Q39 - Midtown

Barbecue restaurant · Kansas City

Q39 - Midtown

Barbecue restaurant · Kansas City

4

1000 W 39th St, Kansas City, MO 64111

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Q39 - Midtown by @TheInfatuation
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Q39 - Midtown by null
Q39 - Midtown by null
Q39 - Midtown by null
Q39 - Midtown by null
Q39 - Midtown by null
Q39 - Midtown by null
Q39 - Midtown by null
Q39 - Midtown by null
Q39 - Midtown by null
Q39 - Midtown by null
Q39 - Midtown by null
Q39 - Midtown by null
Q39 - Midtown by null
Q39 - Midtown by null
Q39 - Midtown by null
Q39 - Midtown by null
Q39 - Midtown by null
Q39 - Midtown by null
Q39 - Midtown by null
Q39 - Midtown by null
Q39 - Midtown by null
Q39 - Midtown by null
Q39 - Midtown by null
Q39 - Midtown by null
Q39 - Midtown by null
Q39 - Midtown by null
Q39 - Midtown by null
Q39 - Midtown by null
Q39 - Midtown by null
Q39 - Midtown by null
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Q39 - Midtown by null
Q39 - Midtown by null
Q39 - Midtown by null
Q39 - Midtown by null
Q39 - Midtown by null

Highlights

Smoked BBQ & wood-fired meats, burnt ends, ribs, brisket  

Featured in The Infatuation
Featured in Eater

1000 W 39th St, Kansas City, MO 64111 Get directions

q39kc.com
@q39kc

$20–30 · Menu

Reserve

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1000 W 39th St, Kansas City, MO 64111 Get directions

+1 816 255 3753
q39kc.com
@q39kc
𝕏
@Q39KC

$20–30 · Menu

Reserve

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Last updated

Aug 14, 2025

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@eater

The 15 Best Kansas City BBQ Restaurants | Eater

"Q39 is a bit more polished than some competitors, the kind of place where there’s a nontrivial possibility of seeing someone spray sauce onto a starched collar. But this family-friendly restaurant is a local favorite for its uncanny ability to turn out consistent barbecue at a high volume. Founder Rob Magee, who died in 2021, cut his teeth on the competition barbecue circuit, and the competition-ready combo plates remain the thing to order here. The original location in Midtown is always crowded, so make a reservation or plan on a long wait; it’s easier to snag a table at Q39 South in Overland Park, Kansas. (A third location in Lawrence, Kansas, is set to open this fall.)" - Liz Cook

https://www.eater.com/maps/best-barbecue-kansas-city
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@infatuation

The 13 Best BBQ Spots In Kansas City, Ranked 2024

"Q39 earns the BBQ bronze medal because it’s one of the few cloth-napkin places where you can still go feral on every last piece of meat. Get yourself an order of burnt ends or a platter where you can try some spare ribs, brisket, and chipotle sausage. Their sauces are standouts: pick between their original—sweet and apricot molasses-based—and their zesty sauce with apple cider vinegar for some tang. The grilled salmon salad and salmon dip are also excellent, as are their onion straws." - ryan bernsten

https://www.theinfatuation.com/kansas-city/guides/best-bbq-kansas-city
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@infatuation

The 22 Best Restaurants In Kansas City, Missouri 2024 - Kansas City - The Infatuation

"If you’re looking for a spot where you won’t find a crowd of people wearing plastic bibs covered in sauce, go to Q39 right off 39th Street in Midtown. This is cloth-napkin BBQ, with a modern farmhouse-style dining room that proudly displays all the trophies they’ve won for their meats. Their sauces are standouts: pick between their original sauce—sweet and apricot molasses-based—and their zesty sauce with apple cider vinegar for some tang. Get yourself an order of burnt ends or a meat platter to try some spare ribs, brisket, and chipotle sausage." - Ryan Bernsten

https://www.theinfatuation.com/kansas-city/guides/best-restaurants-kansas-city
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@exploretock

KANSAS CITY CITY GUIDE

"Chef-driven, full service restaurant serving competition quality BBQ along with a full bar, catering, and carryout."

https://www.exploretock.com/blog/city-guides/kansas-city/
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Vlada Kitova

Google
The food at Q39 was absolutely delicious! Our group of 6 loved everything - great flavor and perfectly cooked BBQ. Everyone left happy and full! The only downside was the service - the lady started removing our plates while we were still eating, which felt a bit rushed. Other than that, it’s a really solid spot and we’d definitely come back!

Sitofa Ligi

Google
Food was delicious. Came out quick and hot. Though everything was great. The ribs so tender it fell off the bone. The baked beans, cucumber salad and potato salad were my favorite side dishes. Autumn provided the phenomenal service. Checked on us often and held great conversation. The atmosphere was great. Q39 had all sorts of sports on TV, busy but service was fast.

Theresa Yurkonis

Google
Amazing BBQ! I was travelling and saw it rated highly and was not disappointed. Amazing staff, prompt with everything. Excellent portions. The food was just outstanding. Every detail was beautifully done down to the beer made for them that complimented the BBQ flavors. Would definitely go back except I have left overs for later! Andrea was fantastic, very friendly and insightful about the menu.

