There are two main styles of barbecue in the state of Missouri, Kansas City-style and St. Louis-style. No matter where in the state you get your ‘cue, chances are you’ll see ribs on the menu. Spare ribs are so ubiquitous in the St. Louis area that they’re often referred to as St. Louis ribs and are typically grilled rather than slow smoked, as is standard practice for KC-style ‘cue. Our barbecue expert Ardie Davis recommends ordering the sauce on the side, as some places can overdo it (i.e. “baptize it”).
The top 10 winners in the category Best BBQ Ribs in Missouri are as follows:
- Tin Kitchen - Weston
- A Little BBQ Joint - Independence
- Sugarfire Smoke House - St. Charles
- Dew Drop Inn - Bloomsdale
- Wabash BBQ - Excelsior Springs & Chillicothe
- Char Bar - Kansas City
- Bogart's Smokehouse - St. Louis
- Q39 - Kansas City
- City Butcher and Barbecue - Springfield
- Charlette's Rib - Ballwin
A panel of experts partnered with 10Best editors to pick the initial 20 nominees, and the top 10 winners were determined by popular vote.
Congratulations to all these winning restaurants!
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The Experts
Ardie A. Davis
Kansas City freelance writer Ardie A. Davis misses... Read More
Kansas City freelance writer Ardie A. Davis misses the years when the late Arthur Bryant presided at his famous “grease house,” birthplace of the original true burnt ends. Mr. Bryant’s burnt end scraps from brisket trimmings were free. Davis, raised in Oklahoma City, has called Kansas City home for more than 40 years. He has authored or co-authored 11 books about barbecue and pens monthly columns for the KC BullSheet and National Barbecue News. His Kansas City Star Chow Town barbecue blog appears online on Thursdays. Davis’ most recent books are America’s Best BBQ, Revised, with Chef Paul Kirk, and Barbecue Lovers Kansas City Style.
Ardie A. Davis

Kansas City freelance writer Ardie A. Davis misses the years when the late Arthur Bryant presided at his famous “grease house,” birthplace of the original true burnt ends. Mr. Bryant’s burnt end scraps from brisket trimmings were free. Davis, raised in Oklahoma City, has called Kansas City home for more than 40 years. He has authored or co-authored 11 books about barbecue and pens monthly columns for the KC BullSheet and National Barbecue News. His Kansas City Star Chow Town barbecue blog appears online on Thursdays. Davis’ most recent books are America’s Best BBQ, Revised, with Chef Paul Kirk, and Barbecue Lovers Kansas City Style.
10Best Editors
10Best.com provides users with original, unbiased... Read More
10Best.com provides users with original, unbiased and experiential travel coverage of top attractions, things to see and do, and restaurants for top destinations in the U.S. and around the world.
10Best Editors

10Best.com provides users with original, unbiased and experiential travel coverage of top attractions, things to see and do, and restaurants for top destinations in the U.S. and around the world.