Gates Bar-B-Q

Wanting to try other BBQ places while in KC we settled on Gates. We walked in, tried to start checking out the menu but were moved up to the register. We told the lady we had never been there and didn’t know what we wanted but she didn’t seem to care and was not at all helpful. We decided on our food which was 2 beef on bun on breads and a burnt end, came to around $ 40. As the cooks sent our plates up they were made to go and the cashier had to tell them it was for dine in, not once, but all three times our food had to be re plated. So we get our food and go sit down in the run down feeling lobby, it was hot outside, and nearly as hot inside. We were the only people eating there, it was too hot to enjoy a meal. The BBQ was mediocre and we will not be returning.

I can honestly type that I am not from the greater Kansas City metro area. I know someone who went to college in the area. I was told eat barbecue while there. My friend and I did. What I ate for lunch was similar to what I would have eaten in the usual metro areas. I ordered a BBQ brisket sandwich with Gates fries and a beverage. A line did exist when the store opened. The food was a little different but good. The price was good.

We stopped here on our way out of Kansas City to take some BBQ to go. I ordered the burnt ends sandwich, and hubby ordered the beef sandwich.
So…the burnt ends sandwich was served on a hoagie roll. It was basically diced meat drenched with their BBQ sauce on the roll. I took a bite. Where do I start? The meat was unidentifiable. Seriously. I think it was pork but I can’t be sure. It tasted like scrapings from the bottom of the smoker. There were some hard pieces that I can’t be certain were not bone. There was greasy fat. The roll was soaked with the BBQ sauce and grease. It was vile.
The beef sandwich was sliced beef with more of the BBQ sauce. It was served on what appeared to be Wonder Bread. Yep, right out of my childhood memories. Oh wait. my mother never let me eat Wonder Bread. The beef tasted a little better than the burnt ends but it was really dry and fatty.
I gave them a 2 only because the manager, who was training someone at the register, was very friendly and personable. We also received our order quickly.
I’ve been to Gates several times previously when visiting KC. The quality, at least at this location, has been steadily declining. I doubt I’ll be back.

My dad has visited this Gates location in previous trips to Kansas City and does nothing but brag about them. So on our most recent trip, my parents and I had to make a stop. We each got a «burnt end» sandwich and all three of us were unable to eat them. They tasted like burnt, salty, mush, the bread was covered in grease, and their normally delicious sauce was overpowered by the salt/​grease from the meat. The meat was far too ground up for a sandwich and it seemed to have the consistency and taste of a burnt, fatty, sloppy joe.
In the end all we were able to eat were the side dishes we ordered — which tasted the same as the store bought ones from your local grocer. The manager was super nice and sincerely apologetic though and refunded our purchase without issue.
Very pricey, three sandwiches + sides was nearly $ 40.
As far as the place itself, it was super hot though and very confining at the ordering line. No computer screens for tracking orders as it’s all relayed verbally (shouted) back to the kitchen. I could see this being a problem but I’m sure they’ve been doing it this way for a while.
The dining area was clean though, and had three TVs with local sports/​news playing. Bring your own wet wipes though, as they charge 50¢ each for them.
Ultimately I’d have to give the food a 1 star review, but the manager gets a 5 star review for being as nice, friendly, and accommodating as he was. Balances out to a 3 star review. Would be willing to go back and try something else.

It was decent. I’m from Texas so I’m not use to BBQ sauce all over my meat, it usually comes on the side. Great BBQ shouldn’t be smothered, the meat in dry rub should be embraced.

Been hearing about Gates forever so when I was passing through KC I hit this one. Counter women were a bit rude but overall staff was nice. I got the long end ribs and they were delicious and the sauce soaked the bread underneath and I cleaned the plate. This is 5 star food but lost a star for the unfriendly counter women being kind of rude.

My coworkers and I order carryout from here often. We normally have large orders and every time, it’s a smooth, no-​hassle process. Our food is always ready at the time we request and the ladies are always helpful and go through the order with me to ensure everything is correct. The food is always great, hot; fries still crispy when I get back to work. I’m a big fan.

Good BBQ. It was very busy when we arrived, but the line moved quick. They were out of the long stack, which was disappointing; however, the short stack was still good. The service wasn’t what I’d consider friendly, but good enough.

