Barbecue can be a touchy subject in Kansas City. Just the other evening we heard a group discussing the merits and pitfalls of various restaurants around the region. Everyone has an opinion, and all have a foundation from which they formed it. We are of the opinion that there is something redeemable about just about any restaurant one finds, as long as you go in with an open mind. When we aren’t sure what to order we usually just ask a staff member what their best menu item is or at least what is the most favorite. Since we mentioned barbecue, let’s talk about Rosedale Bar BQ, a Kansas City, Kansas restaurant that has been around since July 4, 1934.
Rosedale Bar BQ started life as The Bucket Shop, where hot dogs and beer were the mainstay, since Prohibition had recently ended. The owners soon realized that smoked meats were a much better accompaniment with their ice cold beer, and started a small shop just about 100 feet from their hot dog stand. This was the start of their permanent home at 600 Southwest Boulevard in Kansas City, Kansas. What started as a way to survive the Depression, soon became a successful venture. Today Rosedale Bar BQ offers a wide variety of menu items.
Rosedale isn’t fancy, and the digs are starting to show their age. Customers order their choices at the counter, wait for their food, and then find themselves a table. The process can be a little frustrating during busy times, but it has been this way for as long as I remember, and probably won’t change anytime in the near future. Customers have the option to purchase individual meals or even meats by the pound. The burnt ends are a popular menu choice, and when coupled with their crispy french fries, makes a filling meal. Their onion rings are a little less crisp than I desire, but still hold up well in the taste department.
I personally like to judge a BBQ joint by the quality of their ribs. Rosedale serves up tender, and moist ribs with a decent meat to fat ratio. I have actually had the rib meat fall off the bones before, which is a huge no-no to some barbecue connoisseurs, but I’m okay with it. The sauces are what many people think about when they hear Rosedale Bar BQ. The original sauce is a fairly run-of-the-mill, but still good enough to be used to dip your fries. The hot & spicy sauce has a good kick, and makes a nice complement to the meats. While many will say they either love or hate this place, we find it to be a reasonably priced barbecue option. The fact that they are celebrating 82 years in business is a testament to the consistent quality of their food, and how many other places have that longevity? What are your thoughts of their food?
I grew up in Rosedale and have to admit I am a little biased but the SAUCE is what makes the BBQ and you simply can’t beat ROSEDALE BABY👍🏻👍🏻
We love Rosedale, as well. Our family has a lot of history there.
I grew up on the Westside of Kansas city just off S.W. Blvd which neighbors the Rosedale district of Kansas city, Kansas. There in lies Rosedale barbeque. This place, to me, has the absolute best sauce, ever. It has changed very little through the years. Its food, however, has gone downhill the past few years. Ever since the Reike family sold the business. The pork spare ribs are too mushy and the beef too dry. The fries, if ordered crispy, are to die for and the beer is icy cold. If I’m ever back in k.c. for a visit, I’ll be sure to stop in for a reminiscent tasting!
Hope you make it back.
The Rickey family for clarification did not sell
For clarification, the business has not been sold. Family owned and operated for 83 years.
Most certainly a long-lived family tradition.
I absolutely love this restaurant and the sauce is my all time favorite
It’s so hard to match old school barbecue and Kansas City has plenty to choose from.
Do you mean complement?
Grew up in Prairie Village but wasn’t introduced to Rosedale until the 80’s. I couldn’t begin to count the number of times I’ve uttered the words “Combo, Fries, Big RC” since then. Love the place!
Love phrase to say. It rolls off the tongue.
i came of age in KC, moving there from OKC in the early 70s. KC is where I grew up and will always be home. Whenever I get back there I always bring home a gallon of sauce with me. I live in Owensboro KY now, which claims to be the BBQ capitol of the world. But that is the subject of another story. When I am in KC I never can decide which sauce to bring home with me.. Rosedale or Wyandott? Right now I have about a pint left from my last visit.. Wyandott. Looks like I need to make a trip home for some Rosedale sauce.
Perhaps you should stock up heavily on the next trip. Of course, then you wouldn’t be as frequent of a visitor, so never mind.
I was born and lived around 43rd & Mission Rd. I knew the neighborhood well. The schools, the park, best place to get the best hamburger and hand made Cherry Coke. I also knew the best place to get BBQ cause I worked there in the sixties. Dad drove a truck and would bring BBQ ribs home on some weekend’s along with a case of Nehi soda’s in different flavors. Part of the reason Rosedale BBQ was so good was that we hand carved all the meat to make the best sandwiches and plates you could ever have. I miss those days. Slicing meat on a machine does not taste anywhere the same as a hand carved meat. I don’t live in KC any more but when we come to visit, we usually stop and munch on a beef, a ham, fries.and a strawberry pop
I always liked the Peach Nehi.
Worked at the lumberyard down the street from them for 37 years. Ate a lot of BBQ from there. My standard order to was “Beef Deluxe fry and big RC out (to go)….
That’s a delightful lunch order.
Curious if anyone remembers my uncle Carl Luckow, who worked there way back when?
Every male person in my family worked at Rosedale BBQ at one time . We lived on Lake St. two blocks off the Blvd. Rosedale is good BBQ but Quick’s on merriam lane was my favorite but they have since closed.BBQ chicken is my favorite and the fries are great. My wife and I live in Florida now but every time we go back to KC we have to stop in the Bar b q
Happy to hear you still make it around now and then. Good barbecue always brings people back!
The picture you have of the three bar tenders surprised me the man in the center is my dad . Thank you that’s cool to see
How exciting. So glad we were able to make your day!
Best bbq value in town . The Flying Pig and an RC , walkin please
We will have to check them out. Thanks.
Am I seeing that menu correctly?
Slab Ribs $1. ?
Short Ends $.95
Burnt Ends $.85
Can you imagine what the cost of living was in those days?
I drove a truck in this city for over 40 years. Rosedale Don’t even make my top ten. Flavor of meat was good but potions were small for the money. The same thing can be said about 7 Street BBQ over rated and over priced. In that same area you have Joe’s one of my top tens. Maybe it has changes I don’t know. But I am willing to give it another try.
We try to find positives at every place we visit. It may be hard sometimes, but we believe that each restauranteur is trying to present their best.
I grew up eating Rosedale. Slab out and a pound of fries. 10.00 slabs on Mondays. My 1st taste was in the old building. My granddad and family members had the ice plant across the street. The family lived on Seminary street when they moved to the city in 1936.
Thanks for sharing. It’s always good hearing from an original Dotte.