Blind Box BBQ – Burnt Ends
Blind Box BBQ in Shawnee, Kansas finished 18th in my rankings of Kansas City barbecue in 2019. I had not been back until my girlfriend and I decided to check it out on Saturday, June 22nd, 2024.
We arrived at the restaurant around 5:00 and as we pulled up I noticed a couple of things that were different since my last visit. The sign out front is a lot bigger, and they have expanded, both inside and out. There is a covered patio so you can sit outside, which is very nice. They have “Grooves & Cue” live music on the patio every Thursday from 5:00 to 8:00 PM.
As we walked in, I noticed they were already fairly busy. We were instantly greeted and seated by the very friendly hostess. One of the many things that sets this restaurant apart from other barbecue places in town is their unique drink menu. I ordered a “smoking revolver,” which consists of bourbon, orange, cherry, bitters, and smoke. Their cocktails are great, but also pricey. This drink is 12 dollars, but worth every penny to me….
Michelle ordered a “little apple,” which consists of apple-infused rye whiskey, cinnamon, maple, and bitters. Since she is not a fan of rye whiskey, she substituted Bulleit bourbon instead….
As you can probably tell by the photo, she didn’t really like it at all. 😉 Actually, I wasn’t fast enough to get a picture before she had it half gone!
I ordered a plate of burnt ends and Michelle ordered a brisket sandwich. She knew I had Blind Box ranked pretty high, so she wanted to try the brisket. The service you receive at this restaurant is top notch. They frequently check on you and are always smiling and very friendly. There was a pretty large group at a table near us, and as soon as they left, three employees swarmed on the table to clean it off and get it prepared for the next customers. Impressive!
It was maybe 10 or 15 minutes to receive our food. The burnt ends were trimmed of fat and were tender and flavorful. They are served with barbecue sauce on them, which I do not like, but it’s my own fault for not clarifying that when I ordered. If you like your burnt ends dry, make sure to let them know when you order. The main course comes with two sides, so I ordered broccoli and coleslaw. What can I say? I’m trying to eat healthier. The sides you can choose from are bourbon baked beans, corn bake, onion straws, mac and cheese, sweet potato fries, BBQ street corn, hand-cut fries, smoked potato salad, house slaw, and seasonal veggies.
Michelle’s brisket sandwich came with sweet potato fries and bourbon baked beans. The sweet potato fries are waffle fries and it doesn’t say that on the menu, so just FYI. She said the baked beans were the best she’s ever had. I tried them and they are definitely great. Best I’ve ever had? I’m not sure I’d go that far, but to each their own!
The burnt ends plate was $13.50 and the brisket sandwich plate was $12. The total for our meal and drinks was around $50.
It is great to see Blind Box doing well. If it was closer to me, I would likely eat here all the time. Check it out if you have a chance. I don’t have a bad thing to say. You get great drinks, a fantastic meal, and spectacular service, so it’s definitely worth it!
