Arthur Bryant's Barbeque

Everyone raves about this place, so I was excited to try it. The line was very long, which I consider to be a good sign. I ordered the half brisket. It came on white bread. It was tasteless and full of fat. Thankfully, the BBQ was great because it definitely helped. I don't think the potato salad is made fresh because it tastes like the stuff you can get from the supermarket in bulk. The place and staff looked dirty and unappealing, not in the best area as well. I am, however, glad I went because it is known to be a great and well loved BBQ spot, even though my option is different.

We visited Arthur Bryant’s Barbeque while in Kansas City for our son’s engagement party, and the food was fantastic! The portions were incredibly generous, and the sauces added a unique and flavorful twist to the meal. The coleslaw was fresh and delicious, and the turkey sandwich was so large it could easily feed two people. The fries were crispy and abundant, and the baby back ribs were tender and full of flavor. While the brisket was a bit fatty, it still had a great taste. The staff was incredibly friendly and seemed to take pride in their food, which made the experience even better. They also provided all the supplies we needed to pack up our leftovers - and there were plenty of leftovers. The only downside was the condition of the restrooms. They were filthy, the stall locks didn’t work, the floors were slippery, and there wasn’t any hot water. It was disappointing, especially given how great everything else was. Despite the restroom issues, the amazing food and friendly service make Arthur Bryant’s worth a visit!

Great place!! Old school with spectacular brisket and burn ends. We got there a little after 11:0 on a Saturday with no line. When we left, the line was out the door, so plan accordingly. Plenty of parking in their lot and on the street. Highly recommend!

An authentic BBQ restaurant with great sides. Just down the road from the American Jazz Museum and the heart of the 18th and Vine Historic District. Excellent BBQ Brisket, sauces, and sides. I tried cheesy corn for the first time. Many folks outside of KC may have heard of the sauce from Ted Lasso, and you can buy a souvenir shirt, but this place is the real deal. It reminds me of some of the small BBQ places I enjoyed while living in Georgia.

The ribs were excellent! Seasoned so nicely and a perfect bite to them. Not tender but not tuff either just perfect! The burnt ends sandwhich was a little bit of a let down. The burnt ends were almost room temp/cold by the time we sat down to eat it. Not very juicy or tender just meh. I added the orginal sauce to it and didn't care for the vinegar flavored sauce. The rich and spicy was in my opinion better and not vinegar based. The cheesy corn was not very cheesy at all just tasted like corn with some thicking agent. The potato casorle was the other highlight of this meal. Excellent. Cubed potatoes in a thick cheese tying it all together. Customer service always good and people always laughing and enjoying what they do. Prices are nice for what you get. A little bummed that I could not order a quarter pound of a specific meat, as they are only sold by the pound or the 1/2 pound. Lots of TVs around to watch sports on and a fairly large amount of tables to eat at, weather it's a larger family or just a couple on a date night. Lots and lots of pictures of famous people, presidents etc lining the walls, demonstrating the prestige and history of Arthur Bryants. A solid 3.8 but I will round up to a 4 because of google review limitations.

Came here because of the good reviews on the burnt ends and ribs. Ribs were on point. $29 for a slab. Burnt ends were just alright, thus the 4 stars. Cheesy corn, think mac n cheese but with corn, can be skipped. Potato salad is good. Fries are not bad. $70 for 2.

First time at Arthur Bryant's and it was a good dinner option! The brisket was very juicy and the fries were good. The pulled pork was not as great as I'd hoped. The restaurant itself has two dining areas with plenty of seating and the staff was nice. The prices are decent for the food, but overall, it is a must-try for KC BBQ!

Best pulled pork you’ll find anywhere, and it runs out seemingly frequently as I didn’t get it today for the 2nd straight time so I had a burnt ends sandwich. Their burnt ends are good too but you can find better in KC. People are always friendly there and it’s almost always busy. UPDATE: 3rd time is a charm, got the pulled pork. Still the best pulled pork I’ve ever had anywhere, pics added.

Just visited this old school historic bbq place and it was amazing. The service was great and the staff was friendly. Definitely will be going back if I am back in town again!

Delicious food! Best bbq ever. Only bad thing is that now I am stuffed and need a nap.

