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There's something timeless and irresistible about barbeque, and there's none better to be found than authentic Kansas barbeque. Down-home or fancied-up, the style of joint may vary from place to place, but the focus on tender, slow-cooked meat remains. As long as you're ready to get a little messy, get to explore some of these can't-miss Wichita spots for an unrivaled barbeque experience. Bite Me BBQ Bite Me BBQ is a family-owned and operated old-fashioned barbeque spot serving up pulled pork, brisket, ribs, and much more in a down-home setting. A must-try dish is the fall-off-the-bone Spare Ribs, which were voted one of the best ribs in the state by Kansas Magazine. With its friendly atmosphere and fun, cozy setting, this is one joint you'll want to bring the family to again and again. more Pig In! Pig Out! BBQ Founded in 1996 by legendary pitmaster Ron Cochran, Pig In! Pig Out! BBQ is a Wichita staple. With his son proudly carrying on his legacy, this joint serves up classic barbeque dishes such as pulled pork, hot links, ribs, and brisket. Ron's original spice rub recipe, famous in the barbeque competition circuits, makes the ribs here some of the best in the country. An entire wall of the restaurant is filled with ribbons and awards, leaving no doubt about this being one of the best BBQ joints around. The Angry Elephant The meat you'll find here at The Angry Elephant is messy, smoky, and everything else you want in decadent BBQ, but with a few twists. All of their meats are smoked in a rotisserie smoker, ensuring that they are all cooked evenly to perfection. Their offerings include seven-pepper brisket, slow-smoked pulled pork, baby back ribs, hot links, grilled chicken, as well as classic platters with different combinations of meat. The place offers a variety of sides beyond the standard cornbread, including low-carb and gluten-free options. This is one hole-in-the-wall type of joint you don't want to pass up. When Pigs Fly BBQ Modest though its setting may be, don't let this no-frills barbeque joint's appearance fool you. The family running When Pigs Fly BBQ takes their cooking very seriously. The jalapeno sausage is a specialty of theirs and is a must-try. Other offerings include brisket, turkey, pulled pork, and ribs, along with their signature Colossal Spuds — baked potatoes with a variety of fixings. Two Brothers BBQ Traditional, irresistible barbeque abounds at Two Brothers BBQ. Classic favorites like ribs and brisket are slow-smoked in this staple's wood-burning BBQ pit. The restaurant has a few locations around Wichita, but their original in East Wichita has been in business since 1997. Besides the food, the establishment's other draw is their unique interior, which features aviation memorabilia in honor of the Air Capital's heritage. Barbeque comes naturally to Wichita, and it shows in the abundance of fantastic barbeque joints to be found in our community. There's no time to waste in exploring the messier side of Kansas cuisine. Don your bib and stretchy pants and get to one of these mouth-watering destinations today. Photo via Flickr by David McSpadden | Licensed under cc BY 2.0

While new restaurants seem to open in Wichita, Kansas, every day, you can still find some old classics serving up great meals. When you're heading out and looking for some delicious food and a little history, consider going to one of these top culinary institutions. Livingston's Andy Livingston first opened Livingston's in 1910. At that time, the small cafe served hamburgers for a nickel and T-bone steaks for a dime. Today, even though the price has gone up, you can still get a juicy burger at Livingston's. The restaurant is open for breakfast and lunch, and it offers a variety of casual and fresh meals. For breakfast, you'll find popular options like homemade biscuits and gravy, breakfast burritos, waffles, and French toast. For lunch, consider the Reuben, grilled turkey club, or the daily special. more Bomber Burger When you want to sink your teeth into one of the best burgers in Wichita, you need to go to Bomber Burger. First opened in 1951, all the patties at Bomber Burger are formed by hand using Kansas Angus beef. The patties weigh in at almost a full pound, making them some of the largest you can get in the area. The restaurant then uses its own custom seasoning mix to add the perfect amount of flavor to the beef. Along with your traditional hamburger and cheeseburger, Bomber Burger also offers a bacon cheeseburger, double cheeseburger, and more. Old Mill Tasty Shop Since 1932, people have been coming to the Old Mill Tasty Shop to enjoy soups, sandwiches, salads, and ice cream specialties at the old-fashioned soda fountain counter. In fact, patrons love the Old Mill Tasty Shop so much, they threatened to chain themselves to the building when the city was discussing building a new arena where the restaurant sits. Thankfully, it never came to that. When you stop by for lunch, consider getting the club, tuna melt, or barbecue beef brisket. Make sure you save room for one of the floats, sundaes, or malts. Savute's Italian Ristorante Savute's Italian Ristorante opened in 1943, making it the oldest Italian restaurant in Wichita. When you're in the mood for an authentic Italian meal for dinner, this is the place to go to. You'll find all your favorites on the menu, including spaghetti and meatballs, baked lasagna, and chicken Marsala. You can take a seat in the main seating area to check out the unique collection of aircraft memorabilia, or you can head out to the patio for some outdoor dining. Calvin's Hamburger Haven Calvin's Hamburger Haven first opened its doors in 1952, and it quickly became a popular hangout spot for teenagers. Although it had to change locations once to make room for a new convenience store, longtime regulars still like to visit for delicious burgers and other sandwiches. Be sure to stop by for lunch to enjoy a hamburger cooked on the original and well-seasoned grill. No matter what type of cuisine you're in the mood for, you know you'll find a great meal when you check out one of these top culinary institutions in Wichita. Photo via Flickr by Navin75 | Licensed under cc BY-SA 2.0