J Souza

Google
Came here on a whim… No wait was seated immediately. Our server was Andrea, she was very friendly and informative. What we ordered: 1.) Best Wings on the Planet $15.00 the seasoning on the dry style was well balanced and gave a crisp outer layer and chicken wings was moist. As for the best on the Planet…well… 2.) Judge’s Plate $26.00 Brisket, spareribs, & roasted chicken. The Brisket and the spareribs were tender and tasty. The roasted chicken was dry and over cooked plus we asked for dark and got white instead. 😕 our server Andrea noticed we pushed aside and asked if she could replace it so we got the sausage $6.00 which was an improvement 👍🏻 3.) Spareribs half rack $25.00 this was delicious meat fell right off the bone! We will be back.

Greg Esteban

Google
We were in town visiting for work and stopped here based on local recommendations. First of all we had T as our server and T was super helpful, informative, friendly, and attentive. T really help us out and walked the menu and served us well. The food was also super good and everything T recommended was spot on. We left so full as there is plenty of food on each plate. Restaurant is open and a bit loud but has a good vibe and open views to the kitchen to see what is going on. Definitely worth a visit if anyone wants some good BBQ.

Jill Monroe

Google
This was our first time to Kansas City and our son took us to Q39 for dinner our first night in town. Our waitress Haley made us feel so welcome. She was very attentive to everything we needed and her suggestions were on point. Everything we ordered was the most delicious BBQ I've ever had and we will definitely be going back every time we are in Kansas City. Ribs fell off the bone, brisket and pulled pork were cooked to perfection, and the wings were so good i wish we wouldve ordered extra to take home. Bacon wrapped shrimp 🔥🔥, and don't sleep on the desserts because theyre well worth it although I'm not sure how we had room (get the trio) If I could give more stars I absolutely would! ❤️❤️❤️

Garrett Church

Google
The food was amazing and the portions were huge! The service was great! Great prices too! There were six of us there at 6pm on a Wednesday evening. I had the Judge Plate w pulled pork, sliced brisket and Chicken, pasta salad, and baked beans. The pork belly, nachos and wings were great appetizers. The banana parfait was the perfect desert! I got the Q kit too. Excited to try that out!

Richard Bly

Google
Our second time visiting Q39. It has been fantastic. My daughter had mac and cheese with pork belly... delicious. I ordered the Mr. Burns.... highly recommend! Finished off with an amazing Key Lime Pie. If you have not been, what are you waiting for?
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Sounjong O.

Yelp
The food was fantastic as always. Amazing burnt ends and sides. The wings were also great. Our server Jeremy was very kind and attentive, with excellent recommendations and knowledge.

Anthony T.

Yelp
I can't decide on what I like more the decor or ambience. We traveled from the real barbecue capital of the world, Austin/ Texas and Q 39 was bar none the Best barbecue we tried in the Kansas City. Great Ribs and friendly service

Dan C.

Yelp
Dwayne was great and the food was incredible! We had two meat platters and it was great for our group!
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Adam T.

Yelp
Really incredible BBQ. Best all around BBQ you will find in the KC area. The prices are steep for what you get, so be aware. More times than not do I hear people say they leave wanting to eat more. I've never heard anyone saying their food wasn't good. Seating may be a problem, prices may be high, portions may be small, but quality of food is never the problem. I usually get the brisket or burnt ends and the brisket is falling apart just by picking a piece up. My family has had the ribs, pulled pork, vegetables, and salmon. PEOPLE LOVE THE SALMON! All around they're just really amazing and incredibly delicious. I come over and over and have had 2 birthdays here and countless other occasions. You won't be let down!
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David M.

Yelp
I'm a flexitarian who avoid meats when possible, but going there for a family celebration might warrant an exception. Looking for the few vegetarian options. I'll let you know how it goes. Salut!
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Rachel M.

Yelp
Sent here by my father-in-law, and his recommendation did not disappoint. The place was packed on a Friday night, so if you can make a same-day reservation, do it online before 8:15pm. Bar seating is first come, first served. Junior hostess told us it'd be an hour wait, but we actually waited only 10-15 minutes. Lead hostess was super efficient. Settled into a soft corner booth, and our server Trey was great; answered all our questions and helped with recommendations. We split the wings (fatty with crispy skin; nice pairing with the chipotle-orange bbq sauce) and both got a brisket plate. Verdict: The meat is worthy of its reputation! Burnt ends remind me of regular Texas (fatty) brisket, and the Q39 brisket is lean without being dry. Really appreciate a smooth lean brisket. Well done, chefs! Now let's talk sides: The mac and cheese is a five-cheese bechamel, but it looks better than it tastes; not worth the price tag. Unsung hero side is the cucumber salad. The cukes are sliced thin and taste like almost-there pickles; a perfect, zippy crunch of acid to cut the fat of the meat. Just do it! And although we were full, we caught a peek at the carrot cake being walked by our table and had to try it. Strawberries and toasted pecans on top. Toffee drizzle on top of sweet, melty icing. Warm, soft cake under all the gooey goodness. Plate was licked clean, and now I need a Tums. The menu is pricey, but as a first-time KC visitor, Q39 is a great stop. When you've finished eating and are waiting for your check, tummy full but still can't help thinking, "That looks good!" as plates whiz by... That's your sign. A+, Q39.
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Ethan B.