One more iconic BBQ restaurant checked off the list. We had ribs brisket, pork ribs, beans, and coleslaw. The barbeque was good, but not great. I enjoyed the ribs. They were meaty and generously seasoned (chili powder? paprika? cumin?). The original BBQ sauce had the same flavor profile, so I found the sweet heat BBQ sauce more interesting. The thinly slice brisket was moist and tender, but lacked seasoning. The beans and coleslaw were tasty and well-prepared

Food - as bbq snobs we gave each item a 1- 5 out of 10 ranting. Brisket was dry and had no smoke/bark on it. Ribs were okay but didn't fall off the bone. Pulled pork was good flavor, but a very fine pull that was almost mushy texture w/out the bread. Sides were beans and cheesy corn. Beans were thick and too much bbq sauce. Corn was okay, not good, as the corn seemed over cooked. Service - was fine, really a 5/6, but we ordered a 1/2 slab and the fella told me we are outta ribs. I said what and he said we only have baby backs. My bad that I misunderstood and ordered brisket & pulled. The folks next to us got ribs... so we asked our guy again and he restated all they had was bb ribs, so we added a slab. Ambiance - just fine for a bbq joint. Seeing the brick smoker behind the service counter never gets old... no matter where we go.

I have visited all the top places and to my surprise this one has the worst service. Full disclosure I didn't even try the food. We tried to order at -6pm on a Sunday...there was no real wait and this brother gave me attitude from the get go. I asked for a 1/2 slab ."we ain't got no more slabs...you have to order the baby back". All I asked is whether he was talking about the 11.95 sandwich..I got head rolls and eye rolls. So I just ordered. Then I asked for burnt ends.."it ain't ready"..so I asked when will it be ready. I got more head rolls as he yelled to the back and got a grunt then told me...I don't know..with attitude I might add. So we just left and took our business and green money over to Q39. There was a long wait at Q39 so we ordered take out...mind you I was apprehensive about asking the brother there if I could order outside with him and he was very pleasantly amused by my question...his response " of course you can!". He promptly took our order with a jovial attitude and suggested items to us since it was our first time and I could tell he wanted us to have a nice experience! We even got a thank you - That's what I'm talking about! There are plenty of great places to get BBQ in Kansas City! This place is in a somewhat desolate spot, after dark I would be skittish. The menu is basically a la carte (yes I used that term!) and so if you don't order the sides you get some meat on top of some untoasted white bread. I saw the plates. The staff looked crowded back there and it looked hot in there... The day before we tried both Joe's and we tried Slaps. Both places had long but fast moving lines. The service at those places could not have been nicer and people were diligent about getting you what need and cleaning up spots. All 3 places Joe's , Slaps, Q39 have really good ribs...i will review them separately. I don't see the point in putting up with service in a sub par atmosphere where you run some risk for an "authentic" experience with so many excellent options around. Soooooo Fast forward to my take -out from Q39! I almost came back and rated Arthur 's a five to thank them for abusing me! Q39 is the best I had out here and it's not just my opinion or the fact that I had an awful experience here. This place is a no go for me!

Super great! Food was really savory and delicious! The beans were so sweet and tasty. Random addition but soda was so sparkling and sweet too! The service staff was great at handling our food and serving us. There was also a worker who ensured the customers had bbq sauce at their tables so the ambiance was set up well by the staff. Recommend this to any and everyone who enjoys great bbq!

Went on a whim since we saw President Obama come eat here - it did not disappoint! The food was delicious and mouth-watering! The service staff was great, and were very accommodating to our questions. The food quality made up for what may have lacked in ambiance, but honestly for food that tastes this good, who cares about how great the ambiance is or not? You're eating good here at Arthur Bryant's Barbeque!

