Gates bbq menu prices for 2026.
Gates Bar-B-Q Menu USA Prices 2026
You hear it before you see the meat. You walk through the door at Gates Bar-B-Q and somebody yells “HI, MAY I HELP YOU!” like they mean it, and honestly, they do. This is Kansas City barbecue royalty we are talking about, a family joint that has been smoking ribs since 1946, and the gates bbq menu is refreshingly old-school: ribs by the cut, sandwiches stacked tall, meat by the pound, and that legendary sauce. I have been through the line more times than I can count, and I am going to tell you exactly what everything costs in 2026, what is worth your money, and what to skip. Prices below are national averages across KC-area locations and can vary a little by store.
Gates BBQ Menu: Ribs and Full Entree Prices
So what does a plate of ribs cost at Gates? The ribs are the headliner, and Gates lets you order them the way pitmasters think: by the cut. A gates bbq ribs price check shows the whole slab at $23.95, which is the move when you are hungry or sharing. The Short End, Long End, and Center Cut plates run $13.25 to $13.95, and each one comes sauced the Gates way. Not a rib person? Chicken and sausage plates are $8.95, and there is even mutton, a real throwback cut, at $12.95.
| Item | Details | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Slab | Full rack of ribs, the whole show | $23.95 |
| Short End | Meatier rib tips section | $13.75 |
| Center Cut | Lean center ribs, uniform bite | $13.95 |
| Long End | Ribs with extra bone, classic cut | $13.25 |
| Chicken | Smoked chicken plate | $8.95 |
| Sausage | Smoky sausage links | $8.95 |
| Mutton | Old-school smoked mutton, Gates original | $12.95 |
| Mixed Plate | Combo of ribs, ham, and beef | $21.25 |
| Four Bone (Plate for 2) | Four-bone platter made for sharing | $29.50 |
My honest take? The Mixed Plate at $21.25 is the smartest order on the board. You get ribs, ham, and beef in one go, which means you do not have to gamble on a single cut. And if you are feeding the whole table, the catering trays are listed further down. Now, about that sauce. Gates sauce is tangy, not syrupy sweet, with a real vinegar bite. It is the kind of sauce that divides BBQ Twitter, and I respect it for that.
Gates BBQ Menu: Sandwich Prices and Costs
If you want the best value on the gates bbq menu, the sandwich line is where it is at. A single beef, ham, or turkey sandwich is $6.25, which is one of the cheapest full meals you will find at any KC barbecue spot. The famous Nooner, ham and burnt ends piled on brioche, is the one locals tell visitors to order. Everything can come on a plain bun or loaded as a Double Deck.
| Item | Details | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Single Beef, Ham or Turkey | Classic sandwich, pick your meat | $6.25 |
| Beef, Ham or Turkey on Bun | Sandwich served on a bun | $7.25 |
| Double Deck Beef, Ham or Turkey | Double-stacked sandwich | $9.25 |
| Double Deck Combo | Two meats, double decker | $9.50 |
| Beef, Ham or Turkey & a 1/2 | Sandwich plus a half order of meat | $10.25 |
| Combination & a 1/2 | Combo sandwich plus a half order | $10.50 |
| Burt Ends | Burnt ends sandwich, the crowd favorite | $7.95 |
Gates BBQ Menu: Meat by the Pound Prices
Planning a cookout or just really hungry? Gates sells its smoked meats by the pound, sliced fresh. Every variety, beef, ham, turkey, and pork, is $17.20 a pound, or $9.25 for a half pound. That makes the half pound an easy way to build your own platter at home with Gates sauce from the grocery store.
| Item | Details | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Sliced Beef | Per pound | $17.20 |
| Sliced Ham | Per pound | $17.20 |
| Sliced Turkey | Per pound | $17.20 |
| Sliced Pork | Per pound | $17.20 |
| 1/2 lb Beef | Half pound | $9.25 |
| 1/2 lb Ham | Half pound | $9.25 |
| 1/2 lb Turkey | Half pound | $9.25 |
| 1/2 lb Pork | Half pound | $9.25 |
Gates BBQ Menu: Wings, Chili and Specialty Items
The cheapest items at Gates BBQ live here. Individual wings and legs are $2.55 apiece, which makes them the lowest-priced thing on the whole menu, and the 3-pack with fries at $6.75 is a proper little meal for the price of a coffee drink elsewhere. The chili cheese fries at $5.15 are a KC sleeper hit.
