What is the best (best) BBQ in Kansas City?

Thanks?

http://www.fairbrookcompany.com/kc.htm

Comments?

Ask 10 people, and you may get at least 8 or 9 answers.

My personal preferences - among those I have tried - are Fiorella's Jack Stack (for burnt ends and for a more upscale 'cue experience in general), Gates (for a killer brisket and sauce) and Oklahoma Joe's, which looks like a converted gas station that now serves amazing BBQ.

FWIW, Fiorella's also has the best BBQ beans I've ever had and a good beer list.

Some others I've read about

Lil' Jakes downtown
LC's on 95th west of I-35 and a Blue Parkway location
Arthur Bryant's
Wyandotte 2
Oklahoma Joe's at 47th and Mission Rd
Jack's Stack BBQ 13441 Holmes Rd
Haywards at College and Antioch
Gates
Rosedale

I grew up on KC barbecue, I'm a Kansas City girl, and when all's said and done, I think Kansas City has the best barbecue in the country.

My preference for local places would be:

1) Smokestack (also out on Holmes Road) by Fiorella's (loved that place since I was a kid)

2) Stephenson's Apple Farm Resturant where they smoke their brisket, etc. with apple wood (also a more upscale dining option, but wonderful Kansas City food, the sort I grew up with).

This is one of the biggest battles in Kansas City. To me, the "most authentic" is Gates-my preference is the 12th and Brooklyn location where lunch or dinner will cost you not over 6 dollars and the employees yell "Can I help you?" the second you get in line. Great sandwiches and mixed plates.

However, the nicest BBQ to take guests who visit KC to is Fiorellas Jack Stack 95th and Metcalf, 135th and Holmes or the downtown one. Dinner will get you for up to 20.00, because you have to get a rack of their onion rings as an appetizer.

I have lived in KC for quite a few years and have tried several locations of Arthur Bryants and just don't get the appeal.

As one person mentioned above a place called Little Jakes, it is known to us downtown KC workers by their sign as the "Eat it and Beat it BBQ"- it get's a good lunchtime crowd but has no space at all to eat at-3 small countertop tables and the food is just okay. Price is less than 5.00 per person.

Just my two cents on what KC has to offer in BBQ-no offense to Arthur Bryant's faithful.

My dad was a KC cop for 25 years and tells great stories about stopping in to the original Arthur Bryant's which was on his beat and ordering a sandwich. The cooks would grab an "ungloved" handful of brisket, slap it on a slice of white bread, reach down and pet the dog that was always a fixture in the kitchen, slap the other slice of white bread on the sandwich, then press it all together and present it complete with sooty fingerprints to the ordering party.

Now that was home cook'n!

As a 43 year resident of KC...I prefer Gates.