Kansas City is supposedly known for it barbecue so of course I'm going to Arthur Bryant's to see what's up. This spot exemplifies everything that is right with barbecue: slow cook, smoke rings, and a whole lot of heritage. You know the barbecue is right when you see the brick smoker sitting in the middle of the kitchen. That thing is probably older than me and my parents. I got the 3B which was brisket burnt ends on a buttered bun with a free onion ring in the middle. I also got the cheesy corn. The meat is smoked perfectly well and super unctuous from the rendered down fat in the meat. It doesn't need sauce but if you need it, Arthur's has their bottled sauces which are fire too. Don't get me wrong I expect barbecue to be good without the sauce but I had to try the sauces for research purposes. Anyway, Come early because there's gonna be a line, and it's well worth waiting in. How this spot only has 3 stars right now it's beyond me. My guess is it's people who don't like their meat seasoned with culture.

I don't get barbecue very often, but this hit the spot. When you walk in, you're immediately hit with a line to place your order at the window. I could tell the people in front of me were ordering meat for the rest of the week. They package it just like a deli wood, which is pretty cool to see. We ordered a side of ribs, a burnt in sandwich that came with one onion ring, and a side of pickles. We also ordered a side of potato casserole. It does come hot, which I prefer. Everything was delicious. I will say we walked out of there, and I did feel pretty greasy, but it was totally worth it.

We came here directly from the airport and ordered way too much food. The brisket was good. It's not sliced in the typical way- they put both the flat and point stacked on the slicer and you get a mix of both. It wasn't as moist and tender as some places but it's a KC legend and the flavor was good. The turkey was very moist and tender. Fries and rings were perfect. Special thanks to Marcus who prepared our food and made me laugh. Yelp always wants a comment on ambiance. It's completely lacking and absolutely perfect.

A Kansas City BBQ classic that's worth a visit if you're in town. I recently went here with some friends and the ambiance is the first noticeable thing-a classic hole-in-the-wall joint with pictures on the wall of famous people who have eaten there. Come right when it opens as the lines get long quickly even on a weekday. Arthur Bryant is no-frills-there are only a handful of items on the menu prepared in classic styles. I split a brisket sandwich and a burnt ends sandwich with a friend. The burnt ends were delicious-perfectly smoked with the right amount of fat and extremely flavorful. However, the brisket was tough and dry without tons of BBQ sauce and was a big disappointment. Arthur Bryant's is worth it for the history and burnt ends but I would go elsewhere if you're looking for the best BBQ in Kansas City.

The food is just awful. The service is just as bad. They overcharged us. The experience was miserable.

What a disappointment and way over rated. Don't waste your money. Rude staff, filthy inside and food just ok. These old places while iconic rest on their past success and history. As you order your food, the staff would say "NO" before you finished your order. It was 11:15am on a slow weekday and they were out of pulled pork, and other items. We did get pulled pork as it just came out but it was way too dry! Looked like cat food. Cashier was miserable and had a terrible ghetto attitude and looking at her phone whille people are trying to pay. I mean she was a total b*tch, which I hater to say. Giving everyone attitude customer after customer. Tow of the old timers behind the conter doing the meat we also rude as hell. Ribs were good, turkey had amazing flavor, potato caserole was good as well. Didn't care for any of the sauces. Burnt fries. The worst part was the restrooms. Absolutely filthy! Paper and crap on floor, dirt, smell etc. The door or anything hasn't been painted in 60 years. Only 2 stars becuase the turkey was good.

Bryant's is a can't miss, order at the counter KC BBQ joint. No white table cloths or fancy drinks. The birthplace or burnt ends, but I recommend the brisket, either the sandwich or by the pound. The cheesy potatoes are flavorful and the beans are saucy and delicious. All served with high quality white bread to soak up the sauce. Don't mind the chaos at the counter, the help will make sure you get exactly what you want. Don't forget to order a large size red cream soda, the best drink with KC BBQ

Came here on a work trip and really enjoyed it! I got turkey and potato casserole on the side. The people working were helpful with recommendations and the service was fast.

There is a reason that Arthur Bryant's is one of the Big Four of Kansas City BBQ. And they are the home of the King of Ribs. There is a lot on the menu here that draws a crowd that can stretch at the door on weekends, but the ribs are what keeps bringing me back when I'm craving BBQ! You can see more of our experience on our YouTube travel channel: https://youtu.be/DO0ySfx36Hg

For all my Ted Lasso fans: i ate at Arthur Bryant's Barbeque. Good in an old-fashioned "dive" kind of way. I wouldn't have wanted it any other way. I had the Triple B sandwich ( burnt ends) and baby back ribs. That's my old green truck in the parking lot!