Okay so I don’t get the idea of screaming at customers when they walk in to an establishment. This places theme is to yell «how may I help youuuuuu!!!»? When you first walk in. Huge turn off. I don’t know how this place stays in business but It does. The bbq was okay. Nothing great. The burnt ends were actually really salty and they were out of the beef that we wanted. The sides are very mediocre. As I pumped the bbq sauce in the self service area for dine in customers the janky pump exploded on my shirt. So not only did I get screamed at when I ordered my food. Looked at side ways then got mediocre salty food I left with a huge stain of bbq sauce on my shirt. I think these people would make more money if they slowed it down a little and didn’t rush you and make you feel uncomfortable. Horrible experience to say the least. Don’t waste your time.

Love everything about this bbq. In the beginning I wasn’t crazy about the cumin heavy bbq sauce but after several tries I can say that I absolutely love it now. The burnt ends are so very very good. The service is spot on, intimidating at first but just get passed it the first few times and it becomes the new norm.
This location has a bar included and keeps late hours which makes for good times.
Kansas be at its finest

Food was real good with 2 times in one day good job and the people that work there was nice even with the long lines

I was looking forward to trying Gates BBQ as it has a long history in KC. Unfortunately I was not impressed. I was expecting and didn’t mind the hole in the wall dive feel or even the rude service at the counter. But the food was just not good. I had the burnt end sandwich which was basically minced fat on unimpressive bread. Very little actual meat! I have to say the sauce was what I’m used to buying off the grocery shelf but I just expected more! The side of fries were rather dry and didn’t do anything for me either. To top everything off we drained the last of the keg of beer on tap and it had an off flavor. Oh well, can’t win em all!

Excellent BBQ in a BBQ town, a close second or third in my opinion to Joe’s. Bonus here for mutton, which you won’t typically find on competitor’s menus. Service is indeed brusque but frankly, it feels like part of the experience. The flow/​layout could be better — it’s particularly confusing for first timers, especially when you realize they’re hollering at you to order when your 4^th or 5^th deep in line. Once you get past this however you’re in for a typical KC BBQ treat, with excellent meats (especially the ribs). Amongst the sides, I’d say the beans stand out. For big eaters, you can top off your meal with a slice of pie, another somewhat unique feature. And don’t be put off by the neighborhood. They have an armed guard to keep things quiet. Adds to the ambience.

Went on a KC BBQ tour while in town, This was yummy — I would eat again. I wasn’t overly tap-​dancing about it, but then again, I’m not a BBQ conisseur.

Couldn’t be anymore disappointed. Extemely RUDE. Pork quality awful. «Hi, may I help you»
Maybe you should help yourself first.
Barbecue Sauce is delicious which is the only reason it deserves 1 star.
Kansas City home of Barbcue Ribs many options Gates shouldn’t think they’re the only ones in town. Customer’s should be treated better, sadly, they are always RUDE.

Oh where to start, cause this one is gonna be a doozy.
First, the GOOD — this place is open until midnight, has well lit signage, which made it easy to find, very close to I70, plenty of parking lot & street parking & they are doing society a favor by employing a segment of the population that would normally require various ADA accommodations or be otherwise unemployed & sucking tax papers dry.
Now we come to the less fortunate part of my review, the BAD & UGLY — We added this stop to our cross country food tour because we saw it on diners, drive-​ins & dives. Food was a serious let down in every way possible. Not the worst I’ve ever had, but there is no way this place deserves a positive nod. Taste just wasn’t there, meat quality was average, price was ridiculous $ 50+ (see my attached pictures, which should be self explanatory), dining room was run down, location was undesirable. Now we’ll address the service. I suggest you grab a snack, a cold one & prop up your feet. There were 2 take-​out customers ahead of us when we walked in & it still took us a miserable 15 or so mins (no exaggeration), just trying to get our food. These customers had clearly already ordered there food & had already witnessed what we could only describe as a circus. My husband & the 2 customers before us watched as the line grew from 4 to 14 or so because of the outrageous incompetence of the employees. I wish I had video taped the entire verbal massacre that this woman (we’ll call her BBQ Nazi Lady) layed upon the poor young man who was shucking ribs tips, sliced beef & turkey behind the window. I really couldn’t tell you who’s fault it was, it was like watching an episode of the black Abbot & Costello’s, «Who’s on 1^st». Just a total crap show. I heard my order, as well as the orders of the 2 gentleman in front of me repeated over & over again, in between there was a small argument & some insults, but the young man quickly retreated, so as not to be verbally bludgeoned. At some point we realized that they had skipped over my husband after I ordered & moved on to the folks behind us. At that point we knew we’d be there even longer, but had already sacrificed about 10 mins of our lives, so we bit the bullet. The situation didn’t get better when the elderly woman (we’ll call her Ethel Merman), who was at the register had to decipher the madness & wring up our order. Of course 2 of our sides were forgotten, so we reminded the Nazi Lady & she promptly put them together for us, but forgot to reprimand herself for that error. Additionally, my husband noticed his sausage was missing, so he mentioned it to Ethel, who apparently forgot both to give us the sausage & charge us for it, so we had to hand her our credit card again. At that point BBQ Nazi Lady reminded her that we had sausage coming. Not at all helpful, since clearly we would have been sent on our way w/​out our complete order. To boot, we were also charged $ 1.10 for 2 sauce containers, since the to go version had tops. Seriously???
If I thought it would help I would call & speak candidly with the manager or owner about a few things that might improve the customer & employee experience (ie: mandatory classes for all employees on general social skills, writing down orders & perhaps firing BBQ Nazi Lady & revising Ethel’s job description to include bussing tables, organizing recipes or just something less stressful). However, it’s more energy than I care to waste, so I figured I’d spend my time warning you all.

