Joes Kansas City Barbecue, (original location) Kansas City KS

Joes Kansas City Barbecue, Formally known as Oklahoma Joes is a Kansas institution. You can’t talk about the best BBQ in Kansas City without mentioning Joes. It has been voted one of the top barbecue restaurants in the county, and Joes Z-man sandwich is on many peoples must try list. Check the link to see some of their accolades, https://www.joeskc.com/pages/in-the-news

Like any good Barbecue restaurant there is always a line a Joes. The line moves fast but be prepared to spend at least 20 minutes in line. We arrived right when the opened on a Saturday morning and that meant for the first time I was going to be able to try Joes burnt ends. Orders of burnt ends are limited so don’t be surprised if you get there later in the day and they are sold out.

I got the burnt ends with a side of fries, it comes with a slice of bread and a few pickles as well. It has been said many times Joes has the best fries in Kansas City and I would agree. They season them with their barbecue rub and they are delicious. The burnt ends were also spectacular. They were moist, tender, with a good bark and they melted in your mouth. Joes bbq sauce pairs perfectly with their spice rub. It is one of my favorite barbecue sauces I have had at a restaurant. I do prefer the burnt ends over their sliced brisket.

To round out the meal we ordered a half slab ribs with red beans and rice and a chicken Z-man with corn. Joes ribs are among my favorites. They cook them perfectly, their rub flavor pops on the ribs and if you want to add a little sauce it takes them to another level. I always order ribs at Joes. The chicken Z-man was good, but not as good as the rest of the meal. The fries are definitely the best side but the red beans and rice, and the corn are both very good.

I have been to Joes other location and the original gas station spot is hands down the best. The atmosphere is unmatched, and the food always seems to be a touch better than at the other places. It is easy to see why many consider Joes the best in Kansas City. For me it is definitely in the top 5 of places I have tried. I hope everyone gets the opportunity to get out this year and has a meal with a loved one. Check out Joes Kansas City barbecue website: https://www.joeskc.com

travelingbbqer

January 12, 2023 0

2022 wrap up

It is easy to get lost in the day to day grind, but looking back on 2022 as whole makes me realize what an amazing year it has been. We have once again been fortunate enough to travel to some amazing places, some new, and some more familiar. We have seen gorgeous scenery, and have ate some amazing food along the way. We have camped, Airbnb-ed, adults only resorts, and luxury hotels. We took a trip to Texas hill country just the two of us, met family high in the San Juan mountains of Colorado, and went with some dear friends to Rocky Mountain National Park.

2022s best places we stayed in no particular order…

The Imogene Hotel, Ouray Colorado. The Imogene is located on downtown Main Street, within walking distance of bars, restaurants, and shopping. We stayed in the mountain queen room and it was spectacular. https://theimogene.com
Stonebrook resort, Estes Park Colorado. Stonebrook resort is adults only located on Fall River just outside of downtown Estes Park. We stayed in cabin 15, a two bedroom cabin with kitchen, fireplace, and private hot tub. https://www.stonebrookresort.com
Agave nest cottage, Fredericksburg Texas. We found the Agave Nest cabin on Airbnb. It was one block off of Main Street, it was quaint, had a kitchenette, one bedroom with a bonus sitting area.
Loews Hotel, Kansas City Missouri. We visit Kansas City several times a year and have stayed at many different hotels, but none compare to the Loews. It is a luxury hotel located in the crossroads district, just blocks away from the T-mobile Center. We were lucky enough to stay there during our favorite time of year, Christmas and it was spectacular. https://www.loewshotels.com/kansas-city-hotel

