American Way Smokehouse (Independence, MO) - ⭐️

[MileHighSmokerGirl]

American Way Smokehouse
Independence, MO
12-26-2025
️


If I could leave a negative 5 star rating I would. This place is a joke and a half.

Strike 1 - Can't put ribs on a 3 meat platter? Really?

Strike 2 - The teenage male behind the counter (curly hair broccoli cut) says to get my beer from the cooler in the lobby. I told him there were none. Instead of going to look, he takes the next person's order. Leaving me to just stand there and look stupid. I had to get the attention of the lady next to him after 5 minutes to go check in back.

Strike 3 - Cold turkey.

Strike 4 - Cold soggy fries.

Strike 5 - The brisket was tough and difficult to pull apart with my fingers. It was a little warmer than lukewarm.

The mac n cheese was hot and tasted ok. The burnt ends were delicious and the best thing on my plate, but weren't overly hot.

Stupid kids running the joint who don't have a clue about quality service and cooks who can't serve hot fresh food. I won't be back.

This really reminded me of my June 2014 experience at Arthur Bryants in KCK. Immature staff, cold food and cold sides.

 

[sandyut]

Wow that doesnt look remotely good. Sad excuse of Q.

Thank you for the public service announcement to steer clear.

 

[JckDanls 07]

Wow that doesnt look remotely good

I'll second that... Can't believe they piled all the meat on top of each other... Spread it out and make the plate LOOK bigger...

 

[Gonna Smoke]

They won't stay in business very long serving food like that with terrible service, too...

 

[MileHighSmokerGirl]

Wow that doesnt look remotely good. Sad excuse of Q.

Thank you for the public service announcement to steer clear.

This is just one of the many curses of knowing how to competently smoke your own meat. When you go out to eat you judge their food product by the standards you hold yourself and your own food to and to which you expect to get.

There's a few gems out there that get it all right. Quality of food, served hot and fresh, smoked to proper standard, clean facility and utensils, excellent customer service skills and a quality overall experience that makes a customer want to return.

But by and far, most of the bbq joints are trash. Owned and operated by people with a dream but no real knowledge of what consistently serving quality smoked bbq is all about. Those places might be ok for Elmer and Kathy who live on a farm and maybe get smoked meat a few times a year from the local joint in town. But for people like myself and the others on this forum it just doesn't cut it.