Up In Smoke

We're from Kansas City

We adore BBQ

Kansas City style BBQ

So did my family . . . 

As a child, my family favored Bryant's

Often on a Saturday night, Dad would bring home a slab of ribs

We all were in heaven!

Jim, on the other hand,

prefers Gates

Those are the "granddaddies" of KC BBQ

And high on both of our list is:

Which got it's start as Smokestack

located on Troost,

we didn't often get ribs there

but we did get the 89er

(called that because it cost 89 cents!)

And a side of beans!

The son of the owner took the Smokestck BBQ one giant step forward

into a small regional chain of restaurants

"Jack Stack"

But they have the same beans!

Because it's at the south end of Johnson County, we go there 

more often than other BBQ places

Last week was BBQ week at Linderhof

When we have company, it's the dining room

(Which in my opinion, is a bit formal for BBQ)

No tablecloth, BBQ is messy

No cloth napkins, BBQ is messy

But the blue and white plates and Jim's grandmother's cutlery

It was rib night

We had another couple over

A couple who love ribs

(Well, he especially does)

So we did a whole slab each

(and they took their leftover slab home!)

Husband Jim used Oklahoma Joe's rib rub

And slow smokes to perfection

We prefer spareribs rather than baby backs

(A bit more fat but also a bit more meat)

Grandmother's coleslaw

(that oil and sugar and vinegar kind with celery seeds)

Smokestack's Baked Beans

(they published the recipe long ago in the Kansas City newspaper)

Slow cooked as well until they're almost caramelized

For dessert with friends:

pecan pie

the husband's favorite

And they were our guests

Two days later, another slab of ribs (not each -- just one)

for my brother and his friend

Same sides -- BBQ calls for baked beans and coleslaw

(and if you have a potato -- fries)

(But Jack Stack has a cheesy corn that's also good with BBQ -- I have the recipe but don't make it nearly as often as I do the beans.    For not everyone likes corn)

Dessert:

Fresh blueberry pie

(My brother's favorite fruit pie)

Thick slices and coffee rounded out the meal.

Husband Jim is back in the garden again

Smoke two pork butts

for a thank you luncheon for the volunteers of a fundraiser I co-chaired in March

I do sometimes wonder why we even bother to eat BBQ out --

Jim's is great BBQ!