An adventure to Crown Center in Kansas City brought my friends and me to the Museum of BBQ, which opened just this April. I learned more about barbecue then I realized I needed to know! First, I learned about the history of BBQ, or should I say ‘barbacoa” and how this style of cooking was brought to Europe from explorers who went to Africa and the Americas.
Barbecue: You can make it spicy, or sweet, or very tart. It can be made with dry rubs or wet rubs. People in different states like it in different ways. And if you live in North Carolina, the state is divided about how you should eat it. The east side wants it heavy on the vinegar; the west side wants mustard. (Personally, I do not want either!! Sorry) There is also debates which is better, BBQ pork or BBQ beef. They don’t even mention chicken!!
At the museum there are activities like playing in a pool of baked bean-colored balls. Or wearing a belt that indicates you are a BBQ master. You can try to hang a ring from the horns of a steer! My friend’s husband actually succeeded in this challenge. The rest of us failed!!
You can find out all about BBQ and baked beans, because what is BBQ without beans! And you need to learn about the history of Bush’s Baked Beans. The last set of displays focuses on Kansas City and the American Royal BBQ competition. Also, how KC BBQ went global when KC Masterpiece’s sauce was purchased and distributed nationwide.
For me the best part was learning about the different types of BBQ sauces and realizing why I love Kansas City Barbecue. I now know why. I love the sweet molasses or brown sugar concoctions that Kansas City Barbeque offers the palate. For me KC BBQ brisket or chicken is the best. To taste some of these other sauces, just check out the gift shop, which has BBQ sauces from all the country!
I also learned that fat, or marbling makes BBQ more delicious. And for some the most delicious of all are the fatty burnt ends of a brisket. My husband loves burnt ends, a delicacy.
To make our day complete, we had lunch at the Burnt Ends BBQ restaurant in Crown Center. The husbands had burnt ends. My friend and I had BBQ brisket. It was deliciously cooked in the KC BBQ manner.
Kansas City has many wonderful BBQ restaurants. And everyone in the Kansas City metro has their favorite. My favorites are Jack Stack and Brobecks. I never argue with those who like other restaurants because it is a no lose situation. Every restaurant is great including, Joe’s KC BBQ, Gates Bar-B-Q, Q39, Burnt Ends, Taste of KC, and Arthur Bryants.
If you visit Kansas City be ready to try BBQ, it is a must. If you want to learn more about BBQ, check out the Museum of BBQ.
zicharonot 
I guess I can skip this museum since I haven’t eaten meat since 1971!
Wow. Good for you! I am more of a. Chicken and fish person. But every once in a while, especially living here, BBQ is a must.
I should clarify: I do eat fish and (kosher) poultry. I haven’t eaten any beef, lamb, or pork products since 1971.
I understand. I stopped eating Veal about 30 years ago. One of my students did a report on how Veal was raised. We decided there was not way that it could ever be kosher.