Yelp
Went here for dinner last night with some friends. Have not been in a while as they took their "lollipop" appetizers off the menu (still want them to bring those back!!!!). Our friends had made a rez for 5 but called in and changed it to 6, but they some snafu that didn't get recorded. We only had to wait about 10 mins and got a table. Our waitress was great - friendly with a fun saucy attitude. We ordered some burnt ends, onion straws, and pork belly as apps. Excellent!! Burnt ends aren't listed as apps, but if you ask, they'll get them for you. I had the pork belly tacos for dinner. Wow. Great flavor, tender, and awesome. The smoked old fashioned was a great drink too. All in all would return.
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Jackie W.

Yelp
We went to Q39 for Kansas City BBQ while visiting Kansas City. If you can, make sure you get a reservation ahead of time, we came right after one of the chiefs games and for people without a reservation, the estimated wait time was up to 2 hours . I'm really glad we had our reservation because we were able to get seated almost immediately. I ordered the Judges plate with the chicken and ribs for my meats and the baked beans and the seasonal veggies for my sides. The portions were very generous and could maybe be split if you aren't too hungry. The atmosphere was very lively and plenty of screens to watch games that are on. We were sat in the back room which had lots of their winning ribbons and other trophies on display. I really liked the chicken and recommend it! KC bbq has this really tasty smoked flavor that you can taste throughout the whole chicken and the sauce. I also liked the seasonal veggies. The ribs were good, but nothing too memorable and same with the baked beans. Maybe because it was such a packed night. The bbq sauce was really good though.
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Leyang Z.

Yelp
Had a very pleasant dining experience in this restaurant! I ordered brisket Banh Mi and BYO Mac with grape tomatoes. For the sandwich, the brisket was lean but tender and Smokey. Besides, the spiciness from Jalapeño in the Banh Mi, since it added freshness to the sandwich. For the Mac, they added five kinds of cheeses to it, which created tons of interesting flavors. It would be best, though, if the sandwich could come with a side. My friend ordered a combo plate and spoke highly of the fries and the pork spare ribs. Our server was also very good! He welcomed us warmly, described every item on the menu, and offered to take quite a few photos for us! The restaurant was undoubtedly fully seated and very loud. I like this kind of vibe haha. This is how people should eat the barbecue! In short the restaurant definitely deserves its fame. Do not miss it when you go to KC!
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Claudia E.

Yelp
This place is great! I was in town for work, and you have to live under a rock to not know that Kansas City is known for BBQ. I absolutely had to take the opportunity to hit this place up. I started with the smoked and grilled pork belly appetizer, really wanting to try that Mexican street corn base. I really liked this! I followed it up with the brisket lunch plate combo with a side of cucumber onion salad to be ~healthy~. I liked the salad a lot, it was a nice contrast to the fatty beef. The brisket was great, I liked how it came with slices and burnt ends. I think I like Texas brisket a little better, but this was still more than good. The staff at the bar where I sat was friendly and efficient. The atmosphere was cool, with an expansive floor plan. Definitely a must-try when visiting KC!
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Steff B.

Yelp
This was a FANTASTIC meal, Kansas City barbecue did NOT disappoint. After a light lunch, I came here for dinner and ordered the Mr Burns sandwich, Mac and cheese, cucumber onion salad (side), and the strawberry basil lemonade. I modified the Mr Burns to my preferences/tolerances, so changed the sauce to the classic bbq, and omitted the cheese. The sandwich was DIVINE. Holy cow, the perfect ratio of moist, melty, flavorful burnt ends chunks to high-quality bun, and excellent sauce. The crispy onions on top added the perfect texture contrast. The Mac and cheese was also EXCELLENT. It's a thin sauce and cavatelli rigate noodles--usually not my favorites, but it was SO tasty, definitely high up on my best-of-m&c list. I got the cucumber salad just for some kind of an acidic balance, and it was PERFECT. Really tasty dill and vinegar, which was ideal to cut into the richness of the rest of my meal--absolutely worth ordering. And the lemonade was an excellent and not-too-sweet top off. We arrived a little after 5 on a Saturday night and were told it was a 45 minute wait (but it was only about 20 minutes, maybe 30). Service was great! They are pros here. The line looked INSANE when we left a little after 7. Great idea to get reservations if you can!
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Ino R.