2022s best meals (in no particular order)…

Franklin Barbecue, Austin Texas. Franklins is probably the most well Barbecue restaurant in the world, people come from all over the globe to try Franklins brisket. https://franklinbbq.com
Secret Stash Pizza, Crested Butte Colorado. Secret Stash is located on Elk Avenue in the heart of Crested Butte. It is one of the more popular restaurants in town so the wait can be long, but it is worth it. http://www.secretstash.com
Valentina’s Tex Mex BBQ, Austin Texas. We were at Valentina’s for breakfast and it was amazing. If I had to choose a last meal the breakfast taco I had that morning at Valentina’s would be on the menu. https://www.valentinastexmexbbq.com
Coffee on the Rocks, Estes Park Colorado. Coffee on the Rocks is a top notch spot to grab a cup of coffee, but what makes special is the ambiance. Get your coffee, head to the pond, feed the ducks, watch the elk, and enjoy the mountain surrounding. https://coffeeontherocks.co/?fbclid=IwAR3xzK_Zm4yrbFVmJOFOXt1XJnR0QY7c4rcaZ9cquFRHGsxE1AC-qWFH6Lg
Hitchin’ Post Steakhouse, Fredericksburg Texas. After a day of wine tasting the steak fingers at the Hitchin’ post really hit the spot for dinner. https://www.hitchinpoststeakhousefbg.com

There are many things to look forward to in 2023 and some planning has already begun. A trip to three national parks has been booked. A few shorter trips to Kansas City are on the calendar. A fall winter trip is currently being discussed, but of all I want to enjoy the day to day. I want be more consistent with posting blogs, cook more, make more videos, focus on a healthier lifestyle, be more present everyday and not get lost in the daily grind of work. I hope everyone makes 2023 a year to remember.

travelingbbqer

January 8, 2023 0

Thee Pitts Again, Silverton CO

Located in the San Juan mountain range, right off the notorious million dollar highway lies Silverton Colorado. Silverton is a small town bustling with activity from tourist shopping and eating along Main Street. Sitting in the middle of Main Street is a bright pink building that is home to Thee Pitts Again BBQ, an award winning barbecue restaurant that has been featured on Diners, Drive-inns, and Dives.

We ordered a variety and shared between all of us at the table. We had chopped brisket, pulled pork, slab of ribs, corn, potato salad, corn bread, beans, and fried pickles.

I have never had much luck with barbecue in tourist towns, but Thee Pitts Again changed that. The food was very good. The pulled pork and brisket were tender, juicy, with good smoke flavor. The ribs were cooked perfectly with a good bark and that same smokey flavor that makes you want to come back for more. The corn was just a basic corn, the potato salad was good, corn bread was delicious, and the beans had good flavor that complimented the meats. Everyone at the table enjoyed their meal on that rainy afternoon. I would definitely recommend Thee Pitts Again Barbecue if you are in Silverton. The scenery around town is definitely worth exploring while you are there.

LRR

travelingbbqer

September 19, 2022 0

Harp Barbecue, Raytown Missouri

Is Texas Barbecue taking over in Kansas City? To answer that question there is one place to start, Harp Barbecue. Harp Barbecue serves out of a back room inside Crane Brewing Company in Raytown Missouri, about 20 minutes outside of downtown Kansas City. Head pit master Tyler Harp grew up in the KC area, but his travels influence his barbecue just as much as his Kansas City roots. Harp Barbecue was recently voted Kansas City’s best barbecue by kansascitymag.com that included the typical KC heavy hitters like Joes, Gates, Arthur Bryants, Q39, and Fiorellas Jack Stack. Ranking number one on a list that includes those names is quite the accomplishment.

Grab a beer up front and head on back to join the line

Harp Barbecue typically only serves their full barbecue menu on Saturdays starting at 11, and offer a taco night on Fridays that starts at 5. This particular weekend however they were serving the full barbecue menu on Friday as well. Follow them on Facebook or Instagram for menu updates.

We joined the line about 5:30 and made it to the front to order in about 20 minutes. While we were there the line stayed pretty consistant in length, so I would say be prepared to wait about 20 minutes to order. With this being our first time we wanted to try a variety of items. We ordered sliced brisket, burnt ends, turkey, half slab of ribs, cheesy corn, beans, and banana pudding. We were sharing ok people lol.

Lets get the sides and dessert out of the way first. The cheesy corn was good, but nothing special. The beans were one of my favorite beans I have had. They were flavorful, with a bit of spice. They had a Texas chili flavor to them, that paired well with BBQ. I will definitely be getting those again.The banana pudding was packed with flavor. It had a pumpkin pie spice, and maybe almond flavor. I enjoyed it, the wife was disappointed there were no banana chunks or wafer in it.

