Blog of Kansas City Shopping

The Kansas City BBQ Debate.

5/25/2014

We dare to but...We are going to open comments to this blog!

We debate about Kansas City BBQ & who has the best from the Ribs, to the sauce, to the sides.

Weigh in this weekend, we look forward to hearing your delicious dish thoughts.

Please be polite as I know we get Passionate about our favorite BBQ spot!

Who is your favorite & why?

61 Comments

Nelly

5/25/2014 03:56:33 am

Oh, I love KC people & their BBQ. I want to see how this plays out!

Jill

5/25/2014 04:33:08 am

Hands Down... Jack Stack :)

Chrishelle link

5/25/2014 04:33:32 am

KC is good, but I am a southern girl. I love my ribs dry rubbed and smoked and sauce sweet.

Carly Bellard link

5/25/2014 07:16:13 am

I am a fan of Carolina BBQ! I have not tried Kansas style out side of the south. So I really do not have much input on this one.

Timothy D Schroeder

12/23/2021 06:02:53 pm

Kansas City is in Missouri

Beth@FrugalFroggie link

5/25/2014 07:24:04 am

Tough choices!! As far as if I am going to buy sauce, then Kansas City Masterpiece has the best sauce. But for a restaurant, Jack Stack BBQ all the way!!

Debra link

5/25/2014 10:05:00 am

I love all sorts of BBQ! However I do like wet marinades over dry rubs.

Lisa Collins link

5/25/2014 10:45:50 am

I haven't tried BBQ in KC yet but I've tried it in Alabama and it was delish! Time for me to put KC to the test I think!

Bob Pearse

5/25/2014 11:16:17 am

Hands down the finest BBQ was Grady and Merle Nash's Hickory Pit in Gravois Mills, MO. Sadly, it's long gone. Their sauce was the best ever and the recipe is still a secret. This was real, old fashion, pit BBQ.

Wes

4/2/2015 12:16:51 pm

Have you ever tried to duplicate the sauce?

Nancy Nash

5/6/2016 04:16:59 pm

Wes, even if you knew every ingredient and the amounts of each, you would find it difficult to duplicate. In fact Grady gave a sauce recipe to several different customers. None of them were able to get the same look, smell, texture and taste of Nash's. As Grady's daughter in law, I am proud to say my husband Charley (Grady's only son) has perfected the sauce much to many former customers and families taste buds.

Nancy Nash

5/6/2016 04:11:52 pm

Bob, you are correct Grady and Merle Nash had a winning recipe for BBQ and a happy life. The Hickory Pit was open nearly 40 years and goes down as the oldest singly owned restaurant at the Lake of the Ozarks. The secret didn't die with them. My husband makes the sauce in our kitchen two or three big batches a year. He couldn't have gotten any better approval than from his Uncle Fletcher Merle's brother. He claimed it was great and tasted just like Grady's. His sisters and several former customers want his sauce for the same reasons. Currently, he is working to place it in the big market. That will be a blessing to accomplish that.

Ralph Neighbor

5/20/2016 01:00:14 pm

Is there a list for folks that wish to be notified as soon as the Nash BBQ sauce becomes available? I certainly want to be on it. I was raised on Grady's sauce and there is none better!

Nancy Nash

5/21/2016 07:48:41 am

Ralph, call my husband 417-752-1007 Charles Nash

Jack Corbett link

8/7/2016 11:24:07 am

If Grady's BBQ sauce ever makes it to the market I would sure like to be informed... My wife and I would drive from Excelsior Springs every spring to eat at the Hickory Pit and purchase Grady's Sauce... What a dissapointment the year that we drove down and found the Hickory Pit had closed... If you create a list of contacts for the sauce please add my name to it...

Nancy Nash

8/8/2016 10:14:11 am

Jack Corbett............You might wish to call my husband Charles Nash 417-752-1007. Steps to market the sauce are still in it's infancy and no final reveal seen any time soon. Charley has been making sauce much more often than usual (especially in the warm weather) and several old customers now have Nash's in their kitchens. They have been instructed to use sparingly and come Winter he will increase his production to accomodate the newer customers. Please call and let Charley know your particulars.

