Kansas City BBQ

OK I've got you covered. My hometown. The airport is at the far north of the metro area, while most of the action and hard core BBQ are south of the river, and a long drive, including the most famous - Arthur Bryant's (presidential candidates have been there).

There is actually a decent BBQ place inside the new airport terminal called Meat Mitch - dont let the name fool you, it's good. Just about a mile from the airport is Scott's Kitchen scotts bbq which also serves breakfast. Call before going but you'll need a taxi. I'd try one of those unless you're OK driving. Public transport is lacking.

The best BBQ comes from small joints, often run by young people who started out as BBQ contest winners in the area. The older more established places are fine too, one being Jack Stack. Local chain of Gates BBQ is in several locations, but not near the airport.

A few miles further down I-29 towards the city is Smokehouse BBQ. If you head west several miles to Parkville, there is Char Bar. As you get closer to the downtown area, you can find F325, Wolfepack, and Hawg Jaw.

What makes KC good BBQ is that we'll smoke anything - turkey, chicken, beef, pork, ham, sausage, etc. And the spice rubs and sauces come in many varieties, You'll be able to buy sauces and rubs at the airport gift shops. The local specialty is burnt ends, which are pieces of the charred end of the beef briskets - crispy on outside while tender on the inside. Pork ribs are usually the best thing to try.

If you want more details or options, let me know.

Stan, Scott's Kitchen seems to be a doable thing. I plan on getting their sample platter so I can taste everything. I am just wondering if I can bring whatever wins the taste contest home with me as a carry on???

Thanks, Joe

Joe, sadly you can only carry on a quart Ziploc of sauce, in little 3 oz. bottles. Smoked meat? Your fellow passengers might try to all get a taste, depleting your goods. Maybe one of the BBQ Pitmasters could accompany you home, if you can make the case that they are your medical attendant, and you’re recovering from a Smoking addiction. Might be a rough argument if you’re still going through a pack of Burnt Ends a day!

Cyn, that is so very sad news. How then can I explain to the Warden that I ate everything, and she should blame TSA for me not bringing her a morsel home.

Guess I'm looking at a few nights sleeping on the couch.

M&S, FWIW last time I looked the KC airport shops (and maybe at restaurants) sold tiny three ounce bottles in sampler kits that you might be able to manage. But the dry rub seasoning mixes would be doable.

Here are strategies (at least you’re not passing thru Customs):

Get a bunch of smoked ribs, and glue them against your own ribs using KC BBQ sauce. You may need a bigger shirt.

Stash pulled pork in your socks. Wear tights if you have to, to hold all of it, and XXL sweat pants over that.

Sliced Brisket can go against the small of your back.

Smoked sausages can get slid inside your shoes, inside your luggge. Lots of Saran Wrap might be a good idea.

Chicken breasts - toss out your socks and underwear from your suitcase, and use the space you gained for these.

Smoked ham slices - these go in your suitcase, where your shirts and pants used to be.

Smoked turkey … if you go that far, put it in front of your abdomen, as if you were pregnant, and go with an even bigger shirt to cover all this. Maybe an ACE bandage would bind it all together.

If anybody on the plane questions you, just let them know you use KC Masterpiece cologne.

M&S, if the hungry TSA agents snatch your BBQ from you, you can always get a reload at the aforementioned Meat Mitch restaurant which you will be passing right by on the way to your gate.

This sure had me chuckling Thanks for a great belly laugh!!

So, maybe I am wrong (since I haven’t tried it) but people bring food from home all the time - when flying within the U.S. So if heading from KC to your U.S. home, your leftover meat ought to be allowable. It’s sauce (a liquid) that would cause you trouble with TSA, as Cyn said. I would definitely double bag it, though. Ha!