Now for the meats. The Texas influence is all over the flavor profile. The ribs had great flavor, and were meaty, but they needed a little more time in the smoker. They were a little tough. I think about 30 more minutes in the smoker would have done the trick. The brisket was what you would expect from a top pit master, smokey, great beef flavor with good salt and pepper bark, and very tender. I can see why people in Kansas City are loving this brisket. The burnt ends were packed with moisture, with that same bark. They can would up to any KC burnt end I have had. When ordering the cashier mentioned the turkey was the best thing on their menu, and honestly it was right up there with the best on the tray. It had that Texas flavor, very moist, and paired excellent with the tangy sauce Harp offers. Usually turkey is so so but if you go make sure you try it, it is worth a spot on your tray.

Overall the experience at Harp was outstanding. It felt similar to the places I have been in Texas. The atmosphere in Harps serving area, the food, even the line adds to the experience. It is unique to the Kansas City area as far as I know. So is Texas style barbecue taking over KC? I would say not entirely, but Harp Barbecue will be on the scene for a long time to come. They have worked hard to carve out their place in the Kansas City barbecue scene, and have developed quite a following. I can see why many people are ranking Harp Barbecue as one of the best around, it truly is a special place in the Kansas City area. I encourage everyone to plan a visit on a Saturday afternoon. I would like to thank everyone at Harp Barbecue for a memorable evening. Tyler and the team at Harp have created something special in Raytown. Be sure to follow them on Facebook and Instagram. I will leave a link to their website as well. https://www.harpbarbecue.com

LRR

travelingbbqer

September 13, 2022 0

Texas Hill Country

Texas Hill Country is located in central/south Texas. Major spots include San Marcos, New Braunfels, Wimberly, Luckenbach, and Fredericksburg to name a few. In Fredericksburg you will find, shopping, restaurants, breweries, live music, and wineries by the dozen. Texas hill country has over 100 different wineries, with over 50 of them located in the Fredericksburg area.

Fredericksburg is rich with small town charm. Main street is mixed with old charm, restaurants, upscale shopping, and little dives to grab a drink and hear a local musician sing. Also it is the clear the financial investments that have been made in the wineries and breweries around town. I was amazed at what has been done around this small central Texas town.

For our three day stay the wife found the perfect little Airbnb right off of Main Street. It was a short walk to all of what Fredericksburg’s downtown had to offer. Which meant day drinking wasn’t a problem. No driving, and a short walk to take an afternoon nap lol.

The decor of this cottage perfectly matched the feel of Fredericksburg, old charm with an upscale feel. This is offered by Agave Cottages, who is a super host on Airbnb and was around $150 a night when we visited at the end of March. There are so many unique and funky places to stay in and around Fredericksburg it can be overwhelming. Planning what activities and where they are located can help you narrow down where you might want to stay. Luckily for me my wife is amazing at planning, so I leave these details up to her and she always does an amazing job.

The Texas sun and day drinking looks good on her.

The highlight of our vineyard stops for me was our tour at Slate Theory Vineyard. It’s a chic facility that offered amazing Texas wines. Touring the facility and listening to the staff talk about their history and plans for the future made you feel their passion for what they were doing. I have always admired people that are passionate about their crafts, whether be a wine maker, furniture builder, finance person, artist, or anyone in-between. The enthusiasm at Slate Theory is portrayed in their wines. We loaded up more than one bottle before we left.

Selecting what vineyards you are going to visit is a tall task in Fredericksburg, with so many in the area you might want to check into tours that have predetermined stops. It will take some the stress of selecting vineyards, and finding a sober driver away. Agave Cottages offered a tour you could book through them. I will warn you bachelorette parties are everywhere you look around town, and be prepared to wait for a table at dinner time. The restaurants are usually small on the inside and that leads to longer wait times. Don’t wait until you are starving to get something to eat.

