I have been seeking out the best spots for BBQ, but in particular our hometown pride, Burnt Ends. My favorite is still Char Bar with a razor thin second place going to Slap's in KCK. The common denominator, in my opinion, for a good burnt end is a combination of the tenderness of the meat as well as the char on the end. Both locales offer that amazing burnt char as well as the moist tenderness of the beef. I had not been to Snead's since I was a kid growing up in KC. It's been so long ago I had no expectations other than the reviews I saw from fellow Yelp foodies. My son and I walked into the very plain restaurant in Belton. Nothing wrong with that. Plain or a dive can be a key ingredient for great food. However, a BIG negative was that the entire staff (front of house, wait staff, and kitchen staff) did not wear masks. COVID is ramping up again in a big way. Honestly, we should have left, but we opted to stay and vigilantly wore our own masks as the waitress never donned one for us or any of the diners yesterday at lunch. I later found out that both Belton, MO and Cass County, MO do not require masks in their city and county limits. We will be staying away. Now, on to the Brownies. The Brownies? Yes, that is the name for Snead's burnt ends. One might think a signature name for a KC tradition would offer signature taste. Not so. The Brownies were somewhat dry and definitely chewy, not tender. There was burnt char on the ends, but it was not flavored or tasted of hickory or any type of smoker. We complemented the beef Brownies with an equal size order of sausage burnt ends. I am not sure what the difference is between smoked sausage (like we love at Slap's) compared to "sausage burnt ends." I could not find anything that resembled the elements of a burnt end relegated to a different kind of meat. Coincidentally, after the disappointing experience at Snead's I owed my son a better BBQ experience, so I picked up both beef and pork burnt ends from Jack's Stack in Martin City. Both very good, and the pork burnt ends may not be for everyone (especially if you are a beef burnt ends purist), but I really liked them and they were absolutely prepared as burnt ends should be, albeit with pork. So, I would give Snead's a two star review for their food (fries were good and that lifted it to two stars), but I would give Snead's a 0 star review for caring about their customer's safety. Diners wore mask and the ownership and staff should care enough to don masks themselves. I anticipate they won't and would encourage anyone who cares about their safety and their family's safety to avoid Snead's. read more

Got beef brownies on 4/1/22 with cole slaw, slab of ribs to go everything was about average except the beef brownies they were so dry they could not be eaten, called the manager the next day and he said was nothing he could do I even told him I had the brownies and receipt, he said I should have came back that evening we had people over and it is a 5 mi. trip each way, been going there since I was a kid in the early 60's I'm done now1 read more

Dear Snead's, Please don't ever close, your Hover BBQ sandwich is hard to beat and you make the best BBQ Pit Beans in the county IMHO. Your food is a pretty good way to end the workweek with a call-in order and a quick pickup for the family dinner. Sincerely, A Grateful Carnivore read more

We have been going to Sneads for 30 years and love the food but also the staff, particularly the waiters and waitresses and Russ the host. We were so sad to hear Russ is no longer working there. He kept Sneads running smoothly in busy times and always had a smile on his face. We really miss seeing him when we come in! Big loss for Snead's :( read more

My visit to Snead's was all over the board. We were pleasantly greeted and seated and also had a very good waitress that guided us thru the menu since we were 1st time visitors. The atmosphere was non-existent with the feel of a rental hall. I ordered the combo plate- 2 meats, 2 sides. Ribs and burnt ends (brownies) with sweet potato fries and baked beans. The brownies were mostly tender with a wonderful charred edge that fulfilled my requirements for a good burnt end. Ribs were tender also but not much flavor - smoke or rub. Ribs shouldn't require sauce but these did since there was nothing else for flavor. Baked beans were excellent, tons of meat and a thick molasses base. Cole slaw sample was creamy and the sweet potato fries were plentiful and cooked nice and crispy. If Snead's was in my neighborhood, I'm sure I would return and try more of the menu, but to drive 22 miles again - nah. read more

Snead's Bar-B-Q - Ribs and Brownies. - Barbeque Near Me - Belton, Missouri

I have eaten at sneeds since 1957. Worked there in the 60's. Eaten there for business, family functions, and pleasure. Allways thought the inconvenient location was worth the drive. Now the original spicy sauce is mild, toast is now warmed bread, the beans miss the flavor of meat, kosher pickles, loud country music disturbing conversation and peace, even with my loss of hearing, poor service. No longer worth the drive. read more

