Gates Bar-B-Q

This bbq was ok. We ordered the meal where you get ribs and 2 meats with two sides… I think it’s called the Four Boner. So after being rushed to make an order, we chose the 4 boner to get a variety of things. (It was my first time). Well– the menu doesn’t say that you can’t choose chicken or sausage as your other two side with the Four Boner so we had a choice of Beef, Turkey or Pork. We chose the smoked turkey and beef brisket which both were just mediocre. The ribs were really yummy!!! I get the culture… Didn’t mind being yelled at but was disappointed in the rushing and Smoked turkey and brisket.

As per usual, the turkey is moist, the beef is smoked perfectly, the fries are golden, and the ambiance can’t be beat. Plus this is structurally the most interesting Gates. Best down home BBQ in KC.

I have never been a huge Gates fan. I don’t care for the signature yelling at a person when they walk through the door so usually that sets the tone for me. This location didn’t fare well even after the yelling. The cashier was loud, very monotone, pretty much scripted. Makes you feel like a number not a customer. This location looks more like it would be the corporate office. Possibly a house that was remodeled into a restaurant. The dining areas are multiple rooms which makes it feel very enclosed. The table I sat at was so wobbly thought it was going to fall over. As for the food, Gates doesn’t blow me away in BBQ. The meat is fatty. I do like their sauce, but other places have better overall quality.

This was one of the least favorite BBQ places we tried in KC. We came in to pick up food on a Sunday afternoon before our flight, and it was busy, but not super packed. They have a separate to-​go line and dine in area, and we had a few people in front of us. It’s definitely a unique experience since you have to yell your order to the lady behind the counter when it’s your turn, and you’d better have it ready unless you want to be sassed in front of the rest of the line. We tried the Mixed Plate (Ribs, Beef, Ham, Served w/​Fries, $ 19.75,
), and nothing was that impressive. The ribs and beef were probably the most decent out of everything we had, but I didn’t like the ham (I’m not a big ham fan in general, but tried to give this one a chance…). I didn’t like the fries since they weren’t crispy at all. Parking was ok since they have their own lot, but based on this experience I doubt I would be back.

It’s going to be 3 stars on this one. Don’t get me wrong I love Gates but I only deal with them on Sunday’s and that’s it. Out-Of-Towner’s be prepared to be asked once you hit the door what you want! Otherwise you will be skipped over. It’s intimidating I know but I’m just letting you all know. Can be slow even when no one is really in line but all in all probably the best location.

Exceptional staff. The bbq and venue were both average.

Asked for lean beef, along with every other customer there. The beef was so chewy, it was like rubber. Considering that it cost $ 36 for two sandwiches, two sides, and an order of fries, it’s not worth the money. It’s absolutely astounding that they can charge that much money for rubber on bread.

My husband and I had dinner at Gates. I thought the ribs (short end) were fantastic, and the fries were great.

Worst BBQ I ever had. The atmosphere is like a fast food joint and the BBQ sauce was way to vinegary. I prefer a sweeter sauce. It’s not good quality or a great environment.

Was told this was the place to go… it wasn’t.
Was in town to catch a Royals game and stopped in on the location just off Interstate 70. The two ladies behind the counter did not make me fell welcomed and were rude.
Full rack of ribs were good but maybe too salty and the ends were burnt too much to eat.
The three BBQ sauces they make were extremely good but couldn’t save the ribs! I did purchase three bottles of sauce to go…

Food was good I prefer baby backs but they were good not too fatty. Kind of on the expensive side sauces were pretty good and they didn’t put a ton of it on my ribs which is good I’d like more rub then sauce but they have sauce on the side. The staff was very friendly.

Ordering Gates BBQ is all about the experience. I don’t necessarily think they have the best tasting barbecue joint in the city. But the culture of KCs various Gates restaurants just has to be experienced.
I love their burnt ends and various sandwiches. There is nothing like ordering through their lines, getting your food and a cold beer, and enjoying it in their lounge. They really have crafted a unique experience.
If you were visiting, you really should check them out.
Also, be sure to try their baked beans. And check them out during a local game.

My first taste of Kansas City BBQ. The main restaurant portion was closed when I arrived so they only had the cafeteria style ordering.
Dining area was clean and plenty of security. Assuming the area can get rough? Workers behind the counter weren’t that into it.
The food was fantastic. The BBQ was very tasty and everything was delicious. I could go for another plate right now!

You MUST get the burnt ends here! They are so so good in a so-​bad-​for-​you way! Burnt ends are a very Kansas citian food– it’s the fattiest, greasiest, tastiest part of the meat. Here it comes in a giant sand which– I always take home leftovers and have enough for another dinner! I usually order fries to go along– I love the fries they taste like mashed potatoes on the inside and are crispy on the outside. Not much flavor on the fries but I like the texture.
The experience at Gates is also pretty cool– it is very lunch counter/​cafeteria style! Don’t expect much for the service and they will exceed your expectations! It’s not like a fine dining establishment– there is some yelling that goes on between the servers behind the counter to the cooks (similar to Oklahoma joes) They are very friendly tho! They swung by our table multiple times to ask how we were doing and how we liked our food.
We come back often for the burnt ends!

