Q39 - Midtown image

Q39 - Midtown

Restaurant American restaurant Bar and grill Catering service Barbecue restaurant

One of the Most Revieweds in Kansas City


Address

1000 W 39th St, Kansas City, MO 64111

Website

q39kc.com

Contact

(816) 255-3753

Price rating

$$ $$

Rating on Google Maps

4.70 (14.6K reviews)

Open on Google Maps

Working Hours

  • Tuesday: 11 AM to 9 PM
  • Wednesday: 11 AM to 9 PM
  • Thursday: 11 AM to 9 PM
  • Friday: 11 AM to 10 PM
  • Saturday: 11 AM to 10 PM
  • Sunday: 11 AM to 9 PM
  • Monday: 11 AM to 9 PM

Featured Reviews


Frequently mentioned in reviews: good (21) brisket (20) great (19) burnt (15) ends (15) sauce (14) ribs (14) delicious (12) Kansas (11) City (11)
Reviews are sorted by relevance, prioritizing the most helpful and insightful feedback at the top for easier reference.
  • 5/5 G. Lamar W. 1 year ago on Google
    TL/DR: go there, get food Kansas City is known for some of the best BBQ in the world - and Q39 is known for the best BBQ in Kansas City. Being a Tennessee person, I'm sort of partial to the way we do things... but there I went, with open mind and empty stomach, to see what the fuss is all about. My first impression walking in was how clean & upbeat Q39 is - and how incredibly friendly the staff are. They'd never met me in my life but treated me like a regular. I ordered the Judge's Plate to go (along with a bottle of award-winning zesty sauce to take home). This is a "pick-3" plate from a selection of 5: pulled pork, ribs, sliced brisket, smoked chicken and chipotle sausage. I chose the first three, with baked beans for my side. While awaiting the order, I looked around at the array of awards Q39 has on display, and was quite stunned when I saw not one, but TWO Jack Daniels BBQ trophies on a shelf over the bar! What the heck! These guys came to my home turf and took home the trophy... TWICE! I got my order in a timely manner, paid and made haste to get back to my lodging. It was a miserable drive because I could smell nothing but an incredible BBQ fragrance the whole way. When I finally sat down and opened the go container, I saw what looked to be some amazing BBQ pork. I deliberately eased into it so I could savor the flavor. With every bite of the pulled pork, I thought I heard angels singing. It was tender, juicy, perfectly smoked and flavored. The sliced brisket was equally flavorful. I barely had to chew: it was that tender! As I easily peeled the rib meat from the bone and tasted it, the meat was so tender it seemed to melt into liquid happiness on my tongue. If "love" was a flavor, I imagine it would taste much like this. (Bless this pig's mom for having such a delicious kid - some animals were born to end up on my plate, and this was one of them. Amen) The baked beans were perfect. I know that word is overused, but this should be the standard by which all baked beans should be compared. Really. No wonder Q39 has so many awards that they can't all fit on the trophy wall! Q39's pit boss has this craft down to a sheer art form. If you find yourself anywhere near Kansas City, Missouri, you are well advised to make every effort to get to Q39. Trust me on this... you'll thank me later.
    12 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Tom B. 5 months ago on Google • 182 reviews
    What can I say? Q39 is a must stop if you’re in Kansas City and looking for awesome BBQ. We heard about this place from a couple we met and decided to try this instead of Joe’s. We were glad we did. The moment we parked, we could smell the food! Side note on parking, get there early or parking is difficult to find. We walked in and sat at the bar! Service was awesome! The bartenders were very helpful I. Making recommendations and letting us know what their daily special was! They had a full bar and great a great selection of local craft beer! We ordered the “World’s Best Wings” and my goodness those were cooked to perfection with some incredible flavor! Don’t sleep on this appetizer! There were six included in our order. We ordered the platter (shared it) which had the brisket, burnt ends, pork belly and a rib! So much food! We chose the mac and cheese and the apple slaw! Both were solid! Definitely go with an order of burnt ends! Those were simply incredible! They make their own sauce and provide that as a side as well! If we lived closer, I’d be living there once a week at least! The food was brilliant! Give Q39 a try! You’ll be extremely satisfied! Thanks for an awesome experience guys!
    6 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 FatKat M. 3 months ago on Google • 312 reviews New
