Oklahoma Joe's BBQ
Oklahoma Joe's has won so many awards and accolades they could just ride by on reputation alone. But, what so pleasantly surprised me is that, despite it's world class rep, the service is still friendly and efficient, the atmosphere still simple and unassuming, and the quality of the food still excellent. I tell you this: I will never look at BBQ the same way again, I have found my new local favorite, and (darn it) I will never drive down 47th street again without my mouth watering! We're already planning our next trip back.
Try the Pulled Pork Carolina sandwich, Brisket.
Try the Pulled Pork Carolina sandwich, Brisket.
Atmosphere
I don't even want to think about how many times I've driven by Oklahoma Joe's and never knew what I was passing. I had read once that it was located in a gas station but, in my mind, that meant an old, quaint, 50's-style station that had been renovated into a quirky, urban hangout, no? Not! Oklahoma Joe's is seriously IN a gas station. Who knew? Well, apparently the whole world, except me!
Nestled right inside the convenience store section of a gas station, the restaurant itself is cordoned off to the side by metal room dividers and decorated in very casual and unassuming country style. The far wall is covered in corrugated metal and on it hangs BBQ banners, ribbons won, and countless pictures of BBQ cook-offs. To the right are large floor-to-ceiling windows covered with blinds, and several vintage ceiling fans whirring overhead give the place an old-world charm. To the left is the ordering counter, behind which are several large trophies (won for BBQ, I assume), and the menu is handwritten on a large chalkboard. Simple tables and booths are dressed with large rolls of paper towels (you'll need them!) and bottles of BBQ sauce. Lively blues play from the stereo speakers.
Nestled right inside the convenience store section of a gas station, the restaurant itself is cordoned off to the side by metal room dividers and decorated in very casual and unassuming country style. The far wall is covered in corrugated metal and on it hangs BBQ banners, ribbons won, and countless pictures of BBQ cook-offs. To the right are large floor-to-ceiling windows covered with blinds, and several vintage ceiling fans whirring overhead give the place an old-world charm. To the left is the ordering counter, behind which are several large trophies (won for BBQ, I assume), and the menu is handwritten on a large chalkboard. Simple tables and booths are dressed with large rolls of paper towels (you'll need them!) and bottles of BBQ sauce. Lively blues play from the stereo speakers.
Service
Counter service is friendly and fast. Our order was ready before we could even get the wallet out.
You can call in on Wednesdays and Saturdays and reserve burnt ends for you and your family. However, all call-in orders must be taken out and eaten off the premises.
You can call in on Wednesdays and Saturdays and reserve burnt ends for you and your family. However, all call-in orders must be taken out and eaten off the premises.
Food
What can I say? There's a reason why Anthony Bourdain listed Oklahoma Joe's as one of the 13 places to eat before you die. The food is fantastic! The menu offers several choices including sandwiches, salads, ribs, dinner plates, and sides, making it hard to choose, especially if you're hungry. But, the self-proclaimed specialty is the pulled pork, so I decided on the 'Carolina' ($5.79) a pulled pork sandwich with Bubba's spicy coleslaw on a soft, white bun. The meat was melt-in-your-mouth tender, extremely moist and flavorful but not at all greasy. The coleslaw was made without mayonnaise and was crunchy and spicy, Together the meat and slaw were a perfect match, crunchy, spicy, meaty, tender. wow! The bun was merely the vessel, but still nice. I only ate as much as I needed. To top my sandwich, Oklahoma Joe's offers 2 sauces, regular and spicy. Because my sandwich was already spicy I opted for the regular, which was a little sweet. Mmmmm, sweet and spicy, my favorite flavor profile!
To go with the sandwich, but not to overload on bread, we ordered a ½ lb. of brisket ($6.49), which came simply piled on a plate. Excellent in flavor and extremely tender, it was simply delicious. James wasn't happy that it was not very hot but, personally, I think the meat probably tastes better if it's not overheated. To each his own, I guess. To balance out our plate of meat, and not to be too healthy, we ordered a bag of house fries ($2.35), touted as the 'best fries in KC'. They came nice and hot and very crispy, a huge bag, and they were covered in some kind of seasoning. I tasted a little chili, garlic, and salt... actually, they tasted exactly like BBQ potato chips! Hmm, probably some dry BBQ seasoning they concocted. I did see some for sale as we walked out. Either way, they were very good, tasty, and no need for ketchup. But the best fries in KC?! I'm not convinced.
After our meal I felt full but not stuffed which was a nice surprise. I didn't feel like I had swallowed a tub of grease, like I do at some other BBQ joints, but was fully satisfied. Writing this, I'm ready for more!
ON OUR SECOND TRY: One week later we were lucky enough to go back to Oklahoma Joe's, this time to try the full slab ribs dinner ($18.95) and the burnt ends sandwich ($8.19), the delicacy for which Oklahoma Joe's is famous and which is a special only on Wednesday nights and Saturday days.
