Home of the One and Only Kansas City #BBQBible!

Home of the One and Only Kansas City #BBQBible!

FLYOVER
COUNTRY
IS A MYTH

www.kcdiscovery.com

Devan’s (Double) Dozen: BBQ Edition, Part II
Devan's Dozen Devan Dignan Devan's Dozen Devan Dignan

Devan’s (Double) Dozen: BBQ Edition, Part II

After a year that took me to nearly every barbeque restaurant, joint, stand, pop-up, and concept in the Kansas City metro, a lot of readers were left asking the one question I had failed to answer, “Which is best?” Here in Kansas City, talking about barbeque is as common as discussing the weather or the local sports team, but far more precarious. The BBQ joint one person swears by will be the one another swears they won’t visit again. That didn’t stop me from weighing in with the first-ever double edition of Devan’s Dozen. This part contains a countdown from #12 to #1!

Read More
Devan’s (Double) Dozen: BBQ Edition, Part I
Devan's Dozen Devan Dignan Devan's Dozen Devan Dignan

Devan’s (Double) Dozen: BBQ Edition, Part I

After a year that took me to nearly every barbeque restaurant, joint, stand, pop-up, and concept in the Kansas City metro, a lot of readers were left asking the one question I had failed to answer, “Which is best?” Here in Kansas City, talking about barbeque is as common as discussing the weather or the local sports team, but far more precarious. The BBQ joint one person swears by will be the one another swears they won’t visit again. That didn’t stop me from weighing in with the first-ever double edition of Devan’s Dozen. This part contains a countdown from #24 to #13!

Read More
FCS: BBQ Sides
Fountain City Superlatives Devan Dignan Fountain City Superlatives Devan Dignan

FCS: BBQ Sides

Oftentimes, my recommendation on what BBQ joint a person should try is simply based on the question of “What do you like?” While that typically is all about the meats, the fact is that the side dishes are just as much a part of the barbeque experience. Typically, BBQ restaurants aren’t judged on everything else but as a follow up to my meat rankings, I decided to rank, well, everything else that can be found at KC BBQ joints.

Read More
FCS: The Meats
Fountain City Superlatives Devan Dignan Fountain City Superlatives Devan Dignan

FCS: The Meats

“With great palate comes great responsibility.” Perhaps that was not the line exactly as Ben Parker famously delivered it, but does it not hold true? Oftentimes, my recommendation on what BBQ joint a person should try is simply based on the question of “What do you like?” With that in mind, after a year that took me to every BBQ joint worth visiting, this column names the best BBQ joints in the metro, based on the cuts of meat where each spot excels.

Read More
Devan’s Dozen: Burnt Ends Edition
Devan's Dozen Devan Dignan Devan's Dozen Devan Dignan

Devan’s Dozen: Burnt Ends Edition

While it is unclear exactly how long the beef burnt end has been a part of Kansas City’s barbeque tradition, they have been our national calling card for over half a century. These delightful chunks of meat candy are often replicated in other regions but have no doubt, they were created and popularized here. In honor of National Burnt End Day, I talked about my own love affair with burnt ends and ranked my Top 12, make that 13, places to find them in KC.

Read More
Once Upon a Time… in Kansas City
flashbaKC Devan Dignan flashbaKC Devan Dignan

Once Upon a Time… in Kansas City

Have you ever wondered how it came to be?
That the default for American BBQ flavors is straight-up KC?
Not vinegary like Carolina or packed with Texas heat.
It’s KC sauces the people reach for - thick, tangy, and sweet.
So why does America associate BBQ with the Kansas City sort?
You will understand after reading these three barbeque shorts.

Read More
The Fountain City Foodie’s Guide to the World Capital of BBQ (KS)
Fountain City Foodie Devan Dignan Fountain City Foodie Devan Dignan

The Fountain City Foodie’s Guide to the World Capital of BBQ (KS)

Setting out to try every single Kansas City barbeque spot, it can be easy to know where you start, but where does one finish? There’s no set checklist of every BBQ joint in the metro. There’s no order guide of what you must, and mustn’t get! That is, there wasn’t. As I recorded my own decade-long pilgrimage through the Q Capital, one friend joked this was a “BBQ Bible”. Not only did I confirm it, I got a little carried away with the concept.

Part 2 / 2 explores the 5 Kansas counties that comprise KC.

Read More
Devan’s Dozen: BBQ Sandwiches Edition
Devan's Dozen Devan Dignan Devan's Dozen Devan Dignan

Devan’s Dozen: BBQ Sandwiches Edition

I have ranked the BBQ joints and their sauces but now I tread into new territory - the specialty sandwich! It is hard to believe but 25 years ago, the BBQ specialty sandwich was largely unheard of but due to the creation of the Z-Man and its popularity, nearly every restaurant has at least one specialty handheld they are known for. These are my Top 12 in the city.

Read More
KCRW 2023: A Preview
Fountain City Foodie Devan Dignan Fountain City Foodie Devan Dignan

KCRW 2023: A Preview

Every January, for 10 glorious days, the Kansas City restaurant community bands together to offer “affordable, adventurous dining” for all. As an added caveat, a portion of all proceeds always are donated to a worthwhile local cause. With the KC Restaurant Week menus starting to be released and so many options, here’s a few recommendations. Last year, I did a review of KCRW. This year, I offer a preview.

Read More