Yelp
Score 1 for KC BBQ. I really enjoyed this place and service. Server was Dharma, who brought a fantastic positive attitude and smile. She made sure that my first time at Q39 was a good one. This location is a sitdown, but there are two bar tops where you can interact with bartender and be closer to the mixology. I ordered the chicken wings as an appetizer... not necessarily the "Best Wings on the Planet," but they were pretty good. The chipotle BBQ sauce was tasty, not overpoweringly saucy or spicy. You get six wings, and it's a great portion for two, or the really really hungry. I have a weird bias for Texas BBQ, some call it pickiness... but I was impressed with the burnt ends sandwich, the Mr. Burns sandwich. It was loaded with burnt ends and topped with onion rings. It was very good. I asked for the baked beans, and they were a good balance of bbq flavor, beans, and diced burnt ends. The fries would have been too much, but the beans were portioned just right. I would certainly come back to try the pork belly tacos, Q Ban sammy, or the ribs. The Q is good, the service at Q39 makes it worth it.
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Robert F.

Yelp
If you live in KC then you have been by here at least once right?!?! The BBQ is out of this world! Fantastic sides and a great atmosphere to wine and dine with your friends! The Ribs are amazing and I of course love the brisket... Burnt Ends at the best if there are any available! And don't forget your side of corn bake! What lost the star? Well the parking and the wait. Our party size was six which is bigger than average but by no means huge and the slowness at being able to seat six people with a reservation was kinda a drag down on the experience. Our wait staff did little to convince us that they cared we were there either. When asked for recommendations our waitress literally did the "BBQ" answer which we all thought was funny but then left. Hey?!?!
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Christina B.

Yelp
We were greeted warmly at the door and seated immediately. Our server was nice and so were the other servers that helped out. It was a busy day (New Year 2025). We received our food in a good time and we were both pleased with the BBQ choices we selected. My husband also liked his cucumber salad side. I was disappointed in the potato salad though, it was quite bland. The prices were reasonable and it was a clean and contemporary environment. The only other negative is that some of the square tables are seated extremely close to another small 2 person square table and it's uncomfortable. We were literally right next to another couple and there is no privacy at all. There needs to be just a little bit more space on those specific tables. We would go again for the food and service and they had a nice cocktail menu as well.
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Shahrooz E.

Yelp
Back again and it's as delicious and consistent as it gets!! Been coming here for years and the food is always exceptional but the service was always ok... BUT NOT TODAY THANKS TO TREY!!!! He was an exceptional server, took our order, made some great recommendations and when the kitchen made a mistake, he quickly rectified it!! He didn't ask his boss for permission, he just made it right!! That's service!!! Never would have had the Mr. Burns which are delicious tacos in a unique rice paper tortilla but they were awesome!! Ambiance is always casual and fun. Can be a little tight and definitely gets busy but don't let that discourage you from an amazing meal!!
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Tim T.

Yelp
Service was great. Had the Judges plate. Brisket, ribs, chipotle sausage. Sides of beans & Mexican street corn . The brisket was so moist, & fork tender.. best brisket Ive ever had. Pork ribs came off the bone fairly easily, yet they didn't fall off the bone. When they fall off, they are overdone. Nicely played Q39! Chipotle sausage was real good but I wasnt craving more. The beans were . Lil smoky, with chunks of what I thought were burnt ends. Mexucan street cirn was quite tasty but I didn't come here for that. Wife was quite happy with her brisket, cucumber onion salad, and apple slaw. Easily 5 stars. I came from out if town specifically for this place which was recommended by multiple people. It did NOT disappoint, it actually knocked it outta the park. Place was clean, well run, great service! It's not a real big place, but appears to have adequate parking. Washrooms are clean. What's not to like about coming here? Q 39. I will definitely be back the next time I'm in Kansas City!
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Danny N.

Yelp
Deliciuos BBQ place in Kansas City! The ribs are tender and I love the sauce on the wings! Everything was good that we had and service was quick. Great place to watch football while enjoying KC BBQ! Can't wait to come back!
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Lorri D.

Yelp
This restaurant was hyped up all day at work as "the" bbq spot in KC, so when it was finally time for dinner and the food arrived i was underwhelmed! Our group ordered the large variety plate that had a little bit of everything and said it fed 5-6 people, but it was (more like 8-10). Maybe it's just me being used to Texas and Southern bbq, but it was all so DRY - I needed water to finish chewing! I'd prefer a little fat and smaller portions done to perfection. Our server was awesome though!!
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Danny C.

Yelp
Service was great! Ambience and energy of the restaurant was very lively. Had the bacon wrapped shrimp that had a great char-grilled flavor. Got the 2 item combo with the pork ribs and brisket. Brisket was a bit on the dry side for my liking but everything else was great!
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Michael G.

