"Burnt ends at Gates really are the fatty trimmings from the smoked beef. If that sounds like your kind of thing (it's ours!), you'll enjoy these. This sandwich actually includes a portion of regular sliced smoked beef."
Bruce Bilmes and Susan Boyle
"The ribs at Gates are among the smokier specimens you'll find in Kansas City."
Bruce Bilmes and Susan Boyle
"The single-serving "Yammer" pie is very sweet, and very good."
Bruce Bilmes and Susan Boyle
"Perhaps the biggest bargain in the house: a big pitcher of local, and excellent, Boulevard ale for $6.25."
Bruce Bilmes and Susan Boyle
"Service is cafeteria-style at Gates."
Bruce Bilmes and Susan Boyle
"Pump your own barbecue sauces. The extra-hot has a fair nip but we didn't find the hot versions of barbecue sauces at any of the local joints to be particularly fiery. You see Gates barbecue sauce in markets all around town. To our palates, the signature flavor of Kansas City barbecue sauce is celery seed, and Gates sauce falls squarely in that tradition."
Bruce Bilmes and Susan Boyle
"Gates has six branches in the greater Kansas City area. We've only tried the one on Emanuel Cleaver, so we don't know how consistent the food is from store to store."
Bruce Bilmes and Susan Boyle