    12/7/23 Stopped in here for the first time. Staff is friendly, they are very prompt. I ordered Mr Burns which is burnt in sandwich. I didn't care for the onion rings or whatever they are on top. I don't think you complimented the meat. At a side of baked beans they weren't the worst but they were okay. My advice, if you like food that is not seasoned, I would recommend this place. Burn-ins were great. Very tender, juicy and perfect amount of fat. But literally just plain. The baked beans also had no sauce in it. And I mean no barbecue sauce. They were still good, but just plain with the beans and burn ends. After I added sauce it seemed fine. I kept hearing about this place and how many trophies they have and everything else so I wanted to try it, it's not a place I'll be going back. Very expensive.
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Joe D. 2 months ago on Google • 224 reviews New
    The food was good. They had a nice BBQ sauce. The wings were pretty delicious but they call them “the world’s best” which was a bit of a stretch but again they were good. The table wasn’t comfortable. They portray themselves as upscale but I didn’t get that feeling. The prices were pretty good maybe a little pricier than average. Service was fine… about what it should be. The expectation vs reality was off. I’d go back but KC has a ton of bbq options.
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Aaron L. 1 year ago on Google
    Great bbq and staff! Very solid menu and drink menu. The brisket is perfectly cooked and not dry at all. Burnt ends were perfect! The salad was huge and very filling. Brisket sandwich spot on. Get reservations if in the evening! We went Friday afternoon around 4 for an early dinner late lunch and they were already getting really busy. Friendly crew too!
    7 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Collin G. 2 months ago on Google • 153 reviews New
    We came with a group of 10. We are from Wisconsin and although we have BBQ it was nothing like they do in KC. The food was top notch! Our server Dwayne was very entertaining! He was very knowledgeable and friendly. He made us feel right at home and was very helpful with navigating the menu. I would definitely recommend the burnt ends and the brisket. 10/10 would recommend. The rest of the staff was great also.
    4 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Lindsay V. 2 years ago on Google
    Thank you to all the locals who recommended this place! Amazing. Truly the service was excellent, we sat at the bar & both bartenders were super friendly. They were slammed but we still got great service. The food was incredible - the wings - truly are the absolute best thing on the menu! For sure would recommend here!
    6 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Aaron S. 4 months ago on Google • 93 reviews
    Best BBQ I’ve had in KC so far. We went on a Friday night and it was pretty busy but I wouldn’t say the wait was bad before or during our meal. Our server Chad did an *amazing* job explaining dishes and providing recommendations. We started with the Smoked Brisket Nachos, which were great. We all decided to order the Mr. Burns sandwich which involves cubed burnt ends and a chipotle BBQ sauce. It’s so tender that it’s actually fairly light to eat and the flavor is outstanding. The sauce may have been my favorite. I’m not usually wowed by a non-spicy sauce but I really loved the flavor. It was consensus rave reviews with my group. We’ll definitely be back.
    4 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Kelsi L. 1 year ago on Google
    Amazing food! Convinced me I need to come back to Kansas City for a trip rather than just stopping by like we did this time. Mark (the manager I believe) was so nice and opened up the patio to let me bring my dog so I didn’t have to leave him in the car. And our waitress Cori was so sweet! She had the best recommendations and never lead us wrong! We sampled just about everything and LOVED it all! 10/10! We’ll be back!
    5 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Meg W. 1 month ago on Google • 17 reviews New
    First time in KC and asked friends for recommendations. Most said Q39 hands-down. We went when they first opened. Kevin was our friendly and knowledgeable waiter that gave us plenty of suggestions. We went with the chicken wings as an appetizer, then ribs, brisket and sausage. All were perfectly cooked and so flavorful. My favorite was a toss between the wings and ribs, my husband’s was the wings. Whatever you do, GET THE WINGS! When we return to KC we’ll definitely be back.
    5 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Amanda T. 2 years ago on Google
    We had reservations for lunch. Great service and atmosphere. We had Smoked Beef brisket poutine, Baby Berg salad with brisket, and the Judges Plate. All of the meats were so good!! Our only complaint was that the baby berg salad was very wet and that made the dressing really runny and plain. This would not keep us from eating here again though. It's a great pick for a fun place to eat!!
    5 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Fernanda L. 2 years ago on Google
