By Anna Ehl

Kansas City, MO
Missouri is known for its barbecue; a sassy, sweet counterpart to the classic smoky Texas style. I am a lover of the sweet and tangy side of barbecue, so for me to pass through the great state of Missouri without trying its signature style would be unforgivable. I had only two requirements in selecting the restaurant: that it be a local place– no large corporate chains will do for me– and that it serve ribs. I am very fond of ribs (after all, I do have taste buds) and MO is known particularly for its ribs, so if we’re gonna do this thing, let’s do it  right.

The Place—Gates and Sons Bar-B-Q
I have to admit, it was almost a sixth sense—a barbecue divining sense—that allowed me to find this place from the freeway. It’s actually quite easy to get to, a very quick on and off jump from the freeway if you aren’t lucky enough to be a Kansas City local and regular of this joint. The only problem, really, was that the signs leading us there just stopped as soon as we left the freeway, and it did involve selecting the correct side street. But my taste buds were tingling and led me there with ease.

Gates and Sons Bar-B-Q’s catch phrase is “Hi, may I help you?” You’ll hear it at least 25 times before you leave, and help you they will—to giant piles of tender, juicy meat. My dining companion and I got a short end plate of ribs and a mixed platter, which involved ribs, beef, and ham served with fries and “bread-and-butter” pickles. Gates’ signature seems to be their sauces, which they bottle and sell in 3 styles, all available to try in the restaurant. The three sauces—original, spicy, and sweet—are actually more like three variations on the same sauce. I loved all of them, but particularly the spicy variation which did indeed pack a wallop. It didn’t have too much bite to obstruct the sweet, tangy richness of the sauce marked by a hint of cumin.

As far as the meat was concerned, the ribs were the star. By far the best part of the meal, they were tender, extremely juicy, and fell off the bone. Seasoned and brushed with sauce in the barbecuing process, the glaze seemed to lock the moisture inside the meat. The meats are all slathered in an extra coating of sauce before being served to you, but you can request them dry if you prefer to control your own sauce-to-meat ratio.

The ham and beef were both thinly sliced and extremely succulent, but didn’t arrive quite as hot as the ribs. They were good, but the ribs were transcendent. The pickles tasted more like the illegitimate love child of dill and bread and butter—not my favorite pickles, but I am picky when it comes to pickles.

The bread was pretty much just white wonder bread, but what you’d be doing eating bread with the amounts of other delicious meats and sides at your disposal here is beyond me. The fries were crisp, and I was pleased when the girl serving me at the counter insisted I wait just one moment so she could give me the freshest fries. Yes, Gates and Sons. Yes, you may help me—to some of the best barbecue I’ve ever tried.

Gates and Sons B-B-Q

1221 Brooklyn

Kansas City, MO

816-483-3880

www.gatesbbq.com