Memphis or Kansas City?

Fellow Eaters and others,
My wife and I decided we NEED a vacation. We do driving vacations and want some great barbeque. We've done Alabama and the Carolinas and decided to head west from Indiana. We have about 5 days and the drive from NE Indiana to either Memphis or Kansas City is about the same.
I realize this is like asking which child do you love the best. But if you had to chose between the two, where would you go and why?
Always hungry,
-WB Bear-

I'd go to the place with BBQ that least resembles vinegar-based or that Alabama white nastiness.

Sooooo, probably KC. The availability of burnt ends is nice as well.

kc, for sheer quanity and quality of joints.
some of the locations have changed, but here's interesting reading:
 LTHForum.com • View topic - Kansas City Rampage: 2 Chowists, 10 Hours, 7 Meals (PICS)

KC and stop at Strouds' too for the chicken. BTW - Arthur Bryan's has been going downhill the last 2 times I ate there.

I agree -- KC.  Lots of great places to choose from for BBQ. 
 
Although I love Memphis BBQ, I think Stroud's fried chicken (for a little variety) is a "can't miss" experience.  Although there may be good fried chicken in Memphis (as there is in Nashville), I've never found it.
 
 

I'd pick Memphis both for barbecue and for overall eatin'  Just seems like there are more good to great choices in Memphis.

Not sure about fried chicken in Memphis, though it would be fun hunting it down.  The original Gus's might be on your way from IN; as might Owensboro KY.

Holly Moore


I'd pick Memphis both for barbecue and for overall eatin'  Just seems like there are more good to great choices in Memphis.

Not sure about fried chicken in Memphis, though it would be fun hunting it down.  The original Gus's might be on your way from IN; as might Owensboro KY.

can you name a few?

Other than bbq, Four Way, Dyer's Hamburgers, Arcade, Blue Plate, Bryant's for breakfast.  Understand someone can come up with a similar list for KC.  Just my sense that it is easier to find places of interest in Memphis.  More to choose from.

Also, Greg and Jim's Grocery and BBQ isn't too far away in Colt, AR. 

And I am a major fan of Rendezvous dry ribs.

Also, Payne's and Leonard's for 'Que in Memphis.

Buddy

ok. I give up. memphis it is.

I would choose K C for the BBQ and other food, but Memphis for the entertainment and night life.

Time of year would affect the decision as well. Hot Summers are worse in Memphis than KC and obviously winters are just the opposite. This would have an effect on my decision to go to either place.

wbbear, 

When are you thinking of going? Special events at either city could make the difference. 

BuddyRoadhouse


Also, Payne's and Leonard's for 'Que in Memphis.

Buddy

Buddy,
 
On my last visit to  Memphis both Paynes and Leonards were utter disappointments...
 
Payne's BBQ sandwich should have been called a "fat sandwich" and I don't mean "thick" and Leonard's BBQ was dried out and congealed.
 
Suffice to say we visited the other location for Payne's this time and I had the buffet versus an individual meal at Leonard's.
 
 

mayor al


I would choose K C for the BBQ and other food, but Memphis for the entertainment and night life.

Time of year would affect the decision as well. Hot Summers are worse in Memphis than KC and obviously winters are just the opposite. This would have an effect on my decision to go to either place.

I wouldn't make the trip to Memphis anytime soon.  It is beastly hot here now and for the forseeable future.  Record breaking highs just about everyday.

I've done both and I'd do memphis. Granted I am more familiar with Memphis. My go to places for BBQ:
Germantown Commissary
Interstate
Rendezvous (I prefer the loin to the ribs but the shrimp are outstanding and it's just fun!)
Topp's (I like their sandiwiches, some don't)
Gridley's (havn't been there in a long time but used to love their ribs and shrimp)
Coletta's for BBQ pizza (awesome, and don't forget the Toasted Ravioli!)

And all the other great places to eat in Memphis:

Gus's for fried chicken
Barksdale restaraunt for traditional Roadfood breakfast
Bryant's for breakfast or lunch
Brother Juniper's
The chinese sub shop near University of Memphis (can't remember the name, if it has a name?)
Automatic Slims
Flying Fish
Dyer's
Buntyn's is closed, right?
Take in a Redbirds game at the awesome ballpark downtown, ride the trolley, walk Beale Street. Go south 20 miles and spend a night at a casino, visit Mud Island and walk the scale model of Mississippi River. But, it's hotter than 2 rats humping in a wool sock right now, so keep that in mind.

