Happy In Bag

Thursday, August 07, 2008

Taking Gates For Granted










It seems impossible. In over three years of rattling a keyboard like a caffeinated monkey on behalf of Happy In Bag, not once have I dedicated a single entry to the wonders of Gates Bar-B-Q. That perplexing streak ends now. My feast at the Linwood & Main location yesterday served as a reminder that Gates is far too wonderful to take for granted. Their ribs, fries and beans are close to perfection. And what of the chaos at the counter that obviously frustrated hordes of visiting Red Sox fans? It's an essential part of the experience.

posted by Happy In Bag @ 8:56 AM  

8 Comments:

  • At 9:20 AM, Blogger MoxieMamaKC said…

    I have Gates envy. The Linwood location is my favorite! Maybe this weekend I'll head down there.

     

  • At 4:54 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said…

    I ate at Gates a few days ago after not doing so for quite a while. I was very pleased with my beef on bun, and thought to myself, like you, that I should not take it for granted. It's always tasty -- the only question is whether the meat will be lean, or not.

     

  • At 8:24 PM, Blogger "The D" said…

    The pickles ruin it. Pickles ruin everything.

     

  • At 3:57 PM, Blogger Happy In Bag said…

    Thanks for confirmation, MM and Rick.

    You're as cool as a cucumber, D.

     

  • At 2:08 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said…

    I swear....every time I go to a Gates, they try to short change me at the check out. Every time. Ever happen to you?

     

  • At 4:17 PM, Blogger Happy In Bag said…

    I use plastic, MA, so that's not an issue. The only place I've had consistent issues getting short-changed is an older convenience store/gas station in the West Bottoms.

     

  • At 9:04 AM, Blogger MILE DEEP said…

    being a large dude with and affectation for BBQ...
    i feel overly qualified to respond.

    i grew up a stones throw away from the st line and 435 gates location and as such it was my first favorite BBQ.

    but i have seen the quality drop like a rock over the past 10 years. fatty meat and small portions have been my experience in the recent past. although i did have a streak of good luck a few months back...
    i had gates on linwood and main about 3 times in a week. i had been working down that way and it was an easy place to get my grub on... i was pretty satisfied.

    all that said, Bryants is still king shit kc BBQ in my book. i am a bryants man.
    and if i am feeling gentrified well i hit up OK Joe's which by all accounts kicks the crap out of anything else in this town.

    i have never ever had a bad meal at ok joes (and that is saying something for as many times as i have been there)
    i can not say the same about gates. a good meal there is, sadly, a rarity. but when its good. it's damn good.

    tony

     

  • At 9:11 AM, Blogger Happy In Bag said…

    You're correct in suggesting that Gates lacks consistency, MD. I've more than one poor experience there. But the recent meal described here?- Pure bliss.

     

Post a Comment

<< Home