i have lots of left overs through the week. :)
(4)
Ryan Y.
1st timmer in Kansas and i couldnt not grab some BBQ the BBQ was great! and worth the wait!!!
(4)
Ken P.
Three stars was a reach... Has a cult like following but this is by no means the best q in KC Thee meat combo the brisket and turkey were dry... They use a steam table to keep quantiles available to serve They do not serve fresh cut Q from smoker or hot box A big sin to q lovers more like mortal sin Sides interesting but average quality Best fries in KC ? Self proclaimed and not earned
(3)
Shannon M.
Okay, so a friend and I were visiting from IL and knew that we had to have BBQ somewhere while in Kansas City. Since Anthony Bourdain said we had to eat here before we kick the bucket, we agreed that this should be the place to go. Seriously? This place was good, but it wasn't THAT good. Now, I lived in Texas for 20+ years so maybe that's why I am why I am a skeptic. (If you care, my favorite is Ruby's in Austin.) Portion size wasn't even that great. I got the sausage and pulled pork and I felt like, "This is it?" on the latter. My side was not very good, a potato salad (I think the mustard seeds were disagreeing with my palate). The meat was definitely the star of the show, and the sauces were satisfying (I mixed the regular stuff with a touch of the "Night of the Living Sauce" for a sweet/spicy blend). People do obviously love this place, either out of experience or curiosity (like us). We arrived at the right time: when we showed up we were a few people back in line, and suddenly we turned around and there were people jostling out the door. What is the secret? It draws a wide array of folks: families along with good-ol' boys, and then me in my NPR t-shirt. Overall, this was plain old good eats, but sorry, Tony, you and I are just destined to disagree on this one.
(3)
Cara K.
Wow!! Long line when we arrived, but the grub was definitely with it. We had the Carolina pork slaw and the z-man with chicken. Both were great! Especially utilizing the BBQ sauces provided on the tables. If you are driving through the area this is a must stop.
(5)
Kristin S.
The chicken and bow sauce was awesome sauce. The beef brisket I'm not a fan of the ribs fall off the bone, very flavorful. Definitely a place the will be a regular spot when visiting KS.
(5)
Scott H.
Some of the best BBQ I've had... including Texas. Tried the Brisket and Rib dinner plate with BBQ Beans. All 3 were amazing.
(5)
Tom M.
The z man was great, the brisket was perfectly done, but the onion rings were too salty.
(4)
GD B.
Oklahoma Joe's is in the top 5 best bbq joints in the KC area, hands down. I live in Austin, TX and am a bbq snob. My Pop lives in the Olathe area and we eat at Joe's every time I visit. I have never had a bad meal there and I've sampled just about everything on the menu. The ribs are some of the best I've had. The brisket is good, but being from Austin, I'm kind of partial to TX brisket. I love the fact that KC bbq serves fries with their bbq. We don't have that here in Austin. All in all, Oklahoma Joe's stand tall among the great bbq joints in KC. Please do not pay any attention to the other Yelpers who are giving Joe's bad reviews, they just dont understand bbq.
(5)
Karen M.
OH MY GOSH. Need I say more? Apparantly I have to, so it is long enuff to be posted.
(5)
Jack C.
My sister lives in Kansas City, and she's been trying to get me to go here for years; not that I was reluctant to do so, but I'm a big fan of 'Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives', and KC still has plenty of places that I've yet to try. However, I did promise her that the next time I came to town I would go to Oklahoma Joe's (now Joe's Kansas City Bar-B-Que). Back in July, a couple of buddies and I were heading down to KC for a card tournament, and seeing as you HAVE TO have barbecue when you go to Kansas City, and I made that promise to my sister, we decided to meet her and her husband at the location in Olathe, KS (closest location to their house). Before we got there, my sister warned us that there would be a line; we had no idea that it would stretch more than 100' out the door and onto the blacktop of the strip mall's parking lot! I took this as a good sign (not that I doubted my sister), because if all these people were here for the same reason, and were willing to wait in the god-awful heat and humidity of a summer day in KC... Surprisingly, the line moved rather quickly, and after waiting in line for about twenty minutes, we finally found ourselves at the 'Order Here' section of the line. Most people will judge a place's barbeque by their beef brisket, but not me; I ALWAYS go for the ribs, and another side meat! Coincidentally, I went with their Ribs & Brisket Dinner, so I got both. Everyone else got their own thing, but it didn't matter because we were picking off each other's plates all meal long! I'd like to think that I know my 'que, despite the fact that I've lived in North Dakota my entire life, and as much as it pains me to admit this, my sister was right. BEST. BARBECUE. EVER. Those ribs were so tender, and the sauce just pushed it over the edge into crazy town! I'm unsure if the beef brisket was the best I've ever had, but it was easily in the Top 3. From other people, I also got to try their pulled pork (house specialty), smoked chicken, ham and turkey, and their Z-Man Sandwich (beef brisket, provolone cheese and two onion rings). Their sides were pretty amazing, too! Just like with the ribs, I have my go-to barbecue side as well, and that's coleslaw. Theirs was pretty good, as were the bbq beans and dirty rice, but the side that I definitely liked the best was their Smoked Chicken Gumbo! I felt so bad, because I ate more than half of my sister's, but she was so happy that I liked it so much she just let me have at it. The next time I'm in KC I will definitely be eating at Joe's again, but I want to go to their original location (located in a gas station)!
(5)
Chris S.
So good! Went here tonight on the recommendation of a friend from the area, this place did not disappoint. We arrived 20 minutes before closing time and the dining room was 3/4 full, always a great sign. This is a walk up and order, walk over and pay, get your food and sit down type of place. I ordered the ribs and brisket plate with a side of the beans. The ruins were perfectly done, that great spot between juicy and falling off the bone as I take that first bite. The brisket was very tasty, nice and moist, but could be a touch hotter. The bread was fine, but the beans. They are the manly bbq version of a meaty three bean salad lol! We were in a rush and we were in and out in 29 minutes and completely satisfied. If we are ever in the area again, we will be coming back.
(5)
Ben L.
Ive been here several times and the standards are always good. Its clean environment and food is great. I always get the burnt ends and fries. Ive tried the Z-man sandwich, full rack pork ribs, jumbo brisket sandwich, etc. Overall, this place hits the spot.
(5)
Susan W.
Love Joe 's burnt ends & Zman, husband loves the BBQ chicken! Ribs are great also- can't go wrong with anything at Joe's -it's BBQ in Kansa after all!!enjoy!!
(5)
Minh D.
I been eating BBQ all over the country and we looked forward to coming to Oklahoma Joe's BBQ when we landed. We had the ribs and beef briskets. Since the ribs are spare ribs, we expect the meat to be less tender than baby back ribs. IMO, the spare ribs here is pretty standard, nothing outstanding. Could use some more smoke time to make the meat more tender. The beef briskets we had are somewhat dry and does not have as much flavor as the ones I've had elsewhere. This establishment slices the briskets paper thin, like ham slices, slicing the meat this way can help make it tastes more tender but still lacking in taste and juiciness. IMO beef brisket sliced at about 1/4" to 1/2" thickness are the best. That way you can taste the flavor and the tender juiciness of the brisket of a nicely and tasty done beef brisket.
(3)
Daryl T.
My daughter had a cheerleading event in Kansas City at Kemper Arena so one of my treats is trying different BBQ spots. After a full day at Kemper with screaming girls...BBQ is my treat for sitting in hard seats watching team after team cheer. We got to the restaurant at about 5:30 and already there was a line out the door. A very good sign. However, we almost turned around as we thought it would take forever to order and hopefully find a table. However, we moved through the line fairly quickly and found a table to eat. The restaurant is clean, well decorated and we had plenty of room in a packed restaurant. Now the food...I had their special which was Brisket smoked sausage and a few ribs. Texas toast and two sides, coleslaw and red beans and rice. The meat was tender and well smoked. I enjoyed it all. The meat is really tender and felt the quantity was worth the price. I would have given the restaurant a 5 star rating if the sides were as good as the smoked meat. The coleslaw was OK and the red beans and rice were good but not outstanding like the meat. Also, their BBQ sauce was just OK. Overall, I had a great experience and would definitely come back. It may be a while as I have more BBQ restaurants to explore while down in KC. But I will definitely be back. Thank you for the nice meal. My only advice to anyone wanting to eat at Joe's Kansas City Bar-B-Que is come early as I cannot imagine how busy this place gets by about 7:30 on a friday/saturday night and why did you change your name. I almost thought we were going to a different restaurant as the people we got recommendations from called it Oklahoma Joes.
(4)
Rhett P.
I have never tried some of these cuts of meats before and the first time we ordered take out from there it was love at first bite. The gas station is a really cool idea and they have and actual gas station on the other half. Great Great Experience
(5)
Mary S.
Great if you love meat. Meat in the beans, coleslaw...whatever! Brisket is as good as it gets.
(4)
Scott T.
Joe's has some damn tough competition in Kansas City and today... they got their proverbial pork butts kicked... by the original Oklahoma Joe's and several other KC BBQ joints. Maybe that's not fair because this is clearly not a joint. I almost expected an 18-something girl in red suspenders and striped shirt with an armful of menus exclaiming "Welcome to Oklahoma Joe's!" upon entering. OK, cut the snarky comments. It's a nice space. There are enough reviews by now that you can determine this is a brand new modern design set up in the finest south Johnson County tradition. Nothing wrong with that but it's not the kind of atmosphere that excites me. Hell, I *love* the original Joe's housed in a gas station so you know there has to be something wrong with me. Right? My lunch: BBQ rib and chicken plate with a side of fries. Ribs: come one, the original location, those ribs are mouth watering to die for. Today's offering (see pic) were way heavy on the sodium. So much so that I left part of one on the plate uneaten. Yes, BBQ needs salt and I'm no stranger to loving it but this was over the top for my tastes. Missing was the savory flavor of the meat it was so overpowering. The taste I'd have to give 3 out of 5 stars. They can do better. I'll agree with another reviewer that you can't instantly replicate taste in pits that are brand new next to those that have been operating continuously for years. Fries: again, for my tastes the original location has hands down the best fries in town among all restaurants, and there are some very good ones. These also seemed over seasoned and lacking flavor. Not quite as crisp as the original and missing something. Maybe a different frying oil, a fryer that's not yet tuned in to their standards? The chicken: The star of the plate. Surprised me. A nice leg and a thigh that melted in your mouth perfectly. Not over-seasoned. Can't fault it. But still, this place is a gold mine for the growing OJ's chain. Lines back to the door and probably out at times. I got there around 11:30 so not so bad. But face it, it's going to be very difficult to compete with the original location. Luckily, for those that are making this their regular lunch spot, and I'd guess there are many, they don't have to know the truth and they probably never will. It was a decent meal but not one that had me making plans to return. Since I was in the area car shopping it's unlikely I'll return just to eat here, but don't let that deter you. I guess I can't get by the experience that's the original Oklahoma Joe's. They represent everything that's great about KC BBQ. This south JoCo location certainly has its fans, but based on this meal I'm not going to be one of them.
(3)
John L.
I waited in line for 52 minutes for this rumored amazing bbq. I order brisket, pulled pork sandwich, ribs, and half a chicken. I ordered extra to take home on a hunch. Best decision I could have made as my friends were jealous later that night
(5)
Steve S.
I've lived in Dallas for over 30 years, and Oklahoma Joe's ranks in the top tier of BBQ I've ever had. I've never waited for an hour in a line for any food anywhere other than here, and 15 minutes of that were in the entryway buffer area on a windy sub-zero winter day. I'm a rib-man here (get the whole rack and take what you do not eat home), and Jamie belongs to the church of Oklahoma Joe's pulled pork, which is mighty tasty too. Beans are solid (second only to Jack Stack's world-best beans), and fries are good (best ordered "crispy") as my preferred sides. This place is BBQ heaven, so enjoy it with reverence, over and over again.
(5)
Keith C.
The best ribs in Kansas City hand down. Came here twice. The first time was for dinner and got the rib and brisket dinner platter with a side of dirty rice. The ribs were grilled to perfection and were fall of the bone juicy and fantastically delicious. They may possibly be some of the best ribs that I've ever eaten. The brisket was brimmed with flavor and juicy. After devouring the plate, I was tempted to go back and order some more. But then I saw the line that went out of the door and realized I would have to settle with what I already had. Yes. The line literally goes out of the door and you will be waiting at least 15-20 minutes. One suggestion is to call in ahead of time and order a pick up. You get to go to a different line and wait. Then you just take your food out to the car and eat it there. The second time that I came back was for lunch. This time, the line went even further out the door. I waited about 20 minutes and ended up ordering the Z-man and the Carolina pulled pork sandwich. The Z-Man Sandwich (Slow smoked beef brisket, smoked provolone cheese, topped with two crispy onion rings on a toasted kaiser roll) and the Carolina Pulled Pork Sandwich (Pulled pork served on a toasted bun, topped with spicy cole slaw and Bubba's bbq sauce) were unbelievable. I preferred the Z-man but would go back for the pulled pork any day.
(5)
Don P.
The absolute best BBQ I have ever had! The Z Man lived up to its reputation and the burnt ends were soooo good!:) I'm gonna miss this place!:(
(5)
Sonny G.
Great BBQ. Perfect rack of ribs. It's not a fancy place but they know they do BBQ right and don't care. Surprisingly fast service considering the long line. We got through much faster than I thought we would. We will definitely be going back. The prices were much less than I though they would be too, bonus! Now I can safely say two places are a must in KC BBQ, Jack Stack and Oklahoma Joes. Of course Gates is pretty good too.
(5)
Hannah B.
Absolute best barbecue in the kc area. The Zee man is my favorite. A side of fries or onion rings is enough to feed two. Great rib tips, ribs, pulled pork, and chicken. Honestly you can search all the KC big names and this still reigns superior!
(5)
Jeremy H.
Went to Kansas City for business and our host had Joe's cater our going away lunch. WOW!!! It's going to be really hard to order any other bbq here in San Diego, Ca. This was absolutely amazing. I'm online now trying to see if I can order and they will ship to me here in So Cal. It's been 2 days now since Joe's and I'm having withdrawals!!!
(5)
John L.
This is an absolutely wonderful place to have barbecue, in a city that is famous for it. The original Joe's, in a gas station, is closer to downtown. This more suburban location, however, still has the same food, identical to what you get at the original. You will not likely be able to find any time during the day that there is not a fairly long line, but the wait is worth it. But always come back here when we are in Kansas City.
(5)
Dominick V.
This has to be the best gas station food on the planet! As a St. Louis native, I must acknowledge the slight bbq rivalry between our fair cities. I also must acknowledge that the ribs at Oklahoma joes blow the socks off any back in stl. In fact, I don't think I've tasted better ribs anywhere. However, the brisket was far below what I would expect from such a respected establishment. Very thinly sliced and dry brisket, left much to be desired. Nevertheless, the ribs compensated for what the brisket lacked. The sauces helped too. I loved the thick, textured, sauce and the abundance of flavor. This is certainly a bbq destination. The line was out the door and Around the corner, yet we easily found a seat. It seemed almost magical. I'll be returning the next time I'm in KC.
(4)
Jennifer W.
Kansas City BBQ at its finest!
(5)
Corey K.
Am I missing something here? You are basically in a high school cafeteria, and the chefs in the cafeteria think they know BBQ. That was not BBQ, that was gross. I have had better ribs from the Chinese restaurant down the street. I have no idea why someone would come here instead of somewhere like Famous Daves which actually has decent BBQ. Why this place has such good reviews is beyond me.
(1)
Graeme S.
Definitely one of my favorite bbq joints! The only down side being I'm unable to stray from the Z-Man. i want to explore the rest of their menu but the sirens call of smoked brisket, smoked provolone cheese, two onion rings, barbecue sauce, all on top of a Kaiser roll is just to great for me to overcome. Luckily i offten go to oki joes with my brother, an ex vegetarian. This hiatus made him weak in body and soul. he is offten unable to finish his feast so i do as any brother would and do so for him alowing me to enter what is known as hog heaven.
(5)
Ryan G.
Un-freaking-believable. Every. Single. Time. Just go. Order whatever. You can't go wrong, with the Z-man, in particular. Good everytime.
(5)
Ron W.
Just had my first "dinner" at the Olathe location. I don't understand how this chain can be rated so highly. My rib/chicken dinner was cold, tasteless, and overbooked. The meat has clearly need laying around most of the day before service. The toast was greasy and lacked flavor. The only positive thing to say is the cafeteria style service was efficient and the table service was pleasant. Bottom line- don't waste your money, time, or appetite. KC must have better BBQ than this place.
(1)
Lisa P.
VERY good BBQ, lots of food and choices, the portions are great too! Be ready to wait in line though.
(4)
Greg B.
Had to stop in for some spare ribs. Wow so much of the decor is all about awards this place had to be good and indeed it was. Only 3 locations on KC area. Love these local favorites.
(5)
Daniel H.
I came here later than I wanted to because I had to shovel snow in front of my garage; in addition, I was trying to get some money. Anyways, I finally made it down here around 12:25pm on a Saturday and the line was out the door. I don't think it would've mattered if I came here at 12pm but who knows. I know this place wasn't the original location, but you know I wanted to write more reviews. lol It took 33 minutes to get to the counter and order my food. There were a lot who called in for takeout which was smart except I don't live close by (maybe 45 minutes away?) so that wasn't an option. I was just hoping there would be a table left for me and luckily, there were a few tables open. I ordered The Z-Man Sandwich ($6.79), french fries ($2.79), and a fountain drink ($2.29) which came out to $12.90 total. I was pretty thirsty so I drank a bunch of soda before biting into The Z-Man Sandwich. It was awesome and just like the original location. Each table had a roll of paper towels, original BBQ sauce, the spicy BBQ sauce, and ketchup. I think there was also pepper and salt on the other side as well as sugar. The French Fries were pretty good and the amount was enough to split with two people. This location had a lot more room than the original location and a lot more parking. Awesome food and BBQ sauce. I'd recommend coming here if you're close to this than the original location. Good stuff!
(5)
Gus E.
Quick service. Food was great! Gave me hope in BBQ again. I mean look how many reviews this place has. Zman was amazing.
(5)
Alexandra C.
The BEST bbq I've ever had in my life. Granted I am from NYC where they don't really know how to do good bbq. The pulled pork was like nothing I've ever had -- thick pieces, tender cooked to perfection and full of flavor..and their sauces on the table-- the best bbq sauce on the planet. Everyone loved their brisket and ribs. I tried the smoked turkey- was pretty good. The fries though weren't too good..though putting bbq sauce on top helped. Never had sweet tea before - man is it sweet and very smooth. Oh OK Joe, I wish I weren't 1,400 miles away from you. GO!
(5)
Jacq R.
Maybe I'm spoiled by AMAZING Carolina bbq joints but Joe's is kind of "meh" to me. They got my order wrong twice, it was overly greasy and there are really few options for sides. Meh.
(2)
Stephen N.
Best BBQ I've ever had. The brisket is so tender and moist. This place is a must visit for any out of towner.
(5)
Tom H.
Wow ! I mean WOW ! No wonder the Food Network listed Oklahoma Joe's as the " Manliest Place to Eat". I have a customer that I visit from time to time in KC, and I always make a point to stop. Their pork ribs are the BEST I have ever had, literally mouth-watering. I have eaten a lot of BBQ all over the U.S., in my opinion for me nothing comes close to the flavor and quality.
(5)
Tom C.
Heard people talking about Joes when I landed at the airport and when I checked into my hotel. Along with Yelp reviews, I had to try. Did not disappoint. Had pretty much everything, pulled pork, Z-Man brisket sandwich, sausage, ribs, chicken gumbo, baked beans, potato salad, fries and rings. All was excellent. The ribs are out of this world!!! A must try in KC!
(5)
David M.
Great bbq, so much better than Jackstack. Best ribs I've had only good competitor is Gates.Truly great food.
(5)
Tram V.
Amazing bbq. A must go eatery in Kansas City! The line is long and you can't really dine because it is so popular and delicious. Expect at least an hour wait time or call you order in a day earlier.
(4)
Suzie R.
The Z-Man is the best. I am not a huge BBQ fan, but if I go out for BBQ, this is THE place to go.
(4)
Mindy H.
I love Joe's. The quality is always delicious and you cannot get juicier, tastier ribs anywhere else in the KC Metro. They're always busy, so we tend to use the carry out option. And if you like your barbecue spicy, their spicy sauce is to die for. Additionally, their staff is efficient and friendly.
(5)
Michael L.
Maybe it was too much hype, maybe it was my Texas tastebuds, but Oklahoma Joe's simply could not match the level of expectation I came to the restaurant with. Ribs were tender, but not that moist, and not fall of the bone. Still strongly recommend a try for anyone visiting Kansas city as it does seem to be an institution there. The Zman sandwich is a must try. Great value, great portion size. Sides were delicious.
(3)
Marcy R.
Love this barbeque, I think it is the best with or without sauce. The burnt ends are heavenly. Everything here is finger licking good!!! Love the fact plenty of tables for my family and if there is a line I never worry because it moves quickly. Love this place!!
(5)
Nathan A.
As good as it gets. I wished the menu was a bit more descriptive, but that's a minor detail. I would have got something different, but what I ended up with was fantastic anyways. Great experience.
(5)
J. D.
I stayed in a hotel across the street from this Joe's location for about six months in the summer of 2014. I ate here at least three times a week and never got tired of it. Personally, I think the gas station location is better, but that's no reason to pass on Joe's on Strang Line Road. I'm getting hungry just thinking about their ribs, brisket and amazing french fry seasoning.
(5)
Shannon N.
Best Burnt Ends I have ever had. Ambiance is a little different but in a unique way! Highly recommend.
(5)
Audrey D.
Ooo what I wouldn't give for a Z-man right now! Still getting use to the whole name change thing..... The food is always good though! If I could come here everyday I would!
(5)
Corey S.
Great bbq! You gotta try the Zman and their fries are really good! Sometimes has a line out the door, so try to go at non peak times unless you're prepared to wait awhile or just get take out. Worth the wait though for sure.
(4)
Rick E.
Awesome barbeque. One of the best in the greater kc area. The chili, which is a seasonal dish, is amazing. We get the Turkey sandwich....very good...or the pulled pork sandwich...very good. For a treat, i get the ribs which are fantastic.
(4)
Tanner L.
Impressive just how good this place really is. I came here on recommendation from several friends. They all cited this as a fantastic BBQ joint. I will admit I drove by two locations seeing lines of people so far out the doors. This was the third location I came to and decided that this food must be worth the wait. All in all the wait time for the long line only took 20 minutes which I was very pleased with. The Food was the real star of the visit though. We all ordered different food including Ribs, Brisket, and Pulled Pork Sandwich. I was not disappointed with any portion of their BBQ. The ribs were perfectly cooked and had such a great sauce to set them off. I was really impressed with the pulled pork as the flavor was just so full. If you're wanting a quality sample of what KC has for BBQ stop out here it will be worth your time.
(5)
Lincoln G.
Not the best in KC, but close. Definitely the most convenient as I work in Olathe and this location is pretty close to work. The Hog Heaven sandwich is awesome, all you could ever want on a BBQ sandwich. Sauce are pretty good, but unfortunately necessary. I like my BBQ to need no sauce and to only use as a compliment, not a necessity. Sides are okay, Dirty Rice is well above average, Red Beans and rice is okay. The most disappointing is the Gumbo. I love gumbo and have had it from New Orleans to Chicago and back, and theirs doesn't even break my top 10. I'll definitely eat here again, as the prices are reasonable, the food is good and the location is convenient, but there are better BBQ joints in KC.
(4)
Keith P.
burnt ends... nuff said
(5)
Matt C.
I don't understand the hype. Aside from the fries, which are amazing, the actual BBQ is mediocre at best. The ribs have always been overly dry. The brisket is extra fatty. The sausage is good, but the serving size is small. I was very excited to see they had a burnt end dinner, however, the burnt ends are nothing more than cubed brisket. There is no bark on the meat, which is what makes it a burnt end. Save yourselves some time, go to Gates or Bates City BBQ. Better meats, better sauces, faster service.
(3)
Casee E.
Absolutely THE BEST BBQ in Kansas City. The meat is super moist and full of flavor and there is a sauce for everyone in the family. I especially love the new layout in Olathe that keeps the call-in, carry-out, and dine-in lines separate. This is fast becoming out favorite place to order for large groups.
(5)
Christopher M.
Best BBQ in KC! My personal favorite is the Carolina Pulled Pork sandwich - spicy slaw on top of the pulled pork, delicious. Had the Burnt-Ends sandwich today and wasn't overly impressed but still not bad. The only thing I don't really dig is the potato salad but they have other good sides. If you're looking for top notch BBQ then this is your spot!
(5)
Dann M.
Amazing Meats, Delicious sauce. These guys know what they are doing.
(5)
Gregory P.
Excellent BBQ and service. Do not let the long line deter you, it moves quickly and you can always call in an order for pickup. I love their ribs, very meaty and tasty. Try the Chicken Gumbo, its also very good. My only disappointment was the sausage. It was dry and lacked the flavor I expected. It could be a one-off experience, so I would not hesitate to give it another try. Everything else from sandwiches to side-items are very good here and I would not hesitate to suggest this place to anyone.
(4)
Matthew D.
Best BBQ I've ever had. Before I ever went there, I was told about it by a self proclaimed BBQ snob. They informed me that all Kansas City BBQ is the best and nothing else I had ever had before mattered. I won't say I completely agree on all accounts... but they got it right with Oklahoma Joe's. This is definitely the best BBQ I've had. I always stayed a few blocks away for business, so this was a regular for me to grab while in town and it was one of my favorite things about coming to the KC area. I always went with the Z-Man... a smoked beef brisket, provolone cheese, and 2 onion rings on a sandwich. It was recommended by a friend and I am now passing my recommendation on to you... give the Z-Man a shot!
(5)
Den B.
The brisket was great, but the ribs were a bit dry for my taste. The bbq sauce was pretty decent, and there was a good selection of sauces, but I agree that this wasn't a five-star BBQ experience. Was it worth the price? Yes, and for my money, better atmosphere and food than Gates' BBQ.
(4)
Natalie B.
Don't know what all the fuss is about. It's good enough BBQ but I've had better. I ordered the Carolina sandwich and my friend ordered ribs. A filling meal but the sides (baked beans and potato salad) lacked flavor. Definitely not going to be in my regular restaurant rotation.
(3)
Matt C.
Rediculousness!!! BBQ heaven. Honesty said out loud, "I don't even know why I'm still eating?" It's just that good! I was a bit skeptical when we walked in to a line of 40+ people out the door. Well worth the wait. Even our 5 year old son ate all of his food. Bucket list- checked off!!!
(5)
Nikki P.
I've always been to the OK Joe's location on Rainbow, but recently went to this one with my family. I have to say, the food was just as good as their location in Westwood. Obviously, their original location will always be my fav go to place, but it's nice that they have been able to open other locations for people in the KC area. I OF COURSE go their Z-man, because it is my absolute favorite sandwich. My little brother and sister order of their kids menu, and I honestly don't remember what my parents ordered, ha ha. The z-man was just as good as their other location, as were their fries. The baked beans were just a little on the spicy side for my little brother and sister (who are 10 and 12), so it may be something to keep in mind if your kiddos aren't big into spicy food. The other thing that WAS nice about this location, was that (at least while we were there) it wasn't busy.Anytime I go to the other location, if you don't perfectly time your arrival, you can be waiting in line for a good hour sometimes. Here, we just walked right in and placed our order. There was also loads of seating, which was nice. So, if you can't make it up to Westwood, and still want some quality BBQ, this is the place to go.
(5)
Billie H.
As I start all of my BBQ reviews, I am not a giant BBQ fan. Every once in a while though, I get that craving and stop by one of the various places in town. Oklahoma Joe's has always been a favorite. After the original Arthur Bryants it is my favorite. The reason I love Oklahoma Joe's is because the meat taste good without covering it in sauce. This is the largest draw for me with a BBQ place the meat should stand on it's own. Generally I get the pulled pork. It is amazing. The taste of the smoked woods in the meat almost make you mmmmmmm with every bite. They also stand out because you can count on the same taste and quality at all of their locations. This is not the case of all BBQ joints, including my favorite. This last visit I decided to also try some of the sausage. After a visit to another BBQ joint and trying sausage for the first time, I became a fan and decided to try it at other BBQ places to see if it was a delicious treat everywhere. Although the same smoke flavor was evident in their sausage, the overall sausage was not a huge hit with me. I am not a huge fan of the sauce for a couple of reasons. First, if the meat is cooked right, you don't need sauce unless it is cooked into the meat. Secondly, Oklahoma Joe's sauce is too sweet for me. KC generally has a sweeter version of BBQ sauce and I personally do not find this appealing. Lines can be super long at Oklahoma Joe's especially on weekends no matter what time it is. Don't let this discourage you. The line moves fast and I have never had an issue getting a table at this location. If you are getting something to go, skip the line by calling in your order. One of these days I will break away from my pulled pork and try the burnt ends or ZMan, but then again why mess with perfection!
(5)
Lizz M.
Came here after a Royals game through the recommendation of a vendor at work. Lines move rather quickly, which is much appreciated as there is always a line here. I went with the rib and brisket combo. The ribs were SO GOOD. The brisket was a bit dry, and the red rice and beans were probably my favorite part of the meal. My one complaint is that all of my food was over-salted. But I'd definitely come here again.
(4)
Bob D.
Taking BBQ from the competition circuit to an everyday restaurant model is a fine line. On one side of that line you feel like the Q is made just for you, you feel like if you were 5 minutes sooner or later it would've been gone, you feel like there would be no way for you to be able to make it "that good" at home yourself. On the other side, you feel like there is an endless supply, wrapped in cellophane just waiting to get warmed up. You feel as if you are in a manufactured environment- just dressed up enough to not resemble an Applebee's. This location is on the wrong side of that line. Dry- machine sliced brisket, overly tender machine smoked ribs that lack any type of flavor profile. It is a fine example of when making $ becomes more important than making quality BBQ...I would "steer" clear of this location.
(2)
Leigh W.
Ribs & Brisket dinner was fantastic, great service & clean restaurant. Previous reviews where true to point. Nothing is cheap anymore so it is a little pricey.
(4)
Rob B.
Best BBQ joint I have ever been to. Buy their seasoning and take it home. We always bring out of town guests here and it never disappoints.
(5)
Steve C.
So we arrived and there was already a line up past the corner of the establishment. We waited 20 minutes in line...and the wait was well worth it!! As you enter you can't but help see all the trophies and articles written about this place... Definitely a winner. I ordered their half slab of pork ribs...7 meaty, perfectly tender ribs with a side of BBQ sauce. Scrumptious!! My wife had the Carolina Pulled Pork Sandwich which was fabulously melt in your mouth wonderful. The sides were also good... Creamy Cold Slaw and BBQ Beans. Portion of Fries ($2.79) could feed 3-4 people easily. I would give it 4.5 stars. Definitely worth the visit and the wait!!!
(4)
Jenn S.
There's a reason the line so often extends far past the front doors. The prices are reasonable, the portions are huge, and it's absolutely delicious. I've eaten here at least a dozen times over the years, probably got it to go at least a dozen more, and I have never had a bad experience. That alone is worth five stars; what other restaurant can you honestly say that about?
(5)
Ahmad J.
I decided to try Oklahoma Joe when i was in Olathe and had their Smoked Chicken and Beef Brisket BBQ sandwich. The smoked chicken was great with a lot of the smokey flavor with just about enough sauce to balance it went very well with the meat so i thoroughly enjoyed it. The Beef Brisket BBQ sandwich was a total waste - the meat had absolutely no flavor and i had to toss tons of BBQ sauce on it to get it down. Overall not bad but nothing like what i experienced in Jack Stack.
(4)
Richard B.
In my view, the heavyweight champion of cue. In fact, I would be hard pressed to remember having better ribs elsewhere. The flavor is sweet, perfectly cooked, and I loved mine dry. Kicks the best of Austin or Memphis in the ass.
(5)
Chad B.
I've eaten here about a dozen times and two times in the past few weeks so I thought it was time to put my thoughts down in a review. Every spring with the changing of the seasons I get what I refer to as BBQ Fever. It starts with hunger pangs, then this crazy look in my eyes that can only be cured with some of my favorite KC BBQ. First off I love the OK Joe's location in Olathe. Very cool atmosphere, the scent of smoke in the air, the only problem is all the damn customers. If you don't get there early the line is about 100 people deep, out the door, and around the building. Plan ahead and be there by 11:15 for lunch! My last visit I had the 3 rib, 1 meat lunch and shared fries with my buddy (more than enough for 2)! When I received my "medication" I received a BONUS 4th rib!!!!!! Man, oh man was it heavenly. The 1 meat I got was brisket and it may have been the best brisket I have EVER had. Very moist, but still smoky. OK Joe's fries are to die for which works out well because the only thing I don't like at Joes is their beans. NOT GOOD. They are smart to put a roll of paper towels at each table (I sometimes need a drop cloth). All in all a great experience and would highly recommend it to anyone!!!
We ate lunch there today. It was one of the best BBQ joints that I have ever been to. It was better than Gates of Berbecks. The meat fell off the ribs. The beef brisket was delicious and needed no sauce. I will definitely return to this location the next time I'm in Kansas City.
(4)
Jason P.
First time try the Z-Man (chicken or brisket), pulled pork or ribs with beans. Fries are for sharing. Sauce 'em up for good measure. Come early and don't cut in line :) It looks mean but moves fast and friendly. As other commenters have mentioned, the burnt ends are different here: heavily-marbled and soft. The mounted plaque with an article explaining that ~ "this is how burnt-ends should be" explains their approach but I'd still prefer crispier, leaner to make five stars.
(4)
Txgirl M.
Pulled pork, BBQ beans are so good. I'm eating as I'm typing right now. Service here is very fast its definitely worth the wait.
(5)
Joe M.
Sandwiches are really good too. Hard to beat this barbeque anything here.
(5)
Sharon M.
My 5 stars refers to their ribs. Outstanding. Every time. You won't regret it.
(5)
Lisa S.
I had their ribs, brisket and sausage. I liked the ribs the best. My sides were their BBQ beans and spicy slaw. Both were really good. Some of the best BBQ beans I've every had. If we come back through KS, we'll stop here.
(4)
Danny C.
I worked at the hotel behind here and when people would ask which BBQ place they should go to, I would always tell them to go to Oklahoma joes. I always say I'm going to try something different every time but I always get the Z Man. So good. KC BBQ is a toss up between Oklahoma Joe's and Jack Stack. Joe's has a much more relaxed atmosphere.
(5)
Alex D.
Not much to say that is any different than the rest. Brisket is fantastic. Arthur Bryant's has better ribs in my opinion.
(5)
Denisha J.
I just landed in KC (visiting from AZ) and feeling starved. With BBQ on our mind we checked out yelp for some suggestions and found this spot. The food was yummy and service was quick. Not a formal restaurant, but spacious and friendly staff. The Z-man was scrumptious and highly recommend so I tried it with the spicy slaw. It was a great pair. My husband ordered the pulled pork which was also delicious paired with the potato salad. We weren't feeling the potato salad, but everything else was on point.
(4)
Steve T.
Love this place for great BBQ and friendly people. The ribs and brisket were cooked perfectly and weren't too fatty . The toast and sauces were very good, The red beans and rice were good but different from what I think red beans and rice should be like. The place is packed with happy people and I am liking visiting Olathe.
(5)
Charles I.
I went at lunchtime so that was probably not the best time as the line went all the way to the door. Nonetheless, I was thru the line in 20 minutes. We had the Z-Man sandwich, the burnt ends sandwich, onion rings and bbq beans. I expected more flavor in the burnt ends but they were still good. The sauce is excellent and really makes the meal. I was disappointed in the bbq beans at first. They are not good without adding bbq sauce. However, after adding the bbq sauce they are excellent! How do you make bbq beans w/o bbq sauce? Anyway, the overall experience was good considering that this was my first time.
(5)
Larry G.
We were visiting from Las Vegas but used to live in Leawood, KS. I told a friend that my favorite BBQ restaurant was Jack Stack but he said that I needed to try Oklahoma Joe's and that he thought it was better. We got there before 5pm so the line was not that long yet. I guess I was not expecting the food assembly line style of ordering and felt rushed to finish and eat what we had ordered once we sat down so that others who came after us could have a place to sit and eat. I ordered the half rack of ribs and beans with a beer. Though it was ok...no way their food was better than Jack Stack's. Oklahoma Joe's is like the fast food of BBQs.
(3)
Ronn S.
You don't want to miss a meal here if your in town. Their ribs and brisket with their signature baked beans and sauces are truly scrumptious ! All for a $20 bill tip included ... I won't eat for a few days. Great food - good price. A must eat in while in Kansas if your hankering for ribs ;-) Ronn just Ronn the whole in the wall food guy !
(4)
Cade H.
Kansas City has great BBQ at every turn but Oklahoma Joes stands on the top of the mountain. I've had bbq throughout my whole life and the only place I want to go eat when I go back to KS is OkJ. The food is outstanding and you got plenty for your money. All of the sauces on the table are great and I can't seem to get enough. I just wish they would expand and open up stores in places our west because other states don't know what good bbq is. OkJ is a staple of Kansas City food and I can't wait till the next time I get to go eat there, only problem is it's so popular and busy ALL the time I'll have to wait in line for it, but it's well worth it.
(5)
Sarah H.
Ok, for real. I've got Kansas blood, so I'm not going to debate with Texans or other staters who claim their bbq is the best. Quite simply, it's not, and it can't compete with standard Kansas BBQ. This is NOT standard. This is superlative. If you are looking for the best bbq Kansas has to offer, you must hit Oklahoma Joe's. A streamlined ordering experience, your menu is posted on the wall. Notable nommables include the ribs, and the burnt ends. The best item on the menu, however, is the Z-Man Sandwich, which my husband has threatened to FLY TO KANSAS specifically to eat (and to maintain is frequent flier status). It's brisket on roll with sauce to die for and an onion ring. It's a mess of happiness in your face. This restaurant has been awarded all sorts of titles, from Manliest Restaurant in America, to Best BBQ of etc. It's inexpensive, it's fast, it's hearty, and it's delectable. If it's not the best you've ever had, please message me and tell me where it's better, because I'll have to try it to prove ya wrong.
(5)
Sara D.
I can't believe that I'm a born and raised Kansas City girl and have never stepped foot into Oklahoma Joe's! I finally redeemed my dignity the other week and my tummy has never been happier! I came prepared for a insane line and it was, indeed, insanely long. Surprisingly enough, the line moves really fast and we were at the register in no time. I knew enough about the place to order the Z-Man and fries. We got our food in literally seconds. Every bite was better than the next! I loved everything about the sandwich and loved the seasoning on my fries. Even the sauces were the perfect mix of tnagy and sweet. The service was great (even the bus boys were nice!) and I can't wait to return again.
(5)
S Y.
Ok...first off full disclosure, I'm from so cal, and really hardy BBQ places are not as common place as they are in other parts on the country. That said....this place was soooooooo good. The portions are large. The prices are very reasonable. The line was very long. I had BBQ ribs. So good, the meat slid right off the bone. The ribs has excellent flavor. They were very tender. I also had the smoked turkey. This was good. I just wished it had a bit more moisture, but no complaints. The BBQ beans were really good. Has excellent spice with just a bit of sweet. I will caution to say this was also really salty. The dirty rice was average. If you have been down in New Orleans and had dirty rice there, you will be disappointed. The Texas toast, by far this was the largest disappointment of the plate. Skip the toast and consume your carbs else where.
(4)
Bruce E.
Can't beat the ribs here. Stop by for lunch every time I'm in town and sample items asking with the ribs.
(5)
RosaLinda R.
We heard this was the best in town, however, we didn't feel that it was worth the wait. The food was dry and lacked flavor.
(2)
Brian E.
I finally tried Joe's after living down the street for 2 months. I received my food almost immediately after ordering it. I ordered a pulled pork dinner with fries. The meat was very tender and flavorful. The fries were some of the best I'e ever had.
(5)
Mj J.
(Review from a lap-bander: small eating options) Oklahoma Joe's is generally so busy with a line out the door but it moves really quickly! I tend to gravitate towards the meat and slaw sandwiches. I got the pulled pork with slaw and fries. Always yummy! I don't eat the bun and graze after adding a 50/50 split of hot bbq sauce and regular. Their sauce is pretty dang good too! I like that the pulled pork is well "sorted". There is rarely the nasty bit in your mouth of fat or other unpleasantries. It happens though when real meat is on your plate (not pressed fast food meat.) Their fry portion is huge, so plan to share. -- My only complaint with Oklahoma Joes (and other restaurants) is the upcharge for an adult off the kids menu. Just because I'm an adult, I get charged $2 more for the exact same portion. There's a reason I'm ordering smaller. I just can't eat that much. So, I order off the standard menu due to price and throw away 3/4 of it. Silly really. The establishment is always very clean and cared for and staff are generally very pleasant. I appreciate that as soon as someone leaves, the table is cleared and clean for the next group within 90 seconds. Super quick!
(4)
John S.
Waited in a long line here, but was happy that I did! Got the dish on how to order when I was in line. "Meating up!" is definitely the way to go. Between the two of us it allowed us to get almost every meat on the menu. All good for sure, but I am partial to the brisket. As a side the red beans and rice are a must for me. As far as gas station barbecue goes it rivals Rudy's in Austin. That is high praise from me.
(4)
Sean R.
I ended up at the Strang Line location as this one is right off of I-35. I ordered the 4 rib & brisket combo, with a side of beans, beverage. You order and take the ticket to the end of the line and the staff really does shuffle to get your order to you by the time you get paid out. It's really humbling how nice they are. The entry line guy was really nice and appreciate but the cashier guy was somewhat rude and short. Maybe he was having a bad day. The pork ribs were awesome and full of smoke flavor, smoke ring, large sized. Not quite as seasoned as the Leawood location but still outstanding. Hiickory smoke provides the best flavor. Shaved slices of brisket was piled high and tasty. The beans are fantastic with smoke and lots of chunked brisket meats. The texas toast is fantastic too. $20.23 was total, which is the same out the door price as Leawood location.
(4)
Mylene B.
Had to try the best barbecue in Kansas but it didn't turn out to what I expect it to be or maybe I just have no idea what's the barbecue in Kansas is like. It was very dry and thick.., and I like my barbecue to be moist with sauce and thin. I'm probably just in the wrong state for my barbecue.
(3)
Caleb D.
Love this place. Great sauces and huge portions of awesome food. Favorite BBQ in KC
(5)
Reed N.
Just a solid update for OKJ's. I ordered to-go ribs... cold. I reheated them at home, and they give you instructions on how to do it. Do not ignore them. Your food is often reheated at BBQ places. If you do it right, it is BETTER than right out of the smoker. That's right... leftover BBQ is better than fresh in my opinion. My early knock (and a very light knock) on OKJ's was lightness of smoke flavor. Well, that has changed. The last three trips here floored me with smokiness. Not a smoke ring on the rib meat, but damn near full smoke penetration. Ridiculous and delicious. : ) The only other place in town that I have experienced this much smoke flavor recently is also take-out... at McGonigles. Sometime I am going to do both on the same day. God help me. LOL
(5)
Allie M.
Best BBQ in our Solar System. Generally, I get the ribs or the brisket. Both are fantastic. Sides are always good. Portions are generous. Prices are very reasonable for what you get. The only knock on this place is standing in line waiting for food and finding a place to sit. It's always busy, and for good reason.
(5)
Jeff S.
Is there anything more to say about Joe's that practically every foodie magazine or blog has not already said?? Bottom line - you need to eat here before you die. The wait in line is worth it.
(5)
Bryan M.
After a couple of m'eh experiences with brisket at some other BBQ spots, I especially appreciated Oklahoma Joe's effort, this evening. Tender, and effused with a nice, smokey flavor. Joe's sauce was at the table. Also, very tasty! Not too sweet, not too spicy. Just a nice, KC-sauce.
(5)
Rich P.
Stopped in for dinner while traveling on business. When I arrived, there was a long line. They had paper menus, so that gave me plenty of time to decide on what to order. I went with the One Meat Meal with the pulled pork and potato salad for the side. It was delicious. They do put a little bit of BBQ sauce on the pork when served, but there are one or two other sauces to try at your table. Overall, great service, great atmosphere, and great food. I would visit again.
(5)
Steve J.
food is always great and service is always fast
(5)
Cindy C.
Delicious! Saw the reviews for this place and had to try it. I ordered the two meat dinner with beef brisket and turkey. Best BBQ I've ever had.
(5)
Jeff L.
Brisket was really tender and I am very critical of brisket because usually its too dry, this was not Ribs were tender yet not falling off the bone Carry out was quick and easy, just walked up and we had our meat 5 minutes later Night of the living dead sauce had a nice kick to it
(5)
Shawn B.
First time I've eaten at this location and the first time I've been able to control my rib cravings and get a Z-Man. First off the line was really long but I was surprised it moved pretty quick. I order the Z-Man, cup of beans, cup of spicy slaw, and a drink. I was a little shocked at the bill for $17.45! I did order the sides in the "cup" size instead of the "side" size but that only added a total of $2.20. To the food...I bite into the Z-Man for the first time. First I get the crunch from the onion ring, then the smokey, tender, beefiness of the brisket accented by the BBQ sauce. Then as you're masticating that perfection the smooth, creaminess of the provolone rolls onto your tongue and the roof of your mouth and that's when you say: "This sandwhich has got it all, Baby!" One of the best parts is their PERFECTLY cooked brisket. Most brisket sandwiches, when you take a bite and pull away, you're gonna pull a slice or two of beef off the damned thing, and it's gonna hit you in the chin, and you're gonna look like an idiot with a BBQ sauce Soul Patch. Not so with Oklahoma Joe. The spicy slaw was OK, nothing special. The beans were good but more spicy than I like my Baked Beans. It was almost like eating a BBQ Chili. They were making me sweat. I think maybe they should have a milder version available during the summer months when I'm not in the mood for more sweating. Overall, 4 stars for the outstanding sandwich, shocking prices, and so-so sides. I think I'll stick to getting the meats to go and put together my own meal at home.
(4)
Tim M.
Ok. I guess I do not get it. I have tried okie joes numerous times, but no more. There are some items, such as the ribs, that at times can be good, but overall, it is just not that good. I do not know if they are running on past reputation, but current food quality is not good. Tonight we had ribs, brisket, and sausage, along with beans and slaw. The ribs were ok. The brisket was dry and tough, and I swear was reheated in a microwave. The sausage was no better than Walmart mass produced sausage. I have had issues with the chicken in the past, as I saw it passed from the kitchen to the front, wrapped in plastic wrap, and obviously reheated in a microwave. The skin has been soggy and pretty disgusting. No sign of crispness at all. I personally do not like the green peppers in the beans, so that taste in them makes them below par to me. Far too many other BBQ joints in kc to waste time coming back here for mediocre food.
(1)
Travis H.
Simply the best barbecue I have ever had. They are able to serve a lot of food to a lot of people in a very efficient and organized way.
(5)
Tony X.
I absolutely love the fries! They are to die for. I always get the chicken Z man, cant go wrong with this sandwich. Pair it up with some beans fries and slaw and you wont be disappointed! Their salads are just as great! I tried my friends salad and it was delish! Nothing really bad to say about this place except sometimes the wait is out the door, however the line goes by pretty quick.
(4)
Aaron R.
Visited this place back in December as part of my Eastern United States Road Trip. As I am going back through some of my favorite places I have been to, I had to write about Oklahoma Joe's. I visited the Olathe location as it was the closest to the friend's house I was staying at. I had no idea about this place. It was just a suggestion from my friend when I stated that I wanted to try some decent Kansas City BBQ. Well she hit it out of the park. This is not just decent BBQ - this may be my favorite EVER. And that is with growing up with some great BBQ. Everything about this place just screams awesome. The atmosphere, the food, even the service (hectic as it was). I actually visited this place twice (eventhough I was only in KC one night). It was just so freakishly good, I had to go back the next day for more before I set back out on the road. First meal - Ribs & Brisket. Second meal - The Z-Man Sandwich with fries. I thought the ribs were great - tender but not so much that they didnt hold to the bone when picked up. But the brisket was where it was at! I still remember that brisket! And the Z-Man! Possibly one of the best sandwiches I have ever had. Brisket + Provolone + Onion Rings + OKJoes BBQ Sauce = Love. The Kaiser roll it was served on was perfect and complemented the interior quite well. The BBQ sauce has a sweetness to it. I ended up picking up some of the Cowtown Bottled Variety for my trip home. All props out to possibly my favorite BBQ place ever. Definitely worth waiting in the line. P.S. IMO, a line is just an indication of the quality. Better a place like this has a crazy line than none at all.
(5)
Charley B.
So, you say you like barbeque? Oklahoma Joe's is a good place to be. This suburban location has the same concept and menu as its older brother from the city. You walk in, wait in line (there is always a line,) you order, you pay, you get your food and then you feast. What's great about this location is the larger dining area and a HUGE parking lot. The line moves a lot quicker here, and as busy as it gets there always seems to be a table or two open no matter the size of your group. I recommend the Z Man or the pulled pork sandwich, a bag of onion rings or the red beans and rice and a nice cold glass of strawberry soda.
(4)
Libby J.
The sandwiches are great, but I live the fries! This is a great BBQ place. You can pick up something fast (as long as it is not 5pm or 12pm because you will wait in a long line since everyone wants the awesome food!) and it still tastes great!
(5)
Justin S.
I am 41 years old and have been eating Bbq for my entire life . I started smoking Bbq and started a competition team about 15 years ago. So I would say I have a pretty good grasp on Bbq . I don't know anywhere that you can get better Bbq in this country ! The consistency of the Bbq at Joes is unreal. They nail it everytime , everyday , every plate period! They are my favorite hands down Bbq joint in Kansas City and in my opinion have the best burnt ends , ribs and rings in the country !
(5)
Rod C.
Great BBQ. I was very impressed with Oklahoma Joe's. My standards might be a little lower than some people when it comes to BBQ, being from California. This was my first time passing through Kansas City and I heard that Oklahoma Joe's was the place to try. It was definitely better than any BBQ I've found in CA. We picked the Olathe location after reading about the lines and wait times at the Kansas City location. We did not regret this decision. There was absolutely no wait for us at Olathe and the service was very quick and efficient. I ordered the Z-Man based on the many positive reviews here on Yelp and it did not disappoint. I'm craving another one right now. Too bad it's 1500 miles away.
(5)
Emily O.
Best BBQ! Get the Z-man, you won't regret it & the fries are to die for. Had to buy a bottle of fry seasoning & original BBQ sauce for home.
(5)
Jessica E.
I'm not a fan of BBQ. But before you get out the pitchforks, I just want to defend myself in saying that I may not be a fan, but I do appreciate it and enjoy BBQ when I get the chance. Now that I feel safe on this forum, now begins my review: I hope you have a smartphone or a gameboy (am I dating myself??) or a book because this line is almost always out the door during lunch time. But it's not for lack of hard work from the cashiers and line cooks, it's just a popular joint. And oh man, is it popular (and within reason!). My workplace usually gets OK Joe's catered for staff meetings or holiday parties, but we also get take-out. The service is stellar. They have things ready when they say they will. So you can bypass the line wrapping around the building to go to the pick-up counter and it's all gravy. If you decide to dine-in, I'm not sure how this happens, but I've almost always found a seat, even if the line is ridic. I'm not a big beef eater (unless it's in burger form) so I usually go with the smoked turkey sandwich and a side of the baked beans. The beans ROCK, no debate over that. The fries and potato salad are good, too. I prefer the spicier sauce over their house sauce; it's got a bit of a kick to it but it's not to the point where you can't enjoy your meal because you're gulping water down by the gallon. The ambience isn't your typical BBQ place. What I'm saying, is that I can rest my elbows on the table and I don't feel sticky for two days after. The busboys are efficient and the staff is kind. The awards on the wall are definitely well-deserved. It was close, but I still do prefer Jackstack. However, you won't have to twist my arm very much to get me to eat here (and that's a lot to say).
(4)
Josh M.
Guess which fat-ass ate an entire order of Oklahoma Joe's french fries last night? You guessed it.. This guy! Pro-tip: Try their smoked turkey.. It's amazing!
(5)
Jason V.
great bbq - had the rips, which were really good. not the best i've had but still really good. brisket was was good too. the fries are amazing and overall, this place is just good solid bbq. only downside, long lines. expect to wait an hour or longer.
(5)
Elibe E.
Oklahoma Joe's is THE best lunch value in metro KC. You can eat like a demigod for $10! Here's the deal: 1. There will almost always be a line here, ESPECIALLY during the M-F lunch hour 2. Check the specials! You can really optimize your nom/$ ratio here folks 3. Bring your friends (this is the best way to sample the entire menu without completely gorging yourself on noms) 4. DO order a beer with your food (e.g, Boulevard Wheat) 5. OK Joe's does a sauce on style bbq that's spicy with a hint of sweetness - standard bread and pickles on the sides. 6. The Z Man Conclusions: OK Joe's is eating Gates' lunch because the sides are superior (especially fries), AND the meats are butchered much cleaner (less gristle, dude). If you don't want to tuck your shirt in and eat in a fancy JackStack environment, this is the next best BBQ in KC.
(4)
Gail W.
We were in Olathe a few weeks ago and felt like BBQ for lunch. Unfortunately, the food we got was awful. The sandwiches were so slathered in sauce that you couldn't taste the meat! Folks, BBQ is about the meat, not the sauce! I had potato salad and it tasted like it was straight from a grocery deli. My husband had baked beans and they were decent, but I'm not going to a restaurant just for beans. Sorry, but we won't be back.
(2)
Long B.
I must be the minority on this, but all the hype was a bit misleading for me. I'll explain a bit later in this review. Arriving to Oklahoma Joe's was a packed parking lot. People were coming in and out of the place, so apparently this is a very popular spot. Walking in, immediately was a huge line from the ordering window to the front door. There are employees running around, making sure the tables were clean and emptied off for new customers, people helping pick up their orders, and then the loud yelling people getting food to all the hungry masses. It was a good 15 minutes before we were able to finally order something. I ordered the combination sandwich, because I wanted to try out both meats. The popular pulled pork, and the beef brisket. I also had a side of french fries, and a water. All together it only cost me about 9 dollars I believe. Your food comes on a very, very small brown plastic tray. Sure makes your food look huge in comparison. Wow, the amount of fries you get is ridiculous, in fact I never finished them completely. I recommend if you're eating with someone to have 1 person order the fries and share them. Unless the other person is a complete fat ass, then order one for yourself. They come seasoned and radiating hot in a white paper sack. The refreshment station had 2 soda pop stations, so that helps alleviate any huge lines of people waiting to fill up their drinks. Now the sandwich itself was not bad. I did feel a bit jipped because the pulled pork half was not cut down the center, so I got barely any pulled pork. The brisket was plentiful. Now here is why I feel I am the minority on this... the meat was extremely dry. It was not even juicy at all like the other Yelper's are claiming it to be. I tried to douse it with a lot of BBQ sauce, but alas it was still dry to me. So the BBQ sandwich was a big let down. Next time I'll try the Z-MAN sandwich and see if that will change my opinion about the place. Overall, I think the atmosphere is great, the people who work there seem to enjoy it for the most part, and the food is fresh. Just expect to be looking for empty parking spots for a while, and then wait for about 15-20 minutes before making your order. Another thing, they only offer 1 type of BBQ sauce, unlike Arthur Bryant's you get 3 choices. If they do offer more than 1, I hope they would incorporate that.
(3)
P M.
What can you say that hasn't been said about this place? It is as advertised. It is the best of what Kansas City has to offer with regard to bbq.
(5)
Chris B.
I dream about lunch here! I used to work in Mission Hills a lot and the gas station was a definite stomping ground. Now that I live in Shawnee, I rarely get to either place but if I am remotely close, I am doing it! I travel frequently and with the lore of Kansas City BBQ, I am always challenged by clients and friends. All pale examples of BBQ and it's hard not to show my disappointment upon first bite, the taste is just not the mouth sex that Oklahoma Joe's is good for. KC has is critics about BBQ and what it really is. I do the rounds to all the other staples in KC but I never get the consistency of service and quality of food that I get with Oklahoma Joe's. that in itself is what drives me back, consistent, reliable and always delicious! I am a bit of a creature of habit, not the normal barbecue eater in that I don't eat ribs. My staple is the Smokey Joe, a side of spicy slaw and an order of fries. It's absolute goodness and more than I can eat but DAMN, it is good, good, good!
(5)
Jared S.
Hands down best ribs I ever had at a restaurant. Do not forget to get the red beans and rice as a side. The Z man is a good sandwich but take a friend as split some ribs.
(5)
Brad H.
Incredible! Perhaps best BBQ I have ever had. Pulled pork was juicy, big bits bit tender. Smokey and flavorful without sauce. BUT the sauce was amazing too! The beans had big chunks of pork and were delicious, sweet but not too much so. It took an hour to get up to the counter, but it was worth the wait. Add in $1.75 draft beers and I love this place.
(5)
John L.
I'm not a huge bbq fan but this was fantastic.
(5)
John W.
those giant lines you see there exist for a reason, this food is the best. the z-man is scrumptious, order it with double cheege (intentional spelling), double onion rings for a boost. if you are having a party their trays/platters/orders-by-pound of turkey are top notch. first and possibly last 5 star review i'll ever give.
(5)
Dan H.
Great pulled pork sandwich. The spicy chicken gumbo was also really good. Definitely worth the 20 minute line. Staff is crazy proficient on remembering your order and passing it down the line to each involved. Kind of reminded me of a NYC deli in that regard.
(4)
Emily C.
Oklahoma Joe's has some of the best ribs I've ever eaten and as a native Texan (yes, that's right, a NATIVE Texan) I've eaten more than my fair share of ribs. So, if you're going to eat here, do NOT skip the ribs. You MUST order them. I came here on a Monday evening for a late-ish dinner (around 8) and it was pretty busy. I cannot imagine the crowds at lunch or earlier in the evening. Oklahoma Joe's has a very unassuming atmosphere... walk up to counter, order your food, pay for your food, get your tea, wait for your tray, sit down and enjoy. The staff are all incredibly efficient and friendly and even though there are quite a few people moving through, the empty tables are all kept clean. For a location in a strip mall, it's actually very pleasant. Now, on to the food... I ordered the ribs and 1 meat plate... As I said above the ribs were heavenly. Oklahoma Joe's has a Jack Daniel BBQ sauce that has a whiskey sweetness to it. For my "meat" I chose the pulled pork. It was also fantastic. I'm used to have pulled pork BBQ in the North Carolina style, so to have it with this type of BBQ sauce was really a treat.... I piled the pulled pork high up on a piece of Texas Toast, added some BBQ sauce and topped it with dill pickle chips... man, I could die happy. It was truly fantastic. For my side, I opted for potato salad. Now, the potato salad was also really good, a perfect balance of potato chunks and creamy potato with a mustard base and fresh dill, but after all of the pulled pork and ribs I only managed a few bites. Since I don't live in KC I was thinking about trying out a new BBQ place every time I visit for work, but after sampling Oklahoma Joe's I'm not sure I'll be able to make myself go anywhere else!
(5)
Kirun M.
This was on my list of to-do in KC. I'm glad I was able to go. I think OK Joe's is a great option for lunch if you get there early enough to avoid the crazy lines, like we did today. Since I'm review number 191, hopefully I don't offend too many people by saying that all BBQ all kind of tastes the same to me. I went here for lunch today and enjoyed my Z-Man sandwich. It had brisket, provolone cheese, and two hefty onion rings on a bun. It was big and satisfying, especially when you add BBQ sauce, but it wasn't anything I need to eat again. I'm not a huge sweet meat fan though...that's my disclaimer. I did appreciate that the brisket tasted good and was lean. I hate when bbq places try to cheat you by using fatty gross meat.
(4)
Charlotte H.
This place is the BEST BBQ EVER!! First of the whole design of the place is nice its very well decorated! They have awards everywhere, magazine clippings, and old photos. There is normally a good sized line but its worth the wait!! The menu is on a big black board and you can read it while your in line. You tell the man once you reached the top of the line what you want and he prints out a piece a paper that the man on the end scans and you pay and get your food. Drinks are located once you have paid to your right. You find a table and EAT!! Omg I can eat the Z man sooooo fast!! Its crazy! If you are new to this place get the Z-man and the fries are to die for!! They BBQ original Sauce they have is perfect! They even sell it also!! They have a little small BBQ store right next door and sell all kinds of items! Please if you love BBQ you need to come here!! Its life changing!! hahaha
(5)
Mike P.
"Let the f#ckers work that one out." - John Lennon on the lyrics to "I Am the Walrus. Lennon was amused that a teacher was having her students analyse Beatles' lyrics. To me Kansas City barbeque menus read like the lyrics to "I Am the Walrus". Burnt Ends, Carolina Style, Short End vs. Long End and Smoke Rings? In an attempt to gain clarity on the subject I sent questions to Clark S. and Reed N. Both Yelpers were very gracious in sharing their wisdom. After reading Clark's response there was zero chance I wasn't having barbeque for lunch. This called for a two man unofficial Yelp event lunch at Oklahoma Joe's BBQ in Olathe, Kansas. It was cool meeting Clark and doing barbeque "research". I had the Beef Brisket sandwich with a side of BBQ beans. I was able to see the smoke rings in the brisket and pick out flavors in Oklahoma Joe's sauces with what I learned. Clark showed me how to look for specs of spices to discern how it was created. I am a student of the Q and this Oklahoma Joe's location is my new classroom.
(4)
Cristie D.
I am from DC so I was excited to try KC bbq. I have had Texas and Carolina style so might as well try something new. I had the rib and pulled pork dinner with fries. The pork was moist and tasty. Not too smokey. The ribs were tender and sweet. The fries were the best I have had in long time. I suggest this place to everyone.
(4)
Wayland W.
Honestly. I don't see what all the fuss is about. Place is expensive and nothing to rave about.
(3)
Erica T.
First, there's a line out the door all the time, but don't be alarmed! The line moves fast and you'll be at the order window in no time. You order at a window and by the time you walk about 6 feet down to pay, your food is ready to pick up. I haven't exactly been a fan of KC style BBQ since moving here, and this is the best place I've found so far. There are two sauces - their original, which is a little less sweet than most KC sauces I've tried, and the spicy, which I found way too sweet, but with a little bit of a bite. The pulled pork is very juicy. It doesn't come with any sort of sauce (I prefer North Carolina style pulled pork) and adding a bit of their original sauce helps. The Z-man sandwich (brisket, provolone, onion rings on a bun) is really tasty and a unique addition to the normal BBQ restaurant offerings. I've also had the pulled pork and sausage sandwich, which was simple and good, and topping each bite with some spicy coleslaw was really yummy. Now on to the sides! The fries are great - crispy and coated in their BBQ rub. The normal order is definitely enough for 2-3 to share - get them! The potato salad is mayo-based and has a lot of dill. The spicy coleslaw didn't seem spicy at all to me. They also have a smoked chicken gumbo that was surprisingly good! Don't let the lines hinder you from visiting OK Joe's. And, if you're in a hurry, you can always call in for pick up or order at the pick up window. You'll be in and out in about 8 minutes!
(4)
Eric D.
In from Dallas, had a decent meal. Ribs were tasty but the sausage was so-so. Sweet tea was perfect.
(3)
Stephanie W.
What can be said that has not been said by the Food Network, Anthony Bourdain, and other critics non par. Food is awesome, service stellar, a real jewel for KC. However, my time is valuable, and standing in line for food for hours is not my thing. So my only suggestion is if you are in a hurry and don't really need to eat there, order it to go. I was on a serious time crunch, and walked in to a hour long line. I saw the to go counter and employees were just milling around. So I simply walked back to my car, ordered my food, and ran some errands at the nearby Target. Came back in 20 minutes to an amazingly packaged lunch which I took home to my happy family, and was back to work in no time. Great food, just have to work the system.
(4)
Aaron R.
Some of the best quick BBQ in KC. Try the iconic Z-Man, the healthier Lean-N-Mean, or a rack of ribs. The "Night of the Living BBQ Sauce" is great especially in the beans.
(5)
SuzySnowflake Q.
After all the hype OK Joe's have gotten, I was expecting terrific food. Instead, it was OK food. If you want great BBQ food, I suggest you go somewhere else. It's Kansas City after all, not Oklahoma.
(1)
FJ H.
When I lived in Kansas, this was my BBQ mecca. Being situated over 1000 miles away does not help my cause. I don't have a BBQ fix!! waaahhh!! My all-time favorites -- half chicken and half slab of ribs if I'm really hungry. However, the two-meat sandwich (brisket & chicken) was my go-to for my lunch needs. Oh and, this place doesn't hurt the wallet; it's appropriately priced and I hope it stays that way. I have to mention this -- and as concisely as possible -- This is the world's best BBQ without a doubt!!! The recognition this place gets from acclaimed food critics is well deserved.
(5)
Vince P.
Ok, a little nervous when the line was out the door. These people have the service down. The line moved quickly and efficiently. I ordered an abundance of food to feed the family carnivore style. Had a slab of ribs, the ribs are great. Tender, tasty, delicious, mouthwatering! Had bbq beef sandwich, pretty good. Tasty and lean, but a little tough. Onion rings are a definite - great! Fries in abundance and they are good! Red beans and rice - different for a bbq place, but good. Now the bad parts. Bbq beans, kinda funky and not a lot of flavor. The slaw, I have to give it two thumbs down. No flavor and just wet cabbage. Bottom line, yeah I would go there again. But, sticking to ribs and onion rings. PS They have strawberry soda.
(4)
Jessica S.
I'm from Texas, you see. And the family (mostly from the uppder mid-west) was all in KC. And we hear all this stuff about "Great Kansas City BBQ." I was a little leery, aren't you? I do enjoy Texas BBQ. So someone recommends Oklahoma Joe's. Oklahoma? Really? You know what? It was actually pretty good. Yes, of course it's different from Texas BBQ. (Let's not go on too long about that). Mom and I shared a rib plate. They were good. And the sauce was good. And those onion rings I got a few bites of were good. I found myself surprised by how much I actually enjoyed it. So, good job, Oklahoma Joe's, in Kansas City, this Texas gal enjoyed the tasty vittles!
(4)
Noor B.
After hearing so much hype from TV personalities, it was hard to imagine that Oklahoma Joe's would deliver, but it sure did. Brisket is tender, well seasoned, and delicious. BBQ sauce is tasty; portions are generous, and the Texas toast is wonderfully buttery. I will definitely be back!
(5)
Sarah H.
I lovvveee me some oklahoma joes!!!! the wait isn't as bad as everyone is making it sound, it's a great tease before the perfect meal. and come on, you don't go to a BBQ place to have chicken, u gotta have the beef brisket! now that I live in texas, I really really appreciate this place. it is not comparable to ANY BBQ place I've been to anywhere! and for less than $10, phew, that's like stealing for this quality! be sure to go to their store next door, it's a dream to be in! I always buy 2-3 of their jars of BBQ sauce & use their seasoning on everything! enjoy this place, it'll be the best meal you've ever had!!!!!!!!
(5)
Tom F.
What can I say about Oklahoma Joe's that hasn't already been said? While the Olathe location doesn't have the panache of the original, it does have one thing... Just consistently the best rack of spareribs you can find in this country, and possibly the world. Nothing else. Do it, you won't be disappointed.
(5)
Kiranbir S.
Z Man. Best BBQ in the world.
(5)
Heath F.
I may be one of the few to admit that I actually prefer the Olathe location over the OG location in the Gas Station. The food is the same perfection, but I just think the cluster of the dining experience is better in the bigger location...big shock. There's not really alot that can be added about this place at this point, but I think this is the best BBQ on the planet, not just KC. By far, the most delicious ribs I've ever eaten, and the Z-Man is what a sandwich was meant to be. Perfect in every way. One item I think gets overshadowed by the rest, but is still the best in town, is the smoked sausage. If I'm going all in with no plans for the rest of the night, I'll get the HogManiac's dinner, with ribs, pulled pork, and sausage. Simply put, the best dinner in all of KC, but will put you in a serious food coma for a solid 8-12 hours. Eat, go home, and put on some sweats, because you are going to be worthless for a while, and it's awesome!
(5)
Graydon M.
I'm a barbecue nut and this place is definitely the place to go. I tried several other restaurants in KC when I was here on business and this is the only one that I'd come back to. I had the Z-Man sandwich on the recommendation of a friend and it was the way to go the first time out. I almost went back for a second one but since I was leaving for the airport directly afterwards I didn't want to sit for hours on a plane stuffed to the gills. This place was packed for lunch too. That is always a good sign. I will be coming back here the next time I'm in town and will expand a bit on the menu. Now I can see why KC is the capital of barbecue.
(5)
Chris L.
Hate going at the height of lunch because I can't always easily get a seat. So that stinks. Too successful for their own good? :) But the meats are fabulous. The fries great. I don't really care for their beans, which is too bad because I loved smoked beans. But their sausage sandwich is one of the best ever.
(4)
David A.
WOW! The food is as good as the gas station location in KCK. The lines are a bit shorter here as the restaurant is bigger and can accomodate a larger crowd. It's a bit more upscale as is the clientele. They also have a separate store for BBQ unlike the gas station which has a small section. Unfortunately it had closed by the time I had finished dinner :( They have a great take out section with all the fixings to help you, too. I ordered a beef brisket (jumbo of course), onion rings and fries. All were to die for! I also smothered my sandwich in both the spicy and the original sauces. This place can't be beat. Funny thing is....I ate here with my friends from Oklahoma. I'm like, why don't you just go to the local one? Get this...IT IS CLOSED. What a shame right? There are few places that draw crowds in KC Metro, but this place is it. Given a choice, I prefer this place, but the gas station is better for the shock value for tourists :) The parking is easy, too. It might be my imagination, but I think the sides are a bit more $$$ than KCK.
(5)
Paul M.
Great place for lunch. Great barbecue. A wide selection of different styles of barbecue as well! Brisket, pulled pork, you name it. great slaw, too!
(4)
Rob S.
4.5 stars and hundreds of reviews tells the story. Great place, well organized, bustling, and excellent quality meats and sauces! Will hit this place again if I'm ever in town.
(5)
Robert P.
Anthony Bourdain was right. The Z Man is great, the pork, the brisket, the burnt ends, all of it. My favorite is their smoked chicken gumbo. Who knew Cajun food lived in BBQ country? Grab anything with a Boulevard (or a Pabst if you splurged in the jumbo sandwich or full slab) and just soak it all in.
(5)
Andrew H.
What can I say that hasn't already been said? The best BBQ in KC. Be prepared for long lines ;).
(5)
Colin B.
As a Texan who loves BBQ, I tend to fall on the snob side of things. Of course I think Texas BBQ is the best, but I realize other regions' BBQ can be very good. However, Okalhoma Joe's might be the best BBQ I have ever had, hands down. Pulled pork? Will make you believe in God. The sausage? Will make you slap a mama. The sauces? Sweet, spicy, flavorful. The french fries? Probably the best I have ever had. Whatever is in that seasoning is the greatest thing to ever go on a fry. We had two sodas, split a sandwich and got some fries and we were out of there for under $13. What a steal.
(5)
Lindsey H.
I've never walked into a bbq joint with so many awards on the walls. When I checked in on 4square, I was informed that this place was also recommended by Food Network. The line was not only out the door, but around the block on a Sunday morning. Luckily the line moves pretty fast, so we probably waited no more than 30 minutes to get our food. The place is very loud, and very casual (it's bbq), but there's a large seating area so there's enough room once you get your food. 4 of us split a full rack of ribs (~$20), and each of us ordered a regular sized sandwich and fries (~$8 each). All of us finished our sandwiches (get the pulled pork specialty, it's amazing), but we hardly made a dent in the ribs and fries. Definitely don't need that much food for 4 people. The sandwich was heavenly, and the pork ribs were perhaps the best I'd ever had. I slathered everything in Oklahoma Joe's BBQ sauce, and was in love. Pro Tips: Call ahead, and get your bbq to go, *or*, get a beer at the call-ahead line while you wait in line for your bbq. With pictures: bit.ly/yr6oHk
(4)
Matt M.