Sfreader


wbbear, 

When are you thinking of going? Special events at either city could make the difference. 

A lot is going to depend on visitors coming to town, but it looks like it will be the last week of September to the first of October.

I would go to Memphis, TN because I'm more familiar with the city.  I'm sure KC has just as much to offer but I will have to let those that know more decide that.  Memphis, TN has outstanding BBQ but they are scattered all over town and town is spread out.  There's a big distinction between "downtown" Memphis and E. Memphis which covers the Germantown and Collierville areas.  There seem to be more things to do in "downtown" Memphis, TN today due to Beale Street and it's attractions.  There's the famous Peabody Hotel, Rendezvous Ribs and many many fine places to dine downtown.  Poplar Ave. is the main road between downtown and E Memphis.  There are numerous nice places to dine near or on Poplar.  On out further E you come to Germantown and Collierville both having fine places to dine.  I will list a few I know personally.
 
Downtown But Not Necessarily Right Downtown - Includes Areas S of Downtown and N of Downtown.  I said Memphis BBQ joints are scattered all over Memphis, TN.  All these are in W Memphis downtown, N of downtown or slightly S of downtown but all within 10 minutes of downtown.
 
Charlie Vergo's Rendezvous @ 52 S. Second St., Memphis, TN. 901 - 523 - 2746.
http://www.hogsfly.com/
Interstate BBQ @ 2265 S. Third St., Memphis, TN. 901 - 775 - 2304.
http://www.interstatebarbecue.com/
Neely's BBQ @ 670 Jefferson St., Memphis, TN. 901 - 521 - 9798.
http://www.neelysbbq.com/
Cozy Corner @ 745 N. Parkway, Memphis, TN. 901 - 527 - 9158.
http://www.cozycornerbbq.com/
Dyer's Hamburger's @ 205 Beale St., Memphis, TN 901 - 527 - 3937.
http://www.dyersonbeale.com/index.php
Automatic Slim's @ 83 South 2nd St., Memphis, TN 901 - 525 - 7948. "Fun Bar - Good Food"
http://www.automaticslimsmemphis.com/
BB King's Blues Club @ 143 Beale St., Memphis, TN 901 - 524 - 5464. "Good Food"
http://www.bbkingclubs.com/index.php?page=memhome
Bari Ristorante @ 22 South Cooper St., Memphis, TN 901 - 722 - 2244. "Italian"
http://www.barimemphis.com/2009/
Arcade Restaurant @ 540 South Main St., Memphis, TN 901 - 405 - 4058.
http://www.arcaderestaurant.com/
Butcher Shop Steakhouse @ 101 South Front St., Memphis, TN 901 - 521 - 0856.
http://www.thebutchershop.com/
Circa @ 119 South Main Street #100, Memphis, TN 901 - 522 - 1488.
http://www.circamemphis.com/
Ernestine and Hazel's Bar @ 531 South Main St., Memphis, TN 901 - 523 - 9754.
http://www.earnestineandhazels.com/
Felicia Suzanne's @ 80 Monroe Ave., Memphis, TN 901 - 523 - 0877.
http://www.feliciasuzanne.com/
Flight Restaurant and Wine Bar @ 39 South Main St., Memphis, TN 901 - 521 - 8005.
http://www.flightmemphis.com/
Gus' World Famous Fried Chicken @ 310 South Front St., Memphis, TN 901 - 527 - 4877.
McEwen's on Monroe @ 122 Monroe Ave., Memphis, TN 901 - 527 - 7085.
http://www.mcewensonmonroe.com/
South of Beale @ 361 South Main St., Memphis, TN 901 - 526 - 0388.
http://www.southofbeale.com/
Spindini @ 383 South Main Street, Memphis, TN 901 - 578 - 2767.
http://www.spindinimemphis.com/
Stella @ 2709 Lombardy Ave., Memphis, TN 901 - 526 - 4950.
The Majestic Grille @ 145 South Main St., Memphis, TN 901 - 522 - 8555.
http://www.majesticgrille.com/
Four Way Restaurant @ 998 Mississippi Blvd., Memphis, TN 901 - 507 - 1519. "Soul"
 
