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Oklahoma Joe’s, Kansas City, KS

A couple years ago we created the name CD4L for our college division crew at ALSD (Association of Luxury Suite Directors). Members of the other leagues are so tight-knit, and we had become that way, so we wanted to make it official.  Our group has dwindled a little, as Jessica left OU, and Krista couldn’t make it to ALSD this year, so Blair, Jared and I had to branch out some. Kerrie and I have become friends over the past 2 years since she first came to ALSD. She works for the Dallas Cowboys, and was super helpful to me when we were at the Cotton Bowl in December. Bruce, Laura & Kathy are with the San Jose Sharks, Mike owns his own company, and Dick does a lot of our tickets and my wristbands.  I’m not really sure how it all started, but Monday night after the venue tour we started talking about fun facts…little bits of information that everyone would appreciate.  By Tuesday morning we officially named our group #teamfunfact. Unfortunately Monday night we also learned some NOT fun facts about a specific person that will haunt us for the rest of our lives.

I’m so glad we formed this group.  We share very similar personalities, had lots of fun and laughs, and pretty sure there are a couple of #teamfunfact field trips in the works.

The conference ended early Wednesday afternoon.  Bruce was moderating a late morning session so we all went to that.  Everyone had talked about going to Oklahoma Joe’s, and we decided it would be the perfect way to finish out the week. Kerrie was originally going to stay for the last session and miss out, but changed her mind and joined the party. Mike rented a car so we could drop him and the San Jose crew off at the airport after lunch. Kerrie wasn’t flying out until later that evening, and I was staying another night.

I had heard of Oklahoma Joe’s, but had never been there. Everyone gave it rave reviews, and it’s basically required to eat BBQ while in Kansas City. We settled on the original location, since it’s closest to the airport.  After looking at the other locations on the website, I’m so happy we did.  The original is in a gas station…can’t beat that for atmosphere.  The other ones are in modern buildings, and that just wouldn’t be the same.

Oklahoma Joe's, Kansas City MO

I’ve heard of people waiting up to 2 1/2 hours to get through the line. When we arrived the line was wrapped around the inside, all the way to the door, but we made it through in about 30 minutes.  You’re not supposed to save tables.  But we’re rebels.  We saw a couple of guys from the conference who were finishing up, so we sat with them. And they gave us the rest of their fries.  So we weren’t really saving, we were eating fries.

Oklahoma Joe's, Kansas City MO - Karyl's Kulinary Krusade

The menu is pretty basic.  BBQ and sides.  I ended up with Bruce & Mike in line when we were ordering.  We rattled off the list to the guy, who rattled it back to us and then back to the kitchen twice.  And never got anything wrong.  Honestly we weren’t even sure if it was wrong or not, but everything came out perfectly.  We were amazed and impressed.

We each got a sandwich, plus we split a rack of ribs, potato salad, cole slaw, onion rings, and fries.  3 of us got the Z man, 3 got the Carolina Pulled Pork.

 

Oklahoma Joe's, Kansas City MO - Karyl's Kulinary Krusade

I had the Z Man, and it was fantastic.  The brisket was so tender, the provolone was delicious, and the onion rings gave it a great crunch.

Oklahoma Joe's, Kansas City MO - Karyl's Kulinary Krusade

The Carolina pulled pork also got rave reviews.

Oklahoma Joe's, Kansas City MO - Karyl's Kulinary Krusade

Kerrie said the spicy cole slaw was really spicy, so we went with the creamy.  The fries were absolutely delicious.  They had kind of an Old Bay spice on them.

Oklahoma Joe's, Kansas City MO - Karyl's Kulinary Krusade

The ribs were to die for.  Falling off the bone.  There are 12 on a full slab, so we each had 2.  I had to force myself to eat the second one because I was so full.

By the time we were absolutely stuffed, there was still most of the potato salad and cole slaw left, as well as some onion rings.  Not because they weren’t delicious, but because we had ordered way too much.  There was a big group about to take our table, so we left everything with them.  They hadn’t ordered any of those items, so it worked out perfectly.

Will I go back?  This is yet another restaurant on my annual KC list.  And I will always go to the original location.

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