Arthur Bryant's

Arthur Bryant's is a restaurant located in Kansas City, Missouri. It is considered by some to be the most famous barbecue restaurant in the United States.[1]

Arthur Bryant's
Arthur Bryant's Barbeque at 18th and Brooklyn in Kansas City
Restaurant information
Established1908 (1908)
Food typeBarbecue Restaurant
Dress codeCasual
Street address1727 Brooklyn
CityKansas City
StateMissouri
CountryUnited States
Coordinates39.091383°N 94.55612°W / 39.091383; -94.55612
WebsiteOfficial website

History
Interior of the location at 18th and Brooklyn
President Obama visited in 2014.

The restaurant's background was started by Henry Perry, the "father of Kansas City barbecue". In 1908, he had begun serving smoked meats from an alley stand to workers in the Garment District in Downtown Kansas City. Perry moved to the 18th Street and Vine neighborhood where he sold barbecue for 25 cents per slab from a trolley barn at 19th and Highland.

Charlie Bryant was an employee there and was soon joined by his brother Arthur Bryant. In 1940 when Perry died, Charlie took over the restaurant. Arthur in turn took it over in 1946.[2]

The restaurant was located for many years at 18th and Euclid Streets in the inner city neighborhood of 18th and Vine. Bryant moved the business to its present location, 1727 Brooklyn, in 1949.[3] In the 1950s and through the early 1970s, it was visited by fans and players visiting Municipal Stadium, home to the Kansas City Athletics (1955–1967), Kansas City Chiefs (1963–1971) and Kansas City Royals (1969–1972). The stadium was located five blocks south of the restaurant until being razed in 1976.

The decor has consistently been formica tables, fluorescent lighting, and jugs of sauce placed in the windows. Its specialty is burnt ends, the flavorful end pieces of smoked beef brisket; burnt end sandwiches are served open-faced at the restaurant. Its sauce is characterized by vinegar and paprika rather than sweetness.

The restaurant gained fame over the next several decades, and notable diners include President Harry S. Truman.[4] In 1974, it became the subject of international attention when Calvin Trillin wrote in Playboy that it was "possibly the single best restaurant in the world".[5] Since then, it has been frequented by famous visitors, including area resident Tom Watson, Steven Spielberg, Harrison Ford, Bryant Gumbel, Jimmy Carter, Jack Nicholson,[4] James Spader, Bill Clinton, Barack Obama, 2008 Republican presidential nominee John McCain and running mate Sarah Palin, and barbecue aficionados.

Arthur Bryant died in 1982,[2] and the restaurant was bought by Jerry Rauschelbach, who expanded the restaurant to the Kansas Speedway and Ameristar Casino. The location at Ameristar Casino closed in January 2014, after failing to make a new lease with the casino.[6]

In 2022, the restaurant requested that customers refrain from ordering its popular brisket and burnt ends due to high beef prices.[7]

In December 2022 it was announced that both the restaurant building & business had been sold to MMD Acquisitions LLC for an undisclosed amount. Smith, Joyce (December 14, 2022). "New owners for Kansas City's Arthur Bryant's BBQ building". Kansas City Star.</ref>

The two principal partners in the new owning company are local food industry professionals, Chris Stuewe and Andrew Miller. Joyce, Smith (January 6, 2023). "Kansas City's iconic Arthur Bryant's Barbeque has been sold". Kansas City Star.</ref>

See also

References
  1. Staten, Vince; Johnson, Greg (2007). Real Barbecue: The Classic Barbecue Guide to the Best Joints Across the USA --- with Recipes, Porklore, and More!. Rowman & Littlefield. pp. 179–181. ISBN 978-0762751952. Retrieved November 26, 2014.
  2. Ogintz, Eileen (October 28, 2015). "Best of Kansas City barbecue". Fox News. Retrieved February 21, 2018.
  3. "Death of a Legend | KC History". kchistory.org. Retrieved May 20, 2020.
  4. "Kansas City's Barbecue Rift Is Settled". The New York Times. July 4, 1992. Retrieved February 21, 2018.
  5. "Playboy: April, 1972; an Explication". Full Custom Gospel BBQ. September 17, 2010. Retrieved October 12, 2022.
  6. Joyce Smith (February 11, 2014). "816 Business: Martin City Pizza & Taproom opening Wednesday". Kansas City Star. Archived from the original on February 22, 2014. Retrieved October 19, 2018.
  7. Hernandez, Joseph (March 18, 2022). "Beef is too expensive to order brisket? In Kansas City? Here's why prices are so high". Kansas City Star.

Further reading
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