I love Kansas City.  Although I’ve lived in many other cities ranging from tiny rural Iowan towns to downtown Chicago on the Gold Coast, KC is not only my ‘hometown’ I have sentimental ties to, but I genuinely love it as a city for its attitude, culture and of course – food.  And ask anyone what defines KC gastronomically and they’ll inevitably say either steak or of course, barbecue.

Now I’m not going to get into a debate of which BBQ is best because that’s like debating religions, but I of course will choose KC style over Carolina, Texas, Tennessee or anything else you throw at me.  I love the sweet-vinegar combo sauce, the array of specialties (ribs, pulled pork, etc) and class range from your hole-in-the-wall places (Bryant’s) to your frou-frou white tablecloth BBQ (Jack Stack).

And a trip to KC for me is never complete without a visit to Arthur Bryan’ts BBQ on Brooklyn near the jazz district in downtown KC with my best friend Shaffe.  We always get the same thing (burnt ends for him, pulled pork for me), have a 2 hour conversation to catch up on everything since I’ve been gone and inevitably gorge on amazing meats, lard fries and dill pickle slices.  We wax philosophic about the quality of the meat that visit (it changes every time), how good the fries are, the portion size, etc.  Some could say it’s poor service that it varies so wildly every time we visit, but to me, that’s part of what makes Bryan’ts… well, Bryant’s.  You wait in line forever, you shyly give them the plate and firmly ask for your order, watch as they pile perfectly smoked and cooked meats onto pieces of white Wonder bread, and hopefully they’re generous.  Slathered in the most beautiful sauce you’ll ever eat (Sweet Heat, please) with fries so bad for you it’s best not to think about it, you can eat and know KC is defined by BBQ and to me, that defining BBQ is Arthur Bryant’s.