Food okay. Salty and place filthy. Very cold. People not friendly. Crowded but mostly takeout i assume because game

What's not to love about BBQ? Passing through Kansas City AND a Ted Lasso fan this stop was a no brainer. Located in a more industrialized area, away from downtown, access and parking was easy. The business was originally opened in 1907, taken over by Arthur Bryant in the mid 1940s, and moved to its current location shortly thereafter. A favorite of regular Harry Truman and a stop for Jimmy Carter, Barrack Obama, and many other celebs. Interior finishes of the restaurant are certainly no-frills and focused on the fixings! A mild cloud hangs in the room and reminds you that there's meat being smoked here! Queue up in the window, and you better know what you want because the lines moving! Super generous portions on everything! We ordered a burnt end sandwich, a full brisket sandwich, and a rack of ribs to go. Anything with fries is enough for 3+ people so save your sides for something else. Coleslaw is good, beans were better as they included bits of smoked meats. The brisket had a nice smoke ring and burnt ends were tasty. There are several types of sauce available that include the original, Rich and sassy and a sweet version. We tried them all and agreed our favorite was the rich and sassy. All the sauces were a little bit like Memphis BBQ. Don't get me wrong, the barbecue is very good, but for all of the hype, I was expecting a little more. I would go back if I was in the area. Not sure if I would detour miles out of the way to get here again with all the other great barbecue restaurants in Kansas City. BELIEVE!

The barbecue was good, but not quite as impressive as other spots I've tried in town. The sauce definitely helped, though it had a different texture than what I'm used to. I ordered brisket, ribs, and fries. The ribs were a solid St. Louis style--well-seasoned with a nice bite, though I tend to prefer the fall-off-the-bone Memphis style. The brisket had a nice smoke ring but lacked flavor and was a bit on the dry side. The sauce really made a difference for the brisket, especially the sweet heat one, which I liked. However, all the sauces had a grainy texture, likely from the dry spices mixed in. The flavor was good, but the texture felt a bit off to me.

I hadn't been to Arthur Bryant's for several years, but this experience made me think that they are not keeping on top of things. The quality of the food and just the whole appearance of the facility has gone downhill. I hate saying this because I love the history of this institution. I'm hoping they pay a little more attention to what's going on.

The service wasn't so great. Poor ventilation and the whole inside was very Smokey. The food is worth trying since it's one of if not oldest establishments. I think there is better bbq in the area.

This review is for the experience I had with my friends Friday, January the 26th. It was my first time eating at Arthur Bryant's and honestly, I'm embarrassed for not being aware it even existed! -__- The people working that kitchen were awesome and made me feel right at home. The food was to die for ! I'm a huge sucker for smoked ribs, and their ribs were melt-in-your-mouth Incredible! Though I was gushing over the quality of their ribs, them BBQ baked beans were my favorite part! I'm already determined to try their turkey and other meats, but those frick'n beans Are the reason I gotta go there again! ^__^ Their customer services was amazing, and I can't wait for my next experience! The restaurant's walls are covered in rich, historical photography and more. During my next visit, I'm definitely going to explore more of what they proudly share on their walls. Thank you again friends for another incredible local culinary experience! WAIT! One more thing guys! o____o Their Kansas City Rich & Spicy BBQ sauce was STUPID-GOOD !! That immediately became a staple in my personal kitchen sauce selection the moment I tried it that night! I sampled 2 other varieties they had available at our table, but their Rich & Spicy one is my favorite!

I posted this review after our second visit at Arthur Bryant's. Very casual, and cafeteria-like atmosphere. Their staffs are friendly and swiftly working on orders while we were waiting at the order window. We went on a very cold day at 1 pm so the line was very short. Usually I go to BBQ for ribs however I would go to ABB for the burnt ends. They are very tasty and tender. Their ribs were ok but the flavor and texture are not outstanding. Briskets were decent. Of three sauces offered, sweet and spicy sauce was my favorite. French fries were served warm but not crispy.

Got small but very juicy and well sauced burnt ends. Very greasy burnt ends. Brisket was thin sliced and perfectly fatty like I asked. Sauce is not sweet and kinda sour.

