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.
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