Yelp
Came here as our "B" choice as the "A" choice was sold out by mid-afternoon when we showed up. But Q39 was highly recommended and your Yelp reviews reflected that, too. We had a very good meal. We were quickly seated in an outdoor covered patio. Our server was friendly and attentive. Started with the brisket nachos and got two craft beers. The appetizer is meant to be shared. The amount of fillings of meat, corn, and cheese was very disappointing and not enough for the nice sized bowl of thin and crispy nachos. My brother and I did eat the bowl, however, and the leftover non-topped chips came in handy for our main course. We each went with the Judge's Table of a choice of two or three meats, and for lunch come with one side. You can upgrade the side for an additional charge if you picked from the right instead of the left-handed sides from the menu. I had the chicken, ribs, and pulled pork. My brother had the same but with brisket instead of pulled pork. My side was the potato salad; he had the baked beans. My brother said that everything was decent but not "I have to buy a T-shirt" awesome. I'd have to agree. But, I really enjoyed the meats especially the ribs, and both our sides were only ok. He expected more of a Cowboy beans with burnt ends and other things in it. There was nothing to write about for the potato salad. The chicken was also a nice-sized piece. The bbq sauce was tasty. The restaurant is rather loud with its concrete and wood decor. Bathrooms were clean. Overall, decent food with friendly service. $79 and some change for two adults. Two beers, one appetizer, and two mains including tax, not tip. We did have one issue. We paid with a credit card and the bill was marked $85. I inquired with staff if there was a credit card surcharge and was told no but could talk with the General Manager. I did, and he said there is no surcharge. When I showed him our credit card bill and our original bill, he had it fixed saying we got the wrong bill. So, just pay attention.

Tristann C.

Yelp
My 1st time in KC & my 1st ever KC BBQ! Great food, ambiance, drinks & service! I had the brisket and burnt ends, recommended by our server Jeremy. It was SO GOOD! Jeremy was a pleasure! Very knowledgeable, polite, professional and fun!
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Logan B.

Yelp
We were on a road trip and were passing by KC for a night, so of course we had to stop for some KC BBQ! Q39 was on all the recommendation lists we saw. Going in wasn't like the usual BBQ joint. There was no cafe-style line to get your food. The hosts brought us to our table - and you would just order from a menu. Beware - this place was CRAZY busy on a Saturday night. Make sure you get a reservation and don't be surprised if you're waiting a little to get served. For the food, highlights were: 1) Wings: honestly some of the best wings I've had. Beautiful char, TONS of meat, FLAVORFUL AND JUICY. 2) Ribs: ditto as above. Fall of the bone type of ish. A little pricey ($5 per rib to add to your dinner plate), but honestly worth. The burnt ends and the sides we got (apple slaw and fire roasted mexican street corn) were good too! The brisket was the only part of the meal I wasn't too blown away with. Definitely needed the BBQ sauce for dipping! For the drinks: We got the whiskey flight. Lots of good, local whiskey. Bang for your buck. Come with friends. Get a lot of things since the portions seem to be meant for 1 person. It's worth trying any and all things on this menu!

Caelene L.

Yelp
Our Waitress Cori was exceptional!! Very attentive, sweet & prompt. The food was excellent. I had ribs and my husband got the brisket. We will be back.
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Julie B.

Yelp
I'm sooo sorry! I normally don't write these kinds of reviews but yes, the BBQ was that bad. We're traveling through America and we spent 5 'months in Texas trying all kinds of amazing BBQ so when we were going to Kansas City I was excited to try their BBQ. I looked on Yelp and it had so many reviews and stars so we decided to go with this place. We spent $300 on ordering for pick up. We got brisket, ribs, and basically anything BBQed from them. I will say it was A LOT of food for the amount of money. We know BBQ could be pricy but it's definitely not worth the money. The brisket is gross !! It's dry and lacks flavor. BIG TIME. The pulled pork was just okay, later we made it into a breakfast frittata. Better with more seasonings. The ribs, we were sooo disappointed by the ribs. They were too loose and I hate that "fall off the bone " stuff. It's supposed to give a little when you bite into it. In fact, we went to a dog park the next day and we asked people where to go, I told them we had this place & they said oh, that place is a tourist trap, go blah blah. Man, this is the one time Yelp let us down, BIG TIME. We have tried brisket in over 20 states, Texas is still the best.
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Gerald S.

Yelp
Great smoked and grilled meats become exceptional BBQ under the direction of a classically trained chef from the Culinary Institute of America. Opened in 2014 and surviving the death of its founder and guiding light, Q39 is a fixture of the Kansas City Midtown scene. It was crowded on a Thursday evening, with nearly an hour's wait after the designated RSVP. Sometimes you just have to roll with it if you want the apex BBQ experience in a town you may only visit once in a lifetime. Looking around the large dining hall, long bar and human queue at the door, there was no way we were going to give up and leave. Turn over was pretty good despite the passage of the anointed hour, as it only takes one party overstaying its welcome to throw the entire night out of wack. Shit happens. Best just to hang out until our moment arrived. So we did. They arranged two tables for our 13 people as soon as they could, and from there everything flowed smoothly. Drinks, appetizers, dinners and conversations all coalesced into a fine convivial communal feast. First, drinks were ordered and delivered to help facilitate the festivities; followed by a mix of apps for each table (onion straws, bacon-wrapped grilled shrimp, chicken wings). All hot and tasty, if perhaps a little heavy on the lubrication. Still, the act of passing plates around helped start the joyous evening it became with this diverse group uncovering our commonality and collective humor. Most at our table went heavy on the rib/brisket/burnt end/pulled pork platters with classic sides. I opted for the Smoked Brisket Banh Mi Sandwich (cole slaw, elote sides), in a futile attempt to save room for dessert. This version of a Vietnamese street dish in a French torpedo style roll was a big bite and delicious. Tasted everything from smoky brisket through carrot, daikon and jalapeño with each jaw stretching clamp down. My mates got quiet as they went to work on their various combinations. This stuff was so very good; ribs pulled easily from surrounding meat. Fingers covered in Q sauce, licked clean. I did have a little space left for dessert and went after the Apple Crumble (a la mode). Sweet and smooth on top of oat brown sugar caramel granola-like crunchies. So good, but couldn't finish it all. Same for my comrade's effort with the Carrot Cake. Valiant, but not wise to stuff it all in. By the time we walked out the crowd was diminished and the once packed bar area was down to one dude alone on a stool. By then I was beginning to understand the charm and culture of Kansas City, Missouri, and knew I would make good use of extra time there. Alas, that was not in the cards this trip.
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Dan M.