When in KC you have to try one of the orginal KC BBQ joints we also had to stop at the orginal location. The sausage was my favorite the sides were good. The burned ends were not for me. Worth trying to say you have been to one of the BBQ icon locations.

Disclaimer: everyone has a favorite style of bbq and a favorite bbq place. This may or may not be yours; however, go anyway. This spot is a famous favorite for many - and a well-known location for VIPs to visit - their walls are covered in photos of the famous folks who have dropped by - they are especially known for presidents coming by and there are photos from both sides of the political fence. That is really fun. Definitely love the vibe (that presumably the interior and exterior are unchanged), the old mural/sign on the outside brick wall, the checkered tablecloths - the fantastic customer service - very cheerful on both sides of the house. Guests from Kentucky were in front of us and ordered the burnt ends so I took a cue from them and did the same. I ?think? the style here is dry rub, so you add sauce (their own signature sauce, several options) when you get to the table. We also tried the brisket and some of the sides (the corn and the slaw). A lot of folks were coming in and out - there was a Chiefs game and tons of people were getting takeout - and when we asked them if the food was good they all said yes. Definitely worth dropping by.

Stopped for a late lunch on our way from St Louis to KU (in Kansas), and wanted to try this world - renown BBQ for ourselves. It was good, but we didn't get their ribs. Their sausage is not the rope sausage we're used to getting at BBQs in St Louis. The sandwich I got, with pulled pork & cole slaw, was too skimpy on the slaw for my taste, and I had to add alot of sauce at the table to get the sandwich moist enough for me. My son also dipped his sausage slices in sauce. If you don't go in expecting top customer service you won't be disappointed. As another reviewer said, for all of the hype, I was expecting a little more from the BBQ.

Very busy place with a long wait. The brisket was a little dry. Food had good taste. Everything was served with sliced white bread. I was not a fan of the sauces, but others at my table liked them. They were a little too tomato tasting and had a gritty texture. You had to order sides separate from a sandwich or meat choice, which made it a little pricey. The portions sizes were very large; 1lb or half pound and 1 slab or half slab. I would have like smaller portions offered to try different meats. Overall the experience at one of the original smokehouses in Kansas City was worth the stop.

Food: the sauce definitely makes the bbq at this place. I thought the spicy was the best by far. I had the burnt ends, sausage, and ribs. I'd say the burnt ends were too salty for my taste, the sausage was good, and the ribs were very tender and seasoned well. . Location/atmosphere: it's a hood bbq spot, which is a good sign, but the tables could have been cleaner and it could use an upgrade on the furniture. However, that's kind of the norm in bbq spots . Service: workers seemed more concerned about getting people through the line than making suggestions, even though the lunch rush hadn't started. They did make a few suggestions. . Value: the quality of food and prices match . Overall: I won't be coming back, not because of service or cleanliness, but I just feel there are better bbq spots to go to. It's still a solid option, I recommend you try it for yourself and see if it's up your alley.

What can be said that hasn't already? My personal perspective, I suppose. I lived in KC for 20-years and found myself eating here around 10 times a year, every year. So ~200 visits. My family & I moved away 16-years ago and I still crave the sauce. Nearly every trip back to the KC area includes a stop at "ABs." I buy the original sauce online and have it here in Denver to coat any smoked meat I get. It's not the same because the sliced beef or sliced pork sandwiches anywhere else than at the restaurant itself just isn't the same. The history, the consistency, and the unique flavor of the original sauce gives me prideful goosebumps whenever I watch Jason Sudeikis highlight ABs in a movie. If I'm ever down to just a couple of bottles in my pantry, I can be sure what one of my Father's Day or birthday gifts is going to be. It's the single most missed park of Kansas City dining culture I miss but am so glad to have forever imbedded in my soul.

The brisket was a little thin and stringy for my taste. Beans seemed really sweet but maybe I'm just getting older. Pulled pork was good. Ribs were IMMACULATE. Staff did the typical BBQ thing of being facetious and playful. I guess those jobs get boring after a while and they know they can do whatever they want and still be successful? Not sure but it makes me nervous as hell. I recommend getting there before 11:15 AM, that's when the line seems to get bad. Also, yes, the place is run down. Which, I get it's a dive or whatever, but the owners must be making money hand over fist, so they could at least repaint the walls if I'm being honest.

