Jack Stack vs Snow’s

A Texas treasure facing off against a Kansas City king. Same meat, different approach, winner takes all. (All of what? My respect, I guess...whatever that's worth...) Who will it be? Southern smoke or Midwest magic?

Ribs: Snow's

Inconsistent with the quality, but decisively better at all levels. That said, when Snow's sends a good rack, they steal the show. Shake a pink-smoke rib and watch those morsels of moist meat slide right off the bone. 

Jack Stack got two chances, but neither is a go. The Pork Spare Ribs are savory, but nothing I can't cook at home. Not better are the Baby Backs, forgettably forlorn and slathered surface-level with a sugary sauce.

BBQ Sauce: Snow’s 

Perfectly balanced, a light slurry with zero goop, an incredible balance between the sweet and sour. Jack Stack packs too much sting, and vinegar sours the mix. 

Burnt Ends: Jack Stack

Snow’s didn’t make this speciality, and I doubt they’d come close if they did. What witchcraft! It’s those bits of brisket that make you forget the rest; meat Gushers filled with fat juice. Pan-sear the crispy crust back onto these magic cubes, and let the marbled fat melt gooey and thick as you crunch. 

Brisket: Snow’s

The ribs are nice but for the brisket, you come running. Snow’s edges out Jack Stack by a narrower margin, but there's no contesting the win. The smoke and the sear are melt-in-your-mouth magic. Not much else to say; don’t mess with Texas.

Jack Stack makes it soft, and Jack Stack makes it well, but it's that sauce that doesn't do it any favors, and you can taste the tender but you don't taste the smoke.

Sides: Jack Stack

Only Jack Stack sells sides, but the Baked Beans deserve the wine. Braised with little bits of everything from the depths of the pit, the flavor is better than anything I’ve ever tasted and it's a better bbq sampler than their sampler.

There's some fun to be had with the Cheesy Corn Bake, and I imagine it goes well with some beer. Sweet corn, so creamy and cheddar cheesy, with smoky chunks of ham. But it is heavy. So heavy. 5 bites max before it’s too much. 

The winner: everyone. Everyone wins for the experience. But I'd pick Snow's.