My wife and I along with another couple have been doing a tour of KC BBQ restaurants for the past 18 months and out of the 19 we've tried so far, this was the worst experience yet for both food and service. I ordered the three slider combination and one of the sliders was turkey when it should have been sausage. After our entire party working to convince the waitress that yes, I did in fact order sausage, she brought a Styrofoam container to the table and indicated that I was to take the incorrect slider off my plate and place it in the Styrofoam container so she could take it away before bringing the correct slider. Obviously the sandwich was just going to be thrown away but God forbid I should end up with a free sandwich... Meat - dry Buns - extra dry Atmosphere - church basement read more

It was high ratings and yet another Groupon that drew us South to Snead's. We went on a Saturday afternoon, hungry and ready for some tasty BBQ. We started our meal with the fried okra and horseradish dipping sauce. Horseradish? It was white, but this bland tasteless dip would have a hard time passing for anything related to horseradish. The okra itself was bland and under the breading was a little too "slimy" to really be enjoyable. Oh well, onto the main dish. Since there were two of us, we decided to order the three meat combo plate with two sides. The three meats we selected were pulled pork, brisket and ribs - good classic BBQ meats that generally tell a lot about a joints overall BBQ-ness. I won't get much into the sides dishes except the beans are amazing and shouldn't be missed, but the slaw was clearly from a carton and was very reminiscent of KFC. As far as the meat ... it was underwhelming at best. If the quality of the food here has improved, as some other reviews have said, I would have hated to eaten here when the food was worse. The pulled pork was bland and almost cold, the brisket was dry and just as flavorless as the pork and the ribs ... ugh, the ribs were awful and had a flavor that I can't really describe, but were nothing I'd care to eat again. This is one BBQ joint that I won't be visiting again. read more

We have been customers of Snead's for about six years now and I would have to say tonight will be our last trip. I love the classic building and atmosphere but when we first started going the Prime Rib was an excellent thick cut of prime meat at a price of $14.50. It is now $18.50 very thin and almost half of mine was nothing but fat with no taste. I needed to visit the lady's room and there was NO heat so you can only imagine the seat with an outside temp of 12. Went to wash my hands and let the water run over 2 minutes and no hot water. Waitress seemed to have left the personality at home (which could have been a good thing). The salad was the best part of the meal but had chunks of lettuce and one carrot slab. Very disappointed. CindyP read more

OK but not great... the Guy raved about past visits, but it didn't knock my socks off when we stopped for lunch. It's deep in the boonies, with a large open dining room with all the ambiance of a church-basement rec room. We ordered a bunch of meats. Apparently you can't order "burnt ends" here without confusing the server, they are called "brownies", and you can get whatever kind of meat with the "brownie" treatment. That's not right, burnt ends are supposed to be the triangular tip of the brisket that's cut off before heading to the slicer. This "brownie" thing tells me that they are just taking the regular cuts of meat & smoking them a second time, or something... not really sure what that's about. Anyway, the beef brownies were dry & unpleasant. The sausage was pretty darn good, but the ham was unremarkable. Not a bad stop if you happen to be in Belton for some other reason, but I can't see making the drive out from the Metro just for a meal here. read more

Everything's good, but the BBQ. Seriously--had burnt ends and ribs and they were terrible. Not even going to bother critiquing them... I liked the Mac n cheese, corn nuggets, and hand cut fries though. Server was nice, but I asked her what's good and she recommended the ribs. She said, "we put a dry rub on them and smoke 'em in our pit." How else would you do them and still call it BBQ? Anyway, you can skip this one if you're in the area and looking for even decent KC BBQ. read more