What can I say other than this is my BBQ benchmark. Ive dreamed about a Z-man and fries while on deployment only to wake up to frozen waffles and ultra pasteurized milk. The quality hasnt changed over the years, even when they opened this new location. The new location is more convenient, but its still fun to introduce friends to the original location. These days I find myself mixing more spicy BBQ sauce with the regular, which makes me wonder why all BBQ places havnt figured out this system. If your in the mood on a Friday night and dont want to wait 45 min you could always call in your order to go and pick it up by the time you get to the restaurant.
(5)
Paul N.
I have been participating in the KCBS BBQ competition series for over 10 years and have even taken home a 1st place brisket prize at the American Royal. I know BBQ and I can easily say that this is currently the BEST BBQ in the Kansas City area, by far. I don't usually go out for BBQ because I cook so much of my own at home, but when friends or family are in town, I take them to OK Joes. It's worth the wait to stand in line. PS - I get all of my BBQ supplies from the BBQ store next door.
(5)
Melissa S.
This is seriously the best BBQ ever! Definitely worth the 45 minute drive! Pulled pork or Z-man is a guaranteed hit. Pair with the french fries and extra pickles and I am one satisfied girl!
(5)
Rudy W.
love the ribs and the sandwich. can't go wrong to go to this place for a quick bite to eat and very appetizing. I have to hunt more of these when I travel.
(4)
Thomas P.
I have always wanted to go to the one Kansas City kansas, but the line is always out the door, which is a good sign. But I only have 30 minutes for lunch, they eventually put one in olathe. Me and the wife loved it, we get the turkey sandwich with the slaw on, i think it's the Carolina. There line moves very quick so it's never a long wait.
(4)
Todd D.
Visited this great spot in 2010 and again in 2011 before attending Chief games, will be my favorite BBQ spot for any trip to KC in the future. Go with a group of friends and order up a couple slabs of ribs (they literally fall off the bone). You don't need any sauce but it is great with as well. The z-man sandwich is top notch and the carolina is right there as well. The beans are full of flavor and the spicy slaw has a nice kick. Don't be scared off by the long line out the door, the line is there for a reason (GREAT FOOD) and well worth the wait.
(5)
Casey P.
As if this place needs another review. I recently moved to Texas and every time I come home Oklahoma Joe's is my first stop for lunch. I haven't explored a whole lot of their menu because why change a GREAT thing?? I order the turkey sandwich carolina style and fries. Y-U-M. The buttered bun, messy slaw, and a little bit o BBQ sauce go a looooong way. Their fries are also particularly delicious. I've gone with friends who have ordered the Z-man and have enjoyed it. Really, I haven't heard a bad thing about anything on their menu. I'm a huge BBQ beans fan, but I don't like them here as much as other places. Maybe some day I'll order something else, but until then I've got my order down pat.
(5)
Kansas A.
Oklahoma Joes never disappoints me. I think their ribs are outstanding! I'm a big fan of Kansas City bbq and this is one of my favorites! Its my go to place because its the closest one to me. Sadly I've never been to the original location, I need to do that soon!
(5)
Art M.
Simply the best....pulled pork, ribs, you name it.
(5)
Bobby P.
AWESOME BARBECUE!!! Word's cant describe how delicious this place is! I went on a Kansas City barbecue tour to try and eat at various barbecue restaurants within the Kansas City area. I've been to about 4 out of 7. Oklahoma Joe's is not far from my cousin's house in Olathe, KS so I definitely had to stop by. I took a to go order and ate it back at her place and boy oh boy! It was delicious! A few weeks later my cousin gave it a shot based upon my recommendation and after a sample of my meal. The ribs were perfect! Lots of sauce and fell right off the bone. And the fries? They weren't just plain old fries. These fries had a little spice seasoning on them which I loved!!
(5)
Ericka O.
My husband and I are visiting a friend in Kansas. We are both from California and were told that the BBQ here was great. The atmosphere was fun and casual. You walk right up to the counter in the back and order. The staff back there were very friendly and the food came out quickly. I ordered the pulled pork sandwich, which was amazing. The meat was tender and the sauce was fantastic. My husband ordered a rib and brisket combo. I thought the brisket was incredible. It was so tender and flavorful, it practically fell apart in my mouth. No chewing required! The ribs were good as well, but I thought the brisket was the best. My husband enjoyed a cold beer with his meal and said it was great. I'm really glad we chose to eat here, and am very sad we don't have this chain back home!
(5)
Kim N.
We eat at this location a lot. It is just down the street from our office and it is good BBQ. I would rank it 3rd or 4th in KC. I know this goes against most peoples opinions. The Turkey Sandwiches are great. Tender and Juicy which is hard to do with Turkey. I am not big on the ribs here, every time I have had them they seemed dry to me, like they over cooked them or there wasn't enough meat to begin with. The brisket is also super yummy and tender. I love their sauces which are made by Original Juan's so can't go wrong there. My favorite is the Night of the Living Dead Sauce. The fries are also very good but not as good as Wyandotte BBQ. Same with the beans they are good but not as good as Jack Stack. The atmosphere is crazy but fun. There is always a super long line and you wait to go up and give your order. Be Kind and know what you want when you get up there so others don't have to wait while you make up your mind. Also don't steal tables and hold them for your friends while they order for you. The tables turn quick and you will get a seat, just be patient and be nice. The bus people are great they are quick and efficient and have the tables wiped and ready to go in seconds. Great customer service.
(4)
Samantha M.
Lived in Kansas City all this time but have never actually tried Oklahoma Joe's. I honestly don't know why it has taken me so long to try this wonderful place but I hate that it took me so long. Today I had a girls day out with my friend and recommended OK Joe's before we go to the movies. I bought the brisket sandwich with fries and oh my goodness the brisket was amazing! The meat was so moist/tender it basically melted in your mouth. It was one of the best bbq sandwiches I've ever had. The fries were nice and crispy but they had a little much seasoning on them but it wasn't that bad (it wasn't so much to were I was constantly drinking my water) My friend opted for the pulled pork special with a side of beans. She let me try some of the pulled pork and again the pork just melted in my mouth, it was so tender. I know next time I'll be getting the pulled pork, oh and the beans were delicious either (perfectly smoked). For the both of us it came to a little over $19 which in my mind isn't bad for lunch for 2 people. Highly recommend OK Joe's!
(5)
Kay L.
OK Joe's is part of the holy trinity of Kansas City BBQ, along with Jack Stack and the sainted Arthur Bryant. Anthony Bourdain was on the right track! Several well-deserved championship banners hang on the wall here... one taste of the brisket, tender and smoky, will confirm why. Pulled pork is a house specialty; but the must-try sandwich is the Z-man -- brisket, smoked provolone, and onion rings on a roll, which sounds a bit oddball but is an explosive blend of flavors that just begs to be devoured. Fries were a bit on the limp side, but handcut & fresh. Yes, the lines are always long, but move quickly.
(4)
Grace S.
The food hear is amazing! If it were only about the food this would get 5 stars. The Carolina Pulled Pork Sandwich is a must. It is always so crazy here and there us usually a wait when we go. The are a bit gruff when you order and you better know what you want. Then it is on to finding a table that gets tricky sometimes. We have staked out many a dirty table and on occasion cleaned it off ourselves. BUT REMEMBER! The food is AMAZING!
(4)
Don H.
My absolute favorite thing about KCMO is the BBQ. Well, that and visiting my friends (of course). We usually go to another BBQ place but my friend wanted to try something new with us. So we went to Oklahoma Joe's. First of all: it's in a gas station. And that's no lie. Imagine one of those roadside joints in the middle of nowhere that seemed to have gotten bigger over time mostly to save space or to provent family in-fighting (I want a restaurant! You've had your gas station for 30 years, Phil, and now it's my turn!). Also, when I say KCMO I mean pretty far from downtown area. I think it was something of a 30-40 minute drive. When we pulled in, the parking lot was packed. We knew this was going to happen so we were prepared. And there were 9 of us, including a 4-year old. We stood in line and waited about 25 minutes. We scoped out a table and one of us went to claim it. When I got to the counter, it was quick service. You're best off to know what you want -- you've had 25 minutes to decide, after all -- so I got the brisket and sausage and a side of fries. I also got a 32oz of beverage, which is one of the biggest dispensers, only rivaled by the likes of a 7-11. I got myself the strawberry Fanta because its fizziness cuts through just about anything. And holy !@#$ that was delicious! I was definitely not disappointed. The house sauce was well worth the effort and the fries seemed to have been fresh-picked from the farm. About 5 pounds worth, too. (I'm exaggerating.) It was a delicious meal and definitely a different kind of BBQ that I want to try again. And I miss the burnt ends.
(3)
Jeremy P.
Always a 10 here! Have never been disappointed. The Z-man sandwich is the way to go! For the first time ever, I came here about 1:30 pm and there was no line!
(5)
Erin B.
Have been to the original OK Joe's many, many times, but have never made it to the Olathe location. To my pleasure, it is just as delicious! I had my usual pulled-pork sandwich with fries. It was stuffed to the max with pulled-pork and so so so good! Husband had the Z-Man, brisket with provolone and onion rings on the sandwich with fries ($20 for both meals). We haven't had OK Joe's in almost a year and having it again made us happy we live in KC BBQ country! We went at 6:30 on a Tuesday and the line was almost out the door. Note to visitors: not a place to go when you need to keep a tight schedule. You never know how busy they will be, although the line most quickly and there will be plenty of food for all! But there is order/carry-out option available. Also, to be fair, management asks that patrons don't 'reserve' tables until they have their food. You always have people who get tables before food, but it does help having tables available if it's done in the correct order. More seating in this location than the original (probably helps that it's not connected to a gas station). You tell your meal to the kitchen staff and get your ticket to pay. Wait for your food and grab a table so that you can enjoy your fantastic meal. Visit the BBQ store next door and check out all the rubs and sauces to attempt to recreate OK Joe's at home!
(5)
Lauren P.
This is actually like 7 stars but the max on Yelp is 5... The BEST BBQ. Ever. Stop reading these reviews and just go. Right now. And be happy that you are close enough to have that option. Everything is GOOD, like good for the soul good. The only downside is that they do not serve red cream soda like Bryants. So order a red cream there...then go out to Olathe and order your BBQ and you can die happy. I love the pulled pork sandwiches, ribs, fries, beans, pretty much everything. Just be prepared to wait a bit for the food or call ahead and do take out but it is more than worth it. My mouth is literally watering up just thinking about it...so sad that I dont live in KC anymore.
(5)
Mama C.
The first thing you'll notice, other than the fantastic barbecue aroma, is the long line waiting to order at OKlahoma Joe's! And then, your heart starts pounding as you scan the restaurant for an empty seat, fearing that once you get your food you won't have a place to sit! ARRRRGH! But relax....this method works very well...and by the time you have your food in hand...there WILL be a place for you! So take note those who like to send someone from your party to hold a table! ( I call these folks, Table Hogs). It is NOT NECESSARY..and it is really rude!( and just because you sit there with your face glued to your cell phone screen doesn't mean we can't see you.) But that little frustration aside....the food. my GOSH the food. I don't think the atmosphere matters one bit, even though it is good, it is all about the barbecue! Our family always orders individually our favorite things....AND a slab of ribs. you can't go without the ribs. I've had just about everything on their menu and i've been satisfied with it all. But i have to say, my favorite item....is the Smoked Chicken Gumbo. It is thick and hearty...and just spicy enough...I've never seen a dish like this in a BBQ joint but I can't have BBQ without it. Their sauce is great, not that you need it. but very good. It's a fun, quick place to have a great meal. ALL of our out of town guests are treated to Oklahoma Joe's!
I've been to this Oklahoma Joe's location several times, but the last time I went was well more than a year ago. Today I went back, and it was even better than I remembered. It was lunchtime and we expected the rush, prepared for the worst. But the line really wasn't terrible and we hardly had time to decide what we wanted before the nice man with the very easy-to-hear voice was taking our order. I got the combo pulled pork and brisket sandwich. My BF and I also shared a serving of their massive (delicious) fries and some bbq baked beans. We thought we weren't going to be able to find a seat, but luckily we did find one after we made a lap around the place. It's amazing, they must engineer the area specifically to seat only the people who are dining in. Though the KCK location has more street cred, I don't envy them the parking situation. Come on down to Olathe!
(4)
Megan D.
The brisket is the best BBQ in America!!!
(5)
Robin H.
This place was stop #2 on my business trip turned KC BBQ quest. I can honestly say I was in BBQ Heaven! I had the "Hog -a Mania" that was suggested by the gentleman at the order counter and I am glad I took his suggestion, I even told him so afterwards and Thanked him whole-heartedly. The Hog-a-mania consists of 3 ribs, pulled pork, sausage and 2 sides (I had the spicey cole slaw and red beans and rice) and Texas toast. It was fantasic!! The pork was tender and juicy and the rib meat fell off the bones. The sauce had the right blend of spices, it's not one of those "burn your lips off to hide the taste" sauces. MMMMMM! I will be back!
(5)
Gary M.
Great BBQ. Fantastic environment from when you walk in (including yelling your order back to staff) and just what you'd expect to eat barbeque right. Including lots of paper towel rolls. Had their original sandwich (with the brisket) and fries. Just what was suggested and definitely worth the trip!
(5)
Libby T.
Best place for BBQ in Kansas City! My husband is from KC, and whenever we go back to visit we make sure to stop here for lunch! I personally like their sausage and pulled pork, but I have had the brisket and really liked that as well. The sides are worth getting too. Be prepared to wait in line for at least 15 minutes. The good part is that the food comes out super fast after you order so the wait really isn't that bad. Even with all the people here, we have always been able to find an open table to sit at. We will continue to come here every time we are in the area!!
(5)
Nate A.
Best lunch in Olathe! Any sandwich regular or jumbo. Call in is the way to go if you time restraints, always in and out. We ate there once a week on my crew and always on cue. I take the family there for dinner to sit down and even when the line is out the door the wait is not bad and the ribs are a 10!
(5)
Amanda P.
I've been a recurring patron of Oklahoma Joe's since I moved to Kansas City back in 2007, and I'm just now getting around to reviewing what I consider one of the best (if not the best) BBQ establishments I've ever had. Ribs and brisket are definitely the stars at this place, which exemplifies KC-style BBQ. The sauce is slightly sweeter, keeping in tradition with this style of BBQ, and the meat is fall-off-the-bones tender. My favorite side is the fries, which are always seasoned with the house recipe. Not a fan of the slaw. The crew has been there a long time and I always see the same faces time and time again. The setup is similar to a fast food counter where you place your order and then pick it up and take it to a table. Someone goes around and busses the table afterwards but aside from that there is no table service. Can't remark on alcohol selection, as I'm mainly a to-go patron. The to-go section is nicely organized, with a separate line so you don't have to wait in the main restaurant line - which can get all the way to the door on some days! I advise calling ahead to place to go orders, as this place is usually very busy. Parking tends to be a bit of a problem during the dinner rush - Okie Joe's shares a lot with a bunch of other smaller shops, and it tends to get very crowded very quickly.
(5)
Michelle F.
Well yeah, can you really rate it anything less than 5 stars? Same BBQ, different zip code -- this place is every bit as good as #1.
(5)
Darcy K.
My favorite bbq in all of KC. The Z Man sandwich and ribs are my favorite. I also prefer this location to the original. There is more space, a much shorter wait, and you don't feel so rushed and crowded. The sides are just OK, but the fries are really good. It's all about the meat here!
(5)
Brian N.
It's a GREAT BBQ joint - LOVE the Carolina Pork Sandwich, BBQ Beans, and Chili!
(4)
Graham S.
Have never actually been to the gas station (original) location, but this one seems to faithfully sling out the same world famous OK Joe's BBQ. Doesn't get any better as far as BBQ goes.
(5)
Joseph H.
The reviews looked great, but I don't think it's my style. Someone from Texas said this is the best BBQ they've ever had; that about sums it up. I've only had Texas style BBQ from one place, and while it's alright, I don't think it has any soul. And by soul, I'm talking about Arthur Bryants, Gates, Haywards in the '80s kind of soul. Know what I mean? Back to Joe's: I shared a smoked turkey and a z-man. Everything was prepared well, nice and neat. And therein lies the problem. While I'm eating BBQ, if I can't imagine there's a guy in the back that prepares the meat at 2am or whatever using a hair mop to sop on the sauce occasionally inside the smoker, then the deal is off. Gravitas. Lineage. Tradition. These aren't just words, they're ingredients for God's sake! But it's good. Just watch out for the wait. Sorry Ant'ny, I prefer to eat somewhere else before I die.
(3)
Lindsay H.
Consistent quality? Yes. Memorable experience? Yes. Some of the best BBQ in Kansas City? Absolutely. I think I've eaten at just about every BBQ restaurant in KC. Oklahoma Joe's is easily one of the best dining experiences in the metro. There are tons of reviews about the food so I'm going to focus on the people and the company. I've been lucky enough to work with the staff at Oklahoma Joe's. They have a genuine dedication to the art of BBQ. If you follow their social media, they often post kudos to other local BBQ restaurants. Maybe this says something about their confidence as a leader in the restaurant scene, but mostly it tells me that they are willing to share the very bright spotlight they currently hold. The positive reviews are well-deserved.
(5)
John T.
When I first moved to Kansas City, everyone would tell me that the bbq in KC is the best. Regrettably, I could not agree with this... that is until I found Oklahoma Joe's. This place is bbq at its best. We now eat here at any possible chance! Other bbq joints ive been to are boring with flavorless slices of meat with bread. This place, man, the meat is so juicy and their sauces are awesome. I totally recommend the Z-man sandwiches, and you can not go wrong with the ribs. This location is just as great as the original gas station location. The wait can still be long, but is not as bad as the other place.
(5)
Brent K.
i used to live down the street from the gas station location, and probably went there 4 or 5 times, mostly because i hated the line to get into the place. I go to their Olathe place probably once a month, mainly because I work in OP and it's easily the best BBQ in the state of kansas and that ain't no joke. the lines are never as long as the gas station place, and you can get in and get out and get your BBQ on. I love their meat, all flavors, i love their sauces. the giant bag-o-fries is way too much, and compared to the dinky little beans, it's almost as if they'd rather you just got fries. there's probably nothing that i can say about this place that hasn't already been said, but if you live or work down south, this is a special treat that just can't be beat. top 5 BBQ in KC easily, and very nice folks working for em. I've have never had a bad experience and the place is kept clean, which is more than I can say for some of the more popular BBQ places around town. If you don't feel like waiting in line, call em up and get it to go, much quicker.
(5)
C L.
I don't think you could get more un-American if you flew to France and threw french fries at the American flag...but I am not huge on BBQ. I crave it no more than twice a year. However, I am an accommodating friend, and I will allow you to persuade me into joining you for some BBQ a little more often...IF it's Oklahoma Joe's. There is no equivalent BBQ sauce. Their original is the ideal blend of sweet, flavorful, and spicy. It's not too thick, and not too thin. It spreads, but doesn't run. I prefer it over their hot version. An order of the fries will feed a tiny nation. I don't really like fries, but I eat theirs. No, not because they're good, but because I need a more discreet way of consuming extra BBQ sauce without drinking it directly from the bottle. I've tried several different things here, but I usually stick with a full slab or ribs or a quart of their amazing gumbo. Their faultlessly seasoned ribs are smoky, tender, and not overcooked. Unlike some silly places that serve you some receding jerky left on a dry bone, Joe's slabs satiate. (Say that 5 times fast.) And maybe I'm letting my ignorance shine, but a BBQ place making excellent gumbo? Sure didn't see it coming, but their gumbo is simply marvelous. It has hefty hunks of chicken breast in a thick, orangish-tan roux, just the perfect amount of chopped okra, all the right spices, and finishes with a peppery heat. Really, I crave that more than anything else at Joe's. One Spring, I went to pick up another quart of their chicken gumbo, and one of the guys behind the counter told me that they were gonna have a SEAFOOD gumbo for Lent, so I should be sure to come back soon. Damn me for forgetting about it till after Easter! I wonder if they will do it again next Spring. If anyone has tried it, please let me know how it is!
(5)
G. A.
Burnt Ends. Brisket. Upon arrival in Kansas, the locals tell me I need to go to Oklahoma Joe's, Jack's Stack, and perhaps also Arthur Bryants. This place did not disappoint. On the tables were two sauces, with a bit of tang, a bit of spice, and sweetness. The burnt ends were moist, and didn't need sauce to liven it up. I would highly recommend Oklahoma Joe's!
(5)
Justin F.
I was given the tip to check this place out from ESPN's Pat Forde. He reccommended this place in his point after in the Forde Minutes last week. I pulled up to this gem and could smell the smoke from inside my car. That told me right away this place is for real. The atmosphere inside the restaurant was very good. Lots of flat screen tvs and places to sit. It's a great sit down spot as well. ( Which was not the case at the Gates BBQ I tried on 32nd and Main ) I got a pulled pork and turkey sandwhich. Smoked really well and had alot of flavor. 2 Great BBQ sauces too. The Scary night sauce was a bit hotter but I thought it was very unique. All things considered you could tell this place has been doing BBQ the right way for along time. I even bought 3 jars of their rub for when I cook at home. Looking back I wish I would have bought some sauce. Maybe next time. Would highly reccommend this place to anyone who enjoys BBQ.
(5)
Veronica P.
Delicious BBQ that I look forward to eating every time I visit the KC area!
(5)
Paul R.
Love the turkey sandwich. Sides are big enough for sharing. Definitely in the top 5 of BBQ places in KC.
(5)
Chris D.
Oklahoma Joes is certainly a great place to go, however the one on Strang Line is not as good as the original one in the gas station off of Mission Rd. Their fries are absolutely amazing, however getting inside the door can be frightful. With lines that wrap around the building, make sure that you get there early. Going when you are in a rush will only leave you frustrated. Take your time to enjoy this delectable food! The BBQ sauce is a fairly sweet sauce, but not too sweet like Masterpiece. They also have extremely delicious onion rings! Their BBQ is good, but I would not like Oklahoma Joes speak for all of Kansas City. There are far better restaurants for BBQ in Kansas and Missouri. For example, try Hayward's Pit Bbq & Bar off of Antioch and College. When you are in Kansas, make sure to try all of our BBQ places. Each adds their own flavor to Kansas, and each is unique. Do not let one single restaurant speak for all of Kansas' BBQ places. If you do not like one place, rest assured - there will be one you like somewhere in Kansas.
(4)
Rich T.
BBQ Heaven!!! When your time comes and you land at the Pearly Gates St Peter will say "Y'all git in the truck we're goin up the big house for ribs!" They'll feed you ribs from Oklahoma Joes. I heard angels singing while I was eating them.
(5)
Chris M.
This place is so good it gave me meat sweats. Went with a buddy of mine and we split several items: Carolina Pulled Pork Sandwich, Z-Man and the Half Slab of Rib Dinner. Carolina Pulled Pork Sandwich was very good. I love having pulled pork with slaw on top. The Z-Man was ok. The Z-Man had brisket, provolone and two onion rings on it. Wasn't as good as the pulled pork but still a good sandwich. The Half Slab was really good as well. The meat just fell off of the bone. The ribs could use some more seasoning but I dunked them in the barbecue sauce and it tasted awesome. I think this is the best barbecue in KC and would highly encourage anyone interested in KC bbq to head over.
(4)
Cat C.
During our weekend in KC, family took us here for dinner. I was skeptical of the long line and their "no saving seats" policy because we had a party of 8 and the place was packed! But it went fast and we scored a huge table. Onto the food: The Z~Man Sandwich (Brisket, smoked provolone topped w/ two onion rings on a kaiser bun) -- YUM! Husband called this first so he got the main share of the sandwich. The Hog Heaven (Pulled pork & sliced sausage on a bun) -- I'm not a big sausage fan, but I wanted to try something different than what the husband ordered and I was pleasantly surprised with the flavor. The sandwich was a little dry, but I just added more BBQ sauce and all was good. French Fries -- YES, you must get them. They've got like a cajun spice taste to them. Creamy Cole Slaw -- Good as a flavor breaker upper in between bites of sandwiches. Smoked Chicken Gumbo -- A little on the spicy side, but super tasty. A side order was plenty for us to share with all the other food we had going on. Their food is so yummy, I wish we had one of these on our side of the country!
(4)
Josh B.
TOP NOTCH. Burnt ends - just the way I like 'em. loaded with smoke flavor, tender as can be (and SHOULD BE). I'll go out on a limb and claim "Succulent". Probably the smokiest item tasted on this bbq trip (did I mention I like smoke?) Ribs - long and short cut. Very tender, richly flavored (good smoke content). Sauce or no sauce, these are at the top of the list (maybe second to Artie Bryants) Zman Sandwich: initially - wasn't too keen on this bastardization of good 'cue, BUT....... the guys convinced me to try it and.... not bad, in fact, pretty darn good. thin sliced brisket (you aren't in texas - thats fo 'sho), smoked provolone and that killer onion ring (what do they put in those things????) make a tasty sangwich. course I'd never use up the stomach capacity on something like that, especially when there are burnt ends and ribs to eat. BUT - EN and ET claim its a winner. who am I to say its not? beans: not sure what the big deal is with KC beans, seems like every place makes 'em extra sweet. I prefer less sweetness and maybe a little tang or spice - but thats me. If it ain't broke - don't fix it. Bottom line: If you are visiting KC - Okky Joe's is a must try.
(4)
Jannae R.
It took me a couple of tries to convince my husband to eat here after I told him the original was out of a gas station. Subsequently, several times while he's been driving us around time, we've "miraculously" ended up in the Oklahoma Joe's parking lot at meal time. Our favorites include the Z-Man (not 2 man) and the ribs and brisket dinner. The baked BBQ beans are delish.
(5)
Stephanie S.
Not bad at all! As a native St. Louisian, I have to give props to my hometown fave, Pappy's Smokehouse. But Oklahoma Joe's comes pretty darn close to the amazingness that is Pappy's! The line was SUPER long, which is a little annoying (I want my food NOOOOOWWWW!), but I also see it as a good sign, so whatever. The line moved quickly enough, and soon, we were at the front and ready to order. I'm a huge fan of pulled pork, so of course I went with their regular sized sandwich. The fries looked AMAZING, so I tacked that on to my order. The food was super cheap! For two people, the total was less than 20 bucks. I don't know what else to say! I would definitely recommend it. Is it the best BBQ in Kansas City? I don't know yet...I still have more places to visit!
(4)
Steve T.
Visiting from CA, this is my 2nd time at OK Joes. Good prices, good portions, pretty damn good BBQ. Definitely stop here if you are in the area. I'd say the food here is on par with CA chains like Luceiilles BBQ, and Woodranch.
(4)
Ryan Z.
Many debates as to the best BBQ in KC. Clear winner is OJs. Line constantly out the door but it's worth it for the Zman- a brisket sandwich with provolone and onion rings.If I ever was forced to make love to a sandwich, the Zman would be my first choice. Love it
(5)
Jorge Z.
What I can I say that hasn't already been said? Nothing really. The thing about this place that makes it IMO the best BBQ place in KC is its consistency. I've ate here countless times and I've never been disappointed.
(5)
Mackey J.
i was only here once so i had to try everything i could. i had the pulled pork sando, chicken and ribs dinner, baked beans, bbq beans, and chili. I would highly recommend the ribs bbq beans and pulled pork sando. The chicken was good, but a bit dry. i'd also skip the chili and get double bbq beans.
(5)
Angelica H.
Who knew you could have the best food ever in a gas station??? I ate not only my Z-man but some of the hubbies sandwich that had sausage that was AMAZING and the kids pulled pork and brisket sammy's.... SO TASTY! The fries were also excellent, especially when drowned in some of their sauces. You must try this BBQ joint!!!
(5)
Alicia R.
Hmm. This one is hard, actually. My first time here was great, this past trip, not so much. My first time I had the brisket and ribs, and they were pretty darn good. I think I got potato salad as a side, and it was alright. The second trip: I ordered the Z-Man sandwich and coleslaw. The brisket on the sandwich was great, so no complaints with the actual meat. Sauce is great, too. Kinda wish they had a sweet option, but the regular is grand enough. The provolone didn't really add much, and I have to say I am not a fan of the onion rings. The ones on my sandwich mostly just added crunch, and I had a couple of my friend's, and they also seemed to lack flavor and were a bit too crunchy (I think I prefer crispy over crunchy? These are so crunchy they edge on being hard.) The brioche roll....I know brioche is supposed to be buttery and such, but sometimes it's almost too buttery, and this was one of those times. Was it a bad sandwich? No, but it wasn't awesome. I also got to snag a friend's rib (my friends are pretty cool, huh?), and it was so tender...sandwich, you were okay, but next time I'm going meat-only. That's, of course, where OK Joe's shines. As for the coleslaw...bleh. I didn't like coleslaw as a kid, but these days, I almost always finish it. I only ate half of my cup. It was a decent-sized serving, and texture was fine, but the dressing wasn't sweet enough, it was mostly just creamy and thus bland. I'm also sad that OK Joe's only has a few sides...beans, coleslaw, rice and beans, potato salad, and fries. I will have to try some of the others, as the coleslaw did not win my heart.
(4)
Jason H.
Best BBQ in KC hands down. Never had a bad meal here.
(5)
Justin L.
Best BBQ in Kansas City. There, I said it. Pork ribs are utterly delightful anyway, but this place really knows how to do them. Fries... don't even get me started. Also the best in KC. The only thing that would make this place more perfect would be to have one out by the new Sporting Kansas City Stadium! All in all, it's not only a good introduction to KC BBQ but also really the only one you need to hit if you're just visiting.
(5)
Rich Y.
This IS the best BBQ you will find in KC. I'm confident that I can say that because it's true. Most get the Z-man but I swear by the Carolina style pulled pork sandwich. Served with slaw on top of the juiciest pulled pork this side the the Mississippi River. The baked beans have a great kick and the fries are some of the best I've ever had. None of that screaming at the customer that some local chains market. The food does the screaming for them. You will not be disappointed. They have two locations. A larger restaurant at 119th and Strang-Line that can handle groups or the original in the gas station on the corner of 47th and Mission Road. You'll get the same quality at either place but I prefer the original for the ambiance alone.
(5)
Jeremy P.
Very good BBQ. Loved the brisket an pulled pork. KC style sauce was great (not too sweet). Ribs were good. Not fatty.
(4)
Eric N.
This was the final stop on our BBQ tour of KC. We went to the Olathe location, and when we arrived at 130pm, the line was out the door. It was a spacious dining room, and a very efficient staff behind the counter. We ordered enough for 3, and here are the results of our lunch: The Z-man sandwich - Brisket, provolone, and two onion rings, slathered in BBQ sauce. Awesome because of the multitiude of flavors and textures. Short end 1/2 rack of ribs - Very smokey, tender, and tons of flavor. Had a small amount of sauce, but it was just right. Very close in quality to Bryant's. Burnt Ends - Extremely tender and very tasty. Quite smokey, and served without much sauce Pulled pork - Billed as the house speciality. For KC, it was the best in town. A very good sandwich, with a good amount of flavor. Not super smokey Overall, this just about ties Bryant's as my favorite BBQ spot. It was definitely in my top 5 nation wide, and was a great way to end our BBQ tour of KC.
(5)
Melanie N.
While RJ's is my favorite BBQ spot, Oklahoma Joe's comes in a close second. The food is good, reasonably priced, and comes in pretty large portions. Among other things, their fries are SO addicting, and can definitely be shared. Oklahoma Joe's has been listed by Anthony Bourdain as one of the top 13 places to eat at before you die. The place gets crowded, but the line moves pretty fast.
(4)
Johnny B.
Oklahoma Joe's is the real deal. My only complaint is I could take or leave the ribs - didn't do much for me. Not a ton of flavor in the rub, had to dunk them in sauce (which was outstanding). The Z-Man brisket and the pulled pork sandwiches were both delicious, smoky and moist. Both stood up on their own well or with some sauce added. The Night of the Living Dead sauce is delicious and very unique. The fries were covered in some awesome seasoning salt. Would definitely wait in line again for another Z-Man with beans and fries.
(4)
Paul W.
Very greasy, out of the three orders two were very over cooked, badly burnt. Will not be going here when zardas is so close. Those that rave about joes have not eaten good bbq.
(1)
Jason G.
Best BBQ in KC? Quite possibly. If the overwhelming number of 4-5 star Yelp reviews doesn't convince you, drive by this particular location (or their KCK location) during peak business hours (people don't wait in 100 ft+ long lines for "mediocre" BBQ). Still not convinced? Check out the countless awards/accolades on the wall. Still not convinced? Well, you must have some validation issues. My weapon of choice here is the beef brisket sandwich. Tender texture, smoked to perfection, doused in divine sweet & spicy BBQ sauce. If you prefer a spicier BBQ sauce, the Night of the Living Dead is where it's at. I haven't experienced their sides, but the fries are delightful (albeit a tad overseasoned). I've committed myself to trying the Z-Man sandwich on my next visit.
(5)
Danny B.
My favorite of the KC BBQ joints... superior to Arthur Bryants, can go toe-to-toe with Gates. The Carolina sandwich and brisket are must haves. Grab some of their Cow Town sauces and rub to take home with you... you'll thank me later.
(5)
KungFu T.
All I have to say is, get the Z-MAN! Anywhere from the saunce and the meat of this place is the best BBQ I've ever eaten.
(5)
Lawrence P.
The Pulled Pork is good - moist & you can taste the smoke flavor. Everyone raves above the Z-man - but I think that it is just "OK."
(4)
Frank L.
Not as good as the original. Best sauce around.
(3)
Rolland M.
This is the hands down best lunch BBQ spot in all of KC and the BBQ in KC is the best in the World!! The meats are all outstanding. You cannot pick a bad sandwich and should really visit more than once and try them all.
(5)
Jim W.
Absolutely the BEST! Check out the foodies and critics who also give this BBQ rave reviews. EVERYTHING on the menu is great! While you are there (the Olathe location) check out the Kansas City BBQ Store in the same strip mall--amazing selection of rubs, sauces, equipment and great service.
(5)
Turf B.
Had the pork sandwich, and shared beans, creamy slaw, rings and fries with others. Everything was killer. Does this place need another 5-star review? Maybe not, but they've earned it. It's huge and the place was packed, even at 2:00 pm. Be sure to check out the adjacent BBQ shop - damn near every sauce and rub you can imagine for sale.
(5)
Brent G.
Great BBQ - some of the best in the area!
(5)
Chet F.
The best BBQ, PERIOD!!!! As we all know Kansas City has the best bbq in the nation. Yah, some might disagree, but it's true and that's why the bbq championship is held there during American Royal every year. Well OK Joe's is the best in Kansas City. Every item on the menu will make you weak in the knees. The ribs, brisket, pork, and even chicken is bbq'd to perfection. To boot, I never liked baked beans or potato salad until I tried it here. The best beans you will ever eat! The french fries and onion rings come in sacks the size of grocery bags. More than enough for the entire table in 1 order. Bbq is a big thing in the midwest, and they do it up right. The Night of the Living bbq sauce is so good that they sell it by the gallon, yep I said gallon. I have the sauce shipped out to Seattle because nothing else compares to the flavor and heat it nurtures you with. MMmmmmm! There is a reason Anthony Bourdain put this on his top 13 places to eat. Don't ever miss the chance to eat at OK Joe's if you are in the Kansas City area. Yes, there are plenty of other great bbq joints in KC, but this will have you talking about bbq for the rest of your life.
(5)
Tony M.
I've had Bryant's, I've had Jack Stack's, Oklahoma Joe's is the best by far. The ribs were extra tender and juicy, the sides were plentiful and tasty, the chicken is to die for. Being on the west coast and visiting friends in O.P. is always a treasure and now is the only destination for food when I am there. The place is always packed, the line out the door is there for a reason, because it's that good.
(5)
Darin C.
This place has the best beef brisket sandwiches in K.C. They also have really good french fries. I always get the same thing when eating here so really cannot comment on anything else. Looks like I might have to try something else someday judging by the reviews.
(5)
Rodeo G.
Straight up ridiculous.. Line moves fast, and wednesdays/sundays are burnt ends I believe. Have not had a bad dish yet. Supposably, there seems to be a debate about the best BBQ in KC.. NOPE, here is the winner.. Bryant's brisket is great, Gate's Ham is bauwass, Jack Stack's sides are just silly, Woodlawn BBQ chili is dank, and wood selection for smoking is premier, Bubba's green beans are top notch, and RJ's breakfast and sliced sausage sando is PRIMO.
(5)
Jason W.
The meat is good but as a former KC native, there are many places which have good BBQ from a flavor standpoint. What is concerning is the price for the amount of food you get. I paid 7 bucks for a sandwich which barely had enough meat to cover the bun and was only about a quarter of an inch thick. There are too many other great BBQ places in KC to go to which give you awesome portion sizes for the same money or even less, to bother with this.
(2)
Estebam F.
Ribs we're great but a little salty. The brisket was to die for.
(5)
Stephanie P.
This is the best BBQ in KC. Everyone else with the great comments, I AGREE. Nuff said. Try it and you'll be hooked.
(5)
Andrew J.
So....um.....question? How in the hell did I live in Kansas City for this long and fail to visit OK Joe's till now?? In a word, PHENOMENAL. It would seem that I have a new place to add to my short list of best barbecue in Kansas City (and therefore, best in the world). Since we were short on time, my wife and I decided to visit the location near our house, on 119th and Blackbob, and not the famed Gas Station locale. The place was slightly touristy, albeit in a charming sort of way. The restaurant is connected to a BBQ supply shop, and a selection of smokers for sale sit prominently in the entryway. We waited in line for about 15-20 minutes before finally sidling up to the counter and ordering our food. Here's the breakdown: CAROLINA PULLED PORK SANDWICH: Delicious, tender, slathered in coleslaw, on a nice sesame seed bun. Loved it. RIBS: Oh, man. UH-MAZING. Fall-off-the-bone deliciousness, covered in a beautifully spicy rub. You could eat it without sauce, though I heaped mine with some of the sweet-smoky-spicy-molassassy goodness that they offer here. These are among the best ribs I've had. Period. BRISKET: Perfectly cooked. Lots of great smoky flavor, but still moist and juicy. Cut super-thin and melt-in-your-mouth delectable. I'm getting hungry just thinking about 'em... POTATO SALAD: Very tasty, with a generous addition of dill that gives it a slightly unique flavor. BBQ BEANS: Very, very good, though something of an outlier among typical Kansas City offerings. The best way to explain them would be as a mashup between traditionall BBQ beans and chili. The flavor profile and texture is somewhere in between. But yes, very tasty. FRENCH FRIES: Perfection. Don't know if they're fresh-cut or not, but they're hot, delicious, and a perfect salty foil for the sweet/spicy BBQ that OK Joe's serves up. All in all, a splendiferous experience, and a great value. My wife and I got all of this and two drinks for only $28. Oh, yes. It's true. As soon as the bloat subsides, I can't wait to go back!!
(5)
Mark G.
One of the best bbq restaurants I've ever been to. It's rare to find a place that does both meats and sides well. This place pulled it off quite nicely. I had a beef and pork sandwich and beans. Will definitely return to this place if I'm ever in the KC area again. Lunch crowd was huge. Try to get here by 11:30 if you don't like waiting in line.
(5)
Holly H.
Best BBQ I've ever had! I love this place. Growing up in Kansas I always loved BBQ, but wasn't really a fan of the BBQ sauces, just the style of food. It wasn't until I found Oklahoma Joes that I found a BBQ sauce that I love to eat! I use the regular sauce and add in some of the hot sauce to spice things up on anything that I order there! So yummy! I completely miss this place now that I've move to Florida. You can't find any good BBQ here! I stopped by Oklahoma Joes whenever I go back to Kansas to visit family!
(5)
Keith T.
Great place today a variety of BBQ meats. Make sure you come with a group & order different meals to sample the difference.
(5)
Bill M.
Wife loved her Z-man. I loved the fries. The line you stand in to order took about 25 minutes. It was actually out the door. But 2 minutes later you're walking to a table with your order.
(4)
Dolphyn N.
Z-Man... yum!!!
(5)
David C.
Oklahoma Joe's is terrible. Jack Stack BBQ is so much better. I booked them for my wedding and they agreed, signed the contract, gave them a deposit, etc. Two months later they emailed me and said they were canceling because they "couldn't make anymore food." So stupid! We only booked them because they were cheap, however we are glad that this happened because now we can book Jack Stack BBQ which is so much better. Arthur Bryants, Gates and Jack Stack are far better than OK Joe's. People only like it because it started in a gas station which makes it "cool" when in reality it's just normal BBQ, not good not bad. It's also franchising out and becoming the McDonald's of KC BBQ. Save yourself some time and money and eat at Jack Stack where it's a way better environment and all around better food. DO NOT EAT HERE!
(1)
Destiny S.
I am usually not into BBQ but this place was awesome. Went there for my Moms birthday and everyone in my family enjoyed their meal (even my 1 year old nephew). The portions were massive and the fries were top notch. Will defiantly visit again
(4)
Joyce L.
Now this is awesome bbq, better than Jack Stack's I'd argue. Ribs perfect fall off the bone. Sauce--spicy, yum! Pulled pork sandwich, to die for. Sides--oh so good. And all these good things to say even though this was our second dinner of the evening! Imagine if we'd have eaten this on an empty stomach? Do it up!
(5)
J O.
Counter service was fast and priced fairly.Very good value for the quality of food you get. Ribs were very large, brisket was thin and flavorful. Coleslaw is good. The dinning room was clean and not overly loud for the amount of people there. Two thumbs up!
(5)
Stephen R.
This place is just a breath away from 5 stars in my book. Really excellent BBQ. There's not much to elaborate on with the food. It's just brilliant. These are ribs the way ribs should be. Tender, and falling off the bone. The sauce is as close to perfection as you could hope for. Why no fifth star then? The whole join stinks of suburban strip mall... and that's because it's in a suburban strip mall. But the real issue is that it dresses itself up too much like a Chilis or Applebee's when it simply doesn't need to. The other annoying part is the line. I'd just rather not stand in line for $16-20 worth of food. It does move fairly well, but it seems out of place for what should be a real restaurant. But don't worry about all that. If you're anywhere near this Olathe and you like BBQ: EAT HERE!
(4)
Wendy Y.
This place Rocks! If you go to KC you have to come here. Best BBQ I've had!
(5)
Randy B.
Spent a week in Kansas City, and asked around - this was the locals favorite and I can see why. Great food - once you park in the parking lot, you can smell the bbq... Hope I can return soon and enjoy the best bbq in the city.
(5)
Ken N.
This place is amazing! I was lucky enough to get introduced to this place by my cousins when we came into town. After eating at various BBQ places and getting disappointed our cousin told us about this diamond in the rough. Once we arrived to the original spot (the gas station location) we know it had to be good. The was out the door and people were all willing to wait just to get some BBQ. This was obviously a good sign. After waiting and deciding what to eat, one thing caught my eye and that was the Z MAN! OMG this is totally amazing, what is better than stacks of amazing meat and to top that off an onion ring?! After eating that there, every time we go to Kansas this is the spot we look forward to going. The last time we visited one of their newer locations and were able to get the chili and had it loaded. This is definitely to die for! The pork rind, onion, jalapenos, and cheese really makes the chili a winner. My mouth is drooling as I'm writing a review. If you go here, those are two that items I would definately recommend.
(5)
Josh S.
Attention Z-Man Lovers: Try to Carolina Pulled Pork Sandwich with spicy slaw and a side of half original/half spicy sauce. Yes, the slaw goes on the sandwich! Ok, maybe the gas station is a better atmosphere for some bbq - but I really could care less when I want my bbq fix. I could go on and on with all the menu items I've tried here - but we all know what to order: The Z-Man or the Carolina Pulled Pork
(5)
Greg H.
My sister insisted on dragging us here.......I've been disappointed with the food here in the past and today was no exception. Brisket was tender but not smoky and almost no smoke ring. Fries are not fresh cut and are way too salty. The beans tasted more like chili. And the "spicy" cole slaw was anything but. I don't understand all the hype for this place. Overrated.
(2)
Jeff R.
Best BBQ in KC. Period. I eat here quite a bit, and also at the location in KCK, which is in a gas station! If you haven't eaten at the original location, you should - just to experience the ambiance. The Hog Heaven sandwich and fries is....heaven! My favorite, and what I usually get. I also ordered their BBQ for my Superbowl party last year - ribs, brisket, pulled pork and sausage - all delish!
(5)
Timmy J.
I love this place! This place is so good you better get there early.
(5)
Chris D.
I told myself I wasn't going to bother ever writing a review for this place because everyone already knows how good it is; but I felt compelled. Stopped in today for probably the 100th time. I have rarely strayed from what I believe to be one of the best sandwiches I have ever had; the Carolina style pulled pork sandwich.....awesome. But today I felt like ribs. Somehow I have just never had the ribs here. Wow....damn good ribs. Nothing new to say, just damn good ribs.
(5)
Nicole B.
Best.BBQ.Ever!!! There aren't words to describe it. I always get the Z-Man and Onion Rings. Just order it and you won't be disappointed. The End.
(5)
Annie B.
I was recently in town for a business trip for my new job. I was only around for 1 night so when the crew in the office and the big boss man asked me where I wanted to eat, I asked for something local that I couldn't get in Colorado. They all unanimously picked Oklahoma Joe's. From what I had heard from others, my hours spent staring at Food Network on TV and from the locals I spent time with in Kansas, the folks in Kansas know their BBQ! After my experience, I have to agree! You walk in to this place and wait in line (which is not something I usually enjoy). The line was out the freakin' door! At least the group I was with was a lot of fun so it didn't seem like a long wait. I also noticed that there was a framed newspaper article by the door featuring Anthony Bourdain and how he ate at Oklahoma Joe's and enjoyed it. I knew I was in for a treat after seeing that article! It's an order at the counter type place, walk down to the end of the counter, pick up your beer and your tray and find a table. I had a smoked chicken sandwich that was dripping with BBQ sauce and mayonnaise. They also stacked a little pile of thick cut dill pickles on the plate, bonus! I had a side of spicy slaw which was decent and one of the people I was with got a couple racks of pork ribs, fries and onion rings to share with everyone. It was quite a smorgasbord! The food was fantastic! I had never had a smoked chicken sandwich like that before! The ribs were so tender that they were falling right off the bone. I'm not a huge meat eater (or at least not meat in such huge portions and without some healthy veggies to balance it out) but this was one awesome exception! There was a full roll of paper towels at the table plus a couple of BBQ sauce flavors to choose from. A nice addition to the meal! The down side was the beer. I had been hearing about a local brewery called Boulevard and how great their wheat beer is. I got a Boulevard wheat (which was on tap) with my meal. It was just OK. Sorry Kansas, but I'm a Colorado girl and we not only have more micro-brews than I can list, but just about any one of them could kick Boulevard's ass! I will hand it to Kansas for their BBQ, but next time I come out, I'll have to bring some Colorado beer with me to add to the feast! Overall, Oklahoma Joe's was fantastic! Those of you that are local have a real treat in your neighborhood!
(4)
Chris T.
I normally go to the KCKS location off of Mission but was meeting coworkers at this location. The food is top notch and there's a BBQ store next door. OK Joe's is by far the best BBQ in KC. Go with the Z-Man!
(5)
Noel J.
4 AM The sun is just beginning to peak over the treetops, as I cower in the fetal position in my Seattle condo. I crave the sauce! Even here, two thousand miles away from Kansas City, I can, at any given time, point directly towards Oklahoma Joe's. It's like some pulled pork voodoo magnetism is inexorably calling me back. A craving that can only be satisfied by that sweet/spicy concoction slathered over a Z-man. Yes, you can import the sauce online. And rumors of me studiously donned in a lab coat, trying in my kitchen to reverse engineer the stuff are only marginally fictionalized. It's true - my favorite restaurant IS in a gas station!
(5)
Melanie T.
"Smoky" flavor with a hint of butane best describes the food here. I really wanted to love this place as much as everyone else seems to, but I'm just not sure I can. I get that KC BBQ is suppose to be smoky, and this certainly was, but my mom kept saying she tasted butane and I have to agree. I had the smoked chicken dinner with a side of slaw. For anyone who's familiar with the standard that Babe's Chicken in Dallas has set, let me tell you, Oklahoma Joe's missed the mark. The first bite I had I thought "Wow! This is pretty good!" It was tender and smoky and delicious, but by the time I swallowed, I had a funny chemical aftertaste. And the slaw was soooo bland that I kept taking bites to try to detect some flavor. It tasted like bagged cabbage with whipping cream poured over it. No salt, sugar, vinegar... Nothing! I didn't try the spicy slaw because the lady behind the counter said it was the same but with cayenne pepper sauce mixed in and I'm not sure that sounds much better. Mom ordered the ribs and brisket combo with the baked beans, which I happily helped myself to. The ribs were pretty good. They weren't as meaty as some I've had, but they were prepared well and not dried out. They also had the strange smoky flavor. The brisket was fairly tender, a bit on the dry side and not smoky. It was okay, but if you want excellent brisket that is so tender and juicy it melts in your mouth, go to the original Arthur Bryant's on 17th & Brooklyn. OMG! Oklahoma Joe's serves good baked beans, but again not the best I've had. The dish is a potpourri of mixed beans, leftover meat pieces and hot dogs that is fairly saucy and not too sweet. I will try Oklahoma Joe's once more and order the Z-man, a brisket sandwich with onion rings and provolone and a side of potato salad or fries. But not before I go back to Bryant's!
(3)
Matt J.
This place is the only place in KC I will get BBQ. This place blows Arthur Bryant's out of the water. I normally get the brisket/pulled pork combo. Under $10 and just the right amount of food. Don't be discouraged if the line is really long, it goes pretty quick. The line here is backed up up to the door a lot... It's not because they have been featured on different shows or because famous people have eaten here... It's because they have great food. Also check out the BBQ store next door.. They have great supplies and spices. The only place I've seen you can buy wood chips in bulk. (Chips, chunks, pellets and logs.)
(4)
Dee W.
OK, any place that has a line out the door is worth the wait! I was not disappointed and the ribs were very good. The menu offers a verity of dinner, meats and sides. In fact, let's talk sides. I'm from New Orleans and when I say that their smoke chicken gumbo is to die for, I meant it. It's a meal by itself. You owe it to yourself to go twice. Once for the staple items, like ribs and pull pork. However, your second trip has to be for that smoke chicken gumbo. WOW!!!
(5)
Jeff Z.
Very very good BBQ. A great place to take out-of-towners for KC BBQ. Also a great place for takeout. You gotta have the Z-Man sandwich.
(5)
Justin P.
Round Two and I wanted ribs, so we hit Oklahoma Joe's to satisfy this craving, for more beans, fries and whatever else I could stuff in my gullet. This place was awesome, but since we didn't want to wait in line we didn't go to the original in the gas station so this one felt a little touristy/strip mall-ish. Truth is Oklahoma Joe's boasts a ton of trophies for BBQ battles, everyone was friendly and they even let me take a picture of/with the smokers, but Max indicated that if they changed the name to Kansas Joe's they may have more converts and even more local support HA! (I am still trying to understand this strange smokey BBQ'd city...even the name of the street it was on was Strang Line Rd). The ribs were scrumptious, tender meat that literally slipped of the bones if you held it vertically, and a pungent, yet not overpowering smokiness that I truly enjoyed. The beans were good, but nowhere near Gate's or Zarda's apparently, but the crisp, golden skin-on fries were a godsend (is that a bit much?). I preferred their sauce here, mostly because they give you bottles to douse at your leisure, like hot sauce at a taco shop, but more so I felt the flavor had a touch more sweetness. And herewith is the endless argument that divides this city, which is divided by a river. Sweet, smoky, spicy...umami, whatever you like you will find it in KC. And I only hope I get to go back for an extended stay to compare them all. Right now I am crying in my San Diego BBQ, which offers only feeble attempts at imitation. How humiliating. I dig KC; any place that feels this passionately about food, will hold a place in my heart...or stomach. People were genuine, and it's all gravy, except for the freeway system which is 1000x worse than any in California. Ending up on Troost and Grand at midnight was a real treat though! Gang signs and BBQ sauce make fickle bedmates.
(4)
Bob H.
Love this place. Very casual BBQ place that was right across from my hotel. The food was really good. I had the tri-tip sandwich.
(4)
Magan T.
I don't feel the need to say much after reading the other 5-star reviews except that this is the 1st place I have ever craved BBQ from. I love the Pulled Pork sandwich with the spicy sauce and fries. I get the Kid's meal since they give you a huge portion of fries when you order them as a side separately. Those are for sharing! =) I miss you Okie Joe's! I have also ordered pounds of Turkey, Ham, and Pork as take-out for large family dinners and it is always a BIG HIT!
(5)
John R.
Had been to the "gas station" location a few times. The Olathe location is bigger and just as yummy. My favorite BBQ in KC!
(5)
Barry B.
Okie Joe's as it's known is a place that seems fun and has decent BBQ - IF and I mean IF you're NOT from Kansas City and you don't know any better. Good sauce which is imperative to start - however the meat was only mediocre and the fries are gimmicky. The ribs were not flavorful.. The best thing I had was the sliced meat sandwich, but the pickles are louzy. The okie sandwich was slathered in sauce and NOT good. Thank God they have strawberry soda. OK okie in a pinch but Gate's forever is all I have to say.
(3)
Uomograsso U.
My wife and I went to Oklahoma Joe's for lunch on a Saturday. We got there a little after 11 am when they open. The place was already about 1/3 full and by the time we got out food and sat down the line was out the door. We got the rib +1 meat dinners. She got the brisket and I got the pulled pork. It comes with 1 side and we both got the fries. Their side of fries is enormous, more than enough for two to share. My suggestion is if you are going with someone, one order the fries and the other order a different side and share. The food was excellent. Every time I have gone to Oklahoma Joe's or gotten take out it has been fantastic. The brisket is tender with a nice smoky flavor as is the pulled pork. The ribs are meaty with a nice flavor as well. I have tried all the "name" BBQ places in KC and Oklahoma Joe's is the best in my opinion.
(5)
Phuc N.
This place cam highly recommended as THE local's favorite BBQ joint. There is definitely now messing around here as it's BBQ as it's finest. Since it was the first time for a few of us, we went for the smorgaborg: full slab, pull pork sandwich, beef brisket, sausage, fresh cut fries, baked beens, onion rings, and gumbo (or was it jumbalaya). The ribs are the main event here, tender-fall-of-the-bone type with an excellent rub to top it off. Utensils are definitely optional here and this has made me a huge fan of spare ribs. Everything else was also very good but are still only an accompaniment to these ribs. BBQ Sauce: "Night of the living..." is probably the best sauce I've ever had. It has a perfect blend of spiciness and sweetness that creates a level depth that makes it very satisfying. We buy cases of this stuff and is out number choice for all things BBQ. If you're in the area, you MUST come check this place out.
(5)
Tai D.
Wow. I make it a point to have lunch here every time I come to Olathe to visit our John Deere clients. Some of the best KC style BBQ ribs I have ever had. I'm sure there are better but coming from California and having being raised on dry rubbed Santa Maria Tri-tip, this sauce based hunk of burning love is absolutely outstanding. Clean digs. Efficient (but very busy) service. Wonderful food.
(5)
Sam B.
Brisket was pretty good. Is that all the meat I get!?!?!
(3)
Sarah F.
My husband and I's favorite barbecue place in KC.
(5)
B Q.
Great BBQ. Place was very clean the vibe was great... line out the door! It really was top notch BBQ. I had ribs and brisket...ribs were very good. Sides were ok
(5)
Ryan W.
Best BBQ I've had in KC so far. Get anything with the pulled pork and you won't regret it. The brisket is also very delicious. Don't be afraid if the line extends out the door when you arrive; it moves surprisingly quickly. And it's totally worth the wait.
(5)
Kev L.
Take it from a Louisiana Transplant. If you ask who has the best BBQ in Kansas City, you are bound to receive a wide variety of responses. However I can personally say that after living here for five years, I can personally put my seal of approval behind Oklahoma Joe's BBQ for best in KC (If not the whole country). And my fetish for this place is far and beyond the myriad of BBQ competitions the place has won. (Or the fact that Anthony Bourdain ate there and absolutely adored it) Pulled pork is the specialty here. A Jumbo Pork sandwich here is one of life's pleasures. Instantly my favorite pork sandwich of any-kind, anywhere. Period. The sausage here is also the best in town. Flavorful and extremely tasty, I have caught myself ordering it a-la-carte to go as it is one of those things you can crave for at any moment. and the ribs? Let's just say that I never ever cared for ribs till I had them here. They are super! Brisket here is above average, however I would not say it's the best in town (I would say Gates or Jack Stack is better, and of course portion sizes at Gates are pathetic) Brisket is sweet with medium smoke tones. As far as side items, the fries here are seasoned and some of the best around. However at times, depending on who's running the show in the back, the fries can come out a bit salty. They are however fried to perfect texture and are crispy. The Chicken Gumbo that's on the menu is definitely not authentic Cajun by any means, but it is stupid delicious. Very few restaurants outside of Louisiana can make okra in a dish without turning it into a slimy mess. Baked beans and potato salad are also above average but nothing to go crazy about. My only drawback to this place is the (almost un-ethical) long lines at both locations. It's sheer torture to wait in line for this stuff, especially if you are hungry. However, the wait is ALWAYS worth it in the end. this place does NOT disappoint and there is no such thing as an "off-day" with the pro's smoking in the back., Oh, and the sauce . . . . . . I mean . . . . . . it's not even fair. There's a regular and a spicy version. And both are absolutely to die for. I actually brought a bottle of cowtown BBQ sauce with me to Bryant's once (I do not care for the vinegar stuff). To this day, I don't know how I made it out of there alive. People, this sauce is serious and it will bring the pain to any other sauce out there. In short, if you are looking for the best pork you have ever had in your life, this is it. It simply does not get better than this. It is a must-visit for out of town visitors, family and friends!
(5)
Lori T.
My favorite BBQ in KC. I love that we have the Strang Line location but before it was here, we drove to the gas station location. Best advice I have is to call in your order in advance and pick it up. There is always a line when I go there. My personal choice is the Carolina pulled pork with slaw. I cannot resist their fries but luckily the orders are so huge I just steal a couple from husband or sons (when they are not looking). Don't forget them for tailgates and catering. Huge trays of meat and it will go very fast!
(5)
Kore P.
Ohh yeah... the meat just fell off the rib bone and had a nice smoked flavor. Would not mind a hotter BBQ sauce to go with it as I like things really spicy. If you are traveling through the area on 35 this is definitely worth the short drive for great food.
(5)
Dawn D.
OMG! I am not a BBQ fan but went along as we had visitors from out of town that really wanted some KC BBQ. I had the Z-man sandwich and am now a total convert! Loved it! Can't wait to go back!
(5)
Rhett T.
If you are in KC and really like BBQ, Oklahoma Joes should be on your short list. Great Midwest BBQ. Besides, they have a BBQ specialty store with every tool and rub known to man.
(5)
Fernando R.
One of my favorite BBQ eateries in KC. The Z-man is my favorite. Great place and nice atmosphere. Just expect long lines during lunch and dinner, but it's not too bad.
(5)
Holly Y.
BEST and I do mean - THE BEST pulled pork EVER! Love their ribs too! Baked beans & cole slaw - NOT worth it! Fries - BEST EVER! Love their sauce too! Lines are always out the door they are so good!
(5)
D G.
Count me in for 5 stars here. Best fries I've ever had. The ZMan is the option to go with. Those that know it stop getting everything else. Is it pricey for BBQ, sure but considering you don't need a tip and there is a ton of staff to pay for great service and getting your food fast to your mouth.
(5)
Bret s.
I have to say that I have had some good BBQ and will say that this is probably in the top 3 the only reason 4 stars is because of a pretty bad beer selection which is essential to the experience in my opinion. I would say the line was really long and we waited a good 20 min to put in our order which only took maybe two minutes to get served. You cannot blame a place well known for a long line and in this instance we were happy to wait in fact I like to see a place doing enough business to keep a healthy line as long as it is not a lazy thing making it happen. Now I got the ribs and pulled pork and man so good loved them both and the portions were massive plenty for two people or one healthy-ish Midwesterner. Even with the long line seating was not a problem for us and I was carrying a car seat which makes us kind of picky on seating (so no one walks by and drops hot food and the such). I would like to check out original location one of these days but in the meantime for killer BBQ check it out for sure it is easy to get to right off of 35 and worth the wait.
(4)
David M.
In my opinion this is the Gold standard of BBQ! I compare all other BBQ places to this. I love the jumbo brisket. It is juicy and good. I alway ask for it on unbuttered Texas toast. The fries are out of this world, the put (I think) garlic cayenne and sugar on them, not quite sure but whatever it is it's so good I ask for extra fries sprinkles on the side. This is the best brisket. I have ever had. Love the brisket, the sauce is sweet with a bite. My coworkers enjoy their Night of the Living dead sauce. They get The Z man sandwich with brisket onion rings and cheese. I like the brisket by itself. Unadultered, pure bliss! I hate the beans. If I could have jack Stack beans and ok Joe's brisket I would be happy! Reasonably priced and fast! One of my favorite place to eat!
(5)
Justin M.
This is my favorite BBQ place. I always say I'm going to try something new on the menu, but always order the Z-man and fries. I've had enough Z-men to say without a doubt that Okie Joe's is the most consistent BBQ place I've ever eaten. I've never had brisket that it too fatty or too dry like many other famous KC joints. There are tons of other BBQ places near our house, that I would love to try, but I can't justify going to any of those places when its just a short drive to the best. Just make sure you bring a friend to share your giant order of fries.
(5)
Jeremy F.
I ate here about 3 times when I was in KC for 2 weeks. Now that i'm back in OKC, I can't wait until I go back. Ribs were excellent and the pulled port was awesome. But get the chicken Gumbo...I know Chicken gumbo at a bbq restaurant, but you will thank me later!
(5)
BEN K.
Long lines, great bbq. It took about 25-30 minutes in line, but once you order, the food comes up in less than 3 minutes. This was my second time at OKJ and I had the ribs. Very good. Not the best ribs I've ever had, but still good and worth the wait.
(4)
Jon S.
Usually, when I go to highly rated barbecue places, I find myself wondering if maybe I just don't like barbecue that much. This place convinced me I was wrong. I really do like barbecue. It's just that none of the other places live up to the hype.
(5)
John S.
The best bbq ever! I have tried a lot of places and still think oklahoma joes is the best! Id like to try more things from their menu, but i cant get away from the ribs and brisket! Yummy!
(5)
Chris W.
When you go to Kansas you cannot miss Oklahoma Joes! The ribs are flavorful, meaty, and fall off the bone. The flavor, fries, pickles, and onion rings are great. The line can be long over lunch but if you get there at off times you can get a seat. I'm so happy that I was introduced to this place.
(5)
stephanie w.
SO GOOD! Love their food, the wait is worth it, definitely stop in.
(5)
Janet C.
Z-man!! Surprising but amazing combination of bbq beef brisket, provolone cheese and onion rings. Get with a side of fries (which may be some of the best fries that are not duck-fat fries, especially at the Olathe location), onion rings or bbq beans. Olathe location is much better on your schedule since the lines move faster than the original gas station location. Think they have slightly better fries too. But the meat always seem slightly juicier at the gas station.
(5)
Charles B.
Great BBQ spot. Enjoyed the pulled pork, Carolina style. Budget friendly and good atmosphere. Avoid the place during the noon rush if possible, but if you can't the food is worth the wait.
(4)
Rose V.
OK Joe's never disappoints. I always order the carolina...pulled pork topped with spicy slaw on a bun. I love the variety of different sauces available at every table. It's always a must to order a side of their delicious fries. It's too bad I can't finish them since the sandwiches are so huge :) I lived in KC for almost 7 years and it's hands down the best BBQ. OK Joe's is perfect..and you don't have to pay an arm and a leg for amazing BBQ :)
(5)
Michael R.
I have eaten at this place twice, and honestly, I don't plan on going back again. First time, I actually liked the food, except the sausage was served cold. Went there yesterday, and with three of us, the food didn't agree. They must be doing something right since there's a line going in any time of the day. Nevertheless, I won't be in that line again.
(2)
Adam P.
This is the BEST BBQ in KC hands down. I have also had quite a few dinners in other 'BBQ' areas - Memphis, Tulsa/OK, Texas, etc. They do not hold a candle to Okie Joes. The sauce is the right consistency, sweetness, and heat. The meat has the best flavor and the Fries are untouchable!
(5)
Jay A.
Awesome BBQ and one of the best in KC! The line normally goes out the door and around the corner on busy days and at least out the front doors on a daily basis for lunch and dinner. They have a huge variety of smoked meats and amazing side dishes. The proportions are huge, especially the fries. I always have too much and leave with a box of food. They have amazing smoked turkeys for Thanksgiving too.
(5)
Dan D.
SIMPLE... You would be stupid to go elsewhere. Don't let the long line fool ya. They are as efficient as it gets. Everybody raves about their pulled pork (which is divine) But, the RIBS... Don't ruin them w/ sauce... They are perfect w/out. Only downside... Closed on Sundays...
(5)
mark d.
AWESOME, too bad burnt ends are only on Wednesday.
(4)
Kevin B.
I've eaten at Oklahoma Joes 2 or 3 times and I have never been all that impressed. Maybe I'm not ordering the right thing but I've had a sandwich that came with cole slaw on top and I've had the beans, which I just am not a fan of. The beans are mixed with a few different types and colors. My company has also catered from Oklahoma Joes and I've had a chance to try the brisket and the ribs; which are good, but I don't think they are better than Jack Stack. So maybe I need to go back for a 3rd or 4th time or try the original location to get a feel for the amazing bbq that everyone says they offer.
(2)
Drew Y.
Oklahoma Joe's is a great BBQ stop in the KC area. Great lunch specials and the brisket is ridiculously good! Be sure to try the different BBQ sauces at your table and wash it down with a Boulevard Wheat. Great, great restaurant.
(5)
Michael W.
My favorite BBQ place in KC! The sauce is what makes this the best. I highly recommend the Z-Man sandwich. It is beef brisket on a bun, with melted provolone cheese topped with two onion rings. Outstanding. You can make it a "Jumbo" (not on the menu) which adds about another 1/4 pound of brisket. The French Fries are some of the best I've ever had! Dip them in some BBQ Sauce and wow! My friend jokes the fries are laced with crack or something to make them so addictive! The fries come in a huge package and are enough to share! Expect a line for Friday/Saturday night dinner. If the line is to the door, you have about a 30-45 minute wait; however, they are as efficient as it comes. Take-out is a quick way to bypass the line and is the same great food, just don't eat it there. People wait in line to eat there, don't be a jerk. This is their new location in Olathe which has much more seating and better crowd flow than their original location in Kansas City, KS. Same great food though!
(5)
Cathy W.
Oklahoma Joe's has amazing turkey - my favorite - and GREAT fries. The potato salad and cole slaw are also fantastic. What a wonderful place to go during these FREEZING days to WARM UP !!!
(5)
C J.
Best KC BBQ place in this gal's opinion. The ribs are fall off the bone tender with the right amount of smoke. The Z-man always brings a smile to my face. You cannot miss with Oklahoma Joe's
(5)
Yvonne C.
I'd like to say that I don't eat a lot of meat, but who the F am I kidding? I eat meat. I think I should start calling myself a meat lover. So, I was told I needed to check this place out when I came to Kansas City and they were right! Their pulled pork sandwich was amazing and the BBQ sauce was so good, J & I took some home. I will also say that the sandwich and ribs travel well. I had the stomach flu all weekend and could barely choke anything down when we went to OK Joe's so I had to basically wrap my entire sandwich up and take it home with me. It was delicious when I finally ate it two days later! I can't wait to go back for more and hopefully this time I will be healthy and in good spirits so that I can eat the pulled pork sandwich AND the ribs!
(5)
Josh S.
I've been all over the US eating barbeque and one ting I can say without a doubt is: Oklahoma Joe's makes some awesome brisket. When I go to a barbecue joint I get a little bit of everything. The pulled pork was okay, good even, but the brisket on the Z-man sandwich was out of this world. They have to use a deli slicer to cut it so thin. And the onion ring was perfect - pure heaven. The beans were super awesome. I swear they had a little bit of everything in them plus a little kick. One kicker is the line. I showed up at 1120 and was eating in about 8 minutes. By the time I sat down the line was out the door and probably 20 minutes long. Hit it right and you've scored. If you love to barbecue like I do then you need to check out the attached store. It has every grill you could ever want and wood chips/chunks by the bin.
(4)
Joe H.
My favorite barbeque in the city. I always opt for the pulled pork sandwich, which is delicious every time. The rub is awesome enough that I never need to put sauce on it. Fries, onion rings and beans are all quality. The beans aren't your standard BBQ bean, but that's one of the reasons I like them. This location is much nicer looking than the original on Mission Rd, but the wait is the same if not worse. I have never actually dined in either location. If you want to save yourself some hassle, pick up a copy of the menu to take home with you and just call in with your orders. You'll have to pick it up yourself, but it saves you the grief of hanging out in line. In all honesty, you can probably call in and go pick up your food faster than if you waited in line at a peak time.
(5)
Jav V.
This is really good BBQ. I had brisket and it was delicious. The sauces were really good and the fries were amazing.
(5)
Glen D.
Was amazing and they have won COUNTLESS bbq competitions and in Kansas thats a big deal. they also have a attached bbq supply store.
(5)
Marshall H.
Average. Meat isn't as refined as jackstacks. Seems rushed. Sauce doesn't have enough character to be anything better than you could find in the BBQ sauce aisle in the grocery store.
(3)
Nick K.
When you walk up to a restaurant and see a 90 person line stretching out the door, you know it is going to be good. Oklahoma Joe's is one of my favorite BBQ joints in the greater KC area offering great quality Barbeque at very reasonable prices (sandwitch dinner runs about $8, pretty cheap compared with others at about $12). I have sampled almost every well-known Barbeque restaurants in the KC KS/MO area including Bryants, Gates, Jackstack, ect, and this is right up there with the best I have had. The atmosphere may be a bit different for the non-barbeque restaurant goer (long line, no waiter service, tray style ordering), but to me, It makes me feel at home. If I had one recommendation, I would say to go out on a limb and try the Z-man, a brisket based sandwich with smoked provolone and onion ring. Normally I am a purest and prefer a heap of brisket on white bread, but there is something about this sandwich that is very unique with a mix of flavors that you normally don't get with other sandwiches, and definitely sets it apart from other restaurants renditions in a very good way. If I do have one negative about the restaurant is its popularity. Lines on weekend nights after 5:30 can stretch out the door and run you about an hour to get your food, but like I stated above, when the line is that long you are guaranteed a great meal.
(5)
Lily L.
We tried Z-man, chicken, and pulled pork. There was a wait but it's well worth it.
(5)
Eric T.
Hard for me to believe this place has any negative reviews, because I would have to rate this place among the best barbecue places in America....and I've eaten barbecue from North Carolina to Texas. The ribs are nearly as good as Arthur Bryant's, about a 9 out of a perfect 10, full of smokey flavor, tender and juicy. The line was out the door at 1:30 PM when we arrived...always a good sign (unless of course you are at Kreutz's in Texas, but I won't go into that here). The burnts end were also excellent if not just a notch below Bryant's and the pulled pork was the best I've had west of the Mississippi. Don't miss this place if you are in KC.
(5)
Grant H.
Best pulled pork in the city by far. Outstanding Kansas City BBQ.
(5)
Tom K.
the location sucks ass, but ok joe's bbq cannot be denied. it's a wonder than any of the fast food fry pits stay open with ok joe's around them. it is places like ok joe's that define the bbq tradition in kansas city. the fries are great and portions are overwhelming. can't go wrong with most anything they offer here. carolina style is particularly notable. ok joe's is the best bbq in the ks suburbs.
(4)
Jamie Q.
I agree with the reviewer who said that this place is overhyped. I went into my KC trip most excited about eating at this place and ultimately the experience disappointed. I thought that Arthur Bryant's was better than this place. That being said, "Was the food bad?" No it wasn't. It just wasn't crazy out of this world good. I got both the Hog Heaven and Z-Man sandwiches. Both are good but nothing to write home about. The location is pretty cool because its inside a gas station and the service was fast (but probably because I went at 5 pm).
(3)
Yehoy L.