Yelp
This was part of a mini strip mall. It was a hip and airy place with beamed ceilings and exposed brick. There was a nice sized bar in the middle with plenty of seating throughout. The menu served smoked BBQ and wood-fired meats along with some other interesting options. The service was appreciated, and the food came out quickly. I went with a burnt end burger ($16). It was ground angus beef brisket with sliced burnt ends, spicy pickle slaw, and classic BBQ sauce. This was outstanding. I opted for the patty to be medium rare, and it came out perfect. The burnt end pieces combined with the slaw and BBQ sauce made for one of the best burgers I ever had. The brisket patty was extremely flavorful. The filing to bread ratio was also ideal. I also tried orzo pasta salad, apple slaw, and the pork ribs, all great too. Will I go back? Obvious.
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Caitlin A.

Yelp
Yum! Q39 has great BBQ! Visiting from California, we received excellent service from our server. I recommend the onion straws, brisket, and Mac & cheese. The burnt ends were too fatty for my liking.
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Bill Z.

Yelp
This was the type of BBQ I was seeking in Kansas City. I get that some folks aren't necessarily enthusiastic that they've deviated some from "classic KC bbq," but for me, it absolutely worked. Besides a great meal, the atmosphere was welcoming, the service was prompt, and there were zero complaints from anyone in our group. Our server let us know that their occasional burnt ends appetizer was available that day, which was a must-order for us. It's so evil that the number of pieces didn't match well with the number in our party, so negotiations had to be made. The meats came which sauces which I never needed to use. Their cucumber salad reminded me of what my family used to eat growing up. The beans had a rich flavor. It gets busy there quickly. If you get there early, you don't need a reservation, otherwise be prepared for a wait of at least 30 minutes. maybe more.
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Kent S.

Yelp
Ok. So, I know better than to Google a place, and hope for the best. I found another BBQ joint with 4.8 stars on Google, and WALKED there from my hotel through a fairly sketch neighborhood, only to get there and find it closed. I summoned an Uber and had plugged in the address for another barbecue place, when the driver told me that (that particular place) was overpriced and overrated, and that I should head to Q39. I got to Q39, was seated, order taken and served in less than 5 minutes. It was AMAZING! The staff was friendly, and the atmosphere convivial. It was SO good, in fact, that I went back with my colleagues that same evening.
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Rachel C.

Yelp
First, this place was PACKED and even without a reservation we were seated in less than 20 minutes. Service was ON POINT!!! Our server was attentive, good humored and extremely helpful! Food was great!! I'm not a big BBQ smell fan, so I loved that the restaurant didn't smell smokey. We ordered the onion straws as an app, main courses varied between a brisket bahn mi, brisket mac and cheese, a burnt ends burger and a variety plate of bbq meats. I'd come here again anytime!!!
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Jon N.

Yelp
Really great BBQ, and the service from Jeremy was outstanding. I got a 3 item plate with pulled pork, brisket, and chicken, and added a pork rib. The ribs are just fantastic, as was the brisket. Pulled pork was delicious, too, but the chicken was way too dry, and I wouldn't recommend it. For sides, I had maybe the best baked beans I've ever eaten, cucumber/onion salad which was nice, and wanted to try the street corn. The corm was just soupy and boring, and I'd steer clear of that. My wife had the Triple Threat and loved it! She said we'd eat at Q39 all the time if we lived near it, and she'd never get anything else. Her side was mac and cheese, and it was good. Our colleagues both had the brisket plate that comes with burnt ends. Brisket is great, burnt ends a little dry, but tasty. A bustling and friendly scene, we'd definitely recommend! Just avoid the chicken and the elote!
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Jaspre S.

Yelp
Insanely delicious food, best bbq I've ever had. For the reasonable price, the brisket, ribs, and pulled pork far exceeded my expectations. Even the sides and salads were incredibly high quality. The service staff were wonderfully friendly, knowledgeable, and helpful.
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David L.

Yelp
Possibly the best bbq I've ever had. FULL STOP!!!! came by on a Saturday for lunch and it was popping a wait for 45 min and it was 1:30. I was able to get a spot at the bar with no wait and ordered the judges plate with a double order of ribs and the brisket with side of corn. The brisket was excellent. Great flavor, smoke and moist. The bbq sauce is a perfect complement. The ribs though were amazing and at the top among any ribs I've ever had!!! Phenomenal and double order ribs turned out to be the pro tip! Will definitely come back when I'm the area. It's going to be a must!
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Angie H.

