I’ve been a huge fan of BBQ since way back. In fact, my family used to drive to Kansas City and purchases CASES of BBQ sauce from a place that unfortunately went out of business. I know everyone has their favorite BBQ place in each town, and KC has a pretty significant set of choices to select between, but I’ve been on the Slap’s bandwagon for a few years now.
Slap’s (also known as Squeal Like a Pig, when they do
competition BBQ) has a weird but totally functional set up. They’ve got a
smoker building in front (with a rooftop seating area), a bunch of large smokers on the side of the building,
there’s the main restaurant building and bar, then they have a covered/heated
patio as a dining room with picnic tables. You’re going to wait in line here,
just prep yourself and settle in. On previous trips, I have waited more than 90
minutes, but I convinced my wife we needed to get there before they opened on a
Friday. We showed up early and were still number 30 or 40 in line. People will
line up for this food, even in the rain. But like most passionate fans, I’ll
tell you it’s all worth it.
Once you get in the front door (after your wait in line outside), they have this genius set up where you can order yourself a beer or soda at the side of the bar and they’ll give it to you to drink while you’re standing in the last part of the line inside. They’ve got beer in cans and plenty of taps – genius idea for helping pass the time in line.
Also, they love the Kelce family here, and as a fellow shirtless brother, I had to take a photo of the Garage Beer sign inside.
It helps to know what you’re going to order when you get up
to the counter – you don’t want to hold people up by asking weird questions and
slowing them down (cough cough…Ben…cough cough). Luckily, you’ve got time to
look at your phone online and also, when you get inside the building, there’s a
large menu that you walk past on your way to the counter. So you SHOULD be ok.
I just wanted you to be ready.
You tell the first person what kind of meat you want. Then
you tell the second person what sides you want. Then you tell the cashier what
kind of drink you want. Easy and organized. I ordered a pretty common order for
me – a couple of ribs, baked beans, and macaroni and cheese. And when they ask
you about peppers and pickles, yes, you DO want those. It’s jalapenos and
pickles to add to whatever you want. My wife got a pulled pork sandwich, called
The Sandwich, and some deep-fried pickles. They DO have large sampler platters,
which I ordered last time, and I just stuffed myself until I hurt, so I tried
to scale it back this trip so I could walk later.
They give you the food right there at the counter, so once
you order, you’re off and running. Pay for your food, stop at the fountain
drink station (or bar again), and then head into the dining room. Once you’re
in the dining room, you can pick up your plastic utensils and various sauces
(hot or mild), and there are plenty of napkins at the table. Doesn’t this food
look delicious?!?!
Ribs are always spot on here – dry rub and you can add sauce if you want. Meat has a non-tough bark on it and still has some good chew and doesn’t fall off the bones from steaming, and the flavor is amazing. The baked beans are too “wet” or “saucy” for many people, but I love the consistency and the meat they put in it. The mac and cheese isn’t flour-y and just actually tastes like there’s real cheese in it. It’s so good.
The Sandwich has sooo much meat on it, and the meat it really good. A little bit of sauce is included on it, but you can always add more. It’s got two onion rings on it and then some “creamy Provel cheese”, as well. The fried pickles are super tasty and not greasy, which is exactly what you need. Overall, it’s such a large portion of food, and crazy high quality. It’s just going to satisfy you for at least one meal.
If it isn’t raining, you can sit out front or up on the roof
of the building, as well. I didn’t want you to think that everyone had to cram
into the covered patio – though somehow it works out and you don’t seem to have
to wait on a table ever.
Just go here. I know people are going to argue other places and yes, they ARE good, but Slap’s has always delivered and it’s where I send people when they ask. And they're one of those places that cooks and serves until they run out - keep that in mind, friends.
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