Country Meat. Slow cooked, perfectly seasoned, ample amounts of sauce, and mighty darn tasty. You really can't go wrong w/ any forms of meat for your inner carnivore. The brisket is thinly sliced and cooked to a medium tenderness. Chicken is falling off the bone tender along w/ the ribs. However you can't beat the pulled pork. It'd be a toss up between perfect carnitas or the BBQ pulled pork here to satisfy the piggy cravings. You can think of this as the original version of Armadillio Willie's (CA). However the food is 10x's better. You can even get meat by the pound if you like. If you're going for lighter fare, I would say you must go for the pulled pork sandwich. Add some more BBQ sauce (mild or spicy) and you got a mighty tasty sandwich that'll appease all taste buds. If there's one thing you gotta have in Kansas, it's BBQ, and this would be one place to help satisfy that craving.
(5)
Danny S.
BBQ is excellent. The service on the other hand sucks!
(4)
Rick K.
I was recommended to go to several BBQ places in Kansas City. I have been to 3 places and found this place to be the best out of the 3. The other places are Arthur Bryant's (okay) and Gates BBQ (hard and dry as sandpaper). Joe's ribs were smokey, pulled right off the bone and juicy. I hear their sandwich named Z sandwich is to die for.
(4)
Nicole D.
First off just so you know we are from Minnesota where the only option for BBQ is famous dave's or the grocery store. Not that Famous Dave's is bad but compared to this we thought we had died and gone to BBQ heaven!!! We go here almost every chance we get! The Z burger is awesome!!!
(5)
Green D.
Standouts here are the ribs and pulled pork sandwiches!! To-go service is always great!
(3)
Josh S.
Very high quality food at generally good prices. They put a lot of work into making high-quality BBQ and it shows... I prefer the smoked chicken or ribs. Sauce is a bit on the sweet side but smoky and pretty good.
(4)
Stephen F.
Enjoyed the pork ribs and Texas style bread. Quick and friendly service.
(4)
Sarah R.
Best BBQ in KC+KC has the best BQQ=Best BBQ in the World. Fries are delish, pulled pork is soooooo good. Z Man is to die for. Ribs are amazing. Yeah, everything is really good except their beans are different. Go eat there now.
(5)
Collin F.
I've been to this location a few times before, but oddly enough I've never found myself in the original location in KCK. But for the family to meet up together for dinner before going our separate directions, we chose the Strang Line Road location in Olathe as our dinner spot. We arrived at a good time, around 5 PM on a Friday. The line was not bad and there were still plenty of tables to choose from. My wife ordered the 1/2 chicken dinner with beans; I orderd a 1/2 slab of ribs with cole slaw and some onion rings for sides. In short, my wife liked her chicken very much - she said it was moist and had good flavor. I thought the ribs were done well. I am not a big fan of the sauce at OK-Joe's. It's okay, but I prefer something less sweet. It's not KC Masterpiece sweet, but it certainly is sweeter than, say, Arthur Bryant's or even Gates BBQ. I didn't try the beans, but my wife thought they were fairly good. The cole slaw was too watery and not much flavor, The onion rings were also just okay. I miss Adam's Rib in Overland Park for onion rings. Service - well, it's fine but it's a BBQ joint not a waiter-service restaurant, so you don't interact much with the employees other than to place your order, pay, and pick up your food. In my opinion, Oklahoma Joe's does very good BBQ, but I've had better. For sides they are lacking in taste and for ambience you probably want to try the original location in the gas station.
(3)
Russ K.
If you don't mind standing in line to place your order the food is very good and you won't go hungry. Side dishes are well prepared and service once you order is typically excellent. Good value for the money, would recommend as a great family BBQ spot.
(4)
Adam S.
This is arguably the best bbq in KC. It's in a gas station, and a bit expensive for what you get, but once you start eating the spendiness will seem soooooo worth it. Everything on the menu is good. The fries are excellent.
(5)
Kevin S.
I've had enough BBQ to know these beans are amazing, the pork was excellent, the chicken chicken gumbo was a great enjoyable surprise. The sweet sauce rocks, the spicy/sweet was even better.
(5)
Dylan G.
Probably the best ribs I've ever had and their hot BBQ sauce has the perfect level of spice. Love that they load up the pickle slices on the side, too. Service was efficient and friendly and the beer was cold. No complaints here.
(5)
Chow T.
Great BBQ! It isn't the best in KC. The best is Jack Fiorellas IMO, but Oklahoma Joe's is like the same price as McDs and you get a seriously good meal. The sauce is of a similar variety as Jack Fiorellas. On the sweet side, but not sickeningly sweet. The Zman sandwich was really good for $6. Service was very good relative to Gates. I hate Gates BBQ service!! The ribs were good, but not the best in KC, but come on KC has high standards for BBQ ribs. They were still pretty damn good.
(5)
ME E.
My favorite BBQ place in KC. Best tasting and much more affordable than other BBQ restaurants in town. I take my friends and family when they visit from out of town so they can eat authentic KC BBQ! Just remember they are closed on Sundays.
(5)
Clara B.
The food at this restaurant is mouth-wateringly AMAZING. The beef brisket is the best brisket I've ever had in my life. It's savory and tender and not riddled with fatty edges. Since it's my favorite, I usually pick up a brisket sandwich (the Z-man is delicious as well) and an order of french fries, which are some of my favorite fries of any restaurant. I'm not sure what seasoning they use, but it's more flavorful and exciting than regular boring old salt. The other meats I have tried at Oklahoma Joe's are also top notch and hands down some of the BEST bbq I've ever had in my life. The regular and spicy sauces are awesome, although I'd like a little more heat in the spicy. The regular has a nice sweetness to it that complements the savory meats very well. I love this place so much, I have the number for take out saved in my phone! This place is a can't miss if you happen to find yourself in Olathe. It's definitely the best food you'll find in the 119th/I-35 corridor.
(5)
Ronald S.
I've been to this place a few times and they have pretty decent food. Unfortunately this most recent time they totally grossed me out. They gave my food to the wrong person and he left. Since it was crowded I figured they were just slow. After about 15 mins of waiting I head back to the counter just as this guy returns to let them know he was on his way home looked in the bag opened the food and realized it was not his order. The clerk looked in the bag and apologized to the guy and gave him the correct order. She then gave me the bag he brought back. I'm pretty sure there's some health code violation that took place there. She should have offered to prepare my order fresh or something. He could have done anything to that food. Who knows what was on his hands? Who wants food that some stranger off the street has had his hands over. And here's the kicker. The clerk for the life of her didn't have a clue. She stood there staring at me wondering why I didn't want the food.
(2)
Mike B.
I love barbeque and am very proud of our Kansas City barbeque heritage. That's probably why It steams me so much that a place called OKLAHOMA Joe's is so darn good. Yeah I know it's a local joint but still, OKLAHOMA? Like everyone else says, for a truly excellent experience simply order the pulled pork sandwich, a bag fries and a beer. It's perfection!
(5)
Joey V.
my favorite bbq ive tried in the area ive been known to eat a shitload of food when im here
(5)
Tim O.
Pulled Pork sandwich is out of this world good. The barbecue sauce is sweet and tasty just the way I like it. The restaurant is nice and clean and seems to be a fairly new location.
(5)
annie t.
We have lived in Kansas City all our lives, and we have decided the ribs at OK Joes are the best you can find around here. There aren't a million kinds to choose from so you are guarenteed the ones they serve you are their best! They are so tender and meaty, even my 5 and 2 year olds love them and can eat them with ease. Their chicken is delicious and cooked tenderly every time, and if you are hungry get the ZMan sandwich...it will satisfy a big appetite. Their portions are big so you can split them if you want; especially the fries (which have a surprising sweetness to them.) The only thing I don't love about it is that you order from the counter, so if you have kids or not a lot of time, DO NOT go during the lunch rush! The line is always out the door and although it moves at a pretty quick pace, it can get a little overwhelming in there. But if you catch it at the right time (before or after lunch and dinner) you can walk right up to the front and get your food in about 5 minutes. Be sure and come hungry, and try the "Night of the Living Q" sauce if you dare!
(5)
Todd E.
I go to KC a couple times a year for work and always end up at Jack Stack's for the symbolic BBQ meal of my visit. This time I changed it up and went to Oklahoma Joe's with some coworkers. I had the sausage, beef brisket, pulled pork, beans and spicy slaw. Overall, I wasn't impressed and I feel like the place didn't live up to its reputation. I got the impression that everything was pre-portioned hours before I got there. Styrofoam cups of preshredded pork were dumped onto plates. Ribs taken out of a warming cabinet and unwrapped from tinfoil and overall the meats just weren't juicy and flavorful. The spicy slaw was pretty bring but the beans were good. The staff was friendly and smiley though! Overall, not at all bad--but I feel like I could have had a BBQ meal at any place back home in DC. When I come to KC, I expect better than this.
(3)
Tim M.
This was my first time at Oklahoma Joes and loved it. I had a ribs and one meat dinner (I chose sausage) and both were good but I loved the ribs! They had just the right amount of seasoning on them and were quite juicy. I also ordered fries and they give you a ton of fries! They are seasoned and quite tasty. I would definitely go back!
(5)
Kristina N.
Visiting KC from Denver, went here on a recommendation from my father, waited over an hour for BBQ. Hands down the ribs were the best selection out of all of the meat selections plus the onion rings were delicious!! BBQ sauce is delicious, compliments great flavor to the meat.
(5)
Bryan T.
Absolutely the best BBQ on the Planet! The ribs are the best you'll have in your life and the brisket melts in your mouth. There's almost always a line out of the door (for good reason) so it's likely not a quick in and out meal, but you'll never be unhappy once that tender goodness hits your tongue!
(5)
Curt W.
Went for lunch and there was a pretty long line. It moved quickly and there was a table available when we got through the line and had our food. Score: 5/5 for service I ordered the Smoky Joe sandwich, the special of the day. I picked the spicy slaw as a side. Both were excellent. I added the "Night of the Living" sauce for a little extra kick. It added a nice spicy sweet flavor. The food was very good and I would definitely return to try some of the other menu items that sounded good like the Z-man Sandwich. Food:4/5 Don't panic and miss out on great food if the line looks long. It is worth the wait and the line moves very quickly.
(4)
Tim M.
Always good, Gotta love it.
(5)
Tony P.
Best Pulled Pork Sandwich EVER! Damn good BBQ all around! There is a reason this place is jam packed all the time. Even though there is a huge line during prime time lunch/dinner, the staff moves through the line pretty quick. Although I've found the line trailing outside a few times, the place is large enough that you'll usually be inside while you wait. Now to the food! Okie Joes (as they are called) knows their BBQ. The quality of meat has always been superior to every BBQ place I've gone to. Super tender and not nearly as fatty as other places. Of course all BBQ has some fat...wouldn't be good without it! I don't know exactly what blend of wood chips they use and what they smoke the meat in, but damn that meat has a good, balanced smokey flavor. Last, but certainly not least, their sauce is incredible. I could drink this stuff straight! Not really..that'd be kind of disgusting, but it is my personal favorite BBQ sauce of all time....and I've had A LOT of BBQ. Those that prefer a BBQ sauce with a high vinegar taste will not enjoy it as much as the people who like the sweet, peppery, smokey type sauce. Don't like it? Too bad for you. Less people in line is ok by me. As far as sides go, I must admit I haven't mad much besides the fries because the fries go extremely well with the BBQ sauce. They are definitely large enough to split with someone, too. I always order the jumbo pulled pork. Nothing but tender, juicy, smokey meat on a bun with BBQ sauce. Honorable mentions: The ZMan & Carolina Pulled Pork I'm getting hungry thinking about it!!
(5)
Roger H.
If only I could transport this restaurant to central California, where I currently live, I'd be in heaven! Unfortunately for me, though, I can only enjoy this treat a few times a year during, usually during the holidays, when I fly back home to see my family. California is nice and the sun shines a lot here, but they don't know or do BBQ, period. Sure there are places that sell something they call BBQ, but nothing is even remotely as wonderful as Oklahoma Joe's BBQ here. My mouth waters just thinking about that Z-man sandwich the next time that I get my hands and mouth on one! Simply put, Oklahoma Joe's defines a perfect BBQ place. Yum!
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Lunch, Dinner Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : No Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Beer & Wine Only Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : No Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : No Caters : Yes
Doug D.
I really enjoyed this meal. I waited in a line for twenty minutes just to get to the register. I wish this place was a little more new guest friendly but with the crush of people I understood. I wanted to try burnt ends, but they were not available. I went with the two meat plate and my girlfriend got the Z Man! Both were excellent. I also got the gumbo and a side of dirty rice. I was content but not stuffed. I guess that would be my only complaint. Maybe slightly larger portions, but the quality was excellent.
(5)Amy W.
I've eaten here once. I ordered their only vegetarian item, the Portobello V-Man. It was okay, but not amazing. Also, Joe's will not allow you to make any changes or substitutions to any items on their menu. I felt sick afterwords, and some of my friends have noticed the same effect. It is inexpensive (can eat there for less than $10). It is unique place (order at the front), with a ridiculously long wait.
(2)Mj J.
(Review from a lap-bander: small eating options) Oklahoma Joe's is generally so busy with a line out the door but it moves really quickly! I tend to gravitate towards the meat and slaw sandwiches. I got the pulled pork with slaw and fries. Always yummy! I don't eat the bun and graze after adding a 50/50 split of hot bbq sauce and regular. Their sauce is pretty dang good too! I like that the pulled pork is well "sorted". There is rarely the nasty bit in your mouth of fat or other unpleasantries. It happens though when real meat is on your plate (not pressed fast food meat.) Their fry portion is huge, so plan to share. -- My only complaint with Oklahoma Joes (and other restaurants) is the upcharge for an adult off the kids menu. Just because I'm an adult, I get charged $2 more for the exact same portion. There's a reason I'm ordering smaller. I just can't eat that much. So, I order off the standard menu due to price and throw away 3/4 of it. Silly really. The establishment is always very clean and cared for and staff are generally very pleasant. I appreciate that as soon as someone leaves, the table is cleared and clean for the next group within 90 seconds. Super quick!
(4)John S.
Waited in a long line here, but was happy that I did! Got the dish on how to order when I was in line. "Meating up!" is definitely the way to go. Between the two of us it allowed us to get almost every meat on the menu. All good for sure, but I am partial to the brisket. As a side the red beans and rice are a must for me. As far as gas station barbecue goes it rivals Rudy's in Austin. That is high praise from me.
(4)Sean R.
I ended up at the Strang Line location as this one is right off of I-35. I ordered the 4 rib & brisket combo, with a side of beans, beverage. You order and take the ticket to the end of the line and the staff really does shuffle to get your order to you by the time you get paid out. It's really humbling how nice they are. The entry line guy was really nice and appreciate but the cashier guy was somewhat rude and short. Maybe he was having a bad day. The pork ribs were awesome and full of smoke flavor, smoke ring, large sized. Not quite as seasoned as the Leawood location but still outstanding. Hiickory smoke provides the best flavor. Shaved slices of brisket was piled high and tasty. The beans are fantastic with smoke and lots of chunked brisket meats. The texas toast is fantastic too. $20.23 was total, which is the same out the door price as Leawood location.
(4)Mylene B.
Had to try the best barbecue in Kansas but it didn't turn out to what I expect it to be or maybe I just have no idea what's the barbecue in Kansas is like. It was very dry and thick.., and I like my barbecue to be moist with sauce and thin. I'm probably just in the wrong state for my barbecue.
(3)Caleb D.
Love this place. Great sauces and huge portions of awesome food. Favorite BBQ in KC
(5)Reed N.
Just a solid update for OKJ's. I ordered to-go ribs... cold. I reheated them at home, and they give you instructions on how to do it. Do not ignore them. Your food is often reheated at BBQ places. If you do it right, it is BETTER than right out of the smoker. That's right... leftover BBQ is better than fresh in my opinion. My early knock (and a very light knock) on OKJ's was lightness of smoke flavor. Well, that has changed. The last three trips here floored me with smokiness. Not a smoke ring on the rib meat, but damn near full smoke penetration. Ridiculous and delicious. : ) The only other place in town that I have experienced this much smoke flavor recently is also take-out... at McGonigles. Sometime I am going to do both on the same day. God help me. LOL
(5)Suzie R.
The Z-Man is the best. I am not a huge BBQ fan, but if I go out for BBQ, this is THE place to go.
(4)Mindy H.
I love Joe's. The quality is always delicious and you cannot get juicier, tastier ribs anywhere else in the KC Metro. They're always busy, so we tend to use the carry out option. And if you like your barbecue spicy, their spicy sauce is to die for. Additionally, their staff is efficient and friendly.
(5)Michael L.
Maybe it was too much hype, maybe it was my Texas tastebuds, but Oklahoma Joe's simply could not match the level of expectation I came to the restaurant with. Ribs were tender, but not that moist, and not fall of the bone. Still strongly recommend a try for anyone visiting Kansas city as it does seem to be an institution there. The Zman sandwich is a must try. Great value, great portion size. Sides were delicious.
(3)Marcy R.
Love this barbeque, I think it is the best with or without sauce. The burnt ends are heavenly. Everything here is finger licking good!!! Love the fact plenty of tables for my family and if there is a line I never worry because it moves quickly. Love this place!!
(5)Nathan A.
As good as it gets. I wished the menu was a bit more descriptive, but that's a minor detail. I would have got something different, but what I ended up with was fantastic anyways. Great experience.
(5)J. D.
I stayed in a hotel across the street from this Joe's location for about six months in the summer of 2014. I ate here at least three times a week and never got tired of it. Personally, I think the gas station location is better, but that's no reason to pass on Joe's on Strang Line Road. I'm getting hungry just thinking about their ribs, brisket and amazing french fry seasoning.
(5)Shannon N.
Best Burnt Ends I have ever had. Ambiance is a little different but in a unique way! Highly recommend.
(5)Audrey D.
Ooo what I wouldn't give for a Z-man right now! Still getting use to the whole name change thing..... The food is always good though! If I could come here everyday I would!
(5)Corey S.
Great bbq! You gotta try the Zman and their fries are really good! Sometimes has a line out the door, so try to go at non peak times unless you're prepared to wait awhile or just get take out. Worth the wait though for sure.
(4)Rick E.
Awesome barbeque. One of the best in the greater kc area. The chili, which is a seasonal dish, is amazing. We get the Turkey sandwich....very good...or the pulled pork sandwich...very good. For a treat, i get the ribs which are fantastic.
(4)Tanner L.
Impressive just how good this place really is. I came here on recommendation from several friends. They all cited this as a fantastic BBQ joint. I will admit I drove by two locations seeing lines of people so far out the doors. This was the third location I came to and decided that this food must be worth the wait. All in all the wait time for the long line only took 20 minutes which I was very pleased with. The Food was the real star of the visit though. We all ordered different food including Ribs, Brisket, and Pulled Pork Sandwich. I was not disappointed with any portion of their BBQ. The ribs were perfectly cooked and had such a great sauce to set them off. I was really impressed with the pulled pork as the flavor was just so full. If you're wanting a quality sample of what KC has for BBQ stop out here it will be worth your time.
(5)Lincoln G.
Not the best in KC, but close. Definitely the most convenient as I work in Olathe and this location is pretty close to work. The Hog Heaven sandwich is awesome, all you could ever want on a BBQ sandwich. Sauce are pretty good, but unfortunately necessary. I like my BBQ to need no sauce and to only use as a compliment, not a necessity. Sides are okay, Dirty Rice is well above average, Red Beans and rice is okay. The most disappointing is the Gumbo. I love gumbo and have had it from New Orleans to Chicago and back, and theirs doesn't even break my top 10. I'll definitely eat here again, as the prices are reasonable, the food is good and the location is convenient, but there are better BBQ joints in KC.
(4)Keith P.
burnt ends... nuff said
(5)Matt C.
I don't understand the hype. Aside from the fries, which are amazing, the actual BBQ is mediocre at best. The ribs have always been overly dry. The brisket is extra fatty. The sausage is good, but the serving size is small. I was very excited to see they had a burnt end dinner, however, the burnt ends are nothing more than cubed brisket. There is no bark on the meat, which is what makes it a burnt end. Save yourselves some time, go to Gates or Bates City BBQ. Better meats, better sauces, faster service.
(3)Casee E.
Absolutely THE BEST BBQ in Kansas City. The meat is super moist and full of flavor and there is a sauce for everyone in the family. I especially love the new layout in Olathe that keeps the call-in, carry-out, and dine-in lines separate. This is fast becoming out favorite place to order for large groups.
(5)Christopher M.
Best BBQ in KC! My personal favorite is the Carolina Pulled Pork sandwich - spicy slaw on top of the pulled pork, delicious. Had the Burnt-Ends sandwich today and wasn't overly impressed but still not bad. The only thing I don't really dig is the potato salad but they have other good sides. If you're looking for top notch BBQ then this is your spot!
(5)Dann M.
Amazing Meats, Delicious sauce. These guys know what they are doing.
(5)Gregory P.
Excellent BBQ and service. Do not let the long line deter you, it moves quickly and you can always call in an order for pickup. I love their ribs, very meaty and tasty. Try the Chicken Gumbo, its also very good. My only disappointment was the sausage. It was dry and lacked the flavor I expected. It could be a one-off experience, so I would not hesitate to give it another try. Everything else from sandwiches to side-items are very good here and I would not hesitate to suggest this place to anyone.
(4)Matthew D.
Best BBQ I've ever had. Before I ever went there, I was told about it by a self proclaimed BBQ snob. They informed me that all Kansas City BBQ is the best and nothing else I had ever had before mattered. I won't say I completely agree on all accounts... but they got it right with Oklahoma Joe's. This is definitely the best BBQ I've had. I always stayed a few blocks away for business, so this was a regular for me to grab while in town and it was one of my favorite things about coming to the KC area. I always went with the Z-Man... a smoked beef brisket, provolone cheese, and 2 onion rings on a sandwich. It was recommended by a friend and I am now passing my recommendation on to you... give the Z-Man a shot!
(5)Den B.
The brisket was great, but the ribs were a bit dry for my taste. The bbq sauce was pretty decent, and there was a good selection of sauces, but I agree that this wasn't a five-star BBQ experience. Was it worth the price? Yes, and for my money, better atmosphere and food than Gates' BBQ.
(4)Nikki P.
I've always been to the OK Joe's location on Rainbow, but recently went to this one with my family. I have to say, the food was just as good as their location in Westwood. Obviously, their original location will always be my fav go to place, but it's nice that they have been able to open other locations for people in the KC area. I OF COURSE go their Z-man, because it is my absolute favorite sandwich. My little brother and sister order of their kids menu, and I honestly don't remember what my parents ordered, ha ha. The z-man was just as good as their other location, as were their fries. The baked beans were just a little on the spicy side for my little brother and sister (who are 10 and 12), so it may be something to keep in mind if your kiddos aren't big into spicy food. The other thing that WAS nice about this location, was that (at least while we were there) it wasn't busy.Anytime I go to the other location, if you don't perfectly time your arrival, you can be waiting in line for a good hour sometimes. Here, we just walked right in and placed our order. There was also loads of seating, which was nice. So, if you can't make it up to Westwood, and still want some quality BBQ, this is the place to go.
(5)Billie H.
As I start all of my BBQ reviews, I am not a giant BBQ fan. Every once in a while though, I get that craving and stop by one of the various places in town. Oklahoma Joe's has always been a favorite. After the original Arthur Bryants it is my favorite. The reason I love Oklahoma Joe's is because the meat taste good without covering it in sauce. This is the largest draw for me with a BBQ place the meat should stand on it's own. Generally I get the pulled pork. It is amazing. The taste of the smoked woods in the meat almost make you mmmmmmm with every bite. They also stand out because you can count on the same taste and quality at all of their locations. This is not the case of all BBQ joints, including my favorite. This last visit I decided to also try some of the sausage. After a visit to another BBQ joint and trying sausage for the first time, I became a fan and decided to try it at other BBQ places to see if it was a delicious treat everywhere. Although the same smoke flavor was evident in their sausage, the overall sausage was not a huge hit with me. I am not a huge fan of the sauce for a couple of reasons. First, if the meat is cooked right, you don't need sauce unless it is cooked into the meat. Secondly, Oklahoma Joe's sauce is too sweet for me. KC generally has a sweeter version of BBQ sauce and I personally do not find this appealing. Lines can be super long at Oklahoma Joe's especially on weekends no matter what time it is. Don't let this discourage you. The line moves fast and I have never had an issue getting a table at this location. If you are getting something to go, skip the line by calling in your order. One of these days I will break away from my pulled pork and try the burnt ends or ZMan, but then again why mess with perfection!
(5)Lizz M.
Came here after a Royals game through the recommendation of a vendor at work. Lines move rather quickly, which is much appreciated as there is always a line here. I went with the rib and brisket combo. The ribs were SO GOOD. The brisket was a bit dry, and the red rice and beans were probably my favorite part of the meal. My one complaint is that all of my food was over-salted. But I'd definitely come here again.
(4)Bob D.
Taking BBQ from the competition circuit to an everyday restaurant model is a fine line. On one side of that line you feel like the Q is made just for you, you feel like if you were 5 minutes sooner or later it would've been gone, you feel like there would be no way for you to be able to make it "that good" at home yourself. On the other side, you feel like there is an endless supply, wrapped in cellophane just waiting to get warmed up. You feel as if you are in a manufactured environment- just dressed up enough to not resemble an Applebee's. This location is on the wrong side of that line. Dry- machine sliced brisket, overly tender machine smoked ribs that lack any type of flavor profile. It is a fine example of when making $ becomes more important than making quality BBQ...I would "steer" clear of this location.
(2)Leigh W.
Ribs & Brisket dinner was fantastic, great service & clean restaurant. Previous reviews where true to point. Nothing is cheap anymore so it is a little pricey.
(4)Rob B.
Best BBQ joint I have ever been to. Buy their seasoning and take it home. We always bring out of town guests here and it never disappoints.
(5)Steve C.
So we arrived and there was already a line up past the corner of the establishment. We waited 20 minutes in line...and the wait was well worth it!! As you enter you can't but help see all the trophies and articles written about this place... Definitely a winner. I ordered their half slab of pork ribs...7 meaty, perfectly tender ribs with a side of BBQ sauce. Scrumptious!! My wife had the Carolina Pulled Pork Sandwich which was fabulously melt in your mouth wonderful. The sides were also good... Creamy Cold Slaw and BBQ Beans. Portion of Fries ($2.79) could feed 3-4 people easily. I would give it 4.5 stars. Definitely worth the visit and the wait!!!
(4)Jenn S.
There's a reason the line so often extends far past the front doors. The prices are reasonable, the portions are huge, and it's absolutely delicious. I've eaten here at least a dozen times over the years, probably got it to go at least a dozen more, and I have never had a bad experience. That alone is worth five stars; what other restaurant can you honestly say that about?
(5)Ahmad J.
I decided to try Oklahoma Joe when i was in Olathe and had their Smoked Chicken and Beef Brisket BBQ sandwich. The smoked chicken was great with a lot of the smokey flavor with just about enough sauce to balance it went very well with the meat so i thoroughly enjoyed it. The Beef Brisket BBQ sandwich was a total waste - the meat had absolutely no flavor and i had to toss tons of BBQ sauce on it to get it down. Overall not bad but nothing like what i experienced in Jack Stack.
(4)Richard B.
In my view, the heavyweight champion of cue. In fact, I would be hard pressed to remember having better ribs elsewhere. The flavor is sweet, perfectly cooked, and I loved mine dry. Kicks the best of Austin or Memphis in the ass.
(5)Natalie B.
Don't know what all the fuss is about. It's good enough BBQ but I've had better. I ordered the Carolina sandwich and my friend ordered ribs. A filling meal but the sides (baked beans and potato salad) lacked flavor. Definitely not going to be in my regular restaurant rotation.
(3)Matt C.
Rediculousness!!! BBQ heaven. Honesty said out loud, "I don't even know why I'm still eating?" It's just that good! I was a bit skeptical when we walked in to a line of 40+ people out the door. Well worth the wait. Even our 5 year old son ate all of his food. Bucket list- checked off!!!
(5)Chad B.
I've eaten here about a dozen times and two times in the past few weeks so I thought it was time to put my thoughts down in a review. Every spring with the changing of the seasons I get what I refer to as BBQ Fever. It starts with hunger pangs, then this crazy look in my eyes that can only be cured with some of my favorite KC BBQ. First off I love the OK Joe's location in Olathe. Very cool atmosphere, the scent of smoke in the air, the only problem is all the damn customers. If you don't get there early the line is about 100 people deep, out the door, and around the building. Plan ahead and be there by 11:15 for lunch! My last visit I had the 3 rib, 1 meat lunch and shared fries with my buddy (more than enough for 2)! When I received my "medication" I received a BONUS 4th rib!!!!!! Man, oh man was it heavenly. The 1 meat I got was brisket and it may have been the best brisket I have EVER had. Very moist, but still smoky. OK Joe's fries are to die for which works out well because the only thing I don't like at Joes is their beans. NOT GOOD. They are smart to put a roll of paper towels at each table (I sometimes need a drop cloth). All in all a great experience and would highly recommend it to anyone!!!
(5)Shane M.
- Delicious, tender, moist BBQ with a great atmosphere to relish it! ----------------------------------- Visiting my fiancée in Kansas (From Maryland), she told me everyone talks about Oklahoma Joes & Jack Stacks BBQ restaurants. Obviously, I had to try
(5)Edward P.
We ate lunch there today. It was one of the best BBQ joints that I have ever been to. It was better than Gates of Berbecks. The meat fell off the ribs. The beef brisket was delicious and needed no sauce. I will definitely return to this location the next time I'm in Kansas City.
(4)Jason P.
First time try the Z-Man (chicken or brisket), pulled pork or ribs with beans. Fries are for sharing. Sauce 'em up for good measure. Come early and don't cut in line :) It looks mean but moves fast and friendly. As other commenters have mentioned, the burnt ends are different here: heavily-marbled and soft. The mounted plaque with an article explaining that ~ "this is how burnt-ends should be" explains their approach but I'd still prefer crispier, leaner to make five stars.
(4)Txgirl M.
Pulled pork, BBQ beans are so good. I'm eating as I'm typing right now. Service here is very fast its definitely worth the wait.
(5)Joe M.
Sandwiches are really good too. Hard to beat this barbeque anything here.
(5)Sharon M.
My 5 stars refers to their ribs. Outstanding. Every time. You won't regret it.
(5)Lisa S.
I had their ribs, brisket and sausage. I liked the ribs the best. My sides were their BBQ beans and spicy slaw. Both were really good. Some of the best BBQ beans I've every had. If we come back through KS, we'll stop here.
(4)Danny C.
I worked at the hotel behind here and when people would ask which BBQ place they should go to, I would always tell them to go to Oklahoma joes. I always say I'm going to try something different every time but I always get the Z Man. So good. KC BBQ is a toss up between Oklahoma Joe's and Jack Stack. Joe's has a much more relaxed atmosphere.
(5)Alex D.
Not much to say that is any different than the rest. Brisket is fantastic. Arthur Bryant's has better ribs in my opinion.
(5)Denisha J.
I just landed in KC (visiting from AZ) and feeling starved. With BBQ on our mind we checked out yelp for some suggestions and found this spot. The food was yummy and service was quick. Not a formal restaurant, but spacious and friendly staff. The Z-man was scrumptious and highly recommend so I tried it with the spicy slaw. It was a great pair. My husband ordered the pulled pork which was also delicious paired with the potato salad. We weren't feeling the potato salad, but everything else was on point.
(4)Steve T.
Love this place for great BBQ and friendly people. The ribs and brisket were cooked perfectly and weren't too fatty . The toast and sauces were very good, The red beans and rice were good but different from what I think red beans and rice should be like. The place is packed with happy people and I am liking visiting Olathe.
(5)Charles I.
I went at lunchtime so that was probably not the best time as the line went all the way to the door. Nonetheless, I was thru the line in 20 minutes. We had the Z-Man sandwich, the burnt ends sandwich, onion rings and bbq beans. I expected more flavor in the burnt ends but they were still good. The sauce is excellent and really makes the meal. I was disappointed in the bbq beans at first. They are not good without adding bbq sauce. However, after adding the bbq sauce they are excellent! How do you make bbq beans w/o bbq sauce? Anyway, the overall experience was good considering that this was my first time.
(5)Larry G.
We were visiting from Las Vegas but used to live in Leawood, KS. I told a friend that my favorite BBQ restaurant was Jack Stack but he said that I needed to try Oklahoma Joe's and that he thought it was better. We got there before 5pm so the line was not that long yet. I guess I was not expecting the food assembly line style of ordering and felt rushed to finish and eat what we had ordered once we sat down so that others who came after us could have a place to sit and eat. I ordered the half rack of ribs and beans with a beer. Though it was ok...no way their food was better than Jack Stack's. Oklahoma Joe's is like the fast food of BBQs.
(3)Ronn S.
You don't want to miss a meal here if your in town. Their ribs and brisket with their signature baked beans and sauces are truly scrumptious ! All for a $20 bill tip included ... I won't eat for a few days. Great food - good price. A must eat in while in Kansas if your hankering for ribs ;-) Ronn just Ronn the whole in the wall food guy !
(4)Cade H.
Kansas City has great BBQ at every turn but Oklahoma Joes stands on the top of the mountain. I've had bbq throughout my whole life and the only place I want to go eat when I go back to KS is OkJ. The food is outstanding and you got plenty for your money. All of the sauces on the table are great and I can't seem to get enough. I just wish they would expand and open up stores in places our west because other states don't know what good bbq is. OkJ is a staple of Kansas City food and I can't wait till the next time I get to go eat there, only problem is it's so popular and busy ALL the time I'll have to wait in line for it, but it's well worth it.
(5)Sarah H.
Ok, for real. I've got Kansas blood, so I'm not going to debate with Texans or other staters who claim their bbq is the best. Quite simply, it's not, and it can't compete with standard Kansas BBQ. This is NOT standard. This is superlative. If you are looking for the best bbq Kansas has to offer, you must hit Oklahoma Joe's. A streamlined ordering experience, your menu is posted on the wall. Notable nommables include the ribs, and the burnt ends. The best item on the menu, however, is the Z-Man Sandwich, which my husband has threatened to FLY TO KANSAS specifically to eat (and to maintain is frequent flier status). It's brisket on roll with sauce to die for and an onion ring. It's a mess of happiness in your face. This restaurant has been awarded all sorts of titles, from Manliest Restaurant in America, to Best BBQ of etc. It's inexpensive, it's fast, it's hearty, and it's delectable. If it's not the best you've ever had, please message me and tell me where it's better, because I'll have to try it to prove ya wrong.
(5)Sara D.
I can't believe that I'm a born and raised Kansas City girl and have never stepped foot into Oklahoma Joe's! I finally redeemed my dignity the other week and my tummy has never been happier! I came prepared for a insane line and it was, indeed, insanely long. Surprisingly enough, the line moves really fast and we were at the register in no time. I knew enough about the place to order the Z-Man and fries. We got our food in literally seconds. Every bite was better than the next! I loved everything about the sandwich and loved the seasoning on my fries. Even the sauces were the perfect mix of tnagy and sweet. The service was great (even the bus boys were nice!) and I can't wait to return again.
(5)Beth B.
I ate at the gas station location years ago, but some friends were talking about Oklahoma Joe's recently and I had a craving - so we came here on New Year's Eve. We got there around 6 pm and THERE WAS NO LINE!!! Couldn't believe it. The line formed around 6:30. Guess we timed it just right. I had the ribs and my husband had the brisket - what, no burnt ends? The ribs were AMAZING!!!!! They fell off the bone, were very lean, yet flavorful. The spicy sauce was awesome. I am definitely buying some of that. My husband loved the brisket. I had some leftovers today and it was very good. However, I did not really care for the baked beans. They had a vinegary taste to them. My husband loved them, however, so they did not go to waste. Next time, I will get the onion rings. They looked really good. My husband was also eyeing the sandwich with the onion ring - I think it is called the Z-man. Will we be back? Yes. This was 4 stars, because I can't give 5 stars to a BBQ restaurant where I don't care for the beans. However, I'll update my review when I try the onion rings. They looked awesome.
(4)Kristen L.
Review of Carry Out experience: We've dined in many times, but recently we just wanted to grab food to enjoy at home while cheering on our Buckeyes. Instead of sandwiches, we ordered the pulled pork by the pound and a few sides. We thought the meat was much more tender this way because it wasn't pulled. It was just one big, wonder chuck of pork. Now that we got it this way, I'm not sure we'll go back. Much more meat than you get on two sandwiches. The meat was still hot once got home (15 min drive), but the fries were not. So we popped them in the over and the reheated nicely. We also ventured out and tried the Chicken gumbo, it had a great flavor kick. Highly recommend. Other than the grumpy person on the phone taking orders, this was a good experience.
(4)Kristy V.
I think this place got popluar when the food channel came. I have had better BBQ in KC. Not really that good! The potato salad had a weird tang to it. The burnt ends were not that good either. Too much fat!
(2)Teresa R.
Burnt end very tender and side of fries ... Love the seasoning on them. Sauce is great .. Just the right amount of spicy. Husband had ribs and said best your had in a long time... Meaty and tender, My new favorite BBQ place! Awesome!!
(5)Matt K.
Had a great lunch here recently while in town on business - the guys I was with tried the sandwiches, but I felt like I'd get a better feel for KC BBQ by ordering brisket & pulled pork. The food was good, definitely some high quality BBQ.
(4)Troy S.
Best BBQ around. We only go to Oklahoma Joe's for BBQ. My wife and I both get brisket sandwiches and we split an order of fries and rings. We have only gotten a sandwich with a little too much fat on the brisket one time and they fixed us a new sandwich when we complained. My wife hates any fat on the brisket and Oklahoma Joe's usually does a great job of trimming the fat off. I am not a rib fan but I have been told from friends they have the best ribs.
(5)Amy C.
Best BBQ in KC hands down. I've tried others- as you can see from my review of the Rub but seriously as Sinead O'Connor said, "Nothing Compares to You". The Z Man is to die for. I'm addicted. I could of course do without the lines and I always wish they were open on Sundays but I'll take what I can get and I love Oklahoma Joes!
(5)Allie M.
Best BBQ in our Solar System. Generally, I get the ribs or the brisket. Both are fantastic. Sides are always good. Portions are generous. Prices are very reasonable for what you get. The only knock on this place is standing in line waiting for food and finding a place to sit. It's always busy, and for good reason.
(5)Jeff S.
Is there anything more to say about Joe's that practically every foodie magazine or blog has not already said?? Bottom line - you need to eat here before you die. The wait in line is worth it.
(5)Bryan M.
After a couple of m'eh experiences with brisket at some other BBQ spots, I especially appreciated Oklahoma Joe's effort, this evening. Tender, and effused with a nice, smokey flavor. Joe's sauce was at the table. Also, very tasty! Not too sweet, not too spicy. Just a nice, KC-sauce.
(5)Tim M.
Ok. I guess I do not get it. I have tried okie joes numerous times, but no more. There are some items, such as the ribs, that at times can be good, but overall, it is just not that good. I do not know if they are running on past reputation, but current food quality is not good. Tonight we had ribs, brisket, and sausage, along with beans and slaw. The ribs were ok. The brisket was dry and tough, and I swear was reheated in a microwave. The sausage was no better than Walmart mass produced sausage. I have had issues with the chicken in the past, as I saw it passed from the kitchen to the front, wrapped in plastic wrap, and obviously reheated in a microwave. The skin has been soggy and pretty disgusting. No sign of crispness at all. I personally do not like the green peppers in the beans, so that taste in them makes them below par to me. Far too many other BBQ joints in kc to waste time coming back here for mediocre food.
(1)Travis H.
Simply the best barbecue I have ever had. They are able to serve a lot of food to a lot of people in a very efficient and organized way.
(5)Aaron R.
Visited this place back in December as part of my Eastern United States Road Trip. As I am going back through some of my favorite places I have been to, I had to write about Oklahoma Joe's. I visited the Olathe location as it was the closest to the friend's house I was staying at. I had no idea about this place. It was just a suggestion from my friend when I stated that I wanted to try some decent Kansas City BBQ. Well she hit it out of the park. This is not just decent BBQ - this may be my favorite EVER. And that is with growing up with some great BBQ. Everything about this place just screams awesome. The atmosphere, the food, even the service (hectic as it was). I actually visited this place twice (eventhough I was only in KC one night). It was just so freakishly good, I had to go back the next day for more before I set back out on the road. First meal - Ribs & Brisket. Second meal - The Z-Man Sandwich with fries. I thought the ribs were great - tender but not so much that they didnt hold to the bone when picked up. But the brisket was where it was at! I still remember that brisket! And the Z-Man! Possibly one of the best sandwiches I have ever had. Brisket + Provolone + Onion Rings + OKJoes BBQ Sauce = Love. The Kaiser roll it was served on was perfect and complemented the interior quite well. The BBQ sauce has a sweetness to it. I ended up picking up some of the Cowtown Bottled Variety for my trip home. All props out to possibly my favorite BBQ place ever. Definitely worth waiting in the line. P.S. IMO, a line is just an indication of the quality. Better a place like this has a crazy line than none at all.
(5)Christie F.
This is my family's go-to barbecue place! We love everything, especially the burnt ends and Z-man sandwhich! I highly recommend it if you're looking for Kansas City barbecue.
(5)Jesse F.
Oaky Joes has the best BBQ brisket in my humble yet accurate opinion! Coupled with the red cream soda & fries makes the perfect combo! The sides are epic & price is reasonable. Show up at 11am to beat the rush or call in your order & eat at a park. The Z-man is always a win & even better with the dirty rice! I'll be heading there this week for sure.
(5)Dawn H.
Best. BBQ. EVER! And I'm from Texas- I've had my share of amazing BBQ. Everything is fabulous, and the atmosphere is fun and lively. I'll be honest- there are times I crave their food like I'm pregnant again! Go here, eat too much, and order a beer.
(5)Juan L.
Some of the best BBQ in KC. Ribs, brisket, & pulled pork is a must! Sides are great also. One that you have to order are the onion rings.
(5)Zack F.
This is by far the best BBQ I've found. I've been back many times, gone out of my way to do so, forced people to come with and have never been disappointed. The ribs are do amazingly smoked and flavorful that considering sauce is a travesty. Taste the meat, really taste it! The potato salad is my go to side and is always creamy. Man, I love this place.
(5)R O.
As Kyle said, "Not bad, but..." I've been here a couple times and had a year to sample some of the other BBQ around here. Some friends (who lived in Texas for have said that Joe's relies on its sauce for its flavor. I completely agree -- the meat is just too dry and you need a knife, it doesn't just fall apart like good tender BBQ should. There are other BBQ places that either do the tender stuff (Jack Stack) or that charred rustic stuff (Woodyard) much better. I think it also hurts that *so* many people recommend Joe's as being the best in KC ... if it were not so hyped I might give it another star.
(2)Rachel E.
Regardless of the name change, Joe's still owns at barbecue. I had chicken and a side of potato salad over lunch, and was thoroughly impressed (and not to mention full)! My only complaint is it is more commercialized than some of the other KC barbecue joints, but well-deserved given their food. Be prepared to wait in line!
(4)Kelly D.
I can't describe how awesome this place is. I consider myself a bbq snob and expert onion ring critic. I love the atmosphere here, super friendly staff and very clean restaurant. Their sauce is the best in KC. Now, let's talk about their onion rings. They are so flavorful, crisp, and perfect. Please try them yourself if you don't believe me.
(5)Roman G.
Joe's is one of those famous BBQ restaurants that has gotten a lot of notoriety over the years. The brisket was tender and cole slaw flavorful. Ambiance is good and the restaurant was very busy for an early Monday lunch. Although not my favorite BBQ certainly top10.
(4)Stacy M.
Love the BBQ! They give huge servings and it's just awesome. Even if you wait in line, it goes quickly because of the process they use of asking guests not to hold tables before you have food. This is such a great, efficient process. Especially when you gave large groups of people. The Z Man is my favorite sandwich and go to. Sweet tea is yummy. Love hitting this place up anytime I go to The Container Store that is close by.
(5)Tom C.
Heard people talking about Joes when I landed at the airport and when I checked into my hotel. Along with Yelp reviews, I had to try. Did not disappoint. Had pretty much everything, pulled pork, Z-Man brisket sandwich, sausage, ribs, chicken gumbo, baked beans, potato salad, fries and rings. All was excellent. The ribs are out of this world!!! A must try in KC!
(5)David M.
Great bbq, so much better than Jackstack. Best ribs I've had only good competitor is Gates.Truly great food.
(5)Michele I.
Phenomenal barbecue that epitomizes Kansas City. Barbecue sauce is rich, slightly sweet, slightly tangy. The line may be out the door- but the food is worth the wait. Recommendations- the Z-man, the burnt ends, and the red beans and rice.
(5)Marilyn C.
DISCLAIMER: I am still a Gates BBQ fan! My sister wanted local Kansas City BBQ. We've lived in Memphis before and we are huge BBQ fans. We were running late for dinner so we ended up going to Joe's. Even though it was after 9pm, the place was still packed. Food, service and atmosphere is one of a kind. My son ordered the Z-man sandwich, my niece the pulled chicken breast sandwich, my sister ribs and chicken dinner and my hubby and I just got a dinner slab with onion rings, fries and red beans and rice. EVERYTHING WAS DELICIOUS! We ate family style and we still had plenty of leftovers to take home for the next day.
(4)Don K.
Well, I gave them another chance and they still failed. Sausage and brisket were barely room temperature and brisket was sliced as thin as paper. BBQ beans were good and so was cole slaw. I can't for the life of me understand how people rave over this place....the second star is for the sides because the meat is terrible.
(2)Charley B.
So, you say you like barbeque? Oklahoma Joe's is a good place to be. This suburban location has the same concept and menu as its older brother from the city. You walk in, wait in line (there is always a line,) you order, you pay, you get your food and then you feast. What's great about this location is the larger dining area and a HUGE parking lot. The line moves a lot quicker here, and as busy as it gets there always seems to be a table or two open no matter the size of your group. I recommend the Z Man or the pulled pork sandwich, a bag of onion rings or the red beans and rice and a nice cold glass of strawberry soda.
(4)Libby J.
The sandwiches are great, but I live the fries! This is a great BBQ place. You can pick up something fast (as long as it is not 5pm or 12pm because you will wait in a long line since everyone wants the awesome food!) and it still tastes great!
(5)Justin S.
I am 41 years old and have been eating Bbq for my entire life . I started smoking Bbq and started a competition team about 15 years ago. So I would say I have a pretty good grasp on Bbq . I don't know anywhere that you can get better Bbq in this country ! The consistency of the Bbq at Joes is unreal. They nail it everytime , everyday , every plate period! They are my favorite hands down Bbq joint in Kansas City and in my opinion have the best burnt ends , ribs and rings in the country !
(5)Tony X.
I absolutely love the fries! They are to die for. I always get the chicken Z man, cant go wrong with this sandwich. Pair it up with some beans fries and slaw and you wont be disappointed! Their salads are just as great! I tried my friends salad and it was delish! Nothing really bad to say about this place except sometimes the wait is out the door, however the line goes by pretty quick.
(4)Rod C.
Great BBQ. I was very impressed with Oklahoma Joe's. My standards might be a little lower than some people when it comes to BBQ, being from California. This was my first time passing through Kansas City and I heard that Oklahoma Joe's was the place to try. It was definitely better than any BBQ I've found in CA. We picked the Olathe location after reading about the lines and wait times at the Kansas City location. We did not regret this decision. There was absolutely no wait for us at Olathe and the service was very quick and efficient. I ordered the Z-Man based on the many positive reviews here on Yelp and it did not disappoint. I'm craving another one right now. Too bad it's 1500 miles away.
(5)Emily O.
Best BBQ! Get the Z-man, you won't regret it & the fries are to die for. Had to buy a bottle of fry seasoning & original BBQ sauce for home.
(5)Nicole B.
Great food. I'm vegetarian so BBQ in Kansas is a little tricky. But their portobello z man is great with extra cheese and a side of coleslaw ( which I dump on the burger) Everyone else in the group raved about the meat. Great place good food.
(5)Rob M.
While shopping in the nearby centers I decided on BBQ for lunch. For a change I got out of my usual rut and ordered the pulled pork sandwich instead of the brisket. The pulled pork was nicely flavored and smoky, but not quite as juicy as I expected. It made a good, filling sandwich, though, especially when doctored with some of their spicy BBQ sauce! Seasoned fries made a generous side. I'll probably give the pulled pork another try sometime, but I think I'm going to remain loyal to the brisket sandwich -- it's just outstanding, IMHO! Service was friendly and efficient, and the restaurant wasn't crowded (so it was easy to get a table). SO glad Oklahoma Joe's is fairly close to where I live!
(4)Jessica E.
I'm not a fan of BBQ. But before you get out the pitchforks, I just want to defend myself in saying that I may not be a fan, but I do appreciate it and enjoy BBQ when I get the chance. Now that I feel safe on this forum, now begins my review: I hope you have a smartphone or a gameboy (am I dating myself??) or a book because this line is almost always out the door during lunch time. But it's not for lack of hard work from the cashiers and line cooks, it's just a popular joint. And oh man, is it popular (and within reason!). My workplace usually gets OK Joe's catered for staff meetings or holiday parties, but we also get take-out. The service is stellar. They have things ready when they say they will. So you can bypass the line wrapping around the building to go to the pick-up counter and it's all gravy. If you decide to dine-in, I'm not sure how this happens, but I've almost always found a seat, even if the line is ridic. I'm not a big beef eater (unless it's in burger form) so I usually go with the smoked turkey sandwich and a side of the baked beans. The beans ROCK, no debate over that. The fries and potato salad are good, too. I prefer the spicier sauce over their house sauce; it's got a bit of a kick to it but it's not to the point where you can't enjoy your meal because you're gulping water down by the gallon. The ambience isn't your typical BBQ place. What I'm saying, is that I can rest my elbows on the table and I don't feel sticky for two days after. The busboys are efficient and the staff is kind. The awards on the wall are definitely well-deserved. It was close, but I still do prefer Jackstack. However, you won't have to twist my arm very much to get me to eat here (and that's a lot to say).
(4)Josh M.
Guess which fat-ass ate an entire order of Oklahoma Joe's french fries last night? You guessed it.. This guy! Pro-tip: Try their smoked turkey.. It's amazing!
(5)Jason V.
great bbq - had the rips, which were really good. not the best i've had but still really good. brisket was was good too. the fries are amazing and overall, this place is just good solid bbq. only downside, long lines. expect to wait an hour or longer.
(5)Brett H.
Definitely my favorite BBQ in Kansas City. Even though the lines may be long, it does go fast. If you aren't sure what to get, go with the Z-Man sandwich for sure. Delicious beef brisket with an onion ring. My mouth is watering just thinking about it!!
(5)Lori V.
When we moved to Kansas City we had never experienced Oklahoma Joe's and now we take our family and friends there whenever they come to visit us. We usually get a two meat dinner and split it between the two of us. If you order french fries, you get enough for two people - no kidding. Definitely recommend going here, even if you're just passing through. Don't go on Sunday though - they're closed!
(5)Kari M.
Best bbq ever! Always a line but always a table when you need one. Line moves fast. Food is hot and delicious Meat is lean and tender Pulled pork Smokie joe Burnt ends Slabs The are all so good!!! Way better than gates and nobody yells at you "hi, may I help you?!"
(5)Dawn C.
First time guest, and I guarantee it won't be the last! On a whim we decided to follow up on a tip from a friend who said this was his "go to" BBQ place. It was still morning and we arrived about 11:30 and were the very first people in line to be served. (Within 10 minutes of our arriving and sitting down to eat the place was full and a long line was waiting! That's always a great sign.) I ordered the pulled pork since the menu said it was their specialty. I found it to be juicy and smoky and I liked that it was served without sauce. On the table you found two bottles of regular and spicy Oklahoma Joes specialty sauce. They are sweet, and I like that! I ended up mixing a little regular with a little spicy to find my Goldilocks just right flavor. The pulled pork is served on white sliced bread with a few pickles. My husband ordered the Z-man. It had sliced brisket and was served with cheese and two onion rings. At first he felt a little disappointed that the meat wasn't piled as high as he had hoped (he's a big time carnivore) but he enjoyed it immensely and wasn't hungry when we left so he had his happy ending. We shared a side of beans and a side of fries. We LOVED the seasoned fries! Yum! But the beans, well, let's just say we liked Jack Stacks beans better. We found these tasted more like a side of chili. Good, but note quite seasoned like we would have liked. To earn my fifth star I would have liked to see sandwich platter with two sides (fries and coleslaw?) I don't like to have to pay for each side separately, and when forced I will always pick fries, but my healthy side always craves a little bit of veggies. Even just a little cup of coleslaw would have put a smile on my face. Nearly perfect, see you again soon!
(4)Ruben P.
Oklahoma Joe's was the last stop on my trip to KC before heading to the airport to fly back to San Francisco. I had heard a bunch about Oklahoma Joe's from the various TV shows highlighting it and also from various friends, so I made it a point to go. We arrived in the middle of the lunch rush, so we waited in line for about 10 minutes, but it was completely worth it. From the Yelp reviews, the Z-man is the way to go, but I didn't want just a sandwich. I wanted a full on meal. I ordered the ribs and brisket with texas toast, pickles and dirty rice. I also added a small gumbo. I'm still craving those ribs. They were so tender and juicy, I can't get them off my mind. Everything was delicious and my friend was surprised that I finished the entire meal. It was sooooooooo goooooooood. After my massive meal, I stopped by to buy a shirt or two as a souvenir. The shirt I wanted was out of stock in my size, so I ended up getting two different ones and the great people at OK Joe's threw in another free shirt in my size that they didn't have for sale anymore. Then on top of that, the shirts were on sale, so I got 3 shirts for about $20. I love good deals! I cannot wait to get back to KC and eat at OK Joe's again. Nothing compares to KC BBQ.
(5)Jillian C.
I had been told that this was the place to go for BBQ since I moved here to KC very recently. I ordered the lean-n-mean which was an open faced smoked turkey sandwich with spicy slaw on top. The boyfriend got the hog sandwich with sausage and pork. We then split the onion rings, beans, and coleslaw. Once we figured out that we should add more sauce to the sandwiches, things were great. I've always been a fan of the meat and slaw combo. There is something about hot meat and cool slaw mixed that just rocks my socks. The onion rings, another favorite food of mine, were good. I liked the hearty breading dipped in both ketchup and more BBQ sauce. The beans were good too but the coleslaw was just alright. Nothing overly special. Overall, I think things just needed some salt. Still a solid offering though.
(4)Miriam N.
Dry, dry dry buns....".....Your killing me....what is with the buns for the pulled pork sandwiches. They taste like 5 day old buns...that somebody left the bag open. Here is the deal you are/were my favorite barbecue. Place. I brought friends from out of town in July 2013, I took more in September, I tried you today on nov.2... No body I have brought wants to go back because the sandwiches all three times are dry. You bite in and it is so dry. Mind you, I put on cole slaw, sauce and was as dry as can be. Did you change buns since you first started.? Possibly by the bakery buns from hyvee...they would be great. I work in a. Large office and they are saying the same thing. The family next to me said the same thing today and ate the meat and left the bun...are you noticing the amount of buns that. Are going in the trash? PLEASe charge me .25 cents more and get a better bun. Trying to love you, but your. Not noticing the signs...
(2)David G.
Best KC BBQ hands down. Meat on ribs was very tender and the chicken was juicy and tasty. Great family and bbq atmosphere with friendly service. I'd weigh half a ton if I lived close to this place.
(5)Jacob L.
One of the best BBQ joints in the best BBQ city in the world.
(5)Sung K.
Between 3.5-4 stars Maybe I expected too much out of this place. It's voted as the best bbq in the nation as well as one of the 13 places to go before you die by anthony bourdain. They were very good, for sure. Ribs were fall of the bone and tender. But their outer tended to be a little tough for one of my friend's order. Brisket had a nice smoke ring, and were tender. But it certainly needed the bbq sauce in my opinion (which were fantastic btw) chicken gumbo was great. fries were awesome. All the other sides that i got to taste were great as well. No complaints whatsoever. Great joint. wish it was in nyc.
(4)IJudge Q.
I am fortunate to not only be a certified BBQ judge, but to live in the best part of the country for any BBQ aficionado. Having said that let me preface my reviews with this comment: "the worst BBQ in the Kansas City area is usually better than the best BBQ found in the rest of the country". Also bear in mind that when one judges competition BBQ, we are trained to "Judge the meat - not the sauce". This will help explain why my reviews are so critical of the places who want to mask some deficiency in tenderness or taste by the over use of sauce. For the past few months, I have been visiting some of the most recommended BBQ joints in the Kansas City area. I am listing my 'overall' ratings at the beginning of the review for each of the establishments visited. ***** Fiorella's Jack Stack BBQ ***** Danny Edwards Boulevard BBQ **** Gates **** Arthur Bryant's *** Rosedale *** Woodyard *** Smokin Joes - Olathe ** Oklahoma Joes ** Johnny's OK Joes was a major disappointment to me. Three trips and three strikes. Meats were overcooked and tasteless while the sides were forgettable. Even their average sauces did nothing to improve overall taste. I know many people love this place and maybe I'm the jinx, because every time I dined with someone who 'just loves it', they left with the same "well that wasn't nearly as good as last time" remark. Can't explain it, but nothing there calls me back anytime soon.
(2)Amy G.
Back home visiting the family and found myself at an old favorite. Will it live up the memories? Oh YES it did. Worth standing in the very long line. By far the best brisket in town. I look forward to my next visit to KC.
(5)Nicole R.
Don't tell Gates that I cheat k? Oklahoma Joe's BBQ is hmmm...good. The meat just falls off the bone. The Texas toast is Bomb.com ! The onion rings are yummy to my tummy. So glad I cheated. But Gates' Hot sauce is still the business!
(4)Scott G.
GLUTEN FREE OH MY! Oklahoma Joe's has removed gluten from the majority of their foods and this is a A+++++++ in my book! If you have a gluten intolerance and want some real food like you used to eat, and you know what I mean if this is you, then this is a food destination you can't afford to miss! Ribs, Chicken, BBQ black beans, creamy slaw, fries and sauce galore (regular and spicy night of the living dead!) is what we devoured and it was DELICIOUS! Before removing gluten from the diet I was a huge fan of the Z-Man sandwich they have. If gluten isn't a issue for you and you want one of the best BBQ sandwiches around, give this one a whirl! Or if you like the vinegar type BBQ give the North Carolina Style sandwich a try. You will not be disappointed. While Jack Stack, Zarda, Famous Dave's, Rosedale bbq all are good..... none of them hold a candle to Oklahoma Joe's in my book. Give in, give it a try and make sure you have time set aside for a nap afterwards because you wont want to stop eating!
(5)Andrew ß.
Fan tactic Recent Forbes article had Oklahoma joes number one in the country I would Agree ! travel.yahoo.com/ideas/g…
(5)Kathy V.
I was skeptical going in, but my friend hosting me sang it's praises. And I have to give it to her, it was DElicious! I'm not a big BBQ person, but this was so, SO good. So good.
(4)Mike E.
After seeing Oklahoma Joe's show up on pretty much every TV show about BBQ in KC I figured I'd better check it out the next time I was in town. After doing some running around on the south side of KC on a recent road trip a friend and I decided to hit the Olathe location on our way out of town. I'd heard the original spot in KCK gets crowded early so we made sure to get to the Olathe one shortly after it opened. There wasn't a line when we got there but by the time we sat down to eat there was one almost to the door. I went for the beef/pork combo sandwich and my friend went with a pulled pork one. The pork was about as good as it gets, smoky and juicy strands of meaty heaven. The brisket was also awesome, maybe a little dry but still very tasty. Needless to say we both left with a big smile on our faces! The only negative thing either of us had to offer was the beans, too much chili powder and not near enough smoke flavor. The beans were also firm, not exactly slow cooked. The fries helped pick up the slack, they tasted fresh and had a nice dusting of dry rub for flavor. When I told the really nice guy that took our order we were heading out on the road and then asked if they could wrap some goodies up for travel he said they'd have it ready at the bar when we were done. How convenient! So I got a pound each of brisket and pulled pork, it was well packaged and easily made the trip back to Denver with us. I'm thinking next time I'll give the gas station location a try, and won't be surprised if OK Joe's makes it's way into my regular KC BBQ rotation!
(4)Lucas R.
So I'm in the KC area for a couple weeks- and apparently it's a must to try OK Joes when you're there. Reading the reviews, you would think that most of these folks would give their first born son away just to eat one more Z-Man sandwich. So I obviously opted to order one. VERY average experience. Was the sandwich good? Absolutely. However, I was MOST surprised that the sandwich was actually pretty small. The order of fries was incredibly massive. 3/4 of the fries went in the trash can after I was done eating my good but way too small sandwich. $12.50 for an appetizer of a meal. First and last time.
(3)Samantha B.
Great BBQ! I live in California so we don't get good BBQ very often. Love coming back to visit the family and get some good BBQ! Service is fast and efficient! Be prepared for lines but they move quickly.
(4)Tod S.
I have eaten at the "original" in the gas station downtown but the extra room is nice. Food was consistent and delicious as always!
(5)Kiranbir S.
Z Man. Best BBQ in the world.
(5)Kelsey C.
I used to drive 20 minutes one way just to get fries and a sandwich here. I would drive an hour if I had to. It is the most amazing BBQ and fries I have ever had in my entire life. Lucky for me, this location tastes the same as the original location. I have since moved closer to this location and I get food from here about once per month. The employees are always super friendly and my to-go order is always on time. People in line are usually friendly as well, everyone is just excited to eat BBQ! I would definitely recommend this location!
(5)Elibe E.
Oklahoma Joe's is THE best lunch value in metro KC. You can eat like a demigod for $10! Here's the deal: 1. There will almost always be a line here, ESPECIALLY during the M-F lunch hour 2. Check the specials! You can really optimize your nom/$ ratio here folks 3. Bring your friends (this is the best way to sample the entire menu without completely gorging yourself on noms) 4. DO order a beer with your food (e.g, Boulevard Wheat) 5. OK Joe's does a sauce on style bbq that's spicy with a hint of sweetness - standard bread and pickles on the sides. 6. The Z Man Conclusions: OK Joe's is eating Gates' lunch because the sides are superior (especially fries), AND the meats are butchered much cleaner (less gristle, dude). If you don't want to tuck your shirt in and eat in a fancy JackStack environment, this is the next best BBQ in KC.
(4)Gail W.
We were in Olathe a few weeks ago and felt like BBQ for lunch. Unfortunately, the food we got was awful. The sandwiches were so slathered in sauce that you couldn't taste the meat! Folks, BBQ is about the meat, not the sauce! I had potato salad and it tasted like it was straight from a grocery deli. My husband had baked beans and they were decent, but I'm not going to a restaurant just for beans. Sorry, but we won't be back.
(2)Dan H.
Great pulled pork sandwich. The spicy chicken gumbo was also really good. Definitely worth the 20 minute line. Staff is crazy proficient on remembering your order and passing it down the line to each involved. Kind of reminded me of a NYC deli in that regard.
(4)Mike P.
"Let the f#ckers work that one out." - John Lennon on the lyrics to "I Am the Walrus. Lennon was amused that a teacher was having her students analyse Beatles' lyrics. To me Kansas City barbeque menus read like the lyrics to "I Am the Walrus". Burnt Ends, Carolina Style, Short End vs. Long End and Smoke Rings? In an attempt to gain clarity on the subject I sent questions to Clark S. and Reed N. Both Yelpers were very gracious in sharing their wisdom. After reading Clark's response there was zero chance I wasn't having barbeque for lunch. This called for a two man unofficial Yelp event lunch at Oklahoma Joe's BBQ in Olathe, Kansas. It was cool meeting Clark and doing barbeque "research". I had the Beef Brisket sandwich with a side of BBQ beans. I was able to see the smoke rings in the brisket and pick out flavors in Oklahoma Joe's sauces with what I learned. Clark showed me how to look for specs of spices to discern how it was created. I am a student of the Q and this Oklahoma Joe's location is my new classroom.
(4)Long B.
I must be the minority on this, but all the hype was a bit misleading for me. I'll explain a bit later in this review. Arriving to Oklahoma Joe's was a packed parking lot. People were coming in and out of the place, so apparently this is a very popular spot. Walking in, immediately was a huge line from the ordering window to the front door. There are employees running around, making sure the tables were clean and emptied off for new customers, people helping pick up their orders, and then the loud yelling people getting food to all the hungry masses. It was a good 15 minutes before we were able to finally order something. I ordered the combination sandwich, because I wanted to try out both meats. The popular pulled pork, and the beef brisket. I also had a side of french fries, and a water. All together it only cost me about 9 dollars I believe. Your food comes on a very, very small brown plastic tray. Sure makes your food look huge in comparison. Wow, the amount of fries you get is ridiculous, in fact I never finished them completely. I recommend if you're eating with someone to have 1 person order the fries and share them. Unless the other person is a complete fat ass, then order one for yourself. They come seasoned and radiating hot in a white paper sack. The refreshment station had 2 soda pop stations, so that helps alleviate any huge lines of people waiting to fill up their drinks. Now the sandwich itself was not bad. I did feel a bit jipped because the pulled pork half was not cut down the center, so I got barely any pulled pork. The brisket was plentiful. Now here is why I feel I am the minority on this... the meat was extremely dry. It was not even juicy at all like the other Yelper's are claiming it to be. I tried to douse it with a lot of BBQ sauce, but alas it was still dry to me. So the BBQ sandwich was a big let down. Next time I'll try the Z-MAN sandwich and see if that will change my opinion about the place. Overall, I think the atmosphere is great, the people who work there seem to enjoy it for the most part, and the food is fresh. Just expect to be looking for empty parking spots for a while, and then wait for about 15-20 minutes before making your order. Another thing, they only offer 1 type of BBQ sauce, unlike Arthur Bryant's you get 3 choices. If they do offer more than 1, I hope they would incorporate that.
(3)Reina R.
I love love love Oklahoma Joe's. My favorite dishes are the roasted chicken, brisket, and french fries. Services is friendly and efficient. A great place for a family get together.
(5)Stephen H.
I always manage to go to OK Joe's for lunch and since large lunches usually make me want to go straight to bed, I never really go "all out" at OK Joe's. This, like the Leawood location, is one that actually accommodate the demand that savvy branding and great food create. Love not waiting in a line out the door to get great food.
(5)P M.
What can you say that hasn't been said about this place? It is as advertised. It is the best of what Kansas City has to offer with regard to bbq.
(5)Chris B.
I dream about lunch here! I used to work in Mission Hills a lot and the gas station was a definite stomping ground. Now that I live in Shawnee, I rarely get to either place but if I am remotely close, I am doing it! I travel frequently and with the lore of Kansas City BBQ, I am always challenged by clients and friends. All pale examples of BBQ and it's hard not to show my disappointment upon first bite, the taste is just not the mouth sex that Oklahoma Joe's is good for. KC has is critics about BBQ and what it really is. I do the rounds to all the other staples in KC but I never get the consistency of service and quality of food that I get with Oklahoma Joe's. that in itself is what drives me back, consistent, reliable and always delicious! I am a bit of a creature of habit, not the normal barbecue eater in that I don't eat ribs. My staple is the Smokey Joe, a side of spicy slaw and an order of fries. It's absolute goodness and more than I can eat but DAMN, it is good, good, good!
(5)Jared S.
Hands down best ribs I ever had at a restaurant. Do not forget to get the red beans and rice as a side. The Z man is a good sandwich but take a friend as split some ribs.
(5)Brad H.
Incredible! Perhaps best BBQ I have ever had. Pulled pork was juicy, big bits bit tender. Smokey and flavorful without sauce. BUT the sauce was amazing too! The beans had big chunks of pork and were delicious, sweet but not too much so. It took an hour to get up to the counter, but it was worth the wait. Add in $1.75 draft beers and I love this place.
(5)John L.
I'm not a huge bbq fan but this was fantastic.
(5)John W.
those giant lines you see there exist for a reason, this food is the best. the z-man is scrumptious, order it with double cheege (intentional spelling), double onion rings for a boost. if you are having a party their trays/platters/orders-by-pound of turkey are top notch. first and possibly last 5 star review i'll ever give.
(5)Cristie D.
I am from DC so I was excited to try KC bbq. I have had Texas and Carolina style so might as well try something new. I had the rib and pulled pork dinner with fries. The pork was moist and tasty. Not too smokey. The ribs were tender and sweet. The fries were the best I have had in long time. I suggest this place to everyone.
(4)Wayland W.
Honestly. I don't see what all the fuss is about. Place is expensive and nothing to rave about.
(3)Emily C.
Oklahoma Joe's has some of the best ribs I've ever eaten and as a native Texan (yes, that's right, a NATIVE Texan) I've eaten more than my fair share of ribs. So, if you're going to eat here, do NOT skip the ribs. You MUST order them. I came here on a Monday evening for a late-ish dinner (around 8) and it was pretty busy. I cannot imagine the crowds at lunch or earlier in the evening. Oklahoma Joe's has a very unassuming atmosphere... walk up to counter, order your food, pay for your food, get your tea, wait for your tray, sit down and enjoy. The staff are all incredibly efficient and friendly and even though there are quite a few people moving through, the empty tables are all kept clean. For a location in a strip mall, it's actually very pleasant. Now, on to the food... I ordered the ribs and 1 meat plate... As I said above the ribs were heavenly. Oklahoma Joe's has a Jack Daniel BBQ sauce that has a whiskey sweetness to it. For my "meat" I chose the pulled pork. It was also fantastic. I'm used to have pulled pork BBQ in the North Carolina style, so to have it with this type of BBQ sauce was really a treat.... I piled the pulled pork high up on a piece of Texas Toast, added some BBQ sauce and topped it with dill pickle chips... man, I could die happy. It was truly fantastic. For my side, I opted for potato salad. Now, the potato salad was also really good, a perfect balance of potato chunks and creamy potato with a mustard base and fresh dill, but after all of the pulled pork and ribs I only managed a few bites. Since I don't live in KC I was thinking about trying out a new BBQ place every time I visit for work, but after sampling Oklahoma Joe's I'm not sure I'll be able to make myself go anywhere else!
(5)Kirun M.
This was on my list of to-do in KC. I'm glad I was able to go. I think OK Joe's is a great option for lunch if you get there early enough to avoid the crazy lines, like we did today. Since I'm review number 191, hopefully I don't offend too many people by saying that all BBQ all kind of tastes the same to me. I went here for lunch today and enjoyed my Z-Man sandwich. It had brisket, provolone cheese, and two hefty onion rings on a bun. It was big and satisfying, especially when you add BBQ sauce, but it wasn't anything I need to eat again. I'm not a huge sweet meat fan though...that's my disclaimer. I did appreciate that the brisket tasted good and was lean. I hate when bbq places try to cheat you by using fatty gross meat.
(4)Charlotte H.
This place is the BEST BBQ EVER!! First of the whole design of the place is nice its very well decorated! They have awards everywhere, magazine clippings, and old photos. There is normally a good sized line but its worth the wait!! The menu is on a big black board and you can read it while your in line. You tell the man once you reached the top of the line what you want and he prints out a piece a paper that the man on the end scans and you pay and get your food. Drinks are located once you have paid to your right. You find a table and EAT!! Omg I can eat the Z man sooooo fast!! Its crazy! If you are new to this place get the Z-man and the fries are to die for!! They BBQ original Sauce they have is perfect! They even sell it also!! They have a little small BBQ store right next door and sell all kinds of items! Please if you love BBQ you need to come here!! Its life changing!! hahaha
(5)Erica T.
First, there's a line out the door all the time, but don't be alarmed! The line moves fast and you'll be at the order window in no time. You order at a window and by the time you walk about 6 feet down to pay, your food is ready to pick up. I haven't exactly been a fan of KC style BBQ since moving here, and this is the best place I've found so far. There are two sauces - their original, which is a little less sweet than most KC sauces I've tried, and the spicy, which I found way too sweet, but with a little bit of a bite. The pulled pork is very juicy. It doesn't come with any sort of sauce (I prefer North Carolina style pulled pork) and adding a bit of their original sauce helps. The Z-man sandwich (brisket, provolone, onion rings on a bun) is really tasty and a unique addition to the normal BBQ restaurant offerings. I've also had the pulled pork and sausage sandwich, which was simple and good, and topping each bite with some spicy coleslaw was really yummy. Now on to the sides! The fries are great - crispy and coated in their BBQ rub. The normal order is definitely enough for 2-3 to share - get them! The potato salad is mayo-based and has a lot of dill. The spicy coleslaw didn't seem spicy at all to me. They also have a smoked chicken gumbo that was surprisingly good! Don't let the lines hinder you from visiting OK Joe's. And, if you're in a hurry, you can always call in for pick up or order at the pick up window. You'll be in and out in about 8 minutes!
