Well, this is it! The last stops of my epic "Chasing BBQ" journey took me to Kansas City, where the sauce is sweet and sticky and burnt ends and pulled pork are done right.

I only made six stops in KC, but I learned a ton along the way.

One of the highlights of this leg of the trip was getting the chance to share some 'cue with a special guest: Paul Kirk, aka The Baron of Barbecue. He's a legend in KC competitive barbecue and a Barbecue Hall of Famer.

We chatted over ribs, burnt ends, brisket and more at my final three stops and I got to hear his stories from years of competitive barbecue experience.

What Defines Kansas City BBQ

Sauce is a big part of what defines KC-style barbecue, and I had a lot of amazing versions of the tomato-and-molasses-based sweet sauce that this region is known for.

I liked them so much, in fact, that I created my own version to share with our fellow customers and pitmasters as part of our line of BBQ sauces. Try our Midwestern Sweet BBQ Sauce for a taste of Kansas City-style BBQ at home.

When it comes to meat used in the region, I found a little bit of everything in Kansas City–but burnt ends (the chewy, tender, bark-crusted ends of brisket) are definitely a specialty here. The ones served at Slaps BBQ were a real stand out.

Kansas City is also great at dishing up creative sides. I found everything from potato casserole to apple slaw on menus here, and based on what I tasted, I hope the 'cue joints in KC keep on experimenting.

Kansas City BBQ Stops

Here are the Kansas City joints I stopped at, and key takeaways of the great barbecue I tried at each.

Slaps BBQ at 553 Central Ave, Kansas City, KS 66101

• Highlights: Barky burnt ends, tender and flavor packed ribs, the 50/50 wings, the decadent potato casserole and the cheesy corn.

Joe's Kansas City BBQ at 3002 W 47th St, Kansas City, KS 66103

• Must-Haves: The signature brisket, provolone, and onion ring stacked Z-man sandwich and dang good ribs.

LC's BBQ at 5800 Blue Pkwy, Kansas City, MO 64129

• Gotta Try: Ribs and rib tips, beef burnt ends, and a side of fried green beans!

Danny Edwards BBQ (now closed)

• 'Cue Picks: Tasty, perfect-texture ribs with smoky baked beans and a perfectly smoked corned beef sandwich.

Jack Stack BBQ - Martin City at 13441 Holmes Rd.
Kansas City, MO 64145

• Don't Miss: The burnt ends, lamb ribs, and baked beans (next time, we are trying the smoked sausage too!)

Q39 - Midtown at 1000 W 39th St, Kansas City, MO 64111

• Best Of: Glazed pork ribs, delectable pork belly, burnt ends – with all three flavor-packed sauces - and a side of apple slaw.