i rarely eat Gates, but about a year ago we had some ribs from there and they were good. I too have been to Bryants a few times in the past year and it has been really good each time. I get brisket and sausage combo and just totally douse it in their spicier sauce. no issues with fat on the meat or anything.loftguy wrote: I dissed Gates, so I feel that I must stand up for Bryants, to make some amends.
I've been to AB's on Brooklyn four times in the past year. It has each time been spectacular. Just brisket, but just awesome. If you don't like the sauce, then don't go. It is what it is and we'll just have to differ there. OJ's sux to me, just sayin'.
This, after about a ten year spate of avoiding the place, following a few meals that were as insulting as my recent Gates experience.
Bryants in my experience seems to be back and this makes me happy on several levels.
i haven't been to LC's in about five years or more. I need to change that. I am also intrigued by an earlier mention of a BBQ cheeseburger at Gates which sounds stellar.
but yeah, OK Joe's is my favorite in town, by far. the employees may be white, but the patrons are no whiter than the patrons at Bryants or Gates or LC's (which is to say, they are 90% white). I haven't been to the Gates on 12th st though. I can understand that the space is not gritty and "authentic KC" feeling, and i also get that at this point it is a tourist trap, but it's still awesome and I am very pleased it is here. It is too bad that "Oklahoma" is in the name, but really, who gives a shit. I understand that an "Oklahoma Joe" is some sort of grill or smoker and is a term of art on the competition BBQ circuit. I am not sure any of the proprietors are from OK - but again, if they are, who f'n cares?!