Made a trip to Kansas city just to try different BBQ places. Loved this place the most. It is very authentic and food is just too good. We tried their baby back ribs and pulled pork sandwich with red beans/potato salad/fries-everything was delicious. Must try if you are in Kansas City. Lines are long sometimes but wait is not that much.

I think it was pretty good BBQ but not the best I've had in KC! I got the burnt ends sandwich and I would say I had some really good pieces and the sauce was delicious but some bites weren't the best. My friend got the brisket and was neutral on it. He thought that since it was sliced so thin it got a bit dry but the sauce definitely helped! My favorites are actually the Rich & Spicy and Sweet Heat!! Service is very nice and friendly! There actually weren't a lot of customers when I went so it was really relaxed. Small parking lot so not sure how it'll get when it's packed. Interior holds lots of history and I definitely enjoyed looking through the gallery of pics and facts!

Finally got a chance to visit this establishment. The space is cozy and you wait in line. Grab your food. Portions are large so come with an appetite. Full size sides are huge IMO, so be warned. We came in at the middle of lunch time (12:30pm on a Tuesday) and it seemed less busy than it would. The sausage meat, if you go for that, are not small links, instead they slice it on the meat slicer. I went with The 3B plus a side of onion rings and a drink and it was very filling.

Wouldn't recommend. The chicken was ok. Fries and ribs were pretty tasteless. There was no salt. The sauce was probably the best thing, but you can order it online. Everything else was pretty bad. We had to wait in line for half an hour before ordering and it was outside. There was a lot of seating available inside and as we found out, the reason for the wait was the inefficiency of the ordering process. It is a cafeteria like ordering process, but there was no cohesive system. Each window asked the same things and things were getting backed up when the fries were not made. Then at the end, we were all waiting in line and they were just ignoring us. No one was asking what someone was waiting for. The restaurant was also falling apart and dirty. They need a refresh and a deep clean

The service is a bit brisk, it's not a traditional sit-down restaurant. Customers line up to order at one of three windows where they are preparing meat, and then at the cashier, you can order your sides and drink. Then go find your own table after paying. The line can be quite long on busy days, it is a very popular food place. It's very casual and not very fancy at all, it's a good place to come with friends! The food is really really good. I had the burnt ends and I liked them a lot. They didn't even need any additional barbecue sauce to be added. I enjoyed them as they were. The potato casserole was really good as well, I loved how cheesy and flavorful it was. But the portion was very small, I wish I had been able to eat more of it. And the onion rings were amazing! I would honestly go back and be fine just getting two huge orders of onion rings, they were so good, that's all I need in life. Overall the meal was delicious, but the service was nothing special. And of course, the food was really messy, but they packaged it well enough to get to the table safely, and they had plastic forks and knives to eat it with if necessary.

The ambience lured me in. It's rustic, just like bbq should be. Long lines, slippery floors, no nonsense cutters/carvers, cashiers using words like sugar, darling, honey and sweetheart. Poetically romantic as only a classic bbq joint can be. On to the Q, it's piled on the softest, freshest white bread there is. KC brisket had disappointed throughout our bbq crawl around the city and AB was no different. Too light on the seasoning and smoke, but A for moistness. Too thinly sliced also, maybe my fault for not asking for a thicker cut. Ribs....beet good. Bit heavier smoke flavor than the brisket, nice flavorful bark on the outside and tender without being overcooked. The true star for me was the sausage, superb, no sauce needed. I loved the sauces but I don't like sauce on my proteins. It was great for dipping the fries in.

We ordered with our stomachs. Slightly stuck in the middle w/ the BBQ here. I've realized Missouri's BBQ is on the sweeter side. Burnt ends we're delish. Soft and tender. Briskets weren't my fav. Their potato salad, to die for. Not so much the coleslaw. You'll have to wait in line, and order but it went by, pretty quick. Find your own table & throw your trash away! The restaurant has touches of history to it. Every photo they had on their wall, told a story. It's old and outdated, tables are utterly close to one another. But...you're not here to feel comfortable. You're there for the BBQ.