| Item | Details | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Chicken Wings | Smoked, per wing | $2.55 |
| Chicken Legs | Smoked, per leg | $2.55 |
| 3 Wings with Fries | 3-pack deal | $6.75 |
| 3 Legs with Fries | 3-pack deal | $6.75 |
| Chili with Beans (cup) | Hearty, smoky | $4.05 |
| Chili with Beans (bowl) | Larger serving | $4.55 |
| Chili Cheese Fries | Loaded fries, a local favorite | $5.15 |
Gates BBQ Menu: Sides Prices
Do not sleep on the sides. Gates beans are cooked with burnt-end trimmings, which means they taste like the grill decided to make dessert out of barbecue. A single 6oz serving is $3.95, the 32oz tub is $9.75 and feeds four or five, and the 5lb bucket is $19.99 for a crowd. The Struttin Bucket is the take-home legend: beans, slaw, or potato salad in a bucket you will absolutely reuse.
| Item | Details | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Bar-B-Q Beans | 6oz individual / 32oz (serves 4-5) / 5lb (serves 20-25) | $3.95 / $9.75 / $19.99 |
| Cole Slaw | 6oz individual / 32oz (serves 4-5) / 5lb (serves 20-25) | $3.95 / $9.75 / $19.99 |
| Potato Salad | 6oz individual / 32oz (serves 4-5) / 5lb (serves 20-25) | $3.95 / $9.75 / $19.99 |
| Onion Rings | Crispy, battered | $4.85 |
| Gates Fries | Signature fries | $3.75 |
| Struttin Bucket | Beans, slaw or potato salad to go: 6oz / 32oz / 70oz | $3.50 / $9.50 / $18.99 |
Desserts
Gates keeps dessert simple. The Yammer Pie, a sweet potato pie that regulars swear by, is $3.95, and there is a rotating seasonal pie at the same price. Honestly? Get the Yammer Pie. It is the move.
| Item | Details | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Yammer Pie | Sweet potato pie, a Gates signature | $3.95 |
| Seasonal Pie | Rotating flavor | $3.95 |
Drinks
Fountain drinks, sweet tea, lemonade, and the regional oddity red cream soda run about $2 to $3 at most locations, with bottled water a little less. No free refills, so budget accordingly if you are a heavy sipper.
Gates BBQ Menu: Catering and Party Tray Prices
Wondering about gates bbq catering prices? The party trays are the official move for office lunches, tailgates, and family reunions. The Small Party Tray feeds 4 to 5 for $43.50, the Large feeds 7 to 8 for $79.95, and the President’s Tray, the top-tier spread, runs $82.00 for 7 to 8. At those prices you are feeding a crowd for roughly $10 a head, which is genuinely good value.
| Tray | Serves | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Small Party Tray | 4-5 people | $43.50 |
| Large Party Tray | 7-8 people | $79.95 |
| President’s Tray | 7-8 people, premium spread | $82.00 |
Gates Bar-B-Q Nutrition Information
Let us be real: you do not walk into a Kansas City barbecue joint for the salad. Gates does not publish a full nutrition panel, but here is what you need to know. A full slab of ribs is easily a 2,000+ calorie event, which is exactly why you share it. Sandwiches land in the 700 to 950 calorie range depending on the meat and whether you go Double Deck. Wings and legs run roughly 150 to 250 calories each before sauce. The beans are the heaviest side on the board. If you want a lighter lunch, the single turkey sandwich at $6.25 with a side of slaw is your best play.
Gates Bar-B-Q Deals and Money-Saving Tips
Does Gates have an app with rewards points? Nope, and honestly that is part of the charm. Gates is gloriously old-school, which means the savings come from ordering smart, not from coupon codes. Here is how I keep a Gates run cheap:
1. The $6.25 single sandwich is the value king. Beef, ham, or turkey for six and a quarter is one of the cheapest real meals in KC BBQ. Add a $3.75 order of Gates Fries and you are out the door under $11 before tax.
2. Go for the 3-pack deals. Three wings or legs with fries for $6.75 is a full lunch that costs less than most fast food combos.
3. Buy the Struttin Bucket for the family. The 32oz tub of beans or slaw at $9.50 feeds 4 to 5 people. Add a pound of sliced beef at $17.20 and you have fed the family dinner for under $30.
4. Catering trays beat individual plates. At $43.50 for 4 to 5 people, the Small Party Tray costs less per head than ordering separate entrees. Perfect for tailgates.
5. Bottle the sauce at the grocery store. Gates Original sauce is sold in KC-area grocery stores and online, usually cheaper than restaurant markup. Take the flavor home and stretch it across a month of cooking.
