Arthur Bryant's Barbeque

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1727 Brooklyn Ave (at Downtown)
Kansas City, MO 64127

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(816) 231-1123
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Arthur Bryant's Barbeque - Kansas City, MO
Arthur Bryant's Barbeque - Kansas City, MO
Arthur Bryant's Barbeque - Kansas City, MO
Arthur Bryant's Barbeque - Kansas City, MO
Arthur Bryant's Barbeque - Kansas City, MO
Reviews
( 42 )
( 12 )
( 6 )
( 6 )
( 9 )

Best

Loved the sandwich I had

Worst

OK Bar-B-Q, but just OK. I am not sure why so many flock to this place. Must be lots of bussiness people with expense accounts. Meat is good, is not loaded down with fat. Just not...

DRY ribs, bad tasting BBQ sauce, pulled 6/9/2012

DRY ribs, bad tasting BBQ sauce, pulled pork was TOO spicy, and rib tips were NASTY!! Ham was pretty good, but the environment was too loud!! more

BBQ Nostalgia 6/8/2012

If another joint was serving what's served here, I'd probably give them 5 stars, and it's still hands down better than Gates, but I miss the Arthur Bryant's Barbeque of the 70's & early 80's. Back then there were giant sized servers with giant sized hands on the school like cafeteria line. These giant servers would throw down a big sheet of butcher paper, tossing on a slice of white bread, covering it with their giant sized handfuls of the meat of your choice (Mine was always mutton - which sadly is no longer on the menu!). They'd sauce it up with the savory, vinegary sauce of your choice - or none- then top it with another slice of white bread, add a giant handful of fries, then wrap it all up in the paper. You'd carry the precious package to one of the long community style tables & unwrap the giant ball of sandwich/fries/meat & sauce. It was the juiciest meat & best peppery, vinegary sauce anywhere in KC. . . alas, Arthur is long gone as is the mutton & the other consistently juicy, more

This was, by far and away, the most 6/4/2012

This was, by far and away, the most disappointing barbecue experience I've ever had. What makes it worse is that I read all of the bad reviews listed below and thought they must be knit-picking or overreacting. Turns out every bad review on this page was absolutely, spot-on accurate. The ribs were overcooked and dry--obviously victims of neglect--and I had far better burnt ends at the Royals game. Clearly this place is resting on its laurels. They don't seem to care at all about their product which is really shocking for such an institution. Please, I implore you, don't make the same mistake I did. Arthur Bryant's is overpriced and just plain bad barbecue. I'm befuddled as to how there could be a positive review here, or anywhere for that matter. Instead, check out Fiorella's Jack Stack Barbecue. It's a bit more upscale (I was actually disappointed that it lacked the classic barbecue joint feel), but, unlike Arthur Bryant's. they actually know how to prepare barbecue. more

Thoroughly Disappointing 6/4/2012

This was, by far and away, the most disappointing barbecue experience I've ever had. What makes it worse is... more

Thoroughly Disappointing 6/4/2012

JWB123 Provided by Partner
This was, by far and away, the most disappointing barbecue experience I've ever had. What makes it worse is that I read all of the bad reviews lis... more

Good Barbecue - Must Visit When in Town 11/10/2010

Run, Don't walk when going to Arthur Bryant's. There sooner you get in, the sooner you can get in line. Just the right amount of time to make up your mind with all the barbecue choices. Here's a tip: Do you want to know what to order? Just look around you and you will see what the other s have ordered. You can ask them what they ordered and how they like it. The people are very friendly. I ordered the rib tips with fries. My plate was overflowing with ribs and fries. The ribs were cooked very good. Uhmm, uhmmmm!!!! Put some Sweet Hot Sauce, Uhmm, uhmm!!! I can't wait to get back. more

Not impressed 9/13/2010

I've been to the Arthur Bryant's on 18th @ Brooklyn twice about 2 years apart, and wasn't impressed either time.\r \r Although cooked to tenderness, there was very little smoke flavor on any of the meats- I had pork, ribs and brisket. \r \r The sauce is weird; lots of vinegar and thyme in the original, and the other two sauces are completely forgettable.\r \r On top of it all, you have to yell your order through little holes in a glass partition at people who you can't understand and who can't understand you. Plus they seem to be rather cranky and irritated that you're even there.\r \r For good barbecue, go to any of the Lockhart, TX restaurants- they put appropriate smoke on their meat, and don't require some funky sauce to make a decent meal out of it. Plus, they're friendly! more

Terrrible! Do not waste your money there! 12/16/2009

I ordered a full pork ribs for carryout at Speedway location. It was meatless, dry, extremely hard to chew and seriously overcooked. I called the restaurant and spoke with the owner. He was one of the rudest person in the world. He never apologized and blamed me not bringing the food back to them. He told me he had no solution for me. I definitely would not go there any more. Consider the $20 bucks I spent there blown in the wind. Trust my words. Don?t go there to waste your hard earned money. There are many real good BBQ in KC! Pros: Nothing! Cons: Food is overcooked & dry. Owner is nasty! more

