KANSAS CITY FOOD TOUR FIELD GUIDE
The Sides Only Tour: Celebrating Kansas City’s Unsung BBQ Stars
A 2.5-hour, request-only tasting that puts cheesy corn, coleslaw, beans and fries at the center of a curated Kansas City BBQ crawl.
The Sides Only Tour: Celebrating Kansas City’s Unsung BBQ Stars.
The Sides Only Tour flips the traditional barbecue outing, treating the supporting dishes—the cheesy corn, coleslaw, beans and fries—as the main act. Designed for barbecue devotees who delight in the small plates and for non‑serious vegetarians, the experience visits a curated set of Kansas City barbecue restaurants to sample classic and creative sides alongside a light protein option.
Highlights
Outing Highlights
Sides Take Center Stage
This tour spotlights the side dishes that make Kansas City barbecue memorable—cheesy corn, coleslaw, beans and fries—celebrating both classic preparations and creative reinterpretations.
A Curated Crawl of BBQ Kitchens
Guests move between a handpicked selection of barbecue restaurants to sample side-focused dishes, each paired with a modest offering of protein so the sides remain the focus.
Limited, Request-Only Experience
Offered on a limited, request-based basis, this is an exclusive tasting best scheduled in advance by contacting the operator directly.
What the day feels like
What the tasting feels like
Over roughly two and a half hours, the tour moves through a sequence of barbecue spots where the bites are compact, focused and designed for comparison—cheesy corn one stop, inventive slaws the next—each paired with a light cut of protein so the sides remain the story.
Suitability
Who it's for
Who gets the most from this tour and who should think twice.
Practical planner
Details to review before reserving
The experience runs approximately 2.5 hours and is offered by request; call ahead to schedule.
Bring an appetite and confirm any dietary questions with the operator when you book.
This limited experience is available by request through the operator—Tour Kansas City—so phone booking is recommended.
Review cancellation policies before reserving.
Frequently asked questions
Planning Your Outing
How long is The Sides Only Tour?
The tour runs approximately 2.5 hours.
How do I book the tour?
The experience is available by request; please call to book.
What will we sample?
Guests sample Kansas City’s best-loved sides—cheesy corn, coleslaw, beans, fries—paired with a light protein at each stop.
Is this tour suitable for vegetarians?
The tour is designed for non‑serious vegetarians: it emphasizes sides but does include a choice cut of protein.
Who operates the tour and where is it located?
The operator is Tour Kansas City and the experience takes place in Kansas City, Missouri.