Growing up in South Kansas City, this was nowhere near my first time here (that was in the 1950's when folks from my neighborhood went there for Sunday beer), but it was my first time in a while. But if you are a Kansas City boy who seeks out BBQ wherever he might be, return trips can have a bit of time in between. Like I said, Snead's has been around here for a while. In the earlier years it was way out in the country, but with last couple of decades of urban sprawl it is only a little off the beaten path. No place can stand that kind of test of time and not be above average, Snead's proves my point. From the outside it looks like it could be a BBQ, but it also looks like it could be VFW hall. The parking lot is big enough to handle the biggest of pushes, and there are two entrance doors (one of which actually opens!). And then it smells good (all BBQ's should)! Inside there is none of the upscale / yuppie / chain decor you run into at other places, just the look and feel of "been here a while, and we are not trying to be anything we are not!" As expected there are booths and tables (they can set up for large groups easily) and even an "Non-PC Smoking Area" that does not infringe on other diners. The service is fine, the beer is affordable (no crazy beer list, remember what I said about the upscale / yuppie stuff), and it is exceptionally clean. There is the usual BBQ menu expected in Kansas City (in Kansas City they do not "over specialize" but will smoke anything that is available!). So it is a good idea to ask questions about what you see, like "brownee's are really burnt ends. The two available sauces are what I would call mild and spicy. They are both OK, but I would recommend trying each first. I usually mix the two and come up with one that suits me better than either by themselves. If you are from (or pass through) Kansas City you know and judge BBQ by the burnt ends. Over the years i have always found them above average in flavor. The same for their ribs. For sides DO NO MISS their BBQ beans - you will want to write home about them! Ah, but from time to time there is a shortfall. The past couple of times I have been there they must have had the wrong guy on the smoker. A third of my burnt ends were notably over cooked (actually "burnt" about half way through) and very tough. Saving the day, the other two thirds very tender, moist, and full of flavor. Back to the guy on the smoker, while the ribs had great taste, they had also been left in the smoker too long. Ribs should not "fall off the bone" (that's over cooked), but you should be able to actually take bite out of them without having to catch the rest of the meat with (hopefully) your plate. I knew that there was more flavor and a better texture but it had been left in the smoker. I am looking forward to better times in the future. I still found it much better than nearby Jack Stacks (but not Q39 or Joe's Kansas City). The prices are very affordable and you do easily get value and quality (usually) for your hard earned money. Will I be back? Count on it! Should you put it on your Kansas City BBQ list? You better! read more

The food here has dramatically improved in the last few years. While Snead's was never a "top tier" BBQ joint in KC, perhaps due to the fact of its location and rather-average food, my last several visits are making me reconsider. I'm not sure if it is because of the new ownership, but this food is a lot better than it used to be. The beef brisket is EXCEPTIONALLY lean and has a wonderful mild smokey taste. The burnt-ends (called Brownies here) are also delightfully lean, although not as flavorful as the brisket. Still, they are an item I order each time I visit this restaurant. The fries...oh man...the fries. These are some of the best fries I have ever had, and they are served in generous amounts. They're not over-seasoned or over-salted but are consistently golden-brown. And that brings me to my favorite thing about Snead's: the consistency. One of the biggest problems I have with Jack Stack and Gates is that the meat can be entirely hit or miss - sometimes lean, sometimes so riddled with fat that I question if the food is fit for consumption. Snead's is consistently lean, consistently cooked. The best thing about Snead's is the price. A very large amount of food, the two-meat combo, can be had for much less than Jack Stack. Even better, you're given more food and spared the boring ho-hum atmosphere of Jack Stack. Sure, Snead's is quaint and humble but it is clean and friendly and, more importantly, has character (like Oklahoma Joe's original gas station restaurant). I took my group of bachelor party buddies out to Snead's. Sure, they teased me about the humble looks, but once they bit into the food we were all in agreement that this is some of the best BBQ in KC. read more

I think the default copy on yelp sums it up best "Meh. I've experienced better". Not even taking into consideration the amazing selection of great BBQ KC has to offer, Sneads is average at best. Just happened across it on our way back from the Berry Patch one weekend and decided to give it a try. The pulled pork was extra fatty, the beef was super dry and the spicy sauce tasted of nothing but black pepper. The only saving grace was that the meat did not come dripping in sauce. read more

These are the best burnt ends I've ever had. I go far out of my way when craving this food. Drive right past Jack Stack BBQ. This pitmaster knows his stuff... No doubt! read more