Terrrible! Do not waste your money there! 12/16/2009

dajian Provided by Partner
I ordered a full pork ribs for carryout at Speedway location. It was meatless, dry, extremely hard to chew and seriously overcooked. I called the r... more

rude manager/owner, rude service, average food 3/23/2009

Was extremely disappointed with our visit. Cashier was rude, bus boy was friendly but wouldn't leave us alone, overpriced food, meat was fatty, sauce was horrible. Called the manager/owner today to share our experience and he kept making snide remarks so I told him it didn't sound like he cared and he said 'well I don't care'. WOW, no wonder the staff there has the attitudes that they do, with a boss like that! Save your time and money ... go to KC Masterpiece! Pros: couldn't find any! Cons: overpriced food, rude service & owner, horrible sauce more

If I could only have just 1 1/6/2009

Most unique BBQ in the world. Since 1970's I have eaten BBQ all over the USA with just one goal. Fine a place better then this one and after 30 plus years I still have to say, if I could only have just 1 place for the rest of my life this would be the one. The sauce is what it is. The sauce is like nothing you can get anywhere else. It is so unique that you might not even like it, but I love it and it compares to none other in the world. The smokey meats are no better or worse then any other great bbq but that sauce seals the deal. Kansas City has the best bbq in the country. Not, Memphis, Texas, or NC. Prove it to yourshelf. Try L.C.'S or Oklahoma Joes or Woodyard or Winslow's or Florella's Jack Stack or Filling Station or my other 2 favorites Holy Smoke BBQ Co. in Lee's Summit, Mo. or Wabash BBQ in Excelsior's Spring, Missouri. All of the above and many others will be the most delicious, fabulous, scrumptious, mouth watering que in the entire United States of America. Kansas City wins it all. I consider my self a Connoisseur of BBQ and love Arthur Bryant's BBQ. more

average at best 10/30/2008

If you happen to be driving by, not a bad spot Nothing out of the ordinary or stimulating enough to say, let's come agian Turky sand ok, burnt ends were below standard. Pork and beef ok Neans ok Pros: turky sand Cons: burnt ends, beef, pork very very average in taste quality more

5 stars great place to eat 10/7/2008

Born and raised in K C. live in Nashville and miss Arthur Bryant's\r I always get mine without the sauce and put Gates sauce on it.\r Thats a good way to go, if you have not gotten used to the taste of the sauce. You have plenty of food for the price more

Best BBQ in KC 9/19/2008

Arthur Bryant's is the best BBQ I have ever tasted! Yes the decor is not even close to the lavish restaurants that you find on the Plaza but I think that is what makes it even better. When I think of BBQ I don't think of chandeliers and fancy table settings but I think of messy down home eating. The sandwiches will leave you wishing you only ate half! more

MMMM....Bar-B-Que 6/17/2008

My wife and I split a whole slab of ribs and had gift certificate money left over for a bottle of sauce! We both gravitated toward the Rich & Spicy sauce (President's Choice) over the Original and Sweet Heat. The ribs were grilled, not smoked, so that threw me off a little. I do prefer smoked, but can't wait to go back and try more menu items! The place (we went to the original location) probably hasn't changed much over the decades; there's a big window/counter in the back separating the cooks/servers and grill from the customers. Photos of celebrities and close friends adorned the main wall, including Danny Glover, Steven Spielburg, and President Jimmy Carter (hence President's Choice). We grabbed a table near the front door and tucked into our ribs. I am really looking forward to a return visit. Pros: Great value more

Awesome beef sandwitch, only pork ribs, great sauce! 5/18/2008

Pros: simple and delicious food Cons: grungy place more

Awesome food and friendly people 4/26/2008

I live in Florida, but at least once a year me and my parents go to KC and eat at Arthur Bryant's. Obviously not just for it, but our trip is incomplete without it. My entire family besides immediate live in KC, and me and my uncle and grandma and cousins LOVE to go there after we get out of the plane or to the house if we drive. I highly reccomend this. Its the absolute best BBQ I know. They give you all the bread, sauces, and pickles you want, and the meat is amazing. It is a little pricey, but completely worth it. LOVE YOU ARTHURS! Pros: great meat, service, good for large groups, tasty food Cons: not the cleanest but is okay more

Classic! 4/5/2008

One of the must-do things when visiting Kansas City is to eat barbecue. Kansas City barbecue is defined by... more

Classic! 4/5/2008

Batona Provided by Partner
One of the must-do things when visiting Kansas City is to eat barbecue. Kansas City barbecue is defined by Arthur Bryant's. Awesome! The atmos... more

good BBQ sauce 2/5/2008

Arthur Bryant's BBQ is the most frequent recommendation when someone wants barbecue. I thought it was good, but over-rated. You order at the counter like at a fast food place, then sit at drab tables in a room of boring decor. If you are a BBQ fan and just want to eat lunch and go you won't mind. They pile it on high. You don't leave hungry. more
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Menu for Arthur Bryant's Barbeque


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Owner Message

    • Barbeque

    • Restaurants

Editorial
  • The Scene
    Arthur Bryant was headed for Texas when a stop in Kansas City changed both his life and barbecue history. His original restaurant in the 18th and Vine District retains its...

  • 3/24/2004 Provided by Citysearch
Additional information
  • Hours: Sun 11am-9pm, Wed 11am-9pm, Fri 11am-9pm, Mon-Tue 10am-9:30pm, Thu 10am-9:30pm, Sat 10am-10pm
  • Payments: Discover, Visa, Diner's Club, Master Card, American Express
  • Neighborhoods: Near Downtown, 18th And Vine And Downtown East
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