Gates Bar-B-Q Opening Hours
What are gates bbq hours? They vary by location, so always confirm with your store before you roll up hungry. The flagship Brooklyn Ave location in Kansas City, MO typically runs Sunday 11AM to 10PM, Monday through Thursday 11AM to 11PM, and Friday to Saturday 11AM to midnight. Other spots, like the State Ave location in Kansas City, KS, run weekday hours around 9AM to 6PM and close on weekends. Most locations are closed on major holidays. When in doubt, check gatesbbq.com or call ahead.
| Day | Typical Hours (flagship) |
|---|---|
| Monday – Thursday | 11:00 AM – 11:00 PM |
| Friday – Saturday | 11:00 AM – 12:00 AM |
| Sunday | 11:00 AM – 10:00 PM |
About Gates Bar-B-Q
Gates Bar-B-Q was founded in 1946 by George Gates in Kansas City, Missouri, and it is one of the pillars of Kansas City barbecue, a style famous for slow-smoked meats, a thick tomato-based sauce, and burnt ends. George worked for Arthur Bryant, the legendary “King of Ribs,” before opening his own spot, and the family still runs it today. The famous shouted greeting, “Hi, may I help you!”, hits you the second you walk in and has become part of KC culture. There are around seven Gates locations across the Kansas City metro, on both the Missouri and Kansas sides of the state line, plus a thriving sauce business that sells the iconic Original and Struttin Sauce in grocery stores nationwide.
Prices last verified: October 11, 2026. Official menu source: gatesbbq.com/menu/
Find Gates Bar-B-Q Near You
Gates Bar-B-Q Google Reviews
Google Rating: 4.1/5 across KC-metro locations, based on thousands of reviews.
What keeps people coming back: the burnt ends, the tangy sauce that is not candy-sweet, generous portions, and that high-energy counter service where the crew shouts your order across the line. First-timers sometimes find the pace chaotic, but regulars will tell you that is the Gates experience. Out-of-towners consistently call it a must-stop on any KC barbecue tour.
Gates BBQ Menu FAQs
What is the most popular item on the Gates BBQ menu?
The burnt ends sandwich at $7.95 and the full slab of ribs at $23.95 are the two most-ordered items. Regulars also swear by the Mixed Plate at $21.25 because it lets you try ribs, ham, and beef in one order.
What are the cheapest items at Gates BBQ?
Individual chicken wings and legs at $2.55 each are the cheapest items on the menu. For a full meal, the single beef, ham, or turkey sandwich at $6.25 and the 3-pack of wings or legs with fries at $6.75 are the best values.
How much is a full slab of ribs at Gates Bar-B-Q?
A full slab of ribs costs $23.95 in 2026. If that is more than you can handle, the Short End plate at $13.75, Long End at $13.25, and Center Cut at $13.95 are smaller rib portions.
Does Gates Bar-B-Q deliver?
Gates partners with third-party delivery services like Uber Eats in the Kansas City area, so yes, you can get Gates delivered, though menu prices are higher on delivery apps than in store. Call your local Gates to confirm which services they use.
What are Gates Bar-B-Q catering prices?
Party trays start at $43.50 for the Small Party Tray (feeds 4-5), $79.95 for the Large Party Tray (feeds 7-8), and $82.00 for the President’s Tray (feeds 7-8). Side buckets in 32oz and 5lb sizes are also popular for feeding crowds.
What are Gates Bar-B-Q hours?
Hours vary by location. The flagship Brooklyn Ave store in Kansas City, MO is typically open 11AM to 11PM Monday through Thursday, 11AM to midnight Friday and Saturday, and 11AM to 10PM Sunday. Other locations may have shorter hours, so check before visiting.
Can I buy Gates BBQ sauce in stores?
Yes. Gates Original and Struttin Sauce are sold in Kansas City-area grocery stores and online. It is the same tangy, vinegar-forward sauce they use in the restaurants.
Is Gates Bar-B-Q the same as Arthur Bryant’s?
No, but they are connected. Founder George Gates worked for Arthur Bryant before opening his own restaurant in 1946. Along with Bryant’s, Gates is considered one of the founding pillars of Kansas City-style barbecue.
Does Gates Bar-B-Q have healthy options?
Barbecue is indulgent, but the single turkey sandwich at $6.25 with a side of slaw is the lightest full meal on the board. Smoked chicken and turkey are leaner than ribs and burnt ends if you want to keep it reasonable.
Where is the original Gates Bar-B-Q located?
The original and most famous location is at 1221 Brooklyn Ave in Kansas City, MO. Gates now has around seven locations across the KC metro, including spots in Kansas City, KS, Leawood, and Independence.
If you are planning a Kansas City barbecue run, the gates bbq menu deserves a top spot on your list. It is affordable, it is historic, and it is unapologetically itself. Grab a burnt ends sandwich, a side of those beans, and a slice of Yammer Pie, and you will understand why this place has been packed since 1946.
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