(4)Eric D.
In from Dallas, had a decent meal. Ribs were tasty but the sausage was so-so. Sweet tea was perfect.
(3)Stephanie W.
What can be said that has not been said by the Food Network, Anthony Bourdain, and other critics non par. Food is awesome, service stellar, a real jewel for KC. However, my time is valuable, and standing in line for food for hours is not my thing. So my only suggestion is if you are in a hurry and don't really need to eat there, order it to go. I was on a serious time crunch, and walked in to a hour long line. I saw the to go counter and employees were just milling around. So I simply walked back to my car, ordered my food, and ran some errands at the nearby Target. Came back in 20 minutes to an amazingly packaged lunch which I took home to my happy family, and was back to work in no time. Great food, just have to work the system.
(4)Aaron R.
Some of the best quick BBQ in KC. Try the iconic Z-Man, the healthier Lean-N-Mean, or a rack of ribs. The "Night of the Living BBQ Sauce" is great especially in the beans.
(5)SuzySnowflake Q.
After all the hype OK Joe's have gotten, I was expecting terrific food. Instead, it was OK food. If you want great BBQ food, I suggest you go somewhere else. It's Kansas City after all, not Oklahoma.
(1)FJ H.
When I lived in Kansas, this was my BBQ mecca. Being situated over 1000 miles away does not help my cause. I don't have a BBQ fix!! waaahhh!! My all-time favorites -- half chicken and half slab of ribs if I'm really hungry. However, the two-meat sandwich (brisket & chicken) was my go-to for my lunch needs. Oh and, this place doesn't hurt the wallet; it's appropriately priced and I hope it stays that way. I have to mention this -- and as concisely as possible -- This is the world's best BBQ without a doubt!!! The recognition this place gets from acclaimed food critics is well deserved.
(5)Vince P.
Ok, a little nervous when the line was out the door. These people have the service down. The line moved quickly and efficiently. I ordered an abundance of food to feed the family carnivore style. Had a slab of ribs, the ribs are great. Tender, tasty, delicious, mouthwatering! Had bbq beef sandwich, pretty good. Tasty and lean, but a little tough. Onion rings are a definite - great! Fries in abundance and they are good! Red beans and rice - different for a bbq place, but good. Now the bad parts. Bbq beans, kinda funky and not a lot of flavor. The slaw, I have to give it two thumbs down. No flavor and just wet cabbage. Bottom line, yeah I would go there again. But, sticking to ribs and onion rings. PS They have strawberry soda.
(4)Jessica S.
I'm from Texas, you see. And the family (mostly from the uppder mid-west) was all in KC. And we hear all this stuff about "Great Kansas City BBQ." I was a little leery, aren't you? I do enjoy Texas BBQ. So someone recommends Oklahoma Joe's. Oklahoma? Really? You know what? It was actually pretty good. Yes, of course it's different from Texas BBQ. (Let's not go on too long about that). Mom and I shared a rib plate. They were good. And the sauce was good. And those onion rings I got a few bites of were good. I found myself surprised by how much I actually enjoyed it. So, good job, Oklahoma Joe's, in Kansas City, this Texas gal enjoyed the tasty vittles!
(4)Noor B.
After hearing so much hype from TV personalities, it was hard to imagine that Oklahoma Joe's would deliver, but it sure did. Brisket is tender, well seasoned, and delicious. BBQ sauce is tasty; portions are generous, and the Texas toast is wonderfully buttery. I will definitely be back!
(5)Sarah H.
I lovvveee me some oklahoma joes!!!! the wait isn't as bad as everyone is making it sound, it's a great tease before the perfect meal. and come on, you don't go to a BBQ place to have chicken, u gotta have the beef brisket! now that I live in texas, I really really appreciate this place. it is not comparable to ANY BBQ place I've been to anywhere! and for less than $10, phew, that's like stealing for this quality! be sure to go to their store next door, it's a dream to be in! I always buy 2-3 of their jars of BBQ sauce & use their seasoning on everything! enjoy this place, it'll be the best meal you've ever had!!!!!!!!
(5)Tom F.
What can I say about Oklahoma Joe's that hasn't already been said? While the Olathe location doesn't have the panache of the original, it does have one thing... Just consistently the best rack of spareribs you can find in this country, and possibly the world. Nothing else. Do it, you won't be disappointed.
(5)Heath F.
I may be one of the few to admit that I actually prefer the Olathe location over the OG location in the Gas Station. The food is the same perfection, but I just think the cluster of the dining experience is better in the bigger location...big shock. There's not really alot that can be added about this place at this point, but I think this is the best BBQ on the planet, not just KC. By far, the most delicious ribs I've ever eaten, and the Z-Man is what a sandwich was meant to be. Perfect in every way. One item I think gets overshadowed by the rest, but is still the best in town, is the smoked sausage. If I'm going all in with no plans for the rest of the night, I'll get the HogManiac's dinner, with ribs, pulled pork, and sausage. Simply put, the best dinner in all of KC, but will put you in a serious food coma for a solid 8-12 hours. Eat, go home, and put on some sweats, because you are going to be worthless for a while, and it's awesome!
(5)Graydon M.
I'm a barbecue nut and this place is definitely the place to go. I tried several other restaurants in KC when I was here on business and this is the only one that I'd come back to. I had the Z-Man sandwich on the recommendation of a friend and it was the way to go the first time out. I almost went back for a second one but since I was leaving for the airport directly afterwards I didn't want to sit for hours on a plane stuffed to the gills. This place was packed for lunch too. That is always a good sign. I will be coming back here the next time I'm in town and will expand a bit on the menu. Now I can see why KC is the capital of barbecue.
(5)Chris L.
Hate going at the height of lunch because I can't always easily get a seat. So that stinks. Too successful for their own good? :) But the meats are fabulous. The fries great. I don't really care for their beans, which is too bad because I loved smoked beans. But their sausage sandwich is one of the best ever.
(4)David A.
WOW! The food is as good as the gas station location in KCK. The lines are a bit shorter here as the restaurant is bigger and can accomodate a larger crowd. It's a bit more upscale as is the clientele. They also have a separate store for BBQ unlike the gas station which has a small section. Unfortunately it had closed by the time I had finished dinner :( They have a great take out section with all the fixings to help you, too. I ordered a beef brisket (jumbo of course), onion rings and fries. All were to die for! I also smothered my sandwich in both the spicy and the original sauces. This place can't be beat. Funny thing is....I ate here with my friends from Oklahoma. I'm like, why don't you just go to the local one? Get this...IT IS CLOSED. What a shame right? There are few places that draw crowds in KC Metro, but this place is it. Given a choice, I prefer this place, but the gas station is better for the shock value for tourists :) The parking is easy, too. It might be my imagination, but I think the sides are a bit more $$$ than KCK.
(5)Paul M.
Great place for lunch. Great barbecue. A wide selection of different styles of barbecue as well! Brisket, pulled pork, you name it. great slaw, too!
(4)Rob S.
4.5 stars and hundreds of reviews tells the story. Great place, well organized, bustling, and excellent quality meats and sauces! Will hit this place again if I'm ever in town.
(5)Robert P.
Anthony Bourdain was right. The Z Man is great, the pork, the brisket, the burnt ends, all of it. My favorite is their smoked chicken gumbo. Who knew Cajun food lived in BBQ country? Grab anything with a Boulevard (or a Pabst if you splurged in the jumbo sandwich or full slab) and just soak it all in.
(5)Todd E.
I go to KC a couple times a year for work and always end up at Jack Stack's for the symbolic BBQ meal of my visit. This time I changed it up and went to Oklahoma Joe's with some coworkers. I had the sausage, beef brisket, pulled pork, beans and spicy slaw. Overall, I wasn't impressed and I feel like the place didn't live up to its reputation. I got the impression that everything was pre-portioned hours before I got there. Styrofoam cups of preshredded pork were dumped onto plates. Ribs taken out of a warming cabinet and unwrapped from tinfoil and overall the meats just weren't juicy and flavorful. The spicy slaw was pretty bring but the beans were good. The staff was friendly and smiley though! Overall, not at all bad--but I feel like I could have had a BBQ meal at any place back home in DC. When I come to KC, I expect better than this.
(3)Tim M.
This was my first time at Oklahoma Joes and loved it. I had a ribs and one meat dinner (I chose sausage) and both were good but I loved the ribs! They had just the right amount of seasoning on them and were quite juicy. I also ordered fries and they give you a ton of fries! They are seasoned and quite tasty. I would definitely go back!
(5)Kristina N.
Visiting KC from Denver, went here on a recommendation from my father, waited over an hour for BBQ. Hands down the ribs were the best selection out of all of the meat selections plus the onion rings were delicious!! BBQ sauce is delicious, compliments great flavor to the meat.
(5)Bryan T.
Absolutely the best BBQ on the Planet! The ribs are the best you'll have in your life and the brisket melts in your mouth. There's almost always a line out of the door (for good reason) so it's likely not a quick in and out meal, but you'll never be unhappy once that tender goodness hits your tongue!
(5)Curt W.
Went for lunch and there was a pretty long line. It moved quickly and there was a table available when we got through the line and had our food. Score: 5/5 for service I ordered the Smoky Joe sandwich, the special of the day. I picked the spicy slaw as a side. Both were excellent. I added the "Night of the Living" sauce for a little extra kick. It added a nice spicy sweet flavor. The food was very good and I would definitely return to try some of the other menu items that sounded good like the Z-man Sandwich. Food:4/5 Don't panic and miss out on great food if the line looks long. It is worth the wait and the line moves very quickly.
(4)Tim M.
Always good, Gotta love it.
(5)Tony P.
Best Pulled Pork Sandwich EVER! Damn good BBQ all around! There is a reason this place is jam packed all the time. Even though there is a huge line during prime time lunch/dinner, the staff moves through the line pretty quick. Although I've found the line trailing outside a few times, the place is large enough that you'll usually be inside while you wait. Now to the food! Okie Joes (as they are called) knows their BBQ. The quality of meat has always been superior to every BBQ place I've gone to. Super tender and not nearly as fatty as other places. Of course all BBQ has some fat...wouldn't be good without it! I don't know exactly what blend of wood chips they use and what they smoke the meat in, but damn that meat has a good, balanced smokey flavor. Last, but certainly not least, their sauce is incredible. I could drink this stuff straight! Not really..that'd be kind of disgusting, but it is my personal favorite BBQ sauce of all time....and I've had A LOT of BBQ. Those that prefer a BBQ sauce with a high vinegar taste will not enjoy it as much as the people who like the sweet, peppery, smokey type sauce. Don't like it? Too bad for you. Less people in line is ok by me. As far as sides go, I must admit I haven't mad much besides the fries because the fries go extremely well with the BBQ sauce. They are definitely large enough to split with someone, too. I always order the jumbo pulled pork. Nothing but tender, juicy, smokey meat on a bun with BBQ sauce. Honorable mentions: The ZMan & Carolina Pulled Pork I'm getting hungry thinking about it!!
(5)Roger H.
If only I could transport this restaurant to central California, where I currently live, I'd be in heaven! Unfortunately for me, though, I can only enjoy this treat a few times a year during, usually during the holidays, when I fly back home to see my family. California is nice and the sun shines a lot here, but they don't know or do BBQ, period. Sure there are places that sell something they call BBQ, but nothing is even remotely as wonderful as Oklahoma Joe's BBQ here. My mouth waters just thinking about that Z-man sandwich the next time that I get my hands and mouth on one! Simply put, Oklahoma Joe's defines a perfect BBQ place. Yum!
(5)Andrew H.
What can I say that hasn't already been said? The best BBQ in KC. Be prepared for long lines ;).
(5)Lindsey H.
I've never walked into a bbq joint with so many awards on the walls. When I checked in on 4square, I was informed that this place was also recommended by Food Network. The line was not only out the door, but around the block on a Sunday morning. Luckily the line moves pretty fast, so we probably waited no more than 30 minutes to get our food. The place is very loud, and very casual (it's bbq), but there's a large seating area so there's enough room once you get your food. 4 of us split a full rack of ribs (~$20), and each of us ordered a regular sized sandwich and fries (~$8 each). All of us finished our sandwiches (get the pulled pork specialty, it's amazing), but we hardly made a dent in the ribs and fries. Definitely don't need that much food for 4 people. The sandwich was heavenly, and the pork ribs were perhaps the best I'd ever had. I slathered everything in Oklahoma Joe's BBQ sauce, and was in love. Pro Tips: Call ahead, and get your bbq to go, *or*, get a beer at the call-ahead line while you wait in line for your bbq. With pictures: bit.ly/yr6oHk
(4)Matt M.
What can I say other than this is my BBQ benchmark. Ive dreamed about a Z-man and fries while on deployment only to wake up to frozen waffles and ultra pasteurized milk. The quality hasnt changed over the years, even when they opened this new location. The new location is more convenient, but its still fun to introduce friends to the original location. These days I find myself mixing more spicy BBQ sauce with the regular, which makes me wonder why all BBQ places havnt figured out this system. If your in the mood on a Friday night and dont want to wait 45 min you could always call in your order to go and pick it up by the time you get to the restaurant.
(5)Paul N.
I have been participating in the KCBS BBQ competition series for over 10 years and have even taken home a 1st place brisket prize at the American Royal. I know BBQ and I can easily say that this is currently the BEST BBQ in the Kansas City area, by far. I don't usually go out for BBQ because I cook so much of my own at home, but when friends or family are in town, I take them to OK Joes. It's worth the wait to stand in line. PS - I get all of my BBQ supplies from the BBQ store next door.
(5)Melissa S.
This is seriously the best BBQ ever! Definitely worth the 45 minute drive! Pulled pork or Z-man is a guaranteed hit. Pair with the french fries and extra pickles and I am one satisfied girl!
(5)Rudy W.
love the ribs and the sandwich. can't go wrong to go to this place for a quick bite to eat and very appetizing. I have to hunt more of these when I travel.
(4)Thomas P.
I have always wanted to go to the one Kansas City kansas, but the line is always out the door, which is a good sign. But I only have 30 minutes for lunch, they eventually put one in olathe. Me and the wife loved it, we get the turkey sandwich with the slaw on, i think it's the Carolina. There line moves very quick so it's never a long wait.
(4)Colin B.
As a Texan who loves BBQ, I tend to fall on the snob side of things. Of course I think Texas BBQ is the best, but I realize other regions' BBQ can be very good. However, Okalhoma Joe's might be the best BBQ I have ever had, hands down. Pulled pork? Will make you believe in God. The sausage? Will make you slap a mama. The sauces? Sweet, spicy, flavorful. The french fries? Probably the best I have ever had. Whatever is in that seasoning is the greatest thing to ever go on a fry. We had two sodas, split a sandwich and got some fries and we were out of there for under $13. What a steal.
(5)Todd D.
Visited this great spot in 2010 and again in 2011 before attending Chief games, will be my favorite BBQ spot for any trip to KC in the future. Go with a group of friends and order up a couple slabs of ribs (they literally fall off the bone). You don't need any sauce but it is great with as well. The z-man sandwich is top notch and the carolina is right there as well. The beans are full of flavor and the spicy slaw has a nice kick. Don't be scared off by the long line out the door, the line is there for a reason (GREAT FOOD) and well worth the wait.
(5)Casey P.
As if this place needs another review. I recently moved to Texas and every time I come home Oklahoma Joe's is my first stop for lunch. I haven't explored a whole lot of their menu because why change a GREAT thing?? I order the turkey sandwich carolina style and fries. Y-U-M. The buttered bun, messy slaw, and a little bit o BBQ sauce go a looooong way. Their fries are also particularly delicious. I've gone with friends who have ordered the Z-man and have enjoyed it. Really, I haven't heard a bad thing about anything on their menu. I'm a huge BBQ beans fan, but I don't like them here as much as other places. Maybe some day I'll order something else, but until then I've got my order down pat.
(5)Kansas A.
Oklahoma Joes never disappoints me. I think their ribs are outstanding! I'm a big fan of Kansas City bbq and this is one of my favorites! Its my go to place because its the closest one to me. Sadly I've never been to the original location, I need to do that soon!
(5)Art M.
Simply the best....pulled pork, ribs, you name it.
(5)Bobby P.
AWESOME BARBECUE!!! Word's cant describe how delicious this place is! I went on a Kansas City barbecue tour to try and eat at various barbecue restaurants within the Kansas City area. I've been to about 4 out of 7. Oklahoma Joe's is not far from my cousin's house in Olathe, KS so I definitely had to stop by. I took a to go order and ate it back at her place and boy oh boy! It was delicious! A few weeks later my cousin gave it a shot based upon my recommendation and after a sample of my meal. The ribs were perfect! Lots of sauce and fell right off the bone. And the fries? They weren't just plain old fries. These fries had a little spice seasoning on them which I loved!!
(5)Ericka O.
My husband and I are visiting a friend in Kansas. We are both from California and were told that the BBQ here was great. The atmosphere was fun and casual. You walk right up to the counter in the back and order. The staff back there were very friendly and the food came out quickly. I ordered the pulled pork sandwich, which was amazing. The meat was tender and the sauce was fantastic. My husband ordered a rib and brisket combo. I thought the brisket was incredible. It was so tender and flavorful, it practically fell apart in my mouth. No chewing required! The ribs were good as well, but I thought the brisket was the best. My husband enjoyed a cold beer with his meal and said it was great. I'm really glad we chose to eat here, and am very sad we don't have this chain back home!
(5)Robin H.
This place was stop #2 on my business trip turned KC BBQ quest. I can honestly say I was in BBQ Heaven! I had the "Hog -a Mania" that was suggested by the gentleman at the order counter and I am glad I took his suggestion, I even told him so afterwards and Thanked him whole-heartedly. The Hog-a-mania consists of 3 ribs, pulled pork, sausage and 2 sides (I had the spicey cole slaw and red beans and rice) and Texas toast. It was fantasic!! The pork was tender and juicy and the rib meat fell off the bones. The sauce had the right blend of spices, it's not one of those "burn your lips off to hide the taste" sauces. MMMMMM! I will be back!
(5)Kim N.
We eat at this location a lot. It is just down the street from our office and it is good BBQ. I would rank it 3rd or 4th in KC. I know this goes against most peoples opinions. The Turkey Sandwiches are great. Tender and Juicy which is hard to do with Turkey. I am not big on the ribs here, every time I have had them they seemed dry to me, like they over cooked them or there wasn't enough meat to begin with. The brisket is also super yummy and tender. I love their sauces which are made by Original Juan's so can't go wrong there. My favorite is the Night of the Living Dead Sauce. The fries are also very good but not as good as Wyandotte BBQ. Same with the beans they are good but not as good as Jack Stack. The atmosphere is crazy but fun. There is always a super long line and you wait to go up and give your order. Be Kind and know what you want when you get up there so others don't have to wait while you make up your mind. Also don't steal tables and hold them for your friends while they order for you. The tables turn quick and you will get a seat, just be patient and be nice. The bus people are great they are quick and efficient and have the tables wiped and ready to go in seconds. Great customer service.
(4)Samantha M.
Lived in Kansas City all this time but have never actually tried Oklahoma Joe's. I honestly don't know why it has taken me so long to try this wonderful place but I hate that it took me so long. Today I had a girls day out with my friend and recommended OK Joe's before we go to the movies. I bought the brisket sandwich with fries and oh my goodness the brisket was amazing! The meat was so moist/tender it basically melted in your mouth. It was one of the best bbq sandwiches I've ever had. The fries were nice and crispy but they had a little much seasoning on them but it wasn't that bad (it wasn't so much to were I was constantly drinking my water) My friend opted for the pulled pork special with a side of beans. She let me try some of the pulled pork and again the pork just melted in my mouth, it was so tender. I know next time I'll be getting the pulled pork, oh and the beans were delicious either (perfectly smoked). For the both of us it came to a little over $19 which in my mind isn't bad for lunch for 2 people. Highly recommend OK Joe's!
(5)Kay L.
OK Joe's is part of the holy trinity of Kansas City BBQ, along with Jack Stack and the sainted Arthur Bryant. Anthony Bourdain was on the right track! Several well-deserved championship banners hang on the wall here... one taste of the brisket, tender and smoky, will confirm why. Pulled pork is a house specialty; but the must-try sandwich is the Z-man -- brisket, smoked provolone, and onion rings on a roll, which sounds a bit oddball but is an explosive blend of flavors that just begs to be devoured. Fries were a bit on the limp side, but handcut & fresh. Yes, the lines are always long, but move quickly.
(4)Grace S.
The food hear is amazing! If it were only about the food this would get 5 stars. The Carolina Pulled Pork Sandwich is a must. It is always so crazy here and there us usually a wait when we go. The are a bit gruff when you order and you better know what you want. Then it is on to finding a table that gets tricky sometimes. We have staked out many a dirty table and on occasion cleaned it off ourselves. BUT REMEMBER! The food is AMAZING!
(4)Don H.
My absolute favorite thing about KCMO is the BBQ. Well, that and visiting my friends (of course). We usually go to another BBQ place but my friend wanted to try something new with us. So we went to Oklahoma Joe's. First of all: it's in a gas station. And that's no lie. Imagine one of those roadside joints in the middle of nowhere that seemed to have gotten bigger over time mostly to save space or to provent family in-fighting (I want a restaurant! You've had your gas station for 30 years, Phil, and now it's my turn!). Also, when I say KCMO I mean pretty far from downtown area. I think it was something of a 30-40 minute drive. When we pulled in, the parking lot was packed. We knew this was going to happen so we were prepared. And there were 9 of us, including a 4-year old. We stood in line and waited about 25 minutes. We scoped out a table and one of us went to claim it. When I got to the counter, it was quick service. You're best off to know what you want -- you've had 25 minutes to decide, after all -- so I got the brisket and sausage and a side of fries. I also got a 32oz of beverage, which is one of the biggest dispensers, only rivaled by the likes of a 7-11. I got myself the strawberry Fanta because its fizziness cuts through just about anything. And holy !@#$ that was delicious! I was definitely not disappointed. The house sauce was well worth the effort and the fries seemed to have been fresh-picked from the farm. About 5 pounds worth, too. (I'm exaggerating.) It was a delicious meal and definitely a different kind of BBQ that I want to try again. And I miss the burnt ends.
(3)Jeremy P.
Always a 10 here! Have never been disappointed. The Z-man sandwich is the way to go! For the first time ever, I came here about 1:30 pm and there was no line!
(5)Erin B.
Have been to the original OK Joe's many, many times, but have never made it to the Olathe location. To my pleasure, it is just as delicious! I had my usual pulled-pork sandwich with fries. It was stuffed to the max with pulled-pork and so so so good! Husband had the Z-Man, brisket with provolone and onion rings on the sandwich with fries ($20 for both meals). We haven't had OK Joe's in almost a year and having it again made us happy we live in KC BBQ country! We went at 6:30 on a Tuesday and the line was almost out the door. Note to visitors: not a place to go when you need to keep a tight schedule. You never know how busy they will be, although the line most quickly and there will be plenty of food for all! But there is order/carry-out option available. Also, to be fair, management asks that patrons don't 'reserve' tables until they have their food. You always have people who get tables before food, but it does help having tables available if it's done in the correct order. More seating in this location than the original (probably helps that it's not connected to a gas station). You tell your meal to the kitchen staff and get your ticket to pay. Wait for your food and grab a table so that you can enjoy your fantastic meal. Visit the BBQ store next door and check out all the rubs and sauces to attempt to recreate OK Joe's at home!
(5)Lauren P.
This is actually like 7 stars but the max on Yelp is 5... The BEST BBQ. Ever. Stop reading these reviews and just go. Right now. And be happy that you are close enough to have that option. Everything is GOOD, like good for the soul good. The only downside is that they do not serve red cream soda like Bryants. So order a red cream there...then go out to Olathe and order your BBQ and you can die happy. I love the pulled pork sandwiches, ribs, fries, beans, pretty much everything. Just be prepared to wait a bit for the food or call ahead and do take out but it is more than worth it. My mouth is literally watering up just thinking about it...so sad that I dont live in KC anymore.
(5)Mama C.
The first thing you'll notice, other than the fantastic barbecue aroma, is the long line waiting to order at OKlahoma Joe's! And then, your heart starts pounding as you scan the restaurant for an empty seat, fearing that once you get your food you won't have a place to sit! ARRRRGH! But relax....this method works very well...and by the time you have your food in hand...there WILL be a place for you! So take note those who like to send someone from your party to hold a table! ( I call these folks, Table Hogs). It is NOT NECESSARY..and it is really rude!( and just because you sit there with your face glued to your cell phone screen doesn't mean we can't see you.) But that little frustration aside....the food. my GOSH the food. I don't think the atmosphere matters one bit, even though it is good, it is all about the barbecue! Our family always orders individually our favorite things....AND a slab of ribs. you can't go without the ribs. I've had just about everything on their menu and i've been satisfied with it all. But i have to say, my favorite item....is the Smoked Chicken Gumbo. It is thick and hearty...and just spicy enough...I've never seen a dish like this in a BBQ joint but I can't have BBQ without it. Their sauce is great, not that you need it. but very good. It's a fun, quick place to have a great meal. ALL of our out of town guests are treated to Oklahoma Joe's!
(4)Angélica W.
I've been to this Oklahoma Joe's location several times, but the last time I went was well more than a year ago. Today I went back, and it was even better than I remembered. It was lunchtime and we expected the rush, prepared for the worst. But the line really wasn't terrible and we hardly had time to decide what we wanted before the nice man with the very easy-to-hear voice was taking our order. I got the combo pulled pork and brisket sandwich. My BF and I also shared a serving of their massive (delicious) fries and some bbq baked beans. We thought we weren't going to be able to find a seat, but luckily we did find one after we made a lap around the place. It's amazing, they must engineer the area specifically to seat only the people who are dining in. Though the KCK location has more street cred, I don't envy them the parking situation. Come on down to Olathe!
(4)Megan D.
The brisket is the best BBQ in America!!!
(5)Gary M.
Great BBQ. Fantastic environment from when you walk in (including yelling your order back to staff) and just what you'd expect to eat barbeque right. Including lots of paper towel rolls. Had their original sandwich (with the brisket) and fries. Just what was suggested and definitely worth the trip!
(5)Libby T.
Best place for BBQ in Kansas City! My husband is from KC, and whenever we go back to visit we make sure to stop here for lunch! I personally like their sausage and pulled pork, but I have had the brisket and really liked that as well. The sides are worth getting too. Be prepared to wait in line for at least 15 minutes. The good part is that the food comes out super fast after you order so the wait really isn't that bad. Even with all the people here, we have always been able to find an open table to sit at. We will continue to come here every time we are in the area!!
(5)Nate A.
Best lunch in Olathe! Any sandwich regular or jumbo. Call in is the way to go if you time restraints, always in and out. We ate there once a week on my crew and always on cue. I take the family there for dinner to sit down and even when the line is out the door the wait is not bad and the ribs are a 10!
(5)Amanda P.
I've been a recurring patron of Oklahoma Joe's since I moved to Kansas City back in 2007, and I'm just now getting around to reviewing what I consider one of the best (if not the best) BBQ establishments I've ever had. Ribs and brisket are definitely the stars at this place, which exemplifies KC-style BBQ. The sauce is slightly sweeter, keeping in tradition with this style of BBQ, and the meat is fall-off-the-bones tender. My favorite side is the fries, which are always seasoned with the house recipe. Not a fan of the slaw. The crew has been there a long time and I always see the same faces time and time again. The setup is similar to a fast food counter where you place your order and then pick it up and take it to a table. Someone goes around and busses the table afterwards but aside from that there is no table service. Can't remark on alcohol selection, as I'm mainly a to-go patron. The to-go section is nicely organized, with a separate line so you don't have to wait in the main restaurant line - which can get all the way to the door on some days! I advise calling ahead to place to go orders, as this place is usually very busy. Parking tends to be a bit of a problem during the dinner rush - Okie Joe's shares a lot with a bunch of other smaller shops, and it tends to get very crowded very quickly.
(5)Michelle F.
Well yeah, can you really rate it anything less than 5 stars? Same BBQ, different zip code -- this place is every bit as good as #1.
(5)Darcy K.
My favorite bbq in all of KC. The Z Man sandwich and ribs are my favorite. I also prefer this location to the original. There is more space, a much shorter wait, and you don't feel so rushed and crowded. The sides are just OK, but the fries are really good. It's all about the meat here!
(5)Brian N.
It's a GREAT BBQ joint - LOVE the Carolina Pork Sandwich, BBQ Beans, and Chili!
(4)Graham S.
Have never actually been to the gas station (original) location, but this one seems to faithfully sling out the same world famous OK Joe's BBQ. Doesn't get any better as far as BBQ goes.
(5)Joseph H.
The reviews looked great, but I don't think it's my style. Someone from Texas said this is the best BBQ they've ever had; that about sums it up. I've only had Texas style BBQ from one place, and while it's alright, I don't think it has any soul. And by soul, I'm talking about Arthur Bryants, Gates, Haywards in the '80s kind of soul. Know what I mean? Back to Joe's: I shared a smoked turkey and a z-man. Everything was prepared well, nice and neat. And therein lies the problem. While I'm eating BBQ, if I can't imagine there's a guy in the back that prepares the meat at 2am or whatever using a hair mop to sop on the sauce occasionally inside the smoker, then the deal is off. Gravitas. Lineage. Tradition. These aren't just words, they're ingredients for God's sake! But it's good. Just watch out for the wait. Sorry Ant'ny, I prefer to eat somewhere else before I die.
(3)Lindsay H.
Consistent quality? Yes. Memorable experience? Yes. Some of the best BBQ in Kansas City? Absolutely. I think I've eaten at just about every BBQ restaurant in KC. Oklahoma Joe's is easily one of the best dining experiences in the metro. There are tons of reviews about the food so I'm going to focus on the people and the company. I've been lucky enough to work with the staff at Oklahoma Joe's. They have a genuine dedication to the art of BBQ. If you follow their social media, they often post kudos to other local BBQ restaurants. Maybe this says something about their confidence as a leader in the restaurant scene, but mostly it tells me that they are willing to share the very bright spotlight they currently hold. The positive reviews are well-deserved.
(5)Brent K.
i used to live down the street from the gas station location, and probably went there 4 or 5 times, mostly because i hated the line to get into the place. I go to their Olathe place probably once a month, mainly because I work in OP and it's easily the best BBQ in the state of kansas and that ain't no joke. the lines are never as long as the gas station place, and you can get in and get out and get your BBQ on. I love their meat, all flavors, i love their sauces. the giant bag-o-fries is way too much, and compared to the dinky little beans, it's almost as if they'd rather you just got fries. there's probably nothing that i can say about this place that hasn't already been said, but if you live or work down south, this is a special treat that just can't be beat. top 5 BBQ in KC easily, and very nice folks working for em. I've have never had a bad experience and the place is kept clean, which is more than I can say for some of the more popular BBQ places around town. If you don't feel like waiting in line, call em up and get it to go, much quicker.
(5)C L.
I don't think you could get more un-American if you flew to France and threw french fries at the American flag...but I am not huge on BBQ. I crave it no more than twice a year. However, I am an accommodating friend, and I will allow you to persuade me into joining you for some BBQ a little more often...IF it's Oklahoma Joe's. There is no equivalent BBQ sauce. Their original is the ideal blend of sweet, flavorful, and spicy. It's not too thick, and not too thin. It spreads, but doesn't run. I prefer it over their hot version. An order of the fries will feed a tiny nation. I don't really like fries, but I eat theirs. No, not because they're good, but because I need a more discreet way of consuming extra BBQ sauce without drinking it directly from the bottle. I've tried several different things here, but I usually stick with a full slab or ribs or a quart of their amazing gumbo. Their faultlessly seasoned ribs are smoky, tender, and not overcooked. Unlike some silly places that serve you some receding jerky left on a dry bone, Joe's slabs satiate. (Say that 5 times fast.) And maybe I'm letting my ignorance shine, but a BBQ place making excellent gumbo? Sure didn't see it coming, but their gumbo is simply marvelous. It has hefty hunks of chicken breast in a thick, orangish-tan roux, just the perfect amount of chopped okra, all the right spices, and finishes with a peppery heat. Really, I crave that more than anything else at Joe's. One Spring, I went to pick up another quart of their chicken gumbo, and one of the guys behind the counter told me that they were gonna have a SEAFOOD gumbo for Lent, so I should be sure to come back soon. Damn me for forgetting about it till after Easter! I wonder if they will do it again next Spring. If anyone has tried it, please let me know how it is!
(5)G. A.
Burnt Ends. Brisket. Upon arrival in Kansas, the locals tell me I need to go to Oklahoma Joe's, Jack's Stack, and perhaps also Arthur Bryants. This place did not disappoint. On the tables were two sauces, with a bit of tang, a bit of spice, and sweetness. The burnt ends were moist, and didn't need sauce to liven it up. I would highly recommend Oklahoma Joe's!
(5)Justin F.
I was given the tip to check this place out from ESPN's Pat Forde. He reccommended this place in his point after in the Forde Minutes last week. I pulled up to this gem and could smell the smoke from inside my car. That told me right away this place is for real. The atmosphere inside the restaurant was very good. Lots of flat screen tvs and places to sit. It's a great sit down spot as well. ( Which was not the case at the Gates BBQ I tried on 32nd and Main ) I got a pulled pork and turkey sandwhich. Smoked really well and had alot of flavor. 2 Great BBQ sauces too. The Scary night sauce was a bit hotter but I thought it was very unique. All things considered you could tell this place has been doing BBQ the right way for along time. I even bought 3 jars of their rub for when I cook at home. Looking back I wish I would have bought some sauce. Maybe next time. Would highly reccommend this place to anyone who enjoys BBQ.
(5)Veronica P.
Delicious BBQ that I look forward to eating every time I visit the KC area!
(5)Paul R.
Love the turkey sandwich. Sides are big enough for sharing. Definitely in the top 5 of BBQ places in KC.
(5)Chris D.
Oklahoma Joes is certainly a great place to go, however the one on Strang Line is not as good as the original one in the gas station off of Mission Rd. Their fries are absolutely amazing, however getting inside the door can be frightful. With lines that wrap around the building, make sure that you get there early. Going when you are in a rush will only leave you frustrated. Take your time to enjoy this delectable food! The BBQ sauce is a fairly sweet sauce, but not too sweet like Masterpiece. They also have extremely delicious onion rings! Their BBQ is good, but I would not like Oklahoma Joes speak for all of Kansas City. There are far better restaurants for BBQ in Kansas and Missouri. For example, try Hayward's Pit Bbq & Bar off of Antioch and College. When you are in Kansas, make sure to try all of our BBQ places. Each adds their own flavor to Kansas, and each is unique. Do not let one single restaurant speak for all of Kansas' BBQ places. If you do not like one place, rest assured - there will be one you like somewhere in Kansas.
(4)Rich T.
BBQ Heaven!!! When your time comes and you land at the Pearly Gates St Peter will say "Y'all git in the truck we're goin up the big house for ribs!" They'll feed you ribs from Oklahoma Joes. I heard angels singing while I was eating them.
(5)Chris M.
This place is so good it gave me meat sweats. Went with a buddy of mine and we split several items: Carolina Pulled Pork Sandwich, Z-Man and the Half Slab of Rib Dinner. Carolina Pulled Pork Sandwich was very good. I love having pulled pork with slaw on top. The Z-Man was ok. The Z-Man had brisket, provolone and two onion rings on it. Wasn't as good as the pulled pork but still a good sandwich. The Half Slab was really good as well. The meat just fell off of the bone. The ribs could use some more seasoning but I dunked them in the barbecue sauce and it tasted awesome. I think this is the best barbecue in KC and would highly encourage anyone interested in KC bbq to head over.
(4)John T.
When I first moved to Kansas City, everyone would tell me that the bbq in KC is the best. Regrettably, I could not agree with this... that is until I found Oklahoma Joe's. This place is bbq at its best. We now eat here at any possible chance! Other bbq joints ive been to are boring with flavorless slices of meat with bread. This place, man, the meat is so juicy and their sauces are awesome. I totally recommend the Z-man sandwiches, and you can not go wrong with the ribs. This location is just as great as the original gas station location. The wait can still be long, but is not as bad as the other place.
(5)Dee W.
OK, any place that has a line out the door is worth the wait! I was not disappointed and the ribs were very good. The menu offers a verity of dinner, meats and sides. In fact, let's talk sides. I'm from New Orleans and when I say that their smoke chicken gumbo is to die for, I meant it. It's a meal by itself. You owe it to yourself to go twice. Once for the staple items, like ribs and pull pork. However, your second trip has to be for that smoke chicken gumbo. WOW!!!
(5)Jeff Z.
Very very good BBQ. A great place to take out-of-towners for KC BBQ. Also a great place for takeout. You gotta have the Z-Man sandwich.
(5)Cat C.
During our weekend in KC, family took us here for dinner. I was skeptical of the long line and their "no saving seats" policy because we had a party of 8 and the place was packed! But it went fast and we scored a huge table. Onto the food: The Z~Man Sandwich (Brisket, smoked provolone topped w/ two onion rings on a kaiser bun) -- YUM! Husband called this first so he got the main share of the sandwich. The Hog Heaven (Pulled pork & sliced sausage on a bun) -- I'm not a big sausage fan, but I wanted to try something different than what the husband ordered and I was pleasantly surprised with the flavor. The sandwich was a little dry, but I just added more BBQ sauce and all was good. French Fries -- YES, you must get them. They've got like a cajun spice taste to them. Creamy Cole Slaw -- Good as a flavor breaker upper in between bites of sandwiches. Smoked Chicken Gumbo -- A little on the spicy side, but super tasty. A side order was plenty for us to share with all the other food we had going on. Their food is so yummy, I wish we had one of these on our side of the country!
(4)Josh B.
TOP NOTCH. Burnt ends - just the way I like 'em. loaded with smoke flavor, tender as can be (and SHOULD BE). I'll go out on a limb and claim "Succulent". Probably the smokiest item tasted on this bbq trip (did I mention I like smoke?) Ribs - long and short cut. Very tender, richly flavored (good smoke content). Sauce or no sauce, these are at the top of the list (maybe second to Artie Bryants) Zman Sandwich: initially - wasn't too keen on this bastardization of good 'cue, BUT....... the guys convinced me to try it and.... not bad, in fact, pretty darn good. thin sliced brisket (you aren't in texas - thats fo 'sho), smoked provolone and that killer onion ring (what do they put in those things????) make a tasty sangwich. course I'd never use up the stomach capacity on something like that, especially when there are burnt ends and ribs to eat. BUT - EN and ET claim its a winner. who am I to say its not? beans: not sure what the big deal is with KC beans, seems like every place makes 'em extra sweet. I prefer less sweetness and maybe a little tang or spice - but thats me. If it ain't broke - don't fix it. Bottom line: If you are visiting KC - Okky Joe's is a must try.
(4)Jannae R.
It took me a couple of tries to convince my husband to eat here after I told him the original was out of a gas station. Subsequently, several times while he's been driving us around time, we've "miraculously" ended up in the Oklahoma Joe's parking lot at meal time. Our favorites include the Z-Man (not 2 man) and the ribs and brisket dinner. The baked BBQ beans are delish.
(5)Stephanie S.
Not bad at all! As a native St. Louisian, I have to give props to my hometown fave, Pappy's Smokehouse. But Oklahoma Joe's comes pretty darn close to the amazingness that is Pappy's! The line was SUPER long, which is a little annoying (I want my food NOOOOOWWWW!), but I also see it as a good sign, so whatever. The line moved quickly enough, and soon, we were at the front and ready to order. I'm a huge fan of pulled pork, so of course I went with their regular sized sandwich. The fries looked AMAZING, so I tacked that on to my order. The food was super cheap! For two people, the total was less than 20 bucks. I don't know what else to say! I would definitely recommend it. Is it the best BBQ in Kansas City? I don't know yet...I still have more places to visit!
(4)Uomograsso U.
My wife and I went to Oklahoma Joe's for lunch on a Saturday. We got there a little after 11 am when they open. The place was already about 1/3 full and by the time we got out food and sat down the line was out the door. We got the rib +1 meat dinners. She got the brisket and I got the pulled pork. It comes with 1 side and we both got the fries. Their side of fries is enormous, more than enough for two to share. My suggestion is if you are going with someone, one order the fries and the other order a different side and share. The food was excellent. Every time I have gone to Oklahoma Joe's or gotten take out it has been fantastic. The brisket is tender with a nice smoky flavor as is the pulled pork. The ribs are meaty with a nice flavor as well. I have tried all the "name" BBQ places in KC and Oklahoma Joe's is the best in my opinion.
(5)Phuc N.
This place cam highly recommended as THE local's favorite BBQ joint. There is definitely now messing around here as it's BBQ as it's finest. Since it was the first time for a few of us, we went for the smorgaborg: full slab, pull pork sandwich, beef brisket, sausage, fresh cut fries, baked beens, onion rings, and gumbo (or was it jumbalaya). The ribs are the main event here, tender-fall-of-the-bone type with an excellent rub to top it off. Utensils are definitely optional here and this has made me a huge fan of spare ribs. Everything else was also very good but are still only an accompaniment to these ribs. BBQ Sauce: "Night of the living..." is probably the best sauce I've ever had. It has a perfect blend of spiciness and sweetness that creates a level depth that makes it very satisfying. We buy cases of this stuff and is out number choice for all things BBQ. If you're in the area, you MUST come check this place out.
(5)Tai D.
Wow. I make it a point to have lunch here every time I come to Olathe to visit our John Deere clients. Some of the best KC style BBQ ribs I have ever had. I'm sure there are better but coming from California and having being raised on dry rubbed Santa Maria Tri-tip, this sauce based hunk of burning love is absolutely outstanding. Clean digs. Efficient (but very busy) service. Wonderful food.
(5)Sam B.
Brisket was pretty good. Is that all the meat I get!?!?!
(3)Sarah F.
My husband and I's favorite barbecue place in KC.
(5)B Q.
Great BBQ. Place was very clean the vibe was great... line out the door! It really was top notch BBQ. I had ribs and brisket...ribs were very good. Sides were ok
(5)Ryan W.
Best BBQ I've had in KC so far. Get anything with the pulled pork and you won't regret it. The brisket is also very delicious. Don't be afraid if the line extends out the door when you arrive; it moves surprisingly quickly. And it's totally worth the wait.
(5)Rodeo G.
Straight up ridiculous.. Line moves fast, and wednesdays/sundays are burnt ends I believe. Have not had a bad dish yet. Supposably, there seems to be a debate about the best BBQ in KC.. NOPE, here is the winner.. Bryant's brisket is great, Gate's Ham is bauwass, Jack Stack's sides are just silly, Woodlawn BBQ chili is dank, and wood selection for smoking is premier, Bubba's green beans are top notch, and RJ's breakfast and sliced sausage sando is PRIMO.
(5)Steve T.
Visiting from CA, this is my 2nd time at OK Joes. Good prices, good portions, pretty damn good BBQ. Definitely stop here if you are in the area. I'd say the food here is on par with CA chains like Luceiilles BBQ, and Woodranch.
(4)Ryan Z.
Many debates as to the best BBQ in KC. Clear winner is OJs. Line constantly out the door but it's worth it for the Zman- a brisket sandwich with provolone and onion rings.If I ever was forced to make love to a sandwich, the Zman would be my first choice. Love it
(5)Jorge Z.
What I can I say that hasn't already been said? Nothing really. The thing about this place that makes it IMO the best BBQ place in KC is its consistency. I've ate here countless times and I've never been disappointed.
(5)Mackey J.
i was only here once so i had to try everything i could. i had the pulled pork sando, chicken and ribs dinner, baked beans, bbq beans, and chili. I would highly recommend the ribs bbq beans and pulled pork sando. The chicken was good, but a bit dry. i'd also skip the chili and get double bbq beans.
(5)Angelica H.
Who knew you could have the best food ever in a gas station??? I ate not only my Z-man but some of the hubbies sandwich that had sausage that was AMAZING and the kids pulled pork and brisket sammy's.... SO TASTY! The fries were also excellent, especially when drowned in some of their sauces. You must try this BBQ joint!!!
(5)Alicia R.
Hmm. This one is hard, actually. My first time here was great, this past trip, not so much. My first time I had the brisket and ribs, and they were pretty darn good. I think I got potato salad as a side, and it was alright. The second trip: I ordered the Z-Man sandwich and coleslaw. The brisket on the sandwich was great, so no complaints with the actual meat. Sauce is great, too. Kinda wish they had a sweet option, but the regular is grand enough. The provolone didn't really add much, and I have to say I am not a fan of the onion rings. The ones on my sandwich mostly just added crunch, and I had a couple of my friend's, and they also seemed to lack flavor and were a bit too crunchy (I think I prefer crispy over crunchy? These are so crunchy they edge on being hard.) The brioche roll....I know brioche is supposed to be buttery and such, but sometimes it's almost too buttery, and this was one of those times. Was it a bad sandwich? No, but it wasn't awesome. I also got to snag a friend's rib (my friends are pretty cool, huh?), and it was so tender...sandwich, you were okay, but next time I'm going meat-only. That's, of course, where OK Joe's shines. As for the coleslaw...bleh. I didn't like coleslaw as a kid, but these days, I almost always finish it. I only ate half of my cup. It was a decent-sized serving, and texture was fine, but the dressing wasn't sweet enough, it was mostly just creamy and thus bland. I'm also sad that OK Joe's only has a few sides...beans, coleslaw, rice and beans, potato salad, and fries. I will have to try some of the others, as the coleslaw did not win my heart.
(4)Jason H.
Best BBQ in KC hands down. Never had a bad meal here.
(5)Michael P.
This place is like Cinemax After Dark for your mouth.
(5)Justin L.
Best BBQ in Kansas City. There, I said it. Pork ribs are utterly delightful anyway, but this place really knows how to do them. Fries... don't even get me started. Also the best in KC. The only thing that would make this place more perfect would be to have one out by the new Sporting Kansas City Stadium! All in all, it's not only a good introduction to KC BBQ but also really the only one you need to hit if you're just visiting.
(5)Rich Y.
This IS the best BBQ you will find in KC. I'm confident that I can say that because it's true. Most get the Z-man but I swear by the Carolina style pulled pork sandwich. Served with slaw on top of the juiciest pulled pork this side the the Mississippi River. The baked beans have a great kick and the fries are some of the best I've ever had. None of that screaming at the customer that some local chains market. The food does the screaming for them. You will not be disappointed. They have two locations. A larger restaurant at 119th and Strang-Line that can handle groups or the original in the gas station on the corner of 47th and Mission Road. You'll get the same quality at either place but I prefer the original for the ambiance alone.
(5)Jeremy P.
Very good BBQ. Loved the brisket an pulled pork. KC style sauce was great (not too sweet). Ribs were good. Not fatty.
(4)Eric N.
This was the final stop on our BBQ tour of KC. We went to the Olathe location, and when we arrived at 130pm, the line was out the door. It was a spacious dining room, and a very efficient staff behind the counter. We ordered enough for 3, and here are the results of our lunch: The Z-man sandwich - Brisket, provolone, and two onion rings, slathered in BBQ sauce. Awesome because of the multitiude of flavors and textures. Short end 1/2 rack of ribs - Very smokey, tender, and tons of flavor. Had a small amount of sauce, but it was just right. Very close in quality to Bryant's. Burnt Ends - Extremely tender and very tasty. Quite smokey, and served without much sauce Pulled pork - Billed as the house speciality. For KC, it was the best in town. A very good sandwich, with a good amount of flavor. Not super smokey Overall, this just about ties Bryant's as my favorite BBQ spot. It was definitely in my top 5 nation wide, and was a great way to end our BBQ tour of KC.
(5)Michael P.
This place is like Cinemax After Dark for your mouth.
(5)Rich P.
Stopped in for dinner while traveling on business. When I arrived, there was a long line. They had paper menus, so that gave me plenty of time to decide on what to order. I went with the One Meat Meal with the pulled pork and potato salad for the side. It was delicious. They do put a little bit of BBQ sauce on the pork when served, but there are one or two other sauces to try at your table. Overall, great service, great atmosphere, and great food. I would visit again.
(5)Steve J.
food is always great and service is always fast
(5)Cindy C.
Delicious! Saw the reviews for this place and had to try it. I ordered the two meat dinner with beef brisket and turkey. Best BBQ I've ever had.
(5)Jeff L.
Brisket was really tender and I am very critical of brisket because usually its too dry, this was not Ribs were tender yet not falling off the bone Carry out was quick and easy, just walked up and we had our meat 5 minutes later Night of the living dead sauce had a nice kick to it
(5)Shawn B.
First time I've eaten at this location and the first time I've been able to control my rib cravings and get a Z-Man. First off the line was really long but I was surprised it moved pretty quick. I order the Z-Man, cup of beans, cup of spicy slaw, and a drink. I was a little shocked at the bill for $17.45! I did order the sides in the "cup" size instead of the "side" size but that only added a total of $2.20. To the food...I bite into the Z-Man for the first time. First I get the crunch from the onion ring, then the smokey, tender, beefiness of the brisket accented by the BBQ sauce. Then as you're masticating that perfection the smooth, creaminess of the provolone rolls onto your tongue and the roof of your mouth and that's when you say: "This sandwhich has got it all, Baby!" One of the best parts is their PERFECTLY cooked brisket. Most brisket sandwiches, when you take a bite and pull away, you're gonna pull a slice or two of beef off the damned thing, and it's gonna hit you in the chin, and you're gonna look like an idiot with a BBQ sauce Soul Patch. Not so with Oklahoma Joe. The spicy slaw was OK, nothing special. The beans were good but more spicy than I like my Baked Beans. It was almost like eating a BBQ Chili. They were making me sweat. I think maybe they should have a milder version available during the summer months when I'm not in the mood for more sweating. Overall, 4 stars for the outstanding sandwich, shocking prices, and so-so sides. I think I'll stick to getting the meats to go and put together my own meal at home.
(4)Sarah D.
This was the first place I ever tried BBQ and ever since then no one else compares. I will forever recommend the z-man. The food is amazing and the staff is very friendly. Unfortunately, the place is always so packed (because of how great it is) that it is hard to find a seat sometimes. Don't go during the lunch or dinner hour if you're in a rush.
(5)Jose C.
I'm not a big bbq fan, but this is THE place for great bbq in a very casual setting. I've visited both their Kansas city and Olathe locations. The KC location is considerably smaller and come dinner time the line stretches well out the door, so plan ahead. Due to the small size and high volume it can be next to impossible to find a table. The Olathe location is much larger, I went for lunch there and ordered within a few minutes, and quickly found a table. We lived near the KC location and would order take out regularly. If ordering take out call with plenty of time as orders can take close to an hour to be ready, specially if ordering during the lunch or dinner rush. Their chicken, and ribs are delicious, soft and savory, but my favorite thing there are the fries and onion rings, I love the seasoning they use, and they are always nice and crispy, even when ordering takeout.
(5)Crystal S.
It's good to comeback and visit in Kansas City and get some BBQ. Visited here and loved it. Ordered a dinner plate 3 ribs with another side meat and chose their house made sausage. I also got a potato salad side with an extra side of their bbq beans. I used their house bbq sauce which was great. I bought 2 to take back home to Cali for my grilling. I loved the sweet tea! It was perfect woth our lunch! Also had the popular pulled pork sandwich with fried onion rings and provalone cheese and their seasoned fries were delicious! Over pleasant visit. The restaurant was clean and nice. Bathrooms were clean as well. I like the organization of their lines when they do get busy. A take out line, a pick up line and the in house order and pay. Definitely going to comeback and visit this place again when I come back. #KC #BBQ #OKJoes
(4)Elizabeth W.
I'm sitting here in the restaurant and all I can think is "this is the best bbq I've ever had." I'm not the biggest bbq fan because it's messy and usually a bit crunchy or dry. But this was the best ribs and brisket I've ever had, no extra sauce needed! I almost have nothing to say about the food because the pictures should say it all. We each got a dinner which came with one side. Full slab of ribs, ribs and brisket, and 1/2 smoked chicken dinner were all super delicious! I liked my spicy slaw! The line was out the door, and that's something in and of itself. This place, if it isn't famous, well, it should be! I can't write anymore, I have to go into food coma now.
(5)Chad D.
Note to self: Self, do not eat BBQ out of state again. Or at least not from Joe's. If this is Kansas City BBQ, I'm glad I live in Texas. I had already had a light snack before having a late lunch here so I didn't order big. I decided to go with the brisket plate. Brisket, one side and a piece of toast. I opted for the spicy slaw. The slaw was decent. The cabbage tasted fresh and was nice and crunchy. The flavor was light but the spicy was non-existent. The brisket... The sad, sad, brisket. It was nice and lean, I'll say that. The thing that got me though was that it appeared to be sliced by one of those deli meat slicers. Every single piece of brisket was sliced uniformly thin. Really, thin. The meat was already lean so it made it a little too dry for me. I've seen pictures of the line going out the door so the best part for me was that when we went, we walked right up to the counter, no line!
(2)Grant G.
Stopped in for a pulled pork sandwich on the way through town. Easy ordering, quick to the window, juicy and flavorful meat, sauce tasty.
(5)Gaz H.
Burnt ends and brisket are both top notch. Fried toast, french fries and lots of other goodies are excellent. Ribs are good but not transcendent. Pulled pork is not as compelling. Great set up and fast service. The feng shue isn't as good here as it is in the Overland Park location. So that's something.
(4)Brendan C.
I'm from Texas and we have crazy good BBQ there, so my standards for BBQ are pretty high. I ordered pork ribs with 1/4lb of brisket burnt ends according to personal taste and Yelper suggestions. I ended up with french fries and potato salads for sides. I 3 star their pork ribs. If you've been to St. Louis and had the pork ribs from Pappy's, your palate for this glorious cut may be spoiled forever. Oklahoma Joes ribs seemed almost there. The temperature or time on their pork ribs was too long and ended up making the pork ribs drier than I would've expected. The crust was great and so was the flavor, but it was overdone for my taste. Thus, it wasn't juicy when bitten into. I expect to see the juices flowing, and personally I thought they could've added more pepper to the rub. Sauces - Their sauces are good. There's a nice balance of sweet and sour with a good consistency. Fries were really good. Pretty much mandatory if you like crunchy potatoes at all. The seasoning was on point, in terms of flavor, but it was a bit over-salted. Brisket burnt ends - this is where it's at. There was a great smokiness and my mouth felt like what I imagine the inside of a smoker would taste like. If I were an ant somehow surviving in a smoker, I'd be inhaling air that tastes like this brisket. But...still it wasn't juicy enough! Yea, it's burnt ends, but a measure of juiciness wasn't really maintained in the parts that cut into the rest of the brisket. Perhaps they should consider a bit lower temperature cooking. The smokiness is definitely there though. Potato Salad - way too much mayo. The boiled eggs are nice inside, and this would've been a great complement to the BBQ if the mayo were cut back on. Happy Eating!
(3)Nyla K.
If anyone knows KC bbq, you know to stop into Joes KC. I've only really been here for lunch but tonight we popped in for dinner. Surprised that there was a still a line that ended just right at the door. This time I went for the ribs and the pulled pork sandwich and a side of beans. We also had a small onion ring, which in my opinion, are the best onion rings I've ever had. I typically don't like onion rings in general but these were amazing! I'd pass up a side of fries for these any day! And the ribs we also finger licking good, literally. If you're stopping in KC, you have to experience lining up in a gas station and having the best ribs in town!
(5)Byron H.
There isn't a lot that needs to be said about this icon of Kansas City BBQ. It's arguably the best in Kansas City. Kansas City arguably has the best bbq in the world. Thus, this may be the best bbq in the world that you can get at a restaurant. I've had a variety of their dishes (burnt ends and their ribs are a favorite), but by 3 their twice weekly burnt ends were sold out. At this satellite location there was inexplicably no line (there is always a 30 minute plus line at the original), so we got our order in right away of a jumbo pulled pork sandwich with fries. Joe's claims to have the best fries in the city, and I have trouble arguing with them. Whatever mixture of spices and crack they put on their fries, they are my go to side dish. The pulled pork is perfect, and a healthy dose of sauce is all you need to enter bbq heaven. Although I have moved 6 hours south, every time I'm in KC I make a point of visiting one of (if not The) best bbq in the world.
(5)Alexandra S.
Good second choice for bbq in the kc area. Still way better the. WhT we have in California. Great food, large portions, and sides to die for. Also the bbq sauce selection was great. I like the order here,pickup there atmosphere. It was very busy and still the staff had everything under control. We were able to get a seat before our food was ready.
(4)Joshua J.
What can I say, top notch BBQ and excellent fries with a classic bbq joint aesthetic. The service line was quick, even when the line of patrons is out of the door. There was even good local brew on tap to wash it all down. I have been to many BBQ spots and none compare.
(5)M H.
Used to be my favorite but.. They are a victim of their own success. The lines are always out the door. The meats are always great. I do prefer Gates sauces. Room for improvement on expediting the order and delivery methods.
(3)Adam S.
This is not only my go-to BBQ joint in KC, it is probably the restaurant I eat at the most. My wife never has to ask where I want to go for dinner. When guests want KC BBQ, this is where we go. The Z-Man is the best sandwich I've ever had. I wouldn't recommend this for newcomers, but as a Z-Man veteran, I like to order "the Z on toast". Its the Z-Man, but on delicious buttery Texas toast. Joe's is the only restaurant I've been to twice in one day. Ate lunch at the gas station location with one group of friends, and ate dinner at the Olathe location with a different group. My dream is to eat at all three locations in the same day. I'll reach BBQ nirvana.
(5)Ben C.
We had brisket and pulled pork. My favorite kc bbq place. While some purists say the sauce doesn't matter I argue that they've not had a good kc sauce. I would give five stars if the bbq beans were better.
(4)Lisa S.
It's ok, but I don't pick going there on my own. I only go when we are with friends who want to eat there. The pulled pork is ok. The ribs are WAY too smokey flavored. Call me crazy, but I don't think it's the best BBQ place around.
(3)Arin A.
We all came from out of town and had to try this place as everyone said it was the best around. We ordered all the most popular things. The Z-Man was actually really good. The fries were very tasty. Ribs fell off the bone. The coleslaw we could all go without. Must try the burnt ends. Name does not give any justice as they are not burned at all, but soft, tender chucks of meat. Would come back if ever in Kansas.
(4)Brant M.
Best. Restaurant. Ever. Speed 5- Once we order there was basically no wait! Once we ordered we paid and the food was there! It was so fast! Taste 5- I ordered the ribs diner + 1 meat. The ribs were amazing! Every thing else was great too! I highly recommend this place! We drove 17 miles out of our way home to get here and it was worth it! The food and atmosphere was amazing! I loved it and it deserves 5 stars!
(5)Reid R.
Place was perfect minus Im a Jack Stack fan... I prefer a waiter or waitress to take my order instead of getting my own drink, silverware, etc... While we were siting there this guy came around and starting taking things off our table which I thought was rude or I would have given the place a 5 star review ... he could have waited until we were done eating ... oh and wipe the bbq sauce bottles down super gross!
(4)Mw C.
Delicious!! Came here around 930 pm. The meat is tender and the best was the rice and beans. The place is big, clean and friendly.
(5)Susie S.
Joe's KC BBQ is the best. I take our out of town guests here and they love it. The quality of the food is as good as the more expensive BBQ restaurant we have. The atmosphere is clean, fun and upbeat. It's casual and every item is so tasty. Way to go Joe's! We love you and love that you're making Kansas City BBQ famous!
(5)Don E.
Some had the pulled pork and said it was real good. Some had the pulled chicken and said it was great. The ribs were OK. Fries were good. The beans were really good. The regular sauce was a little too sweet for me but others loved it. I'm still partial to Arthur Bryant's and LC's. I guess to each his own.
(4)kyle t.
Not bad but. My boss took me here as one of the best KC BBQ places, cant go wrong with that. Now in fairness, my boss is from out East, not BBQ lineage to start with. He does know where it find good wings in Buffalo, that is a plus and of course he is my boss. That said, he wasn't wrong about the BBQ but I think it would be a far cry to call this place the best, in my opinion. In FTP, Fairness To Pig I didn't try the Ribs which are supposed to be very good and opted for the Pulled Pork. I didn't try a bunch of sides, only one side, being the beans so not the totally best way to evaluate a BBQ joint. I will say though that I have had some amazing Pulled Pork Sandwiches and when it comes to good BBQ it is one of my favorites for good meat evaluation. This one had an OK bun, but the meat was dry and not super flavorful and the beans were good but really nothing special in any way, just kind of normal beans. Some places (like this one) tend to make the meat fairly bland and depend on the sauce to heighten things. I prefer to place the sauce for extra spice and enjoy the meat. I would eat here again and might order something different but then again in a city with some much lovely meat smoking away every day I would be hard pressed not to try something else. KT
(3)Simon K.
Consistently great. Ribs are well trimmed and perfect without sauce. Brisket is also a solid choice. The dark horse however are the red beans and rice. Every time I get it it's great.
(5)Trudy P.
Some of the best BBQ I've ever had. The only reason I didn't give them 5 stars is the lengthy wait every time I have gone there. I know they say the wait is worth it but when I go out to eat I'm not a fan of waiting in line. Wish they had their burnt ends every day but worth the wait a couple days a week. Never had a bad meal here!
(4)Jared D.
It is the very best brisket sandwich I have ever consumed. We try to stop here every year on our drive home from an annual road trip to a lake in Missouri. Although it is a bit out of our way. We are never disappointed because every bite will make you smile every time. If there was and option to give 6 stars, I would.
(5)Neala B.
Burnt ends heaven on the tongue. Hubby loves brisket and fries extra crispy with the spicy sauce. We've been coming here for years, the food is consistently great and the service has gotten much friendlier. They package things up right for carry out too. As far as sides, I love the beans, they are hands down the best beans I've ever had, love love love. And the dirty rice is amazing. Spicy, wonderful, so good, could have it for a meal easily. Who would have thought the rice would be so good? We'd been coming for years before we tried it, now I order it every time we go. Want to try something different? Red pig chili in the winter dress it up with cheese, jalapeno, onion & house made pork rinds guaranteed to warm up your insides. This is BBQ done right.
(5)Betsy M.
The best part of a recent biz trip to Olathe KS was my visit to Joe's Kansas City BBQ... no question. Thankfully, I called in my order after reviewing their online menu because when I got there - there was a HUGE line for dine in guests waiting to order. They have a special window for pick-up orders which is super cool, with a to go condiment bar close by. I went with the Z Man (thanks Yelpers) - and honestly it was the best barbecue I have ever tasted. I am not a fan of pulled pork, so I will always go with the beef brisket. I have tried southern and Texas barbecue and they ain't got nothin' on KC! I went with the fries which were also delicious. I am still dreaming about my Kansas City barbecue experience at Joe's.
(5)Aziz M.
I'm a proud Texan at heart, I sang the song "Deep in the Heart of Texas" as a squirt and I know that the state flower is a bluebonnet but Kansas City has won my heart over to BBQ for life thanks to this spot. The food is THAT spectacular. I mean, I've had plenty of good brisket, ribs and pulled pork throughout years of eating out and getting together for various Barbecues but nothing that has come together in such a way that made me feel enamored like Joes. Let's start off with the WORST thing I had and move up from there. I live to eat Ribs and the ones here were alright, likely pretty good on a better day but nothing standout the day I went. Everything else was substantially better. The Pulled Pork was tender, packed with a punch of pepper and various other spices and barely stayed together long enough for you to stuff it on a piece of their white bread and douse it in their sweet, not so tangy and a little bit spicy BBQ sauce. Its to die for. Brisket is probably the most popular meat ordered in San Antonio so I'm sure I've eaten my body weight in it. With that being said, the stuff they're serving here was smoked for quite some time I'm sure by masters. It had such deep complex flavors and aromas steaming off of it. The Sausage was great too but I wouldn't say it really set itself above what I'd already had. I don't think I've ever even considered saying this before visiting this place but I think the sides were almost as good if not BETTER than the meats. We tried a little bit of almost everything. The dirty rice was so good, spiced to perfection without suffering from being overly salty. The baked beans were just plain delicious and again were sweet without being overkill. The red beans were pretty good but they don't compare to what I've had in New Orleans. And lastly, the potato salad was mostly traditional but still solid in their own right. Wow. It's been quite a while since I've had so much GREAT food in one place, much less in one sitting. Kudos. My only complaint which is not a REAL complaint is that the wait for the food was crazy long. I mean we waited like 20 mins for them just to take our order. Luckily the food was ready only 2 mins after we ordered but that's a long time for someone with a 2 year old. I'd highly recommend opening up more cash registers (They only had 1-2 for dine-in) to take care of your customers in a more timely fashion. With that being said, keep doing what you guys do b/c you sure know how to make some killer BBQ!
(5)Justin P.
Round Two and I wanted ribs, so we hit Oklahoma Joe's to satisfy this craving, for more beans, fries and whatever else I could stuff in my gullet. This place was awesome, but since we didn't want to wait in line we didn't go to the original in the gas station so this one felt a little touristy/strip mall-ish. Truth is Oklahoma Joe's boasts a ton of trophies for BBQ battles, everyone was friendly and they even let me take a picture of/with the smokers, but Max indicated that if they changed the name to Kansas Joe's they may have more converts and even more local support HA! (I am still trying to understand this strange smokey BBQ'd city...even the name of the street it was on was Strang Line Rd). The ribs were scrumptious, tender meat that literally slipped of the bones if you held it vertically, and a pungent, yet not overpowering smokiness that I truly enjoyed. The beans were good, but nowhere near Gate's or Zarda's apparently, but the crisp, golden skin-on fries were a godsend (is that a bit much?). I preferred their sauce here, mostly because they give you bottles to douse at your leisure, like hot sauce at a taco shop, but more so I felt the flavor had a touch more sweetness. And herewith is the endless argument that divides this city, which is divided by a river. Sweet, smoky, spicy...umami, whatever you like you will find it in KC. And I only hope I get to go back for an extended stay to compare them all. Right now I am crying in my San Diego BBQ, which offers only feeble attempts at imitation. How humiliating. I dig KC; any place that feels this passionately about food, will hold a place in my heart...or stomach. People were genuine, and it's all gravy, except for the freeway system which is 1000x worse than any in California. Ending up on Troost and Grand at midnight was a real treat though! Gang signs and BBQ sauce make fickle bedmates.
(4)Bob H.
Love this place. Very casual BBQ place that was right across from my hotel. The food was really good. I had the tri-tip sandwich.
(4)Magan T.
I don't feel the need to say much after reading the other 5-star reviews except that this is the 1st place I have ever craved BBQ from. I love the Pulled Pork sandwich with the spicy sauce and fries. I get the Kid's meal since they give you a huge portion of fries when you order them as a side separately. Those are for sharing! =) I miss you Okie Joe's! I have also ordered pounds of Turkey, Ham, and Pork as take-out for large family dinners and it is always a BIG HIT!
(5)John R.
Had been to the "gas station" location a few times. The Olathe location is bigger and just as yummy. My favorite BBQ in KC!
(5)Bloss C.
I didn't have high expectations when approaching Oklahoma Joe's. Mostly because I don't eat meat, so barbecue restaurants usually don't have much to excite me. Plus it looks like a pretty lame chain restaurant. Service was ok but a little gruff; we were here durning a slow time, but I hear the lines can go out the door for dinner, so perhaps that's were the staff's gruffness comes from, but they were polite enough. I ordered the Portobello Zman (the only vegetarian sandwich), the side salad, and spicy slaw. The Portobello Zman was awesome, the mushroom covered with provolone cheese topped with 2 onion rings and smothered in some amazing BBQ sauce. Spicy slaw was good also, and the side salad was very fresh with legit buttermilk ranch dressing. Everyone I ate with enjoyed their ribs and brisket immensely. I'm only in KC for a few days but I think I'll be back before I head for the airport!
(4)Keri F.
I got the pulled pork sandwich (no Z man for my milk issue) Other got the turkey sandwich Split the brisket just b/c we are starting the Q journey! Pork - moist, couldn't taste the smoke, average. 3/5 stars. Turkey - dry, little smoke, average. 2.5/5 stars. Brisket - dry, ok pink edge, just below average smoke. 3/5 stars Sauces were nice but nothing hit home for me. It's a good little place, but for me it misses something. I will have to try it again (ribs? 1/4 chicken?) when I go through KC next time. This place is part of a BBQ tour through 5 states. Overall rating is fifth.
(3)Courtney H.
The Z-Man is my favorite BBQ sandwich of any place I've been. Sadly, I don't really stray from the sandwich to have much to say about any of the other meats. But my brother had the ribs recently and enjoyed them and our friend got the pulled pork sandwich, also a winner. The fries here are also delicious with a good crisp to them and spice and a great portion to complement the sandwich. There is always a line, but it goes fairly quickly. It's worth it. I try to get the sandwich whenever I'm in town!
(5)KathyLynn J.
This definitely not my fav BBQ place in KC area. It might do in a pinch. Sides are mediocre, okay, fries & onion rings are pretty good. I want great smoke flavor, juicy & no need for sauce. You do not get that here. Try Jon Russell, Jack Stack, maybe even Gates.
(2)M A.
This is might go to barbecue spot in Kansas City. I have eaten at this restaurant many times since it is opened and it is always been good I have never had a bad experience and never had bad service. I loved the location in Independence however it was very difficult to get to an out-of-the-way from where my parents stay in Kansas City. The only complaint I have about this location is their restroom. For a place this big you need a multi-person restroom.
(4)Mike D.
I still haven't found KC BBQ I don't like and Oklahoma Joes is no exception. I don't think it necessarily lives up to all the hype caused by the TV shows, nor do I understand why it has 1,000 reviews but other KC BBQ greats do not....Anyways.... So this location is in a typical new looking strip mall off of Strang Line. It doesn't look very big from the outside but it's definitely decent size inside. Despite the line being out the door we were able to get a spot to sit. Even with continually long lines they ge the job done fast. I think my wait here was shorter than any other BBQ restaurant. Nice atmosphere, woodsy and outdoorsy, lots of BBQ trophies everywhere. Of course they sell tons of Oklahoma Joe's apparel for the people that just can't get enough. So I ordered the Z Man, not because it's their most famous item but because it actually had all of my favorite things on it. Also, a side of onion rings. So the Z Man comes with provolone and onion rings on it. It is quite amazing. I wouldn't say it's the greatest sandwich I've ever eaten, it is quite the tie though between this and Wodyard's Triple P. The meat was tender and had great flavor. Plus the sauce it was a little bit sweeter than I was expecting, but great nonetheless. Onion rings were fantastic, they give you a huge side so only order one if there's two of you. Don't think it lives up to the hype, but still great BBQ. I'll be sure to come back again.
(5)Steve B.
I live for finding places like this. Got the ribs and brisket combo. Wow it's good. Ribs don't even need any sauce. Perfect as is. Very little fat on either meat. Joe's dirty rice is a new one on me and it's a MUST HAVE. Spicy sausage mixed in it! I'll be back next time I find myself in Olathe...
(5)Shannon S.
So I saw all the reviews for this place and decided to check it out. Really glad I did. First of all walking in I was a little confused on where to order but quickly figured it out. Once I ordered and tried out the food I realized that the reviews are spot on . This is a great place for bbq
(4)Kimberly B.
We ate here again tonight and it is always consistently good. My favorite meat is the brisket, which is dripping with juice. We also enjoy the turkey & ribs. The hot BBQ sauce is worth a try for something spicy. Our favorite side is the red beans & rice, which have deep slow cooked flavor. There is always a line-- so call ahead, it is worth it.
(4)Vanessa S.
Born in Los Angeles, Raised in Missouri and live back in LA again. Every single time i go visit family in Missouri this is my first stop once I'm off the plane. Living in LA places try to do bbq but for me it never taste as good as being home. The pulled pork sandwiches are just so delicious and melt in your mouth. Mouthgasim! and the burnt ends I could eat all day,everyday. If your in the area you might miss it since its a renovated gas station. And also i love the store section where you can buy your own bbq spices. It does get busy around the lunch rush/dinner rush. But I mean of course it will be because it's that good. If your in the area and have time stop by. If you have to wait a little bit do it because you won't regret it.
(5)Mike O.
