Wabash Barbecue

Ok. We decided to check this place out after having it recommended by a friend. We have seen it before but not being huge Bbq people never stopped in. Went on a Saturday afternoon about 4pm. No problem finding a seat. Our server (Brentany I think is how it was spelled) was incredible. She was full of information about the building and made great recommendations on the food. She checked on us often, kept our glasses full, and cleared as we were done with stuff. These may seem like no-​brainer things but you’d be surprised at what passes for service at some places. I got the big sampler platter (photo attached). It was $ 20 ($ 19.99 but you know what I mean). Came with 4 of their meats, 2 ribs, and 2 sides. Wife got the 2 item deal with pulled pork & brisket. We got different sides to try them all.
I will say this was probably the best Bbq I have ever had (lifeling KC resident and I’ve eaten at all the joints in town). The meat was perfectly smoked. There were huge portions (I am a big eater and took home over half my meal). Great sauce. Regular which is sweeter than most sauces (ok with me — I prefer sweet Bbq sauce), and the spicy, which was not so crazy hot that it was uncomfortable to eat. The beans were amazing. Cole slaw was a hit with me and wife (not too vinegary for her). The only thing not good was the fries which were cold and had been sitting. But the other food was good enough to let me keep 5 stars.
Living in the KC Northland, it was a 25 minute drive up to Excelsior Springs. If we drove to a downtown KC area place it would have been a longer drive. So, this place is closer than you might think.
I cannot tell you enough that this place needs to be at the top of the rankings for KC Bbq joints. Before I left I was already making plans to bring out of town friends to try the place. So, don’t let the location outside of KC scare you. When you take away the traffic you would deal with in the city, you can get here quicker than most of the downtown joints.
And, I am greatly looking forward to their live blues concerts in the summer. Glad I finally took the time to check this place out.

I went here for lunch and here’s a tip: get there early. By 11:30 every table was full. I ordered the Short Stack, one meat and two sides. Having had brisket and chicken the night before for dinner, I ordered turkey, beans, and coleslaw. The beans were the best part of the meal — thick, smoky, maybe a little spicy — very tasty. The slaw was fine, but it tasted like it could’ve come from the grocery store deli. Speaking of deli, I felt like the turkey was thicker-​sliced lunchmeat, stuck in a smoker for a few minutes. It was good, but nothing to get excited about.
Service was great, prices are reasonable. I wouldn’t go out of my way to go back there, but it was good for a weekday lunch.