This short trip to Fredericksburg was perfect. The temps in late march were more favorable than when summer sets in in Texas. The sun shined bright in the Texas sky, and the wine was flowed everywhere you looked. From where I am located in south-central Kansas it is about a 9 hour drive. To be transported to such a devoted wine scene that close to home was astonishing. I have never been to Napa Valley, but the feel has to be similar. I am not a wine connoisseur I just enjoy seeing people live out there passions. Keep it up Texas hill country we will be back. For me it is a trip I would make a long weekend out of. Wine country isn’t enough for me to make a destination out of, it is more of a stop along the way of what else Texas has to offer.

travelingbbqer

August 21, 2022 0

Kreuz Market, Lockhart TX

When planning our central Texas road trip we knew a stop in Lockhart needed to be on the agenda, and Kreuz Market was our destination. Kreuz is a staple of the central Texas barbecue scene. The name Kreuz Market first appeared in 1900 and has been operating in Lockhart in a couple of different buildings ever since.

The setup inside Kreuz is unlike anything this Kansas boy has witnessed.

We arrived in Lockhart right at 11 on a Monday. There were a few other patrons already there, but no line that early in the day. Walking in the smell surrounds you, and taking in a deep breath you know you are in the right place for BBQ. I had been in Texas for a few days and hadn’t had a beef rib yet, it was time for that to change.

We ordered at the counter and dug in. We got half a chicken, sausage, brisket, and a beef rib, along with a couple of sides. I dove into the beef rib first, and it was my favorite item on the tray. It was very tender, and moist with a good smokey flavor. It had that traditional central Texas bark. The half chicken had good crispy skin, moist on the inside. The overall flavor of the chicken was a bit salty for my taste, but overall it was good. The sausage was typical for what we had in Texas, good smokey flavor but I wanted something different in the texture. The brisket was a little disappointing if I am honest. It was overcooked slightly which made it dry and crumbly. It had more of a pot roast flavor than I like in brisket. Kreuz was my least favorite brisket of the trip. If I had not ordered the beef rib I would have been disappointed in their beef offerings that day.

For sides we got beans, Mac and cheese, and green beans. The Mac and cheese and green beans were both good. Nothing outstanding about either one, but solid options if you stop there for meal. The beans were by far and away the best side we had there. They had a Mexican flavor, with a hint of smoke, and were delicious. I would definitely recommend getting an order of them.

Overall Kreuz Market was a good meal, but my least favorite overall of the places we sampled while in Texas. They where competing with some of the best so being last on this particular list isn’t necessarily a bad thing. Would I eat there again? Probably, but if I was back in Lockhart I would want try some of the other places before making my way back to Kreuz. Check out their website here: https://www.kreuzmarket.com

Traveling BBQer

August 15, 2022 0

La Barbecue, Austin Texas

Our second stop on our central Texas road trip was La Barbecue. What started as a food truck in 2012 has found a home at 2401 E Cesar Chavez where they have created something special. We arrived on a Sunday morning about 10:45 and joined the line that had wrapped around the corner of the building already.

The smell of the smokers filled the air and everyone in line was eager to eat. It took about an hour from our place in line to the time we got our food. The atmosphere is fun, the Mrs. was digging the music selections, and the decor was unique.

We ordered at the counter, they cut the meat as you order (and pass out a bite of brisket or two while they prepare your order) and we went outside to eat. The weather was gorgeous that day. We ordered sausage, ribs, and brisket. With beans, onions, pickles, and bread to fill out the platter.

Lets start with the sausage. It is a German style sausage like most are in central Texas. It was smokey, flavorful, moist and very good. The ribs were absolutely dynamite. We got the end of the slab which tends to be not as good, but they were still fantastic. The seasoning was perfectly complimented by the glaze. It was a little sweet, a little tangy, with a little heat.

La Barbecue was my first real central Texas brisket experience. Just look at that bark! The bark on a brisket in Texas is sacred. Dark color, moist, and a little sticky to the touch. That bark lets you know the pitmaster put in the time and effort to cook it to perfection. The kind of bark I have only ever seen accomplished by a well ran offset pit. The flavor was outstanding, the fat was well rendered, and was very moist. There were a few sauces on the table to try, but the brisket didn’t need anything, it was great. The beans were different than what I am use to getting at BBQ restaurants, and they were delicious. I would say more of a Mexican style baked bean. We loved them.