The Olathe location of Oklahoma Joe's (recently rebranded as Joe's Kansas City Bar-B-Que) lacks the quirky charm of the original KCK gas station location, but it makes up for it in the amount of seating. This spot seems to always be hopping at peak times, but the depth of the restaurant makes the line a little less claustrophobic. It moves quickly too. My go-to order here is the Z-Man sandwich, but they also do ribs, burnt ends (on select days) and pulled pork really well. Their Night of the Living Bar-B-Que sauce is tasty and unique. To-go orders (always faster) can grab a generous amount of sauce to-go in covered styrofoam cups. This is my favorite BBQ in KC and the place I always recommend to others who are visiting for the first time.
(5)Gina M.
I like Joe's, though don't eat here very often, as it's not very friendly to those who are a bit more health-conscious. The people are always nice and the facility is clean. I had a seasonal soft-shell crab sandwich, and wouldn't recommend it. Not sure if it was me, or the prep. Stick with the traditional dishes that have put Joe's on the map! (and get the O-rings!!).
(4)Tim C.
Joe's is the best barbeque in KC. Hands down, the ribs, sanwhiches, brisket...its all good. It might not be the oldest BBQ but it is the tastiest
(5)Dave E.
First KC BBQ stop since moving from Texas. I gotta say, pretty darn good. Had a spread of all the meat and several sides. While Texas BBQ may have some edge on the meat, it's not available at all times like Joe's. Seems like a walk in and get good BBQ all the time. Will definitely be a regular.
(4)Anna M.
It's pretty darn yummy, folks! Great food, great service, great prices. It doesn't get much better than this:-)
(5)Joshua H.
The gold standard of barbecue in Kansas City. Outstanding ribs and pulled pork in particular, and a gold standard sauce. My only gripe is no Mac and cheese offered on their sides... Something that shouldn't be missing from any barbecue menu.
(5)Joel K.
As a former local and now visitor to olathe Oklahoma Joe's is our number one place to eat when we want BBQ. Had a party of 40+ people here from NJ for soccer tourney and they stuffed themselves silly trying what is one of the best BBQ in America. Meat, sides, sauce are about as good as it gets.
(5)Shawn T.
Zman is the flagship sandwich and it doesn't disappoint. Best BBQ sandwich in KC. Maybe the country from what I have heard others say.
(5)Kendra L.
This was everything I ever wanted it to be. So good. The ribs were the best thing I have ever eaten and service was surprisingly quick.
(5)Jay R.
I have waited 2 years to try their ribs and I have to say it was well worth the wait. We drove in from Wichita with intent on trying the ribs with 2 kids and when we got our table set up with high chair and a plug for the 10 year olds computer I went up to order. Steve saw me and asked if I needed any help and my response was no getting my families order was the bards part now I have it made. He laughed and showed me to the counter to order. While we walked I told him my 2 year story and about a friend who recommended their ribs years ago so he made a point to ask the cooks to make sure they were good for me. He also added a some Brisket for me to try. He helped me to the table and left to get me silverware and napkins which was awesome and I sat to eat. My first impression of the bbq was that everything was smoked perfectly and all was seasoned well. Shana had the pulled pork sandwich, wow! The pork was perfectly lean and fatty at the same time, the smoke flavor was perfect and the seasoning was great. Olivia had a smoked hotdog which I love to do at home, she ate almost the whole thing. Owen and I split a full rack which if you haven't had it I will try to explain what you get. These ribs a big, smoked perfectly and brushed with the perfect sauce. A sweet tangy sauce that is well balanced, not to sweet and not to tangy. The meat pulls perfectly off the bone and when you take a bite it doesn't pull or chew in a bad way. I have to say the bbq was perfect. Now Brisket is my personal favorite and I usually order it if a bbq joint has it on the menu, sometimes I am disappointed but not this time. I will just say perfect smoke ring, perfect slice and just the right amount of fat to make it moist and tender. These guys know how to smoke meat! You have to try Joe's when in KC! I tried to say good bye to Steve when I left but he had already gone so THANK YOU Steve for the great hospitality and perfect Que!
(5)Anastacia D.
Spin off from the original with the same feel. My favorite KC BBQ. If you're looking for classy, this isn't it, but if you're looking for meat falling off the bone ribs this is the place.
(4)K G.
Good food. Big menu so check it out online so your some what familiar as there is often a line out the door so you'll want to be ready to order. Sides are generous. I enjoyed the beans and coleslaw. I also has to open faced turkey sandwich which had a spicy coleslaw, which was good. Fries and onion rings are considered sides and are ample size to share, especially if you plan to order other sides to sample and share. You order at the counter and take you're own food to the table. There is not table side wait staff. Food was ready quickly. You also have to bus your own table when your done.
(3)Jennifer G.
I miss the Z-Man every minute of the day. I love it. Amazing onion rings. The only downside is that it is hard to eat with a large group because it is so crowded and tables can be hard to find. (Which is why we take-out as often as we can.)
(5)Rob D.
I wasn't impressed. One of those places iv wanted to try for awhile and just never got around to it until today. The BBQ beans were different. Not good or bad just different. The burnt ends were pretty basic. A lot of smoke flavor but that's it. Best thing about this place was the Texas toast.
(2)Zach G.
Hate me if you may, but I believe I might be losing my love for Oklahoma Joes. Don't get me wrong, it's still solid BBQ...and anywhere else, it would be the most amazing BBQ in the world. However, there are some things I just cannot ignore. Previously, I had mentioned how everyone was always friendly. This isn't the case anymore. At one point, I noticed that the carry-out people got borderline rude when it got busy (which, unfortunately, is a good chunk of the time). That is still the case. In the last two months, I have been practically yelled at for having the gall to show up at a busy time to get carryout without phoning ahead (despite my calling 3 times without anyone so much as picking up). I asked them if they really wanted me to take my business elsewhere, and they said yes...so I did. Now on to the food. Some stuff is great - Z Man, of course, is solid. Ribs are delicious, but not the best. Fries and onion rings are like crack. Then, there are the disappointments - I think all other side dishes are mediocre. Their burnt ends may be the worst in KC, as I've had them more and more. They're never crispy, and lack almost every quality that burnt ends should. Will I continue going to OK Joes? Sure, of course. Is it the best BBQ in KC? Nope, not in my book...and it's dropping, especially from a service standpoint. Some people are still very friendly, but I've run in to more and more rude ones lately.
(3)Leslie I.
Love their food. Very consistent and great! I like their brisket and harvest but tons of great food. Their fries are great and so are their beans. Be prepared for a wait in line, but it's worth it!
(5)Alexandra D.
Honestly, you can't go wrong with anything on the menu. The Z-Man is a classic if you're looking for a sandwich but the pulled pork is KILLER. Amazing, all-around BBQ.
(5)Melanie O.
So my husband and I both had opposite experiences here together. I had the pulled chicken sandwich and there was not a lot of chicken and about 1/2 tablespoon of sauce. It wasn't dry, which was good. I wish someone had told me how many fries you get because between my family if 3 (my husband, myself and my 3 year old), we could've survived on 2 orders. And they were delicious and I'm 6 months pregnant ;) My son had the hot dog and loved it, but he's never met a hot dog he didn't like. My husband had the burnt ends and they were AMAZING.
(3)Jannie B.
Amazing! Amazing! Amazing! I would post a picture but it would be of my empty plate. The husband and I both ordered the brisket and the pulled pork with the "dirty rice," the gumbo and the slaw. The bbq sauce had a bit of a kick to it which was perfect.
(5)Tim P.
I travel 26 weeks a year throughout the western USA and Oklahoma Joe's came highly recommended by a friend. The high recommendation was UNDER rated! First the atmosphere of the restaurant is awesome. They get you through the line and to a table quickly and the people are super nice. Second the food is to die for. If I wasn't on a diet, I swear I would have reordered again! Killer ribs, awesome brisket, great bbq beans, everything is fantastic. It's not like some places there they do one thing great and others "ok" ---- this is a place where EVERYTHING is freaking awesome!
(5)Tram V.
Amazing bbq. A must go eatery in Kansas City! The line is long and you can't really dine because it is so popular and delicious. Expect at least an hour wait time or call you order in a day earlier.
(4)Christina P.
We got it catered. It was ok. Nothing beats nc BBQ. :) Enjoyed the pork - tender. BBQ sauce was tasty. Maybe better if we dined there.
(3)Abhi P.
This was my first visit to any of the barbecue joints mainly because of my abstinence from beef and pork foods but anyways this review is for the chicken z man which was awesome to say the least. I went to the place around 3 pm and admittedly the crowd was a little less prominent which helped me breeze through the smoky lines to barbecue nation capital of z mans. I swiftly ordered the chicken z man with light cheese and a side of onion rings, waited for about 5 mins for savoring the most juiciest and perfectly crafted chicken sandwich. At end of my 15 minutes Kansas barbecue adventure I was greatly satisfied and hunger dealt with.
(5)Stephanie E.
We went to KC Joes for a St.Patty's Day Feast and it was just that with a full slab of ribs and fries it was delicious!! Thanks Joes KC for a yummy Happy Saint Patrick's Day Feast! #Delicious #KCJoes #HappySt.PatricksDay
(5)Sesan O.
Best bbq in Kansas City! Hands down. I'm sad to be leaving it behind when I leave. Also, I love the new layout as it makes it much easier to get takeout.
(5)Mika M.
I visit this place once in every month. Not like Arthur, even though joe was on the media but they keep great work and taste good as media showed. Staff knows how to serve, quick, friendly and polite. Food is one of the best. I just had BBQ last week, it was little salty BBQ rib more than usual. But it still good. Burnt end is juicy, fatty, little crunchy and right seasoning on it. I also had Carolina something sandwich. It was very good too. What I love most is baked BBQ beans. You must try it. It's smokey, spicy, little sweet, and good.
(5)Jesse P.
Probably the best BBQ in the Kansas City area. Great atmosphere too! This is place is a mandatory stop in Kansas City or the suburbs.
(5)Phon W.
I don't know why but I haven't tried the Zman which I need to do real fast. The first time came where I didn't really like this place but the more I came the more I knew what I liked from here and I just order the same thing now. I get the short end ribs yummy it's meaty. and the beans and I just get like meats by the pound. It's good that way i have lots of left overs through the week. :)
(4)Ryan Y.
1st timmer in Kansas and i couldnt not grab some BBQ the BBQ was great! and worth the wait!!!
(4)E P.
Family has been wanting to dine at Oklahoma Joe's for a long time, ever since we heard it was the best in Kansas City. While in Overland Park today, we learned that Oklahoma Joe's is now named Joe's Kansas City BBQ and found the restaurant in Olathe. There are two other locations in the area, one in Kansas City, Kansas and the other in Leawood, Kansas. This is very good Kansas City BBQ. The restaurant is large with lots of tables and chairs. We went mid afternoon, so we were able to get in immediately and place our orders without waiting in line. The east side of the restaurant is a wall of windows which add lots of natural light inside the restaurant. This restaurant is very clean. You place your order at a walk-up counter, and pick your order at a second counter. The man who took our orders was gruff, but had a twinkle in his eye and a smile when I told him that this was my first Joe's BBQ. The woman who served our food was friendly. The food came to us promptly. I ordered the Hog Heaven sandwich with pulled pork and slices of sausage on a toasted bun. I also ordered a side of BBQ beans which have bits of meat chopped into the beans. My husband ordered the traditional pulled pork BBQ sandwich served on a toasted bun. He also had the BBQ beans side. Grandson ordered the Brisket Dinner which is sliced brisket served on Texas toast with a side of French fries. The portion of French fries was so large that Grandson shared it with Grandpa and me. I tried the traditional sauce which was very good. They also have a spicy sauce. This is very good Kansas City BBQ. The brisket is amazing. Next time I'm there, I am ordering the Brisket dinner ~ just good meat and a good BBQ sauce. What more do you need? The pulled pork is really good. I might try something different ~ maybe the smoked chicken. Got to try the ribs next time, too. So many choices. We will definitely return.
(4)Lizzie A.
Best BBQ in KC. Our go to favorite. Out of town guest are asking us to stop by before we make it back to the airport! So luck to have this close by!!! Pulled pork and onion rings are my favorite! I steal a couple of fries from my kids plates! Yummy!
(5)Jerry S.
Fabulous food Weak service - they process the line pretty efficiently but anything breaks like soda machine its ignored for a half hour. Not good with hot bbq sauce.
(5)Ken P.
Three stars was a reach... Has a cult like following but this is by no means the best q in KC Thee meat combo the brisket and turkey were dry... They use a steam table to keep quantiles available to serve They do not serve fresh cut Q from smoker or hot box A big sin to q lovers more like mortal sin Sides interesting but average quality Best fries in KC ? Self proclaimed and not earned
(3)Scott H.
Some of the best BBQ I've had... including Texas. Tried the Brisket and Rib dinner plate with BBQ Beans. All 3 were amazing.
(5)Tom M.
The z man was great, the brisket was perfectly done, but the onion rings were too salty.
(4)Shannon M.
Okay, so a friend and I were visiting from IL and knew that we had to have BBQ somewhere while in Kansas City. Since Anthony Bourdain said we had to eat here before we kick the bucket, we agreed that this should be the place to go. Seriously? This place was good, but it wasn't THAT good. Now, I lived in Texas for 20+ years so maybe that's why I am why I am a skeptic. (If you care, my favorite is Ruby's in Austin.) Portion size wasn't even that great. I got the sausage and pulled pork and I felt like, "This is it?" on the latter. My side was not very good, a potato salad (I think the mustard seeds were disagreeing with my palate). The meat was definitely the star of the show, and the sauces were satisfying (I mixed the regular stuff with a touch of the "Night of the Living Sauce" for a sweet/spicy blend). People do obviously love this place, either out of experience or curiosity (like us). We arrived at the right time: when we showed up we were a few people back in line, and suddenly we turned around and there were people jostling out the door. What is the secret? It draws a wide array of folks: families along with good-ol' boys, and then me in my NPR t-shirt. Overall, this was plain old good eats, but sorry, Tony, you and I are just destined to disagree on this one.
(3)Cara K.
Wow!! Long line when we arrived, but the grub was definitely with it. We had the Carolina pork slaw and the z-man with chicken. Both were great! Especially utilizing the BBQ sauces provided on the tables. If you are driving through the area this is a must stop.
(5)Kristin S.
The chicken and bow sauce was awesome sauce. The beef brisket I'm not a fan of the ribs fall off the bone, very flavorful. Definitely a place the will be a regular spot when visiting KS.
(5)Jack C.
My sister lives in Kansas City, and she's been trying to get me to go here for years; not that I was reluctant to do so, but I'm a big fan of 'Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives', and KC still has plenty of places that I've yet to try. However, I did promise her that the next time I came to town I would go to Oklahoma Joe's (now Joe's Kansas City Bar-B-Que). Back in July, a couple of buddies and I were heading down to KC for a card tournament, and seeing as you HAVE TO have barbecue when you go to Kansas City, and I made that promise to my sister, we decided to meet her and her husband at the location in Olathe, KS (closest location to their house). Before we got there, my sister warned us that there would be a line; we had no idea that it would stretch more than 100' out the door and onto the blacktop of the strip mall's parking lot! I took this as a good sign (not that I doubted my sister), because if all these people were here for the same reason, and were willing to wait in the god-awful heat and humidity of a summer day in KC... Surprisingly, the line moved rather quickly, and after waiting in line for about twenty minutes, we finally found ourselves at the 'Order Here' section of the line. Most people will judge a place's barbeque by their beef brisket, but not me; I ALWAYS go for the ribs, and another side meat! Coincidentally, I went with their Ribs & Brisket Dinner, so I got both. Everyone else got their own thing, but it didn't matter because we were picking off each other's plates all meal long! I'd like to think that I know my 'que, despite the fact that I've lived in North Dakota my entire life, and as much as it pains me to admit this, my sister was right. BEST. BARBECUE. EVER. Those ribs were so tender, and the sauce just pushed it over the edge into crazy town! I'm unsure if the beef brisket was the best I've ever had, but it was easily in the Top 3. From other people, I also got to try their pulled pork (house specialty), smoked chicken, ham and turkey, and their Z-Man Sandwich (beef brisket, provolone cheese and two onion rings). Their sides were pretty amazing, too! Just like with the ribs, I have my go-to barbecue side as well, and that's coleslaw. Theirs was pretty good, as were the bbq beans and dirty rice, but the side that I definitely liked the best was their Smoked Chicken Gumbo! I felt so bad, because I ate more than half of my sister's, but she was so happy that I liked it so much she just let me have at it. The next time I'm in KC I will definitely be eating at Joe's again, but I want to go to their original location (located in a gas station)!
(5)Chris S.
So good! Went here tonight on the recommendation of a friend from the area, this place did not disappoint. We arrived 20 minutes before closing time and the dining room was 3/4 full, always a great sign. This is a walk up and order, walk over and pay, get your food and sit down type of place. I ordered the ribs and brisket plate with a side of the beans. The ruins were perfectly done, that great spot between juicy and falling off the bone as I take that first bite. The brisket was very tasty, nice and moist, but could be a touch hotter. The bread was fine, but the beans. They are the manly bbq version of a meaty three bean salad lol! We were in a rush and we were in and out in 29 minutes and completely satisfied. If we are ever in the area again, we will be coming back.
(5)GD B.
Oklahoma Joe's is in the top 5 best bbq joints in the KC area, hands down. I live in Austin, TX and am a bbq snob. My Pop lives in the Olathe area and we eat at Joe's every time I visit. I have never had a bad meal there and I've sampled just about everything on the menu. The ribs are some of the best I've had. The brisket is good, but being from Austin, I'm kind of partial to TX brisket. I love the fact that KC bbq serves fries with their bbq. We don't have that here in Austin. All in all, Oklahoma Joe's stand tall among the great bbq joints in KC. Please do not pay any attention to the other Yelpers who are giving Joe's bad reviews, they just dont understand bbq.
(5)Karen M.
OH MY GOSH. Need I say more? Apparantly I have to, so it is long enuff to be posted.
(5)Ben L.
Ive been here several times and the standards are always good. Its clean environment and food is great. I always get the burnt ends and fries. Ive tried the Z-man sandwich, full rack pork ribs, jumbo brisket sandwich, etc. Overall, this place hits the spot.
(5)Susan W.
Love Joe 's burnt ends & Zman, husband loves the BBQ chicken! Ribs are great also- can't go wrong with anything at Joe's -it's BBQ in Kansa after all!!enjoy!!
(5)Minh D.
I been eating BBQ all over the country and we looked forward to coming to Oklahoma Joe's BBQ when we landed. We had the ribs and beef briskets. Since the ribs are spare ribs, we expect the meat to be less tender than baby back ribs. IMO, the spare ribs here is pretty standard, nothing outstanding. Could use some more smoke time to make the meat more tender. The beef briskets we had are somewhat dry and does not have as much flavor as the ones I've had elsewhere. This establishment slices the briskets paper thin, like ham slices, slicing the meat this way can help make it tastes more tender but still lacking in taste and juiciness. IMO beef brisket sliced at about 1/4" to 1/2" thickness are the best. That way you can taste the flavor and the tender juiciness of the brisket of a nicely and tasty done beef brisket.
(3)Scott T.
Joe's has some damn tough competition in Kansas City and today... they got their proverbial pork butts kicked... by the original Oklahoma Joe's and several other KC BBQ joints. Maybe that's not fair because this is clearly not a joint. I almost expected an 18-something girl in red suspenders and striped shirt with an armful of menus exclaiming "Welcome to Oklahoma Joe's!" upon entering. OK, cut the snarky comments. It's a nice space. There are enough reviews by now that you can determine this is a brand new modern design set up in the finest south Johnson County tradition. Nothing wrong with that but it's not the kind of atmosphere that excites me. Hell, I *love* the original Joe's housed in a gas station so you know there has to be something wrong with me. Right? My lunch: BBQ rib and chicken plate with a side of fries. Ribs: come one, the original location, those ribs are mouth watering to die for. Today's offering (see pic) were way heavy on the sodium. So much so that I left part of one on the plate uneaten. Yes, BBQ needs salt and I'm no stranger to loving it but this was over the top for my tastes. Missing was the savory flavor of the meat it was so overpowering. The taste I'd have to give 3 out of 5 stars. They can do better. I'll agree with another reviewer that you can't instantly replicate taste in pits that are brand new next to those that have been operating continuously for years. Fries: again, for my tastes the original location has hands down the best fries in town among all restaurants, and there are some very good ones. These also seemed over seasoned and lacking flavor. Not quite as crisp as the original and missing something. Maybe a different frying oil, a fryer that's not yet tuned in to their standards? The chicken: The star of the plate. Surprised me. A nice leg and a thigh that melted in your mouth perfectly. Not over-seasoned. Can't fault it. But still, this place is a gold mine for the growing OJ's chain. Lines back to the door and probably out at times. I got there around 11:30 so not so bad. But face it, it's going to be very difficult to compete with the original location. Luckily, for those that are making this their regular lunch spot, and I'd guess there are many, they don't have to know the truth and they probably never will. It was a decent meal but not one that had me making plans to return. Since I was in the area car shopping it's unlikely I'll return just to eat here, but don't let that deter you. I guess I can't get by the experience that's the original Oklahoma Joe's. They represent everything that's great about KC BBQ. This south JoCo location certainly has its fans, but based on this meal I'm not going to be one of them.
(3)John L.
I waited in line for 52 minutes for this rumored amazing bbq. I order brisket, pulled pork sandwich, ribs, and half a chicken. I ordered extra to take home on a hunch. Best decision I could have made as my friends were jealous later that night
(5)Daryl T.
My daughter had a cheerleading event in Kansas City at Kemper Arena so one of my treats is trying different BBQ spots. After a full day at Kemper with screaming girls...BBQ is my treat for sitting in hard seats watching team after team cheer. We got to the restaurant at about 5:30 and already there was a line out the door. A very good sign. However, we almost turned around as we thought it would take forever to order and hopefully find a table. However, we moved through the line fairly quickly and found a table to eat. The restaurant is clean, well decorated and we had plenty of room in a packed restaurant. Now the food...I had their special which was Brisket smoked sausage and a few ribs. Texas toast and two sides, coleslaw and red beans and rice. The meat was tender and well smoked. I enjoyed it all. The meat is really tender and felt the quantity was worth the price. I would have given the restaurant a 5 star rating if the sides were as good as the smoked meat. The coleslaw was OK and the red beans and rice were good but not outstanding like the meat. Also, their BBQ sauce was just OK. Overall, I had a great experience and would definitely come back. It may be a while as I have more BBQ restaurants to explore while down in KC. But I will definitely be back. Thank you for the nice meal. My only advice to anyone wanting to eat at Joe's Kansas City Bar-B-Que is come early as I cannot imagine how busy this place gets by about 7:30 on a friday/saturday night and why did you change your name. I almost thought we were going to a different restaurant as the people we got recommendations from called it Oklahoma Joes.
(4)Rhett P.
I have never tried some of these cuts of meats before and the first time we ordered take out from there it was love at first bite. The gas station is a really cool idea and they have and actual gas station on the other half. Great Great Experience
(5)Mary S.
Great if you love meat. Meat in the beans, coleslaw...whatever! Brisket is as good as it gets.
(4)Keith C.
The best ribs in Kansas City hand down. Came here twice. The first time was for dinner and got the rib and brisket dinner platter with a side of dirty rice. The ribs were grilled to perfection and were fall of the bone juicy and fantastically delicious. They may possibly be some of the best ribs that I've ever eaten. The brisket was brimmed with flavor and juicy. After devouring the plate, I was tempted to go back and order some more. But then I saw the line that went out of the door and realized I would have to settle with what I already had. Yes. The line literally goes out of the door and you will be waiting at least 15-20 minutes. One suggestion is to call in ahead of time and order a pick up. You get to go to a different line and wait. Then you just take your food out to the car and eat it there. The second time that I came back was for lunch. This time, the line went even further out the door. I waited about 20 minutes and ended up ordering the Z-man and the Carolina pulled pork sandwich. The Z-Man Sandwich (Slow smoked beef brisket, smoked provolone cheese, topped with two crispy onion rings on a toasted kaiser roll) and the Carolina Pulled Pork Sandwich (Pulled pork served on a toasted bun, topped with spicy cole slaw and Bubba's bbq sauce) were unbelievable. I preferred the Z-man but would go back for the pulled pork any day.
(5)Don P.
The absolute best BBQ I have ever had! The Z Man lived up to its reputation and the burnt ends were soooo good!:) I'm gonna miss this place!:(
(5)Sonny G.
Great BBQ. Perfect rack of ribs. It's not a fancy place but they know they do BBQ right and don't care. Surprisingly fast service considering the long line. We got through much faster than I thought we would. We will definitely be going back. The prices were much less than I though they would be too, bonus! Now I can safely say two places are a must in KC BBQ, Jack Stack and Oklahoma Joes. Of course Gates is pretty good too.
(5)Hannah B.
Absolute best barbecue in the kc area. The Zee man is my favorite. A side of fries or onion rings is enough to feed two. Great rib tips, ribs, pulled pork, and chicken. Honestly you can search all the KC big names and this still reigns superior!
(5)Jeremy H.
Went to Kansas City for business and our host had Joe's cater our going away lunch. WOW!!! It's going to be really hard to order any other bbq here in San Diego, Ca. This was absolutely amazing. I'm online now trying to see if I can order and they will ship to me here in So Cal. It's been 2 days now since Joe's and I'm having withdrawals!!!
(5)Dominick V.
This has to be the best gas station food on the planet! As a St. Louis native, I must acknowledge the slight bbq rivalry between our fair cities. I also must acknowledge that the ribs at Oklahoma joes blow the socks off any back in stl. In fact, I don't think I've tasted better ribs anywhere. However, the brisket was far below what I would expect from such a respected establishment. Very thinly sliced and dry brisket, left much to be desired. Nevertheless, the ribs compensated for what the brisket lacked. The sauces helped too. I loved the thick, textured, sauce and the abundance of flavor. This is certainly a bbq destination. The line was out the door and Around the corner, yet we easily found a seat. It seemed almost magical. I'll be returning the next time I'm in KC.
(4)Jennifer W.
Kansas City BBQ at its finest!
(5)Corey K.
Am I missing something here? You are basically in a high school cafeteria, and the chefs in the cafeteria think they know BBQ. That was not BBQ, that was gross. I have had better ribs from the Chinese restaurant down the street. I have no idea why someone would come here instead of somewhere like Famous Daves which actually has decent BBQ. Why this place has such good reviews is beyond me.
(1)Graeme S.
Definitely one of my favorite bbq joints! The only down side being I'm unable to stray from the Z-Man. i want to explore the rest of their menu but the sirens call of smoked brisket, smoked provolone cheese, two onion rings, barbecue sauce, all on top of a Kaiser roll is just to great for me to overcome. Luckily i offten go to oki joes with my brother, an ex vegetarian. This hiatus made him weak in body and soul. he is offten unable to finish his feast so i do as any brother would and do so for him alowing me to enter what is known as hog heaven.
(5)Ryan G.
Un-freaking-believable. Every. Single. Time. Just go. Order whatever. You can't go wrong, with the Z-man, in particular. Good everytime.
(5)Ron W.
Just had my first "dinner" at the Olathe location. I don't understand how this chain can be rated so highly. My rib/chicken dinner was cold, tasteless, and overbooked. The meat has clearly need laying around most of the day before service. The toast was greasy and lacked flavor. The only positive thing to say is the cafeteria style service was efficient and the table service was pleasant. Bottom line- don't waste your money, time, or appetite. KC must have better BBQ than this place.
(1)Lisa P.
VERY good BBQ, lots of food and choices, the portions are great too! Be ready to wait in line though.
(4)Melanie N.
While RJ's is my favorite BBQ spot, Oklahoma Joe's comes in a close second. The food is good, reasonably priced, and comes in pretty large portions. Among other things, their fries are SO addicting, and can definitely be shared. Oklahoma Joe's has been listed by Anthony Bourdain as one of the top 13 places to eat at before you die. The place gets crowded, but the line moves pretty fast.
(4)Johnny B.
Oklahoma Joe's is the real deal. My only complaint is I could take or leave the ribs - didn't do much for me. Not a ton of flavor in the rub, had to dunk them in sauce (which was outstanding). The Z-Man brisket and the pulled pork sandwiches were both delicious, smoky and moist. Both stood up on their own well or with some sauce added. The Night of the Living Dead sauce is delicious and very unique. The fries were covered in some awesome seasoning salt. Would definitely wait in line again for another Z-Man with beans and fries.
(4)Paul W.
Very greasy, out of the three orders two were very over cooked, badly burnt. Will not be going here when zardas is so close. Those that rave about joes have not eaten good bbq.
(1)Jason G.
Best BBQ in KC? Quite possibly. If the overwhelming number of 4-5 star Yelp reviews doesn't convince you, drive by this particular location (or their KCK location) during peak business hours (people don't wait in 100 ft+ long lines for "mediocre" BBQ). Still not convinced? Check out the countless awards/accolades on the wall. Still not convinced? Well, you must have some validation issues. My weapon of choice here is the beef brisket sandwich. Tender texture, smoked to perfection, doused in divine sweet & spicy BBQ sauce. If you prefer a spicier BBQ sauce, the Night of the Living Dead is where it's at. I haven't experienced their sides, but the fries are delightful (albeit a tad overseasoned). I've committed myself to trying the Z-Man sandwich on my next visit.
(5)Danny B.
My favorite of the KC BBQ joints... superior to Arthur Bryants, can go toe-to-toe with Gates. The Carolina sandwich and brisket are must haves. Grab some of their Cow Town sauces and rub to take home with you... you'll thank me later.
(5)KungFu T.
All I have to say is, get the Z-MAN! Anywhere from the saunce and the meat of this place is the best BBQ I've ever eaten.
(5)Lawrence P.
The Pulled Pork is good - moist & you can taste the smoke flavor. Everyone raves above the Z-man - but I think that it is just "OK."
(4)Frank L.
Not as good as the original. Best sauce around.
(3)Rolland M.
This is the hands down best lunch BBQ spot in all of KC and the BBQ in KC is the best in the World!! The meats are all outstanding. You cannot pick a bad sandwich and should really visit more than once and try them all.
(5)Jim W.
Absolutely the BEST! Check out the foodies and critics who also give this BBQ rave reviews. EVERYTHING on the menu is great! While you are there (the Olathe location) check out the Kansas City BBQ Store in the same strip mall--amazing selection of rubs, sauces, equipment and great service.
(5)Chet F.
The best BBQ, PERIOD!!!! As we all know Kansas City has the best bbq in the nation. Yah, some might disagree, but it's true and that's why the bbq championship is held there during American Royal every year. Well OK Joe's is the best in Kansas City. Every item on the menu will make you weak in the knees. The ribs, brisket, pork, and even chicken is bbq'd to perfection. To boot, I never liked baked beans or potato salad until I tried it here. The best beans you will ever eat! The french fries and onion rings come in sacks the size of grocery bags. More than enough for the entire table in 1 order. Bbq is a big thing in the midwest, and they do it up right. The Night of the Living bbq sauce is so good that they sell it by the gallon, yep I said gallon. I have the sauce shipped out to Seattle because nothing else compares to the flavor and heat it nurtures you with. MMmmmmm! There is a reason Anthony Bourdain put this on his top 13 places to eat. Don't ever miss the chance to eat at OK Joe's if you are in the Kansas City area. Yes, there are plenty of other great bbq joints in KC, but this will have you talking about bbq for the rest of your life.
(5)Tony M.
I've had Bryant's, I've had Jack Stack's, Oklahoma Joe's is the best by far. The ribs were extra tender and juicy, the sides were plentiful and tasty, the chicken is to die for. Being on the west coast and visiting friends in O.P. is always a treasure and now is the only destination for food when I am there. The place is always packed, the line out the door is there for a reason, because it's that good.
(5)Darin C.
This place has the best beef brisket sandwiches in K.C. They also have really good french fries. I always get the same thing when eating here so really cannot comment on anything else. Looks like I might have to try something else someday judging by the reviews.
(5)Andrew J.
So....um.....question? How in the hell did I live in Kansas City for this long and fail to visit OK Joe's till now?? In a word, PHENOMENAL. It would seem that I have a new place to add to my short list of best barbecue in Kansas City (and therefore, best in the world). Since we were short on time, my wife and I decided to visit the location near our house, on 119th and Blackbob, and not the famed Gas Station locale. The place was slightly touristy, albeit in a charming sort of way. The restaurant is connected to a BBQ supply shop, and a selection of smokers for sale sit prominently in the entryway. We waited in line for about 15-20 minutes before finally sidling up to the counter and ordering our food. Here's the breakdown: CAROLINA PULLED PORK SANDWICH: Delicious, tender, slathered in coleslaw, on a nice sesame seed bun. Loved it. RIBS: Oh, man. UH-MAZING. Fall-off-the-bone deliciousness, covered in a beautifully spicy rub. You could eat it without sauce, though I heaped mine with some of the sweet-smoky-spicy-molassassy goodness that they offer here. These are among the best ribs I've had. Period. BRISKET: Perfectly cooked. Lots of great smoky flavor, but still moist and juicy. Cut super-thin and melt-in-your-mouth delectable. I'm getting hungry just thinking about 'em... POTATO SALAD: Very tasty, with a generous addition of dill that gives it a slightly unique flavor. BBQ BEANS: Very, very good, though something of an outlier among typical Kansas City offerings. The best way to explain them would be as a mashup between traditionall BBQ beans and chili. The flavor profile and texture is somewhere in between. But yes, very tasty. FRENCH FRIES: Perfection. Don't know if they're fresh-cut or not, but they're hot, delicious, and a perfect salty foil for the sweet/spicy BBQ that OK Joe's serves up. All in all, a splendiferous experience, and a great value. My wife and I got all of this and two drinks for only $28. Oh, yes. It's true. As soon as the bloat subsides, I can't wait to go back!!
(5)Mark G.
One of the best bbq restaurants I've ever been to. It's rare to find a place that does both meats and sides well. This place pulled it off quite nicely. I had a beef and pork sandwich and beans. Will definitely return to this place if I'm ever in the KC area again. Lunch crowd was huge. Try to get here by 11:30 if you don't like waiting in line.
(5)Holly H.
Best BBQ I've ever had! I love this place. Growing up in Kansas I always loved BBQ, but wasn't really a fan of the BBQ sauces, just the style of food. It wasn't until I found Oklahoma Joes that I found a BBQ sauce that I love to eat! I use the regular sauce and add in some of the hot sauce to spice things up on anything that I order there! So yummy! I completely miss this place now that I've move to Florida. You can't find any good BBQ here! I stopped by Oklahoma Joes whenever I go back to Kansas to visit family!
(5)Keith T.
Great place today a variety of BBQ meats. Make sure you come with a group & order different meals to sample the difference.
(5)Bill M.
Wife loved her Z-man. I loved the fries. The line you stand in to order took about 25 minutes. It was actually out the door. But 2 minutes later you're walking to a table with your order.
(4)Dolphyn N.
Z-Man... yum!!!
(5)David C.
Oklahoma Joe's is terrible. Jack Stack BBQ is so much better. I booked them for my wedding and they agreed, signed the contract, gave them a deposit, etc. Two months later they emailed me and said they were canceling because they "couldn't make anymore food." So stupid! We only booked them because they were cheap, however we are glad that this happened because now we can book Jack Stack BBQ which is so much better. Arthur Bryants, Gates and Jack Stack are far better than OK Joe's. People only like it because it started in a gas station which makes it "cool" when in reality it's just normal BBQ, not good not bad. It's also franchising out and becoming the McDonald's of KC BBQ. Save yourself some time and money and eat at Jack Stack where it's a way better environment and all around better food. DO NOT EAT HERE!
(1)Destiny S.
I am usually not into BBQ but this place was awesome. Went there for my Moms birthday and everyone in my family enjoyed their meal (even my 1 year old nephew). The portions were massive and the fries were top notch. Will defiantly visit again
(4)Joyce L.
Now this is awesome bbq, better than Jack Stack's I'd argue. Ribs perfect fall off the bone. Sauce--spicy, yum! Pulled pork sandwich, to die for. Sides--oh so good. And all these good things to say even though this was our second dinner of the evening! Imagine if we'd have eaten this on an empty stomach? Do it up!
(5)J O.
Counter service was fast and priced fairly.Very good value for the quality of food you get. Ribs were very large, brisket was thin and flavorful. Coleslaw is good. The dinning room was clean and not overly loud for the amount of people there. Two thumbs up!
(5)Stephen R.
This place is just a breath away from 5 stars in my book. Really excellent BBQ. There's not much to elaborate on with the food. It's just brilliant. These are ribs the way ribs should be. Tender, and falling off the bone. The sauce is as close to perfection as you could hope for. Why no fifth star then? The whole join stinks of suburban strip mall... and that's because it's in a suburban strip mall. But the real issue is that it dresses itself up too much like a Chilis or Applebee's when it simply doesn't need to. The other annoying part is the line. I'd just rather not stand in line for $16-20 worth of food. It does move fairly well, but it seems out of place for what should be a real restaurant. But don't worry about all that. If you're anywhere near this Olathe and you like BBQ: EAT HERE!
(4)Noel J.
4 AM The sun is just beginning to peak over the treetops, as I cower in the fetal position in my Seattle condo. I crave the sauce! Even here, two thousand miles away from Kansas City, I can, at any given time, point directly towards Oklahoma Joe's. It's like some pulled pork voodoo magnetism is inexorably calling me back. A craving that can only be satisfied by that sweet/spicy concoction slathered over a Z-man. Yes, you can import the sauce online. And rumors of me studiously donned in a lab coat, trying in my kitchen to reverse engineer the stuff are only marginally fictionalized. It's true - my favorite restaurant IS in a gas station!
(5)Ken N.
This place is amazing! I was lucky enough to get introduced to this place by my cousins when we came into town. After eating at various BBQ places and getting disappointed our cousin told us about this diamond in the rough. Once we arrived to the original spot (the gas station location) we know it had to be good. The was out the door and people were all willing to wait just to get some BBQ. This was obviously a good sign. After waiting and deciding what to eat, one thing caught my eye and that was the Z MAN! OMG this is totally amazing, what is better than stacks of amazing meat and to top that off an onion ring?! After eating that there, every time we go to Kansas this is the spot we look forward to going. The last time we visited one of their newer locations and were able to get the chili and had it loaded. This is definitely to die for! The pork rind, onion, jalapenos, and cheese really makes the chili a winner. My mouth is drooling as I'm writing a review. If you go here, those are two that items I would definately recommend.
(5)Josh S.
Attention Z-Man Lovers: Try to Carolina Pulled Pork Sandwich with spicy slaw and a side of half original/half spicy sauce. Yes, the slaw goes on the sandwich! Ok, maybe the gas station is a better atmosphere for some bbq - but I really could care less when I want my bbq fix. I could go on and on with all the menu items I've tried here - but we all know what to order: The Z-Man or the Carolina Pulled Pork
(5)Greg H.
My sister insisted on dragging us here.......I've been disappointed with the food here in the past and today was no exception. Brisket was tender but not smoky and almost no smoke ring. Fries are not fresh cut and are way too salty. The beans tasted more like chili. And the "spicy" cole slaw was anything but. I don't understand all the hype for this place. Overrated.
(2)Chris D.
I told myself I wasn't going to bother ever writing a review for this place because everyone already knows how good it is; but I felt compelled. Stopped in today for probably the 100th time. I have rarely strayed from what I believe to be one of the best sandwiches I have ever had; the Carolina style pulled pork sandwich.....awesome. But today I felt like ribs. Somehow I have just never had the ribs here. Wow....damn good ribs. Nothing new to say, just damn good ribs.
(5)Nicole B.
Best.BBQ.Ever!!! There aren't words to describe it. I always get the Z-Man and Onion Rings. Just order it and you won't be disappointed. The End.
(5)Wendy Y.
This place Rocks! If you go to KC you have to come here. Best BBQ I've had!
(5)Randy B.
Spent a week in Kansas City, and asked around - this was the locals favorite and I can see why. Great food - once you park in the parking lot, you can smell the bbq... Hope I can return soon and enjoy the best bbq in the city.
(5)Annie B.
I was recently in town for a business trip for my new job. I was only around for 1 night so when the crew in the office and the big boss man asked me where I wanted to eat, I asked for something local that I couldn't get in Colorado. They all unanimously picked Oklahoma Joe's. From what I had heard from others, my hours spent staring at Food Network on TV and from the locals I spent time with in Kansas, the folks in Kansas know their BBQ! After my experience, I have to agree! You walk in to this place and wait in line (which is not something I usually enjoy). The line was out the freakin' door! At least the group I was with was a lot of fun so it didn't seem like a long wait. I also noticed that there was a framed newspaper article by the door featuring Anthony Bourdain and how he ate at Oklahoma Joe's and enjoyed it. I knew I was in for a treat after seeing that article! It's an order at the counter type place, walk down to the end of the counter, pick up your beer and your tray and find a table. I had a smoked chicken sandwich that was dripping with BBQ sauce and mayonnaise. They also stacked a little pile of thick cut dill pickles on the plate, bonus! I had a side of spicy slaw which was decent and one of the people I was with got a couple racks of pork ribs, fries and onion rings to share with everyone. It was quite a smorgasbord! The food was fantastic! I had never had a smoked chicken sandwich like that before! The ribs were so tender that they were falling right off the bone. I'm not a huge meat eater (or at least not meat in such huge portions and without some healthy veggies to balance it out) but this was one awesome exception! There was a full roll of paper towels at the table plus a couple of BBQ sauce flavors to choose from. A nice addition to the meal! The down side was the beer. I had been hearing about a local brewery called Boulevard and how great their wheat beer is. I got a Boulevard wheat (which was on tap) with my meal. It was just OK. Sorry Kansas, but I'm a Colorado girl and we not only have more micro-brews than I can list, but just about any one of them could kick Boulevard's ass! I will hand it to Kansas for their BBQ, but next time I come out, I'll have to bring some Colorado beer with me to add to the feast! Overall, Oklahoma Joe's was fantastic! Those of you that are local have a real treat in your neighborhood!
(4)Chris T.
I normally go to the KCKS location off of Mission but was meeting coworkers at this location. The food is top notch and there's a BBQ store next door. OK Joe's is by far the best BBQ in KC. Go with the Z-Man!
(5)Barry B.
Okie Joe's as it's known is a place that seems fun and has decent BBQ - IF and I mean IF you're NOT from Kansas City and you don't know any better. Good sauce which is imperative to start - however the meat was only mediocre and the fries are gimmicky. The ribs were not flavorful.. The best thing I had was the sliced meat sandwich, but the pickles are louzy. The okie sandwich was slathered in sauce and NOT good. Thank God they have strawberry soda. OK okie in a pinch but Gate's forever is all I have to say.
(3)Turf B.
Had the pork sandwich, and shared beans, creamy slaw, rings and fries with others. Everything was killer. Does this place need another 5-star review? Maybe not, but they've earned it. It's huge and the place was packed, even at 2:00 pm. Be sure to check out the adjacent BBQ shop - damn near every sauce and rub you can imagine for sale.
(5)Melanie T.
"Smoky" flavor with a hint of butane best describes the food here. I really wanted to love this place as much as everyone else seems to, but I'm just not sure I can. I get that KC BBQ is suppose to be smoky, and this certainly was, but my mom kept saying she tasted butane and I have to agree. I had the smoked chicken dinner with a side of slaw. For anyone who's familiar with the standard that Babe's Chicken in Dallas has set, let me tell you, Oklahoma Joe's missed the mark. The first bite I had I thought "Wow! This is pretty good!" It was tender and smoky and delicious, but by the time I swallowed, I had a funny chemical aftertaste. And the slaw was soooo bland that I kept taking bites to try to detect some flavor. It tasted like bagged cabbage with whipping cream poured over it. No salt, sugar, vinegar... Nothing! I didn't try the spicy slaw because the lady behind the counter said it was the same but with cayenne pepper sauce mixed in and I'm not sure that sounds much better. Mom ordered the ribs and brisket combo with the baked beans, which I happily helped myself to. The ribs were pretty good. They weren't as meaty as some I've had, but they were prepared well and not dried out. They also had the strange smoky flavor. The brisket was fairly tender, a bit on the dry side and not smoky. It was okay, but if you want excellent brisket that is so tender and juicy it melts in your mouth, go to the original Arthur Bryant's on 17th & Brooklyn. OMG! Oklahoma Joe's serves good baked beans, but again not the best I've had. The dish is a potpourri of mixed beans, leftover meat pieces and hot dogs that is fairly saucy and not too sweet. I will try Oklahoma Joe's once more and order the Z-man, a brisket sandwich with onion rings and provolone and a side of potato salad or fries. But not before I go back to Bryant's!
(3)Matt J.
This place is the only place in KC I will get BBQ. This place blows Arthur Bryant's out of the water. I normally get the brisket/pulled pork combo. Under $10 and just the right amount of food. Don't be discouraged if the line is really long, it goes pretty quick. The line here is backed up up to the door a lot... It's not because they have been featured on different shows or because famous people have eaten here... It's because they have great food. Also check out the BBQ store next door.. They have great supplies and spices. The only place I've seen you can buy wood chips in bulk. (Chips, chunks, pellets and logs.)
(4)Yvonne C.
I'd like to say that I don't eat a lot of meat, but who the F am I kidding? I eat meat. I think I should start calling myself a meat lover. So, I was told I needed to check this place out when I came to Kansas City and they were right! Their pulled pork sandwich was amazing and the BBQ sauce was so good, J & I took some home. I will also say that the sandwich and ribs travel well. I had the stomach flu all weekend and could barely choke anything down when we went to OK Joe's so I had to basically wrap my entire sandwich up and take it home with me. It was delicious when I finally ate it two days later! I can't wait to go back for more and hopefully this time I will be healthy and in good spirits so that I can eat the pulled pork sandwich AND the ribs!
(5)Josh S.
I've been all over the US eating barbeque and one ting I can say without a doubt is: Oklahoma Joe's makes some awesome brisket. When I go to a barbecue joint I get a little bit of everything. The pulled pork was okay, good even, but the brisket on the Z-man sandwich was out of this world. They have to use a deli slicer to cut it so thin. And the onion ring was perfect - pure heaven. The beans were super awesome. I swear they had a little bit of everything in them plus a little kick. One kicker is the line. I showed up at 1120 and was eating in about 8 minutes. By the time I sat down the line was out the door and probably 20 minutes long. Hit it right and you've scored. If you love to barbecue like I do then you need to check out the attached store. It has every grill you could ever want and wood chips/chunks by the bin.
(4)Jason W.
The meat is good but as a former KC native, there are many places which have good BBQ from a flavor standpoint. What is concerning is the price for the amount of food you get. I paid 7 bucks for a sandwich which barely had enough meat to cover the bun and was only about a quarter of an inch thick. There are too many other great BBQ places in KC to go to which give you awesome portion sizes for the same money or even less, to bother with this.
(2)Estebam F.
Ribs we're great but a little salty. The brisket was to die for.
(5)Stephanie P.
This is the best BBQ in KC. Everyone else with the great comments, I AGREE. Nuff said. Try it and you'll be hooked.
(5)Jeff R.
Best BBQ in KC. Period. I eat here quite a bit, and also at the location in KCK, which is in a gas station! If you haven't eaten at the original location, you should - just to experience the ambiance. The Hog Heaven sandwich and fries is....heaven! My favorite, and what I usually get. I also ordered their BBQ for my Superbowl party last year - ribs, brisket, pulled pork and sausage - all delish!
(5)Timmy J.
I love this place! This place is so good you better get there early.
(5)Kev L.
Take it from a Louisiana Transplant. If you ask who has the best BBQ in Kansas City, you are bound to receive a wide variety of responses. However I can personally say that after living here for five years, I can personally put my seal of approval behind Oklahoma Joe's BBQ for best in KC (If not the whole country). And my fetish for this place is far and beyond the myriad of BBQ competitions the place has won. (Or the fact that Anthony Bourdain ate there and absolutely adored it) Pulled pork is the specialty here. A Jumbo Pork sandwich here is one of life's pleasures. Instantly my favorite pork sandwich of any-kind, anywhere. Period. The sausage here is also the best in town. Flavorful and extremely tasty, I have caught myself ordering it a-la-carte to go as it is one of those things you can crave for at any moment. and the ribs? Let's just say that I never ever cared for ribs till I had them here. They are super! Brisket here is above average, however I would not say it's the best in town (I would say Gates or Jack Stack is better, and of course portion sizes at Gates are pathetic) Brisket is sweet with medium smoke tones. As far as side items, the fries here are seasoned and some of the best around. However at times, depending on who's running the show in the back, the fries can come out a bit salty. They are however fried to perfect texture and are crispy. The Chicken Gumbo that's on the menu is definitely not authentic Cajun by any means, but it is stupid delicious. Very few restaurants outside of Louisiana can make okra in a dish without turning it into a slimy mess. Baked beans and potato salad are also above average but nothing to go crazy about. My only drawback to this place is the (almost un-ethical) long lines at both locations. It's sheer torture to wait in line for this stuff, especially if you are hungry. However, the wait is ALWAYS worth it in the end. this place does NOT disappoint and there is no such thing as an "off-day" with the pro's smoking in the back., Oh, and the sauce . . . . . . I mean . . . . . . it's not even fair. There's a regular and a spicy version. And both are absolutely to die for. I actually brought a bottle of cowtown BBQ sauce with me to Bryant's once (I do not care for the vinegar stuff). To this day, I don't know how I made it out of there alive. People, this sauce is serious and it will bring the pain to any other sauce out there. In short, if you are looking for the best pork you have ever had in your life, this is it. It simply does not get better than this. It is a must-visit for out of town visitors, family and friends!
(5)Lori T.
My favorite BBQ in KC. I love that we have the Strang Line location but before it was here, we drove to the gas station location. Best advice I have is to call in your order in advance and pick it up. There is always a line when I go there. My personal choice is the Carolina pulled pork with slaw. I cannot resist their fries but luckily the orders are so huge I just steal a couple from husband or sons (when they are not looking). Don't forget them for tailgates and catering. Huge trays of meat and it will go very fast!
(5)Kore P.
Ohh yeah... the meat just fell off the rib bone and had a nice smoked flavor. Would not mind a hotter BBQ sauce to go with it as I like things really spicy. If you are traveling through the area on 35 this is definitely worth the short drive for great food.
(5)Dawn D.
OMG! I am not a BBQ fan but went along as we had visitors from out of town that really wanted some KC BBQ. I had the Z-man sandwich and am now a total convert! Loved it! Can't wait to go back!
(5)Rhett T.
If you are in KC and really like BBQ, Oklahoma Joes should be on your short list. Great Midwest BBQ. Besides, they have a BBQ specialty store with every tool and rub known to man.
(5)Fernando R.
One of my favorite BBQ eateries in KC. The Z-man is my favorite. Great place and nice atmosphere. Just expect long lines during lunch and dinner, but it's not too bad.
(5)Holly Y.
BEST and I do mean - THE BEST pulled pork EVER! Love their ribs too! Baked beans & cole slaw - NOT worth it! Fries - BEST EVER! Love their sauce too! Lines are always out the door they are so good!
(5)D G.
Count me in for 5 stars here. Best fries I've ever had. The ZMan is the option to go with. Those that know it stop getting everything else. Is it pricey for BBQ, sure but considering you don't need a tip and there is a ton of staff to pay for great service and getting your food fast to your mouth.
(5)Bret s.
I have to say that I have had some good BBQ and will say that this is probably in the top 3 the only reason 4 stars is because of a pretty bad beer selection which is essential to the experience in my opinion. I would say the line was really long and we waited a good 20 min to put in our order which only took maybe two minutes to get served. You cannot blame a place well known for a long line and in this instance we were happy to wait in fact I like to see a place doing enough business to keep a healthy line as long as it is not a lazy thing making it happen. Now I got the ribs and pulled pork and man so good loved them both and the portions were massive plenty for two people or one healthy-ish Midwesterner. Even with the long line seating was not a problem for us and I was carrying a car seat which makes us kind of picky on seating (so no one walks by and drops hot food and the such). I would like to check out original location one of these days but in the meantime for killer BBQ check it out for sure it is easy to get to right off of 35 and worth the wait.
(4)David M.
In my opinion this is the Gold standard of BBQ! I compare all other BBQ places to this. I love the jumbo brisket. It is juicy and good. I alway ask for it on unbuttered Texas toast. The fries are out of this world, the put (I think) garlic cayenne and sugar on them, not quite sure but whatever it is it's so good I ask for extra fries sprinkles on the side. This is the best brisket. I have ever had. Love the brisket, the sauce is sweet with a bite. My coworkers enjoy their Night of the Living dead sauce. They get The Z man sandwich with brisket onion rings and cheese. I like the brisket by itself. Unadultered, pure bliss! I hate the beans. If I could have jack Stack beans and ok Joe's brisket I would be happy! Reasonably priced and fast! One of my favorite place to eat!
(5)Justin M.
This is my favorite BBQ place. I always say I'm going to try something new on the menu, but always order the Z-man and fries. I've had enough Z-men to say without a doubt that Okie Joe's is the most consistent BBQ place I've ever eaten. I've never had brisket that it too fatty or too dry like many other famous KC joints. There are tons of other BBQ places near our house, that I would love to try, but I can't justify going to any of those places when its just a short drive to the best. Just make sure you bring a friend to share your giant order of fries.
(5)Jeremy F.
I ate here about 3 times when I was in KC for 2 weeks. Now that i'm back in OKC, I can't wait until I go back. Ribs were excellent and the pulled port was awesome. But get the chicken Gumbo...I know Chicken gumbo at a bbq restaurant, but you will thank me later!
(5)BEN K.
Long lines, great bbq. It took about 25-30 minutes in line, but once you order, the food comes up in less than 3 minutes. This was my second time at OKJ and I had the ribs. Very good. Not the best ribs I've ever had, but still good and worth the wait.
(4)Jon S.
Usually, when I go to highly rated barbecue places, I find myself wondering if maybe I just don't like barbecue that much. This place convinced me I was wrong. I really do like barbecue. It's just that none of the other places live up to the hype.
(5)John S.
The best bbq ever! I have tried a lot of places and still think oklahoma joes is the best! Id like to try more things from their menu, but i cant get away from the ribs and brisket! Yummy!
(5)Chris W.
When you go to Kansas you cannot miss Oklahoma Joes! The ribs are flavorful, meaty, and fall off the bone. The flavor, fries, pickles, and onion rings are great. The line can be long over lunch but if you get there at off times you can get a seat. I'm so happy that I was introduced to this place.
(5)stephanie w.
SO GOOD! Love their food, the wait is worth it, definitely stop in.
(5)Janet C.
Z-man!! Surprising but amazing combination of bbq beef brisket, provolone cheese and onion rings. Get with a side of fries (which may be some of the best fries that are not duck-fat fries, especially at the Olathe location), onion rings or bbq beans. Olathe location is much better on your schedule since the lines move faster than the original gas station location. Think they have slightly better fries too. But the meat always seem slightly juicier at the gas station.
(5)Charles B.
Great BBQ spot. Enjoyed the pulled pork, Carolina style. Budget friendly and good atmosphere. Avoid the place during the noon rush if possible, but if you can't the food is worth the wait.
(4)Rose V.
OK Joe's never disappoints. I always order the carolina...pulled pork topped with spicy slaw on a bun. I love the variety of different sauces available at every table. It's always a must to order a side of their delicious fries. It's too bad I can't finish them since the sandwiches are so huge :) I lived in KC for almost 7 years and it's hands down the best BBQ. OK Joe's is perfect..and you don't have to pay an arm and a leg for amazing BBQ :)
(5)Michael R.
I have eaten at this place twice, and honestly, I don't plan on going back again. First time, I actually liked the food, except the sausage was served cold. Went there yesterday, and with three of us, the food didn't agree. They must be doing something right since there's a line going in any time of the day. Nevertheless, I won't be in that line again.
(2)Adam P.
This is the BEST BBQ in KC hands down. I have also had quite a few dinners in other 'BBQ' areas - Memphis, Tulsa/OK, Texas, etc. They do not hold a candle to Okie Joes. The sauce is the right consistency, sweetness, and heat. The meat has the best flavor and the Fries are untouchable!
(5)Jay A.
Awesome BBQ and one of the best in KC! The line normally goes out the door and around the corner on busy days and at least out the front doors on a daily basis for lunch and dinner. They have a huge variety of smoked meats and amazing side dishes. The proportions are huge, especially the fries. I always have too much and leave with a box of food. They have amazing smoked turkeys for Thanksgiving too.
(5)Dan D.
SIMPLE... You would be stupid to go elsewhere. Don't let the long line fool ya. They are as efficient as it gets. Everybody raves about their pulled pork (which is divine) But, the RIBS... Don't ruin them w/ sauce... They are perfect w/out. Only downside... Closed on Sundays...
(5)mark d.
AWESOME, too bad burnt ends are only on Wednesday.
(4)Kevin B.
I've eaten at Oklahoma Joes 2 or 3 times and I have never been all that impressed. Maybe I'm not ordering the right thing but I've had a sandwich that came with cole slaw on top and I've had the beans, which I just am not a fan of. The beans are mixed with a few different types and colors. My company has also catered from Oklahoma Joes and I've had a chance to try the brisket and the ribs; which are good, but I don't think they are better than Jack Stack. So maybe I need to go back for a 3rd or 4th time or try the original location to get a feel for the amazing bbq that everyone says they offer.
(2)Drew Y.
Oklahoma Joe's is a great BBQ stop in the KC area. Great lunch specials and the brisket is ridiculously good! Be sure to try the different BBQ sauces at your table and wash it down with a Boulevard Wheat. Great, great restaurant.
(5)Michael W.
My favorite BBQ place in KC! The sauce is what makes this the best. I highly recommend the Z-Man sandwich. It is beef brisket on a bun, with melted provolone cheese topped with two onion rings. Outstanding. You can make it a "Jumbo" (not on the menu) which adds about another 1/4 pound of brisket. The French Fries are some of the best I've ever had! Dip them in some BBQ Sauce and wow! My friend jokes the fries are laced with crack or something to make them so addictive! The fries come in a huge package and are enough to share! Expect a line for Friday/Saturday night dinner. If the line is to the door, you have about a 30-45 minute wait; however, they are as efficient as it comes. Take-out is a quick way to bypass the line and is the same great food, just don't eat it there. People wait in line to eat there, don't be a jerk. This is their new location in Olathe which has much more seating and better crowd flow than their original location in Kansas City, KS. Same great food though!
(5)Cathy W.
Oklahoma Joe's has amazing turkey - my favorite - and GREAT fries. The potato salad and cole slaw are also fantastic. What a wonderful place to go during these FREEZING days to WARM UP !!!
(5)C J.
Best KC BBQ place in this gal's opinion. The ribs are fall off the bone tender with the right amount of smoke. The Z-man always brings a smile to my face. You cannot miss with Oklahoma Joe's
(5)Joe H.
My favorite barbeque in the city. I always opt for the pulled pork sandwich, which is delicious every time. The rub is awesome enough that I never need to put sauce on it. Fries, onion rings and beans are all quality. The beans aren't your standard BBQ bean, but that's one of the reasons I like them. This location is much nicer looking than the original on Mission Rd, but the wait is the same if not worse. I have never actually dined in either location. If you want to save yourself some hassle, pick up a copy of the menu to take home with you and just call in with your orders. You'll have to pick it up yourself, but it saves you the grief of hanging out in line. In all honesty, you can probably call in and go pick up your food faster than if you waited in line at a peak time.
(5)Jav V.
This is really good BBQ. I had brisket and it was delicious. The sauces were really good and the fries were amazing.
(5)Glen D.
Was amazing and they have won COUNTLESS bbq competitions and in Kansas thats a big deal. they also have a attached bbq supply store.
(5)Marshall H.
Average. Meat isn't as refined as jackstacks. Seems rushed. Sauce doesn't have enough character to be anything better than you could find in the BBQ sauce aisle in the grocery store.
(3)Nick K.
When you walk up to a restaurant and see a 90 person line stretching out the door, you know it is going to be good. Oklahoma Joe's is one of my favorite BBQ joints in the greater KC area offering great quality Barbeque at very reasonable prices (sandwitch dinner runs about $8, pretty cheap compared with others at about $12). I have sampled almost every well-known Barbeque restaurants in the KC KS/MO area including Bryants, Gates, Jackstack, ect, and this is right up there with the best I have had. The atmosphere may be a bit different for the non-barbeque restaurant goer (long line, no waiter service, tray style ordering), but to me, It makes me feel at home. If I had one recommendation, I would say to go out on a limb and try the Z-man, a brisket based sandwich with smoked provolone and onion ring. Normally I am a purest and prefer a heap of brisket on white bread, but there is something about this sandwich that is very unique with a mix of flavors that you normally don't get with other sandwiches, and definitely sets it apart from other restaurants renditions in a very good way. If I do have one negative about the restaurant is its popularity. Lines on weekend nights after 5:30 can stretch out the door and run you about an hour to get your food, but like I stated above, when the line is that long you are guaranteed a great meal.
(5)Lily L.
We tried Z-man, chicken, and pulled pork. There was a wait but it's well worth it.
(5)Eric T.
Hard for me to believe this place has any negative reviews, because I would have to rate this place among the best barbecue places in America....and I've eaten barbecue from North Carolina to Texas. The ribs are nearly as good as Arthur Bryant's, about a 9 out of a perfect 10, full of smokey flavor, tender and juicy. The line was out the door at 1:30 PM when we arrived...always a good sign (unless of course you are at Kreutz's in Texas, but I won't go into that here). The burnts end were also excellent if not just a notch below Bryant's and the pulled pork was the best I've had west of the Mississippi. Don't miss this place if you are in KC.
(5)Grant H.
Best pulled pork in the city by far. Outstanding Kansas City BBQ.
(5)Tom K.
the location sucks ass, but ok joe's bbq cannot be denied. it's a wonder than any of the fast food fry pits stay open with ok joe's around them. it is places like ok joe's that define the bbq tradition in kansas city. the fries are great and portions are overwhelming. can't go wrong with most anything they offer here. carolina style is particularly notable. ok joe's is the best bbq in the ks suburbs.
(4)Jamie Q.
I agree with the reviewer who said that this place is overhyped. I went into my KC trip most excited about eating at this place and ultimately the experience disappointed. I thought that Arthur Bryant's was better than this place. That being said, "Was the food bad?" No it wasn't. It just wasn't crazy out of this world good. I got both the Hog Heaven and Z-Man sandwiches. Both are good but nothing to write home about. The location is pretty cool because its inside a gas station and the service was fast (but probably because I went at 5 pm).
(3)Yehoy L.
Country Meat. Slow cooked, perfectly seasoned, ample amounts of sauce, and mighty darn tasty. You really can't go wrong w/ any forms of meat for your inner carnivore. The brisket is thinly sliced and cooked to a medium tenderness. Chicken is falling off the bone tender along w/ the ribs. However you can't beat the pulled pork. It'd be a toss up between perfect carnitas or the BBQ pulled pork here to satisfy the piggy cravings. You can think of this as the original version of Armadillio Willie's (CA). However the food is 10x's better. You can even get meat by the pound if you like. If you're going for lighter fare, I would say you must go for the pulled pork sandwich. Add some more BBQ sauce (mild or spicy) and you got a mighty tasty sandwich that'll appease all taste buds. If there's one thing you gotta have in Kansas, it's BBQ, and this would be one place to help satisfy that craving.
(5)Danny S.
BBQ is excellent. The service on the other hand sucks!
(4)Rick K.
I was recommended to go to several BBQ places in Kansas City. I have been to 3 places and found this place to be the best out of the 3. The other places are Arthur Bryant's (okay) and Gates BBQ (hard and dry as sandpaper). Joe's ribs were smokey, pulled right off the bone and juicy. I hear their sandwich named Z sandwich is to die for.
(4)Nicole D.
First off just so you know we are from Minnesota where the only option for BBQ is famous dave's or the grocery store. Not that Famous Dave's is bad but compared to this we thought we had died and gone to BBQ heaven!!! We go here almost every chance we get! The Z burger is awesome!!!
(5)Green D.
Standouts here are the ribs and pulled pork sandwiches!! To-go service is always great!
(3)Josh S.
Very high quality food at generally good prices. They put a lot of work into making high-quality BBQ and it shows... I prefer the smoked chicken or ribs. Sauce is a bit on the sweet side but smoky and pretty good.
(4)Stephen F.
Enjoyed the pork ribs and Texas style bread. Quick and friendly service.
(4)Sarah R.
Best BBQ in KC+KC has the best BQQ=Best BBQ in the World. Fries are delish, pulled pork is soooooo good. Z Man is to die for. Ribs are amazing. Yeah, everything is really good except their beans are different. Go eat there now.
(5)Collin F.
I've been to this location a few times before, but oddly enough I've never found myself in the original location in KCK. But for the family to meet up together for dinner before going our separate directions, we chose the Strang Line Road location in Olathe as our dinner spot. We arrived at a good time, around 5 PM on a Friday. The line was not bad and there were still plenty of tables to choose from. My wife ordered the 1/2 chicken dinner with beans; I orderd a 1/2 slab of ribs with cole slaw and some onion rings for sides. In short, my wife liked her chicken very much - she said it was moist and had good flavor. I thought the ribs were done well. I am not a big fan of the sauce at OK-Joe's. It's okay, but I prefer something less sweet. It's not KC Masterpiece sweet, but it certainly is sweeter than, say, Arthur Bryant's or even Gates BBQ. I didn't try the beans, but my wife thought they were fairly good. The cole slaw was too watery and not much flavor, The onion rings were also just okay. I miss Adam's Rib in Overland Park for onion rings. Service - well, it's fine but it's a BBQ joint not a waiter-service restaurant, so you don't interact much with the employees other than to place your order, pay, and pick up your food. In my opinion, Oklahoma Joe's does very good BBQ, but I've had better. For sides they are lacking in taste and for ambience you probably want to try the original location in the gas station.
(3)Russ K.
If you don't mind standing in line to place your order the food is very good and you won't go hungry. Side dishes are well prepared and service once you order is typically excellent. Good value for the money, would recommend as a great family BBQ spot.
(4)Adam S.
This is arguably the best bbq in KC. It's in a gas station, and a bit expensive for what you get, but once you start eating the spendiness will seem soooooo worth it. Everything on the menu is good. The fries are excellent.
(5)Kevin S.
I've had enough BBQ to know these beans are amazing, the pork was excellent, the chicken chicken gumbo was a great enjoyable surprise. The sweet sauce rocks, the spicy/sweet was even better.
(5)Dylan G.
Probably the best ribs I've ever had and their hot BBQ sauce has the perfect level of spice. Love that they load up the pickle slices on the side, too. Service was efficient and friendly and the beer was cold. No complaints here.
(5)Chow T.
Great BBQ! It isn't the best in KC. The best is Jack Fiorellas IMO, but Oklahoma Joe's is like the same price as McDs and you get a seriously good meal. The sauce is of a similar variety as Jack Fiorellas. On the sweet side, but not sickeningly sweet. The Zman sandwich was really good for $6. Service was very good relative to Gates. I hate Gates BBQ service!! The ribs were good, but not the best in KC, but come on KC has high standards for BBQ ribs. They were still pretty damn good.
(5)ME E.
My favorite BBQ place in KC. Best tasting and much more affordable than other BBQ restaurants in town. I take my friends and family when they visit from out of town so they can eat authentic KC BBQ! Just remember they are closed on Sundays.
(5)Clara B.
The food at this restaurant is mouth-wateringly AMAZING. The beef brisket is the best brisket I've ever had in my life. It's savory and tender and not riddled with fatty edges. Since it's my favorite, I usually pick up a brisket sandwich (the Z-man is delicious as well) and an order of french fries, which are some of my favorite fries of any restaurant. I'm not sure what seasoning they use, but it's more flavorful and exciting than regular boring old salt. The other meats I have tried at Oklahoma Joe's are also top notch and hands down some of the BEST bbq I've ever had in my life. The regular and spicy sauces are awesome, although I'd like a little more heat in the spicy. The regular has a nice sweetness to it that complements the savory meats very well. I love this place so much, I have the number for take out saved in my phone! This place is a can't miss if you happen to find yourself in Olathe. It's definitely the best food you'll find in the 119th/I-35 corridor.
(5)Ronald S.
I've been to this place a few times and they have pretty decent food. Unfortunately this most recent time they totally grossed me out. They gave my food to the wrong person and he left. Since it was crowded I figured they were just slow. After about 15 mins of waiting I head back to the counter just as this guy returns to let them know he was on his way home looked in the bag opened the food and realized it was not his order. The clerk looked in the bag and apologized to the guy and gave him the correct order. She then gave me the bag he brought back. I'm pretty sure there's some health code violation that took place there. She should have offered to prepare my order fresh or something. He could have done anything to that food. Who knows what was on his hands? Who wants food that some stranger off the street has had his hands over. And here's the kicker. The clerk for the life of her didn't have a clue. She stood there staring at me wondering why I didn't want the food.
(2)Mike B.
I love barbeque and am very proud of our Kansas City barbeque heritage. That's probably why It steams me so much that a place called OKLAHOMA Joe's is so darn good. Yeah I know it's a local joint but still, OKLAHOMA? Like everyone else says, for a truly excellent experience simply order the pulled pork sandwich, a bag fries and a beer. It's perfection!
(5)Joey V.
my favorite bbq ive tried in the area ive been known to eat a shitload of food when im here
(5)Tim O.
Pulled Pork sandwich is out of this world good. The barbecue sauce is sweet and tasty just the way I like it. The restaurant is nice and clean and seems to be a fairly new location.
(5)annie t.
We have lived in Kansas City all our lives, and we have decided the ribs at OK Joes are the best you can find around here. There aren't a million kinds to choose from so you are guarenteed the ones they serve you are their best! They are so tender and meaty, even my 5 and 2 year olds love them and can eat them with ease. Their chicken is delicious and cooked tenderly every time, and if you are hungry get the ZMan sandwich...it will satisfy a big appetite. Their portions are big so you can split them if you want; especially the fries (which have a surprising sweetness to them.) The only thing I don't love about it is that you order from the counter, so if you have kids or not a lot of time, DO NOT go during the lunch rush! The line is always out the door and although it moves at a pretty quick pace, it can get a little overwhelming in there. But if you catch it at the right time (before or after lunch and dinner) you can walk right up to the front and get your food in about 5 minutes. Be sure and come hungry, and try the "Night of the Living Q" sauce if you dare!
(5)Sarah D.
This was the first place I ever tried BBQ and ever since then no one else compares. I will forever recommend the z-man. The food is amazing and the staff is very friendly. Unfortunately, the place is always so packed (because of how great it is) that it is hard to find a seat sometimes. Don't go during the lunch or dinner hour if you're in a rush.
(5)Jose C.
I'm not a big bbq fan, but this is THE place for great bbq in a very casual setting. I've visited both their Kansas city and Olathe locations. The KC location is considerably smaller and come dinner time the line stretches well out the door, so plan ahead. Due to the small size and high volume it can be next to impossible to find a table. The Olathe location is much larger, I went for lunch there and ordered within a few minutes, and quickly found a table. We lived near the KC location and would order take out regularly. If ordering take out call with plenty of time as orders can take close to an hour to be ready, specially if ordering during the lunch or dinner rush. Their chicken, and ribs are delicious, soft and savory, but my favorite thing there are the fries and onion rings, I love the seasoning they use, and they are always nice and crispy, even when ordering takeout.
(5)Crystal S.
It's good to comeback and visit in Kansas City and get some BBQ. Visited here and loved it. Ordered a dinner plate 3 ribs with another side meat and chose their house made sausage. I also got a potato salad side with an extra side of their bbq beans. I used their house bbq sauce which was great. I bought 2 to take back home to Cali for my grilling. I loved the sweet tea! It was perfect woth our lunch! Also had the popular pulled pork sandwich with fried onion rings and provalone cheese and their seasoned fries were delicious! Over pleasant visit. The restaurant was clean and nice. Bathrooms were clean as well. I like the organization of their lines when they do get busy. A take out line, a pick up line and the in house order and pay. Definitely going to comeback and visit this place again when I come back. #KC #BBQ #OKJoes
(4)Elizabeth W.
