Barbecue Beat: Praise heaped at Chef J
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The three-meat platter at Chef J ($30). Photo: Travis Meier/Axios
A West Bottoms barbecue restaurant has only one thing better than the food: the way people talk about it.
The big picture: Kansas City's barbecue scene runs deeper than the big names, and we're highlighting the single-store pits that deserve a bite.
Cue the 'cue: Chef J — at 1401 W. 13th St., Suite G, in Kansas City.
Dig in: Owner Justin Eastwood opened for business a month before the pandemic shutdown in 2020 and still managed to scrape together a fervent following.
- The restaurant won best ribs on CBS' "The NFL Today" and was voted best by Royals players in 2023. The menu offers classics with a twist, and everything appears elevated with a chef-like intentionality.
What to try: The homemade hot honey sausage was rich in flavor, and the bacon burnt ends made my jaw drop.
- A side special of braised collard greens with smoked pork and chili vinegar was a pleasant surprise.
- The three sauces — with bases of molasses, vinegar and mustard — nod to classic barbecue styles.
The vibe: Everything feels DIY here, from the old smoker out front to the handwritten specials taped to the front of the counter. Wooden floors, stained glass designs and smudged windows feel right at home in this historic neighborhood.
What they're saying: Folks stopping in for lunch lauded the restaurant, commenting "it's the best in Kansas City" and "they're my No. 1."
Travis' thought bubble: You could make up this kind of praise up, but at Chef J's during a busy 45-minute lunch on a Thursday, you apparently don't have to.
Stop by: Typical for many West Bottoms businesses, Chef J is open only Thursdays and weekends for lunch while supplies last.
- The restaurant is in the same building as The Beast haunted house.