KC’s Smokehouse Pub

Pretty good BBQ & great remodeled space. Tho Burnt ends were a bit fatty

Hidden gem. Great BBQ. And they get some really good beers on the tap (drinking Martin city now). My one bit of feedback to them is to avoid the «frosty mugs» with the amazing ales… not how to serve these folks. That’s a small issue as otherwise its a great place.

This is my first review ever. I go out to eat two or three times a week for the last 21 or so years. I was also a cook for over a decade. This was by far the worst service I have ever experienced. There was a pregnant woman running the bar and waitressing. It took almost 15 minutes for her to acknowledge I was even there and another 10 minutes to get a menu. Once I ordered she never once came up to me to ask if I wanted anything other than ice water (I’m a beer drinker and their selection looked above average) and I waited for my food for at least 30 minutes. FOR NACHOS??? Here is a heads up. Nachos should NEVER take more than ten to fifteen minutes.
I ordered the BBQ nachos w/​burn ends… They were better than the other BBQ nachos available in the area. But that’s not saying much. The chips were good, the fake cheese food was not. Fake cheese is not going to cut it. Who the hell puts lettuce on hot food like that let alone nachos?
The one redeeming quality of the nachos was the burnt ends. They were absolutely fantastic. They were slightly crunchy burnt goodness. The BBQ sauce was also exceptional. These burnt ends are easily top 5 if not top 3 in KC. That’s saying something. But I don’t know if that’s enough to bring me back.
I never wanted to cook again. But this place needs help. They have some outstanding BBQ but the rest of the experience is terrible and killing what they are good at.
Give me a holler, guys. You can do and be so much better. So disappointing.

My table had a poor experience at this restaurant the involved the manager and owner, the owner apologized when I randomly ran into him at a different restaurant so I changed my review.

This place has great bbq and a pretty good beer selection, but more than once now I have been really turned off when I’ve been brought the check prematurely. As soon as we are finished with our meals a check is brought to us. No one bothers to ask of we would like anything else to drink. Tonight was a good example. As soon as my plate was empty the check was brought. After discussing shots and what beer I wanted next while we finished watching the basketball game, I was given a check and told to let them know if I wanted to add anything else to the bill. While I could have said that we were going to drink more, I was so turned off that we just paid and left. Bartenders should make their patrons feel like they want them to stay, not that they want them to leave. I myself am a bartender and maybe that’s why I am a bit sensitive about the subject. The bartenders, as well as the establishment could make alot more money if they made their patrons feel more welcome. Next time we want to sit and watch a whole game I guess we will go somewhere else, instead of feeling like we have to ask permission to stay and drink.

This is faster becoming my favorite BBQ in KC and hands down in top 3 – 4 with Joes KC, LCs and Jackstack. Their sauce is amazing and everything is done very high quality. I talked to the cook and they said they don’t microwave anything. It’s all fresh and made to order. And a great place to watch any sports event with a great sound system, good beers on tap and big, new TVs throughout. 5 stars.

I really enjoyed the smoked wings on my first visit and will return to try other food. Great beer including their own stout. Service was good and met owner who was a fantastic guy.

Overall I give my experience here a 3 star review. Let me start with the positives…
1. The food-​not too bad! The k-​state burger was very good and the fries are awesome. The potato salad is good as well. The beans and coleslaw leave something to be desired.
2. Beer– great variety of KC Bier on tap
The negative…
1. Service-​the bartender is the only server so to describe it as slow is an understatement. We came on a Friday night. Maybe they can get away with that during the week but I expect more from a weekend.

Food is greasy and no flavor wouldn’t recommend… next time im in the nieghborhood gonna stick with jimmy johns. Note if you want bbq try bb’s lawnside bbq way better!

I always read Unilocal reviews, but never write them. The bbq here was so good I needed to break my silence. We had the shredded brisket, pulled pork, burnt ends and ribs. All were cooked to perfection, but what really sets this place apart is the sauce. Out of this world.
Just to comment on the one negative review posted about this place, we met the owner, he seems like a great guy and was wearing a Royals champs shirt and a Royals hat. He told us that they even had the ALCS game on at the reception at his wedding. And why was a vegetarian in a bbq place in the first place?

Went here for burger week, nice use of the former Swagger property. I liked the food a bunch, liked the bar atmosphere almost as much, they are making the most out of that space. I agree with a review that said it’s between Gates and Jack Stack, if I want just pure BBQ I’m going to Q39 (haven’t tried Slap’s or Char Bar yet, but will at some point), but if I want a bar atmosphere with good barbecue, this took Gates and Jack Stack out of the picture, at least for me. Plus, how can you not like Waldo?
Word of caution, watch yourself if you are crossing the street to get there because the parking is abysmal on nights they are showing sporting events, the corner is a nesting place of a ton of birds, and one almost destroyed my night by pooping on my head from a telephone pole. Luckily, it was solid and since I shave my head, it came out with little issue. Yay.

If I could give zero stars I would. I came here tonight with friends to eat and watch the Royals game. I’ll get to the kicker first then fill in the details.
THE OWNER WAS PARTYING WITH A MAN IN BLACK FACE FOR HIS HALLOWEEN COSTUME. No joke. For real.
Also, they hate the royals. They started a dj in the 6^th inning so you couldn’t hear the game; they are not a sports bar.
Anyhow, we came up here to eat and watch the game. I was a little disappointed being a vegetarian and there was — literally — zero options. The fries are fried in some meat grease so you can’t even eat them. And please don’t comment that a vegetarian shouldn’t go to a BBQ joint; I’m a lifelong KC resident and can always find something to eat.
Early in the evening folks in costumes started to show up — one of which was in black face, dressed as eddy Murphy.
In the 6^th inning a dj started playing music so we could no longer hear the game. We went up to ask if they could turn it down and the guy (owner) said it was a private party and they couldn’t turn it down. He was chillin with the black face dude.
So that’s that.
I hear the meat was good. The server worked her butt off waiting on the whole restaurant and behind the bar.
I will never, never, never go back.