I'm sitting here in the restaurant and all I can think is "this is the best bbq I've ever had." I'm not the biggest bbq fan because it's messy and usually a bit crunchy or dry. But this was the best ribs and brisket I've ever had, no extra sauce needed! I almost have nothing to say about the food because the pictures should say it all. We each got a dinner which came with one side. Full slab of ribs, ribs and brisket, and 1/2 smoked chicken dinner were all super delicious! I liked my spicy slaw! The line was out the door, and that's something in and of itself. This place, if it isn't famous, well, it should be! I can't write anymore, I have to go into food coma now.
(5)Chad D.
Note to self: Self, do not eat BBQ out of state again. Or at least not from Joe's. If this is Kansas City BBQ, I'm glad I live in Texas. I had already had a light snack before having a late lunch here so I didn't order big. I decided to go with the brisket plate. Brisket, one side and a piece of toast. I opted for the spicy slaw. The slaw was decent. The cabbage tasted fresh and was nice and crunchy. The flavor was light but the spicy was non-existent. The brisket... The sad, sad, brisket. It was nice and lean, I'll say that. The thing that got me though was that it appeared to be sliced by one of those deli meat slicers. Every single piece of brisket was sliced uniformly thin. Really, thin. The meat was already lean so it made it a little too dry for me. I've seen pictures of the line going out the door so the best part for me was that when we went, we walked right up to the counter, no line!
(2)Grant G.
Stopped in for a pulled pork sandwich on the way through town. Easy ordering, quick to the window, juicy and flavorful meat, sauce tasty.
(5)Gaz H.
Burnt ends and brisket are both top notch. Fried toast, french fries and lots of other goodies are excellent. Ribs are good but not transcendent. Pulled pork is not as compelling. Great set up and fast service. The feng shue isn't as good here as it is in the Overland Park location. So that's something.
(4)Alexandra S.
Good second choice for bbq in the kc area. Still way better the. WhT we have in California. Great food, large portions, and sides to die for. Also the bbq sauce selection was great. I like the order here,pickup there atmosphere. It was very busy and still the staff had everything under control. We were able to get a seat before our food was ready.
(4)Joshua J.
What can I say, top notch BBQ and excellent fries with a classic bbq joint aesthetic. The service line was quick, even when the line of patrons is out of the door. There was even good local brew on tap to wash it all down. I have been to many BBQ spots and none compare.
(5)M H.
Used to be my favorite but.. They are a victim of their own success. The lines are always out the door. The meats are always great. I do prefer Gates sauces. Room for improvement on expediting the order and delivery methods.
(3)Brendan C.
I'm from Texas and we have crazy good BBQ there, so my standards for BBQ are pretty high. I ordered pork ribs with 1/4lb of brisket burnt ends according to personal taste and Yelper suggestions. I ended up with french fries and potato salads for sides. I 3 star their pork ribs. If you've been to St. Louis and had the pork ribs from Pappy's, your palate for this glorious cut may be spoiled forever. Oklahoma Joes ribs seemed almost there. The temperature or time on their pork ribs was too long and ended up making the pork ribs drier than I would've expected. The crust was great and so was the flavor, but it was overdone for my taste. Thus, it wasn't juicy when bitten into. I expect to see the juices flowing, and personally I thought they could've added more pepper to the rub. Sauces - Their sauces are good. There's a nice balance of sweet and sour with a good consistency. Fries were really good. Pretty much mandatory if you like crunchy potatoes at all. The seasoning was on point, in terms of flavor, but it was a bit over-salted. Brisket burnt ends - this is where it's at. There was a great smokiness and my mouth felt like what I imagine the inside of a smoker would taste like. If I were an ant somehow surviving in a smoker, I'd be inhaling air that tastes like this brisket. But...still it wasn't juicy enough! Yea, it's burnt ends, but a measure of juiciness wasn't really maintained in the parts that cut into the rest of the brisket. Perhaps they should consider a bit lower temperature cooking. The smokiness is definitely there though. Potato Salad - way too much mayo. The boiled eggs are nice inside, and this would've been a great complement to the BBQ if the mayo were cut back on. Happy Eating!
(3)Nyla K.
If anyone knows KC bbq, you know to stop into Joes KC. I've only really been here for lunch but tonight we popped in for dinner. Surprised that there was a still a line that ended just right at the door. This time I went for the ribs and the pulled pork sandwich and a side of beans. We also had a small onion ring, which in my opinion, are the best onion rings I've ever had. I typically don't like onion rings in general but these were amazing! I'd pass up a side of fries for these any day! And the ribs we also finger licking good, literally. If you're stopping in KC, you have to experience lining up in a gas station and having the best ribs in town!
(5)Byron H.
There isn't a lot that needs to be said about this icon of Kansas City BBQ. It's arguably the best in Kansas City. Kansas City arguably has the best bbq in the world. Thus, this may be the best bbq in the world that you can get at a restaurant. I've had a variety of their dishes (burnt ends and their ribs are a favorite), but by 3 their twice weekly burnt ends were sold out. At this satellite location there was inexplicably no line (there is always a 30 minute plus line at the original), so we got our order in right away of a jumbo pulled pork sandwich with fries. Joe's claims to have the best fries in the city, and I have trouble arguing with them. Whatever mixture of spices and crack they put on their fries, they are my go to side dish. The pulled pork is perfect, and a healthy dose of sauce is all you need to enter bbq heaven. Although I have moved 6 hours south, every time I'm in KC I make a point of visiting one of (if not The) best bbq in the world.
(5)Adam S.
This is not only my go-to BBQ joint in KC, it is probably the restaurant I eat at the most. My wife never has to ask where I want to go for dinner. When guests want KC BBQ, this is where we go. The Z-Man is the best sandwich I've ever had. I wouldn't recommend this for newcomers, but as a Z-Man veteran, I like to order "the Z on toast". Its the Z-Man, but on delicious buttery Texas toast. Joe's is the only restaurant I've been to twice in one day. Ate lunch at the gas station location with one group of friends, and ate dinner at the Olathe location with a different group. My dream is to eat at all three locations in the same day. I'll reach BBQ nirvana.
(5)Ben C.
We had brisket and pulled pork. My favorite kc bbq place. While some purists say the sauce doesn't matter I argue that they've not had a good kc sauce. I would give five stars if the bbq beans were better.
(4)Lisa S.
It's ok, but I don't pick going there on my own. I only go when we are with friends who want to eat there. The pulled pork is ok. The ribs are WAY too smokey flavored. Call me crazy, but I don't think it's the best BBQ place around.
(3)Arin A.
We all came from out of town and had to try this place as everyone said it was the best around. We ordered all the most popular things. The Z-Man was actually really good. The fries were very tasty. Ribs fell off the bone. The coleslaw we could all go without. Must try the burnt ends. Name does not give any justice as they are not burned at all, but soft, tender chucks of meat. Would come back if ever in Kansas.
(4)Brant M.
Best. Restaurant. Ever. Speed 5- Once we order there was basically no wait! Once we ordered we paid and the food was there! It was so fast! Taste 5- I ordered the ribs diner + 1 meat. The ribs were amazing! Every thing else was great too! I highly recommend this place! We drove 17 miles out of our way home to get here and it was worth it! The food and atmosphere was amazing! I loved it and it deserves 5 stars!
(5)Reid R.
Place was perfect minus Im a Jack Stack fan... I prefer a waiter or waitress to take my order instead of getting my own drink, silverware, etc... While we were siting there this guy came around and starting taking things off our table which I thought was rude or I would have given the place a 5 star review ... he could have waited until we were done eating ... oh and wipe the bbq sauce bottles down super gross!
(4)Mw C.
Delicious!! Came here around 930 pm. The meat is tender and the best was the rice and beans. The place is big, clean and friendly.
(5)Susie S.
Joe's KC BBQ is the best. I take our out of town guests here and they love it. The quality of the food is as good as the more expensive BBQ restaurant we have. The atmosphere is clean, fun and upbeat. It's casual and every item is so tasty. Way to go Joe's! We love you and love that you're making Kansas City BBQ famous!
(5)Don E.
Some had the pulled pork and said it was real good. Some had the pulled chicken and said it was great. The ribs were OK. Fries were good. The beans were really good. The regular sauce was a little too sweet for me but others loved it. I'm still partial to Arthur Bryant's and LC's. I guess to each his own.
(4)kyle t.
Not bad but. My boss took me here as one of the best KC BBQ places, cant go wrong with that. Now in fairness, my boss is from out East, not BBQ lineage to start with. He does know where it find good wings in Buffalo, that is a plus and of course he is my boss. That said, he wasn't wrong about the BBQ but I think it would be a far cry to call this place the best, in my opinion. In FTP, Fairness To Pig I didn't try the Ribs which are supposed to be very good and opted for the Pulled Pork. I didn't try a bunch of sides, only one side, being the beans so not the totally best way to evaluate a BBQ joint. I will say though that I have had some amazing Pulled Pork Sandwiches and when it comes to good BBQ it is one of my favorites for good meat evaluation. This one had an OK bun, but the meat was dry and not super flavorful and the beans were good but really nothing special in any way, just kind of normal beans. Some places (like this one) tend to make the meat fairly bland and depend on the sauce to heighten things. I prefer to place the sauce for extra spice and enjoy the meat. I would eat here again and might order something different but then again in a city with some much lovely meat smoking away every day I would be hard pressed not to try something else. KT
(3)Simon K.
Consistently great. Ribs are well trimmed and perfect without sauce. Brisket is also a solid choice. The dark horse however are the red beans and rice. Every time I get it it's great.
(5)Trudy P.
Some of the best BBQ I've ever had. The only reason I didn't give them 5 stars is the lengthy wait every time I have gone there. I know they say the wait is worth it but when I go out to eat I'm not a fan of waiting in line. Wish they had their burnt ends every day but worth the wait a couple days a week. Never had a bad meal here!
(4)Jared D.
It is the very best brisket sandwich I have ever consumed. We try to stop here every year on our drive home from an annual road trip to a lake in Missouri. Although it is a bit out of our way. We are never disappointed because every bite will make you smile every time. If there was and option to give 6 stars, I would.
(5)Neala B.
Burnt ends heaven on the tongue. Hubby loves brisket and fries extra crispy with the spicy sauce. We've been coming here for years, the food is consistently great and the service has gotten much friendlier. They package things up right for carry out too. As far as sides, I love the beans, they are hands down the best beans I've ever had, love love love. And the dirty rice is amazing. Spicy, wonderful, so good, could have it for a meal easily. Who would have thought the rice would be so good? We'd been coming for years before we tried it, now I order it every time we go. Want to try something different? Red pig chili in the winter dress it up with cheese, jalapeno, onion & house made pork rinds guaranteed to warm up your insides. This is BBQ done right.
(5)Betsy M.
The best part of a recent biz trip to Olathe KS was my visit to Joe's Kansas City BBQ... no question. Thankfully, I called in my order after reviewing their online menu because when I got there - there was a HUGE line for dine in guests waiting to order. They have a special window for pick-up orders which is super cool, with a to go condiment bar close by. I went with the Z Man (thanks Yelpers) - and honestly it was the best barbecue I have ever tasted. I am not a fan of pulled pork, so I will always go with the beef brisket. I have tried southern and Texas barbecue and they ain't got nothin' on KC! I went with the fries which were also delicious. I am still dreaming about my Kansas City barbecue experience at Joe's.
(5)Aziz M.
I'm a proud Texan at heart, I sang the song "Deep in the Heart of Texas" as a squirt and I know that the state flower is a bluebonnet but Kansas City has won my heart over to BBQ for life thanks to this spot. The food is THAT spectacular. I mean, I've had plenty of good brisket, ribs and pulled pork throughout years of eating out and getting together for various Barbecues but nothing that has come together in such a way that made me feel enamored like Joes. Let's start off with the WORST thing I had and move up from there. I live to eat Ribs and the ones here were alright, likely pretty good on a better day but nothing standout the day I went. Everything else was substantially better. The Pulled Pork was tender, packed with a punch of pepper and various other spices and barely stayed together long enough for you to stuff it on a piece of their white bread and douse it in their sweet, not so tangy and a little bit spicy BBQ sauce. Its to die for. Brisket is probably the most popular meat ordered in San Antonio so I'm sure I've eaten my body weight in it. With that being said, the stuff they're serving here was smoked for quite some time I'm sure by masters. It had such deep complex flavors and aromas steaming off of it. The Sausage was great too but I wouldn't say it really set itself above what I'd already had. I don't think I've ever even considered saying this before visiting this place but I think the sides were almost as good if not BETTER than the meats. We tried a little bit of almost everything. The dirty rice was so good, spiced to perfection without suffering from being overly salty. The baked beans were just plain delicious and again were sweet without being overkill. The red beans were pretty good but they don't compare to what I've had in New Orleans. And lastly, the potato salad was mostly traditional but still solid in their own right. Wow. It's been quite a while since I've had so much GREAT food in one place, much less in one sitting. Kudos. My only complaint which is not a REAL complaint is that the wait for the food was crazy long. I mean we waited like 20 mins for them just to take our order. Luckily the food was ready only 2 mins after we ordered but that's a long time for someone with a 2 year old. I'd highly recommend opening up more cash registers (They only had 1-2 for dine-in) to take care of your customers in a more timely fashion. With that being said, keep doing what you guys do b/c you sure know how to make some killer BBQ!
(5)Jen W.
Best BBQ I've had in a long time. Don't waste you time going to Arthur Bryant's. Kansas City Joe's (Oklahoma Joe's) is the best BBQ in Kansas City. Period.
(5)Roxy S.
Omg this place is amazing. Probably the best barbecue I've had! The brisket is drool worthy, tender, and the sauce is out of this world! My friend and I ordered the ribs and brisket combo and ordered fries on the side. So, so good. We got take out, called ahead so that it would be ready to be picked up and the whole process took less than 5 minutes. There's also something incredibly charming about the fact that it shares a space with the gas station called Shamrock next door. Super cute and unique! Service was great, will definitely be back!!
(5)Melissa G.
The "Z"-man brisket sandwich is the bomb! Sliced brisket with a smokey taste, provolone cheese, and topped perfectly with an onion ring...mmmm. The fries are crispy and seasoned with the best tasting rub mix that will leave you craving these later. Good thing is the order is huge so you can either pig out or have plenty to share. I have been here many times before and seriously have gotten the same thing every time... If it ain't broke...don't fix it! This place gets busy for lunch and dinner so plan accordingly (beat the lunch rush and get there about 11:45am and you should be good). You wait in line and place your order. Food is fast and generally ready by the time you pay. There is also a take out line which is always great to pick up and take home. Buy you meat by the pound too! Always a hit when hosting get togethers!
(5)Paul T.
We sadly don't have ribs like these anywhere in southern California. The ribs in Cali are smothered in sauce and tend to be sweet. Being that it was my first time in Kansas for a quick overnight business trip, I knew I had to make my one dinner count. Having never had Kansas style bbq ribs before, I Googled "best ribs in Kansas City", resulting in a handy top 10 list. Joe's was #1 on the list. It was fate that my hotel, Hilton Garden Inn in Olathe, was literally a 2 minute walk door-to-door to Joe's. Getting off the plane at Kansas City International Airport at 7pm, I had only one thing on my mind: get my ass in that rental car, and haul ass for the 45 minute drive south to Olathe because Joe's is open until 9pm on weekdays. I chose the combo with 3 ribs and sliced brisket for $13.89, which also includes Texas Toast and choice of 1 side dish. The ribs are quite large and very meaty. I thought this was a great value, as people in southern California would gladly pay $20 for bbq of this quality if it were available here. Phil's BBQ in San Diego pales in comparison to the flavors and quality of Joe's. For my side, I got the red beans and rice, which was also the best I've ever had. Oddly, they don't offer any desserts of any kind. I was actually too stuffed to have dessert anyway. But who's kidding who? I would have ordered dessert if they had any.
(5)Guy H.
This is my "must" stop when I'm in KC. There is nothing that compares to Joe's in California. But what I really like about this place is the service. I walked in 15 minutes after they closed. The manager went to the back and packaged up a half rack of ribs (actually gave me long ends). I can't say enough about this place other than if you find yourself in Kansas City, Joe's is simply the BEST!!
(5)Hannah C.
My husband and I just moved from San Diego and this is the first BBQ place we tried. Can I just say, "is this real life?!" The BBQ here is absolutely amazing and incomparable to any BBQ I have ever had. I had a great experience not only with the food, but I was very impressed with the staff and their friendliness!
(5)Greg B.
Had to stop in for some spare ribs. Wow so much of the decor is all about awards this place had to be good and indeed it was. Only 3 locations on KC area. Love these local favorites.
(5)John L.
This is an absolutely wonderful place to have barbecue, in a city that is famous for it. The original Joe's, in a gas station, is closer to downtown. This more suburban location, however, still has the same food, identical to what you get at the original. You will not likely be able to find any time during the day that there is not a fairly long line, but the wait is worth it. But always come back here when we are in Kansas City.
(5)Daniel H.
I came here later than I wanted to because I had to shovel snow in front of my garage; in addition, I was trying to get some money. Anyways, I finally made it down here around 12:25pm on a Saturday and the line was out the door. I don't think it would've mattered if I came here at 12pm but who knows. I know this place wasn't the original location, but you know I wanted to write more reviews. lol It took 33 minutes to get to the counter and order my food. There were a lot who called in for takeout which was smart except I don't live close by (maybe 45 minutes away?) so that wasn't an option. I was just hoping there would be a table left for me and luckily, there were a few tables open. I ordered The Z-Man Sandwich ($6.79), french fries ($2.79), and a fountain drink ($2.29) which came out to $12.90 total. I was pretty thirsty so I drank a bunch of soda before biting into The Z-Man Sandwich. It was awesome and just like the original location. Each table had a roll of paper towels, original BBQ sauce, the spicy BBQ sauce, and ketchup. I think there was also pepper and salt on the other side as well as sugar. The French Fries were pretty good and the amount was enough to split with two people. This location had a lot more room than the original location and a lot more parking. Awesome food and BBQ sauce. I'd recommend coming here if you're close to this than the original location. Good stuff!
(5)Gus E.
Quick service. Food was great! Gave me hope in BBQ again. I mean look how many reviews this place has. Zman was amazing.
(5)Alexandra C.
The BEST bbq I've ever had in my life. Granted I am from NYC where they don't really know how to do good bbq. The pulled pork was like nothing I've ever had -- thick pieces, tender cooked to perfection and full of flavor..and their sauces on the table-- the best bbq sauce on the planet. Everyone loved their brisket and ribs. I tried the smoked turkey- was pretty good. The fries though weren't too good..though putting bbq sauce on top helped. Never had sweet tea before - man is it sweet and very smooth. Oh OK Joe, I wish I weren't 1,400 miles away from you. GO!
(5)Jacq R.
Maybe I'm spoiled by AMAZING Carolina bbq joints but Joe's is kind of "meh" to me. They got my order wrong twice, it was overly greasy and there are really few options for sides. Meh.
(2)Stephen N.
Best BBQ I've ever had. The brisket is so tender and moist. This place is a must visit for any out of towner.
(5)Tom H.
Wow ! I mean WOW ! No wonder the Food Network listed Oklahoma Joe's as the " Manliest Place to Eat". I have a customer that I visit from time to time in KC, and I always make a point to stop. Their pork ribs are the BEST I have ever had, literally mouth-watering. I have eaten a lot of BBQ all over the U.S., in my opinion for me nothing comes close to the flavor and quality.
(5)Steve S.
I've lived in Dallas for over 30 years, and Oklahoma Joe's ranks in the top tier of BBQ I've ever had. I've never waited for an hour in a line for any food anywhere other than here, and 15 minutes of that were in the entryway buffer area on a windy sub-zero winter day. I'm a rib-man here (get the whole rack and take what you do not eat home), and Jamie belongs to the church of Oklahoma Joe's pulled pork, which is mighty tasty too. Beans are solid (second only to Jack Stack's world-best beans), and fries are good (best ordered "crispy") as my preferred sides. This place is BBQ heaven, so enjoy it with reverence, over and over again.
(5)S Y.
Ok...first off full disclosure, I'm from so cal, and really hardy BBQ places are not as common place as they are in other parts on the country. That said....this place was soooooooo good. The portions are large. The prices are very reasonable. The line was very long. I had BBQ ribs. So good, the meat slid right off the bone. The ribs has excellent flavor. They were very tender. I also had the smoked turkey. This was good. I just wished it had a bit more moisture, but no complaints. The BBQ beans were really good. Has excellent spice with just a bit of sweet. I will caution to say this was also really salty. The dirty rice was average. If you have been down in New Orleans and had dirty rice there, you will be disappointed. The Texas toast, by far this was the largest disappointment of the plate. Skip the toast and consume your carbs else where.
(4)Bruce E.
Can't beat the ribs here. Stop by for lunch every time I'm in town and sample items asking with the ribs.
(5)RosaLinda R.
We heard this was the best in town, however, we didn't feel that it was worth the wait. The food was dry and lacked flavor.
(2)Brian E.
I finally tried Joe's after living down the street for 2 months. I received my food almost immediately after ordering it. I ordered a pulled pork dinner with fries. The meat was very tender and flavorful. The fries were some of the best I'e ever had.
(5)Brent G.
Great BBQ - some of the best in the area!
(5)Brett H.
Definitely my favorite BBQ in Kansas City. Even though the lines may be long, it does go fast. If you aren't sure what to get, go with the Z-Man sandwich for sure. Delicious beef brisket with an onion ring. My mouth is watering just thinking about it!!
(5)Dawn C.
First time guest, and I guarantee it won't be the last! On a whim we decided to follow up on a tip from a friend who said this was his "go to" BBQ place. It was still morning and we arrived about 11:30 and were the very first people in line to be served. (Within 10 minutes of our arriving and sitting down to eat the place was full and a long line was waiting! That's always a great sign.) I ordered the pulled pork since the menu said it was their specialty. I found it to be juicy and smoky and I liked that it was served without sauce. On the table you found two bottles of regular and spicy Oklahoma Joes specialty sauce. They are sweet, and I like that! I ended up mixing a little regular with a little spicy to find my Goldilocks just right flavor. The pulled pork is served on white sliced bread with a few pickles. My husband ordered the Z-man. It had sliced brisket and was served with cheese and two onion rings. At first he felt a little disappointed that the meat wasn't piled as high as he had hoped (he's a big time carnivore) but he enjoyed it immensely and wasn't hungry when we left so he had his happy ending. We shared a side of beans and a side of fries. We LOVED the seasoned fries! Yum! But the beans, well, let's just say we liked Jack Stacks beans better. We found these tasted more like a side of chili. Good, but note quite seasoned like we would have liked. To earn my fifth star I would have liked to see sandwich platter with two sides (fries and coleslaw?) I don't like to have to pay for each side separately, and when forced I will always pick fries, but my healthy side always craves a little bit of veggies. Even just a little cup of coleslaw would have put a smile on my face. Nearly perfect, see you again soon!
(4)Ruben P.
Oklahoma Joe's was the last stop on my trip to KC before heading to the airport to fly back to San Francisco. I had heard a bunch about Oklahoma Joe's from the various TV shows highlighting it and also from various friends, so I made it a point to go. We arrived in the middle of the lunch rush, so we waited in line for about 10 minutes, but it was completely worth it. From the Yelp reviews, the Z-man is the way to go, but I didn't want just a sandwich. I wanted a full on meal. I ordered the ribs and brisket with texas toast, pickles and dirty rice. I also added a small gumbo. I'm still craving those ribs. They were so tender and juicy, I can't get them off my mind. Everything was delicious and my friend was surprised that I finished the entire meal. It was sooooooooo goooooooood. After my massive meal, I stopped by to buy a shirt or two as a souvenir. The shirt I wanted was out of stock in my size, so I ended up getting two different ones and the great people at OK Joe's threw in another free shirt in my size that they didn't have for sale anymore. Then on top of that, the shirts were on sale, so I got 3 shirts for about $20. I love good deals! I cannot wait to get back to KC and eat at OK Joe's again. Nothing compares to KC BBQ.
(5)Jillian C.
I had been told that this was the place to go for BBQ since I moved here to KC very recently. I ordered the lean-n-mean which was an open faced smoked turkey sandwich with spicy slaw on top. The boyfriend got the hog sandwich with sausage and pork. We then split the onion rings, beans, and coleslaw. Once we figured out that we should add more sauce to the sandwiches, things were great. I've always been a fan of the meat and slaw combo. There is something about hot meat and cool slaw mixed that just rocks my socks. The onion rings, another favorite food of mine, were good. I liked the hearty breading dipped in both ketchup and more BBQ sauce. The beans were good too but the coleslaw was just alright. Nothing overly special. Overall, I think things just needed some salt. Still a solid offering though.
(4)Miriam N.
Dry, dry dry buns....".....Your killing me....what is with the buns for the pulled pork sandwiches. They taste like 5 day old buns...that somebody left the bag open. Here is the deal you are/were my favorite barbecue. Place. I brought friends from out of town in July 2013, I took more in September, I tried you today on nov.2... No body I have brought wants to go back because the sandwiches all three times are dry. You bite in and it is so dry. Mind you, I put on cole slaw, sauce and was as dry as can be. Did you change buns since you first started.? Possibly by the bakery buns from hyvee...they would be great. I work in a. Large office and they are saying the same thing. The family next to me said the same thing today and ate the meat and left the bun...are you noticing the amount of buns that. Are going in the trash? PLEASe charge me .25 cents more and get a better bun. Trying to love you, but your. Not noticing the signs...
(2)David G.
Best KC BBQ hands down. Meat on ribs was very tender and the chicken was juicy and tasty. Great family and bbq atmosphere with friendly service. I'd weigh half a ton if I lived close to this place.
(5)Jacob L.
One of the best BBQ joints in the best BBQ city in the world.
(5)Sung K.
Between 3.5-4 stars Maybe I expected too much out of this place. It's voted as the best bbq in the nation as well as one of the 13 places to go before you die by anthony bourdain. They were very good, for sure. Ribs were fall of the bone and tender. But their outer tended to be a little tough for one of my friend's order. Brisket had a nice smoke ring, and were tender. But it certainly needed the bbq sauce in my opinion (which were fantastic btw) chicken gumbo was great. fries were awesome. All the other sides that i got to taste were great as well. No complaints whatsoever. Great joint. wish it was in nyc.
(4)IJudge Q.
I am fortunate to not only be a certified BBQ judge, but to live in the best part of the country for any BBQ aficionado. Having said that let me preface my reviews with this comment: "the worst BBQ in the Kansas City area is usually better than the best BBQ found in the rest of the country". Also bear in mind that when one judges competition BBQ, we are trained to "Judge the meat - not the sauce". This will help explain why my reviews are so critical of the places who want to mask some deficiency in tenderness or taste by the over use of sauce. For the past few months, I have been visiting some of the most recommended BBQ joints in the Kansas City area. I am listing my 'overall' ratings at the beginning of the review for each of the establishments visited. ***** Fiorella's Jack Stack BBQ ***** Danny Edwards Boulevard BBQ **** Gates **** Arthur Bryant's *** Rosedale *** Woodyard *** Smokin Joes - Olathe ** Oklahoma Joes ** Johnny's OK Joes was a major disappointment to me. Three trips and three strikes. Meats were overcooked and tasteless while the sides were forgettable. Even their average sauces did nothing to improve overall taste. I know many people love this place and maybe I'm the jinx, because every time I dined with someone who 'just loves it', they left with the same "well that wasn't nearly as good as last time" remark. Can't explain it, but nothing there calls me back anytime soon.
(2)Amy G.
Back home visiting the family and found myself at an old favorite. Will it live up the memories? Oh YES it did. Worth standing in the very long line. By far the best brisket in town. I look forward to my next visit to KC.
(5)Nicole R.
Don't tell Gates that I cheat k? Oklahoma Joe's BBQ is hmmm...good. The meat just falls off the bone. The Texas toast is Bomb.com ! The onion rings are yummy to my tummy. So glad I cheated. But Gates' Hot sauce is still the business!
(4)Scott G.
GLUTEN FREE OH MY! Oklahoma Joe's has removed gluten from the majority of their foods and this is a A+++++++ in my book! If you have a gluten intolerance and want some real food like you used to eat, and you know what I mean if this is you, then this is a food destination you can't afford to miss! Ribs, Chicken, BBQ black beans, creamy slaw, fries and sauce galore (regular and spicy night of the living dead!) is what we devoured and it was DELICIOUS! Before removing gluten from the diet I was a huge fan of the Z-Man sandwich they have. If gluten isn't a issue for you and you want one of the best BBQ sandwiches around, give this one a whirl! Or if you like the vinegar type BBQ give the North Carolina Style sandwich a try. You will not be disappointed. While Jack Stack, Zarda, Famous Dave's, Rosedale bbq all are good..... none of them hold a candle to Oklahoma Joe's in my book. Give in, give it a try and make sure you have time set aside for a nap afterwards because you wont want to stop eating!
(5)Andrew ß.
Fan tactic Recent Forbes article had Oklahoma joes number one in the country I would Agree ! travel.yahoo.com/ideas/g…
(5)Nicole B.
Great food. I'm vegetarian so BBQ in Kansas is a little tricky. But their portobello z man is great with extra cheese and a side of coleslaw ( which I dump on the burger) Everyone else in the group raved about the meat. Great place good food.
(5)Rob M.
While shopping in the nearby centers I decided on BBQ for lunch. For a change I got out of my usual rut and ordered the pulled pork sandwich instead of the brisket. The pulled pork was nicely flavored and smoky, but not quite as juicy as I expected. It made a good, filling sandwich, though, especially when doctored with some of their spicy BBQ sauce! Seasoned fries made a generous side. I'll probably give the pulled pork another try sometime, but I think I'm going to remain loyal to the brisket sandwich -- it's just outstanding, IMHO! Service was friendly and efficient, and the restaurant wasn't crowded (so it was easy to get a table). SO glad Oklahoma Joe's is fairly close to where I live!
(4)Lori V.
When we moved to Kansas City we had never experienced Oklahoma Joe's and now we take our family and friends there whenever they come to visit us. We usually get a two meat dinner and split it between the two of us. If you order french fries, you get enough for two people - no kidding. Definitely recommend going here, even if you're just passing through. Don't go on Sunday though - they're closed!
(5)Kari M.
Best bbq ever! Always a line but always a table when you need one. Line moves fast. Food is hot and delicious Meat is lean and tender Pulled pork Smokie joe Burnt ends Slabs The are all so good!!! Way better than gates and nobody yells at you "hi, may I help you?!"
(5)Kathy V.
I was skeptical going in, but my friend hosting me sang it's praises. And I have to give it to her, it was DElicious! I'm not a big BBQ person, but this was so, SO good. So good.
(4)Kelsey C.
I used to drive 20 minutes one way just to get fries and a sandwich here. I would drive an hour if I had to. It is the most amazing BBQ and fries I have ever had in my entire life. Lucky for me, this location tastes the same as the original location. I have since moved closer to this location and I get food from here about once per month. The employees are always super friendly and my to-go order is always on time. People in line are usually friendly as well, everyone is just excited to eat BBQ! I would definitely recommend this location!
(5)Reina R.
I love love love Oklahoma Joe's. My favorite dishes are the roasted chicken, brisket, and french fries. Services is friendly and efficient. A great place for a family get together.
(5)Stephen H.
I always manage to go to OK Joe's for lunch and since large lunches usually make me want to go straight to bed, I never really go "all out" at OK Joe's. This, like the Leawood location, is one that actually accommodate the demand that savvy branding and great food create. Love not waiting in a line out the door to get great food.
(5)Mike E.
After seeing Oklahoma Joe's show up on pretty much every TV show about BBQ in KC I figured I'd better check it out the next time I was in town. After doing some running around on the south side of KC on a recent road trip a friend and I decided to hit the Olathe location on our way out of town. I'd heard the original spot in KCK gets crowded early so we made sure to get to the Olathe one shortly after it opened. There wasn't a line when we got there but by the time we sat down to eat there was one almost to the door. I went for the beef/pork combo sandwich and my friend went with a pulled pork one. The pork was about as good as it gets, smoky and juicy strands of meaty heaven. The brisket was also awesome, maybe a little dry but still very tasty. Needless to say we both left with a big smile on our faces! The only negative thing either of us had to offer was the beans, too much chili powder and not near enough smoke flavor. The beans were also firm, not exactly slow cooked. The fries helped pick up the slack, they tasted fresh and had a nice dusting of dry rub for flavor. When I told the really nice guy that took our order we were heading out on the road and then asked if they could wrap some goodies up for travel he said they'd have it ready at the bar when we were done. How convenient! So I got a pound each of brisket and pulled pork, it was well packaged and easily made the trip back to Denver with us. I'm thinking next time I'll give the gas station location a try, and won't be surprised if OK Joe's makes it's way into my regular KC BBQ rotation!
(4)Lucas R.
So I'm in the KC area for a couple weeks- and apparently it's a must to try OK Joes when you're there. Reading the reviews, you would think that most of these folks would give their first born son away just to eat one more Z-Man sandwich. So I obviously opted to order one. VERY average experience. Was the sandwich good? Absolutely. However, I was MOST surprised that the sandwich was actually pretty small. The order of fries was incredibly massive. 3/4 of the fries went in the trash can after I was done eating my good but way too small sandwich. $12.50 for an appetizer of a meal. First and last time.
(3)Beth B.
I ate at the gas station location years ago, but some friends were talking about Oklahoma Joe's recently and I had a craving - so we came here on New Year's Eve. We got there around 6 pm and THERE WAS NO LINE!!! Couldn't believe it. The line formed around 6:30. Guess we timed it just right. I had the ribs and my husband had the brisket - what, no burnt ends? The ribs were AMAZING!!!!! They fell off the bone, were very lean, yet flavorful. The spicy sauce was awesome. I am definitely buying some of that. My husband loved the brisket. I had some leftovers today and it was very good. However, I did not really care for the baked beans. They had a vinegary taste to them. My husband loved them, however, so they did not go to waste. Next time, I will get the onion rings. They looked really good. My husband was also eyeing the sandwich with the onion ring - I think it is called the Z-man. Will we be back? Yes. This was 4 stars, because I can't give 5 stars to a BBQ restaurant where I don't care for the beans. However, I'll update my review when I try the onion rings. They looked awesome.
(4)Kristen L.
Review of Carry Out experience: We've dined in many times, but recently we just wanted to grab food to enjoy at home while cheering on our Buckeyes. Instead of sandwiches, we ordered the pulled pork by the pound and a few sides. We thought the meat was much more tender this way because it wasn't pulled. It was just one big, wonder chuck of pork. Now that we got it this way, I'm not sure we'll go back. Much more meat than you get on two sandwiches. The meat was still hot once got home (15 min drive), but the fries were not. So we popped them in the over and the reheated nicely. We also ventured out and tried the Chicken gumbo, it had a great flavor kick. Highly recommend. Other than the grumpy person on the phone taking orders, this was a good experience.
(4)Kristy V.
I think this place got popluar when the food channel came. I have had better BBQ in KC. Not really that good! The potato salad had a weird tang to it. The burnt ends were not that good either. Too much fat!
(2)Teresa R.
Burnt end very tender and side of fries ... Love the seasoning on them. Sauce is great .. Just the right amount of spicy. Husband had ribs and said best your had in a long time... Meaty and tender, My new favorite BBQ place! Awesome!!
(5)Matt K.
Had a great lunch here recently while in town on business - the guys I was with tried the sandwiches, but I felt like I'd get a better feel for KC BBQ by ordering brisket & pulled pork. The food was good, definitely some high quality BBQ.
(4)Troy S.
Best BBQ around. We only go to Oklahoma Joe's for BBQ. My wife and I both get brisket sandwiches and we split an order of fries and rings. We have only gotten a sandwich with a little too much fat on the brisket one time and they fixed us a new sandwich when we complained. My wife hates any fat on the brisket and Oklahoma Joe's usually does a great job of trimming the fat off. I am not a rib fan but I have been told from friends they have the best ribs.
(5)Amy C.
Best BBQ in KC hands down. I've tried others- as you can see from my review of the Rub but seriously as Sinead O'Connor said, "Nothing Compares to You". The Z Man is to die for. I'm addicted. I could of course do without the lines and I always wish they were open on Sundays but I'll take what I can get and I love Oklahoma Joes!
(5)Samantha B.
Great BBQ! I live in California so we don't get good BBQ very often. Love coming back to visit the family and get some good BBQ! Service is fast and efficient! Be prepared for lines but they move quickly.
(4)Tod S.
I have eaten at the "original" in the gas station downtown but the extra room is nice. Food was consistent and delicious as always!
(5)Jen W.
Best BBQ I've had in a long time. Don't waste you time going to Arthur Bryant's. Kansas City Joe's (Oklahoma Joe's) is the best BBQ in Kansas City. Period.
(5)Roxy S.
Omg this place is amazing. Probably the best barbecue I've had! The brisket is drool worthy, tender, and the sauce is out of this world! My friend and I ordered the ribs and brisket combo and ordered fries on the side. So, so good. We got take out, called ahead so that it would be ready to be picked up and the whole process took less than 5 minutes. There's also something incredibly charming about the fact that it shares a space with the gas station called Shamrock next door. Super cute and unique! Service was great, will definitely be back!!
(5)Melissa G.
The "Z"-man brisket sandwich is the bomb! Sliced brisket with a smokey taste, provolone cheese, and topped perfectly with an onion ring...mmmm. The fries are crispy and seasoned with the best tasting rub mix that will leave you craving these later. Good thing is the order is huge so you can either pig out or have plenty to share. I have been here many times before and seriously have gotten the same thing every time... If it ain't broke...don't fix it! This place gets busy for lunch and dinner so plan accordingly (beat the lunch rush and get there about 11:45am and you should be good). You wait in line and place your order. Food is fast and generally ready by the time you pay. There is also a take out line which is always great to pick up and take home. Buy you meat by the pound too! Always a hit when hosting get togethers!
(5)Paul T.
We sadly don't have ribs like these anywhere in southern California. The ribs in Cali are smothered in sauce and tend to be sweet. Being that it was my first time in Kansas for a quick overnight business trip, I knew I had to make my one dinner count. Having never had Kansas style bbq ribs before, I Googled "best ribs in Kansas City", resulting in a handy top 10 list. Joe's was #1 on the list. It was fate that my hotel, Hilton Garden Inn in Olathe, was literally a 2 minute walk door-to-door to Joe's. Getting off the plane at Kansas City International Airport at 7pm, I had only one thing on my mind: get my ass in that rental car, and haul ass for the 45 minute drive south to Olathe because Joe's is open until 9pm on weekdays. I chose the combo with 3 ribs and sliced brisket for $13.89, which also includes Texas Toast and choice of 1 side dish. The ribs are quite large and very meaty. I thought this was a great value, as people in southern California would gladly pay $20 for bbq of this quality if it were available here. Phil's BBQ in San Diego pales in comparison to the flavors and quality of Joe's. For my side, I got the red beans and rice, which was also the best I've ever had. Oddly, they don't offer any desserts of any kind. I was actually too stuffed to have dessert anyway. But who's kidding who? I would have ordered dessert if they had any.
(5)Guy H.
This is my "must" stop when I'm in KC. There is nothing that compares to Joe's in California. But what I really like about this place is the service. I walked in 15 minutes after they closed. The manager went to the back and packaged up a half rack of ribs (actually gave me long ends). I can't say enough about this place other than if you find yourself in Kansas City, Joe's is simply the BEST!!
(5)Hannah C.
My husband and I just moved from San Diego and this is the first BBQ place we tried. Can I just say, "is this real life?!" The BBQ here is absolutely amazing and incomparable to any BBQ I have ever had. I had a great experience not only with the food, but I was very impressed with the staff and their friendliness!
(5)Michele I.
Phenomenal barbecue that epitomizes Kansas City. Barbecue sauce is rich, slightly sweet, slightly tangy. The line may be out the door- but the food is worth the wait. Recommendations- the Z-man, the burnt ends, and the red beans and rice.
(5)Marilyn C.
DISCLAIMER: I am still a Gates BBQ fan! My sister wanted local Kansas City BBQ. We've lived in Memphis before and we are huge BBQ fans. We were running late for dinner so we ended up going to Joe's. Even though it was after 9pm, the place was still packed. Food, service and atmosphere is one of a kind. My son ordered the Z-man sandwich, my niece the pulled chicken breast sandwich, my sister ribs and chicken dinner and my hubby and I just got a dinner slab with onion rings, fries and red beans and rice. EVERYTHING WAS DELICIOUS! We ate family style and we still had plenty of leftovers to take home for the next day.
(4)Don K.
Well, I gave them another chance and they still failed. Sausage and brisket were barely room temperature and brisket was sliced as thin as paper. BBQ beans were good and so was cole slaw. I can't for the life of me understand how people rave over this place....the second star is for the sides because the meat is terrible.
(2)Doug D.
I really enjoyed this meal. I waited in a line for twenty minutes just to get to the register. I wish this place was a little more new guest friendly but with the crush of people I understood. I wanted to try burnt ends, but they were not available. I went with the two meat plate and my girlfriend got the Z Man! Both were excellent. I also got the gumbo and a side of dirty rice. I was content but not stuffed. I guess that would be my only complaint. Maybe slightly larger portions, but the quality was excellent.
(5)Amy W.
I've eaten here once. I ordered their only vegetarian item, the Portobello V-Man. It was okay, but not amazing. Also, Joe's will not allow you to make any changes or substitutions to any items on their menu. I felt sick afterwords, and some of my friends have noticed the same effect. It is inexpensive (can eat there for less than $10). It is unique place (order at the front), with a ridiculously long wait.
(2)Christie F.
This is my family's go-to barbecue place! We love everything, especially the burnt ends and Z-man sandwhich! I highly recommend it if you're looking for Kansas City barbecue.
(5)Bloss C.
I didn't have high expectations when approaching Oklahoma Joe's. Mostly because I don't eat meat, so barbecue restaurants usually don't have much to excite me. Plus it looks like a pretty lame chain restaurant. Service was ok but a little gruff; we were here durning a slow time, but I hear the lines can go out the door for dinner, so perhaps that's were the staff's gruffness comes from, but they were polite enough. I ordered the Portobello Zman (the only vegetarian sandwich), the side salad, and spicy slaw. The Portobello Zman was awesome, the mushroom covered with provolone cheese topped with 2 onion rings and smothered in some amazing BBQ sauce. Spicy slaw was good also, and the side salad was very fresh with legit buttermilk ranch dressing. Everyone I ate with enjoyed their ribs and brisket immensely. I'm only in KC for a few days but I think I'll be back before I head for the airport!
(4)Keri F.
I got the pulled pork sandwich (no Z man for my milk issue) Other got the turkey sandwich Split the brisket just b/c we are starting the Q journey! Pork - moist, couldn't taste the smoke, average. 3/5 stars. Turkey - dry, little smoke, average. 2.5/5 stars. Brisket - dry, ok pink edge, just below average smoke. 3/5 stars Sauces were nice but nothing hit home for me. It's a good little place, but for me it misses something. I will have to try it again (ribs? 1/4 chicken?) when I go through KC next time. This place is part of a BBQ tour through 5 states. Overall rating is fifth.
(3)Courtney H.
The Z-Man is my favorite BBQ sandwich of any place I've been. Sadly, I don't really stray from the sandwich to have much to say about any of the other meats. But my brother had the ribs recently and enjoyed them and our friend got the pulled pork sandwich, also a winner. The fries here are also delicious with a good crisp to them and spice and a great portion to complement the sandwich. There is always a line, but it goes fairly quickly. It's worth it. I try to get the sandwich whenever I'm in town!
(5)KathyLynn J.
This definitely not my fav BBQ place in KC area. It might do in a pinch. Sides are mediocre, okay, fries & onion rings are pretty good. I want great smoke flavor, juicy & no need for sauce. You do not get that here. Try Jon Russell, Jack Stack, maybe even Gates.
(2)M A.
This is might go to barbecue spot in Kansas City. I have eaten at this restaurant many times since it is opened and it is always been good I have never had a bad experience and never had bad service. I loved the location in Independence however it was very difficult to get to an out-of-the-way from where my parents stay in Kansas City. The only complaint I have about this location is their restroom. For a place this big you need a multi-person restroom.
(4)Mike D.
I still haven't found KC BBQ I don't like and Oklahoma Joes is no exception. I don't think it necessarily lives up to all the hype caused by the TV shows, nor do I understand why it has 1,000 reviews but other KC BBQ greats do not....Anyways.... So this location is in a typical new looking strip mall off of Strang Line. It doesn't look very big from the outside but it's definitely decent size inside. Despite the line being out the door we were able to get a spot to sit. Even with continually long lines they ge the job done fast. I think my wait here was shorter than any other BBQ restaurant. Nice atmosphere, woodsy and outdoorsy, lots of BBQ trophies everywhere. Of course they sell tons of Oklahoma Joe's apparel for the people that just can't get enough. So I ordered the Z Man, not because it's their most famous item but because it actually had all of my favorite things on it. Also, a side of onion rings. So the Z Man comes with provolone and onion rings on it. It is quite amazing. I wouldn't say it's the greatest sandwich I've ever eaten, it is quite the tie though between this and Wodyard's Triple P. The meat was tender and had great flavor. Plus the sauce it was a little bit sweeter than I was expecting, but great nonetheless. Onion rings were fantastic, they give you a huge side so only order one if there's two of you. Don't think it lives up to the hype, but still great BBQ. I'll be sure to come back again.
(5)Steve B.
I live for finding places like this. Got the ribs and brisket combo. Wow it's good. Ribs don't even need any sauce. Perfect as is. Very little fat on either meat. Joe's dirty rice is a new one on me and it's a MUST HAVE. Spicy sausage mixed in it! I'll be back next time I find myself in Olathe...
(5)Shannon S.
So I saw all the reviews for this place and decided to check it out. Really glad I did. First of all walking in I was a little confused on where to order but quickly figured it out. Once I ordered and tried out the food I realized that the reviews are spot on . This is a great place for bbq
(4)Kimberly B.
We ate here again tonight and it is always consistently good. My favorite meat is the brisket, which is dripping with juice. We also enjoy the turkey & ribs. The hot BBQ sauce is worth a try for something spicy. Our favorite side is the red beans & rice, which have deep slow cooked flavor. There is always a line-- so call ahead, it is worth it.
(4)Vanessa S.
Born in Los Angeles, Raised in Missouri and live back in LA again. Every single time i go visit family in Missouri this is my first stop once I'm off the plane. Living in LA places try to do bbq but for me it never taste as good as being home. The pulled pork sandwiches are just so delicious and melt in your mouth. Mouthgasim! and the burnt ends I could eat all day,everyday. If your in the area you might miss it since its a renovated gas station. And also i love the store section where you can buy your own bbq spices. It does get busy around the lunch rush/dinner rush. But I mean of course it will be because it's that good. If your in the area and have time stop by. If you have to wait a little bit do it because you won't regret it.
(5)Mike O.
The Olathe location of Oklahoma Joe's (recently rebranded as Joe's Kansas City Bar-B-Que) lacks the quirky charm of the original KCK gas station location, but it makes up for it in the amount of seating. This spot seems to always be hopping at peak times, but the depth of the restaurant makes the line a little less claustrophobic. It moves quickly too. My go-to order here is the Z-Man sandwich, but they also do ribs, burnt ends (on select days) and pulled pork really well. Their Night of the Living Bar-B-Que sauce is tasty and unique. To-go orders (always faster) can grab a generous amount of sauce to-go in covered styrofoam cups. This is my favorite BBQ in KC and the place I always recommend to others who are visiting for the first time.
(5)Gina M.
I like Joe's, though don't eat here very often, as it's not very friendly to those who are a bit more health-conscious. The people are always nice and the facility is clean. I had a seasonal soft-shell crab sandwich, and wouldn't recommend it. Not sure if it was me, or the prep. Stick with the traditional dishes that have put Joe's on the map! (and get the O-rings!!).
(4)Tim C.
Joe's is the best barbeque in KC. Hands down, the ribs, sanwhiches, brisket...its all good. It might not be the oldest BBQ but it is the tastiest
(5)Dave E.
First KC BBQ stop since moving from Texas. I gotta say, pretty darn good. Had a spread of all the meat and several sides. While Texas BBQ may have some edge on the meat, it's not available at all times like Joe's. Seems like a walk in and get good BBQ all the time. Will definitely be a regular.
(4)Anna M.
It's pretty darn yummy, folks! Great food, great service, great prices. It doesn't get much better than this:-)
(5)Joshua H.
The gold standard of barbecue in Kansas City. Outstanding ribs and pulled pork in particular, and a gold standard sauce. My only gripe is no Mac and cheese offered on their sides... Something that shouldn't be missing from any barbecue menu.
(5)Joel K.
As a former local and now visitor to olathe Oklahoma Joe's is our number one place to eat when we want BBQ. Had a party of 40+ people here from NJ for soccer tourney and they stuffed themselves silly trying what is one of the best BBQ in America. Meat, sides, sauce are about as good as it gets.
(5)Shawn T.
Zman is the flagship sandwich and it doesn't disappoint. Best BBQ sandwich in KC. Maybe the country from what I have heard others say.
(5)Kendra L.
This was everything I ever wanted it to be. So good. The ribs were the best thing I have ever eaten and service was surprisingly quick.
(5)Jesse F.
Oaky Joes has the best BBQ brisket in my humble yet accurate opinion! Coupled with the red cream soda & fries makes the perfect combo! The sides are epic & price is reasonable. Show up at 11am to beat the rush or call in your order & eat at a park. The Z-man is always a win & even better with the dirty rice! I'll be heading there this week for sure.
(5)Dawn H.
Best. BBQ. EVER! And I'm from Texas- I've had my share of amazing BBQ. Everything is fabulous, and the atmosphere is fun and lively. I'll be honest- there are times I crave their food like I'm pregnant again! Go here, eat too much, and order a beer.
(5)Juan L.
Some of the best BBQ in KC. Ribs, brisket, & pulled pork is a must! Sides are great also. One that you have to order are the onion rings.
(5)Zack F.
This is by far the best BBQ I've found. I've been back many times, gone out of my way to do so, forced people to come with and have never been disappointed. The ribs are do amazingly smoked and flavorful that considering sauce is a travesty. Taste the meat, really taste it! The potato salad is my go to side and is always creamy. Man, I love this place.
(5)Jay R.
I have waited 2 years to try their ribs and I have to say it was well worth the wait. We drove in from Wichita with intent on trying the ribs with 2 kids and when we got our table set up with high chair and a plug for the 10 year olds computer I went up to order. Steve saw me and asked if I needed any help and my response was no getting my families order was the bards part now I have it made. He laughed and showed me to the counter to order. While we walked I told him my 2 year story and about a friend who recommended their ribs years ago so he made a point to ask the cooks to make sure they were good for me. He also added a some Brisket for me to try. He helped me to the table and left to get me silverware and napkins which was awesome and I sat to eat. My first impression of the bbq was that everything was smoked perfectly and all was seasoned well. Shana had the pulled pork sandwich, wow! The pork was perfectly lean and fatty at the same time, the smoke flavor was perfect and the seasoning was great. Olivia had a smoked hotdog which I love to do at home, she ate almost the whole thing. Owen and I split a full rack which if you haven't had it I will try to explain what you get. These ribs a big, smoked perfectly and brushed with the perfect sauce. A sweet tangy sauce that is well balanced, not to sweet and not to tangy. The meat pulls perfectly off the bone and when you take a bite it doesn't pull or chew in a bad way. I have to say the bbq was perfect. Now Brisket is my personal favorite and I usually order it if a bbq joint has it on the menu, sometimes I am disappointed but not this time. I will just say perfect smoke ring, perfect slice and just the right amount of fat to make it moist and tender. These guys know how to smoke meat! You have to try Joe's when in KC! I tried to say good bye to Steve when I left but he had already gone so THANK YOU Steve for the great hospitality and perfect Que!
(5)Anastacia D.
Spin off from the original with the same feel. My favorite KC BBQ. If you're looking for classy, this isn't it, but if you're looking for meat falling off the bone ribs this is the place.
(4)K G.
Good food. Big menu so check it out online so your some what familiar as there is often a line out the door so you'll want to be ready to order. Sides are generous. I enjoyed the beans and coleslaw. I also has to open faced turkey sandwich which had a spicy coleslaw, which was good. Fries and onion rings are considered sides and are ample size to share, especially if you plan to order other sides to sample and share. You order at the counter and take you're own food to the table. There is not table side wait staff. Food was ready quickly. You also have to bus your own table when your done.
(3)Jennifer G.
I miss the Z-Man every minute of the day. I love it. Amazing onion rings. The only downside is that it is hard to eat with a large group because it is so crowded and tables can be hard to find. (Which is why we take-out as often as we can.)
(5)Rob D.
I wasn't impressed. One of those places iv wanted to try for awhile and just never got around to it until today. The BBQ beans were different. Not good or bad just different. The burnt ends were pretty basic. A lot of smoke flavor but that's it. Best thing about this place was the Texas toast.
(2)R O.
As Kyle said, "Not bad, but..." I've been here a couple times and had a year to sample some of the other BBQ around here. Some friends (who lived in Texas for have said that Joe's relies on its sauce for its flavor. I completely agree -- the meat is just too dry and you need a knife, it doesn't just fall apart like good tender BBQ should. There are other BBQ places that either do the tender stuff (Jack Stack) or that charred rustic stuff (Woodyard) much better. I think it also hurts that *so* many people recommend Joe's as being the best in KC ... if it were not so hyped I might give it another star.
(2)Rachel E.
Regardless of the name change, Joe's still owns at barbecue. I had chicken and a side of potato salad over lunch, and was thoroughly impressed (and not to mention full)! My only complaint is it is more commercialized than some of the other KC barbecue joints, but well-deserved given their food. Be prepared to wait in line!
(4)Kelly D.
I can't describe how awesome this place is. I consider myself a bbq snob and expert onion ring critic. I love the atmosphere here, super friendly staff and very clean restaurant. Their sauce is the best in KC. Now, let's talk about their onion rings. They are so flavorful, crisp, and perfect. Please try them yourself if you don't believe me.
(5)Roman G.
Joe's is one of those famous BBQ restaurants that has gotten a lot of notoriety over the years. The brisket was tender and cole slaw flavorful. Ambiance is good and the restaurant was very busy for an early Monday lunch. Although not my favorite BBQ certainly top10.
(4)Stacy M.
Love the BBQ! They give huge servings and it's just awesome. Even if you wait in line, it goes quickly because of the process they use of asking guests not to hold tables before you have food. This is such a great, efficient process. Especially when you gave large groups of people. The Z Man is my favorite sandwich and go to. Sweet tea is yummy. Love hitting this place up anytime I go to The Container Store that is close by.
(5)Zach G.
Hate me if you may, but I believe I might be losing my love for Oklahoma Joes. Don't get me wrong, it's still solid BBQ...and anywhere else, it would be the most amazing BBQ in the world. However, there are some things I just cannot ignore. Previously, I had mentioned how everyone was always friendly. This isn't the case anymore. At one point, I noticed that the carry-out people got borderline rude when it got busy (which, unfortunately, is a good chunk of the time). That is still the case. In the last two months, I have been practically yelled at for having the gall to show up at a busy time to get carryout without phoning ahead (despite my calling 3 times without anyone so much as picking up). I asked them if they really wanted me to take my business elsewhere, and they said yes...so I did. Now on to the food. Some stuff is great - Z Man, of course, is solid. Ribs are delicious, but not the best. Fries and onion rings are like crack. Then, there are the disappointments - I think all other side dishes are mediocre. Their burnt ends may be the worst in KC, as I've had them more and more. They're never crispy, and lack almost every quality that burnt ends should. Will I continue going to OK Joes? Sure, of course. Is it the best BBQ in KC? Nope, not in my book...and it's dropping, especially from a service standpoint. Some people are still very friendly, but I've run in to more and more rude ones lately.
(3)Leslie I.
Love their food. Very consistent and great! I like their brisket and harvest but tons of great food. Their fries are great and so are their beans. Be prepared for a wait in line, but it's worth it!
(5)Alexandra D.
Honestly, you can't go wrong with anything on the menu. The Z-Man is a classic if you're looking for a sandwich but the pulled pork is KILLER. Amazing, all-around BBQ.
(5)Melanie O.
So my husband and I both had opposite experiences here together. I had the pulled chicken sandwich and there was not a lot of chicken and about 1/2 tablespoon of sauce. It wasn't dry, which was good. I wish someone had told me how many fries you get because between my family if 3 (my husband, myself and my 3 year old), we could've survived on 2 orders. And they were delicious and I'm 6 months pregnant ;) My son had the hot dog and loved it, but he's never met a hot dog he didn't like. My husband had the burnt ends and they were AMAZING.
(3)Jannie B.
Amazing! Amazing! Amazing! I would post a picture but it would be of my empty plate. The husband and I both ordered the brisket and the pulled pork with the "dirty rice," the gumbo and the slaw. The bbq sauce had a bit of a kick to it which was perfect.
(5)Tim P.
I travel 26 weeks a year throughout the western USA and Oklahoma Joe's came highly recommended by a friend. The high recommendation was UNDER rated! First the atmosphere of the restaurant is awesome. They get you through the line and to a table quickly and the people are super nice. Second the food is to die for. If I wasn't on a diet, I swear I would have reordered again! Killer ribs, awesome brisket, great bbq beans, everything is fantastic. It's not like some places there they do one thing great and others "ok" ---- this is a place where EVERYTHING is freaking awesome!
(5)Christina P.
We got it catered. It was ok. Nothing beats nc BBQ. :) Enjoyed the pork - tender. BBQ sauce was tasty. Maybe better if we dined there.
(3)Abhi P.
This was my first visit to any of the barbecue joints mainly because of my abstinence from beef and pork foods but anyways this review is for the chicken z man which was awesome to say the least. I went to the place around 3 pm and admittedly the crowd was a little less prominent which helped me breeze through the smoky lines to barbecue nation capital of z mans. I swiftly ordered the chicken z man with light cheese and a side of onion rings, waited for about 5 mins for savoring the most juiciest and perfectly crafted chicken sandwich. At end of my 15 minutes Kansas barbecue adventure I was greatly satisfied and hunger dealt with.
(5)Stephanie E.
We went to KC Joes for a St.Patty's Day Feast and it was just that with a full slab of ribs and fries it was delicious!! Thanks Joes KC for a yummy Happy Saint Patrick's Day Feast! #Delicious #KCJoes #HappySt.PatricksDay
(5)Sesan O.
Best bbq in Kansas City! Hands down. I'm sad to be leaving it behind when I leave. Also, I love the new layout as it makes it much easier to get takeout.
(5)Mika M.
I visit this place once in every month. Not like Arthur, even though joe was on the media but they keep great work and taste good as media showed. Staff knows how to serve, quick, friendly and polite. Food is one of the best. I just had BBQ last week, it was little salty BBQ rib more than usual. But it still good. Burnt end is juicy, fatty, little crunchy and right seasoning on it. I also had Carolina something sandwich. It was very good too. What I love most is baked BBQ beans. You must try it. It's smokey, spicy, little sweet, and good.
(5)Jesse P.
Probably the best BBQ in the Kansas City area. Great atmosphere too! This is place is a mandatory stop in Kansas City or the suburbs.
(5)E P.
Family has been wanting to dine at Oklahoma Joe's for a long time, ever since we heard it was the best in Kansas City. While in Overland Park today, we learned that Oklahoma Joe's is now named Joe's Kansas City BBQ and found the restaurant in Olathe. There are two other locations in the area, one in Kansas City, Kansas and the other in Leawood, Kansas. This is very good Kansas City BBQ. The restaurant is large with lots of tables and chairs. We went mid afternoon, so we were able to get in immediately and place our orders without waiting in line. The east side of the restaurant is a wall of windows which add lots of natural light inside the restaurant. This restaurant is very clean. You place your order at a walk-up counter, and pick your order at a second counter. The man who took our orders was gruff, but had a twinkle in his eye and a smile when I told him that this was my first Joe's BBQ. The woman who served our food was friendly. The food came to us promptly. I ordered the Hog Heaven sandwich with pulled pork and slices of sausage on a toasted bun. I also ordered a side of BBQ beans which have bits of meat chopped into the beans. My husband ordered the traditional pulled pork BBQ sandwich served on a toasted bun. He also had the BBQ beans side. Grandson ordered the Brisket Dinner which is sliced brisket served on Texas toast with a side of French fries. The portion of French fries was so large that Grandson shared it with Grandpa and me. I tried the traditional sauce which was very good. They also have a spicy sauce. This is very good Kansas City BBQ. The brisket is amazing. Next time I'm there, I am ordering the Brisket dinner ~ just good meat and a good BBQ sauce. What more do you need? The pulled pork is really good. I might try something different ~ maybe the smoked chicken. Got to try the ribs next time, too. So many choices. We will definitely return.
(4)Lizzie A.
Best BBQ in KC. Our go to favorite. Out of town guest are asking us to stop by before we make it back to the airport! So luck to have this close by!!! Pulled pork and onion rings are my favorite! I steal a couple of fries from my kids plates! Yummy!
(5)Jerry S.
Fabulous food Weak service - they process the line pretty efficiently but anything breaks like soda machine its ignored for a half hour. Not good with hot bbq sauce.
(5)Phon W.
I don't know why but I haven't tried the Zman which I need to do real fast. The first time came where I didn't really like this place but the more I came the more I knew what I liked from here and I just order the same thing now. I get the short end ribs yummy it's meaty. and the beans and I just get like meats by the pound. It's good that way i have lots of left overs through the week. :)
(4)Ryan Y.
1st timmer in Kansas and i couldnt not grab some BBQ the BBQ was great! and worth the wait!!!
(4)Ken P.
Three stars was a reach... Has a cult like following but this is by no means the best q in KC Thee meat combo the brisket and turkey were dry... They use a steam table to keep quantiles available to serve They do not serve fresh cut Q from smoker or hot box A big sin to q lovers more like mortal sin Sides interesting but average quality Best fries in KC ? Self proclaimed and not earned
(3)Shannon M.
Okay, so a friend and I were visiting from IL and knew that we had to have BBQ somewhere while in Kansas City. Since Anthony Bourdain said we had to eat here before we kick the bucket, we agreed that this should be the place to go. Seriously? This place was good, but it wasn't THAT good. Now, I lived in Texas for 20+ years so maybe that's why I am why I am a skeptic. (If you care, my favorite is Ruby's in Austin.) Portion size wasn't even that great. I got the sausage and pulled pork and I felt like, "This is it?" on the latter. My side was not very good, a potato salad (I think the mustard seeds were disagreeing with my palate). The meat was definitely the star of the show, and the sauces were satisfying (I mixed the regular stuff with a touch of the "Night of the Living Sauce" for a sweet/spicy blend). People do obviously love this place, either out of experience or curiosity (like us). We arrived at the right time: when we showed up we were a few people back in line, and suddenly we turned around and there were people jostling out the door. What is the secret? It draws a wide array of folks: families along with good-ol' boys, and then me in my NPR t-shirt. Overall, this was plain old good eats, but sorry, Tony, you and I are just destined to disagree on this one.
(3)Cara K.
Wow!! Long line when we arrived, but the grub was definitely with it. We had the Carolina pork slaw and the z-man with chicken. Both were great! Especially utilizing the BBQ sauces provided on the tables. If you are driving through the area this is a must stop.
(5)Kristin S.
The chicken and bow sauce was awesome sauce. The beef brisket I'm not a fan of the ribs fall off the bone, very flavorful. Definitely a place the will be a regular spot when visiting KS.
(5)Scott H.
Some of the best BBQ I've had... including Texas. Tried the Brisket and Rib dinner plate with BBQ Beans. All 3 were amazing.
(5)Tom M.
The z man was great, the brisket was perfectly done, but the onion rings were too salty.
(4)GD B.
Oklahoma Joe's is in the top 5 best bbq joints in the KC area, hands down. I live in Austin, TX and am a bbq snob. My Pop lives in the Olathe area and we eat at Joe's every time I visit. I have never had a bad meal there and I've sampled just about everything on the menu. The ribs are some of the best I've had. The brisket is good, but being from Austin, I'm kind of partial to TX brisket. I love the fact that KC bbq serves fries with their bbq. We don't have that here in Austin. All in all, Oklahoma Joe's stand tall among the great bbq joints in KC. Please do not pay any attention to the other Yelpers who are giving Joe's bad reviews, they just dont understand bbq.
(5)Karen M.
OH MY GOSH. Need I say more? Apparantly I have to, so it is long enuff to be posted.
(5)Jack C.
My sister lives in Kansas City, and she's been trying to get me to go here for years; not that I was reluctant to do so, but I'm a big fan of 'Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives', and KC still has plenty of places that I've yet to try. However, I did promise her that the next time I came to town I would go to Oklahoma Joe's (now Joe's Kansas City Bar-B-Que). Back in July, a couple of buddies and I were heading down to KC for a card tournament, and seeing as you HAVE TO have barbecue when you go to Kansas City, and I made that promise to my sister, we decided to meet her and her husband at the location in Olathe, KS (closest location to their house). Before we got there, my sister warned us that there would be a line; we had no idea that it would stretch more than 100' out the door and onto the blacktop of the strip mall's parking lot! I took this as a good sign (not that I doubted my sister), because if all these people were here for the same reason, and were willing to wait in the god-awful heat and humidity of a summer day in KC... Surprisingly, the line moved rather quickly, and after waiting in line for about twenty minutes, we finally found ourselves at the 'Order Here' section of the line. Most people will judge a place's barbeque by their beef brisket, but not me; I ALWAYS go for the ribs, and another side meat! Coincidentally, I went with their Ribs & Brisket Dinner, so I got both. Everyone else got their own thing, but it didn't matter because we were picking off each other's plates all meal long! I'd like to think that I know my 'que, despite the fact that I've lived in North Dakota my entire life, and as much as it pains me to admit this, my sister was right. BEST. BARBECUE. EVER. Those ribs were so tender, and the sauce just pushed it over the edge into crazy town! I'm unsure if the beef brisket was the best I've ever had, but it was easily in the Top 3. From other people, I also got to try their pulled pork (house specialty), smoked chicken, ham and turkey, and their Z-Man Sandwich (beef brisket, provolone cheese and two onion rings). Their sides were pretty amazing, too! Just like with the ribs, I have my go-to barbecue side as well, and that's coleslaw. Theirs was pretty good, as were the bbq beans and dirty rice, but the side that I definitely liked the best was their Smoked Chicken Gumbo! I felt so bad, because I ate more than half of my sister's, but she was so happy that I liked it so much she just let me have at it. The next time I'm in KC I will definitely be eating at Joe's again, but I want to go to their original location (located in a gas station)!
(5)Chris S.
So good! Went here tonight on the recommendation of a friend from the area, this place did not disappoint. We arrived 20 minutes before closing time and the dining room was 3/4 full, always a great sign. This is a walk up and order, walk over and pay, get your food and sit down type of place. I ordered the ribs and brisket plate with a side of the beans. The ruins were perfectly done, that great spot between juicy and falling off the bone as I take that first bite. The brisket was very tasty, nice and moist, but could be a touch hotter. The bread was fine, but the beans. They are the manly bbq version of a meaty three bean salad lol! We were in a rush and we were in and out in 29 minutes and completely satisfied. If we are ever in the area again, we will be coming back.
(5)Ben L.
Ive been here several times and the standards are always good. Its clean environment and food is great. I always get the burnt ends and fries. Ive tried the Z-man sandwich, full rack pork ribs, jumbo brisket sandwich, etc. Overall, this place hits the spot.
(5)Susan W.
Love Joe 's burnt ends & Zman, husband loves the BBQ chicken! Ribs are great also- can't go wrong with anything at Joe's -it's BBQ in Kansa after all!!enjoy!!
(5)Minh D.
I been eating BBQ all over the country and we looked forward to coming to Oklahoma Joe's BBQ when we landed. We had the ribs and beef briskets. Since the ribs are spare ribs, we expect the meat to be less tender than baby back ribs. IMO, the spare ribs here is pretty standard, nothing outstanding. Could use some more smoke time to make the meat more tender. The beef briskets we had are somewhat dry and does not have as much flavor as the ones I've had elsewhere. This establishment slices the briskets paper thin, like ham slices, slicing the meat this way can help make it tastes more tender but still lacking in taste and juiciness. IMO beef brisket sliced at about 1/4" to 1/2" thickness are the best. That way you can taste the flavor and the tender juiciness of the brisket of a nicely and tasty done beef brisket.
(3)Daryl T.
My daughter had a cheerleading event in Kansas City at Kemper Arena so one of my treats is trying different BBQ spots. After a full day at Kemper with screaming girls...BBQ is my treat for sitting in hard seats watching team after team cheer. We got to the restaurant at about 5:30 and already there was a line out the door. A very good sign. However, we almost turned around as we thought it would take forever to order and hopefully find a table. However, we moved through the line fairly quickly and found a table to eat. The restaurant is clean, well decorated and we had plenty of room in a packed restaurant. Now the food...I had their special which was Brisket smoked sausage and a few ribs. Texas toast and two sides, coleslaw and red beans and rice. The meat was tender and well smoked. I enjoyed it all. The meat is really tender and felt the quantity was worth the price. I would have given the restaurant a 5 star rating if the sides were as good as the smoked meat. The coleslaw was OK and the red beans and rice were good but not outstanding like the meat. Also, their BBQ sauce was just OK. Overall, I had a great experience and would definitely come back. It may be a while as I have more BBQ restaurants to explore while down in KC. But I will definitely be back. Thank you for the nice meal. My only advice to anyone wanting to eat at Joe's Kansas City Bar-B-Que is come early as I cannot imagine how busy this place gets by about 7:30 on a friday/saturday night and why did you change your name. I almost thought we were going to a different restaurant as the people we got recommendations from called it Oklahoma Joes.
(4)Rhett P.
I have never tried some of these cuts of meats before and the first time we ordered take out from there it was love at first bite. The gas station is a really cool idea and they have and actual gas station on the other half. Great Great Experience
(5)Mary S.
Great if you love meat. Meat in the beans, coleslaw...whatever! Brisket is as good as it gets.
(4)Scott T.
Joe's has some damn tough competition in Kansas City and today... they got their proverbial pork butts kicked... by the original Oklahoma Joe's and several other KC BBQ joints. Maybe that's not fair because this is clearly not a joint. I almost expected an 18-something girl in red suspenders and striped shirt with an armful of menus exclaiming "Welcome to Oklahoma Joe's!" upon entering. OK, cut the snarky comments. It's a nice space. There are enough reviews by now that you can determine this is a brand new modern design set up in the finest south Johnson County tradition. Nothing wrong with that but it's not the kind of atmosphere that excites me. Hell, I *love* the original Joe's housed in a gas station so you know there has to be something wrong with me. Right? My lunch: BBQ rib and chicken plate with a side of fries. Ribs: come one, the original location, those ribs are mouth watering to die for. Today's offering (see pic) were way heavy on the sodium. So much so that I left part of one on the plate uneaten. Yes, BBQ needs salt and I'm no stranger to loving it but this was over the top for my tastes. Missing was the savory flavor of the meat it was so overpowering. The taste I'd have to give 3 out of 5 stars. They can do better. I'll agree with another reviewer that you can't instantly replicate taste in pits that are brand new next to those that have been operating continuously for years. Fries: again, for my tastes the original location has hands down the best fries in town among all restaurants, and there are some very good ones. These also seemed over seasoned and lacking flavor. Not quite as crisp as the original and missing something. Maybe a different frying oil, a fryer that's not yet tuned in to their standards? The chicken: The star of the plate. Surprised me. A nice leg and a thigh that melted in your mouth perfectly. Not over-seasoned. Can't fault it. But still, this place is a gold mine for the growing OJ's chain. Lines back to the door and probably out at times. I got there around 11:30 so not so bad. But face it, it's going to be very difficult to compete with the original location. Luckily, for those that are making this their regular lunch spot, and I'd guess there are many, they don't have to know the truth and they probably never will. It was a decent meal but not one that had me making plans to return. Since I was in the area car shopping it's unlikely I'll return just to eat here, but don't let that deter you. I guess I can't get by the experience that's the original Oklahoma Joe's. They represent everything that's great about KC BBQ. This south JoCo location certainly has its fans, but based on this meal I'm not going to be one of them.
(3)John L.
I waited in line for 52 minutes for this rumored amazing bbq. I order brisket, pulled pork sandwich, ribs, and half a chicken. I ordered extra to take home on a hunch. Best decision I could have made as my friends were jealous later that night
(5)Steve S.