It was easy to see why La Barbecue is considered one of the best in Austin by locals and barbecue tourist like myself. Waiting in line smelling the smoke and meat cooking while you anxiously wait your turn to order somehow adds to the experience. The food is incredible, the service was great and people were very friendly. I can see why people say Texas barbecue is the best. I like a lot of spots in my little hometown of Wichita KS, but La Barbecue is on another level. We have nothing that compares to it here. I cannot recommend enough adding La Barbecue to the top of your list of places to eat in Austin if you ever find yourself in central Texas.

June 1, 2022 0

Valentina’s Tex Mex BBQ, Austin Tx

I have heard about Valentinas Tex Mex BBQ for a few years so when we started looking at taking a trip to central Texas I saw my opportunity to try their famous breakfast tacos.

One of the breakfast features that morning was The Knockout Taco and after reading the description that is what I decided on. The wife chose the other feature the Manchaca Taco. We ordered, grabbed our drinks out the cooler and sat down outside in the sun to enjoy the spring Texas morning.

The smell coming from the smokers was heavenly

The Knockout Taco is creamy refried beans, potatoes, fried egg, crispy bacon, smoked chorizo, and mesquite smoked brisket, topped with queso and their “gangster salsa”on house-made tortillas.

I will be honest when I first saw this thing I got up and grabbed a fork because I thought there was no way that tortilla was holding up, but it did all the way to last bite. I honestly cannot say enough good things about this. It has a lot going on in that delicious tortilla but it all works! Nothing got overshadowed. The mesquite smoked brisket was tender, and juicy, with great flavor. The chorizo was perfect paired with the brisket, and the egg was a nice over easy with a runny yoke. The potatoes, refried beans, and bacon where all delicious. The queso and gangster salsa topped everything off perfectly. This is hands down the best breakfast taco I have ever had.

I snagged a small bite of sausage off the wifes’ Manchaca Taco, and it was delicious. She was very happy with her choice as well, but I still think she wishes she would have gotten the Knockout, lol. Overall our breakfast at Valentina’s will not be forgotten anytime soon. Do not pass this place by when you are in Austin. It is the real deal. I have two regrets about Valentina’s, 1- we did not go back a second time before leaving Texas. 2 – not trying the barbecue by itself. I would have like to sample more of their of the menu. Please do yourself a favor and go to Valentina’s Tex Mex BBQ, it truly was amazing.

The Traveling BBQer

Spotted these two Mill Scale 1000 gallon offsets outback of Valentina’s

April 3, 2022 0

Meat Mitch BBQ, Leawood KS

Meat Mitch BBQ is a product of award winning pit-master and sauce maker Mitch Benjamin. They opened in December of 2021 after a long construction process. They are no strangers to the Kansas City barbecue scene though, Char Bar is also a Meat Mitch restaurant. Having really enjoying my experience at Char Bar I was anxious to try Meat Mitch BBQ.

We arrived around 5 o’clock on a Saturday evening. The decor is unique and creates an inviting atmosphere. We ordered the pit masters platter with beans and Mac and cheese, and smoky chicken suckers. The platter comes smoked burnt ends, black Angus carved brisket, smoked turkey, 3 rib bones, pulled pork, smoked rope sausage, and fries.

The ordering system is different, order at the front, sit down, and then a waiter comes by and takes drink orders. Our appetizer and pit-master platter came out at the same time. I am not sure if this is a normal because of how you order, or just an anomaly on this evening.

Overall I can describe our trip to Meat Mitch BBQ that evening as disappointing. I hate to say that but it is the truth. I say disappointing because I know from my Char bar experiences this was not what this restaurant is capable of producing. The chicken suckers had a nice buffalo sauce coating and were served with a very good homemade ranch dressing. The rub on the meat, and the variety of sauces on the table are all fantastic, but the execution just wasn’t there on this platter of food. The ribs were undercooked and not tender, the sausage was cold as soon as it arrived at our table, and the mac and cheese was average. The turkey was a bit dry but overall not bad. The brisket and burnt ends were good, but still lacked some on execution. The rub and sauces compliment each other well. The pulled pork with whomp sauce was my favorite combo. The star of the platter was the beans and fries. The beans very good, probably the best beans I have had at a barbecue restaurant. The fries had a barbecue rub on them and were nice and crispy, very good.

