Gates Bar-B-Q

I’ve reviewed other Gates in town, so I’m going to make this short (end) and sweet.
Get the ribs. Get extra crispy fries and a side of sauce.
That really could be the whole review, but I know you’re looking for more, so I’ll babble on. The sandwiches here are so hit and miss — a tad sloppy, which is totally alright for BBQ. Sometimes the meat is well cut and flavored, but often times it’s not and I can’t put my full backing into it.
However the ribs are the game changer. They’re the best in KC. They’re better than Joe’s KC, they’re better than Q39, they’re literally the best. Ribs shouldn’t always just slide off the bone (meaning they’ve been left to smoke too long), they should instead have a little pull to them. I’ve never had them here that aren’t borderline perfection. One time I even got them «dry» without sauce and the smoky flavors shine even more.
I feel like people are in the love it or hate it category for Gates BBQ and I just can’t understand that! They have an amazing sauce, a cool atmosphere, and are delicious year round.

Ordered burnt ends sandwich, very tasty however temperature of the meat was lukewarm, also they were skimpy on the meat portion.

Burnt ends were delicious. Cool place to experience. Had some really hard pieces in my sandwich but I guess that happens. If it wasn’t competing with Joe’s I would give it 5 stars. The sauces they have there are also awesome.

I love GATES! YES if you ever visit Kansas City Please check out this place– Gates has serval locations and you will not be disappointed. This is the Best BBQ on EARTH! Its a Kansas City TREAT! Oh you must try the chili cheese fries — located only at the Gates near Woodland. GET IT GIRL!

JB treated me to dinner here today? I got burnt ends and she got short-​ends! Everything was hot and tasty and the fries was to die for! I’ll be back!

This place came highly recommended by a random local. Bbq was average. Sides were not bad but nothing was awesome. The lady host was friendly and very nice. I would not drive out of my way to revisit, but if I am hungry and close by I’d consider going again. Pricey for the quality. I guess I need to do a better job of sizing up the local before soliciting their recommendation.

The lady who does all the greeting was very nice.
The building looked very elegant from the exterior. However, the interior was a different story. It was not well kept up. The restrooms were DISGUSTING!!!
Now, the BBQ… it wasn’t as great as people make it seem. It was simply a step above Famous Dave’s.
I love BBQ. It is so hard to find a good BBQ restaurant. East Texas as the best BBQ in the USA… well probably the world… so I may need to stop comparing every BBQ joint with East Texas because if I do… it will surely be a let down.
All in all– If I were in KC again– I would go back.
The baked beans were yummy and so mac salad was good as well.
The BBQ like I said– wasn’t OMG delicious but it was between ok and good.
If you asked my 5 and 6 year old… they’d say it was delish! They tore it UP!
Recommendations: Clean the place up. Clean the restroom up as well.
As far as the BBQ– well, the locals enjoy it… so I guess don’t change anything.
Let’s just say– if I never went back… they wouldn’t be hurting for business.

Awesome! My daughter had the turkey sandwich which was great and the baked beans were wonderful. My husband and i both had the burnt ends sandwiches and loved them. We easily could have shared one and had plenty, but leftovers never hurt anyone ;) the service was great, the place was clean and fun to look around at. We are bringing our daughter back here in august to attend umkc and look forward to returning to Gates.

It might not have been my style of BBQ, especially the BBQ sauces. More sour than sweet really. Portions are small for the price. After going to Oklahoma Joe’s, this is definitely not as juicy, tasty or clean. Ordering from the to go line was confusing. They have you walk in and say your order when the front lady asks you. Then you stay in line to pick up your order. So, it is confusing because you think the people in line are in line for ordering, but no, that’s not the case. The lady at the order station/​cashier was nice though.

First of all, I’m from Texas, so I know BBQ! Good BBQ does not need sauce slathered on it. Gates does this automatically which was a red flag for me when I came here with a former friend for his birthday dinner. The quality of the meat is cool, but the price! OMG! I spent almost $ 40 on dinner for two ppl on bbq and it wasn’t even a full meal! I had a sausage sandwich and onion rings, FF had a rib end and fries. two drinks. Yep $ 40! I’m use to getting potato salad and beans with my bbq but here you must purchase it al la carte. That’s how they get you! I didn’t get a chance to taste the ribs since my FF was so greedy. I almost didn’t get a chance to taste the fries either. But them sides are pretty much $ 5 each. They’re good, but not that good! Save your money people! Find some other place to get your bbq desires satisfied!

Best BBQ I ever had mix platter is the best way to enjoy a bit of everything!