My Favorite KC Barbeque Joint

This is my favorite Barbeque joint in the Kansas City metro area, even though it is in a gas station that is rather out of the way on Mission Road at 47th Avenue in KCK. This is where people who love good barbeque go to eat good barbeque. If you are one of those who want to be seen eating barbeque, you won't go here, you'll go to Jack Stack in the Freight House District (I'm not saying there is anything wrong with that!) Or, you'll go to Arthur Bryant's because Jimmy Carter, Bill Clinton and George W. did. Hhhh. Go ahead and try those, but be sure and give Oklahoma Joe's a try as well. Seriously, if you are from out-of-town, find this place. If you are in a hurry, call and order take-out. When you get there, don't wait in line, walk right up to the counter and tell them your name. I have taken all of my friends and family members from out of town here, including a large group from Seattle and they all loved it and request it when they return.

This place is almost always busy, and for good reason. The flavor of the food is great. I always get a beef on bun; the beef is very tender and doesn't even need the sauce to make it great. However, their barbeque sauce is one of my favorites in Kansas City. The fries are seasoned and served in waxed paper bags… love them. I also order a side of barbeque beans. Theirs has a mixture of beans, including black, with chunks of various types of meat. These are not my favorite beans, but they're unique and have a good flavor.

I love to eat here. You will see a wide variety of people. At peak times it can be difficult to find a parking spot and the line can be discouraging but don't give up. All of these people are standing, waiting in line for a reason.

Oklahoma Joe’s third restaurant opened on July 5th in the multi-strip-mall madness that is Leawood Town Center. Very conveniently located just south of 117th on Roe, this former TGI Friday’s has never seen this much business! The building’s make-over is very nice. Now those people I know who are too persnickety to eat at the original location at 47th and Mission Road, (Yeah, you know who you are, and yes, I’m calling you out!) will have a place they can go without driving to Olathe. 

Order Queue



Dining Room

There is plenty of parking here; there is also quite a bit more seating. The interior design is industrial chic, with corrugated metal, rot iron and wood. It feels cozy. The order queue snakes along behind a corrugated metal wall to the right of the entrance. The rot iron toppers help shield diners from those waiting to order. This is all very much like the original space. They have a couple of guys stationed at the front door to explain how it all works. I was actually surprised by how many people had never been to an Oklahoma Joe’s before (everyone around us but us). Because there were so many new people experiencing Okie Joe’s for the first time, this is going to be a wonderful spot for them.




Beef on Bun

 Now on to the important stuff, the food, we each had beef on bun with fries and beans. The beef was the same great quality, moist and tender with a great smoky flavor. The fries are the same seasoned fries served in a white paper sack, however, we each complained about the beans. These were runny, sweet and had a dominant green bell pepper flavor; they were also missing their smokiness. It must have been an off night.
Overall, this place is great. I think they have a franchise ready establishment now. As long as they could keep the same quality and flavor, I could definitely see these places popping up all over the country.