Kansas City, MO

The Calvin Trillin pick. Brick-walled, gritty, the original "best sandwich in the world."

Live blues every weekend, ribs every day. Roadhouse on Holmes that's been there since '53.

Westport patio. Frito-pie hush puppies and a creative menu.

Westport patio + late-night BBQ. Burnt-end heaven, smoked wings, and the Frito-pie hush puppies.

Six locations, identical "Hi, may I help you?" greeting. Sweet, vinegary KC sauce.

Central-TX brisket execution in a KC suburb. A new wave of KC heads converted.

The white-tablecloth KC. Crown prime ribs are a special-occasion ritual.

Hidden under a billboard near the river. Burnt-end sandwich tower, fries piled on top.

JC suburb favorite from a comp-team legend. "Whomp" sauce on tots = chef's kiss.

Todd Johns' competition pedigree turned KC suburban darling. Yardbird rub on the chicken.

Chef-driven KC. Comp-team trophies in the lobby; cheesy corn off the menu.

North-of-the-river favorite. Phil and Linda Hopkins' rib room with KC sauce by the spoonful.