This just in: October's pick

Start working out those arm muscles to handle steins full of beer, because the Gas Club's October outing will be German/Austrian food! Sauerkraut, veal, spaetzle, sausage and some wonderful new things we've never even heard of. Prost!

Oklahoma Joe's Review

I stepped into OK Joe's with all the excitement of a labrador finding an unexpected morsel at the foot of the table! I had read about the awards and winnings over the years that came with the BBQ brand. I knew OK Joe had captured 1st place at the recent KC Star casual dining contest. My mouth was already watering when I wiffed the air from our car to the entrance. The restaurant itself was grand inside--naaah; it was just another BBQ restaurant--but to the power of 3--much larger than the typical BBQ on the Missouri side. That is because the JoCo residents stampede the place in their fervor to suck down those juicy ribs!

I walked to the back wall and studied that menu so long I could recite it backwards. The house specialty was Pulled Pork--hmmmm. It's not everyday I drive across the state line for award winning barbeque. Probably should try the house specialty. Then I saw it--the blackboard proclaimed Thursday Rib night. Surely this was the sign I was looking for.

Tables were filling (you can't sit down until you have already ordered--yeah, it's a rule there) and I'm not a patient person, but I joined the queue and was pleasantly surprised how quickly the line moved. I have to hand it to the genuinely friendly people behind the counter--thier patience never wavers no matter how much dithering comes from the patron.

We made our way to the back where grandpa was keeping a table warm. (Grandpa is exempt from No Sitting Down rule; while we were dithering, his oxygen was getting heavy and he was getting thirsty.) The table was a high top and a big screen was nearby. The table was set with a couple rolls of paper towels and 2 types of sauce; Spicy and Not. To prepare my plate I put a small squirt of each so I could taste test with my french fry.

I may be our only blogger who rates a BBQ joint by the fries and that is to OK Joe's detriment. The fries were disappointingly skinny and saturated in salt. That didn't keep me from wiping the salt off and consuming an obscene number of them, however. They were crispy enough and quite tasty when dipped in a slurry of the 2 sauces mixed together. The crown jewel of OKlahoma Joe's is not the Pulled Pork I assure you. A bite of Mr. Refs sandwich proved bland. But the ribs! Those ribs were pure perfection! A thin honey glaze was divine as I delved into the meat. Moist, delicious, flavorful and tender. Definitely worth a one time visit across the border. Overall, a bit of a disappointment. That is the danger of the overhyped restaurant.

Rating 3

Oklahoma Joe's: OK by me

What transforms a good sandwich into a great one? Top it off with onion rings.

That’s the lesson I learned at last night’s dinner club. This month’s restaurant pick went to Uncle Richard, who chose Oklahoma Joe’s. Though most KC folks argue Gates vs. Arthur Bryants’, I’ve heard a fair many say O.J.’s is the best.

I ordered the Z Man: a brisket sandwich topped with provolone and onion rings. It was fantastic. The side of red beans and rice was delicious, and they didn’t skimp on the tasty dill pickle slices which were mandatory if you tried the hot BBQ sauce. The fries were tasty (but huge; one bag served five of us), and the ribs were some of the best I’ve ever had.

What would have topped it off best would be a beer: I abstained, but Josh sure enjoyed his. And how smart is this: each table has a roll of paper towels (shouldn't all BBQ joints, really?). All in all a great pick for BBQ. Needless to say this wasn’t one of the healthier dinner club outings, but we sure had fun.