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A smoked turkey which also seasons collard greens at KC Turkey Leggman in Kansas Coty, Kan., on Aug. 21, 2025. For the past few decades, the national spotlight has been on the Carolinas and Texas. But the most influential barbecue town may just be Kansas City. (Chase Castor/The New York Times)
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A smoked turkey which also seasons collard greens at KC Turkey Leggman in Kansas Coty, Kan., on Aug. 21, 2025. For the past few decades, the national spotlight has been on the Carolinas and Texas. But the most influential barbecue town may just be Kansas City. (Chase Castor/The New York Times)
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Ollie Gates, who runs five barbecue restaurants in Kansas and Missouri, in Kansas City, Mo., on Oct. 8, 2025. For the past few decades, the national spotlight has been on the Carolinas and Texas. But the most influential barbecue town may just be Kansas City. (Chase Castor/The New York Times)
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Brisket that’s been smoked low and slow lends its aroma to coconut red curry at Buck Tui in Overland Park, Kan., on Oct. 3, 2025. For the past few decades, the national spotlight has been on the Carolinas and Texas. But the most influential barbecue town may just be Kansas City. (Chase Castor/The New York Times)
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Ribs smoke alongside chickens at Gates, in Kansas City, Mo., on Oct. 8, 2025. For the past few decades, the national spotlight has been on the Carolinas and Texas. But the most influential barbecue town may just be Kansas City. (Chase Castor/The New York Times)
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Tangy, thick ketchup-based sauce is a signature seasoning at Gates, in Kansas City, Mo., on Oct. 8, 2025. For the past few decades, the national spotlight has been on the Carolinas and Texas. But the most influential barbecue town may just be Kansas City. (Chase Castor/The New York Times)
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Pam Liberda, who now runs Buck Tui’s kitchen, at one of the Liberda family restaurants, in Overland Park, Kan., on Oct. 3, 2025. For the past few decades, the national spotlight has been on the Carolinas and Texas. But the most influential barbecue town may just be Kansas City. (Chase Castor/The New York Times)
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Lines often form outside Joe’s in Kansas City, Mo., on Oct. 8, 2025. For the past few decades, the national spotlight has been on the Carolinas and Texas. But the most influential barbecue town may just be Kansas City. (Chase Castor/The New York Times)
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Egg rolls are filled with pulled pork at Buck Tui BBQ, in Overland Park, Kan., on Oct. 3, 2025. For the past few decades, the national spotlight has been on the Carolinas and Texas. But the most influential barbecue town may just be Kansas City. (Chase Castor/The New York Times)
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Gates in Kansas City, Mo., on Oct. 8, 2025. For the past few decades, the national spotlight has been on the Carolinas and Texas. But the most influential barbecue town may just be Kansas City. (Chase Castor/The New York Times)
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