    You can’t never go wrong with a BBQ restaurant that has won best BBQ in town several times. They have all the classics from the brisket and ribs to flame to table dishes. Helpful staff. They encourage to make reservations to avoid the wait.
    5 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Hugh M. 1 year ago on Google
    This was off the hook! Probably the best BBQ I have ever had. The meat was cooked to perfection. Not to much Smoke - just the right amount and the meat pulled right off the bone on my Ribs and Chicken. My son’s Brisket was so tender and flavorful. I had their baked beans that had burnt end’s mixed in. It had a nice balance between sweet and smokiness. I like a good Cole Slaw also and this place does it right. We started with Chicken Wings - again fall off the bone with a sweet & spicy sauce. Not overly sauced - just the right amount to give it good flavor and stick to your fingers a little. Definitely a must try item. This place stays busy - we beat the rush but I would recommend making a reservation just to be safe. When we left there was a wait for sure. The staff is helpful and friendly and can help you decide what to order if needed.
    4 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Jesse “Harambe” D. 1 month ago on Google • 163 reviews New
    Best ribs around! Onion rings are amazing! Ribs were so good i didnt get a pic. Thank you for such an amazing experience the times we've been. Hands down is a MUST stop if you like BBQ and are in the area.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Dominique F. 1 month ago on Google • 127 reviews New
    Q39 BBQ is a must-visit KC destination. Great hospitality and delicious BBQ+side dishes; it's no wonder that Q39 has earned its reputation as one of the best barbecue joints in Kansas City. Classic barbecue choices are all delicious (especially the brisket) but the real highlight for us was the burnt ends burger. My goodness...it was delicious!!!!
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Stylés A. 6 months ago on Google
    First of all, the service is top notch, though I get the feeling that's as much a Kansas City thing as it is a Q39 thing. People are just warm, inviting, and polite. The atmosphere was standard fare for a high demand BBQ restaurant. Lines trail out the door, so make reservations. We had a small party of two, so we were able to sit at the bar quite comfortably, but otherwise be prepared to wait 45 minutes on a busy day if you walk in without booking in advance. Now for the food! I would say the images speak for themselves but in truth, they don't do it justice. Savory cooked meat that drips straight off the bone into your mouth is served tender and oozing with flavor. The seasoning is superb and the sauce is slightly sweet with light notes of complementary tartness to make a perfect blend of culinary pit perfection. The side dishes did not slack either, with premium seasoned fries, and gourmet recipes for generous portions of Mac & Cheese ans potato salad. Not only is Q39 a top BBQ joint in Kansas City ity. When you go there, you get the sense that its pit masters are competing on the national and global level. Good luck to the competition because they're going to need it.
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 JC S. 1 year ago on Google
    Visited here from out of state. Looked up best BBQ places in the city and found this one on the Food Network. The food here is amazing. My two guest that I brought here loved it. The sweet iced tea was great. The fries appetizer was a great start. Our meals were so delicious, we kept looking at each other with smiles and signs of approval. Great Midwestern BBQ. It was a Friday night at 8 pm, and it was very noisy, but worth the noise!
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Eidrick H. 1 year ago on Google
    This place is a barbecue heaven! I stayed in the area for a business and I had to visit this place three times! It’s really that good. Their BBQ ribs are out of this world. It is so tender, every bite is an explosion of flavors —- smokiness, juice of the meat, and the flavors. In my last visit, since I don’t know if I’ll come back to this place again, I bought several bottles of ribs and steak rubs and BBQ sauces to bring the taste back to where I live. I hope I can comeback to this place.
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Laura B. 1 year ago on Google
    The BBQ is SO GOOD! Also, the sides are good! Our server was Duane, and his service knocked or out of the park, highly recommend having him as your server. The ribs were FALL OFF THE BONES, TENDER AND JUICY! We got the brisket poutine and it was savory and delicious - would 10/10 recommend and would order again, EVERY TIME! The Mr. Burns sandwich and it was tender, crispy from the onions, and a delicious blend of flavors! Duane also gave us a variety of sauces to eat with the sandwich, try them all! Also, if you need some macaroni and cheese, you will not be disappointed!! Highly recommend this place for the food, service, and atmosphere! Thankfully, it also wasn’t too loud, which added to the atmosphere!