Yelp
Q39 is amazing! The place was packed with a huge waiting list, but we were able to score a couple of seats at the bar fairly quickly. The bartender was friendly and the service was extremely quick for the amount of customers dining. The chicken was cooked perfectly and seasoned very well. The ribs were amazing, as was the mac and cheese! The slaw wasn't the best, but everything else made up for it!!! Definitely a must try!!!
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Shashi B.

Yelp
We drove to Kansas City in Missouri and a friend recommended this restaurant. As we were out of towners we wanted a decent neighborhood. This restaurant has parking and is in a good location. It was a busy lunch time and we were seated very promptly and courteously. A great selection of beer and wine. I opted for a local craft beer. Decor is great with wood ceilings and everyone seemed to be having a great time. The food portions are large and we tasted excellent barbecue meat . We did the Combo plate and the smoked buffalo chicken speciality sandwich. Water was poured constantly and attention to detail by our server was awesome. I highly recommend this place
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Tracy S.

Yelp
There's a reason why they win so many awards. Their food is consistent and scrumptious. The smoke flavor is just mouth watering. I can't resist the Mr. Burns sandwich. It's soooooo good. The meat shines through all the delicious toppings. The slaw is nice and balanced in flavor. It's crunchy and perfectly dressed--not too sweet and not too sour. It's one of my favorite ways to eat my veggies.
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Soncerae M.

Yelp
We used to live in KC and Q39 remains our favorite place to get BBQ! When we went this time (the day of a Chief's game) it was really busy but everyone worked together and there was no lack in quality of service or food. We ordered the BBQ Brisket Poutine fries were VERY good but very heavy lol which is why I didn't get a side for my sandwich (there's a separate charge for sides with sandwiches at lunch) and my husband was getting a side with his half rack of ribs and we were still stuffed for hours! If you're looking for amazing KC bbq that's fresh every time, look no further!

Daniela C.

Yelp
Amazing food! Our server, Duane, was wonderful - friendly, attentive, informative. Would recommend this place!
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Jaden H.

Yelp
The food was AMAZING! I highly recommend the beef brisket and burnt ends. The Lord knew what He was doing when He blessed man with taste buds! Our server, T, was timely and helpful. She had great recommendations and our drinks stayed full the whole time with additional occasional checkups despite having a lot of tables at once. I ask a lot of questions, so it's always nice to have someone who's informative and patient. Overall, I highly recommend this place. If you're visiting KC as I am, don't leave without checking out this place.
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Keith L.

Yelp
What great food. The 2 of of us shared a 3 meat platter. Ribs, brisket and pulled pork. Great flavor and so tender. Just the right amount so we were not overly stuffed. Service was very attentive and quick.
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Amy J.

Yelp
nice sized burnt ends that are juicy but mostly meaty, decently fatty yet meaty brisket, good all around, sweet but slightly spicy sauce Pork belly appetizer was SO delicious! Crispy outside and fatty juicy inside (although a little overcooked to be fair) plus street corn with cheese? Amen to that app!
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Carly L.

Yelp
Great food! We sat close to the kitchen but it wasn't too loud and it was neat to watch the food get made. Everyone we interacted with was so friendly. Appreciate the full doors on the bathroom stalls!
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Jeffrey M.

Yelp
With so much BBQ in Kansas City, I can be overly critical at times because there are so many options when one is not as great as another. And while Q39 is one of the more expensive options around Kansas City, I still find myself enjoying it quite a bit. Especially a newer addition to the menu; Bacon Wrapped Shrimp. I can't describe how much I loved this starter. There was a sandwich they had years ago that had sliced apples on it that I LOVED!!!! But it's not on the menu anymore :( However, there are still plenty of other items to choose from including the Meat sampler plates that give you a variety of smoked meats to try. I can't say it's my favorite, but Q39 is a great albeit expensive option for BBQ in Kansas City. You can see more of our experience on our YouTube travel channel: https://youtu.be/S5_r-ZYdeVY
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Ley S.

Yelp
Was in town for a work trip and was recommended Q39 as one of the best BBQ spots in town. I will preface my review by saying I'm not the huge fan of BBQ'd meat but I do know good food when I taste it. Parking: Free parking lot shared with a few other businesses and an additional parking lot for overflow advertised just next door that was well within walking distance. Service: We had a party of 5 and though we had to put our name on the waitlist, we did not wait long. Our waitress was prompt in getting our orders in and making sure our drinks were refilled. The service was amazingly fast for how busy the place was. Ambiance: This is a very nice BBQ place. The floor plan is pretty open and while decorations are minimal, it still has a modern but rustic vibe to it. I liked the way it looked! The food: For an appetizer we had the Chicken Wings and salmon dip. We enjoyed the wings a lot and weren't big fans of the salmon dip. The texture was the same as canned tuna and we were expecting more a smoked salmon taste. For my meal, I had the Judges Plate (I think) where you can choose 2 meats and 2 sides. For my meat I got the Pork Spare Ribs (comes with 2) and the Sliced Brisket per the waitresses's recommendation (I was between the brisket and pulled pork). For my sides I had the mac & cheese and baked beans. Maybe I'm biased being from the south, but I would say the food was just okay. I didn't find any of it to be very flavorful or super well seasoned with the exception of the ribs -- I could eat a whole lot of the ribs! If I were to go back, I wouldn't need to eat anything besides the ribs.
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Paul R.

