It's the best BBQ in the world, bar none. If you're ever there, try Gates or Arthur Bryant's.  Bryant's is said to be one of Jimmy Carter's favorite places, although I'm partial to Gates myself.

Few cities can rival Kansas City's impact on barbecue. The history of Kansas City barbecue dates back to the early 1900s. Henry Perry - locally regarded as the "Father of Kansas City barbecue" - started selling his special 'cue out of an old railroad car near the famous cross streets of 18th & Vine. Perry later taught such Kansas City barbecue legends as Arthur Bryant and George Gates.

Today, Arthur Bryant's Barbecue and Gates Barbecue are two of the city's most recognized barbecue restaurants, each with its own distinct taste. The legend of "King Arthur" began in the 1940s when Arthur Bryant bought the family business from his brother Charlie Bryant. The restaurant gained national attention when renowned food critic and "New Yorker" columnist Calvin Trillion, a native of Kansas City, wrote that Arthur Bryant's was "the single best restaurant in the world."

Once the food of the poor, barbecue has become a fashionable Kansas City cuisine. The secret to Kansas City barbecue can be summed up in two words: "low" and "slow." Kansas City barbecue is always slow smoked at a low temperature over wood. Hickory is usually the wood of choice for most Kansas City barbecuers. Some barbecue is cooked up to 18 hours to obtain that one-of-a-kind flavor. Another interesting fact is that the actual barbecue sauce is never applied to the meat until it is ready to serve.

Kansas City barbecue is not reserved just for the professionals. Thousands of amateur barbecue chefs converge on Kansas City the first weekend in October to compete in the annual American Royal BBQ Contest. The two-day contest is the largest barbecue competition in the world and features up to $60,000 in prizes. It's easy to find the American Royal BBQ Contest, just follow the smoke which can be seen (and smelled) for blocks.

Barbecue is such a sensation in Kansas City a local group of barbecue aficionados formed the Kansas City Barbecue Society in 1985. Today, the society is the world's largest organization of barbecue and grilling enthusiasts. It has over 3,500 members from all 50 states, Canada, England and several other countries throughout the world.

So, if you're planning a visit, make sure you allow for a little (or a lot) of extra time to check out the many barbecue restaurants in Kansas City. And, don't forget to ask for extra napkins. You'll need them. Take our word for it.

http://www.webtourist.net/usa/missouri/k ansascity/tourist-information.phtml

Been there, good stuff but not the best.