Don Rohner

10/20/2016 09:42:15 am

Nancy please keep me informed about the Nash BBQ being available again. Had a cabin on Moffitt Point from 1962 to 1983 and remember the Great BBQ at Nash's. I used to buy the sauce by the quart. What a wonderful sauce!
Don Rohner

Nancy Nash

10/20/2016 03:04:46 pm

Don Rohner
So happy you called and talked with Charley today. I just now am checking email and found your post. The sauce being marketed publicly is crawling along. Charley and his marketing mentor think it will be in the specialty sauce market by next Spring/Summer. It's really wonderful hearing from Grady's former customers at the Nash's Hickory Pit in Gravois Mills, MO. It's been a rare year as Charley has needed to make the sauce in warm weather to keep up with requests. He for sure will be busier this winter making the sauce. Heating our little house up real cozy.

Terry L Steele

1/30/2017 06:58:23 pm

Hi Nancy,
My parents, E.A, and Maxine Steele, were good friends of Grady and Merle. In fact when the first Hickory pit was opened in Gravois Mills, Grady bought my high chair for the restaurant. There was never BBQ that compared to theirs. Grady always said that BBQ could never be mass produced. He always trimmed it just right before the food was delivered to the table. Back in the days of "all you could eat" he said that our neighbor in Sedalia, Ralph Leiter and I could eat more BBQ than anyone. We did know how to clean the meat off those rib bones for sure. Our whole family hated to see the Hickory Pit close. My son still talks about it. I hope you are successful in bringing the sauce to market! Besides that, Grady and Merle had to be two of the nicest, friendliest people to walk the earth. I live in Florida now, but I will get there if the sauce becomes available. Good luck!

Ralph Berkstresser

2/13/2017 09:31:33 pm

Nancy, I am going to try to contact you guys in hopes of getting some sauce, thank you

Bunnie Girl

2/27/2017 09:50:39 am

Oh what a thrill to see this thread! Nancy, I am related to your Dennis! Merle was my Aunt. Oh how I love to see so many positive comments and great memories exchanged for The Hickory Pit. Merle and Grady's legacy lives on in the hearts and taste buds of so many. The food was absolutely the best, but the love and kindness they served made your palette know this experience was something beyond special. Just wanted to point out to readers that don't understand Nancy's season comments regarding the sauce. You see the famous sauce (family secret) must be cooked/simmered for hours. This is not something tossed in a bowl or mixer like those sissy sauce recipes you find on pinterest! The cooking of this liquid gold entails hours of suffocating heat/steam thereby requiring ventilation. The ingredients are secret but the method is usually known to all the neighbors miles around and those who are up wind. : ) This sauce is work, a work of love. And no one better to know it than Grady's son. Best wishes cousin Charley in your venture. Uncle Grady would be thrilled to see you succeed and continue his families treasure delivered in love-conveniently contained in a pourable bottle. Continues blessings to you!

Nancy Nash

2/27/2017 10:13:24 am

Bunnie Girl, Thank you so much for your kind remarks. Which one of Merle's siblings do you spring from? Charley would love to hear from you. Call us sometime 417-752-1007

bunnie girl

2/27/2017 11:24:20 am

Hi Nancy...tell him I am his uncle Jimmy's finest creation ; ) (ok dad said that not me). Supposedly, I most favor Robin! If you learn my name and don't mind, just use Bunnie on this public post. My mom and brother live in the 417 area so you all are neighbors. Well, within an hour or so. Will get a call from one of us soon! Carry on and Keep saucing!

Jack Kenny link

5/23/2017 11:18:18 pm

Hi Nancy. I was introduced to Nash's BBQ by my girlfriend (now wife) and her family back in the mid-80's. We were all saddened when we heard it was closing and I remember we all purchased a number of large plastic containers of the sauce just to try and keep the memories of our favorite BBQ alive a bit longer. We are from the KC area but keep a place down at the lake and think about the Hickory Pit all the time.

Are there any updates on your husbands efforts to make the sauce available for purchase? It would be incredible if we could that again!! Thank you.

KEARY HANAN MARCUM

6/28/2018 01:47:58 pm

Hi Nancy,
I've been hearing about the sauce forever and on my most recent trip to KC was able to final try it. Yum!. I heard from my brother-in-law that the recipe might be available. Is that true. Please feel free to reach out. [email protected] Thanks!

Terri

8/24/2018 10:09:49 pm

I would love to know if the barbecue sauce has been put in the bottles that was my favorite place for a barbecue I will never forget it please inform me [email protected]

Sally Kennedy

12/24/2021 02:59:35 am

Has Grady's BBQ sauce made it to the store shelf? I would love to purchase it. And give some to my sisters and brother. We all have fond memories of our mom and dad taking us out to eat at the Hickory Pit.