As opposed to the last time we went, when the restaurant was empty, the line this time was so long it curved around the restaurant and streamed out into the gas station parking lot. I must say, however, that these people have the crowd thing down to a science. The wait was maybe 25 minutes and, due to Oklahoma Joe's order-before-taking-a-table policy there were several tables for us to choose from.
As far as the food goes, again, everything was excellent. The ribs were huge and meaty, having that full-bodied, very rich taste of ham. They were even better dipped in Oklahoma Joe's famous BBQ sauce, the regular sweet and spicy is my favorite. The burnt ends were also good, small cubes of fatty, flavorful meat, served on a soft white bun. This time we also had a side of onion rings ($3.29) and, being a huge onion ring fan, I thought these were excellent, nice and crisp, perfectly breaded, and piping hot.
Although I prefer the overall experience of Oklahoma Joe's, I have to say that the burnt ends were a little too fatty and anticlimactic for me. Frankly, I prefer the burnt ends at Arthur Bryants'. They come smothered in delicious sweet & spicy sauce, and the meat is more shredded than cubed and is more chewy and crispy than fatty. I also prefer the wonder bread at Arthur Bryant's because it is so soft it becomes one with the meat and sauce and I can never resist eating it. The bun at Oklahoma Joe's I merely tossed aside.
That said, I must note that my partner James heartily disagrees with me on this, and proclaims these, Oklahoma Joe's, are the best burnt ends ever! So, what can I say?! To each his or her own.
All in all, I was a little more stuffed this time around than last. OK, I felt sick. Next time I will stick to my nice, comparatively light, Carolina pulled pork sandwich and then balance it out with a huge bag of greasy onion rings. Mmmmmmm. The perfect meal...
To go with the sandwich, but not to overload on bread, we ordered a ½ lb. of brisket ($6.49), which came simply piled on a plate. Excellent in flavor and extremely tender, it was simply delicious. James wasn't happy that it was not very hot but, personally, I think the meat probably tastes better if it's not overheated. To each his own, I guess. To balance out our plate of meat, and not to be too healthy, we ordered a bag of house fries ($2.35), touted as the 'best fries in KC'. They came nice and hot and very crispy, a huge bag, and they were covered in some kind of seasoning. I tasted a little chili, garlic, and salt... actually, they tasted exactly like BBQ potato chips! Hmm, probably some dry BBQ seasoning they concocted. I did see some for sale as we walked out. Either way, they were very good, tasty, and no need for ketchup. But the best fries in KC?! I'm not convinced.
After our meal I felt full but not stuffed which was a nice surprise. I didn't feel like I had swallowed a tub of grease, like I do at some other BBQ joints, but was fully satisfied. Writing this, I'm ready for more!
ON OUR SECOND TRY: One week later we were lucky enough to go back to Oklahoma Joe's, this time to try the full slab ribs dinner ($18.95) and the burnt ends sandwich ($8.19), the delicacy for which Oklahoma Joe's is famous and which is a special only on Wednesday nights and Saturday days.
As opposed to the last time we went, when the restaurant was empty, the line this time was so long it curved around the restaurant and streamed out into the gas station parking lot. I must say, however, that these people have the crowd thing down to a science. The wait was maybe 25 minutes and, due to Oklahoma Joe's order-before-taking-a-table policy there were several tables for us to choose from.
As far as the food goes, again, everything was excellent. The ribs were huge and meaty, having that full-bodied, very rich taste of ham. They were even better dipped in Oklahoma Joe's famous BBQ sauce, the regular sweet and spicy is my favorite. The burnt ends were also good, small cubes of fatty, flavorful meat, served on a soft white bun. This time we also had a side of onion rings ($3.29) and, being a huge onion ring fan, I thought these were excellent, nice and crisp, perfectly breaded, and piping hot.
Although I prefer the overall experience of Oklahoma Joe's, I have to say that the burnt ends were a little too fatty and anticlimactic for me. Frankly, I prefer the burnt ends at Arthur Bryants'. They come smothered in delicious sweet & spicy sauce, and the meat is more shredded than cubed and is more chewy and crispy than fatty. I also prefer the wonder bread at Arthur Bryant's because it is so soft it becomes one with the meat and sauce and I can never resist eating it. The bun at Oklahoma Joe's I merely tossed aside.
That said, I must note that my partner James heartily disagrees with me on this, and proclaims these, Oklahoma Joe's, are the best burnt ends ever! So, what can I say?! To each his or her own.
All in all, I was a little more stuffed this time around than last. OK, I felt sick. Next time I will stick to my nice, comparatively light, Carolina pulled pork sandwich and then balance it out with a huge bag of greasy onion rings. Mmmmmmm. The perfect meal...
Cleanliness
It's a dive, but a clean dive. The restrooms were very well-maintained. The tables immaculate.
Pros
Some of the best BBQ on the planet, friendly service, great prices.
Cons
If you're not careful, you could drive right past it. The meat wasn't very hot.