Gates Bar-B-Q Deals & Coupons 2026
Gates Bar-B-Q deals are built around one legendary lunch special: the Nooner, a bun piled with sliced meat and burnt ends plus pickles and fries for about $9.95 at the counter. The KC chain also runs a Half Chicken Sunday Special and money-saving party trays for groups. Gates has no rewards app or coupon program, so ordering smart at the counter is how you save. For the full lineup of items and current figures, see the full Gates Bar-B-Q menu with prices.
🥪 What Is the Gates Nooner Deal?
The Nooner is the single best Gates BBQ lunch deal, and honestly, it is what half the regulars are eating at noon. It is your choice of one sliced meat (beef, ham, turkey or pork) piled on a bun with a generous portion of burnt ends, pickles and fries. One sandwich. A full tray of food, basically.
At the counter it runs about $9.95 at locations like the Independence spot. Here is the thing: the exact same sandwich is listed near $17.41 on delivery apps. That is not Gates charging you more, it is the delivery markup doing its thing. Walk in, order at the counter, and the deal stays a deal.
Best Value Picks at the Counter
| Item | Why It Is a Deal | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Nooner Sandwich | Sliced meat + burnt ends + pickles + fries on a bun | $9.95 |
| Burnt Ends Sandwich | Smoky brisket trimmings on a hoagie bun, the cult favorite | $8.95 |
| Single Sandwich | Your choice of sliced meat, simple and cheap | $7.49 |
| Bun with Fries | Sliced meat on a bun with a pile of fries | $9.95 |
Prices are from in-store menu listings; delivery apps show higher prices for the same items. The Gates Bar-B-Q Menu Calories & Nutrition guide breaks down what you are getting with each of these.
🍗 Does Gates Bar-B-Q Run a Sunday Chicken Special?
Yes. Gates runs a Half Chicken Sunday Special at its Kansas City locations, Sundays from 11:00 AM to 8:45 PM, alongside the regular Sunday menu. It is the one day-specific deal the chain is known for, and it fits a classic Sunday routine: church, then barbecue.
How much is it? The special is advertised on delivery listings but the exact counter price is not posted online, so ask at the register. Sunday hours end a little earlier than weeknights (the restaurant closes around 9 or 10 PM depending on location), so plan dinner a bit earlier. If you are mapping out a visit, the Gates Bar-B-Q Working Hours article has every location’s hours, including holidays.
🧀 Are Gates Bar-B-Q Party Trays a Good Deal?
Feeding a crowd? This is where Gates Bar-B-Q catering deals really shine. Party trays beat ordering individual plates once you hit four or five people, and Gates has been doing catering since long before it was trendy.
| Tray | Serves | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Small Party Tray | 1 slab of ribs, 1 lb sliced meat, bread, pickles, sauce · serves 4-5 | $112.04 |
| Large Party Trays | 2 slabs of ribs, 2 lbs sliced meat, bread, pickles, sauce · serves 7-8 | $203.46 |
| Presidents Choice Tray | 1 slab ribs, 1.5 lbs sliced meat, 2 sausages, chicken, bread, pickles, sauce · serves 7-8 | $207.80 |
| Large Party PLUS | Large party tray + two 32 oz sides, loaf of bread, paperware · serves 7-8 | $220.48 |
Do the math and the Large Party Trays land around $25-29 per person for a feast that would cost far more as individual Mixed Plates. These figures come from current delivery listings, so in-store pickup should run a bit lower. Call the location a day ahead for big orders, and ask about sides by the tub: BBQ beans, slaw, potato salad and pasta salad all come in small, large and jumbo sizes.
🎁 Does Gates Bar-B-Q Have Coupons, a Rewards App or Gift Cards?
Short answer: no. Gates is a family-owned Kansas City institution dating back to 1946, and it does business the old-fashioned way. There is no official rewards app, no loyalty points program, and no legit coupon site for Gates. If a coupon aggregator promises you a Gates Bar-B-Q promo code, be skeptical. The savings here come from knowing the menu, not clipping codes.
What does exist is the Gates gift program. The chain sells gift certificates and a gift pack of its famous sauces and seasonings through its online store (around $19.47 for the gift pack), which double as presents for the KC barbecue fan in your life. Birthday freebies? Military discounts? Nothing is advertised, but it never hurts to ask the friendly folks at the counter.
Gates Gift Options
| Option | Details | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Gates Gift Pack | Sauces and seasonings gift set from the online store | $19.47 |
| Gates Seasonings | The signature spice blend for your own smoker | $5.01 |
| Gift Certificates | Available from the restaurant and online store | Varies |
💡 How to Save Money at Gates Bar-B-Q
You do not need a coupon code to eat well for less at Gates. The tricks are all about how and where you order:
Order at the Counter, Skip the Apps
This is the big one. Delivery listings price the Nooner around $17.41 versus about $9.95 in-store. The food is identical. The apps take their cut. If you can swing by one of the KC locations, the savings are instant.
Drink Water, Not Soda
Fountain drinks run about $4.13. Water is free and it pairs perfectly with Gates’ famously peppery sauce anyway. Honestly, your wallet and your stomach will both thank you.
Split Big with Friends
A Double Decker and 1/2 sandwich or a party tray split two or three ways costs less per person than everyone ordering solo, and you get to sample more meats. Gates portions are generous; sharing is not suffering.
Go on Sunday
The Half Chicken Sunday Special is the one recurring weekly deal on the books. Pair it with the lower Sunday dinner rush and it is the cheapest sit-down barbecue day of the week.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Are there any Gates Bar-B-Q coupons or promo codes?
No official Gates Bar-B-Q coupons or promo codes exist. The chain has no loyalty program or rewards app, so savings come from value picks like the Nooner, the Sunday chicken special and party trays.
What is the cheapest lunch at Gates Bar-B-Q?
The Single Sandwich at about $7.49 is the cheapest, but the Nooner at about $9.95 gives you far more food for a couple dollars more, which is why it is the fan-favorite Gates BBQ lunch deal.
Does Gates Bar-B-Q have a rewards app or loyalty program?
No. Gates Bar-B-Q does not offer a rewards app, loyalty points or online coupon program. It is a traditional family-owned chain, and deals are menu-based specials like the Nooner and the Sunday chicken special.
Does Gates Bar-B-Q offer birthday freebies or military discounts?
Neither is advertised. Gates keeps its deals simple: lunch specials, the Sunday special and catering trays. It never hurts to ask at the counter, though.
Prices last verified: October 15, 2026. For the official source of truth, see the menu at gatesbbq.com.