Yelp
The BBQ is so good I couldn't stop eating. Literally the best all around ribs homemade smoked sausage and best brisket. Excellent sauce and sides of beans and potato salad. It was a great dinner and I am so glad I skipped lunch for this feast
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Tom N.

Yelp
Wow. Q39 was quite an experience and a must visit. I researched a lot of restaurants, particularly BBQ joints for my trip to Kansas City, and Q39 was at the top of the list. As a bonus, my brother had never tried it. The interior is beautiful, with a lot of wood. There's a long bar with wooden shelves for the spirits, A lot of wood tables and booths. But the beautiful interior pales in comparison to the food. Our waiter (Byron) welcomed us and was excellent throughout our visit. After perusing the menu, I wanted to try everything. For starters, how could I possibly pass on the "Best Wings on the Planet"? And Byron also informed us they had burnt ends that day. This was a treat, since they don't keep them on the menu, but he told us they were excellent. So we got some of those as well. For my main dish, I selected the "The Judges Plate" (3 meats). I selected the "Q pork spare ribs", the brisket, and house made chipolotle sausage. I washed mine down with a signature ale, and my brother opted for a sweet tea. Everything was excellent, but I must start with the sweet tea. I've never seen such a visceral reaction to a beverage. My brother literally could not contain himself. I'll edit it for the review, but to put it mildly, he LOVED it. Said it was the best sweet tea he'd ever tasted. Then the starters arrived. The wings had a perfectly crispy glaze, on the juicy, meaty wings. The flavor was good, but made better when dipped in the extra cups of sauces Byron brought us. (He brought us all 4 of their sauces: Honey, Zesty, Chipolotle, and Original). The burnt ends were incredible. Moist, tender and delicious. I tried them in each of the sauces, and had difficulty deciding which I liked the best. When the main courses came, I was already getting full, but I couldn't stop. The brisket was thin-sliced, smoked, and flavorful. The ribs had a delicious glaze, and were falling off the bone. The sausage was full of flavor and also that much better with the sauce. For sides, I had the Mexican street corn. It was "take a bite and drop the fork good". My other side was the FIVE cheese maca-maca CHEEEESE! Also delicious, especially when I dipped into the creamy cheese sauce underneath. After stuffing myself near the point of discomfort, we asked Byron to bring us some to-go containers, and I asked him about their sauces for sale. I selected The Q Kit: ALL-IN EDITION, because it had a little of everything... except rhe Chipolotle sauce. So I bought a bottle of that as well. If you're in the KC area, you gotta try Q39. But one warning: BRING YOUR APPETITE.
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Boon C.

Yelp
Q39 is about 4.25 stars BBQ place. It is one of the top BBQ in the Kansa City. My friend recommended this place for dinner. Before arriving, the parking lot already full of cars. We were lucky to see a customer just leaving and took his spot. Q39 is very famous on the burn end. It is rare items for the restaurant. You cannot just buy the burn end. You have to buy it with the brisket. The burn end is the best of the meat here. Brisket is not bad. We also got the BBQ chicken and sausage combo. The marinated sauce went into the meat. Overall service is good. Food also doesn't have much time to wait. Menu is simple and I like the apple salad.
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Erik O.

Yelp
Always on someone's top 5 list of the age old question... Where's the best KC BBQ? While Q39 hasn't cracked the top spot for me, I get why they are a consistent contender. I went with a competition plate to give them a fair comparison... So how does Q39 'stack' up (Enjoy the KC bbq pun there). The BBQ Vibe - When you first pull into the parking lot you are met with the smell of smoking meat, great start. Inside it a bit too commercial for my liking. When I think KC bbq I think grab your plate and walk the line! Service was comparable to the other sit down bbq stops. Very knowledgeable about what's on the menu. The Plate - The portions compared to the other joints in town are slightly less than what we are used to. For a two meat plate I was expecting a bit more. I would suggest bumping up to the three meat if you're hungry or adding an app. We ordered a bowl of Mac and cheese for the table as a treat addition. The Meat - Burnt ends had a good showing - would get again. I would look to replace the brisket with something else next time around, a bit on the dry side for me. I don't normally get chicken at bbq stops but the wings did look pretty good as all the tables around us ordered. The Sides - My plate isn't a great representation of the variety of sides we ordered. None were a stand out to any of us. If the Mac and cheese was an option for a side we would hands down go for that over any of the other options. The Sauce - This is some KC sauce - sweet and tangy. I didn't ask for any spicy sauce, but would love to try more of their options next time around.
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David W.

Yelp
Came to kc for a chiefs game. Had to stop and get the best kc Barbeque. Without a doubt, the best in town