 Paola, Kansas' BBQ Shack is one of the youngest restaurants to make KansasTravel.org's listing of Unique Kansas Restaurants. Although the folks with the BBQ Shack have been catering BBQ for many years, this fun little restaurant just opened in May of 2006. The BBQ Shack has developed a big reputation in a short period of time. They do that on the strength of friendly people, a cool, interesting little building, and doing an outstanding job smoking meats. The big reason for visiting Paola's BBQ Shack is the smoked meat. The ribs and sausage are very good, but the BBQ Shack's chicken wings are outstanding and should be a part of any visit. The wings are first hickory smoked and then deep fried. I usually like lots of sauce on wings, but not on these - I want to taste all of the flavor in the meat. The fairly small wings are served with your choice of blue cheese, ranch or garlic/habenero dressings, With a large selection of sides, I have only had a chance to try two of them so far. The crosscut French fries are very good. The Goober baked beans are above average, but frankly I like my own better. But let me get back to talking about the neat building that houses the BBQ Shack. There are only about a dozen tables squeezed into a small space that is filled with memorabilia and references to the Andy Griffith TV show and particularly to the character Barney Fife. My one disappointment is that the BBQ Shack is moving to new quarters in May. Probably around May 18, the two year anniversary of the barbecue restaurant's opening. The new space will be in a strip mall near the Paola McDonald's. The new location will have only a few more tables, but will give the BBQ Shack a larger kitchen and a chance to consolidate operations that are now split between the restaurant and the owner's home. The BBQ Shack in Paola still does a large catering business and will even prepare a hole roasted hog on special order.
The BBQ Shack website
copyright 2008 by Keith Stokes |
