Gates Bar-B-Q
Barbecue restaurant · Broadway Gillham ·
Signature burnt ends, tangy sauce, and a casual KC institution
Signature burnt ends, tangy sauce, and a casual KC institution
"Gates is an undisputed Kansas City legend, but nostalgia is doing a lot of the heavy lifting here, sort of like a movie that you know is overrated but still defended to death (Cough, A Christmas Story, cough). Gates has a sweeter sauce, and the meats here are nothing to write home about. Their “burnt end sandwich” resembles a sloppy joe on a soggy bun, and the famously rude customer service isn’t over-the-top enough to be redeemable. They also have a feud with Arthur Bryant’s after a rivalry started between protégés of Henry Perry, the Father of Kansas City BBQ. Both establishments trace their roots to Perry’s 1908 barbecue cart, where hickory-smoked possum and raccoon were once on the menu. If you strip away the history, Gates fails to stand out in the BBQ capital. We haven’t been here yet, but want you to know this spot exists." - Ryan Bernsten
"Expect to hear “Hi, may I help you?” shouted like one compound word the second you step through the doors of one of the city’s oldest continuously operating barbecue spots. If you need a second to consider your order, just ask — but you can’t go wrong with the Nooner, a bun piled with both thin-sliced brisket and chopped burnt ends. Gates is a local chain with a few locations, but the one on Brooklyn Avenue turns out consistent barbecue in a dining room dripping with old-school cool. Know before you go: The cashier will likely shout for your order long before you’ve gotten to the front of the line, so be prepared." - Liz Cook
"One of the city’s original barbecue chains (founded in 1946) with an unpretentious, meat-forward menu where local ordering rituals matter. The signature burnt ends—crispy, fatty brisket morsels—are the must-order item, and the fries are frequently touted as the best among Kansas City barbecue spots. Expect straightforward service, classic presentation (meat on trays or bread), and old-school barbecue flavor." - Caitlin Morton
"Gates Bar-B-Q is mentioned as one of the classic, locally cherished barbecue spots that locals routinely name as their favorite when talking about Kansas City barbecue." - Tim Newcomb
"Expect to hear “Hi, may I help you?” shouted like one compound word the second you step through the doors of one of the city’s oldest continuously operating barbecue spots. If you need a second to consider your order, just ask — but you can’t go wrong with the Nooner, a bun piled with both thin-sliced brisket and chopped burnt ends. Gates is a local chain with a few locations, but the Main Street restaurant has a relaxed vibe and space to sprawl, with something new to discover in each corner." - Liz Cook