Overton Park and Mid Town -
 
Central BBQ @ 2249 Central Ave., Memphis, TN. 901 - 272 - 9377.
Paynes BBQ @ 1762 Lamar Ave., Memphis, TN. 901 - 272 - 1523.
BBQ Shop @ 1782 Madison Ave., Memphis, TN. 901 - 272 - 1277.
http://www.dancingpigs.com/
Beauty Shop Restaurant and Lounge @ 966 South Cooper St., Memphis, TN 901 - 272 - 7111.
http://www.thebeautyshoprestaurant.com/
Belmont Grill @ 4970 Poplar Avenue, Memphis, TN 901 - 767 - 0305. http://www.belmontgrillgermantown.com/
Bosco's Restaurant and Brewing Co. @ 2120 Madison Ave., Memphis, TN 901 - 432 - 2222.
http://www.boscosbeer.com/memphis/story/index.htm
Cupboard Restaurant @ 1400 Union Ave., Memphis, TN 901 - 276 - 8015.  "Soul Food"
Interim Restaurant @ 5040 Sanderlin Ave., Memphis, TN 901 - 818 - 0821.
http://www.interimrestaurant.com/
Restaurant Iris @ 2146 Monroe Ave., Memphis, TN 901 - 590 - 2828. * FD/DINNER.
http://www.restaurantiris.com/
Huey's @ 1927 Madison Avenue, Memphis, TN 901 - 726 - 4372.
http://www.hueyburger.com/
 
East Memphis -
 
One and Only BBQ @ 1779 Kirby Pkwy., Memphis, TN 901 - 751 - 3615.
http://www.oneandonlybbq.com/
River Oaks Restaurant @ 5871 Poplar Ave., Memphis, TN 901 - 683 - 9305.
http://www.riveroaksrestaurant.com/
Folks Folly @ 551 South Mendenhall Rd., Memphis, TN 901 - 762 - 8220.
http://www.folksfolly.com/
Grove Grill @ 4550 Poplar Avenue, Memphis, TN 901 - 818 - 9951.
 

WBBear


Fellow Eaters and others,
My wife and I decided we NEED a vacation. We do driving vacations and want some great barbeque. We've done Alabama and the Carolinas and decided to head west from Indiana. We have about 5 days and the drive from NE Indiana to either Memphis or Kansas City is about the same.
I realize this is like asking which child do you love the best. But if you had to chose between the two, where would you go and why?
Always hungry,
-WB Bear-

Either way you're gonna get some good grub!  I just got back from Memphis.  Went to BBQ Shop on Madison.  Real good dry rub on the ribs there.  Gotta say though that the ribs were a little too moist and tender for my tastes.  Crazy eh?  I just happen to like a little resistance in the meat and these did not have that.  But I still enjoyed them a lot.  Was gonna go to Tom's BBQ near the airport.  I'd called the day before I headed south and the gal told me they were open on Sunday.  Must've been a miscommunication.  They are not.  Looked like a good place too.  See the video on either their website or on Diners, Dives and Drive-Ins.   Had a sandwich from Neely's Interstate that was also good.  They are open 11-4 on Sunday.  Was gonna hit Marlowe's but didn't have time.  In the past I've really loved the Cozy Corner but haven't been there in a while.  Buntyn's, as someone inquired, is definitely closed.  Call me a nut but we really like the fried chicken at the Church's on S. Third St.   Had a breast on Sunday that was crispy-licious.  The Pyrtle's on the corner of Democrat and Lamar however was a bust.  Crappy breading and the sides sucked.   I've also enjoyed the BarBQ at A&R on Elvis Presley Blvd.  Be prepared to wait if the bbq is not ready.   

Triple-D also did a great episode on KC.  Saw it at a friends house and was unfamiliar with all the places they went.  I've been to Rosedale, Gates and by fave, Arthur Bryants many times.

enginecapt


I'd go to the place with BBQ that least resembles vinegar-based or that Alabama white nastiness.

Sooooo, probably KC. The availability of burnt ends is nice as well.