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Ann B. 4 months ago on Google
    What a really cool place with great food and lots of BBQ competition trophies to show for it. Service was shockingly fast; the servers have handheld machines to put your order in at the table. The food was really good, very tender. Sides not pictured and excellent: crispy fries and Mexican street corn. Clean and modern look.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Bayou V. 5 months ago on Google
    Absolutely the best smoked barbecue I've had since visiting Kansas City. Everything we ordered was delicious, fresh and hot. The Sweet Tea, Arnold Palmer's and cocktails were all sooooo good!! And the atmosphere was cozy yet modern and the wait staff was nothing short of amazing and attentive. I will definitely return when in town & my friends who live in KC will most definitely be back.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Eric 1 year ago on Google
    Decided to drop in at Q39 on our way out of town as our last BBQ stop...and we're so happy that we made it our last stop, because this was definitely THE best BBQ we sampled in the city. Everything was amazing, but the ribs and burnt ends in particular were highlights. I prefer a slightly more fatty brisket, but as for flavor, it was hard to beat. The rich smokiness was very evident and all the BBQ sauces complimented the meat very well. The sides were phenomenal as well, in particular the baked beans and the orzo. Sure, it may be a bit on the higher-end of price, but as the saying goes, sometimes you pay for what you get. In this case, it was worth every penny. A must-stop spot if you're in the Kansas City area for sure.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Jeramiah M. 1 year ago on Google
    This place was pretty good. The food was great but small portions compared to the price. I had the brisket sandwich and fries. It was delicious. My wife had pulled pork sandwich and potato salad which she enjoyed. My daughter had a burger and fries, lol. She liked it. Our server was great and very friendly. All in all it was good.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 3/5 Josh M. 1 month ago on Google • 24 reviews New
    I came out from Colorado for a BBQ day trip in KC. This was my last stop before flying back out. I ordered the sampler platter and while not bad it didn’t live up to the hype for me. The service was fast and great and the restaurant had more of a commercial restaurant feel atmosphere wise, but the Q just didn’t knock my socks off and I’d consider it average.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 zach s. 1 month ago on Google • 23 reviews New
    Overall fantastic BBQ and service. No microwaves, no heating up—the food is smoked, left to rest and served! I had the brisket and burnt ends with pit beans and apple slaw. Wow! The brisket was the best I’ve had and I travel all over. The pit beans were delightful and love when there are some burnt ends mixed in. Great BBQ doesn’t need sauce but when the sauce is just a bonus and absolute fire then it just levels up the whole experience! I’ll be back for more!
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Mehrosh F. 1 year ago on Google
    Delicious bbq with great sauces. Portions were kinda small but worth it! We got brisket, burnt ends (best ones I’ve ever had!), delicious ribs, apple cold slaw, and potato salad. The service was quick and friendly. No wait on a Saturday night. They were hustling! Definitely would go back.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Billy B. 9 months ago on Google
    Q39 midtown, probably one of the best BBQ experiences I have had in a long time. No wonder most of the locals rave about it. Went 3 times in 5 weeks. The pork belly tacos will change your life. The bacon wrapped shrimp is also very good. The rest of the proteins on the menu are very very good! My favorite was the chicken while my wife loved the ribs. On the dessert menu the carrot is to die for. Overall great experience well deserved 5 stars!!!
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 J W (. 5 months ago on Google
    Food was very good. Only way to get burnt ends is with the brisket plate so we added a rack of ribs. Beans, street corn, and Mac and cheese were great. Brisket is lean and the ribs were fall off the bone. Apple crisp was the perfect desert. Lots of seating.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Rick M. 3 weeks ago on Google • 55 reviews New
    This was our first visit and won’t be our last. The food was amazing. The sauces paired well with each type of meat. I am not a brisket fan and it was very tasty. Prices were inline with most BBQ in town. The service was splendid and the seating was just right. Enjoy!

