KANSAS CITY, Mo. _ The calories count continues to increase on this trip to Missouri.
After dinner at Shakespeare's Pizza (New York v. Chicago v. Columbia review to come later) the Sports Journalism Institute's Class of 2014 was treated to Arthur Bryant's Barbecue in Kansas City. I have eaten barbecue in Austin, Texas, so the bar was set high to satisfy my salivary glands from all the hype.
Disclaimer: I've never had barbecue at Franklin's or The Salt Lick, which are two famous Texas barbecue places. But the Whole Foods HQ also has amazing barbecue.
Ruby's BBQ, which is located just off the University of Texas' campus, was delicious when I visited in early March. I treated my friend Sarah to dinner there. Sarah and I enjoy fitness and consider ourselves healthy people, but when it comes to eating barbecue, we unleashed.
We devoured a variety platter of ribs, brisket, pulled pork and chicken. The brisket was the perfect balance of moist and dry. Signs throughout the place emphasize the all-natural and hormone free meats. The pulled pork was my favorite with just the right kick of spice in the barbecue sauce. Sarah took down the chicken and ribs, because I refuse to eat ribs on any date after committing the messy mistake in the past. Corn on the cob and the homemade beans were the best compliment to the variety.
Not to break the Sports Journalism Institute's budget, I ordered brisket and pulled pork at Arthur Bryant's.
The restaurant has a very plain feel upon entry. There was a back wall with nothing but white paint. Another wall was decorated with photos of famous customers such as Senator John McCain, former Alaska governor Sarah Palin, John Lithgow and Harrison Ford. The lack of decorations means this place is fully invested in its product. And they know how to move people through the doors. Leon Carter of ESPN warned us to have an order ready upon arrival at the counter.
Within a matter of seconds, a mound of pulled pork mixed with brisket was dropped on two pieces of white bread. The sauce had more of a reddish color than the darker version in Austin. Interesting. A side of baked beans and potato salad were chosen as my sides.
The beans were less spicy but very hot. A few meat chunks within the beans was a nice touch. I've only been eating potato salad since trying it for the first time two weeks ago, and this was the best I've had. Easily beats the competition of New York delis. Ruby's was a bigger giant to conquer.
First bite into the pulled pork...
It was pretty good. I was not ready to declare a winner. After a few more bites, I was sweating. The barbecue sauce was a little hot, but I liked it. A giant cup of sweet tea was just inches away to wash everything down. It was real good. The pork was moist and the brisket was dry, so opposites attracted for a delicious final product.
After overcoming the food coma on the drive back to Columbia, it was time to render my verdict: I find Texas barbecue better, but Kansas City is definitely among the top. It beats Whole Foods but not Ruby's.
-- Chris Chavez
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