Discover BBQ: Arthur Bryant’s Place in Kansas City

One of America’s best-known barbecues is Arthur Bryant’s in Kansas City, Missouri. According to its website, Bryant’s is considered the best barbecue restaurant in the world by New York columnist Calvin Trillin. Since 1930, the legendary King of Ribs has attracted many celebrities to the restaurant, including Presidents Harry Truman and Jimmy Carter.

The barbecue at Bryant’s is slowly smoked over a fire made from a blend of walnut and oak, then drizzled with a choice of two sauces, Original or Rich & Spicy. The story is that the restaurant was started by Charlie Bryant, Arthur’s brother. When Charley died, Brother Arthur took over the business and perfected the sauce. He said “I make it so you can put it on bread and eat it.” It has to be a good sauce! He changed the name to Arthur Bryant’s and opened the legendary 18th & Brooklyn restaurant in Kansas City. Arthur Bryant is long dead, and the restaurant is now owned by Gary Berbiglia and Bill Rauschelbach, who acquired the business in 1981. They have expanded the business while preserving Bryant’s original flavor and traditions. The restaurant currently has three locations, the original at 1727 Brooklyn Avenue, one at Legends / KS Speedway, and a third at Ameristar Casino, 3200 N. Ameristar Drive.

Arthur Bryant’s has a wide variety of typical barbecue dishes, but is best known for its minced brisket, and most notably for its “burnt tips,” which are the crispy charred edges on the outside of brisket sauteed and put on sandwiches. Bryant’s sauce can be purchased by mail order or online at the Bryant website.