Snead's Bar-B-Q - Barbeque Near Me - Belton, Missouri

There's a reason this place has been around so long. I missed several turns, being from out of town, and saw the sign for Snead's pointing south. I remembered reading an article on Facebook about it and remembered some good things people had said about it. So, I took the turn and made way for it. I drove and drove and wondered if I would ever get there. Finally! A random gas station with a restaurant attached. Alas, there were no windows on the building at all and a big wooden door saying "Open". I opened it and walked in. Now first, you should know, that I was coming from a very important test and I was wearing a dress shirt, tie, and wingtips. Needless to say as soon as I walked in I got a look from every single person here. AND I was by myself. Anyways..... I was given a booth and decided what to order. I looked around and the place looks like some kind of VFW or American Legion Hall or something in a small town like that. It wasn't dirty, just old. Their draft beers are only $2 but they come in some weird mug that's sloped on the inside so it contains less beer. Oh well, $2 and they do have good old local Boulevard Wheat. I ordered a half rack of ribs and fries for my dinner. The ribs really seemed like they were St. Louis style, but maybe I'm wrong. I'm not a BBQ expert and am only from lowly Omaha where we don't have any decent BBQ joints. However.....I put some of their hot BBQ sauce on them and the meat was fall off the bone. Easily some of the better ribs I've had, even in KC. Fries were nothing special but good. I really like this place and it's full of locals. I also noticed a number of service members walk in and sit down (Salute!). An older lady fell down and lots of people ran to help her....I don't know if i can justify driving all the way down here every time I'm here but maybe you can! read more

Overrated. If you want something that's a cut above taking Sysco meat and slathering it in Sysco sauce Snead's will do. You'll get their smoked meat at a reasonable price with service that's not bad. But if it's true BBQ that you seek your best bet is to head on up Holmes Road to Martin City to Jack's Stack and be done with it. I've been talked into this place on several return visits to KC, be it in person or with takeout and more often than not I'm thinking of all the places for great BBQ in KC we ended up here? Disappointing sums Snead's up for me. read more

Stopped by after a day at the pumpkin patch and thought we would try it out. It wasn't for us. We tried the brisket, pulled pork, sausage and burnt ends, and found it flavorless. The baked beans and sweet potato fries are excellent however, as was the service. read more

Among the oldest BBQ joints in town. My grandfather swore by the place. Great burnt ends and ham. 2 sauces, including a pretty spicy, black pepper-heavy one. All you can eat fried catfish on Sundays. The interior is clean, and feels untouched, minus some room expansion, since my childhood. Employees were polite. I've been here hundreds of times and I'll happily be back. read more

If you want the best burnt if have ever had in your life, than look no further!! I have been here four to five times and they have been great every time. The place could use a remodel. It has a vfw hall type of feel to it. read more

Has definitely made some changes for the losing business. We greeted politely but had to wait 10 min to be seated when dining rooms were only half full never had that problem in 10 years. The quality of the food was poor {dry and no flavor, ribs were boiled not smoked, could not even smell the smoke from put in parking lot like I have my entire life}. Serves was a a joke could not get drink order right. No plates with appetizer. The drink glasses are to large for most people's hands and inconvenient. We will not be returning and we have been loyal customers for going on 25 years but no longer I will go elsewhere with my money. Very disappointed and let down by read more

The kids enjoyed this sauce and their chicken strips. For me the size is a little bit tumor G were some other spice I can't quite place that is normally not in a Kansas City barbecue sauce. It's good but it's a little different. Good smoke flavor on the burnt ends. read more

Snead's Bar-B-Q - Barbeque Near Me - Belton, Missouri

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Great food for a great price. We are regulars and they are always so awesome to us. Dee is especially nice to us and we really appreciate it. The smoked turkey and the brownies a4e awesome. Highly recommend. read more

A visit to Snead's was recommended by a coworker, but since it was way out in Belton, we didn't get a chance to try it until we were out in Harrisonville on a Craigslist adventure. The Belton address is a little misleading as well - this place is out in the boonies - but not hard to find (and there are signs on the highway too!) It was a little after lunchtime on a Sunday, and it wasn't too busy - we were seated immediately and the food arrived very quickly. I ordered the burnt ends sandwich (the brownies) with a side of fries. Positives: -Very good burnt ends, I think only LC's burnt ends are better. -Huge portions, affordable prices. My sandwich and fries were under $10, and I couldn't finish my food...a rarity in my BBQ trips. -Hand-cut fries. Negatives: -Location. Unless you're located in Belton/SE KC/Grandview, it is definitely a trip out to Snead's. -BBQ sauce is average, and only mild and hot varieties are available. Snead's is one of those BBQ places that seems to be a little bit of a diamond in the rough - it's been around since the 60's, but hardly anyone seems to know about it. Location is definitely a big reason for this, but if you want some good old-school BBQ and are in the area - it's worth a stop. read more