I was in town and I had one chance at a bbq place and this was not my first choice because there was no parking anywhere near it. This was an alternative back up that I had and which I do for all my trip restaurants because you never know what could happen. This place has a huge parking lot so no worries there. The place had a line out the door so this must be the place to be and all the photos of presidents and celebrities on the walls confirmed it. The decor is nothing fancy and divy with two dining rooms that had basic chairs and wooden tables that are not matching. Everything is ala carte so no sides or drinks with the meats which is fine because I want the ribs. If you want sauce on the meat you have to put it on your self. The ribs come with two slices of generic white wonder bread and pickles. The ribs had a tasty bark and were delicious. The ribs were my kind of perfect with that nice chew pull clean off the bone, not the the mushy steamed texture. I tried the sauces but the meat stands on its own. Overall the ribs were pretty good. Why only two stars you ask it was the service and deception slap in my face. The guy before me was asked the long or short bone and he said long bone and I watched him get the long bone 1/2 slab and the short bone slab was put back. So when I ordered I asked for 1/2 slab long bone acting like I knew how to order ribs like a boss and the guy gives me the short bone slab that I just watched get put back, really I'm starting right in front of you watching everything. What ever dude and why is there a choice if your just going to give me the opposite like an invisible middle finger.

Tasty barbecue, good sides, and friendly staff. Love the history on the walls and the relaxed atmosphere! We appreciate this Kansas City style even though we live in the Carolinas and I'm from Dallas.

Oh no!!! I don't know what went wrong? This has long been the go to place for BBQ for me and my family. I have even recommended this place (the original) to out-of-towners. My dad brought my mom here the first week, right when he brought her to the U.S. to live here in K.C. back in 1969. Shortly after I had teeth and could chew on some meat, I was brought here. The same goes for my two sons, after they were able to enjoy BBQ, I brought them to this one--the original. Even my youngest had some tradition of getting ribs from A. Bryant's and eating them at the park overlooking Kauffman Center. I was in the area this past weekend and wanted some ribs. My husband agreed, the weather called for it. The best option I thought would be to purchase the slab, which we usually get, and the meat typically falls off the bone. Not this time. I bought our food to take home with us, and the meat, the beans, fries, and the sauce were all a disappointment. The meat was still pink in the middle, and I had to put it in the oven. The meat was no where near falling off the bone. The beans are usually the best, but this time were way too syrupy and thick in sauce with hardly any beans. The amusing part was that the sauce inside the beans was better than the orangey sauce that came with the ribs. I had never seen it this color before. In fact, when I came to Yelp, I noticed my old review and looked at the image, and noticed that yes, the sauce had changed color. Another item that was bad were the fries. I took a picture of them, and so I wasn't sure whether they were burnt or what? I know that we have had better fries here too. My husband and I aren't really sure, but it seems that I heard at some point the family sold the restaurant to someone else? If this is true, then it is a sad thing because when that occurs, the original recipes and everything tends to change too. The place is still drabby, with it's original quaintness. Unfortunately, this old place is the only original thing at this Arthur Bryant's. Only because I am nostalgic about this place, I may try it again, but can't promise to make an extra trip just for these ribs. So many are making a name for themselves here in K.C. with BBQ, so A.B needs to keep it and step it up.

When I lived in KC, this was my go to. If blind judged on the meat alone, it's somewhere between 3 and 4 stars: tasty for sure though maybe not always peak texture, and great sauces. What makes it a solid 4 is the packaging: history (take a minute to look at all the photos!), feel (unique), service (super friendly, in a certain way), and value. Oh, and also the literal packaging of butcher paper & wonder bread.