David Kinsey

6/30/2022 12:41:23 pm

Omg was so nice seeing these posts...I worked for Grady and Merle in early 70s. Fond memories. Would sometime spend nite at the house so to work the weekend breakfasts. Merle and her turquoise jewelry. Those were the days

Jim Barber

9/3/2022 02:26:04 pm

Oh how I would love to revisit the days of Nash's. Introduced by my grandparents and passed on to my kids. Next best thing would be having the sauce. Look for it still when in specialty BBQ sauce shops. Cattle Boys is somewhat close but is only available in Canada nowadays.

Dave Brown link

8/4/2023 11:31:20 am

I agree Nash was the best. Have not had any since about 1960! Anyone know how to contact Charles? My number (515) 249-0903 Dave Brown

Debbie Denny link

5/25/2014 11:28:51 am

Man that is hard to decide. Love KC the best I guess.

Kathy link

5/25/2014 11:37:24 am

I am not a huge bbq fan, but if I eat it, I have to have amazing tangy BBq sauce!

Mitch link

5/25/2014 11:37:53 am

For me, less is more. I prefer a lot less sauces and rubs on my ribs. I was raised on the Chinese style and they remain my favorite. I have had others that were spiced out of their minds and I did not enjoy them. I don;t get who would, but that's just me!
thanks,
Mitch

Virginia @thatbaldchick link

5/25/2014 12:46:29 pm

Hands down, KC has the best barbecue in the nation. I'd be hard pressed to narrow it down to one restaurant, though!

Janell link

5/25/2014 01:02:09 pm

I am not a big fan of BBQ but my husband is. I am sure he loves any kind!

Ryan

5/25/2014 02:43:09 pm

Being from KC, there are so many to choose from that are all wonderful... If i had to pick just one favorite it probably would be Jack Stack (I regularly order from there and get it shipped to me where I live now in Hawaii).

1) Jack Stack
2) Gates
3) Danny Edwards / or the old Jake Edwards south of the plaza
4) Hayward's (Ive been reading a lot about their recent comeback)
5) Arthur Bryant's
6) Oklahoma Joe's

This is just the short list... I could easily do a top 15 or top 20 but again, I grew up in KC, I have been eating at all of these on the list pretty much since I was old enough to eat solid foods. You sure cannot get BBQ like this here in Hawaii, if you could I would probably eat it everyday! Every time I come back to KC I hit up all of the ones I named and then some! Sure could go for a Gates Mixed Plate or a Jack Stack Poor Russ right about now for dinner!

Robin (masshole Mommy)

5/25/2014 08:24:19 pm

BBQ isn't big here in New England, so we have to head south or west if we want good BBQ!

Jeanine @ sixtimemommy.com link

5/25/2014 11:58:16 pm

Not from KC, nor have I been but BBQ - MY FAVORITE! BBQ steak and corn oh my gosh, yum. All these comments make me want to go start up the bbq!

Krystal

5/26/2014 12:42:22 am

We served bbq at our wedding, that's how much we like it! I don't have a favorite in KC, but we do have locals we like.

Pam

5/26/2014 02:06:50 am

I have heard great things about The Salt Lick BBQ place in Austin Texas. I want to try that out. Also Hak's BBQ is fabulous. It was created by Sharone Hakman, one of the final contestants on Master Chef.

Rachael link

5/26/2014 02:43:49 am

There was a place in Lutz, FL called Hot Rods. It had the best BBQ ever!

Janel link

5/26/2014 08:31:38 am

I haven't ever been to Kansas City. I LOVE barbecue, though!

Cara link

5/26/2014 10:13:10 am

I've never been to Kansas City so I can't say! But I have also never met a BBQ rib I didn't like!

Demetra link

5/26/2014 10:34:48 am

My family is from South Carolina so we sometimes have a BBQ with a sweet mustard sauce. I can't really weigh in on KC bbq, I bet they're all pretty good.

Ashley M

5/27/2014 07:10:01 am

Ive never tried it but who doesn't love a good BBQ?! Can't wait to see how everyone weighs in.

Melissa M. link

5/27/2014 10:14:31 am

I love reading the comments because we are headed to KC next month for the first time. Can't wait for some BBQ!

