2 joints with JoCo ties make Food Network’s ’50 States of BBQ’

Two beloved KC barbecue spots with Johnson County locations have landed on Food Network’s “50 States of Barbecue” list this year.

The television network’s list aims to find “the best barbecue joints in every U.S. state,” and both the ones named for Kansas and Missouri have franchises for Johnson County barbecue lovers to sample.

Joe’s Kansas City takes Kansas’ slot

• This 25-year-old Kansas City favorite is “one of the top barbecue joints in the entire U.S., hailed by chefs and meat obsessives all over,” according to Food Network.
• The location mentioned in the list is the original one, in a gas station in Kansas City, Kan., just across the county line from Westwood.
• Joe’s also has Johnson County locations in Leawood and Olathe.

Q39 named best BBQ in Missouri

• Food Network’s list says what sets Q39 apart from the rest of Kansas City barbecue is late founder Rob Magee.
• Magee, who lived in Prairie Village, opened Q39 in 2014 — 13 years after he moved to Kansas City, where his passion for barbecue blossomed.
• The midtown Kansas City, Mo., location is mentioned in the Food Network list, but Q39 also operates an Overland Park location off 110th St. and Antioch Road.

Go deeper: Q39 founder Rob Magee dies, leaving ‘indelible footprint’ on KC barbecue

Joe’s, Q39 react to making Food Network list

• Eric Tadda, director of marketing for Joe’s, said, “Because we view Kansas City as the BBQ Capital of the World, we are always humbled and grateful to be mentioned as a favorite in KC BBQ. To be mentioned on The Food Networks list with our friends at Q39 as well as big time competition pitmasters Smokey D’s in Iowa & the iconic Franklin’s BBQ in Texas is really an honor and a tribute to our staff.”
• Q39 Owner Kelly Magee said, “The team at Q39 is doing an amazing job carrying on the Q39 vision of chef-driven, competition quality BBQ that late founder Rob Magee built the restaurant on.”
• And Q39 Executive Chef Philip Thomspon said it’s an honor for Q39 to be included on the list, “especially because the Kansas City BBQ scene is so competitive.”