Gates Bar-B-Q

Don't be scared

Food

Service

Atmosphere

When the woman at the register shouts (yes shouts) at you, "How may I help you?" you need to shout right back: "Beef on bun on bread." That's right. Even if you want your beef, or ham, or burnt ends on bread, you can only get it by ordering it on a bun. Confused yet?

Gates has its own vernacular and if you can step up to the plate, you'll be rewarded with not only the best BBQ in Kansas City but quite possibly the best in the country.  Kansas City style BBQ is known for its tomato-based sauce, and Gates serves up the best in town.  

Travelers on a budget can order a pound of beef, turkey, or ham for $10 and Gates will throw in an entire loaf of white bread (this place isn't for the soy-tofu bean sprout crowd) for you to make your own sandwiches.   Stop by the condiment bar and sample the three different sauces (Ollie Gates says the secret is adding the sugar then the salt).  Order up a side of fries or a slab of ribs if you're still hungry.  Some native Kansas Citians swear by the burnt ends, but those should be saved for Arthur Bryants (also reviewed by Lonely Planet).   Wash it all down with a pitcher of beer served in chilled mugs. Its cheaper to buy a pitcher than it is to buy two mugs - now that's bargain.  

Gates is light on the wallet, heavy on the stomach, full of personality,  and will leave you satisfied for the rest of the day.