Melinda link

5/28/2014 12:13:29 am

i prefer Kansas City BBQ over low and slow take all day kind. I've been doing these on my smoker and they are amazing

Judy

6/3/2014 10:37:49 pm

Wyandotte BBQ is up there

Laura link

5/29/2016 03:54:13 pm

I just got off the phone with Charles Nash and he is making his Dad's sauce out of his house. He is meeting with a distributor in KC in June to hopefully get it into stores; however, if you do not want to wait, call him at 417-752-1007 and you can have some shipped to you! Best BBQ sauce in the world! If you remember Nash's Hickory Pit BBQ from Gravois Mills, MO at Lake of the Ozarks then you know what I am talking about!

Nancy Nash

1/31/2017 09:57:38 am

Terry L Steele Got your comment today. So happy to hear from another friend of Grady and Merle. My husband Charley, you might remember him as Dennis, does make the sauce and had a close run on getting it marketed this past year. But.........It is at best on hold for a spell. Please call him sometime 417-752-1007 he would love to hear from you.

Nancy Nash

5/24/2017 07:27:15 am

Jack Denny and all others who are curious; Marketing the sauce has proven to be more difficult that we would ever have thought. Charley has signed on with a Co-Pack Company in KC, yet cost and marketing are big stumbling blocks at present. My husband stayed busy all Winter making sauce for many of the Hickory Pit's former customers and won't be doing any more batches until the weather cools again, (I say that and someone may just talk him into it anyway), as it heats our little house up considerably and he is really busy in the Spring, Summer and early Fall. On a more somber note; we recently lost another member of the Nash family, Charley's sister Debbie Nash Winquist, number two daughter of Grady and Merle. Hope everyone has a wonderful Summer season. Call us, Charley is home in the evenings and loves talking with his Dad and Mom's old customers. 417-752-1007 and let him know if you want on the list for sauce this winter.

Jack Corbett

4/23/2020 06:35:04 am

Has Charles ever got Grady's BBQ Sauce on the market??? My wife and I made a trip to Gravois Mills every spring to eat Grady's BBQ and take home some of his sauce... My wife isn't with us any more but I would sure like to have some of his original BBQ Sauce before God calls me home...

Nancy Nash

4/23/2020 08:55:13 am

Hey Jack
So sorry to hear about the passing of your wife. I urge you to call Charley. 417-752-1007 or email him... [email protected]. The logistics of marketing the sauce were not good. We would have had to charge too much for a product that would be sitting on the same shelf with other BBQ sauces costing much much less to the consumer. He was not doing well this past winter but made what, he then thought, were his last batches. Those have already been claimed. But, since he's doing better he might consider making more. God Bless you! Please do call him or email him.

Terri

4/23/2020 06:51:47 am

Is there any news on the best barbecue I ever had. Mom and I were in gravois Mills every Summer for about 20 years. All summer we would go for barbecue at least once a week we loved it . Is there any on the market yet? Would love to perches some. Never had anything like it and never will . Love it.

Nancy Nash

4/23/2020 08:57:45 am

Hi Terri
Please call Charley 417-752-1007 or email him at [email protected] Thank you

LIsa Fletcher White

4/23/2020 07:17:01 am

Great to see never waning interest...even better to be notified as the conversation continues.

Nancy Nash

4/23/2020 08:59:29 am

Hi Lisa
Are you related? Charley's mother was a Fletcher. He would love to hear from you. Please call 417-752-1007 or email him at [email protected]

Sally Kennedy

9/15/2020 06:29:41 am

I was just a little girl, but remember going to Grady's everytime we visited grandma in Versailles, MO. All of my siblings agree that it is the best BBQ. I want more of that great bbq sauce. Let me know when and where I can buy it by the case.

Nancy B Nash

9/15/2020 10:12:44 am

Sorry to say.... There will not be anymore Nash's Hickory Pit BBQ Sauce made for other than personal consumption (not sure of that either) Charley (Dennis) has decided not to do it. Age and failing health are the reasons. He is willing to sell the recipe and walk, anyone who is interested, through the process needed to cook it for themselves. Please email him at [email protected]. Our home number will be changing in the near future as we are working on moving to town and leaving the country life behind. Thanks to all who have commented on the sauce and my in laws incredible life as excellent and unique BBQ'ers

Terri

12/5/2020 10:33:57 pm

Really sorry about this. Hoped to get good news. If there is any changes I would love hear about it.

Trent R link

12/5/2020 07:47:47 pm

Greatt share

The Kansas City BBQ Debate.

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