Cool little bbq/​bar/​poker stop off Wornall and 85^th. Bartenders are friendly, food is good, and beer is fantastic. This is one of the only places I’ve seen with Deschutes Fresh Squeezed on tap and it makes me happy. There are great specials and poker is on Sunday afternoons.

This place is a hidden gem in Waldo. I’ve been going to The Stack BBQ for awhile now, but this place is just as close and MUCH better. The meat was absolutely fantastic. Burnt ends, pulled pork, brisket, all phenomenal. Moist and delicious, fresh off the smoker.
The beans and fries were also very good, and BBQ sauce (2 kinds) was excellent. I will definitely be coming back as this place is close and you can tell they’re trying to impress. Don’t be fooled by the pub exterior. This is top-​notch KC BBQ.

Amazing! My wife and I had a rare, kid free, Monday night off. We dine out a lot and were wondering where to go, what to do, what’s new in kc? We found it. Relaxing atmosphere with a clean industrial modern look and refined reclaimed wood finishes. (Oh and with a ton a TVs for game day fun!!!) Staff super friendly and the beer selection awesome.
The food…
Kc is such a challenging place to make bbq especially new bbq. Definitely a success.
We had the burnt ends, smoked chicken wings, hand cut fries, and burger. All the food was prepared in artisan style with unique finishes.
100% highly recommend for a relaxing fun evening with great food, drinks, and atmosphere. Plenty of room for a bday or whatever party! Try it you won’t be disappointed!
Dr A

This place is amazing! We went for dinner and we weren’t expecting more than just some average bar food. The place was mostly empty and the employees were having fun with the juke box. The menu isn’t large, but it has a variety and they have an impressive list of beers on tap. I got burnt ends and pulled pork and my husband got the ½ chicken. Their BBQ sauce is amazing (slightly sweet but with a kick), but honestly, I didn’t even need sauce for my food. The fries were great and had a nice seasoning as well. Our server was great, the food was delicious, and we are so glad we live only a few blocks away because we will be back many more times!

Don’t listen to the old man Denny this place is incredible. Plenty of parking, authentic KC bbq and craft Whisky and beer selection.

So I’ve eaten here twice and I can say the pulled pork sandwich ‘the Kaufman’ is my new go to! Add some provolone and bam!
They have a couple of huge TV’s that are hanging in they’re dining area which is still under renovation.
I like this place.

KC smokehouse is the new place to be! They have tv’s everywhere great music and the bartenders are very friendly and knowledgable. I can’t wait for the restaurant to open. The Waldo area has much needed a great bar with great BBQ!

So let’s have a chat, KC’s Smokehouse Pub, because I’m confused. I am so confused as to what exactly you are? I was driving through Waldo yesterday when I saw a new neighborhood bar opening. Umm… Yay! I grabbed my significant other and ventured in. There’s a small parking lot around the back of the place. The door in the back was open with a small pig painted on the door and a sign stating the bar was a smokehouse, sports bar, serving craft beer. Ok cool. I can’t really think of any other place in Kanas City with this exact business concept. Don’t get me wrong, I see what they’re tying to do here but goodnight they are missing the mark!
Let’s start with the main idea of this business, smokehouse. So when you read smokehouse you assume this place is a smokehouse, right? Wrong. They are not a smokehouse. At least not yet. I was SO incredibly hungry when I entered this establishment and ready for a new Kansas City BBQ adventure only to be let down and discover they do not have a kitchen. In fact, they are currently offering a community bowl of pretzels as their food option. Gross. We inquired about food and they stated they haven’t actually built their kitchen yet and it won’t be completed for some time. DUDE you’re a «smokehouse» eh premature openings of restaurant/​bars that aren’t indeed ready for business annoy me.
Let’s move onto to Craft Beer. We are in Kansas City, Missouri folks. This is a city that’s officially on the map for their craft beer and microbrew game. The «craft beer» menu consisted of general boulevard taps that are on tap EVERYWHERE in this city, a couple KC Bier Co, Budweiser, Coors, PBR, Sam Adams, and Lagunitas. How can this be the entirety of your menu and claim to be a craft beer focused bar? NO. Just no. While we’re talking about alcohol the bar does offer a few liquor options. Our waitress was confused when the significant other ordered a captain diet. I was curious as to why until I learned the only rum available is some Blueberry nonsense and Malibu. Hey, if I shot back to my undergrad years, a junior in college, 21 year old, sorority girl I would love the rum selection! They also had a few vodkas, whiskeys, and Jäger. Maker’s 46 was available so that’s cool.
Next is the Sports Bar aspect. Ok so there ARE 5 or so TV’s in the place. Every TV had Sports Center playing. The sound wasn’t on but that’s a common occurrence so no biggie. My issue was the TV placement. Once again I see what the bar was trying to accomplish but the only people that can easily watch the TV’s would be the bartenders themselves (exception of one TV above the bar). There are approximately 7 tables (ish) lining the far wall. Each TV is lined on the same wall. The only way to watch the TV’s is to turn away from the table and crank your head awkwardly upward. You know when the back of your head rolls back and touches the top of your back? Like that. Okay, not quite that dramatic, but enough to be obnoxious and annoying.
At this point I feel like I’m be redundant in my whining, but this place has SO MUCH POTENTIAL. I just wish they’d figure out exactly what kind of establishment that are. And if you can do all three aspects you’re aiming for and execute them well, even better.
To end on a positive: your garage door wall is cool! I love fresh air and a small bar that feels larger than it really is.