I dream about the mutton at Gates. Since i moved to California decades ago i only get to taste it every few years. To my taste, their sauce is is the sauce that I judge all others to. The service is always amusing and the right combination of gracious without being cloying.
The new competition style and O Joes is fine, but I can get equally good Q in Oakland. Not so for Gates and Bryant’s, they are unique.

Great service, the ribs had parts that were salty. Sauce was a little too spicy, and our bill for 2 entrées was $ 50 each with a drink and side. I’ve had better elsewhere

We only had time for one BBQ place in KC, and picked Gates over Arthur Bryant’s because it has mutton. Actually, I think it’s lamb, but it’s juicy and tasty, and the sauce is very fine. I also tried some burnt ends, which were drier than I’d like, but the sauce helped with those too.

Quick, name five legends of Kansas City BBQ: Bryant’s, right. Oklahoma Joe’s (newcomer status, but rightly deserving), LC’s, Rosedale, and… drum roll… Gates! Hell yea! Uh huh… does ugly, awkward old white guy dance… people watching turn away in disgust.
It took me a long, long time to get to *this* Gates location. My first visit this past Friday. Not sure how long they’ve been in this exact building but it looks to be a considerable time. My first Gates dine in was 1978 at what I believe was the Paseo location. My normal Gates haunts are 103^rd and State Line and the downtown KCK locations with occasional forays into midtown. If I had to pick, the KCK location would be my favorite, but I’m liking this 12^th and Brooklyn venue just fine. The dive factor speaks to my heart, it’s going on here.
As with other locations, you’re getting solid world class Kansas City BBQ. To me, Gates does fantastic burnt ends and ribs. And… «BEEF ON BUN!» When you have the lady behind the counter singing that at the top of her lungs you know it’s a good day!
Gates is my four-​star BBQ. It may be your 5-​star. It may be someone else’s 3-​star. Don’t you be talkin’ to me if you’re going below that. This is history you’re tasting, and it’s fine. Now, for my tastes, their fries aren’t my thing. But they may be yours! Too much chewy, starchy interior. I like a crunch (Rosedale, OKJ!). Their sauce is a vinegar style with lots of celery salt. Watch out. Too much and you’ll pay the price. It’s good, and it’s familiar. I love it but it’s not my choice for firing up the grill at home.
But here’s the thing: that we argue about little things like the sauce and fries… We are SPOILED. This is Kansas City. We have little else to brag about, but our BBQ, oh yea. Memphis, Texas, Carolinas, bring it on! Gates is ready to take you ON. What’s that? St. Louis has BBQ? I didn’t KNOW!
Our lunch: Beef on bun with fries; Burnt end sandwich, onion rings and chili with beans (wow, the latter two, spectacular). A middle-​aged gentleman with impeccably starched white shirt and Gates apron came through to check on our satisfaction. «Spectacular,» we both said. As he walked out of earshot I made eye contact with a large black lady at a table over and said «wait, sir, I didn’t get enough to eat.» The three of us doubled over laughing. I love this place.