At first glance, this looks like a typical gas station at the corner of Mission and West 47th Street in Kansas City, Kansas.
Until you notice that there is a growing line, waiting outside to enter, at 11:05 am on a Monday morning.
We’ve waited in this line before, but gave up before our chance to enter. Standing on black asphalt in a long line that snakes around the corner and down the street on a hot day is just not something Mr. Jones is willing to do, no matter how good the food inside is supposed to be.
After all, it’s a barbecue joint in a gas station. And there are hundreds of good places to eat barbecue in Kansas City.
But then there is that recommendation by Anthony Bourdain.
In a September, 2011 article in Men’s Health magazine, Mr. Bourdain named Oklahoma Joe’s Barbecue as one of his 13 Places to Eat Before You Die, along with culinary legends such as the French Laundry in Napa, Per Se in New York City, elBulli in Girona, Spain, and Jiro Ono’s Sukiyabashi Jiro in Toyoko.
Thanks to following Mr. Bourdain’s advice, we’ve enjoyed some terrific food in the most unlikely places– from a buffet restaurant in US hotel chain in Singapore to a Northern Thai restaurant in an obscure Las Vegas strip mall.
So last Monday when our good friend and fellow Bourdain-follower James was visiting from Alaska, we thought we’d beat the line by showing up at Oklahoma Joe’s (in the midst of changing it’s name to Joe’s Kansas City Bar-B-Que) right when it opens at 11 am on Monday morning. In our past experience, 11 am on a Monday morning is generally an ideal time to visit hole-in-the-wall dining establishments recommended by Anthony Bourdain.
Our Monday morning strategy did not work at Oklahoma Joe’s. There was already a line at the door.
Once you get inside Oklahoma Joe’s, the crowd continues.
The line does move fairly quickly. When it’s your turn to order, you need to know what you want.
While it a seems like there won’t be a place to sit, there is a strict policy against saving tables. The Line Rules work.
We ordered the sliced beef brisket dinner with a side of BBQ beans.
Plus the burnt end dinner with a side of spicy slaw. NOTE: burnt ends are only available during the lunch hour on Mondays and Wednesdays, on a first-come, first-served basis. This might contribute to the Monday morning line.
We also wanted to try the pulled pork, so we ordered the Pig Salad – topped with warm pulled pork and loaded with pepperoncini under the pork. The salad is best with the house creamy tomato dressing on the side.
Of course, you can purchase bottles of sauce to take with you. And fill your gas tank if you like.
The world-famous Joe’s Kansas City Bar-B-Que is worth waiting for, at least on a cool fall day.
Have you eaten at Oklahoma Joe’s? What’s your favorite item on the menu? Please share in comments below.
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