Hmmm, a Californian knocking traditional bbq..... figures.

what's traditional?

bill voss


kc, for sheer quanity and quality of joints.
some of the locations have changed, but here's interesting reading:
LTHForum.com • View topic - Kansas City Rampage: 2 Chowists, 10 Hours, 7 Meals (PICS)

Anyone reading the linked trip report should be fully aware that this was done six years ago.  My very first trip to Arthur Bryant's was about that same time, and I would have sang the same praises.  I cannot say the same thing today.  


That said, I am a KC lover and would pick Kansas City in almost every instance over Memphis.

Another problem with the linked trip report -- assuming one wants to go to Stroud's -- is that it still refers to the now-closed Stroud's South location, and doesn't mention the newer location in Fairway, KS.  I went to the Fairway location in April and it was great.  I've been to Stroud's North, which I believe is the one reviewed, many times previously. The food is identical, at least for all practical purposes, but the ambience is different.
 
(Proving that the old Roadfood cautionary note,  "Always call ahead!", is worth keeping in mind.)
 
But  I digress.  The OP was looking for BBQ.  It's just that I can't resist plugging Stroud's!
 
Niecie's is also great for fried chicken (I went to the one on Troost Avenue). They have BBQ brisket on the menu, both as a sandwich and a dinner, but I haven't had it.
  
 

With that timing... October 1, 2 & 3 is the American Royal BBQ Contest in Kansas City. It is a fabulous party and you could even judge in the Open Contest on Sunday.
 
This is my review of the new Strouds in Fairway: http://www.kansastravel.org/stroudsfairway.htm

  Keith

I like KC BBQ better, but I'd recommend Memphis.  I don't think of KC as a vacation destination-- it's a nice city.  But Memphis is just more colorful and more interesting.

That said... 

BBQ-wise they're fish and cheese.  KC is sort of along the lines of Texas barbecue-- brisket is a big deal, meat and smoke are what it's about.  Memphis barbecue, I finally came to understand is more of a dish-- nobody eats chopped pork*, they eat chopped pork with sauce and cole slaw.  Memphis BBQ comes together as a full dish that way.

So if your mindset is mainly about meat, the barbecue may underwhelm until you get this.  For me, the best I had was Neely's and Bar-B-Q Spot.  I wrote a long thing about a trip there a couple of years ago, I'm sure the spam filter will stop my link but search "sky full of bacon memphis" and you'll find it.

Now then, if you do go to KC:

awful lot of downhill alerts about Bryant's.  Last time I went, 3 years ago or so, it was not what it was in the 80s.  Or maybe I'm not what I was then. 

When people mention Gates, smile politely and move on.

I ate at Danny Edwards on same trip (the old location) and loved it, but don't know about the new one.

People will tell you to go to Fiorello's Jack Stack.  The decor is VERY nice.

But the place not to miss, based on my non-comprehensive survey, is L.C.'s.  Hit it a month or two ago and the burnt end sandwich would be in my top 5 BBQ experiences ever.

* Ok, they do, but still. It's about the total package.

SfReader
 i enjoyed your write-up of Stroud's via the link, but have to ask...almost all of the folks sitting at tables in the photo are 'waiting' for food (I think). A group arrival???or just slow delivery of that beautiful chicken??

I'm just happy I95's delicate decorating touches are still so evident.

bill voss


what's traditional?

Anything that's traditional to a specific area, of course. Check out some big time competitions.

As I noted above, I went to the new(ish) Stroud's in Fairway in April.
 
I can report that when I went in the late afternoon (around 4), there was no wait, at all, for a table. My food came promptly, though no matter when you arrive, you have to wait for them to fry your chicken.  That was on a Friday.  The Fairway location opens at 11 a.m. on Fri, Sat and Sun, but not until 4 p.m. the other days of the week.

They do not cook the chicken in advance and it takes a while to pan fry chicken.
 
But the last three times we have been to Strouds, they have taken even longer than normal. Much as we love the food, we have stopped going there unless we have a lot of time.

Sfreader - 

My most recent experience at Stroud's (the Oak Manor location), was quite the opposite.  I thought that the chicken came out almost too quickly.  I do not believe that they fry a whole bunch "in advance," but, as we were there on a Sunday night, I suspect that they have a pretty good idea of how much chicken that they will sell over a specified period of time - and may just be constantly frying to meet that given need.  During slower periods, or midweek maybe, they may not be able to as accurately predict how much will be consumed, and it may take longer???