BBQ expert oneeyedwillie, what do you recommend?
Depends on the situation.
If you have never been to Gates, go to Gates. And yes it is in the BBQ elite. A lot of people are intimidated that they yell at you when you go, but they're not being mean. They're just being direct. If you are a tuck, however, don't go to Gates. Tucks will be offended by the yelling. They will be offended that the people serving their food don't say please and thank you. And it's too spicy for tucks.
Arthur Bryant's is also one of the historic greats. There's one at the speedway if you're from PV and are afraid to go East of Troost.
LC's is one of my favorites. It's a small place, and the smoke stack is in the same eating area. There is a lot hickory smoke residue on the floors making it a slippery. You can't always take your girlfriend/wife or your anal friend because they will thinks its not clean.
If you're with your mom, grandma or tuck friend, Jack Stack is good. In my opinion, some of the best quality of meat in town. You have to order the hottest sauce though to get any kind of spice. The hot sauce is about on par with the above mentioned places' regular sauces.
Then there are lot of places that are good, but I haven't been to in years. Danny Edwards, Lil Jakes, Zaps, Laura's BBQ & Stuff, Woodyard... but its been so long, I don't even know if they are still around.
Then there are some places that are alright. Rosedale, Wyandotte, Ok Joes, Quicks, Haywards, Smoke House, Famous Daves...
Yes, Ok Joes is just ok. It's not bad, but not great. I, however, don't like that all the white people/tucks in the area have adopted it as their "best BBQ in town" especially since it's from Stillwater Oklahoma. I'm sure Mike Gundy and Bill Self love it, but the best KC BBQ is not from Oklahoma.