#65 – Q39
1000 W 39th St, Kansas City, MO 64111 and
11051 Antioch Rd, Overland Park, KS 66210
Cost: $$
Cuisine: BBQ
Good for: Meat sweats.
Tip: Always, always make reservations. The wait without can take hours.
Q39 is (another) hot spot for Kansas City BBQ. The successful restaurant opened in 2014 after owner, Rob Magee, won numerous awards at BBQ competitions around the country.
About Q39
Magee was successful in the competition BBQ scene from 2006-2013. His team, the Munchin’ Hogs won Kansas City Barbeque Society’s top team in the nation twice, and earned the distinction of being Reserve Grand Champions once.
After retiring from the competition life, Magee opened Q39 in 2014, and it’s been breaking BBQ joint norms ever since. It’s fast service, but not too fast. Homey, but not homely. It’s BBQ, but an evolved version. And it’s always changing. New menu items are added regularly.
Q39 now has two locations, alleviating a little bit of its standard wait time. Both locations, the original on 39th street and the newest in Overland Park are larger than they look. The interiors feel a bit rustic, yet fresh and clean. Like Joe’s Kansas City BBQ, trophies line the walls.
Q39 Favorites
I feel like some Kansas Citians aren’t always welcoming to new BBQ restaurants. They like their tried and true classics like Gates, Arthur Bryant’s and Joe’s Kansas City BBQ. But everyone loves Q39. So much so, that there are usually hours-long waits.
Crowd pleasers:
- Burnt End Burger – a burger topped with burnt ends, spicy slaw and sauce.
- Burns – cubed burnt ends with sauce, pepperjack cheese and onion straws.
- The Ribs – get a full slab or add on 1-2 ribs with your meal.
- Mac and cheese – what is it that makes BBQ restaurants’ mac and cheese so good?
- Granny Smith apple coleslaw – the perfect amount of crunch and flavor
Next time you’re craving BBQ, head to Q39. xx, Libbie.