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Tasha Hammett continues her grandfather’s legacy at LC’s BBQ

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Monk: LC’s BBQ is a Kansas City barbecue institution founded in 1986 by LC Richardson. Located adjacent to the Royals and Chiefs stadiums, it has become a must stop for home and away fans on game days. Anthony Bourdain even filmed part of his 2012 Kansas City episode of “No Reservations” there and raved about the burnt ends.

In this video, Xplor Kansas City meets with Richardson’s granddaughter Tasha Hammett, who took over the restaurant after his passing in 2021 but still maintains his original recipes. From his old weathered office chair, she discusses what she learned from her grandfather, early memories of the restaurant, and even gives some advice for aspiring restaurateurs. Staying true to her Kansas City roots, Tasha picks LC’s burnt ends as her favorite dish from the restaurant.

Initially too small to see over the counter when she began helping out at the age of 12, Tasha now oversees the entire operation while maintaining her grandfather’s original recipes that she inherited along with the 38 year old joint. That’s not to say she didn’t make some changes though, starting with some much needed upgrades to the ever-present three tiered smoker in the middle of the restaurant.

Hammett hopes that upgrade plus her business sense will help LC’s BBQ last at least another 38 years. From the looks of it, the city of Kansas City is also hoping for the same as well.

Description: Xplor the legendary Kansas City barbecue joint – L.C.’s Barbecue, famous since 1986 for its slow smoked meats and sweet tangy sauce! Meet Tasha, the owner’s granddaughter, as she shares the history of this family-filled restaurant, the secret behind their distinctive barbecue flavors, and her personal journey growing up in the business. From renovating the old fire pit to preserving her Grandfather’s chair, Tasha reflects on the legacy of L.C.’s, from its humble three-bar-stool, outdoor-smoker beginnings to it becoming a Kansas City staple. She provides a few wise words for anyone looking to start in the business, emphasizing the importance of location and customer service. If you’re in the Kansas City area, make sure to visit L.C.’s Barbecue, located at 5800 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, to taste some of their tantalizing barbecue recipes.

Is Harp Barbecue the Best BBQ in KC?

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Monk: Harp Barbecue burst on the Kansas City barbecue scene first as a pop-up in 2019 at Crane Brewing in nearby Raytown before owner Tyler Harp eventually opened up a brick and mortar restaurant in November 2022 (also in Raytown). From the beginning, Harp wasn’t beholden to the Kansas City barbecue tradition (that is, burnt ends and a sweet, sticky sauce) and instead imported barbecue traditions from his travels across the country. Sure, his ribs were Kansas City-inspired but he brought back whole hog from Scott’s-Parker’s in west Tennessee and brisket and inventive sausages from visits to central Texas.

In this well-produced video, a crew from Overland, Kansas-based Trondheim Studios interviews Harp on his origin story and also follows him and his staff prepping for a day of service at the restaurant. For Tyler, those days are 14 hour days that begin with him leaving his house at 5 AM in the morning.

Tyler Harp actually grew up in the competition barbecue scene alongside his dad, his uncle, and their friends, and for him Harp Barbecue is a reconnection to those past experiences. And it has even come full circle as now his dad Bob (who he calls his first mentor), helps him out at the restaurant on an almost daily basis. Bob recently underwent a double lung transplant, and in the most touching parts of the video, both Tyler and his dad both get visibly emotional when speaking about the opportunity they have to work alongside each other.

In some people’s eyes, the barbecue scene in Kansas City can be divided into “Before Tyler” and “After Tyler.” While Harp Barbecue may have dropped a few spots down to #6 in the most recent 2023 Best BBQ list from Kansas City Magazine (mostly due to the competition getting stiffer as well as a somewhat rough transition from a pop-up to a restaurant), Harp has made some adjustments in terms of meat suppliers and cooking at a larger scale now. By all accounts he has his sea legs back underneath him, and there’s little doubt he will be coming for the top spot on the next list.

Description: Located in Raytown, Missouri, Harp Barbecue forever changed the culinary landscape of Kansas City. Tyler Harp’s journey from weekly pop-up to national attention hasn’t changed his primary focus, serving the best barbecue in KC.

Harp Barbecue: 6633 Raytown Rd, Raytown, MO 64133

Trondheim Studios is a photography studio and gallery in Overland Park, Kansas.

Linkdown: 10/4/23 – The Texas BBQ Bubble About to Burst? Edition

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Monk: Is the Texas barbecue bubble about to burst? Daniel Vaughn reports slowdowns at a few barbecue joints in Texas due in part to the sheer number of joints that have opened in recent years, the intense heat wave that rocked Texas over the summer, and the skyrocketing price of brisket.

As a result, joints are struggling to make the economics work and are trying to lure casual customers in with lower cost items or specials.

From an outsider’s perspective it does seem as if the growth was unsustainable but despite that, Vaughn lists his reasons why he thinks the barbecue bubble isn’t quite yet about to burst. A fascinating read.

Native News

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I wonder if you will see any of these shirts at the festival…

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ICYMI, The Smoke Sheet recently profiled Morris Barbeque in Hookerton

Non-Native News

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Also ICYMI, John Tanner dropped his best barbecue places in DC list

Now that’s a great barbecue sign

Linkdown: 5/3/23 – The Speedy’s Barbecue is Back Edition

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Featured

Monk: In “news you absolutely love to see,” Speedy’s Barbecue has reopened in Lexington. Undaunted by the NC DOT’s widening of Highway 8 that killed off Smiley’s Barbecue, Speedy’s has moved about a half mile down the road from their longtime location of 60 years into what formerly housed Tricia’s Catering.

In an interview earlier this year owner Roy Dunn stressed that only the location is changing. Speedy’s will have the same menu, same staff, same prices and same motto — “ Quality, Quantity and Quick service.”

Curb service, a staple of classic Lexington barbecue joints, is open with 13 spots available

Merch is available

Speedy’s Barbecue is now open 11am to 8pm Monday through Saturday at 408 Piedmont Dr Lexington, NC 27295

Native News

Congrats to Little Pigs BBQ of Asheville, who celebrated 60 years open last month

Jon G’s Barbecue makes Eater Carolinas’ list of Essential Restaurants in Charlotte

Paste Magazine reviews the Cheerwine-flavored beer from NoDa Brewing

Congrats to Concord-based SnS Grills for being named “The Best Kettle Style Grill” by Food and Wine in a recent rundown of charcoal grills

WRAL’s best barbecue in Raleigh contains one old but mostly newer places

Non-Native News

Congrats to City Limits Q on the announcement of their upcoming brick and mortar in West Columbia

Aaron Franklin’s latest restaurant Uptown Sports Club is more sports bar than barbecue joint, but it does have some chopped brisket and sausage on the menu in various forms

Amy Mills of 17th Street Barbecue was recently honored back in March

Happy belated birthday to “Black Smoke”

Congrats to Wildwoods BBQ on winning last week’s Brisket King NYC

A little history lesson on Big Joe Bessinger, the “pioneer of SC BBQ”

Content ahead of last week’s NFL Draft in Kansas City: Mitchell Schwartz’s favorite barbecue joints in KC