  • 5/5 Travis J. 11 months ago on Google
    Remember - ratings are about the dining experience not just the food. I still wish we could do 1/2 stars but since I can’t I’ll share those details on my breakdown. So here we go: 1. Ambiance - 4 Stars. Loved the vibe once I made it past the host station. Arrived at 5:30 and we stood for about 5 min without any acknowledgement of our existence while FOUR employees stared at their seating tablets. Had the rest of the restaurant been as unwelcoming as the hosting staff I would give this a 1 star but everything kicked into gear after we were seated. Sorry front staff but it seemed like a horrible shift change. 2. Food Quality - 5 Stars. Hands down the best ribs I’ve had. Loved the burnt ends and brisket. Had fries and Mac-n-cheese and it was really good but could’ve been a little warmer 3. Customer Service - 5 stars. Since I already noted the opportunity for the front of the house, let me say that Chad - our server - was awesome. We are Visiting KC and we heard about this place from two friends so we stopped in and the chefs and Chad did not disappoint. Chad - Thank you!!! 4. Cleanliness - 4.5 Stars. Great layout and vibe and organized well. Only opportunity is the bathrooms. Love the character of them but they needed attention. For sure we would come back. Great BBQ and great dining experience.

  • 3/5 Steven C. 4 months ago on Google
    Honestly just a little disappointed. Maybe it was hyped too much by others or reviews but I thought it was pretty mid. Definitely not bad but the sausage and pulled pork was a bit dry. Brisket was pretty good. Beans also randomly pretty good. Had burnt ends as an app and they weren't as charred or crispy as I am used to. But thats just a personal preference; flavor was excellent. Probably the best meat of them all. Paid $50 with tip for just me. Meh. I'll come back another time though to give it another shot as the reviews are awesome. Maybe it was an off night

  • 4/5 Tyanne J. 1 year ago on Google
    Super quick and friendly service. The food didn't take too long to come either. The waitress really talked up the Mac and cheese but I would give it 4/5 stars. The food came on cutting boards which was really unique. The whole place all around is a BBQ lovers dream. However, if you are a member of a party who is not super into BBQ like everyone else, you might think the flavors are a little strong.

  • 4/5 Brandon S. 4 months ago on Google
    Fun atmosphere for the whole family. My favorite item ordered, the wings, not typical for a BBQ joint, but were definitely top tier and appropriately named "Best Wings On The Planet" with a perfet flavor, char, and crunch. Brisket was decent (smoke flavor not super noticable). The onion strings were good. BBQ sauces were very tasty. The kids menu works perfectly.

  • 5/5 Brittany B. 1 year ago on Google
    I'm from California so I get pork belly nearly everywhere in LA and bacon wrapped shrimp at all the work functions. This is the best pork belly and bacon wrapped shrimp of my life. Came to Kansas City for the BBQ, Q39 was recommended to me by multiple people and I am so grateful. The only thing I didn't LOVE was the side of vegetables and the French fries. The fries were great, just compared to everything else they couldn't hold a candle. The veggies were the most basic flavorless thing. For everything they grill and smoke and BBQ here I am shocked these veggies haven't had a makeover. Grilled on a skewer would have been great. All that is to say, the brisket, burnt ends, Mr.Burns sandwich, Mac n cheese with pork belly, potato salad, and onion strings are all insane. For people like me who love condiments and sauces, the horseradish sauce for the Mr.Burns and the honey bbq that comes with the onion strings are amazing. Even the garnish with the shrimp was delicious. 10/10 would recommend. I just won't get veggies next time.


Call (816) 255-3753 Open on Google Maps

Amenities


  • Parking
    • ✓️ Free parking lot
    • ✓️ Plenty of parking
  • Payments
    • ✓️ Debit cards
    • ✓️ Credit cards
    • ✓️ NFC mobile payments
  • Offerings
    • ✓️ Beer
    • ✓️ Wine
    • ✓️ Coffee
    • ✓️ Alcohol
    • ✓️ Spirits
    • ✓️ Cocktails
    • ✓️ Quick bite
    • ✓️ Comfort food
    • ✓️ Small plates
    • ✓️ Organic dishes
    • ✓️ Late-night food
    • ✓️ Happy-hour drinks
    • ✓️ Vegetarian options
  • Popular for
    • ✓️ Lunch
    • ✓️ Dinner
    • ✓️ Solo dining
  • Accessibility
    • ✓️ Wheelchair-accessible toilet
    • ✓️ Wheelchair-accessible seating
    • ✓️ Wheelchair-accessible car park
    • ✓️ Wheelchair-accessible entrance
  • Dining options
    • ✓️ Lunch
    • ✓️ Dinner
    • ✓️ Dessert
    • ✓️ Seating
    • ✓️ Catering
  • Service options
    • ✓️ Dine-in
    • ✓️ Delivery
    • ✓️ Takeaway
    • ✓️ Kerbside pickup
    • ✓️ Outdoor seating

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