Missouri sports betting isn’t legal yet, and in turn, residents have found a legal loophole when it comes to placing wagers.
That workaround is traveling outside state lines into Kansas, placing their wagers, and heading back into their home state. Again, perfectly legal.
Many of those bettors will opt to pull their cars over off an exit ramp or under an overpass. There, they log in to their sportsbook of choice, spend a minute or two wagerings, and then get back on the road.
This will change if and when Missouri sports betting is legal. But for now, I-435 has blossomed into a hotbed for this activity.
It’s a quick trek for some Missouri residents but not for all. And if you make that drive, it might be worth stopping for a bite to eat.
Here are some of the best Kansas barbecue restaurants across from the Missouri border to check out when placing a sports bet.
Best Kansas barbecue restaurants off I-435
If you’re one of the Missouri residents exiting off the I-435 off-ramp and into Kansas territory, there are a few barbecue joints in that area to enjoy.
Gates Bar-B-Que
Gates Bar-B-Que has been in the Kansas City area since 1946. There’s a good chance any barbecue fan in Kansas or Missouri has dabbled in Gates before. There are four locations in Missouri and one in Kansas, right off I-435.
Gates Bar-B-Que offers delivery, takeout, and no-contact delivery, or you can order right at the counter and enjoy your meal inside the restaurant.
Location: 2001 W 103rd Terrace, Leawood, KS, 66206
Brobeck’s BBQ
Brobeck’s BBQ resides a little farther west on I-435. It’s roughly a five-minute drive from the Missouri border.
The restaurant’s website will tell you immediately — they do things differently. There are no sauces on their meats. Instead, dry rub recipes are used on the meats before being smoked. Sauces are available to customers but aren’t required to enjoy the food.
“We think our meats are good enough you may just eat them without sauce!” the website reads.
Like Gates, Brobeck’s BBQ allows delivery, takeout, and dine-in eating.
Location: 4615 Indian Creek Pkwy, Overland Park, KS, 66207
Joe’s Kansas City Bar-B-Que
Joe’s Kansas City Bar-B-Que has two locations right off the Missouri border. One resides in Kansas City, but for bettors crossing over off I-435, there’s a location in Leawood roughly 10 minutes from the border.
The original Joe’s is the one in Kansas City, and it just so happens to be a gas station, too — just like when it first opened.
Location: 11723 Roe Ave, Leawood, KS, 66211 OR 3002 W 47th Ave, Kansas City, KS, 66103
Jack Stack Barbecue – Overland Park
There are plenty of food options at Jack Stack Barbecue, including… seafood. In addition to traditional favorites, customers can enjoy salmon, trout and shrimp.
Jack Stack Barbecue has been in business for more than 65 years.
Location: 9520 Metcalf Ave, Overland Park, KS, 66212
Meat Mitch Barbecue
Meat Mitch Barbecue isn’t directly off I-435, but it’s a quick drive off Exit 75B if you’re going west from Missouri. It’s a newer venue, having opened roughly two years ago, but don’t let that distract you from its delicious meat.
Don’t forget to come here for brunch, too. The restaurant offers what they call a “twist” on favorites like avocado toast, cinnamon apple french toast, breakfast stacker, birria brunch bowl, smoked brisket and eggs, and short rib benedict.
Location: 3620 W 95th St, Leawood, KS, 66206
Top Kansas barbecue restaurants off I-70
Another popular way to cross from Missouri into Kansas is the busy I-70. That takes Missourians right through Kansas City and into Kansas suburbs such as Armourdale, Riverview, and Kensington, among others. The busy area means a handful of restaurants just across the Missouri border.
Jones Bar-B-Q
This restaurant, run by two sisters, has been in the area since the 1970s. It’s known for its special sauce, which helped bring in customers since its inception.
Sisters Deborah and Mary Jones said the original sauce recipe came from their father, Leavy B. Jones Sr.
“We’ve stuck with our father’s vision, poured love into our food and are lucky to be serving many of the same customers that we started with more than 40 years ago,” their website reads.
Jones Bar-B-Q does not deliver, but customers are more than welcome to dine in or take their food to go. There is outdoor seating available, too — a nice plus when the weather is nice.
Location: 6706 Kaw Dr, Kansas City, KS 66111
Slaps BBQ
In the grand scheme of things, Slaps BBQ is fairly new to the Kansas City barbecue scene, having opened in 2014. According to its website, the eatery sells out “every day” due to its commitment to bringing “the best barbeque on the plate.”
Favorites include some of their daily specials, like tacos, smoked chicken wings, or their spicy fried chicken sandwich.
Slaps BBQ is also well known for its “Squeal Like A Pig” Slap Sauce.
Location: 553 Central Ave, Kansas City, KS, 66101
