“Chef-driven smoke in the West Bottoms”
Chef J grew from one of the city's most talked-about pop-ups into a West Bottoms brick-and-mortar in 2020, and Justin Easterwood never scaled up the ambition to match the address. Limited hours and routine sellouts are the cost of a small-batch, quality-first pit—plan the visit around the smoker, not the other way around. The brisket is the draw, regularly ranked among the best in Kansas City: a dark, peppery bark, an even smoke ring, and fat rendered to the edge of soft. Burnt ends come cut from that same brisket and are just as sought-after, while the pork belly turns up rich and rendered whenever it makes the board. Pork ribs round out a short menu that rewards showing up early. When the day's count runs out the doors close, and the people in line already knew that going in.
Know Before You Go
- Hours
- Thu–Sat 11:30am–4pm, Sun 12–4pm (or until sold out)
- Heads up
- Chef J BBQ keeps limited hours and can run out — go early or check ahead before you visit.
- Price
- Mid-range ($$)
- Don't miss
- Brisket, Burnt Ends, and Pork Belly
What to Order
Why It Stands Out
A chef-led, cult-favorite pit that sells out for a reason. Justin Easterwood's brisket lands on nearly every list of the city's best—dark bark, even ring, fat rendered soft—and the West Bottoms room keeps the batches small and the hours short.
Quick Facts
- Address
- 1401 W 13th St Ste G, Kansas City, MO 64102
- Phone
- (816) 805-8283
- Hours
- Thu–Sat 11:30am–4pm, Sun 12–4pm (or until sold out)
- Website
- chefjbbq.com/
- Price Range
- $$
- Established
- 2020
Ratings Breakdown
6 dimensions, each scored 0-10
Chef J BBQ — Frequently Asked Questions
What should I order at Chef J BBQ?
Regulars point to Brisket, Burnt Ends, Pork Belly, and Pork Ribs.
What are Chef J BBQ's hours?
Thu–Sat 11:30am–4pm, Sun 12–4pm (or until sold out)
Does Chef J BBQ have limited hours?
Chef J BBQ keeps limited hours and can run out — go early or check ahead before you visit.
Is Chef J BBQ expensive?
Chef J BBQ is mid-range ($$).
What kind of barbecue does Chef J BBQ serve?
Chef J BBQ serves Kansas City Style barbecue — Kansas City BBQ is defined by its variety of meats (not just pork or beef, but both plus chicken, sausage, turkey, and more), thick tomato-and-molasses-based sauce, slow-smoking over hickory wood, and the legendary burnt ends.
When did Chef J BBQ open?
Chef J BBQ has been serving Kansas City barbecue since 2020.