Arthur Bryant's BBQ Restaurant: Our History

Arthur Bryant, the legendary King of Ribs, is the most renowned "barbequer" in history. He created a sauce that has attracted the likes of former Presidents Harry Truman, Jimmy Carter and Barack Obama to his restaurant. So how did it all begin?

Charlie Bryant started the Kansas City barbeque tradition, or some say it was Henry Perry for whom Charlie worked. Arthur visited his brother Charlie in Kansas City and never left. Upon his brother's death, Arthur took over the operation and moved the restaurant to where it stands today at 18th & Brooklyn. At the time, that was just four blocks away from Municipal Stadium, home of the Kansas City Blues and then the Kansas City Athletics. It was also the first home to the Kansas City Chiefs.

This move catapulted the restaurant to country-wide popularity. The eatery is nationally known and often recognized by experts as the best or one of the best barbecue offerings in the country. As the fan base for the teams grew, and visiting teams and VIPs passed through our city, passion for Arthur Bryant's Barbecue continued to skyrocket. Then renowned New-Yorker Author, Calvin Trillin declared in Playboy Magazine that "…the single best restaurant in the world is Arthur Bryant's Barbecue at 18th & Brooklyn in Kansas City.

Today current ownership feels strongly about its role as guardian of the Arthur Bryant's tradition and works diligently to maintain its integrity. For example, Arthur used to mix and store his sauce in big five-gallon glass jars, which you can still see displayed in the restaurant's window today.