I've lived in Dallas for over 30 years, and Oklahoma Joe's ranks in the top tier of BBQ I've ever had. I've never waited for an hour in a line for any food anywhere other than here, and 15 minutes of that were in the entryway buffer area on a windy sub-zero winter day. I'm a rib-man here (get the whole rack and take what you do not eat home), and Jamie belongs to the church of Oklahoma Joe's pulled pork, which is mighty tasty too. Beans are solid (second only to Jack Stack's world-best beans), and fries are good (best ordered "crispy") as my preferred sides. This place is BBQ heaven, so enjoy it with reverence, over and over again.
(5)Keith C.
The best ribs in Kansas City hand down. Came here twice. The first time was for dinner and got the rib and brisket dinner platter with a side of dirty rice. The ribs were grilled to perfection and were fall of the bone juicy and fantastically delicious. They may possibly be some of the best ribs that I've ever eaten. The brisket was brimmed with flavor and juicy. After devouring the plate, I was tempted to go back and order some more. But then I saw the line that went out of the door and realized I would have to settle with what I already had. Yes. The line literally goes out of the door and you will be waiting at least 15-20 minutes. One suggestion is to call in ahead of time and order a pick up. You get to go to a different line and wait. Then you just take your food out to the car and eat it there. The second time that I came back was for lunch. This time, the line went even further out the door. I waited about 20 minutes and ended up ordering the Z-man and the Carolina pulled pork sandwich. The Z-Man Sandwich (Slow smoked beef brisket, smoked provolone cheese, topped with two crispy onion rings on a toasted kaiser roll) and the Carolina Pulled Pork Sandwich (Pulled pork served on a toasted bun, topped with spicy cole slaw and Bubba's bbq sauce) were unbelievable. I preferred the Z-man but would go back for the pulled pork any day.
(5)Don P.
The absolute best BBQ I have ever had! The Z Man lived up to its reputation and the burnt ends were soooo good!:) I'm gonna miss this place!:(
(5)Sonny G.
Great BBQ. Perfect rack of ribs. It's not a fancy place but they know they do BBQ right and don't care. Surprisingly fast service considering the long line. We got through much faster than I thought we would. We will definitely be going back. The prices were much less than I though they would be too, bonus! Now I can safely say two places are a must in KC BBQ, Jack Stack and Oklahoma Joes. Of course Gates is pretty good too.
(5)Hannah B.
Absolute best barbecue in the kc area. The Zee man is my favorite. A side of fries or onion rings is enough to feed two. Great rib tips, ribs, pulled pork, and chicken. Honestly you can search all the KC big names and this still reigns superior!
(5)Jeremy H.
Went to Kansas City for business and our host had Joe's cater our going away lunch. WOW!!! It's going to be really hard to order any other bbq here in San Diego, Ca. This was absolutely amazing. I'm online now trying to see if I can order and they will ship to me here in So Cal. It's been 2 days now since Joe's and I'm having withdrawals!!!
(5)John L.
This is an absolutely wonderful place to have barbecue, in a city that is famous for it. The original Joe's, in a gas station, is closer to downtown. This more suburban location, however, still has the same food, identical to what you get at the original. You will not likely be able to find any time during the day that there is not a fairly long line, but the wait is worth it. But always come back here when we are in Kansas City.
(5)Dominick V.
This has to be the best gas station food on the planet! As a St. Louis native, I must acknowledge the slight bbq rivalry between our fair cities. I also must acknowledge that the ribs at Oklahoma joes blow the socks off any back in stl. In fact, I don't think I've tasted better ribs anywhere. However, the brisket was far below what I would expect from such a respected establishment. Very thinly sliced and dry brisket, left much to be desired. Nevertheless, the ribs compensated for what the brisket lacked. The sauces helped too. I loved the thick, textured, sauce and the abundance of flavor. This is certainly a bbq destination. The line was out the door and Around the corner, yet we easily found a seat. It seemed almost magical. I'll be returning the next time I'm in KC.
(4)Jennifer W.
Kansas City BBQ at its finest!
(5)Corey K.
Am I missing something here? You are basically in a high school cafeteria, and the chefs in the cafeteria think they know BBQ. That was not BBQ, that was gross. I have had better ribs from the Chinese restaurant down the street. I have no idea why someone would come here instead of somewhere like Famous Daves which actually has decent BBQ. Why this place has such good reviews is beyond me.
(1)Graeme S.
Definitely one of my favorite bbq joints! The only down side being I'm unable to stray from the Z-Man. i want to explore the rest of their menu but the sirens call of smoked brisket, smoked provolone cheese, two onion rings, barbecue sauce, all on top of a Kaiser roll is just to great for me to overcome. Luckily i offten go to oki joes with my brother, an ex vegetarian. This hiatus made him weak in body and soul. he is offten unable to finish his feast so i do as any brother would and do so for him alowing me to enter what is known as hog heaven.
(5)Ryan G.
Un-freaking-believable. Every. Single. Time. Just go. Order whatever. You can't go wrong, with the Z-man, in particular. Good everytime.
(5)Ron W.
Just had my first "dinner" at the Olathe location. I don't understand how this chain can be rated so highly. My rib/chicken dinner was cold, tasteless, and overbooked. The meat has clearly need laying around most of the day before service. The toast was greasy and lacked flavor. The only positive thing to say is the cafeteria style service was efficient and the table service was pleasant. Bottom line- don't waste your money, time, or appetite. KC must have better BBQ than this place.
(1)Lisa P.
VERY good BBQ, lots of food and choices, the portions are great too! Be ready to wait in line though.
(4)Greg B.
Had to stop in for some spare ribs. Wow so much of the decor is all about awards this place had to be good and indeed it was. Only 3 locations on KC area. Love these local favorites.
(5)Daniel H.
I came here later than I wanted to because I had to shovel snow in front of my garage; in addition, I was trying to get some money. Anyways, I finally made it down here around 12:25pm on a Saturday and the line was out the door. I don't think it would've mattered if I came here at 12pm but who knows. I know this place wasn't the original location, but you know I wanted to write more reviews. lol It took 33 minutes to get to the counter and order my food. There were a lot who called in for takeout which was smart except I don't live close by (maybe 45 minutes away?) so that wasn't an option. I was just hoping there would be a table left for me and luckily, there were a few tables open. I ordered The Z-Man Sandwich ($6.79), french fries ($2.79), and a fountain drink ($2.29) which came out to $12.90 total. I was pretty thirsty so I drank a bunch of soda before biting into The Z-Man Sandwich. It was awesome and just like the original location. Each table had a roll of paper towels, original BBQ sauce, the spicy BBQ sauce, and ketchup. I think there was also pepper and salt on the other side as well as sugar. The French Fries were pretty good and the amount was enough to split with two people. This location had a lot more room than the original location and a lot more parking. Awesome food and BBQ sauce. I'd recommend coming here if you're close to this than the original location. Good stuff!
(5)Gus E.
Quick service. Food was great! Gave me hope in BBQ again. I mean look how many reviews this place has. Zman was amazing.
(5)Alexandra C.
The BEST bbq I've ever had in my life. Granted I am from NYC where they don't really know how to do good bbq. The pulled pork was like nothing I've ever had -- thick pieces, tender cooked to perfection and full of flavor..and their sauces on the table-- the best bbq sauce on the planet. Everyone loved their brisket and ribs. I tried the smoked turkey- was pretty good. The fries though weren't too good..though putting bbq sauce on top helped. Never had sweet tea before - man is it sweet and very smooth. Oh OK Joe, I wish I weren't 1,400 miles away from you. GO!
(5)Jacq R.
Maybe I'm spoiled by AMAZING Carolina bbq joints but Joe's is kind of "meh" to me. They got my order wrong twice, it was overly greasy and there are really few options for sides. Meh.
(2)Stephen N.
Best BBQ I've ever had. The brisket is so tender and moist. This place is a must visit for any out of towner.
(5)Tom H.
Wow ! I mean WOW ! No wonder the Food Network listed Oklahoma Joe's as the " Manliest Place to Eat". I have a customer that I visit from time to time in KC, and I always make a point to stop. Their pork ribs are the BEST I have ever had, literally mouth-watering. I have eaten a lot of BBQ all over the U.S., in my opinion for me nothing comes close to the flavor and quality.
(5)Tom C.
Heard people talking about Joes when I landed at the airport and when I checked into my hotel. Along with Yelp reviews, I had to try. Did not disappoint. Had pretty much everything, pulled pork, Z-Man brisket sandwich, sausage, ribs, chicken gumbo, baked beans, potato salad, fries and rings. All was excellent. The ribs are out of this world!!! A must try in KC!
(5)David M.
Great bbq, so much better than Jackstack. Best ribs I've had only good competitor is Gates.Truly great food.
(5)Tram V.
Amazing bbq. A must go eatery in Kansas City! The line is long and you can't really dine because it is so popular and delicious. Expect at least an hour wait time or call you order in a day earlier.
(4)Suzie R.
The Z-Man is the best. I am not a huge BBQ fan, but if I go out for BBQ, this is THE place to go.
(4)Mindy H.
I love Joe's. The quality is always delicious and you cannot get juicier, tastier ribs anywhere else in the KC Metro. They're always busy, so we tend to use the carry out option. And if you like your barbecue spicy, their spicy sauce is to die for. Additionally, their staff is efficient and friendly.
(5)Michael L.
Maybe it was too much hype, maybe it was my Texas tastebuds, but Oklahoma Joe's simply could not match the level of expectation I came to the restaurant with. Ribs were tender, but not that moist, and not fall of the bone. Still strongly recommend a try for anyone visiting Kansas city as it does seem to be an institution there. The Zman sandwich is a must try. Great value, great portion size. Sides were delicious.
(3)Marcy R.
Love this barbeque, I think it is the best with or without sauce. The burnt ends are heavenly. Everything here is finger licking good!!! Love the fact plenty of tables for my family and if there is a line I never worry because it moves quickly. Love this place!!
(5)Nathan A.
As good as it gets. I wished the menu was a bit more descriptive, but that's a minor detail. I would have got something different, but what I ended up with was fantastic anyways. Great experience.
(5)J. D.
I stayed in a hotel across the street from this Joe's location for about six months in the summer of 2014. I ate here at least three times a week and never got tired of it. Personally, I think the gas station location is better, but that's no reason to pass on Joe's on Strang Line Road. I'm getting hungry just thinking about their ribs, brisket and amazing french fry seasoning.
(5)Shannon N.
Best Burnt Ends I have ever had. Ambiance is a little different but in a unique way! Highly recommend.
(5)Audrey D.
Ooo what I wouldn't give for a Z-man right now! Still getting use to the whole name change thing..... The food is always good though! If I could come here everyday I would!
(5)Corey S.
Great bbq! You gotta try the Zman and their fries are really good! Sometimes has a line out the door, so try to go at non peak times unless you're prepared to wait awhile or just get take out. Worth the wait though for sure.
(4)Rick E.
Awesome barbeque. One of the best in the greater kc area. The chili, which is a seasonal dish, is amazing. We get the Turkey sandwich....very good...or the pulled pork sandwich...very good. For a treat, i get the ribs which are fantastic.
(4)Tanner L.
Impressive just how good this place really is. I came here on recommendation from several friends. They all cited this as a fantastic BBQ joint. I will admit I drove by two locations seeing lines of people so far out the doors. This was the third location I came to and decided that this food must be worth the wait. All in all the wait time for the long line only took 20 minutes which I was very pleased with. The Food was the real star of the visit though. We all ordered different food including Ribs, Brisket, and Pulled Pork Sandwich. I was not disappointed with any portion of their BBQ. The ribs were perfectly cooked and had such a great sauce to set them off. I was really impressed with the pulled pork as the flavor was just so full. If you're wanting a quality sample of what KC has for BBQ stop out here it will be worth your time.
(5)Lincoln G.
Not the best in KC, but close. Definitely the most convenient as I work in Olathe and this location is pretty close to work. The Hog Heaven sandwich is awesome, all you could ever want on a BBQ sandwich. Sauce are pretty good, but unfortunately necessary. I like my BBQ to need no sauce and to only use as a compliment, not a necessity. Sides are okay, Dirty Rice is well above average, Red Beans and rice is okay. The most disappointing is the Gumbo. I love gumbo and have had it from New Orleans to Chicago and back, and theirs doesn't even break my top 10. I'll definitely eat here again, as the prices are reasonable, the food is good and the location is convenient, but there are better BBQ joints in KC.
(4)Keith P.
burnt ends... nuff said
(5)Matt C.
I don't understand the hype. Aside from the fries, which are amazing, the actual BBQ is mediocre at best. The ribs have always been overly dry. The brisket is extra fatty. The sausage is good, but the serving size is small. I was very excited to see they had a burnt end dinner, however, the burnt ends are nothing more than cubed brisket. There is no bark on the meat, which is what makes it a burnt end. Save yourselves some time, go to Gates or Bates City BBQ. Better meats, better sauces, faster service.
(3)Casee E.
Absolutely THE BEST BBQ in Kansas City. The meat is super moist and full of flavor and there is a sauce for everyone in the family. I especially love the new layout in Olathe that keeps the call-in, carry-out, and dine-in lines separate. This is fast becoming out favorite place to order for large groups.
(5)Christopher M.
Best BBQ in KC! My personal favorite is the Carolina Pulled Pork sandwich - spicy slaw on top of the pulled pork, delicious. Had the Burnt-Ends sandwich today and wasn't overly impressed but still not bad. The only thing I don't really dig is the potato salad but they have other good sides. If you're looking for top notch BBQ then this is your spot!
(5)Dann M.
Amazing Meats, Delicious sauce. These guys know what they are doing.
(5)Gregory P.
Excellent BBQ and service. Do not let the long line deter you, it moves quickly and you can always call in an order for pickup. I love their ribs, very meaty and tasty. Try the Chicken Gumbo, its also very good. My only disappointment was the sausage. It was dry and lacked the flavor I expected. It could be a one-off experience, so I would not hesitate to give it another try. Everything else from sandwiches to side-items are very good here and I would not hesitate to suggest this place to anyone.
(4)Matthew D.
Best BBQ I've ever had. Before I ever went there, I was told about it by a self proclaimed BBQ snob. They informed me that all Kansas City BBQ is the best and nothing else I had ever had before mattered. I won't say I completely agree on all accounts... but they got it right with Oklahoma Joe's. This is definitely the best BBQ I've had. I always stayed a few blocks away for business, so this was a regular for me to grab while in town and it was one of my favorite things about coming to the KC area. I always went with the Z-Man... a smoked beef brisket, provolone cheese, and 2 onion rings on a sandwich. It was recommended by a friend and I am now passing my recommendation on to you... give the Z-Man a shot!
(5)Den B.
The brisket was great, but the ribs were a bit dry for my taste. The bbq sauce was pretty decent, and there was a good selection of sauces, but I agree that this wasn't a five-star BBQ experience. Was it worth the price? Yes, and for my money, better atmosphere and food than Gates' BBQ.
(4)Natalie B.
Don't know what all the fuss is about. It's good enough BBQ but I've had better. I ordered the Carolina sandwich and my friend ordered ribs. A filling meal but the sides (baked beans and potato salad) lacked flavor. Definitely not going to be in my regular restaurant rotation.
(3)Matt C.
Rediculousness!!! BBQ heaven. Honesty said out loud, "I don't even know why I'm still eating?" It's just that good! I was a bit skeptical when we walked in to a line of 40+ people out the door. Well worth the wait. Even our 5 year old son ate all of his food. Bucket list- checked off!!!
(5)Nikki P.
I've always been to the OK Joe's location on Rainbow, but recently went to this one with my family. I have to say, the food was just as good as their location in Westwood. Obviously, their original location will always be my fav go to place, but it's nice that they have been able to open other locations for people in the KC area. I OF COURSE go their Z-man, because it is my absolute favorite sandwich. My little brother and sister order of their kids menu, and I honestly don't remember what my parents ordered, ha ha. The z-man was just as good as their other location, as were their fries. The baked beans were just a little on the spicy side for my little brother and sister (who are 10 and 12), so it may be something to keep in mind if your kiddos aren't big into spicy food. The other thing that WAS nice about this location, was that (at least while we were there) it wasn't busy.Anytime I go to the other location, if you don't perfectly time your arrival, you can be waiting in line for a good hour sometimes. Here, we just walked right in and placed our order. There was also loads of seating, which was nice. So, if you can't make it up to Westwood, and still want some quality BBQ, this is the place to go.
(5)Billie H.
As I start all of my BBQ reviews, I am not a giant BBQ fan. Every once in a while though, I get that craving and stop by one of the various places in town. Oklahoma Joe's has always been a favorite. After the original Arthur Bryants it is my favorite. The reason I love Oklahoma Joe's is because the meat taste good without covering it in sauce. This is the largest draw for me with a BBQ place the meat should stand on it's own. Generally I get the pulled pork. It is amazing. The taste of the smoked woods in the meat almost make you mmmmmmm with every bite. They also stand out because you can count on the same taste and quality at all of their locations. This is not the case of all BBQ joints, including my favorite. This last visit I decided to also try some of the sausage. After a visit to another BBQ joint and trying sausage for the first time, I became a fan and decided to try it at other BBQ places to see if it was a delicious treat everywhere. Although the same smoke flavor was evident in their sausage, the overall sausage was not a huge hit with me. I am not a huge fan of the sauce for a couple of reasons. First, if the meat is cooked right, you don't need sauce unless it is cooked into the meat. Secondly, Oklahoma Joe's sauce is too sweet for me. KC generally has a sweeter version of BBQ sauce and I personally do not find this appealing. Lines can be super long at Oklahoma Joe's especially on weekends no matter what time it is. Don't let this discourage you. The line moves fast and I have never had an issue getting a table at this location. If you are getting something to go, skip the line by calling in your order. One of these days I will break away from my pulled pork and try the burnt ends or ZMan, but then again why mess with perfection!
(5)Lizz M.
Came here after a Royals game through the recommendation of a vendor at work. Lines move rather quickly, which is much appreciated as there is always a line here. I went with the rib and brisket combo. The ribs were SO GOOD. The brisket was a bit dry, and the red rice and beans were probably my favorite part of the meal. My one complaint is that all of my food was over-salted. But I'd definitely come here again.
(4)Bob D.
Taking BBQ from the competition circuit to an everyday restaurant model is a fine line. On one side of that line you feel like the Q is made just for you, you feel like if you were 5 minutes sooner or later it would've been gone, you feel like there would be no way for you to be able to make it "that good" at home yourself. On the other side, you feel like there is an endless supply, wrapped in cellophane just waiting to get warmed up. You feel as if you are in a manufactured environment- just dressed up enough to not resemble an Applebee's. This location is on the wrong side of that line. Dry- machine sliced brisket, overly tender machine smoked ribs that lack any type of flavor profile. It is a fine example of when making $ becomes more important than making quality BBQ...I would "steer" clear of this location.
(2)Leigh W.
Ribs & Brisket dinner was fantastic, great service & clean restaurant. Previous reviews where true to point. Nothing is cheap anymore so it is a little pricey.
(4)Rob B.
Best BBQ joint I have ever been to. Buy their seasoning and take it home. We always bring out of town guests here and it never disappoints.
(5)Steve C.
So we arrived and there was already a line up past the corner of the establishment. We waited 20 minutes in line...and the wait was well worth it!! As you enter you can't but help see all the trophies and articles written about this place... Definitely a winner. I ordered their half slab of pork ribs...7 meaty, perfectly tender ribs with a side of BBQ sauce. Scrumptious!! My wife had the Carolina Pulled Pork Sandwich which was fabulously melt in your mouth wonderful. The sides were also good... Creamy Cold Slaw and BBQ Beans. Portion of Fries ($2.79) could feed 3-4 people easily. I would give it 4.5 stars. Definitely worth the visit and the wait!!!
(4)Jenn S.
There's a reason the line so often extends far past the front doors. The prices are reasonable, the portions are huge, and it's absolutely delicious. I've eaten here at least a dozen times over the years, probably got it to go at least a dozen more, and I have never had a bad experience. That alone is worth five stars; what other restaurant can you honestly say that about?
(5)Ahmad J.
I decided to try Oklahoma Joe when i was in Olathe and had their Smoked Chicken and Beef Brisket BBQ sandwich. The smoked chicken was great with a lot of the smokey flavor with just about enough sauce to balance it went very well with the meat so i thoroughly enjoyed it. The Beef Brisket BBQ sandwich was a total waste - the meat had absolutely no flavor and i had to toss tons of BBQ sauce on it to get it down. Overall not bad but nothing like what i experienced in Jack Stack.
(4)Richard B.
In my view, the heavyweight champion of cue. In fact, I would be hard pressed to remember having better ribs elsewhere. The flavor is sweet, perfectly cooked, and I loved mine dry. Kicks the best of Austin or Memphis in the ass.
(5)Chad B.
I've eaten here about a dozen times and two times in the past few weeks so I thought it was time to put my thoughts down in a review. Every spring with the changing of the seasons I get what I refer to as BBQ Fever. It starts with hunger pangs, then this crazy look in my eyes that can only be cured with some of my favorite KC BBQ. First off I love the OK Joe's location in Olathe. Very cool atmosphere, the scent of smoke in the air, the only problem is all the damn customers. If you don't get there early the line is about 100 people deep, out the door, and around the building. Plan ahead and be there by 11:15 for lunch! My last visit I had the 3 rib, 1 meat lunch and shared fries with my buddy (more than enough for 2)! When I received my "medication" I received a BONUS 4th rib!!!!!! Man, oh man was it heavenly. The 1 meat I got was brisket and it may have been the best brisket I have EVER had. Very moist, but still smoky. OK Joe's fries are to die for which works out well because the only thing I don't like at Joes is their beans. NOT GOOD. They are smart to put a roll of paper towels at each table (I sometimes need a drop cloth). All in all a great experience and would highly recommend it to anyone!!!
(5)Shane M.
- Delicious, tender, moist BBQ with a great atmosphere to relish it! ----------------------------------- Visiting my fiancée in Kansas (From Maryland), she told me everyone talks about Oklahoma Joes & Jack Stacks BBQ restaurants. Obviously, I had to try
(5)Edward P.
We ate lunch there today. It was one of the best BBQ joints that I have ever been to. It was better than Gates of Berbecks. The meat fell off the ribs. The beef brisket was delicious and needed no sauce. I will definitely return to this location the next time I'm in Kansas City.
(4)Jason P.
First time try the Z-Man (chicken or brisket), pulled pork or ribs with beans. Fries are for sharing. Sauce 'em up for good measure. Come early and don't cut in line :) It looks mean but moves fast and friendly. As other commenters have mentioned, the burnt ends are different here: heavily-marbled and soft. The mounted plaque with an article explaining that ~ "this is how burnt-ends should be" explains their approach but I'd still prefer crispier, leaner to make five stars.
(4)Txgirl M.
Pulled pork, BBQ beans are so good. I'm eating as I'm typing right now. Service here is very fast its definitely worth the wait.
(5)Joe M.
Sandwiches are really good too. Hard to beat this barbeque anything here.
(5)Sharon M.
My 5 stars refers to their ribs. Outstanding. Every time. You won't regret it.
(5)Lisa S.
I had their ribs, brisket and sausage. I liked the ribs the best. My sides were their BBQ beans and spicy slaw. Both were really good. Some of the best BBQ beans I've every had. If we come back through KS, we'll stop here.
(4)Danny C.
I worked at the hotel behind here and when people would ask which BBQ place they should go to, I would always tell them to go to Oklahoma joes. I always say I'm going to try something different every time but I always get the Z Man. So good. KC BBQ is a toss up between Oklahoma Joe's and Jack Stack. Joe's has a much more relaxed atmosphere.
(5)Alex D.
Not much to say that is any different than the rest. Brisket is fantastic. Arthur Bryant's has better ribs in my opinion.
(5)Denisha J.
I just landed in KC (visiting from AZ) and feeling starved. With BBQ on our mind we checked out yelp for some suggestions and found this spot. The food was yummy and service was quick. Not a formal restaurant, but spacious and friendly staff. The Z-man was scrumptious and highly recommend so I tried it with the spicy slaw. It was a great pair. My husband ordered the pulled pork which was also delicious paired with the potato salad. We weren't feeling the potato salad, but everything else was on point.
(4)Steve T.
Love this place for great BBQ and friendly people. The ribs and brisket were cooked perfectly and weren't too fatty . The toast and sauces were very good, The red beans and rice were good but different from what I think red beans and rice should be like. The place is packed with happy people and I am liking visiting Olathe.
(5)Charles I.
I went at lunchtime so that was probably not the best time as the line went all the way to the door. Nonetheless, I was thru the line in 20 minutes. We had the Z-Man sandwich, the burnt ends sandwich, onion rings and bbq beans. I expected more flavor in the burnt ends but they were still good. The sauce is excellent and really makes the meal. I was disappointed in the bbq beans at first. They are not good without adding bbq sauce. However, after adding the bbq sauce they are excellent! How do you make bbq beans w/o bbq sauce? Anyway, the overall experience was good considering that this was my first time.
(5)Larry G.
We were visiting from Las Vegas but used to live in Leawood, KS. I told a friend that my favorite BBQ restaurant was Jack Stack but he said that I needed to try Oklahoma Joe's and that he thought it was better. We got there before 5pm so the line was not that long yet. I guess I was not expecting the food assembly line style of ordering and felt rushed to finish and eat what we had ordered once we sat down so that others who came after us could have a place to sit and eat. I ordered the half rack of ribs and beans with a beer. Though it was ok...no way their food was better than Jack Stack's. Oklahoma Joe's is like the fast food of BBQs.
(3)Ronn S.
You don't want to miss a meal here if your in town. Their ribs and brisket with their signature baked beans and sauces are truly scrumptious ! All for a $20 bill tip included ... I won't eat for a few days. Great food - good price. A must eat in while in Kansas if your hankering for ribs ;-) Ronn just Ronn the whole in the wall food guy !
(4)Cade H.
Kansas City has great BBQ at every turn but Oklahoma Joes stands on the top of the mountain. I've had bbq throughout my whole life and the only place I want to go eat when I go back to KS is OkJ. The food is outstanding and you got plenty for your money. All of the sauces on the table are great and I can't seem to get enough. I just wish they would expand and open up stores in places our west because other states don't know what good bbq is. OkJ is a staple of Kansas City food and I can't wait till the next time I get to go eat there, only problem is it's so popular and busy ALL the time I'll have to wait in line for it, but it's well worth it.
(5)Sarah H.
Ok, for real. I've got Kansas blood, so I'm not going to debate with Texans or other staters who claim their bbq is the best. Quite simply, it's not, and it can't compete with standard Kansas BBQ. This is NOT standard. This is superlative. If you are looking for the best bbq Kansas has to offer, you must hit Oklahoma Joe's. A streamlined ordering experience, your menu is posted on the wall. Notable nommables include the ribs, and the burnt ends. The best item on the menu, however, is the Z-Man Sandwich, which my husband has threatened to FLY TO KANSAS specifically to eat (and to maintain is frequent flier status). It's brisket on roll with sauce to die for and an onion ring. It's a mess of happiness in your face. This restaurant has been awarded all sorts of titles, from Manliest Restaurant in America, to Best BBQ of etc. It's inexpensive, it's fast, it's hearty, and it's delectable. If it's not the best you've ever had, please message me and tell me where it's better, because I'll have to try it to prove ya wrong.
(5)Sara D.
I can't believe that I'm a born and raised Kansas City girl and have never stepped foot into Oklahoma Joe's! I finally redeemed my dignity the other week and my tummy has never been happier! I came prepared for a insane line and it was, indeed, insanely long. Surprisingly enough, the line moves really fast and we were at the register in no time. I knew enough about the place to order the Z-Man and fries. We got our food in literally seconds. Every bite was better than the next! I loved everything about the sandwich and loved the seasoning on my fries. Even the sauces were the perfect mix of tnagy and sweet. The service was great (even the bus boys were nice!) and I can't wait to return again.
(5)S Y.
Ok...first off full disclosure, I'm from so cal, and really hardy BBQ places are not as common place as they are in other parts on the country. That said....this place was soooooooo good. The portions are large. The prices are very reasonable. The line was very long. I had BBQ ribs. So good, the meat slid right off the bone. The ribs has excellent flavor. They were very tender. I also had the smoked turkey. This was good. I just wished it had a bit more moisture, but no complaints. The BBQ beans were really good. Has excellent spice with just a bit of sweet. I will caution to say this was also really salty. The dirty rice was average. If you have been down in New Orleans and had dirty rice there, you will be disappointed. The Texas toast, by far this was the largest disappointment of the plate. Skip the toast and consume your carbs else where.
(4)Bruce E.
Can't beat the ribs here. Stop by for lunch every time I'm in town and sample items asking with the ribs.
(5)RosaLinda R.
We heard this was the best in town, however, we didn't feel that it was worth the wait. The food was dry and lacked flavor.
(2)Brian E.
I finally tried Joe's after living down the street for 2 months. I received my food almost immediately after ordering it. I ordered a pulled pork dinner with fries. The meat was very tender and flavorful. The fries were some of the best I'e ever had.
(5)Mj J.
(Review from a lap-bander: small eating options) Oklahoma Joe's is generally so busy with a line out the door but it moves really quickly! I tend to gravitate towards the meat and slaw sandwiches. I got the pulled pork with slaw and fries. Always yummy! I don't eat the bun and graze after adding a 50/50 split of hot bbq sauce and regular. Their sauce is pretty dang good too! I like that the pulled pork is well "sorted". There is rarely the nasty bit in your mouth of fat or other unpleasantries. It happens though when real meat is on your plate (not pressed fast food meat.) Their fry portion is huge, so plan to share. -- My only complaint with Oklahoma Joes (and other restaurants) is the upcharge for an adult off the kids menu. Just because I'm an adult, I get charged $2 more for the exact same portion. There's a reason I'm ordering smaller. I just can't eat that much. So, I order off the standard menu due to price and throw away 3/4 of it. Silly really. The establishment is always very clean and cared for and staff are generally very pleasant. I appreciate that as soon as someone leaves, the table is cleared and clean for the next group within 90 seconds. Super quick!
(4)John S.
Waited in a long line here, but was happy that I did! Got the dish on how to order when I was in line. "Meating up!" is definitely the way to go. Between the two of us it allowed us to get almost every meat on the menu. All good for sure, but I am partial to the brisket. As a side the red beans and rice are a must for me. As far as gas station barbecue goes it rivals Rudy's in Austin. That is high praise from me.
(4)Sean R.
I ended up at the Strang Line location as this one is right off of I-35. I ordered the 4 rib & brisket combo, with a side of beans, beverage. You order and take the ticket to the end of the line and the staff really does shuffle to get your order to you by the time you get paid out. It's really humbling how nice they are. The entry line guy was really nice and appreciate but the cashier guy was somewhat rude and short. Maybe he was having a bad day. The pork ribs were awesome and full of smoke flavor, smoke ring, large sized. Not quite as seasoned as the Leawood location but still outstanding. Hiickory smoke provides the best flavor. Shaved slices of brisket was piled high and tasty. The beans are fantastic with smoke and lots of chunked brisket meats. The texas toast is fantastic too. $20.23 was total, which is the same out the door price as Leawood location.
(4)Mylene B.
Had to try the best barbecue in Kansas but it didn't turn out to what I expect it to be or maybe I just have no idea what's the barbecue in Kansas is like. It was very dry and thick.., and I like my barbecue to be moist with sauce and thin. I'm probably just in the wrong state for my barbecue.
(3)Caleb D.
Love this place. Great sauces and huge portions of awesome food. Favorite BBQ in KC
(5)Reed N.
Just a solid update for OKJ's. I ordered to-go ribs... cold. I reheated them at home, and they give you instructions on how to do it. Do not ignore them. Your food is often reheated at BBQ places. If you do it right, it is BETTER than right out of the smoker. That's right... leftover BBQ is better than fresh in my opinion. My early knock (and a very light knock) on OKJ's was lightness of smoke flavor. Well, that has changed. The last three trips here floored me with smokiness. Not a smoke ring on the rib meat, but damn near full smoke penetration. Ridiculous and delicious. : ) The only other place in town that I have experienced this much smoke flavor recently is also take-out... at McGonigles. Sometime I am going to do both on the same day. God help me. LOL
(5)Allie M.
Best BBQ in our Solar System. Generally, I get the ribs or the brisket. Both are fantastic. Sides are always good. Portions are generous. Prices are very reasonable for what you get. The only knock on this place is standing in line waiting for food and finding a place to sit. It's always busy, and for good reason.
(5)Jeff S.
Is there anything more to say about Joe's that practically every foodie magazine or blog has not already said?? Bottom line - you need to eat here before you die. The wait in line is worth it.
(5)Bryan M.
After a couple of m'eh experiences with brisket at some other BBQ spots, I especially appreciated Oklahoma Joe's effort, this evening. Tender, and effused with a nice, smokey flavor. Joe's sauce was at the table. Also, very tasty! Not too sweet, not too spicy. Just a nice, KC-sauce.
(5)Rich P.
Stopped in for dinner while traveling on business. When I arrived, there was a long line. They had paper menus, so that gave me plenty of time to decide on what to order. I went with the One Meat Meal with the pulled pork and potato salad for the side. It was delicious. They do put a little bit of BBQ sauce on the pork when served, but there are one or two other sauces to try at your table. Overall, great service, great atmosphere, and great food. I would visit again.
(5)Steve J.
food is always great and service is always fast
(5)Cindy C.
Delicious! Saw the reviews for this place and had to try it. I ordered the two meat dinner with beef brisket and turkey. Best BBQ I've ever had.
(5)Jeff L.
Brisket was really tender and I am very critical of brisket because usually its too dry, this was not Ribs were tender yet not falling off the bone Carry out was quick and easy, just walked up and we had our meat 5 minutes later Night of the living dead sauce had a nice kick to it
(5)Shawn B.
First time I've eaten at this location and the first time I've been able to control my rib cravings and get a Z-Man. First off the line was really long but I was surprised it moved pretty quick. I order the Z-Man, cup of beans, cup of spicy slaw, and a drink. I was a little shocked at the bill for $17.45! I did order the sides in the "cup" size instead of the "side" size but that only added a total of $2.20. To the food...I bite into the Z-Man for the first time. First I get the crunch from the onion ring, then the smokey, tender, beefiness of the brisket accented by the BBQ sauce. Then as you're masticating that perfection the smooth, creaminess of the provolone rolls onto your tongue and the roof of your mouth and that's when you say: "This sandwhich has got it all, Baby!" One of the best parts is their PERFECTLY cooked brisket. Most brisket sandwiches, when you take a bite and pull away, you're gonna pull a slice or two of beef off the damned thing, and it's gonna hit you in the chin, and you're gonna look like an idiot with a BBQ sauce Soul Patch. Not so with Oklahoma Joe. The spicy slaw was OK, nothing special. The beans were good but more spicy than I like my Baked Beans. It was almost like eating a BBQ Chili. They were making me sweat. I think maybe they should have a milder version available during the summer months when I'm not in the mood for more sweating. Overall, 4 stars for the outstanding sandwich, shocking prices, and so-so sides. I think I'll stick to getting the meats to go and put together my own meal at home.
(4)Tim M.
Ok. I guess I do not get it. I have tried okie joes numerous times, but no more. There are some items, such as the ribs, that at times can be good, but overall, it is just not that good. I do not know if they are running on past reputation, but current food quality is not good. Tonight we had ribs, brisket, and sausage, along with beans and slaw. The ribs were ok. The brisket was dry and tough, and I swear was reheated in a microwave. The sausage was no better than Walmart mass produced sausage. I have had issues with the chicken in the past, as I saw it passed from the kitchen to the front, wrapped in plastic wrap, and obviously reheated in a microwave. The skin has been soggy and pretty disgusting. No sign of crispness at all. I personally do not like the green peppers in the beans, so that taste in them makes them below par to me. Far too many other BBQ joints in kc to waste time coming back here for mediocre food.
(1)Travis H.
Simply the best barbecue I have ever had. They are able to serve a lot of food to a lot of people in a very efficient and organized way.
(5)Tony X.
I absolutely love the fries! They are to die for. I always get the chicken Z man, cant go wrong with this sandwich. Pair it up with some beans fries and slaw and you wont be disappointed! Their salads are just as great! I tried my friends salad and it was delish! Nothing really bad to say about this place except sometimes the wait is out the door, however the line goes by pretty quick.
(4)Aaron R.
Visited this place back in December as part of my Eastern United States Road Trip. As I am going back through some of my favorite places I have been to, I had to write about Oklahoma Joe's. I visited the Olathe location as it was the closest to the friend's house I was staying at. I had no idea about this place. It was just a suggestion from my friend when I stated that I wanted to try some decent Kansas City BBQ. Well she hit it out of the park. This is not just decent BBQ - this may be my favorite EVER. And that is with growing up with some great BBQ. Everything about this place just screams awesome. The atmosphere, the food, even the service (hectic as it was). I actually visited this place twice (eventhough I was only in KC one night). It was just so freakishly good, I had to go back the next day for more before I set back out on the road. First meal - Ribs & Brisket. Second meal - The Z-Man Sandwich with fries. I thought the ribs were great - tender but not so much that they didnt hold to the bone when picked up. But the brisket was where it was at! I still remember that brisket! And the Z-Man! Possibly one of the best sandwiches I have ever had. Brisket + Provolone + Onion Rings + OKJoes BBQ Sauce = Love. The Kaiser roll it was served on was perfect and complemented the interior quite well. The BBQ sauce has a sweetness to it. I ended up picking up some of the Cowtown Bottled Variety for my trip home. All props out to possibly my favorite BBQ place ever. Definitely worth waiting in the line. P.S. IMO, a line is just an indication of the quality. Better a place like this has a crazy line than none at all.
(5)Charley B.
So, you say you like barbeque? Oklahoma Joe's is a good place to be. This suburban location has the same concept and menu as its older brother from the city. You walk in, wait in line (there is always a line,) you order, you pay, you get your food and then you feast. What's great about this location is the larger dining area and a HUGE parking lot. The line moves a lot quicker here, and as busy as it gets there always seems to be a table or two open no matter the size of your group. I recommend the Z Man or the pulled pork sandwich, a bag of onion rings or the red beans and rice and a nice cold glass of strawberry soda.
(4)Libby J.
The sandwiches are great, but I live the fries! This is a great BBQ place. You can pick up something fast (as long as it is not 5pm or 12pm because you will wait in a long line since everyone wants the awesome food!) and it still tastes great!
(5)Justin S.
I am 41 years old and have been eating Bbq for my entire life . I started smoking Bbq and started a competition team about 15 years ago. So I would say I have a pretty good grasp on Bbq . I don't know anywhere that you can get better Bbq in this country ! The consistency of the Bbq at Joes is unreal. They nail it everytime , everyday , every plate period! They are my favorite hands down Bbq joint in Kansas City and in my opinion have the best burnt ends , ribs and rings in the country !
(5)Rod C.
Great BBQ. I was very impressed with Oklahoma Joe's. My standards might be a little lower than some people when it comes to BBQ, being from California. This was my first time passing through Kansas City and I heard that Oklahoma Joe's was the place to try. It was definitely better than any BBQ I've found in CA. We picked the Olathe location after reading about the lines and wait times at the Kansas City location. We did not regret this decision. There was absolutely no wait for us at Olathe and the service was very quick and efficient. I ordered the Z-Man based on the many positive reviews here on Yelp and it did not disappoint. I'm craving another one right now. Too bad it's 1500 miles away.
(5)Emily O.
Best BBQ! Get the Z-man, you won't regret it & the fries are to die for. Had to buy a bottle of fry seasoning & original BBQ sauce for home.
(5)Jessica E.
I'm not a fan of BBQ. But before you get out the pitchforks, I just want to defend myself in saying that I may not be a fan, but I do appreciate it and enjoy BBQ when I get the chance. Now that I feel safe on this forum, now begins my review: I hope you have a smartphone or a gameboy (am I dating myself??) or a book because this line is almost always out the door during lunch time. But it's not for lack of hard work from the cashiers and line cooks, it's just a popular joint. And oh man, is it popular (and within reason!). My workplace usually gets OK Joe's catered for staff meetings or holiday parties, but we also get take-out. The service is stellar. They have things ready when they say they will. So you can bypass the line wrapping around the building to go to the pick-up counter and it's all gravy. If you decide to dine-in, I'm not sure how this happens, but I've almost always found a seat, even if the line is ridic. I'm not a big beef eater (unless it's in burger form) so I usually go with the smoked turkey sandwich and a side of the baked beans. The beans ROCK, no debate over that. The fries and potato salad are good, too. I prefer the spicier sauce over their house sauce; it's got a bit of a kick to it but it's not to the point where you can't enjoy your meal because you're gulping water down by the gallon. The ambience isn't your typical BBQ place. What I'm saying, is that I can rest my elbows on the table and I don't feel sticky for two days after. The busboys are efficient and the staff is kind. The awards on the wall are definitely well-deserved. It was close, but I still do prefer Jackstack. However, you won't have to twist my arm very much to get me to eat here (and that's a lot to say).
(4)Josh M.
Guess which fat-ass ate an entire order of Oklahoma Joe's french fries last night? You guessed it.. This guy! Pro-tip: Try their smoked turkey.. It's amazing!
(5)Jason V.
great bbq - had the rips, which were really good. not the best i've had but still really good. brisket was was good too. the fries are amazing and overall, this place is just good solid bbq. only downside, long lines. expect to wait an hour or longer.
(5)Elibe E.
Oklahoma Joe's is THE best lunch value in metro KC. You can eat like a demigod for $10! Here's the deal: 1. There will almost always be a line here, ESPECIALLY during the M-F lunch hour 2. Check the specials! You can really optimize your nom/$ ratio here folks 3. Bring your friends (this is the best way to sample the entire menu without completely gorging yourself on noms) 4. DO order a beer with your food (e.g, Boulevard Wheat) 5. OK Joe's does a sauce on style bbq that's spicy with a hint of sweetness - standard bread and pickles on the sides. 6. The Z Man Conclusions: OK Joe's is eating Gates' lunch because the sides are superior (especially fries), AND the meats are butchered much cleaner (less gristle, dude). If you don't want to tuck your shirt in and eat in a fancy JackStack environment, this is the next best BBQ in KC.
(4)Gail W.
We were in Olathe a few weeks ago and felt like BBQ for lunch. Unfortunately, the food we got was awful. The sandwiches were so slathered in sauce that you couldn't taste the meat! Folks, BBQ is about the meat, not the sauce! I had potato salad and it tasted like it was straight from a grocery deli. My husband had baked beans and they were decent, but I'm not going to a restaurant just for beans. Sorry, but we won't be back.
(2)Long B.
I must be the minority on this, but all the hype was a bit misleading for me. I'll explain a bit later in this review. Arriving to Oklahoma Joe's was a packed parking lot. People were coming in and out of the place, so apparently this is a very popular spot. Walking in, immediately was a huge line from the ordering window to the front door. There are employees running around, making sure the tables were clean and emptied off for new customers, people helping pick up their orders, and then the loud yelling people getting food to all the hungry masses. It was a good 15 minutes before we were able to finally order something. I ordered the combination sandwich, because I wanted to try out both meats. The popular pulled pork, and the beef brisket. I also had a side of french fries, and a water. All together it only cost me about 9 dollars I believe. Your food comes on a very, very small brown plastic tray. Sure makes your food look huge in comparison. Wow, the amount of fries you get is ridiculous, in fact I never finished them completely. I recommend if you're eating with someone to have 1 person order the fries and share them. Unless the other person is a complete fat ass, then order one for yourself. They come seasoned and radiating hot in a white paper sack. The refreshment station had 2 soda pop stations, so that helps alleviate any huge lines of people waiting to fill up their drinks. Now the sandwich itself was not bad. I did feel a bit jipped because the pulled pork half was not cut down the center, so I got barely any pulled pork. The brisket was plentiful. Now here is why I feel I am the minority on this... the meat was extremely dry. It was not even juicy at all like the other Yelper's are claiming it to be. I tried to douse it with a lot of BBQ sauce, but alas it was still dry to me. So the BBQ sandwich was a big let down. Next time I'll try the Z-MAN sandwich and see if that will change my opinion about the place. Overall, I think the atmosphere is great, the people who work there seem to enjoy it for the most part, and the food is fresh. Just expect to be looking for empty parking spots for a while, and then wait for about 15-20 minutes before making your order. Another thing, they only offer 1 type of BBQ sauce, unlike Arthur Bryant's you get 3 choices. If they do offer more than 1, I hope they would incorporate that.
(3)P M.
What can you say that hasn't been said about this place? It is as advertised. It is the best of what Kansas City has to offer with regard to bbq.
(5)Chris B.
I dream about lunch here! I used to work in Mission Hills a lot and the gas station was a definite stomping ground. Now that I live in Shawnee, I rarely get to either place but if I am remotely close, I am doing it! I travel frequently and with the lore of Kansas City BBQ, I am always challenged by clients and friends. All pale examples of BBQ and it's hard not to show my disappointment upon first bite, the taste is just not the mouth sex that Oklahoma Joe's is good for. KC has is critics about BBQ and what it really is. I do the rounds to all the other staples in KC but I never get the consistency of service and quality of food that I get with Oklahoma Joe's. that in itself is what drives me back, consistent, reliable and always delicious! I am a bit of a creature of habit, not the normal barbecue eater in that I don't eat ribs. My staple is the Smokey Joe, a side of spicy slaw and an order of fries. It's absolute goodness and more than I can eat but DAMN, it is good, good, good!
(5)Jared S.
Hands down best ribs I ever had at a restaurant. Do not forget to get the red beans and rice as a side. The Z man is a good sandwich but take a friend as split some ribs.
(5)Brad H.
Incredible! Perhaps best BBQ I have ever had. Pulled pork was juicy, big bits bit tender. Smokey and flavorful without sauce. BUT the sauce was amazing too! The beans had big chunks of pork and were delicious, sweet but not too much so. It took an hour to get up to the counter, but it was worth the wait. Add in $1.75 draft beers and I love this place.
(5)John L.
I'm not a huge bbq fan but this was fantastic.
(5)John W.
those giant lines you see there exist for a reason, this food is the best. the z-man is scrumptious, order it with double cheege (intentional spelling), double onion rings for a boost. if you are having a party their trays/platters/orders-by-pound of turkey are top notch. first and possibly last 5 star review i'll ever give.
(5)Dan H.
Great pulled pork sandwich. The spicy chicken gumbo was also really good. Definitely worth the 20 minute line. Staff is crazy proficient on remembering your order and passing it down the line to each involved. Kind of reminded me of a NYC deli in that regard.
(4)Emily C.
Oklahoma Joe's has some of the best ribs I've ever eaten and as a native Texan (yes, that's right, a NATIVE Texan) I've eaten more than my fair share of ribs. So, if you're going to eat here, do NOT skip the ribs. You MUST order them. I came here on a Monday evening for a late-ish dinner (around 8) and it was pretty busy. I cannot imagine the crowds at lunch or earlier in the evening. Oklahoma Joe's has a very unassuming atmosphere... walk up to counter, order your food, pay for your food, get your tea, wait for your tray, sit down and enjoy. The staff are all incredibly efficient and friendly and even though there are quite a few people moving through, the empty tables are all kept clean. For a location in a strip mall, it's actually very pleasant. Now, on to the food... I ordered the ribs and 1 meat plate... As I said above the ribs were heavenly. Oklahoma Joe's has a Jack Daniel BBQ sauce that has a whiskey sweetness to it. For my "meat" I chose the pulled pork. It was also fantastic. I'm used to have pulled pork BBQ in the North Carolina style, so to have it with this type of BBQ sauce was really a treat.... I piled the pulled pork high up on a piece of Texas Toast, added some BBQ sauce and topped it with dill pickle chips... man, I could die happy. It was truly fantastic. For my side, I opted for potato salad. Now, the potato salad was also really good, a perfect balance of potato chunks and creamy potato with a mustard base and fresh dill, but after all of the pulled pork and ribs I only managed a few bites. Since I don't live in KC I was thinking about trying out a new BBQ place every time I visit for work, but after sampling Oklahoma Joe's I'm not sure I'll be able to make myself go anywhere else!
(5)Kirun M.
This was on my list of to-do in KC. I'm glad I was able to go. I think OK Joe's is a great option for lunch if you get there early enough to avoid the crazy lines, like we did today. Since I'm review number 191, hopefully I don't offend too many people by saying that all BBQ all kind of tastes the same to me. I went here for lunch today and enjoyed my Z-Man sandwich. It had brisket, provolone cheese, and two hefty onion rings on a bun. It was big and satisfying, especially when you add BBQ sauce, but it wasn't anything I need to eat again. I'm not a huge sweet meat fan though...that's my disclaimer. I did appreciate that the brisket tasted good and was lean. I hate when bbq places try to cheat you by using fatty gross meat.
(4)Charlotte H.
This place is the BEST BBQ EVER!! First of the whole design of the place is nice its very well decorated! They have awards everywhere, magazine clippings, and old photos. There is normally a good sized line but its worth the wait!! The menu is on a big black board and you can read it while your in line. You tell the man once you reached the top of the line what you want and he prints out a piece a paper that the man on the end scans and you pay and get your food. Drinks are located once you have paid to your right. You find a table and EAT!! Omg I can eat the Z man sooooo fast!! Its crazy! If you are new to this place get the Z-man and the fries are to die for!! They BBQ original Sauce they have is perfect! They even sell it also!! They have a little small BBQ store right next door and sell all kinds of items! Please if you love BBQ you need to come here!! Its life changing!! hahaha
(5)Mike P.
"Let the f#ckers work that one out." - John Lennon on the lyrics to "I Am the Walrus. Lennon was amused that a teacher was having her students analyse Beatles' lyrics. To me Kansas City barbeque menus read like the lyrics to "I Am the Walrus". Burnt Ends, Carolina Style, Short End vs. Long End and Smoke Rings? In an attempt to gain clarity on the subject I sent questions to Clark S. and Reed N. Both Yelpers were very gracious in sharing their wisdom. After reading Clark's response there was zero chance I wasn't having barbeque for lunch. This called for a two man unofficial Yelp event lunch at Oklahoma Joe's BBQ in Olathe, Kansas. It was cool meeting Clark and doing barbeque "research". I had the Beef Brisket sandwich with a side of BBQ beans. I was able to see the smoke rings in the brisket and pick out flavors in Oklahoma Joe's sauces with what I learned. Clark showed me how to look for specs of spices to discern how it was created. I am a student of the Q and this Oklahoma Joe's location is my new classroom.
(4)Cristie D.
I am from DC so I was excited to try KC bbq. I have had Texas and Carolina style so might as well try something new. I had the rib and pulled pork dinner with fries. The pork was moist and tasty. Not too smokey. The ribs were tender and sweet. The fries were the best I have had in long time. I suggest this place to everyone.
(4)Wayland W.
Honestly. I don't see what all the fuss is about. Place is expensive and nothing to rave about.
(3)Erica T.
First, there's a line out the door all the time, but don't be alarmed! The line moves fast and you'll be at the order window in no time. You order at a window and by the time you walk about 6 feet down to pay, your food is ready to pick up. I haven't exactly been a fan of KC style BBQ since moving here, and this is the best place I've found so far. There are two sauces - their original, which is a little less sweet than most KC sauces I've tried, and the spicy, which I found way too sweet, but with a little bit of a bite. The pulled pork is very juicy. It doesn't come with any sort of sauce (I prefer North Carolina style pulled pork) and adding a bit of their original sauce helps. The Z-man sandwich (brisket, provolone, onion rings on a bun) is really tasty and a unique addition to the normal BBQ restaurant offerings. I've also had the pulled pork and sausage sandwich, which was simple and good, and topping each bite with some spicy coleslaw was really yummy. Now on to the sides! The fries are great - crispy and coated in their BBQ rub. The normal order is definitely enough for 2-3 to share - get them! The potato salad is mayo-based and has a lot of dill. The spicy coleslaw didn't seem spicy at all to me. They also have a smoked chicken gumbo that was surprisingly good! Don't let the lines hinder you from visiting OK Joe's. And, if you're in a hurry, you can always call in for pick up or order at the pick up window. You'll be in and out in about 8 minutes!
(4)Eric D.
In from Dallas, had a decent meal. Ribs were tasty but the sausage was so-so. Sweet tea was perfect.
(3)Stephanie W.
What can be said that has not been said by the Food Network, Anthony Bourdain, and other critics non par. Food is awesome, service stellar, a real jewel for KC. However, my time is valuable, and standing in line for food for hours is not my thing. So my only suggestion is if you are in a hurry and don't really need to eat there, order it to go. I was on a serious time crunch, and walked in to a hour long line. I saw the to go counter and employees were just milling around. So I simply walked back to my car, ordered my food, and ran some errands at the nearby Target. Came back in 20 minutes to an amazingly packaged lunch which I took home to my happy family, and was back to work in no time. Great food, just have to work the system.
(4)Aaron R.
Some of the best quick BBQ in KC. Try the iconic Z-Man, the healthier Lean-N-Mean, or a rack of ribs. The "Night of the Living BBQ Sauce" is great especially in the beans.
(5)SuzySnowflake Q.
After all the hype OK Joe's have gotten, I was expecting terrific food. Instead, it was OK food. If you want great BBQ food, I suggest you go somewhere else. It's Kansas City after all, not Oklahoma.
(1)FJ H.
When I lived in Kansas, this was my BBQ mecca. Being situated over 1000 miles away does not help my cause. I don't have a BBQ fix!! waaahhh!! My all-time favorites -- half chicken and half slab of ribs if I'm really hungry. However, the two-meat sandwich (brisket & chicken) was my go-to for my lunch needs. Oh and, this place doesn't hurt the wallet; it's appropriately priced and I hope it stays that way. I have to mention this -- and as concisely as possible -- This is the world's best BBQ without a doubt!!! The recognition this place gets from acclaimed food critics is well deserved.
(5)Vince P.
Ok, a little nervous when the line was out the door. These people have the service down. The line moved quickly and efficiently. I ordered an abundance of food to feed the family carnivore style. Had a slab of ribs, the ribs are great. Tender, tasty, delicious, mouthwatering! Had bbq beef sandwich, pretty good. Tasty and lean, but a little tough. Onion rings are a definite - great! Fries in abundance and they are good! Red beans and rice - different for a bbq place, but good. Now the bad parts. Bbq beans, kinda funky and not a lot of flavor. The slaw, I have to give it two thumbs down. No flavor and just wet cabbage. Bottom line, yeah I would go there again. But, sticking to ribs and onion rings. PS They have strawberry soda.
(4)Jessica S.
I'm from Texas, you see. And the family (mostly from the uppder mid-west) was all in KC. And we hear all this stuff about "Great Kansas City BBQ." I was a little leery, aren't you? I do enjoy Texas BBQ. So someone recommends Oklahoma Joe's. Oklahoma? Really? You know what? It was actually pretty good. Yes, of course it's different from Texas BBQ. (Let's not go on too long about that). Mom and I shared a rib plate. They were good. And the sauce was good. And those onion rings I got a few bites of were good. I found myself surprised by how much I actually enjoyed it. So, good job, Oklahoma Joe's, in Kansas City, this Texas gal enjoyed the tasty vittles!
(4)Noor B.
After hearing so much hype from TV personalities, it was hard to imagine that Oklahoma Joe's would deliver, but it sure did. Brisket is tender, well seasoned, and delicious. BBQ sauce is tasty; portions are generous, and the Texas toast is wonderfully buttery. I will definitely be back!
(5)Sarah H.
I lovvveee me some oklahoma joes!!!! the wait isn't as bad as everyone is making it sound, it's a great tease before the perfect meal. and come on, you don't go to a BBQ place to have chicken, u gotta have the beef brisket! now that I live in texas, I really really appreciate this place. it is not comparable to ANY BBQ place I've been to anywhere! and for less than $10, phew, that's like stealing for this quality! be sure to go to their store next door, it's a dream to be in! I always buy 2-3 of their jars of BBQ sauce & use their seasoning on everything! enjoy this place, it'll be the best meal you've ever had!!!!!!!!
(5)Tom F.
What can I say about Oklahoma Joe's that hasn't already been said? While the Olathe location doesn't have the panache of the original, it does have one thing... Just consistently the best rack of spareribs you can find in this country, and possibly the world. Nothing else. Do it, you won't be disappointed.
(5)Kiranbir S.
Z Man. Best BBQ in the world.
(5)Heath F.
I may be one of the few to admit that I actually prefer the Olathe location over the OG location in the Gas Station. The food is the same perfection, but I just think the cluster of the dining experience is better in the bigger location...big shock. There's not really alot that can be added about this place at this point, but I think this is the best BBQ on the planet, not just KC. By far, the most delicious ribs I've ever eaten, and the Z-Man is what a sandwich was meant to be. Perfect in every way. One item I think gets overshadowed by the rest, but is still the best in town, is the smoked sausage. If I'm going all in with no plans for the rest of the night, I'll get the HogManiac's dinner, with ribs, pulled pork, and sausage. Simply put, the best dinner in all of KC, but will put you in a serious food coma for a solid 8-12 hours. Eat, go home, and put on some sweats, because you are going to be worthless for a while, and it's awesome!
(5)Graydon M.
I'm a barbecue nut and this place is definitely the place to go. I tried several other restaurants in KC when I was here on business and this is the only one that I'd come back to. I had the Z-Man sandwich on the recommendation of a friend and it was the way to go the first time out. I almost went back for a second one but since I was leaving for the airport directly afterwards I didn't want to sit for hours on a plane stuffed to the gills. This place was packed for lunch too. That is always a good sign. I will be coming back here the next time I'm in town and will expand a bit on the menu. Now I can see why KC is the capital of barbecue.
(5)Chris L.
Hate going at the height of lunch because I can't always easily get a seat. So that stinks. Too successful for their own good? :) But the meats are fabulous. The fries great. I don't really care for their beans, which is too bad because I loved smoked beans. But their sausage sandwich is one of the best ever.
(4)David A.
WOW! The food is as good as the gas station location in KCK. The lines are a bit shorter here as the restaurant is bigger and can accomodate a larger crowd. It's a bit more upscale as is the clientele. They also have a separate store for BBQ unlike the gas station which has a small section. Unfortunately it had closed by the time I had finished dinner :( They have a great take out section with all the fixings to help you, too. I ordered a beef brisket (jumbo of course), onion rings and fries. All were to die for! I also smothered my sandwich in both the spicy and the original sauces. This place can't be beat. Funny thing is....I ate here with my friends from Oklahoma. I'm like, why don't you just go to the local one? Get this...IT IS CLOSED. What a shame right? There are few places that draw crowds in KC Metro, but this place is it. Given a choice, I prefer this place, but the gas station is better for the shock value for tourists :) The parking is easy, too. It might be my imagination, but I think the sides are a bit more $$$ than KCK.
(5)Paul M.
Great place for lunch. Great barbecue. A wide selection of different styles of barbecue as well! Brisket, pulled pork, you name it. great slaw, too!
(4)Rob S.
4.5 stars and hundreds of reviews tells the story. Great place, well organized, bustling, and excellent quality meats and sauces! Will hit this place again if I'm ever in town.
(5)Robert P.
Anthony Bourdain was right. The Z Man is great, the pork, the brisket, the burnt ends, all of it. My favorite is their smoked chicken gumbo. Who knew Cajun food lived in BBQ country? Grab anything with a Boulevard (or a Pabst if you splurged in the jumbo sandwich or full slab) and just soak it all in.
(5)Andrew H.
What can I say that hasn't already been said? The best BBQ in KC. Be prepared for long lines ;).
(5)Colin B.
As a Texan who loves BBQ, I tend to fall on the snob side of things. Of course I think Texas BBQ is the best, but I realize other regions' BBQ can be very good. However, Okalhoma Joe's might be the best BBQ I have ever had, hands down. Pulled pork? Will make you believe in God. The sausage? Will make you slap a mama. The sauces? Sweet, spicy, flavorful. The french fries? Probably the best I have ever had. Whatever is in that seasoning is the greatest thing to ever go on a fry. We had two sodas, split a sandwich and got some fries and we were out of there for under $13. What a steal.
(5)Lindsey H.
I've never walked into a bbq joint with so many awards on the walls. When I checked in on 4square, I was informed that this place was also recommended by Food Network. The line was not only out the door, but around the block on a Sunday morning. Luckily the line moves pretty fast, so we probably waited no more than 30 minutes to get our food. The place is very loud, and very casual (it's bbq), but there's a large seating area so there's enough room once you get your food. 4 of us split a full rack of ribs (~$20), and each of us ordered a regular sized sandwich and fries (~$8 each). All of us finished our sandwiches (get the pulled pork specialty, it's amazing), but we hardly made a dent in the ribs and fries. Definitely don't need that much food for 4 people. The sandwich was heavenly, and the pork ribs were perhaps the best I'd ever had. I slathered everything in Oklahoma Joe's BBQ sauce, and was in love. Pro Tips: Call ahead, and get your bbq to go, *or*, get a beer at the call-ahead line while you wait in line for your bbq. With pictures: bit.ly/yr6oHk
(4)Matt M.
What can I say other than this is my BBQ benchmark. Ive dreamed about a Z-man and fries while on deployment only to wake up to frozen waffles and ultra pasteurized milk. The quality hasnt changed over the years, even when they opened this new location. The new location is more convenient, but its still fun to introduce friends to the original location. These days I find myself mixing more spicy BBQ sauce with the regular, which makes me wonder why all BBQ places havnt figured out this system. If your in the mood on a Friday night and dont want to wait 45 min you could always call in your order to go and pick it up by the time you get to the restaurant.
(5)Paul N.
I have been participating in the KCBS BBQ competition series for over 10 years and have even taken home a 1st place brisket prize at the American Royal. I know BBQ and I can easily say that this is currently the BEST BBQ in the Kansas City area, by far. I don't usually go out for BBQ because I cook so much of my own at home, but when friends or family are in town, I take them to OK Joes. It's worth the wait to stand in line. PS - I get all of my BBQ supplies from the BBQ store next door.
(5)Melissa S.
This is seriously the best BBQ ever! Definitely worth the 45 minute drive! Pulled pork or Z-man is a guaranteed hit. Pair with the french fries and extra pickles and I am one satisfied girl!
(5)Rudy W.
love the ribs and the sandwich. can't go wrong to go to this place for a quick bite to eat and very appetizing. I have to hunt more of these when I travel.
(4)Thomas P.
I have always wanted to go to the one Kansas City kansas, but the line is always out the door, which is a good sign. But I only have 30 minutes for lunch, they eventually put one in olathe. Me and the wife loved it, we get the turkey sandwich with the slaw on, i think it's the Carolina. There line moves very quick so it's never a long wait.
(4)Todd D.
Visited this great spot in 2010 and again in 2011 before attending Chief games, will be my favorite BBQ spot for any trip to KC in the future. Go with a group of friends and order up a couple slabs of ribs (they literally fall off the bone). You don't need any sauce but it is great with as well. The z-man sandwich is top notch and the carolina is right there as well. The beans are full of flavor and the spicy slaw has a nice kick. Don't be scared off by the long line out the door, the line is there for a reason (GREAT FOOD) and well worth the wait.
(5)Casey P.
As if this place needs another review. I recently moved to Texas and every time I come home Oklahoma Joe's is my first stop for lunch. I haven't explored a whole lot of their menu because why change a GREAT thing?? I order the turkey sandwich carolina style and fries. Y-U-M. The buttered bun, messy slaw, and a little bit o BBQ sauce go a looooong way. Their fries are also particularly delicious. I've gone with friends who have ordered the Z-man and have enjoyed it. Really, I haven't heard a bad thing about anything on their menu. I'm a huge BBQ beans fan, but I don't like them here as much as other places. Maybe some day I'll order something else, but until then I've got my order down pat.
(5)Kansas A.
Oklahoma Joes never disappoints me. I think their ribs are outstanding! I'm a big fan of Kansas City bbq and this is one of my favorites! Its my go to place because its the closest one to me. Sadly I've never been to the original location, I need to do that soon!
(5)Art M.
Simply the best....pulled pork, ribs, you name it.
(5)Bobby P.
AWESOME BARBECUE!!! Word's cant describe how delicious this place is! I went on a Kansas City barbecue tour to try and eat at various barbecue restaurants within the Kansas City area. I've been to about 4 out of 7. Oklahoma Joe's is not far from my cousin's house in Olathe, KS so I definitely had to stop by. I took a to go order and ate it back at her place and boy oh boy! It was delicious! A few weeks later my cousin gave it a shot based upon my recommendation and after a sample of my meal. The ribs were perfect! Lots of sauce and fell right off the bone. And the fries? They weren't just plain old fries. These fries had a little spice seasoning on them which I loved!!
(5)Ericka O.
My husband and I are visiting a friend in Kansas. We are both from California and were told that the BBQ here was great. The atmosphere was fun and casual. You walk right up to the counter in the back and order. The staff back there were very friendly and the food came out quickly. I ordered the pulled pork sandwich, which was amazing. The meat was tender and the sauce was fantastic. My husband ordered a rib and brisket combo. I thought the brisket was incredible. It was so tender and flavorful, it practically fell apart in my mouth. No chewing required! The ribs were good as well, but I thought the brisket was the best. My husband enjoyed a cold beer with his meal and said it was great. I'm really glad we chose to eat here, and am very sad we don't have this chain back home!
(5)Kim N.
We eat at this location a lot. It is just down the street from our office and it is good BBQ. I would rank it 3rd or 4th in KC. I know this goes against most peoples opinions. The Turkey Sandwiches are great. Tender and Juicy which is hard to do with Turkey. I am not big on the ribs here, every time I have had them they seemed dry to me, like they over cooked them or there wasn't enough meat to begin with. The brisket is also super yummy and tender. I love their sauces which are made by Original Juan's so can't go wrong there. My favorite is the Night of the Living Dead Sauce. The fries are also very good but not as good as Wyandotte BBQ. Same with the beans they are good but not as good as Jack Stack. The atmosphere is crazy but fun. There is always a super long line and you wait to go up and give your order. Be Kind and know what you want when you get up there so others don't have to wait while you make up your mind. Also don't steal tables and hold them for your friends while they order for you. The tables turn quick and you will get a seat, just be patient and be nice. The bus people are great they are quick and efficient and have the tables wiped and ready to go in seconds. Great customer service.
(4)Samantha M.
Lived in Kansas City all this time but have never actually tried Oklahoma Joe's. I honestly don't know why it has taken me so long to try this wonderful place but I hate that it took me so long. Today I had a girls day out with my friend and recommended OK Joe's before we go to the movies. I bought the brisket sandwich with fries and oh my goodness the brisket was amazing! The meat was so moist/tender it basically melted in your mouth. It was one of the best bbq sandwiches I've ever had. The fries were nice and crispy but they had a little much seasoning on them but it wasn't that bad (it wasn't so much to were I was constantly drinking my water) My friend opted for the pulled pork special with a side of beans. She let me try some of the pulled pork and again the pork just melted in my mouth, it was so tender. I know next time I'll be getting the pulled pork, oh and the beans were delicious either (perfectly smoked). For the both of us it came to a little over $19 which in my mind isn't bad for lunch for 2 people. Highly recommend OK Joe's!
(5)Kay L.
OK Joe's is part of the holy trinity of Kansas City BBQ, along with Jack Stack and the sainted Arthur Bryant. Anthony Bourdain was on the right track! Several well-deserved championship banners hang on the wall here... one taste of the brisket, tender and smoky, will confirm why. Pulled pork is a house specialty; but the must-try sandwich is the Z-man -- brisket, smoked provolone, and onion rings on a roll, which sounds a bit oddball but is an explosive blend of flavors that just begs to be devoured. Fries were a bit on the limp side, but handcut & fresh. Yes, the lines are always long, but move quickly.
(4)Grace S.
The food hear is amazing! If it were only about the food this would get 5 stars. The Carolina Pulled Pork Sandwich is a must. It is always so crazy here and there us usually a wait when we go. The are a bit gruff when you order and you better know what you want. Then it is on to finding a table that gets tricky sometimes. We have staked out many a dirty table and on occasion cleaned it off ourselves. BUT REMEMBER! The food is AMAZING!
(4)Don H.
My absolute favorite thing about KCMO is the BBQ. Well, that and visiting my friends (of course). We usually go to another BBQ place but my friend wanted to try something new with us. So we went to Oklahoma Joe's. First of all: it's in a gas station. And that's no lie. Imagine one of those roadside joints in the middle of nowhere that seemed to have gotten bigger over time mostly to save space or to provent family in-fighting (I want a restaurant! You've had your gas station for 30 years, Phil, and now it's my turn!). Also, when I say KCMO I mean pretty far from downtown area. I think it was something of a 30-40 minute drive. When we pulled in, the parking lot was packed. We knew this was going to happen so we were prepared. And there were 9 of us, including a 4-year old. We stood in line and waited about 25 minutes. We scoped out a table and one of us went to claim it. When I got to the counter, it was quick service. You're best off to know what you want -- you've had 25 minutes to decide, after all -- so I got the brisket and sausage and a side of fries. I also got a 32oz of beverage, which is one of the biggest dispensers, only rivaled by the likes of a 7-11. I got myself the strawberry Fanta because its fizziness cuts through just about anything. And holy !@#$ that was delicious! I was definitely not disappointed. The house sauce was well worth the effort and the fries seemed to have been fresh-picked from the farm. About 5 pounds worth, too. (I'm exaggerating.) It was a delicious meal and definitely a different kind of BBQ that I want to try again. And I miss the burnt ends.
(3)Jeremy P.
Always a 10 here! Have never been disappointed. The Z-man sandwich is the way to go! For the first time ever, I came here about 1:30 pm and there was no line!
(5)Erin B.
Have been to the original OK Joe's many, many times, but have never made it to the Olathe location. To my pleasure, it is just as delicious! I had my usual pulled-pork sandwich with fries. It was stuffed to the max with pulled-pork and so so so good! Husband had the Z-Man, brisket with provolone and onion rings on the sandwich with fries ($20 for both meals). We haven't had OK Joe's in almost a year and having it again made us happy we live in KC BBQ country! We went at 6:30 on a Tuesday and the line was almost out the door. Note to visitors: not a place to go when you need to keep a tight schedule. You never know how busy they will be, although the line most quickly and there will be plenty of food for all! But there is order/carry-out option available. Also, to be fair, management asks that patrons don't 'reserve' tables until they have their food. You always have people who get tables before food, but it does help having tables available if it's done in the correct order. More seating in this location than the original (probably helps that it's not connected to a gas station). You tell your meal to the kitchen staff and get your ticket to pay. Wait for your food and grab a table so that you can enjoy your fantastic meal. Visit the BBQ store next door and check out all the rubs and sauces to attempt to recreate OK Joe's at home!
(5)Lauren P.
This is actually like 7 stars but the max on Yelp is 5... The BEST BBQ. Ever. Stop reading these reviews and just go. Right now. And be happy that you are close enough to have that option. Everything is GOOD, like good for the soul good. The only downside is that they do not serve red cream soda like Bryants. So order a red cream there...then go out to Olathe and order your BBQ and you can die happy. I love the pulled pork sandwiches, ribs, fries, beans, pretty much everything. Just be prepared to wait a bit for the food or call ahead and do take out but it is more than worth it. My mouth is literally watering up just thinking about it...so sad that I dont live in KC anymore.
(5)Mama C.
The first thing you'll notice, other than the fantastic barbecue aroma, is the long line waiting to order at OKlahoma Joe's! And then, your heart starts pounding as you scan the restaurant for an empty seat, fearing that once you get your food you won't have a place to sit! ARRRRGH! But relax....this method works very well...and by the time you have your food in hand...there WILL be a place for you! So take note those who like to send someone from your party to hold a table! ( I call these folks, Table Hogs). It is NOT NECESSARY..and it is really rude!( and just because you sit there with your face glued to your cell phone screen doesn't mean we can't see you.) But that little frustration aside....the food. my GOSH the food. I don't think the atmosphere matters one bit, even though it is good, it is all about the barbecue! Our family always orders individually our favorite things....AND a slab of ribs. you can't go without the ribs. I've had just about everything on their menu and i've been satisfied with it all. But i have to say, my favorite item....is the Smoked Chicken Gumbo. It is thick and hearty...and just spicy enough...I've never seen a dish like this in a BBQ joint but I can't have BBQ without it. Their sauce is great, not that you need it. but very good. It's a fun, quick place to have a great meal. ALL of our out of town guests are treated to Oklahoma Joe's!
(4)Angélica W.