My heart was broken. My first trip to KC and I went to the famous Arthur Bryant's Barbecue. The smell of the wood smoke and the old pictures on the wall set the stage for an epic meal that never was. I ordered the baby back ribs and a pulled pork sandwich with fries. The total bill with a drink was around $30. My first bite of rib had me fighting with silverskin. The ribs had decent flavor and the smoke was mild but the ribs were tough. A good rib should stay on the bone when you bite into it but the meat should cleanly come away. I had to pull the meat from the bone too much and the overall taste was just ok. A great rib (when judged at a barbecue competition) should never have silverskin fighting with the meat! The pulled pork came with coleslaw on a roll. Right away there was an odd taste to the meat. It tasted a bit burnt and the pork was dry. The coleslaw was tasty but something wasn't right with the pairing of the two. I had only tree bites. And the fries had been sitting around for awhile. So disappointed. I've eaten at some classic restaurants (Scott's in South Carolina, Salt Lick in Austin, Willie Mae's Scotch House in New Orleans) and Bryant's has sadly become one of those places that was great but time has taken a toll on the quality of food and pride in the experience by the staff involved. I hope Arthur Bryant's can find again what once made it great.

The portion sizes were very large, however the pulled pork had a sloppy Joe sauce on it. Might be a good idea to get the sauce on the side in case it's not your thing.

I'll just say this whole meal was an experience! The food was okay. I'm not a huge bbq eater, neither is my parter but when in Rome, right? .. It should be noted that the majority of my negative experience of this outing occurred outside the establishment. A man quietly approached me from behind and when I noticed him (he was extremely close) he was speaking in mumbles and not making sense. He got into the car in front of me after he stood at my window (I jumped in my car and locked the doors). To keep details short, he got out of that car and approached my window again. My boyfriend was near by and saw him approach the car/me the second time and yelled to run him off. Then he went towards my partner, again speaking inaudibly. We ended up moving our vehicle another block closer to the restaurant. So I guess just be aware of your surroundings here. The line was out to the door but moved fairly quick considering the volume of customers. Everyone behind the windows & counters seemed highly annoyed. Know your order when approaching & order quickly. It's divey and old school inside. I suppose it's worth a stop if you're into bbq history and KC bbq staples but I'm sure you could go somewhere else in the city and have a more pleasant experience and eat some great bbq.

As a chef and avid BBQ enthusiast, stepping into Arthur Bryant's in Kansas City was like visiting a hallowed hall of smoke and flavor. The moment my colleague and I entered, we were enveloped by an intoxicating aroma that promised an authentic BBQ experience. The walls adorned with photographs of past presidents and influential figures further highlighted the rich history and significance of this 116-year-old establishment. For lunch, we decided on the half brisket sandwich. Upon arrival, our eyes widened at its generous size. The brisket was incredibly tender, each bite melting in our mouths and affirming Arthur Bryant's legendary status in the BBQ world. The essence of true Kansas City BBQ was embodied in every savory morsel. The staff was not just attentive but immensely welcoming, adding a personal touch to our visit. Arthur Bryant's isn't about frills or fancy decor; rather, it stands as a testament to the art of barbecue -- simple, honest, and downright delicious. If you're seeking an authentic BBQ experience that resonates with tradition and flavor, this iconic spot is a must-visit.

It was our first trip to Kansas City and we were in the hunt for the best BBQ. Our first stop was this joint, located across the. Ridge from downtown it was a short Uber ride. The ambiance of a multi generational bbq joint did not disappoint. The people were very friendly and we got heaping piles of BBQ. The homemade sauces were delicious, my only gripe was the meat was a tad cold. They slice it right in front of you, so you know it's fresh. But it did appear to be a bit dry. You can have as much bread and pickles on the side as you like. I highly recommend going for the overall experience.

The best part is the sauce. And, it's a good thing the sauce is good since I found it difficult to eat the meat without it. I had a pulled pork sandwich, and the meat was very dry. The fries were over-cooked and not too flavorful. I used the sauce for those, too. While you wait, other customers have to pass through the line to get to a seat or to throw trash away. The line was pretty long, so someone came out to take our orders while we waited, which I appreciated. When we got to the pick-up window, they had mixed up our order with someone else, but the issue was eventually resolved. I cleaned off our table myself before we ate. Each table has a big stack of napkins and 3 different bottles of sauce. We came with a group of 11, but were only able to sit at 2-seat and 4-seat tables, which defeated the purpose of coming together in the first place. This was a second visit - 5 years apart - and the experience was pretty much the same. I've decided that coming to Arthur Bryant's is more for the experience than the actual food.