B.B.'s Lawnside BBQ

This was my first visit to BB's, and we arrived at about 4:30 to beat the "music rush" I've read about.  I really wanted to give 4 1/2 stars for a terrific experience, but since there doesn't seem to be a way to do 1/2 stars from this interface, I'll go with 4 for now.

The service from Angela was really great, and she was able to explain some of the items on the menu to us, as well as making some great suggestions.  She was very helpful and friendly, and made sure we always had plenty of water, and in my case - I'm extremely fuzzy, and eating BBQ can require a hosing off - plenty of napkins.

Checking out their menu on-line, I really wanted to try the Boudin Balls, and figured a good place to start would be the small BBQ brisket sandwich.  The boudin balls were very good, served with what tasted like thousand island dressing on the side.  It wasn't needed.  Very tasty!  

The "small" sandwich was about the size of most other places large sandwiches.  It was piled high with very tasty thinly sliced brisket, though the meat was a bit dry.  But it was deliciously smokey and nicely seasoned.  I'm not sure how I feel about their sauce.  It's sweeter than I prefer (even the spicy sauce) and had an unusual taste (for me), possibly of honey.  It isn't bad, just isn't quite my style.  I'm not crazy about Bryant's or Gates sauces either.  I'm really looking forward to going back to try the other meats too.

My cousin & I each tried different potatoes to share.  He got the skillet fries, while I got the batter fries.  I'm not that big on potatoes, but the batter fries were like eating a length-wise wedge of a fresh baked potato that had been battered and fried.  Quite good, and just 3 in the basket was a big portion - about 1/3 of a potato.  On the other hand, the skillet fries:  THEY ROCK!  Absolutely delicious, crispy on the outside, spiced perfectly, and there was no need for any sort of sauce on them!  I'll be getting them again.  Normally, fries remain on my plate, but I only stopped eating the skillet fries because I was so full.

I will be back as a regular.  All in all, the food was really terrific and the service outstanding.

I did like the food here. I ordered the beef tips which came with their mega huge fries. The beef was on the tough side, but had a great smell and flavor. The fries were pretty good, and were basically a sliced up, breaded potato that was fried. I would have rather just the friend potato and no breading, but maybe thats just me.
The decor was cheap, and the chairs were uncomfortable. From the outside this place looks a little scary. It seemed to get plenty of business during lunch. I would still eat here again, but as I'm a KC native, I have had better barbeque, and I didnt care for the dining area, hence the 3 stars.

The only thing that disappoints me about BB's is that the lack of recognition they've received for both their food and atmosphere.  Although it may be partly due to their out of the way location.  I've been there 4 times now, all fairly recent, and each time I go I'm more impressed.  My favorite is the BB's Lawnside BBQ King Combo, which is enough for 2 or 3 meals, but it only seems right to go overboard there.

My first visit was to see John Paul's Flying Circus and the next was to see Samantha Fish...both great performances!  And Samantha's not bad on the eye's either.  You do need to get there early, by 5 or so, if you want a seat.  Once all seats are taken no one is going anywhere so you'll be standing.

BB's has quickly become my favorite BBQ in KC, tied closely with Okie Joe's.  So far I've tried the ribs, sausage, burnt ends, turkey, beans, battered fries, gumbo and jambalaya and of course their sauce.  Definitely top notch BBQ...go check it out!!