Smokebox BBQ Cafe — Restaurant in Kansas City

Visited 26 March 2021

Located in a small stripmall off N. Amabasador Drive, Smoke Box BBQ is strategically located between a few hotels and not too far from Kansas City International Airport. That's clever!! There was also a liquor store, a pub, a Mediterranean restaurant (temporarily closed), and two nail salons in the plaza.

I arrived around 5:50 pm on a Friday evening and the parking lot was very busy, indicative of busy businesses (I was on foot since I was out running so parking was not an issue for me lol). Smoke Box BBQ was the only thing I was interested in so that's where I went.

I walked in and was immediately greeted by the waitress. She asked, "dine in or take out?"; obviously open for dining in. But, I wanted my order to-go so that's what I told her. When I told her I did not order ahead, she pointed me to some menu's on the counter. There were two different styles of menu (a booklet and a paper sheet) but the other employee, a male, informed me that either was fine as they both had the same information.

I took the menu and walked outside so I could decide what I wanted. It appears they had a busy-ish evening. I noticed the dining room had a few customers, some left ahead of me, and another party was walking in.

I decided on a burger and sweet potato fries. I walked back inside, placed my order, and grabbed a drink from the fridge (I'm surprised he didn't ask me how I wanted my burger. It was done how Ilike it though, psychic? Hmmm!). After paying I informed the male employee that I would be outside (he gave me boss/owner vibes); he acknowledged and told me my meal would be ready in a few minutes.

I didn't notice how little or how long I waited because I was outside engaged in two separate conversations - one with someone in my class and the other a random man trying to take me on a date. Both conversations ended and soon after, the male employee was walking out with my food. Awesome. I was expecting to go back in to grab it myself but he was kind enough to bring it to me. If that isn't great customer service, idk what it. 5 stars!!

Of course masks are required to enter. Both employees I saw were wearing masks. There is a glass separating the employee/cashier from customers (I'm not sure if that is new since this was my first time).

There are bar table/chairs near the counter where customers would be facing out the windows. There was no one eating there but I can see it getting cramped if there were since I was already feeling confined by the smallness of the space.

Overall, I had a good experience and my food was good. I recommend giving it a try. Iwould definitely, and probably...

Smokebox BBQ Café offers a promising dining experience. Nestled just a short drive from the Kansas City Airport.

Stepping into the restaurant, I was greeted by a laid-back ambiance steeped in classic rock nostalgia. Red walls adorned with framed posters of rock legends, vinyl booths, and the timeless tunes of classic rock radio.

I sought recommendations from the friendly counter staff before selecting the 3-meat lunch plate, which cost $16.82 plus tip. I opted for a trio of barbecue classics: burnt ends, brisket, and sausage.

The burnt ends could have been a culinary rock star. There were glimpses of potential greatness. They were tender and juicy. Unfortunately, the burnt ends fell victim to the overpowering presence of the BBQ sauce. Leaving their true essence overshadowed and underappreciated.

The thinly sliced brisket failed to make a lasting impression. The thin slices dried out too fast and caused the brisket to lose its delicate flavor profile. A thicker slice would have undoubtedly allowed for a more pronounced taste, preventing the meat from succumbing to premature flavor depletion. As with the burnt ends, the flavor of the BBQ sauce overpowered the flavor of the brisket. Which unfortunately, made the brisket very forgettable.

In stark contrast, the thinly sliced sausage emerged as the undisputed highlight of the meal, boasting a bold flavor profile that captivated my palate with its spicy allure. Resilient against the sauce's overpowering influence, the sausage stood as a testament to the kitchen's prowess in crafting memorable dishes. I highly recommend trying it if you like spicy foods.

The BBQ sauce provided on the meats left much to be desired, its lackluster performance did little to enhance the culinary journey. It became evident that certain meats, such as the spicy sausage, thrived in its embrace, while others, like the burnt ends and brisket, struggled to assert their individuality amidst its overpowering presence. As such, I recommend serving the meats without sauce, allowing diners the freedom to customize their experience at the table.

In conclusion, while Smokebox BBQ Café shows promise, there remains room for refinement. With a few adjustments, this hidden gem has the potential to emerge as a standout destination for barbecue enthusiasts in the...

I've been to KC seven times between work and Taekwondo tournaments but never had any barbecue until I ventured here yesterday. The best part of the visit (outside of the location) was the Italian sausage, cheesy corn, coleslaw, ribs (daughter devoured), pulled pork, and our server. I'm not sure where other people have eaten barbecue that they think this place was the best they ever tasted because I beg to differ. There is no reason to need or have barbecue sauce added to your meat due to it being way to dry or lacked flavoring. I'm extremely disappointed in the owner having this place open to serve less than par barbecue that I'm glad I had plenty of water in addition sauce to even make the effort to consume my food. I realize that everyone has there own style in regards to preparation or cooking methods for barbecue, but I've made meals out of stale ramen that tasted better or had flavor or wasn't dryer than a dessert. I wasn't able to sample the ribs as my daughter devoured then while the Italian sausage and pulled pork were bursting with flavor. The one thing I want more than anything for my barbecue experience is some good burnt ends or better known as meat candy. The burnt ends were not sweet or moist in any way, shape, or form and was that of great grandma's candy bowl she's been eating on for 5-10 years. The brisket was the same way that I was forced to use barbecue sauce to eat the meal. Every piece of meat should be seasoned and/or have some type of flavoring to it. Unfortunately this place fell way short on moisture and seasoning. I don't own my own restaurant, but I'm sure that even with my limited access to equipment or supplies that I'm able to produce a far superior version of what is sold here to customers. I will make an effort to visit other locations in order to have the barbecue experience I have heard so much about (longer than I've been alive) to ensure no one is covering up their failed effort to smoke meats by serving meals with...