I've been to this Oklahoma Joe's location several times, but the last time I went was well more than a year ago. Today I went back, and it was even better than I remembered. It was lunchtime and we expected the rush, prepared for the worst. But the line really wasn't terrible and we hardly had time to decide what we wanted before the nice man with the very easy-to-hear voice was taking our order. I got the combo pulled pork and brisket sandwich. My BF and I also shared a serving of their massive (delicious) fries and some bbq baked beans. We thought we weren't going to be able to find a seat, but luckily we did find one after we made a lap around the place. It's amazing, they must engineer the area specifically to seat only the people who are dining in. Though the KCK location has more street cred, I don't envy them the parking situation. Come on down to Olathe!
(4)Megan D.
The brisket is the best BBQ in America!!!
(5)Robin H.
This place was stop #2 on my business trip turned KC BBQ quest. I can honestly say I was in BBQ Heaven! I had the "Hog -a Mania" that was suggested by the gentleman at the order counter and I am glad I took his suggestion, I even told him so afterwards and Thanked him whole-heartedly. The Hog-a-mania consists of 3 ribs, pulled pork, sausage and 2 sides (I had the spicey cole slaw and red beans and rice) and Texas toast. It was fantasic!! The pork was tender and juicy and the rib meat fell off the bones. The sauce had the right blend of spices, it's not one of those "burn your lips off to hide the taste" sauces. MMMMMM! I will be back!
(5)Gary M.
Great BBQ. Fantastic environment from when you walk in (including yelling your order back to staff) and just what you'd expect to eat barbeque right. Including lots of paper towel rolls. Had their original sandwich (with the brisket) and fries. Just what was suggested and definitely worth the trip!
(5)Libby T.
Best place for BBQ in Kansas City! My husband is from KC, and whenever we go back to visit we make sure to stop here for lunch! I personally like their sausage and pulled pork, but I have had the brisket and really liked that as well. The sides are worth getting too. Be prepared to wait in line for at least 15 minutes. The good part is that the food comes out super fast after you order so the wait really isn't that bad. Even with all the people here, we have always been able to find an open table to sit at. We will continue to come here every time we are in the area!!
(5)Nate A.
Best lunch in Olathe! Any sandwich regular or jumbo. Call in is the way to go if you time restraints, always in and out. We ate there once a week on my crew and always on cue. I take the family there for dinner to sit down and even when the line is out the door the wait is not bad and the ribs are a 10!
(5)Amanda P.
I've been a recurring patron of Oklahoma Joe's since I moved to Kansas City back in 2007, and I'm just now getting around to reviewing what I consider one of the best (if not the best) BBQ establishments I've ever had. Ribs and brisket are definitely the stars at this place, which exemplifies KC-style BBQ. The sauce is slightly sweeter, keeping in tradition with this style of BBQ, and the meat is fall-off-the-bones tender. My favorite side is the fries, which are always seasoned with the house recipe. Not a fan of the slaw. The crew has been there a long time and I always see the same faces time and time again. The setup is similar to a fast food counter where you place your order and then pick it up and take it to a table. Someone goes around and busses the table afterwards but aside from that there is no table service. Can't remark on alcohol selection, as I'm mainly a to-go patron. The to-go section is nicely organized, with a separate line so you don't have to wait in the main restaurant line - which can get all the way to the door on some days! I advise calling ahead to place to go orders, as this place is usually very busy. Parking tends to be a bit of a problem during the dinner rush - Okie Joe's shares a lot with a bunch of other smaller shops, and it tends to get very crowded very quickly.
(5)Michelle F.
Well yeah, can you really rate it anything less than 5 stars? Same BBQ, different zip code -- this place is every bit as good as #1.
(5)Darcy K.
My favorite bbq in all of KC. The Z Man sandwich and ribs are my favorite. I also prefer this location to the original. There is more space, a much shorter wait, and you don't feel so rushed and crowded. The sides are just OK, but the fries are really good. It's all about the meat here!
(5)Brian N.
It's a GREAT BBQ joint - LOVE the Carolina Pork Sandwich, BBQ Beans, and Chili!
(4)Graham S.
Have never actually been to the gas station (original) location, but this one seems to faithfully sling out the same world famous OK Joe's BBQ. Doesn't get any better as far as BBQ goes.
(5)Joseph H.
The reviews looked great, but I don't think it's my style. Someone from Texas said this is the best BBQ they've ever had; that about sums it up. I've only had Texas style BBQ from one place, and while it's alright, I don't think it has any soul. And by soul, I'm talking about Arthur Bryants, Gates, Haywards in the '80s kind of soul. Know what I mean? Back to Joe's: I shared a smoked turkey and a z-man. Everything was prepared well, nice and neat. And therein lies the problem. While I'm eating BBQ, if I can't imagine there's a guy in the back that prepares the meat at 2am or whatever using a hair mop to sop on the sauce occasionally inside the smoker, then the deal is off. Gravitas. Lineage. Tradition. These aren't just words, they're ingredients for God's sake! But it's good. Just watch out for the wait. Sorry Ant'ny, I prefer to eat somewhere else before I die.
(3)Lindsay H.
Consistent quality? Yes. Memorable experience? Yes. Some of the best BBQ in Kansas City? Absolutely. I think I've eaten at just about every BBQ restaurant in KC. Oklahoma Joe's is easily one of the best dining experiences in the metro. There are tons of reviews about the food so I'm going to focus on the people and the company. I've been lucky enough to work with the staff at Oklahoma Joe's. They have a genuine dedication to the art of BBQ. If you follow their social media, they often post kudos to other local BBQ restaurants. Maybe this says something about their confidence as a leader in the restaurant scene, but mostly it tells me that they are willing to share the very bright spotlight they currently hold. The positive reviews are well-deserved.
(5)John T.
When I first moved to Kansas City, everyone would tell me that the bbq in KC is the best. Regrettably, I could not agree with this... that is until I found Oklahoma Joe's. This place is bbq at its best. We now eat here at any possible chance! Other bbq joints ive been to are boring with flavorless slices of meat with bread. This place, man, the meat is so juicy and their sauces are awesome. I totally recommend the Z-man sandwiches, and you can not go wrong with the ribs. This location is just as great as the original gas station location. The wait can still be long, but is not as bad as the other place.
(5)Brent K.
i used to live down the street from the gas station location, and probably went there 4 or 5 times, mostly because i hated the line to get into the place. I go to their Olathe place probably once a month, mainly because I work in OP and it's easily the best BBQ in the state of kansas and that ain't no joke. the lines are never as long as the gas station place, and you can get in and get out and get your BBQ on. I love their meat, all flavors, i love their sauces. the giant bag-o-fries is way too much, and compared to the dinky little beans, it's almost as if they'd rather you just got fries. there's probably nothing that i can say about this place that hasn't already been said, but if you live or work down south, this is a special treat that just can't be beat. top 5 BBQ in KC easily, and very nice folks working for em. I've have never had a bad experience and the place is kept clean, which is more than I can say for some of the more popular BBQ places around town. If you don't feel like waiting in line, call em up and get it to go, much quicker.
(5)C L.
I don't think you could get more un-American if you flew to France and threw french fries at the American flag...but I am not huge on BBQ. I crave it no more than twice a year. However, I am an accommodating friend, and I will allow you to persuade me into joining you for some BBQ a little more often...IF it's Oklahoma Joe's. There is no equivalent BBQ sauce. Their original is the ideal blend of sweet, flavorful, and spicy. It's not too thick, and not too thin. It spreads, but doesn't run. I prefer it over their hot version. An order of the fries will feed a tiny nation. I don't really like fries, but I eat theirs. No, not because they're good, but because I need a more discreet way of consuming extra BBQ sauce without drinking it directly from the bottle. I've tried several different things here, but I usually stick with a full slab or ribs or a quart of their amazing gumbo. Their faultlessly seasoned ribs are smoky, tender, and not overcooked. Unlike some silly places that serve you some receding jerky left on a dry bone, Joe's slabs satiate. (Say that 5 times fast.) And maybe I'm letting my ignorance shine, but a BBQ place making excellent gumbo? Sure didn't see it coming, but their gumbo is simply marvelous. It has hefty hunks of chicken breast in a thick, orangish-tan roux, just the perfect amount of chopped okra, all the right spices, and finishes with a peppery heat. Really, I crave that more than anything else at Joe's. One Spring, I went to pick up another quart of their chicken gumbo, and one of the guys behind the counter told me that they were gonna have a SEAFOOD gumbo for Lent, so I should be sure to come back soon. Damn me for forgetting about it till after Easter! I wonder if they will do it again next Spring. If anyone has tried it, please let me know how it is!
(5)G. A.
Burnt Ends. Brisket. Upon arrival in Kansas, the locals tell me I need to go to Oklahoma Joe's, Jack's Stack, and perhaps also Arthur Bryants. This place did not disappoint. On the tables were two sauces, with a bit of tang, a bit of spice, and sweetness. The burnt ends were moist, and didn't need sauce to liven it up. I would highly recommend Oklahoma Joe's!
(5)Justin F.
I was given the tip to check this place out from ESPN's Pat Forde. He reccommended this place in his point after in the Forde Minutes last week. I pulled up to this gem and could smell the smoke from inside my car. That told me right away this place is for real. The atmosphere inside the restaurant was very good. Lots of flat screen tvs and places to sit. It's a great sit down spot as well. ( Which was not the case at the Gates BBQ I tried on 32nd and Main ) I got a pulled pork and turkey sandwhich. Smoked really well and had alot of flavor. 2 Great BBQ sauces too. The Scary night sauce was a bit hotter but I thought it was very unique. All things considered you could tell this place has been doing BBQ the right way for along time. I even bought 3 jars of their rub for when I cook at home. Looking back I wish I would have bought some sauce. Maybe next time. Would highly reccommend this place to anyone who enjoys BBQ.
(5)Veronica P.
Delicious BBQ that I look forward to eating every time I visit the KC area!
(5)Paul R.
Love the turkey sandwich. Sides are big enough for sharing. Definitely in the top 5 of BBQ places in KC.
(5)Chris D.
Oklahoma Joes is certainly a great place to go, however the one on Strang Line is not as good as the original one in the gas station off of Mission Rd. Their fries are absolutely amazing, however getting inside the door can be frightful. With lines that wrap around the building, make sure that you get there early. Going when you are in a rush will only leave you frustrated. Take your time to enjoy this delectable food! The BBQ sauce is a fairly sweet sauce, but not too sweet like Masterpiece. They also have extremely delicious onion rings! Their BBQ is good, but I would not like Oklahoma Joes speak for all of Kansas City. There are far better restaurants for BBQ in Kansas and Missouri. For example, try Hayward's Pit Bbq & Bar off of Antioch and College. When you are in Kansas, make sure to try all of our BBQ places. Each adds their own flavor to Kansas, and each is unique. Do not let one single restaurant speak for all of Kansas' BBQ places. If you do not like one place, rest assured - there will be one you like somewhere in Kansas.
(4)Rich T.
BBQ Heaven!!! When your time comes and you land at the Pearly Gates St Peter will say "Y'all git in the truck we're goin up the big house for ribs!" They'll feed you ribs from Oklahoma Joes. I heard angels singing while I was eating them.
(5)Chris M.
This place is so good it gave me meat sweats. Went with a buddy of mine and we split several items: Carolina Pulled Pork Sandwich, Z-Man and the Half Slab of Rib Dinner. Carolina Pulled Pork Sandwich was very good. I love having pulled pork with slaw on top. The Z-Man was ok. The Z-Man had brisket, provolone and two onion rings on it. Wasn't as good as the pulled pork but still a good sandwich. The Half Slab was really good as well. The meat just fell off of the bone. The ribs could use some more seasoning but I dunked them in the barbecue sauce and it tasted awesome. I think this is the best barbecue in KC and would highly encourage anyone interested in KC bbq to head over.
(4)Cat C.
During our weekend in KC, family took us here for dinner. I was skeptical of the long line and their "no saving seats" policy because we had a party of 8 and the place was packed! But it went fast and we scored a huge table. Onto the food: The Z~Man Sandwich (Brisket, smoked provolone topped w/ two onion rings on a kaiser bun) -- YUM! Husband called this first so he got the main share of the sandwich. The Hog Heaven (Pulled pork & sliced sausage on a bun) -- I'm not a big sausage fan, but I wanted to try something different than what the husband ordered and I was pleasantly surprised with the flavor. The sandwich was a little dry, but I just added more BBQ sauce and all was good. French Fries -- YES, you must get them. They've got like a cajun spice taste to them. Creamy Cole Slaw -- Good as a flavor breaker upper in between bites of sandwiches. Smoked Chicken Gumbo -- A little on the spicy side, but super tasty. A side order was plenty for us to share with all the other food we had going on. Their food is so yummy, I wish we had one of these on our side of the country!
(4)Josh B.
TOP NOTCH. Burnt ends - just the way I like 'em. loaded with smoke flavor, tender as can be (and SHOULD BE). I'll go out on a limb and claim "Succulent". Probably the smokiest item tasted on this bbq trip (did I mention I like smoke?) Ribs - long and short cut. Very tender, richly flavored (good smoke content). Sauce or no sauce, these are at the top of the list (maybe second to Artie Bryants) Zman Sandwich: initially - wasn't too keen on this bastardization of good 'cue, BUT....... the guys convinced me to try it and.... not bad, in fact, pretty darn good. thin sliced brisket (you aren't in texas - thats fo 'sho), smoked provolone and that killer onion ring (what do they put in those things????) make a tasty sangwich. course I'd never use up the stomach capacity on something like that, especially when there are burnt ends and ribs to eat. BUT - EN and ET claim its a winner. who am I to say its not? beans: not sure what the big deal is with KC beans, seems like every place makes 'em extra sweet. I prefer less sweetness and maybe a little tang or spice - but thats me. If it ain't broke - don't fix it. Bottom line: If you are visiting KC - Okky Joe's is a must try.
(4)Jannae R.
It took me a couple of tries to convince my husband to eat here after I told him the original was out of a gas station. Subsequently, several times while he's been driving us around time, we've "miraculously" ended up in the Oklahoma Joe's parking lot at meal time. Our favorites include the Z-Man (not 2 man) and the ribs and brisket dinner. The baked BBQ beans are delish.
(5)Stephanie S.
Not bad at all! As a native St. Louisian, I have to give props to my hometown fave, Pappy's Smokehouse. But Oklahoma Joe's comes pretty darn close to the amazingness that is Pappy's! The line was SUPER long, which is a little annoying (I want my food NOOOOOWWWW!), but I also see it as a good sign, so whatever. The line moved quickly enough, and soon, we were at the front and ready to order. I'm a huge fan of pulled pork, so of course I went with their regular sized sandwich. The fries looked AMAZING, so I tacked that on to my order. The food was super cheap! For two people, the total was less than 20 bucks. I don't know what else to say! I would definitely recommend it. Is it the best BBQ in Kansas City? I don't know yet...I still have more places to visit!
(4)Steve T.
Visiting from CA, this is my 2nd time at OK Joes. Good prices, good portions, pretty damn good BBQ. Definitely stop here if you are in the area. I'd say the food here is on par with CA chains like Luceiilles BBQ, and Woodranch.
(4)Ryan Z.
Many debates as to the best BBQ in KC. Clear winner is OJs. Line constantly out the door but it's worth it for the Zman- a brisket sandwich with provolone and onion rings.If I ever was forced to make love to a sandwich, the Zman would be my first choice. Love it
(5)Jorge Z.
What I can I say that hasn't already been said? Nothing really. The thing about this place that makes it IMO the best BBQ place in KC is its consistency. I've ate here countless times and I've never been disappointed.
(5)Mackey J.
i was only here once so i had to try everything i could. i had the pulled pork sando, chicken and ribs dinner, baked beans, bbq beans, and chili. I would highly recommend the ribs bbq beans and pulled pork sando. The chicken was good, but a bit dry. i'd also skip the chili and get double bbq beans.
(5)Angelica H.
Who knew you could have the best food ever in a gas station??? I ate not only my Z-man but some of the hubbies sandwich that had sausage that was AMAZING and the kids pulled pork and brisket sammy's.... SO TASTY! The fries were also excellent, especially when drowned in some of their sauces. You must try this BBQ joint!!!
(5)Alicia R.
Hmm. This one is hard, actually. My first time here was great, this past trip, not so much. My first time I had the brisket and ribs, and they were pretty darn good. I think I got potato salad as a side, and it was alright. The second trip: I ordered the Z-Man sandwich and coleslaw. The brisket on the sandwich was great, so no complaints with the actual meat. Sauce is great, too. Kinda wish they had a sweet option, but the regular is grand enough. The provolone didn't really add much, and I have to say I am not a fan of the onion rings. The ones on my sandwich mostly just added crunch, and I had a couple of my friend's, and they also seemed to lack flavor and were a bit too crunchy (I think I prefer crispy over crunchy? These are so crunchy they edge on being hard.) The brioche roll....I know brioche is supposed to be buttery and such, but sometimes it's almost too buttery, and this was one of those times. Was it a bad sandwich? No, but it wasn't awesome. I also got to snag a friend's rib (my friends are pretty cool, huh?), and it was so tender...sandwich, you were okay, but next time I'm going meat-only. That's, of course, where OK Joe's shines. As for the coleslaw...bleh. I didn't like coleslaw as a kid, but these days, I almost always finish it. I only ate half of my cup. It was a decent-sized serving, and texture was fine, but the dressing wasn't sweet enough, it was mostly just creamy and thus bland. I'm also sad that OK Joe's only has a few sides...beans, coleslaw, rice and beans, potato salad, and fries. I will have to try some of the others, as the coleslaw did not win my heart.
(4)Jason H.
Best BBQ in KC hands down. Never had a bad meal here.
(5)Justin L.
Best BBQ in Kansas City. There, I said it. Pork ribs are utterly delightful anyway, but this place really knows how to do them. Fries... don't even get me started. Also the best in KC. The only thing that would make this place more perfect would be to have one out by the new Sporting Kansas City Stadium! All in all, it's not only a good introduction to KC BBQ but also really the only one you need to hit if you're just visiting.
(5)Rich Y.
This IS the best BBQ you will find in KC. I'm confident that I can say that because it's true. Most get the Z-man but I swear by the Carolina style pulled pork sandwich. Served with slaw on top of the juiciest pulled pork this side the the Mississippi River. The baked beans have a great kick and the fries are some of the best I've ever had. None of that screaming at the customer that some local chains market. The food does the screaming for them. You will not be disappointed. They have two locations. A larger restaurant at 119th and Strang-Line that can handle groups or the original in the gas station on the corner of 47th and Mission Road. You'll get the same quality at either place but I prefer the original for the ambiance alone.
(5)Jeremy P.
Very good BBQ. Loved the brisket an pulled pork. KC style sauce was great (not too sweet). Ribs were good. Not fatty.
(4)Eric N.
This was the final stop on our BBQ tour of KC. We went to the Olathe location, and when we arrived at 130pm, the line was out the door. It was a spacious dining room, and a very efficient staff behind the counter. We ordered enough for 3, and here are the results of our lunch: The Z-man sandwich - Brisket, provolone, and two onion rings, slathered in BBQ sauce. Awesome because of the multitiude of flavors and textures. Short end 1/2 rack of ribs - Very smokey, tender, and tons of flavor. Had a small amount of sauce, but it was just right. Very close in quality to Bryant's. Burnt Ends - Extremely tender and very tasty. Quite smokey, and served without much sauce Pulled pork - Billed as the house speciality. For KC, it was the best in town. A very good sandwich, with a good amount of flavor. Not super smokey Overall, this just about ties Bryant's as my favorite BBQ spot. It was definitely in my top 5 nation wide, and was a great way to end our BBQ tour of KC.
(5)Melanie N.
While RJ's is my favorite BBQ spot, Oklahoma Joe's comes in a close second. The food is good, reasonably priced, and comes in pretty large portions. Among other things, their fries are SO addicting, and can definitely be shared. Oklahoma Joe's has been listed by Anthony Bourdain as one of the top 13 places to eat at before you die. The place gets crowded, but the line moves pretty fast.
(4)Johnny B.
Oklahoma Joe's is the real deal. My only complaint is I could take or leave the ribs - didn't do much for me. Not a ton of flavor in the rub, had to dunk them in sauce (which was outstanding). The Z-Man brisket and the pulled pork sandwiches were both delicious, smoky and moist. Both stood up on their own well or with some sauce added. The Night of the Living Dead sauce is delicious and very unique. The fries were covered in some awesome seasoning salt. Would definitely wait in line again for another Z-Man with beans and fries.
(4)Paul W.
Very greasy, out of the three orders two were very over cooked, badly burnt. Will not be going here when zardas is so close. Those that rave about joes have not eaten good bbq.
(1)Jason G.
Best BBQ in KC? Quite possibly. If the overwhelming number of 4-5 star Yelp reviews doesn't convince you, drive by this particular location (or their KCK location) during peak business hours (people don't wait in 100 ft+ long lines for "mediocre" BBQ). Still not convinced? Check out the countless awards/accolades on the wall. Still not convinced? Well, you must have some validation issues. My weapon of choice here is the beef brisket sandwich. Tender texture, smoked to perfection, doused in divine sweet & spicy BBQ sauce. If you prefer a spicier BBQ sauce, the Night of the Living Dead is where it's at. I haven't experienced their sides, but the fries are delightful (albeit a tad overseasoned). I've committed myself to trying the Z-Man sandwich on my next visit.
(5)Danny B.
My favorite of the KC BBQ joints... superior to Arthur Bryants, can go toe-to-toe with Gates. The Carolina sandwich and brisket are must haves. Grab some of their Cow Town sauces and rub to take home with you... you'll thank me later.
(5)KungFu T.
All I have to say is, get the Z-MAN! Anywhere from the saunce and the meat of this place is the best BBQ I've ever eaten.
(5)Lawrence P.
The Pulled Pork is good - moist & you can taste the smoke flavor. Everyone raves above the Z-man - but I think that it is just "OK."
(4)Frank L.
Not as good as the original. Best sauce around.
(3)Rolland M.
This is the hands down best lunch BBQ spot in all of KC and the BBQ in KC is the best in the World!! The meats are all outstanding. You cannot pick a bad sandwich and should really visit more than once and try them all.
(5)Jim W.
Absolutely the BEST! Check out the foodies and critics who also give this BBQ rave reviews. EVERYTHING on the menu is great! While you are there (the Olathe location) check out the Kansas City BBQ Store in the same strip mall--amazing selection of rubs, sauces, equipment and great service.
(5)Turf B.
Had the pork sandwich, and shared beans, creamy slaw, rings and fries with others. Everything was killer. Does this place need another 5-star review? Maybe not, but they've earned it. It's huge and the place was packed, even at 2:00 pm. Be sure to check out the adjacent BBQ shop - damn near every sauce and rub you can imagine for sale.
(5)Brent G.
Great BBQ - some of the best in the area!
(5)Chet F.
The best BBQ, PERIOD!!!! As we all know Kansas City has the best bbq in the nation. Yah, some might disagree, but it's true and that's why the bbq championship is held there during American Royal every year. Well OK Joe's is the best in Kansas City. Every item on the menu will make you weak in the knees. The ribs, brisket, pork, and even chicken is bbq'd to perfection. To boot, I never liked baked beans or potato salad until I tried it here. The best beans you will ever eat! The french fries and onion rings come in sacks the size of grocery bags. More than enough for the entire table in 1 order. Bbq is a big thing in the midwest, and they do it up right. The Night of the Living bbq sauce is so good that they sell it by the gallon, yep I said gallon. I have the sauce shipped out to Seattle because nothing else compares to the flavor and heat it nurtures you with. MMmmmmm! There is a reason Anthony Bourdain put this on his top 13 places to eat. Don't ever miss the chance to eat at OK Joe's if you are in the Kansas City area. Yes, there are plenty of other great bbq joints in KC, but this will have you talking about bbq for the rest of your life.
(5)Tony M.
I've had Bryant's, I've had Jack Stack's, Oklahoma Joe's is the best by far. The ribs were extra tender and juicy, the sides were plentiful and tasty, the chicken is to die for. Being on the west coast and visiting friends in O.P. is always a treasure and now is the only destination for food when I am there. The place is always packed, the line out the door is there for a reason, because it's that good.
(5)Darin C.
This place has the best beef brisket sandwiches in K.C. They also have really good french fries. I always get the same thing when eating here so really cannot comment on anything else. Looks like I might have to try something else someday judging by the reviews.
(5)Rodeo G.
Straight up ridiculous.. Line moves fast, and wednesdays/sundays are burnt ends I believe. Have not had a bad dish yet. Supposably, there seems to be a debate about the best BBQ in KC.. NOPE, here is the winner.. Bryant's brisket is great, Gate's Ham is bauwass, Jack Stack's sides are just silly, Woodlawn BBQ chili is dank, and wood selection for smoking is premier, Bubba's green beans are top notch, and RJ's breakfast and sliced sausage sando is PRIMO.
(5)Jason W.
The meat is good but as a former KC native, there are many places which have good BBQ from a flavor standpoint. What is concerning is the price for the amount of food you get. I paid 7 bucks for a sandwich which barely had enough meat to cover the bun and was only about a quarter of an inch thick. There are too many other great BBQ places in KC to go to which give you awesome portion sizes for the same money or even less, to bother with this.
(2)Estebam F.
Ribs we're great but a little salty. The brisket was to die for.
(5)Stephanie P.
This is the best BBQ in KC. Everyone else with the great comments, I AGREE. Nuff said. Try it and you'll be hooked.
(5)Andrew J.
So....um.....question? How in the hell did I live in Kansas City for this long and fail to visit OK Joe's till now?? In a word, PHENOMENAL. It would seem that I have a new place to add to my short list of best barbecue in Kansas City (and therefore, best in the world). Since we were short on time, my wife and I decided to visit the location near our house, on 119th and Blackbob, and not the famed Gas Station locale. The place was slightly touristy, albeit in a charming sort of way. The restaurant is connected to a BBQ supply shop, and a selection of smokers for sale sit prominently in the entryway. We waited in line for about 15-20 minutes before finally sidling up to the counter and ordering our food. Here's the breakdown: CAROLINA PULLED PORK SANDWICH: Delicious, tender, slathered in coleslaw, on a nice sesame seed bun. Loved it. RIBS: Oh, man. UH-MAZING. Fall-off-the-bone deliciousness, covered in a beautifully spicy rub. You could eat it without sauce, though I heaped mine with some of the sweet-smoky-spicy-molassassy goodness that they offer here. These are among the best ribs I've had. Period. BRISKET: Perfectly cooked. Lots of great smoky flavor, but still moist and juicy. Cut super-thin and melt-in-your-mouth delectable. I'm getting hungry just thinking about 'em... POTATO SALAD: Very tasty, with a generous addition of dill that gives it a slightly unique flavor. BBQ BEANS: Very, very good, though something of an outlier among typical Kansas City offerings. The best way to explain them would be as a mashup between traditionall BBQ beans and chili. The flavor profile and texture is somewhere in between. But yes, very tasty. FRENCH FRIES: Perfection. Don't know if they're fresh-cut or not, but they're hot, delicious, and a perfect salty foil for the sweet/spicy BBQ that OK Joe's serves up. All in all, a splendiferous experience, and a great value. My wife and I got all of this and two drinks for only $28. Oh, yes. It's true. As soon as the bloat subsides, I can't wait to go back!!
(5)Mark G.
One of the best bbq restaurants I've ever been to. It's rare to find a place that does both meats and sides well. This place pulled it off quite nicely. I had a beef and pork sandwich and beans. Will definitely return to this place if I'm ever in the KC area again. Lunch crowd was huge. Try to get here by 11:30 if you don't like waiting in line.
(5)Holly H.
Best BBQ I've ever had! I love this place. Growing up in Kansas I always loved BBQ, but wasn't really a fan of the BBQ sauces, just the style of food. It wasn't until I found Oklahoma Joes that I found a BBQ sauce that I love to eat! I use the regular sauce and add in some of the hot sauce to spice things up on anything that I order there! So yummy! I completely miss this place now that I've move to Florida. You can't find any good BBQ here! I stopped by Oklahoma Joes whenever I go back to Kansas to visit family!
(5)Keith T.
Great place today a variety of BBQ meats. Make sure you come with a group & order different meals to sample the difference.
(5)Bill M.
Wife loved her Z-man. I loved the fries. The line you stand in to order took about 25 minutes. It was actually out the door. But 2 minutes later you're walking to a table with your order.
(4)Dolphyn N.
Z-Man... yum!!!
(5)David C.
Oklahoma Joe's is terrible. Jack Stack BBQ is so much better. I booked them for my wedding and they agreed, signed the contract, gave them a deposit, etc. Two months later they emailed me and said they were canceling because they "couldn't make anymore food." So stupid! We only booked them because they were cheap, however we are glad that this happened because now we can book Jack Stack BBQ which is so much better. Arthur Bryants, Gates and Jack Stack are far better than OK Joe's. People only like it because it started in a gas station which makes it "cool" when in reality it's just normal BBQ, not good not bad. It's also franchising out and becoming the McDonald's of KC BBQ. Save yourself some time and money and eat at Jack Stack where it's a way better environment and all around better food. DO NOT EAT HERE!
(1)Destiny S.
I am usually not into BBQ but this place was awesome. Went there for my Moms birthday and everyone in my family enjoyed their meal (even my 1 year old nephew). The portions were massive and the fries were top notch. Will defiantly visit again
(4)Joyce L.
Now this is awesome bbq, better than Jack Stack's I'd argue. Ribs perfect fall off the bone. Sauce--spicy, yum! Pulled pork sandwich, to die for. Sides--oh so good. And all these good things to say even though this was our second dinner of the evening! Imagine if we'd have eaten this on an empty stomach? Do it up!
(5)J O.
Counter service was fast and priced fairly.Very good value for the quality of food you get. Ribs were very large, brisket was thin and flavorful. Coleslaw is good. The dinning room was clean and not overly loud for the amount of people there. Two thumbs up!
(5)Stephen R.
This place is just a breath away from 5 stars in my book. Really excellent BBQ. There's not much to elaborate on with the food. It's just brilliant. These are ribs the way ribs should be. Tender, and falling off the bone. The sauce is as close to perfection as you could hope for. Why no fifth star then? The whole join stinks of suburban strip mall... and that's because it's in a suburban strip mall. But the real issue is that it dresses itself up too much like a Chilis or Applebee's when it simply doesn't need to. The other annoying part is the line. I'd just rather not stand in line for $16-20 worth of food. It does move fairly well, but it seems out of place for what should be a real restaurant. But don't worry about all that. If you're anywhere near this Olathe and you like BBQ: EAT HERE!
(4)Wendy Y.
This place Rocks! If you go to KC you have to come here. Best BBQ I've had!
(5)Randy B.
Spent a week in Kansas City, and asked around - this was the locals favorite and I can see why. Great food - once you park in the parking lot, you can smell the bbq... Hope I can return soon and enjoy the best bbq in the city.
(5)Ken N.
This place is amazing! I was lucky enough to get introduced to this place by my cousins when we came into town. After eating at various BBQ places and getting disappointed our cousin told us about this diamond in the rough. Once we arrived to the original spot (the gas station location) we know it had to be good. The was out the door and people were all willing to wait just to get some BBQ. This was obviously a good sign. After waiting and deciding what to eat, one thing caught my eye and that was the Z MAN! OMG this is totally amazing, what is better than stacks of amazing meat and to top that off an onion ring?! After eating that there, every time we go to Kansas this is the spot we look forward to going. The last time we visited one of their newer locations and were able to get the chili and had it loaded. This is definitely to die for! The pork rind, onion, jalapenos, and cheese really makes the chili a winner. My mouth is drooling as I'm writing a review. If you go here, those are two that items I would definately recommend.
(5)Josh S.
Attention Z-Man Lovers: Try to Carolina Pulled Pork Sandwich with spicy slaw and a side of half original/half spicy sauce. Yes, the slaw goes on the sandwich! Ok, maybe the gas station is a better atmosphere for some bbq - but I really could care less when I want my bbq fix. I could go on and on with all the menu items I've tried here - but we all know what to order: The Z-Man or the Carolina Pulled Pork
(5)Greg H.
My sister insisted on dragging us here.......I've been disappointed with the food here in the past and today was no exception. Brisket was tender but not smoky and almost no smoke ring. Fries are not fresh cut and are way too salty. The beans tasted more like chili. And the "spicy" cole slaw was anything but. I don't understand all the hype for this place. Overrated.
(2)Jeff R.
Best BBQ in KC. Period. I eat here quite a bit, and also at the location in KCK, which is in a gas station! If you haven't eaten at the original location, you should - just to experience the ambiance. The Hog Heaven sandwich and fries is....heaven! My favorite, and what I usually get. I also ordered their BBQ for my Superbowl party last year - ribs, brisket, pulled pork and sausage - all delish!
(5)Timmy J.
I love this place! This place is so good you better get there early.
(5)Chris D.
I told myself I wasn't going to bother ever writing a review for this place because everyone already knows how good it is; but I felt compelled. Stopped in today for probably the 100th time. I have rarely strayed from what I believe to be one of the best sandwiches I have ever had; the Carolina style pulled pork sandwich.....awesome. But today I felt like ribs. Somehow I have just never had the ribs here. Wow....damn good ribs. Nothing new to say, just damn good ribs.
(5)Nicole B.
Best.BBQ.Ever!!! There aren't words to describe it. I always get the Z-Man and Onion Rings. Just order it and you won't be disappointed. The End.
(5)Annie B.
I was recently in town for a business trip for my new job. I was only around for 1 night so when the crew in the office and the big boss man asked me where I wanted to eat, I asked for something local that I couldn't get in Colorado. They all unanimously picked Oklahoma Joe's. From what I had heard from others, my hours spent staring at Food Network on TV and from the locals I spent time with in Kansas, the folks in Kansas know their BBQ! After my experience, I have to agree! You walk in to this place and wait in line (which is not something I usually enjoy). The line was out the freakin' door! At least the group I was with was a lot of fun so it didn't seem like a long wait. I also noticed that there was a framed newspaper article by the door featuring Anthony Bourdain and how he ate at Oklahoma Joe's and enjoyed it. I knew I was in for a treat after seeing that article! It's an order at the counter type place, walk down to the end of the counter, pick up your beer and your tray and find a table. I had a smoked chicken sandwich that was dripping with BBQ sauce and mayonnaise. They also stacked a little pile of thick cut dill pickles on the plate, bonus! I had a side of spicy slaw which was decent and one of the people I was with got a couple racks of pork ribs, fries and onion rings to share with everyone. It was quite a smorgasbord! The food was fantastic! I had never had a smoked chicken sandwich like that before! The ribs were so tender that they were falling right off the bone. I'm not a huge meat eater (or at least not meat in such huge portions and without some healthy veggies to balance it out) but this was one awesome exception! There was a full roll of paper towels at the table plus a couple of BBQ sauce flavors to choose from. A nice addition to the meal! The down side was the beer. I had been hearing about a local brewery called Boulevard and how great their wheat beer is. I got a Boulevard wheat (which was on tap) with my meal. It was just OK. Sorry Kansas, but I'm a Colorado girl and we not only have more micro-brews than I can list, but just about any one of them could kick Boulevard's ass! I will hand it to Kansas for their BBQ, but next time I come out, I'll have to bring some Colorado beer with me to add to the feast! Overall, Oklahoma Joe's was fantastic! Those of you that are local have a real treat in your neighborhood!
(4)Chris T.
I normally go to the KCKS location off of Mission but was meeting coworkers at this location. The food is top notch and there's a BBQ store next door. OK Joe's is by far the best BBQ in KC. Go with the Z-Man!
(5)Noel J.
4 AM The sun is just beginning to peak over the treetops, as I cower in the fetal position in my Seattle condo. I crave the sauce! Even here, two thousand miles away from Kansas City, I can, at any given time, point directly towards Oklahoma Joe's. It's like some pulled pork voodoo magnetism is inexorably calling me back. A craving that can only be satisfied by that sweet/spicy concoction slathered over a Z-man. Yes, you can import the sauce online. And rumors of me studiously donned in a lab coat, trying in my kitchen to reverse engineer the stuff are only marginally fictionalized. It's true - my favorite restaurant IS in a gas station!
(5)Melanie T.
"Smoky" flavor with a hint of butane best describes the food here. I really wanted to love this place as much as everyone else seems to, but I'm just not sure I can. I get that KC BBQ is suppose to be smoky, and this certainly was, but my mom kept saying she tasted butane and I have to agree. I had the smoked chicken dinner with a side of slaw. For anyone who's familiar with the standard that Babe's Chicken in Dallas has set, let me tell you, Oklahoma Joe's missed the mark. The first bite I had I thought "Wow! This is pretty good!" It was tender and smoky and delicious, but by the time I swallowed, I had a funny chemical aftertaste. And the slaw was soooo bland that I kept taking bites to try to detect some flavor. It tasted like bagged cabbage with whipping cream poured over it. No salt, sugar, vinegar... Nothing! I didn't try the spicy slaw because the lady behind the counter said it was the same but with cayenne pepper sauce mixed in and I'm not sure that sounds much better. Mom ordered the ribs and brisket combo with the baked beans, which I happily helped myself to. The ribs were pretty good. They weren't as meaty as some I've had, but they were prepared well and not dried out. They also had the strange smoky flavor. The brisket was fairly tender, a bit on the dry side and not smoky. It was okay, but if you want excellent brisket that is so tender and juicy it melts in your mouth, go to the original Arthur Bryant's on 17th & Brooklyn. OMG! Oklahoma Joe's serves good baked beans, but again not the best I've had. The dish is a potpourri of mixed beans, leftover meat pieces and hot dogs that is fairly saucy and not too sweet. I will try Oklahoma Joe's once more and order the Z-man, a brisket sandwich with onion rings and provolone and a side of potato salad or fries. But not before I go back to Bryant's!
(3)Matt J.
This place is the only place in KC I will get BBQ. This place blows Arthur Bryant's out of the water. I normally get the brisket/pulled pork combo. Under $10 and just the right amount of food. Don't be discouraged if the line is really long, it goes pretty quick. The line here is backed up up to the door a lot... It's not because they have been featured on different shows or because famous people have eaten here... It's because they have great food. Also check out the BBQ store next door.. They have great supplies and spices. The only place I've seen you can buy wood chips in bulk. (Chips, chunks, pellets and logs.)
(4)Dee W.
OK, any place that has a line out the door is worth the wait! I was not disappointed and the ribs were very good. The menu offers a verity of dinner, meats and sides. In fact, let's talk sides. I'm from New Orleans and when I say that their smoke chicken gumbo is to die for, I meant it. It's a meal by itself. You owe it to yourself to go twice. Once for the staple items, like ribs and pull pork. However, your second trip has to be for that smoke chicken gumbo. WOW!!!
(5)Jeff Z.
Very very good BBQ. A great place to take out-of-towners for KC BBQ. Also a great place for takeout. You gotta have the Z-Man sandwich.
(5)Justin P.
Round Two and I wanted ribs, so we hit Oklahoma Joe's to satisfy this craving, for more beans, fries and whatever else I could stuff in my gullet. This place was awesome, but since we didn't want to wait in line we didn't go to the original in the gas station so this one felt a little touristy/strip mall-ish. Truth is Oklahoma Joe's boasts a ton of trophies for BBQ battles, everyone was friendly and they even let me take a picture of/with the smokers, but Max indicated that if they changed the name to Kansas Joe's they may have more converts and even more local support HA! (I am still trying to understand this strange smokey BBQ'd city...even the name of the street it was on was Strang Line Rd). The ribs were scrumptious, tender meat that literally slipped of the bones if you held it vertically, and a pungent, yet not overpowering smokiness that I truly enjoyed. The beans were good, but nowhere near Gate's or Zarda's apparently, but the crisp, golden skin-on fries were a godsend (is that a bit much?). I preferred their sauce here, mostly because they give you bottles to douse at your leisure, like hot sauce at a taco shop, but more so I felt the flavor had a touch more sweetness. And herewith is the endless argument that divides this city, which is divided by a river. Sweet, smoky, spicy...umami, whatever you like you will find it in KC. And I only hope I get to go back for an extended stay to compare them all. Right now I am crying in my San Diego BBQ, which offers only feeble attempts at imitation. How humiliating. I dig KC; any place that feels this passionately about food, will hold a place in my heart...or stomach. People were genuine, and it's all gravy, except for the freeway system which is 1000x worse than any in California. Ending up on Troost and Grand at midnight was a real treat though! Gang signs and BBQ sauce make fickle bedmates.
(4)Bob H.
Love this place. Very casual BBQ place that was right across from my hotel. The food was really good. I had the tri-tip sandwich.
(4)Magan T.
I don't feel the need to say much after reading the other 5-star reviews except that this is the 1st place I have ever craved BBQ from. I love the Pulled Pork sandwich with the spicy sauce and fries. I get the Kid's meal since they give you a huge portion of fries when you order them as a side separately. Those are for sharing! =) I miss you Okie Joe's! I have also ordered pounds of Turkey, Ham, and Pork as take-out for large family dinners and it is always a BIG HIT!
(5)John R.
Had been to the "gas station" location a few times. The Olathe location is bigger and just as yummy. My favorite BBQ in KC!
(5)Barry B.
Okie Joe's as it's known is a place that seems fun and has decent BBQ - IF and I mean IF you're NOT from Kansas City and you don't know any better. Good sauce which is imperative to start - however the meat was only mediocre and the fries are gimmicky. The ribs were not flavorful.. The best thing I had was the sliced meat sandwich, but the pickles are louzy. The okie sandwich was slathered in sauce and NOT good. Thank God they have strawberry soda. OK okie in a pinch but Gate's forever is all I have to say.
(3)Uomograsso U.
My wife and I went to Oklahoma Joe's for lunch on a Saturday. We got there a little after 11 am when they open. The place was already about 1/3 full and by the time we got out food and sat down the line was out the door. We got the rib +1 meat dinners. She got the brisket and I got the pulled pork. It comes with 1 side and we both got the fries. Their side of fries is enormous, more than enough for two to share. My suggestion is if you are going with someone, one order the fries and the other order a different side and share. The food was excellent. Every time I have gone to Oklahoma Joe's or gotten take out it has been fantastic. The brisket is tender with a nice smoky flavor as is the pulled pork. The ribs are meaty with a nice flavor as well. I have tried all the "name" BBQ places in KC and Oklahoma Joe's is the best in my opinion.
(5)Phuc N.
This place cam highly recommended as THE local's favorite BBQ joint. There is definitely now messing around here as it's BBQ as it's finest. Since it was the first time for a few of us, we went for the smorgaborg: full slab, pull pork sandwich, beef brisket, sausage, fresh cut fries, baked beens, onion rings, and gumbo (or was it jumbalaya). The ribs are the main event here, tender-fall-of-the-bone type with an excellent rub to top it off. Utensils are definitely optional here and this has made me a huge fan of spare ribs. Everything else was also very good but are still only an accompaniment to these ribs. BBQ Sauce: "Night of the living..." is probably the best sauce I've ever had. It has a perfect blend of spiciness and sweetness that creates a level depth that makes it very satisfying. We buy cases of this stuff and is out number choice for all things BBQ. If you're in the area, you MUST come check this place out.
(5)Tai D.
Wow. I make it a point to have lunch here every time I come to Olathe to visit our John Deere clients. Some of the best KC style BBQ ribs I have ever had. I'm sure there are better but coming from California and having being raised on dry rubbed Santa Maria Tri-tip, this sauce based hunk of burning love is absolutely outstanding. Clean digs. Efficient (but very busy) service. Wonderful food.
(5)Sam B.
Brisket was pretty good. Is that all the meat I get!?!?!
(3)Sarah F.
My husband and I's favorite barbecue place in KC.
(5)B Q.
Great BBQ. Place was very clean the vibe was great... line out the door! It really was top notch BBQ. I had ribs and brisket...ribs were very good. Sides were ok
(5)Ryan W.
Best BBQ I've had in KC so far. Get anything with the pulled pork and you won't regret it. The brisket is also very delicious. Don't be afraid if the line extends out the door when you arrive; it moves surprisingly quickly. And it's totally worth the wait.
(5)Kev L.
Take it from a Louisiana Transplant. If you ask who has the best BBQ in Kansas City, you are bound to receive a wide variety of responses. However I can personally say that after living here for five years, I can personally put my seal of approval behind Oklahoma Joe's BBQ for best in KC (If not the whole country). And my fetish for this place is far and beyond the myriad of BBQ competitions the place has won. (Or the fact that Anthony Bourdain ate there and absolutely adored it) Pulled pork is the specialty here. A Jumbo Pork sandwich here is one of life's pleasures. Instantly my favorite pork sandwich of any-kind, anywhere. Period. The sausage here is also the best in town. Flavorful and extremely tasty, I have caught myself ordering it a-la-carte to go as it is one of those things you can crave for at any moment. and the ribs? Let's just say that I never ever cared for ribs till I had them here. They are super! Brisket here is above average, however I would not say it's the best in town (I would say Gates or Jack Stack is better, and of course portion sizes at Gates are pathetic) Brisket is sweet with medium smoke tones. As far as side items, the fries here are seasoned and some of the best around. However at times, depending on who's running the show in the back, the fries can come out a bit salty. They are however fried to perfect texture and are crispy. The Chicken Gumbo that's on the menu is definitely not authentic Cajun by any means, but it is stupid delicious. Very few restaurants outside of Louisiana can make okra in a dish without turning it into a slimy mess. Baked beans and potato salad are also above average but nothing to go crazy about. My only drawback to this place is the (almost un-ethical) long lines at both locations. It's sheer torture to wait in line for this stuff, especially if you are hungry. However, the wait is ALWAYS worth it in the end. this place does NOT disappoint and there is no such thing as an "off-day" with the pro's smoking in the back., Oh, and the sauce . . . . . . I mean . . . . . . it's not even fair. There's a regular and a spicy version. And both are absolutely to die for. I actually brought a bottle of cowtown BBQ sauce with me to Bryant's once (I do not care for the vinegar stuff). To this day, I don't know how I made it out of there alive. People, this sauce is serious and it will bring the pain to any other sauce out there. In short, if you are looking for the best pork you have ever had in your life, this is it. It simply does not get better than this. It is a must-visit for out of town visitors, family and friends!
(5)Lori T.
My favorite BBQ in KC. I love that we have the Strang Line location but before it was here, we drove to the gas station location. Best advice I have is to call in your order in advance and pick it up. There is always a line when I go there. My personal choice is the Carolina pulled pork with slaw. I cannot resist their fries but luckily the orders are so huge I just steal a couple from husband or sons (when they are not looking). Don't forget them for tailgates and catering. Huge trays of meat and it will go very fast!
(5)Kore P.
Ohh yeah... the meat just fell off the rib bone and had a nice smoked flavor. Would not mind a hotter BBQ sauce to go with it as I like things really spicy. If you are traveling through the area on 35 this is definitely worth the short drive for great food.
(5)Dawn D.
OMG! I am not a BBQ fan but went along as we had visitors from out of town that really wanted some KC BBQ. I had the Z-man sandwich and am now a total convert! Loved it! Can't wait to go back!
(5)Rhett T.
If you are in KC and really like BBQ, Oklahoma Joes should be on your short list. Great Midwest BBQ. Besides, they have a BBQ specialty store with every tool and rub known to man.
(5)Fernando R.
One of my favorite BBQ eateries in KC. The Z-man is my favorite. Great place and nice atmosphere. Just expect long lines during lunch and dinner, but it's not too bad.
(5)Holly Y.
BEST and I do mean - THE BEST pulled pork EVER! Love their ribs too! Baked beans & cole slaw - NOT worth it! Fries - BEST EVER! Love their sauce too! Lines are always out the door they are so good!
(5)D G.
Count me in for 5 stars here. Best fries I've ever had. The ZMan is the option to go with. Those that know it stop getting everything else. Is it pricey for BBQ, sure but considering you don't need a tip and there is a ton of staff to pay for great service and getting your food fast to your mouth.
(5)Bret s.
I have to say that I have had some good BBQ and will say that this is probably in the top 3 the only reason 4 stars is because of a pretty bad beer selection which is essential to the experience in my opinion. I would say the line was really long and we waited a good 20 min to put in our order which only took maybe two minutes to get served. You cannot blame a place well known for a long line and in this instance we were happy to wait in fact I like to see a place doing enough business to keep a healthy line as long as it is not a lazy thing making it happen. Now I got the ribs and pulled pork and man so good loved them both and the portions were massive plenty for two people or one healthy-ish Midwesterner. Even with the long line seating was not a problem for us and I was carrying a car seat which makes us kind of picky on seating (so no one walks by and drops hot food and the such). I would like to check out original location one of these days but in the meantime for killer BBQ check it out for sure it is easy to get to right off of 35 and worth the wait.
(4)David M.
In my opinion this is the Gold standard of BBQ! I compare all other BBQ places to this. I love the jumbo brisket. It is juicy and good. I alway ask for it on unbuttered Texas toast. The fries are out of this world, the put (I think) garlic cayenne and sugar on them, not quite sure but whatever it is it's so good I ask for extra fries sprinkles on the side. This is the best brisket. I have ever had. Love the brisket, the sauce is sweet with a bite. My coworkers enjoy their Night of the Living dead sauce. They get The Z man sandwich with brisket onion rings and cheese. I like the brisket by itself. Unadultered, pure bliss! I hate the beans. If I could have jack Stack beans and ok Joe's brisket I would be happy! Reasonably priced and fast! One of my favorite place to eat!
(5)Justin M.
This is my favorite BBQ place. I always say I'm going to try something new on the menu, but always order the Z-man and fries. I've had enough Z-men to say without a doubt that Okie Joe's is the most consistent BBQ place I've ever eaten. I've never had brisket that it too fatty or too dry like many other famous KC joints. There are tons of other BBQ places near our house, that I would love to try, but I can't justify going to any of those places when its just a short drive to the best. Just make sure you bring a friend to share your giant order of fries.
(5)Jeremy F.
I ate here about 3 times when I was in KC for 2 weeks. Now that i'm back in OKC, I can't wait until I go back. Ribs were excellent and the pulled port was awesome. But get the chicken Gumbo...I know Chicken gumbo at a bbq restaurant, but you will thank me later!
(5)BEN K.
Long lines, great bbq. It took about 25-30 minutes in line, but once you order, the food comes up in less than 3 minutes. This was my second time at OKJ and I had the ribs. Very good. Not the best ribs I've ever had, but still good and worth the wait.
(4)Jon S.
Usually, when I go to highly rated barbecue places, I find myself wondering if maybe I just don't like barbecue that much. This place convinced me I was wrong. I really do like barbecue. It's just that none of the other places live up to the hype.
(5)John S.
The best bbq ever! I have tried a lot of places and still think oklahoma joes is the best! Id like to try more things from their menu, but i cant get away from the ribs and brisket! Yummy!
(5)Chris W.
When you go to Kansas you cannot miss Oklahoma Joes! The ribs are flavorful, meaty, and fall off the bone. The flavor, fries, pickles, and onion rings are great. The line can be long over lunch but if you get there at off times you can get a seat. I'm so happy that I was introduced to this place.
(5)stephanie w.
SO GOOD! Love their food, the wait is worth it, definitely stop in.
(5)Janet C.
Z-man!! Surprising but amazing combination of bbq beef brisket, provolone cheese and onion rings. Get with a side of fries (which may be some of the best fries that are not duck-fat fries, especially at the Olathe location), onion rings or bbq beans. Olathe location is much better on your schedule since the lines move faster than the original gas station location. Think they have slightly better fries too. But the meat always seem slightly juicier at the gas station.
(5)Charles B.
Great BBQ spot. Enjoyed the pulled pork, Carolina style. Budget friendly and good atmosphere. Avoid the place during the noon rush if possible, but if you can't the food is worth the wait.
(4)Rose V.
OK Joe's never disappoints. I always order the carolina...pulled pork topped with spicy slaw on a bun. I love the variety of different sauces available at every table. It's always a must to order a side of their delicious fries. It's too bad I can't finish them since the sandwiches are so huge :) I lived in KC for almost 7 years and it's hands down the best BBQ. OK Joe's is perfect..and you don't have to pay an arm and a leg for amazing BBQ :)
(5)Michael R.
I have eaten at this place twice, and honestly, I don't plan on going back again. First time, I actually liked the food, except the sausage was served cold. Went there yesterday, and with three of us, the food didn't agree. They must be doing something right since there's a line going in any time of the day. Nevertheless, I won't be in that line again.
(2)Adam P.
This is the BEST BBQ in KC hands down. I have also had quite a few dinners in other 'BBQ' areas - Memphis, Tulsa/OK, Texas, etc. They do not hold a candle to Okie Joes. The sauce is the right consistency, sweetness, and heat. The meat has the best flavor and the Fries are untouchable!
(5)Jay A.
Awesome BBQ and one of the best in KC! The line normally goes out the door and around the corner on busy days and at least out the front doors on a daily basis for lunch and dinner. They have a huge variety of smoked meats and amazing side dishes. The proportions are huge, especially the fries. I always have too much and leave with a box of food. They have amazing smoked turkeys for Thanksgiving too.
(5)Dan D.
SIMPLE... You would be stupid to go elsewhere. Don't let the long line fool ya. They are as efficient as it gets. Everybody raves about their pulled pork (which is divine) But, the RIBS... Don't ruin them w/ sauce... They are perfect w/out. Only downside... Closed on Sundays...
(5)mark d.
AWESOME, too bad burnt ends are only on Wednesday.
(4)Kevin B.
I've eaten at Oklahoma Joes 2 or 3 times and I have never been all that impressed. Maybe I'm not ordering the right thing but I've had a sandwich that came with cole slaw on top and I've had the beans, which I just am not a fan of. The beans are mixed with a few different types and colors. My company has also catered from Oklahoma Joes and I've had a chance to try the brisket and the ribs; which are good, but I don't think they are better than Jack Stack. So maybe I need to go back for a 3rd or 4th time or try the original location to get a feel for the amazing bbq that everyone says they offer.
(2)Drew Y.
Oklahoma Joe's is a great BBQ stop in the KC area. Great lunch specials and the brisket is ridiculously good! Be sure to try the different BBQ sauces at your table and wash it down with a Boulevard Wheat. Great, great restaurant.
(5)Michael W.
My favorite BBQ place in KC! The sauce is what makes this the best. I highly recommend the Z-Man sandwich. It is beef brisket on a bun, with melted provolone cheese topped with two onion rings. Outstanding. You can make it a "Jumbo" (not on the menu) which adds about another 1/4 pound of brisket. The French Fries are some of the best I've ever had! Dip them in some BBQ Sauce and wow! My friend jokes the fries are laced with crack or something to make them so addictive! The fries come in a huge package and are enough to share! Expect a line for Friday/Saturday night dinner. If the line is to the door, you have about a 30-45 minute wait; however, they are as efficient as it comes. Take-out is a quick way to bypass the line and is the same great food, just don't eat it there. People wait in line to eat there, don't be a jerk. This is their new location in Olathe which has much more seating and better crowd flow than their original location in Kansas City, KS. Same great food though!
(5)Cathy W.
Oklahoma Joe's has amazing turkey - my favorite - and GREAT fries. The potato salad and cole slaw are also fantastic. What a wonderful place to go during these FREEZING days to WARM UP !!!
(5)C J.
Best KC BBQ place in this gal's opinion. The ribs are fall off the bone tender with the right amount of smoke. The Z-man always brings a smile to my face. You cannot miss with Oklahoma Joe's
(5)Yvonne C.
I'd like to say that I don't eat a lot of meat, but who the F am I kidding? I eat meat. I think I should start calling myself a meat lover. So, I was told I needed to check this place out when I came to Kansas City and they were right! Their pulled pork sandwich was amazing and the BBQ sauce was so good, J & I took some home. I will also say that the sandwich and ribs travel well. I had the stomach flu all weekend and could barely choke anything down when we went to OK Joe's so I had to basically wrap my entire sandwich up and take it home with me. It was delicious when I finally ate it two days later! I can't wait to go back for more and hopefully this time I will be healthy and in good spirits so that I can eat the pulled pork sandwich AND the ribs!
(5)Josh S.
I've been all over the US eating barbeque and one ting I can say without a doubt is: Oklahoma Joe's makes some awesome brisket. When I go to a barbecue joint I get a little bit of everything. The pulled pork was okay, good even, but the brisket on the Z-man sandwich was out of this world. They have to use a deli slicer to cut it so thin. And the onion ring was perfect - pure heaven. The beans were super awesome. I swear they had a little bit of everything in them plus a little kick. One kicker is the line. I showed up at 1120 and was eating in about 8 minutes. By the time I sat down the line was out the door and probably 20 minutes long. Hit it right and you've scored. If you love to barbecue like I do then you need to check out the attached store. It has every grill you could ever want and wood chips/chunks by the bin.
(4)Joe H.
My favorite barbeque in the city. I always opt for the pulled pork sandwich, which is delicious every time. The rub is awesome enough that I never need to put sauce on it. Fries, onion rings and beans are all quality. The beans aren't your standard BBQ bean, but that's one of the reasons I like them. This location is much nicer looking than the original on Mission Rd, but the wait is the same if not worse. I have never actually dined in either location. If you want to save yourself some hassle, pick up a copy of the menu to take home with you and just call in with your orders. You'll have to pick it up yourself, but it saves you the grief of hanging out in line. In all honesty, you can probably call in and go pick up your food faster than if you waited in line at a peak time.
(5)Jav V.
This is really good BBQ. I had brisket and it was delicious. The sauces were really good and the fries were amazing.
(5)Glen D.
Was amazing and they have won COUNTLESS bbq competitions and in Kansas thats a big deal. they also have a attached bbq supply store.
(5)Marshall H.
Average. Meat isn't as refined as jackstacks. Seems rushed. Sauce doesn't have enough character to be anything better than you could find in the BBQ sauce aisle in the grocery store.
(3)Nick K.
When you walk up to a restaurant and see a 90 person line stretching out the door, you know it is going to be good. Oklahoma Joe's is one of my favorite BBQ joints in the greater KC area offering great quality Barbeque at very reasonable prices (sandwitch dinner runs about $8, pretty cheap compared with others at about $12). I have sampled almost every well-known Barbeque restaurants in the KC KS/MO area including Bryants, Gates, Jackstack, ect, and this is right up there with the best I have had. The atmosphere may be a bit different for the non-barbeque restaurant goer (long line, no waiter service, tray style ordering), but to me, It makes me feel at home. If I had one recommendation, I would say to go out on a limb and try the Z-man, a brisket based sandwich with smoked provolone and onion ring. Normally I am a purest and prefer a heap of brisket on white bread, but there is something about this sandwich that is very unique with a mix of flavors that you normally don't get with other sandwiches, and definitely sets it apart from other restaurants renditions in a very good way. If I do have one negative about the restaurant is its popularity. Lines on weekend nights after 5:30 can stretch out the door and run you about an hour to get your food, but like I stated above, when the line is that long you are guaranteed a great meal.
(5)Lily L.
We tried Z-man, chicken, and pulled pork. There was a wait but it's well worth it.
(5)Eric T.
Hard for me to believe this place has any negative reviews, because I would have to rate this place among the best barbecue places in America....and I've eaten barbecue from North Carolina to Texas. The ribs are nearly as good as Arthur Bryant's, about a 9 out of a perfect 10, full of smokey flavor, tender and juicy. The line was out the door at 1:30 PM when we arrived...always a good sign (unless of course you are at Kreutz's in Texas, but I won't go into that here). The burnts end were also excellent if not just a notch below Bryant's and the pulled pork was the best I've had west of the Mississippi. Don't miss this place if you are in KC.
(5)Grant H.
Best pulled pork in the city by far. Outstanding Kansas City BBQ.
(5)Tom K.
the location sucks ass, but ok joe's bbq cannot be denied. it's a wonder than any of the fast food fry pits stay open with ok joe's around them. it is places like ok joe's that define the bbq tradition in kansas city. the fries are great and portions are overwhelming. can't go wrong with most anything they offer here. carolina style is particularly notable. ok joe's is the best bbq in the ks suburbs.
(4)Jamie Q.
I agree with the reviewer who said that this place is overhyped. I went into my KC trip most excited about eating at this place and ultimately the experience disappointed. I thought that Arthur Bryant's was better than this place. That being said, "Was the food bad?" No it wasn't. It just wasn't crazy out of this world good. I got both the Hog Heaven and Z-Man sandwiches. Both are good but nothing to write home about. The location is pretty cool because its inside a gas station and the service was fast (but probably because I went at 5 pm).
(3)Yehoy L.
Country Meat. Slow cooked, perfectly seasoned, ample amounts of sauce, and mighty darn tasty. You really can't go wrong w/ any forms of meat for your inner carnivore. The brisket is thinly sliced and cooked to a medium tenderness. Chicken is falling off the bone tender along w/ the ribs. However you can't beat the pulled pork. It'd be a toss up between perfect carnitas or the BBQ pulled pork here to satisfy the piggy cravings. You can think of this as the original version of Armadillio Willie's (CA). However the food is 10x's better. You can even get meat by the pound if you like. If you're going for lighter fare, I would say you must go for the pulled pork sandwich. Add some more BBQ sauce (mild or spicy) and you got a mighty tasty sandwich that'll appease all taste buds. If there's one thing you gotta have in Kansas, it's BBQ, and this would be one place to help satisfy that craving.
(5)Danny S.
BBQ is excellent. The service on the other hand sucks!
(4)Rick K.
I was recommended to go to several BBQ places in Kansas City. I have been to 3 places and found this place to be the best out of the 3. The other places are Arthur Bryant's (okay) and Gates BBQ (hard and dry as sandpaper). Joe's ribs were smokey, pulled right off the bone and juicy. I hear their sandwich named Z sandwich is to die for.
(4)Nicole D.
First off just so you know we are from Minnesota where the only option for BBQ is famous dave's or the grocery store. Not that Famous Dave's is bad but compared to this we thought we had died and gone to BBQ heaven!!! We go here almost every chance we get! The Z burger is awesome!!!
(5)Green D.
Standouts here are the ribs and pulled pork sandwiches!! To-go service is always great!
(3)Josh S.
Very high quality food at generally good prices. They put a lot of work into making high-quality BBQ and it shows... I prefer the smoked chicken or ribs. Sauce is a bit on the sweet side but smoky and pretty good.
(4)Stephen F.
Enjoyed the pork ribs and Texas style bread. Quick and friendly service.
(4)Sarah R.
Best BBQ in KC+KC has the best BQQ=Best BBQ in the World. Fries are delish, pulled pork is soooooo good. Z Man is to die for. Ribs are amazing. Yeah, everything is really good except their beans are different. Go eat there now.
(5)Collin F.
I've been to this location a few times before, but oddly enough I've never found myself in the original location in KCK. But for the family to meet up together for dinner before going our separate directions, we chose the Strang Line Road location in Olathe as our dinner spot. We arrived at a good time, around 5 PM on a Friday. The line was not bad and there were still plenty of tables to choose from. My wife ordered the 1/2 chicken dinner with beans; I orderd a 1/2 slab of ribs with cole slaw and some onion rings for sides. In short, my wife liked her chicken very much - she said it was moist and had good flavor. I thought the ribs were done well. I am not a big fan of the sauce at OK-Joe's. It's okay, but I prefer something less sweet. It's not KC Masterpiece sweet, but it certainly is sweeter than, say, Arthur Bryant's or even Gates BBQ. I didn't try the beans, but my wife thought they were fairly good. The cole slaw was too watery and not much flavor, The onion rings were also just okay. I miss Adam's Rib in Overland Park for onion rings. Service - well, it's fine but it's a BBQ joint not a waiter-service restaurant, so you don't interact much with the employees other than to place your order, pay, and pick up your food. In my opinion, Oklahoma Joe's does very good BBQ, but I've had better. For sides they are lacking in taste and for ambience you probably want to try the original location in the gas station.
(3)Russ K.
If you don't mind standing in line to place your order the food is very good and you won't go hungry. Side dishes are well prepared and service once you order is typically excellent. Good value for the money, would recommend as a great family BBQ spot.
(4)Adam S.
This is arguably the best bbq in KC. It's in a gas station, and a bit expensive for what you get, but once you start eating the spendiness will seem soooooo worth it. Everything on the menu is good. The fries are excellent.
(5)Kevin S.
I've had enough BBQ to know these beans are amazing, the pork was excellent, the chicken chicken gumbo was a great enjoyable surprise. The sweet sauce rocks, the spicy/sweet was even better.
(5)Dylan G.
Probably the best ribs I've ever had and their hot BBQ sauce has the perfect level of spice. Love that they load up the pickle slices on the side, too. Service was efficient and friendly and the beer was cold. No complaints here.
(5)Chow T.
Great BBQ! It isn't the best in KC. The best is Jack Fiorellas IMO, but Oklahoma Joe's is like the same price as McDs and you get a seriously good meal. The sauce is of a similar variety as Jack Fiorellas. On the sweet side, but not sickeningly sweet. The Zman sandwich was really good for $6. Service was very good relative to Gates. I hate Gates BBQ service!! The ribs were good, but not the best in KC, but come on KC has high standards for BBQ ribs. They were still pretty damn good.
(5)ME E.
My favorite BBQ place in KC. Best tasting and much more affordable than other BBQ restaurants in town. I take my friends and family when they visit from out of town so they can eat authentic KC BBQ! Just remember they are closed on Sundays.
(5)Clara B.
The food at this restaurant is mouth-wateringly AMAZING. The beef brisket is the best brisket I've ever had in my life. It's savory and tender and not riddled with fatty edges. Since it's my favorite, I usually pick up a brisket sandwich (the Z-man is delicious as well) and an order of french fries, which are some of my favorite fries of any restaurant. I'm not sure what seasoning they use, but it's more flavorful and exciting than regular boring old salt. The other meats I have tried at Oklahoma Joe's are also top notch and hands down some of the BEST bbq I've ever had in my life. The regular and spicy sauces are awesome, although I'd like a little more heat in the spicy. The regular has a nice sweetness to it that complements the savory meats very well. I love this place so much, I have the number for take out saved in my phone! This place is a can't miss if you happen to find yourself in Olathe. It's definitely the best food you'll find in the 119th/I-35 corridor.
(5)Ronald S.
I've been to this place a few times and they have pretty decent food. Unfortunately this most recent time they totally grossed me out. They gave my food to the wrong person and he left. Since it was crowded I figured they were just slow. After about 15 mins of waiting I head back to the counter just as this guy returns to let them know he was on his way home looked in the bag opened the food and realized it was not his order. The clerk looked in the bag and apologized to the guy and gave him the correct order. She then gave me the bag he brought back. I'm pretty sure there's some health code violation that took place there. She should have offered to prepare my order fresh or something. He could have done anything to that food. Who knows what was on his hands? Who wants food that some stranger off the street has had his hands over. And here's the kicker. The clerk for the life of her didn't have a clue. She stood there staring at me wondering why I didn't want the food.
(2)Mike B.
I love barbeque and am very proud of our Kansas City barbeque heritage. That's probably why It steams me so much that a place called OKLAHOMA Joe's is so darn good. Yeah I know it's a local joint but still, OKLAHOMA? Like everyone else says, for a truly excellent experience simply order the pulled pork sandwich, a bag fries and a beer. It's perfection!
(5)Joey V.
my favorite bbq ive tried in the area ive been known to eat a shitload of food when im here
(5)Tim O.
Pulled Pork sandwich is out of this world good. The barbecue sauce is sweet and tasty just the way I like it. The restaurant is nice and clean and seems to be a fairly new location.
(5)annie t.
We have lived in Kansas City all our lives, and we have decided the ribs at OK Joes are the best you can find around here. There aren't a million kinds to choose from so you are guarenteed the ones they serve you are their best! They are so tender and meaty, even my 5 and 2 year olds love them and can eat them with ease. Their chicken is delicious and cooked tenderly every time, and if you are hungry get the ZMan sandwich...it will satisfy a big appetite. Their portions are big so you can split them if you want; especially the fries (which have a surprising sweetness to them.) The only thing I don't love about it is that you order from the counter, so if you have kids or not a lot of time, DO NOT go during the lunch rush! The line is always out the door and although it moves at a pretty quick pace, it can get a little overwhelming in there. But if you catch it at the right time (before or after lunch and dinner) you can walk right up to the front and get your food in about 5 minutes. Be sure and come hungry, and try the "Night of the Living Q" sauce if you dare!
(5)Todd E.
I go to KC a couple times a year for work and always end up at Jack Stack's for the symbolic BBQ meal of my visit. This time I changed it up and went to Oklahoma Joe's with some coworkers. I had the sausage, beef brisket, pulled pork, beans and spicy slaw. Overall, I wasn't impressed and I feel like the place didn't live up to its reputation. I got the impression that everything was pre-portioned hours before I got there. Styrofoam cups of preshredded pork were dumped onto plates. Ribs taken out of a warming cabinet and unwrapped from tinfoil and overall the meats just weren't juicy and flavorful. The spicy slaw was pretty bring but the beans were good. The staff was friendly and smiley though! Overall, not at all bad--but I feel like I could have had a BBQ meal at any place back home in DC. When I come to KC, I expect better than this.
(3)Tim M.
This was my first time at Oklahoma Joes and loved it. I had a ribs and one meat dinner (I chose sausage) and both were good but I loved the ribs! They had just the right amount of seasoning on them and were quite juicy. I also ordered fries and they give you a ton of fries! They are seasoned and quite tasty. I would definitely go back!
(5)Kristina N.
Visiting KC from Denver, went here on a recommendation from my father, waited over an hour for BBQ. Hands down the ribs were the best selection out of all of the meat selections plus the onion rings were delicious!! BBQ sauce is delicious, compliments great flavor to the meat.
(5)Bryan T.
Absolutely the best BBQ on the Planet! The ribs are the best you'll have in your life and the brisket melts in your mouth. There's almost always a line out of the door (for good reason) so it's likely not a quick in and out meal, but you'll never be unhappy once that tender goodness hits your tongue!
(5)Curt W.
Went for lunch and there was a pretty long line. It moved quickly and there was a table available when we got through the line and had our food. Score: 5/5 for service I ordered the Smoky Joe sandwich, the special of the day. I picked the spicy slaw as a side. Both were excellent. I added the "Night of the Living" sauce for a little extra kick. It added a nice spicy sweet flavor. The food was very good and I would definitely return to try some of the other menu items that sounded good like the Z-man Sandwich. Food:4/5 Don't panic and miss out on great food if the line looks long. It is worth the wait and the line moves very quickly.
(4)Tim M.
Always good, Gotta love it.
(5)Tony P.
Best Pulled Pork Sandwich EVER! Damn good BBQ all around! There is a reason this place is jam packed all the time. Even though there is a huge line during prime time lunch/dinner, the staff moves through the line pretty quick. Although I've found the line trailing outside a few times, the place is large enough that you'll usually be inside while you wait. Now to the food! Okie Joes (as they are called) knows their BBQ. The quality of meat has always been superior to every BBQ place I've gone to. Super tender and not nearly as fatty as other places. Of course all BBQ has some fat...wouldn't be good without it! I don't know exactly what blend of wood chips they use and what they smoke the meat in, but damn that meat has a good, balanced smokey flavor. Last, but certainly not least, their sauce is incredible. I could drink this stuff straight! Not really..that'd be kind of disgusting, but it is my personal favorite BBQ sauce of all time....and I've had A LOT of BBQ. Those that prefer a BBQ sauce with a high vinegar taste will not enjoy it as much as the people who like the sweet, peppery, smokey type sauce. Don't like it? Too bad for you. Less people in line is ok by me. As far as sides go, I must admit I haven't mad much besides the fries because the fries go extremely well with the BBQ sauce. They are definitely large enough to split with someone, too. I always order the jumbo pulled pork. Nothing but tender, juicy, smokey meat on a bun with BBQ sauce. Honorable mentions: The ZMan & Carolina Pulled Pork I'm getting hungry thinking about it!!
(5)Roger H.
If only I could transport this restaurant to central California, where I currently live, I'd be in heaven! Unfortunately for me, though, I can only enjoy this treat a few times a year during, usually during the holidays, when I fly back home to see my family. California is nice and the sun shines a lot here, but they don't know or do BBQ, period. Sure there are places that sell something they call BBQ, but nothing is even remotely as wonderful as Oklahoma Joe's BBQ here. My mouth waters just thinking about that Z-man sandwich the next time that I get my hands and mouth on one! Simply put, Oklahoma Joe's defines a perfect BBQ place. Yum!
(5)