Eat This Now: Just everything at Harp Barbeque

Courtesy Harp Barbeque

Barbecue is one of the most divisive topics in this city. You can’t have an opinion on who has the best burnt ends or brisket without starting a public debate. 

I’m a lover of all Kansas City BBQ and try to eat everywhere. Growing up in Roeland Park, my school was down the street from Oklahoma Joe’s–now Joe’s Kansas City. I spent many half days there for lunch where I would get french fry seasoning and sauce all over my silly catholic school uniform. 

My dad competed in the American Royal multiple times and even placed for his sides. I even spent an afternoon on edibles becoming a certified barbecue judge via the The Kansas City Barbeque Society. Over the years I’ve also acquired some inside information. One famous institution microwaves their meat before it comes out and another local favorite uses pellet smokers–something so easy even Joe Rogan does it. 

All of this is to say that none of these shenanigans happen at Harp Barbecue.

Tyler Harp is a KC boy who became a student of barbecue after falling in love with it growing up. The beautiful thing about Kansas City BBQ is that it is a melting pot of other BBQ cultures and traditions. It’s why we are the best. 

Harp traveled around and tried all the barbecue. He and his parents realized that no one was making Texas-style brisket so they had to do it themselves. In 2019 Harp Barbecue was born. It started as a pop-up inside Crane Brewing, then they had their own brick-and-mortar store down the road in Raytown in 2022. 

Well, they’ve upgraded again and are now located on West 135th Street in Overland Park. The one thing that hasn’t changed is Harp’s commitment to quality. Everything is smoked and tended to by Harp and his talented team. Everything is fresh, and the meats sell out daily. 

Harp’s menu has all the KC BBQ staples like burnt ends, brisket, turkey, pulled pork, and ribs. But they also have incredible melt-in-your-mouth pork belly burnt ends and the best handmade smoked jalapeno cheddar link sausages I’ve ever had in my life. I’m a total slut for these hand-cranked sausages. The sandwiches also unsurprisingly all rule. I highly recommend the appropriately titled, “Truth Bomb” which is chopped beef and sausage. It really is the truth.

The sides aren’t an afterthought either. There are beans, coleslaw, twice-baked potato salad, collard greens, sweet potato mash, and banana pudding–all the staples. But they also have a killer mac and cheese that’s done the right way. I could easily eat five pounds of it and I plan on it. 

Harp Barbecue is a bright spot in our current world. It’s a beacon of hope and delicious smoked meats. It’s so good that it makes driving to Overland Park a pleasant experience. 

Harp Barbeque is located at 12094 W 135th St, Overland Park, KS 66221.