The question is will we go back, and the answer is ABSOLUTELY. I know that every place has an off night and I know that is what this was. Meat Mitch BBQ has a bright future on the Kansas City BBQ scene. Please don’t let anything I have said here discourage you from eating there. I look forward to venturing back there and trying The Meat Tower and some bread pudding next time. Check out their menu and make a plan to grab dinner there in the near future. Let me know your experience. Traveling BBQer https://meatmitchbbq.com

March 5, 2022 0

Ouray Colorado

After a few amazing days in Lake City we made our way around the mountains to Ouray Colorado. Ouray is a quaint mountain town that is a hub for San Juan mountain adventures. Offering plenty of food and lodging options, Jeep and ATV rental, off-road trail access, hot springs, spas, and stunning mountain views. Ouray has everything you need. Ouray sits along the famous “million dollar highway” U.S. 550 between Silverton and Ridgway.

The mountains surrounding Ouray are absolutely stunning. Everywhere you look while you are in town is a picturesque view. Cascade Falls is signature feature of town. A very short walk and you can be standing right next to the falls.

Box Canyon Falls is another short walk to spectacular views. Box Canyon comes with a cover charge though. $10 per group gets you in. Parking is limited so you might have to park on the road and walk a short distance. Box Canyon is a unique feature and worth the time and entry fee.

Box Canyon Falls

Ouray being located along the million dollar has many opportunities for trail access. Since this was our first off roading trip we did not tackle the more difficult trails in the area. There is access to Yankee Boy basin, Imogene Pass, Black Bear Pass, and many others. One morning we headed down 550 and took Hurricane Pass to get an amazing view of Lake Como. The unique color of the water is spectacular and pictures can not do it justice. I would recommend stopping at the lake for lunch. Hurricane Pass is a moderate trail, and a fun one to drive. There was not a lot of traffic the day we drove compared to the Alpine Loop, but the views were just as stunning.

There a few different way to get to Telluride from Ouray. You can take Black Bear pass, Ophir Pass, Last Dollar Road, or the paved way highway 62 out of Ridgway. We chose to try out Last Dollar RD for a more relaxing drive (I had done a lot of driving at this point). There are warning signs that the road becomes extremely muddy when it rains so pay attention the weather report and watch the sky. About a mile down the road we came across a large herd of Elk. We love watching the wildlife in Colorado. Last Dollar rd is a fun drive and at one point towards the top we were looking down the planes arriving at Telluride airport, a unique view for sure. If you are base camping in Ouray carve out half a day to check out Telluride. It is an upscale mountain town that still has small town charm. Grab a cup of coffee, stroll down Main Street, pop in and out of the shops, and enjoy the view of Bridal Vail Falls.

Overall our time in Ouray was amazing! I hope I never forget sitting on the patio of Red Mountain Brewery in the rain watching the multiple waterfalls form on the surrounding mountains, sharing a drink with my amazing. Or meeting great people and chatting at the rooftop bar at the Ouray Brewery. The trails we traveled, and the sometimes foul language coming from the passenger seat when the trail got narrow, haha. We loved our time in Ouray and the San Juans mountains, and we will be returning this summer. To all the travelers and adventures out there get to the San Juans. There isn’t a better place to base camp than Ouray. Explore the trails, see the wildlife, smell the wildflowers, and have a cold beer and meet some new people in a rooftop bar surrounded by beautiful mountains. Cheers.

If you missed the trail videos on the last post here they are again… http://ENGINEER PASS ALPINE LOOP COLORADO https://youtu.be/lGXnu8EBM3E http://cinnamon pass Alpine Loop Colorado jeep gladiator rubicon https://youtu.be/0lGQL59hbv8

February 24, 2022 2