AMAZING BBQ!! Small family owned BBQ WITH THE BEST burnt ends and baked beans that are TO DIE FOR! I may be a little biased but this is one of my favorite bbq restaurants! read more

Three of us had lunch here on 12-27-2012. All of have eaten here many times over 40 years. The burnt ends are normally tender and juicy and this visit was no exception. Not much for decor or ambiance just a BBQ Joint. Fries were plenty and very tasty. One of us had two meat sliced sandwich and it was fine. Service was OK but not stellar. This is an old time BBQ joint and this is what you get. Felt that the portions were a bit small for the money. The prices have gone up in the last year. It seems that they have been here for ever and is popular with the locals. I would rate it good but certainly not great. Good place for friends to meet for lunch. On many days there are several tables of locals playing cards and I think this is great of Snead's to provide them a place to eat and enjoy their company while playing cards. One of my pet peeves with Snead's is that the BBQ sauce is put on the table from the refrigerator and it is cold. Sauce is served in squeeze bottles. Sauce should be hot so as not to cool down the meat. read more

We've been here twice. We thought maybe we just caught them off on a bad night the first time. But no, over cooked dried out meat, the dining area could use a serious uplift. Save yourself the drive and go somewhere else read more

I love this place!!! I've been going here since I was a kid And my grandparents have been going here for many years. Good food and pleasant waiters and aren't shy to talk you up. It has a very homie feeling to it and can defiantly be defined as a small town BBQ place . read more

Snead's is a classic BBQ joint. We eat here 3 or 4 times a year. It's the type of BBQ place you'd expect in KC. Not fancy but just damn good. read more

Great little BBQ place. The baked beans are some of the best in the area! The restaurant is always clean and service is always friendly!

Food was ordinary. Wouldn't go back. It's like eating in an old school cafeteria. Linoleum. Bright lights and dinettes that are not charming. Was very surprised by the lack of everything. read more

Hidden gem. Some of the best bbq in KC. Tons of great food, way more than the place in Martin City for less $. Brownies/burnt ends are the best! read more

Good bbq. Not the best in Kc, but can still hold their own. Place has character, but doesn't need to be flashy in the location. Definitely worth a try for those venturing on the bbq trail. read more

I purchased their special for today which was a pork tenderloin sandwich with cold slaw and fries...very average! JB had the pulled pork sandwich with the same side order and very pleased sandwich, tender and flavorful! read more

Where is the smoke and what is that stuff you call sauce? If there was anything good about the food the awful sauce ruined it! Thought it might have been a bad day so I went back another time and same thing, we won't be back! read more

All I can say is 50 plus years I have been going to this place it's as incredible as ever!' You would swear the people next to you look familiar and they have been frequenting Snead's Thanks again. read more

Awesome bbq! It is a little drive but that is half the fun! I just wish they still gave out suckers on the way out haha! Thx sneads!

Food was fine. However, was attempting to use igiftback coupon (which they advertise on the table). My husband and I ordered sandwiches, buy 1 get 1 free. Waitress brought husband the wrong thing. It wasn't a sandwich. Manager came to the table and at first said he had "never heard of a buy 1 get 1 free coupon". When I showed it to him, he said we didn't qualify because my husband didn't get a sandwich. Waitress chimed in to say she brought him the wrong menu item, but he accepted it anyway. Manager said he would do it "this time only". That's lucky, because we won't be back. read more

Sneads has always been a Belton staple. When management changed I know there was a great worry of what the future would hold for this great place, but the new owners are amazing! New life has been brought to this great BBQ hot-spot. I highly recommend their smoked chicken and their bbq beans! read more

Snead's has some amazing beef burnt ends, on par or better than Jack Stack. They also serve some really good fries too. I know Snead's is way out south but I really enjoyed the bbq and I think it's worth giving Snead's a try! Give them a call to make sure they are open, I believe they are closed on Mondays. read more