Kansas City, a city known for its rich history and culture, has just become the home to the world’s first museum dedicated to barbecue. The Museum of BBQ is set to open its doors on April 12th, 2023, and it’s expected to be a game-changer for barbecue enthusiasts. KSHB 41 has been covering the story of the museum’s creation, and we got to sit down with the founder, Jonathan Bender, to learn more about what inspired him to create this unique attraction. “There isn’t a museum of barbecue in the entire world and, to me, there was no better place to put it than Kansas City, which has such a rich, deep history of barbecue,” Bender said. “Kansas City isn’t the country’s only barbecue mecca – just the best, right?”
Bender’s passion for barbecue began when he was a child, growing up in the city. He would often visit his grandparents, who would take him to different barbecue joints throughout the city. This experience sparked his interest in the art of barbecue and eventually led him to become a barbecue enthusiast himself. “One of the things I love about barbecue is that you’re going to tell me your favorite place and I’m going to tell you my favorite place,” Bender said. “We can argue or banter back and forth, but we’ll still sit down and have the meal together afterwards, which feels great.”
The Museum of BBQ is not just a place to showcase the history of barbecue, but also to educate visitors about the different techniques, ingredients, and regional styles that make barbecue so unique. The museum’s entry point is a retail store that sells sauces, rubs, charcoal, and grilling tools, as well as an oversized “smoker door” that opens into nearly 4,000 square feet of exhibit space. The exhibit space features a variety of interactive displays, including a “smoke ring” toss, barbecue-related dad jokes, and a “bean” ball pit. Visitors can also learn about the different regions of the country that are known for their barbecue, including Kansas City, Memphis, Texas, and the Carolinas. “We’re a gateway — not only to Kansas City barbecue, but all of American barbecue,” Bender said. “Within this space — it’s about 4,000 square feet — I think we’re kind of starting your journey. We don’t have the opportunity to tell every story, but we want to get you interested and curious, whether that’s cooking or eating, and then send you on your way out to go try some great Kansas City barbecue.”
The museum also features murals by Kansas City’s own Sike Style and Memphis-based Birdcap, adding a touch of local flavor to the exhibit space. Bender hopes that the museum will not only educate visitors about the history and culture of barbecue, but also inspire them to try new barbecue styles and ingredients. “Most folks may have some sense of the history or culture of Kansas City barbecue, but they may not know about the different elements — what it takes from a smoke or rub or wood perspective to truly create flavor,” Bender said. Highlights of the Museum of BBQ
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• Interactive displays, including a “smoke ring” toss and a “bean” ball pit
• A retail store selling sauces, rubs, charcoal, and grilling tools
• Murals by Kansas City’s own Sike Style and Memphis-based Birdcap
• A gateway to Kansas City and American barbecue

The Museum of BBQ is not just a place to visit, but also a destination for barbecue enthusiasts. Ron and Patty Hochheimer, a couple from Chicago, recently visited the museum’s retail store and were impressed by the variety of barbecue products available. “We went to Arthur Bryant’s and thought it was kind of cool, kind of different,” Patty said. “We’ve tried a bunch of them,” Ron chimed in. “Q39 is good,” Patty offered. “And we went out to Gates,” Ron said. The couple’s sons are avid barbecuers, and they stopped by the museum’s retail store to pick up some new ingredients and tools. Bender said that the retail store is a great place to discover new flavors and ingredients. “The retail store has sauces and rubs and things that most folks will have never tried if they haven’t traveled to eat barbecue,” Bender said. “I think there’s a lot of different flavor profiles, and folks who like to cook or even just eat can really experience some different things. That’s where we have deep knowledge, so the ability to share that with folks in Kansas City is exciting for us.”
The Museum of BBQ is open to visitors of all ages, and tickets cost $10. Visitors can leave recommendations for other barbecue joints and take home new barbecue products and ingredients. The museum’s final room is a place where visitors can leave their favorite barbecue recommendations for others. “We wanted to start conversations with people,” Bender said. “Hopefully, folks will leave their favorite place and take recommendations from others and go out and try something that they haven’t had before. … That’s the thing that is so really experiential about barbecue. As much as the food, it is about that moment in time — where you are, who you’re with, right? It becomes an experience as much as about what you’re eating.”
The Museum of BBQ is a must-visit destination for barbecue enthusiasts, and it’s a great place to start your journey into the world of barbecue. With its interactive displays, retail store, and murals, the museum is a true gateway to Kansas City and American barbecue.