I miss the Independence location — grimy, grease covered hickory pit BBQ place but this location is very nice as well. I found the takeout line to be unorganized — a bit unusual for Gates-​again, ill prepared diners get schooled quickly on ordering by the brusque «May I help you ??» I’m always ready ! Ribs are lean, beef ad ham were tasty– sausage was fantastic ! If it weren’t for the spotty service, I’d give it a 5 Star !

The one thing I wanted in KC was BBQ and Gates delivered. I had the burnt ends and my daughter had the beef and bun. They have various sauces and the service was good.

The «long end» ribs we got were excellent. The short end ribs were dried out. The sauce was tasty and spicy, but way too sweet for our tastes. We got hit with a blood sugar rush shortly after eating them … and a crash about an hour later.
That’s the good news.
We ordered a «burnt ends» sandwich that’s served on a hoagie roll. DO NOT ORDER THIS SANDWICH. It’s essentially tiny dried up remnants of brisket that have been swept into one spot, put on a bun, sauced and served to a public that this place apparently believes doesn’t know any better. The pieces honestly taste like they’ve been sitting in open air for a day or more.
I’ve experienced delicious and transcendent burnt ends. These don’t even deserve the name. I don’t know that I’ve ever had such a dramatically different set of experiences on the same platter. If I’m back in KC, I’d be willing to give this place another shot. Like I said, the «long end» ribs were flavorful, tender and moist, so this place has some serious credibility in the category of ribs.
But the mere fact that they have an item on their menu that is nothing more than scraps that *should be thrown away* says a great deal about how seriously they take brisket.

Ah Kansas City, where people talk about the weather, good times and BBQ. The only difference is that the BBQ discussion is where friends or foes are made. That being said, let’s dive in:
Gates has one of the absolute best BBQ sauces in all of Kansas City. The original sauce is peppery, has a kick of spice to it, and isn’t thick like molasses. When I was very young I grew up with bottles of goopy, KC Masterpiece sauce in the refrigerator which made me not like BBQ… an absurd notion!
Flash forward and I love so many BBQ places in town, but often for specific reasons. The cheesy corn back at Jack Stack, the Z-​Man at Joe’s KC, and for Gates, the ribs are what you need to get hands down.
While some of their sandwiches are good, they also are prone to be hit and miss. Not the ribs. The ribs are always full of good quality meat with a perfect, smoky char around the edges. They take that delicious sauce and let it smoke it’s way into the flavor, and then top it off with a bit more for good measure.
As everyone else will tell you, know what you want when you go in because they’ll be ready for you with a «HI MAY I HELLLLLPPPP YOUUUUU?» Even if you’re in the back of a long line, they are talking to you. But it’s easy, practice in the car before you go in, make flashcards, and just say a short end with extra crispy fries and you’ll have one of the best BBQ meals in Kansas City.

Never been a fan of the BBQ here in the ways that you’ll get with other joints in town. Mediocre sauce, meat isnt as tender or juicy as I’d expect, but its a decent price and worth a shot.
What’s most annoying with the place is the damn staff just randomly yells ‘Hiiiii, mayeh I halp youuuuu?’ without actually talking to anyone or actually helping for a while.
I dont go here, that’s for sure.

2.5 stars.
When me (small Asian female) and my significant other (preppy White male) walked into Gates, a kind employee greeted us with the famous «HI MAY I HELP YOU?» Followed by a «…you’re from out of town, aren’t you?» I didn’t have the heart to tell her that we are both, ironically, Missourans. So here are some tips to prevent this shame from happening to you:
1. If ordering take-​out, go through the first line nearest the entrance.
2. If dining in, go past the first ordering booth and pick up a tray, silverware, and napkins. Have your order in mind before you actually place it. If you want water, cups are past the register as you walk into the dining area.
Ok, now onto the BBQ:
I found the BBQ here to be very mediocre. The burnt ends unfortunately embodied the name «burnt ends» perfectly — they were not smokey at all but merely burnt, and many of the ends are tough and woody; it was literally difficult to chew and swallow. I’m not a huge fan of fat but even I wanted more of it for flavor and texture. The consistency is like pulled pork, and I personally prefer the chunkier burnt ends. And damn… this BBQ is SALTY! Be sure to stay fully hydrated during and after your meal!
The baked beans were also mediocre. They had nice maple flavor, but even though I could see bits of meat in it, it still did not impart enough of that carnivorous flavor for me.
And the sauce? Disappointing and kind of bizarre, because it stood out as sour if anything (and not vinegar-​y sour like Carolina sauce). There’s not a lot of spice in it either… think of a tart tomato sauce. Not appealing to you? Yeah, it wasn’t to me, either.
All right, I’m being harsh I know… look, it’s an okay BBQ sandwich at the end of the day, and at $ 6.95 for a hoagie bun stuffed with the stuff, it’s not a bad deal. But this is Kansas City, folks. We know and love our BBQ and although Gates is all right, you just can’t really cut it with that here.
(…do I get my Missouri cred back yet?)