Awesome! How This Couple Transformed a Gas Station Kitchen Into a Legendary BBQ Destination

Joe’s KC Bar-B-Que was made famous by serving ‘que from a neighborhood gas station.

But it’s their dedication to the craft that has made them legends.

Joy Stehney, co-founder of Joe’s Kansas City Bar-B-Que, exemplifies the true spirit of entrepreneurial grit and passion. Alongside her husband Jeff, a BBQ Hall of Famer, they transformed a modest gas station kitchen into a legendary barbecue destination that now stands as a beacon of excellence in Kansas City’s storied culinary landscape.

The Stehneys embarked on their barbecue journey as competitors in the renowned Kansas City Barbecue scene.

Their success in BBQ competitions built a fanbase that encouraged them to begin a catering business. This led them to lease a kitchen space in a local gas station and partner with Joe Don Davidson (Oklahoma Joe’s Smoker Company).

Their venture began with a restaurant in Stillwater, Oklahoma, followed by their iconic Kansas City location in 1996. Despite early challenges and a subsequent name change from Oklahoma Joe’s Bar-B-Que to Joe’s Kansas City Bar-B-Que, they successfully established themselves in the barbecue community.

“My husband had the crazy idea to quit his job and we’re going to go into the restaurant business,” Joy Stehney shared with host Shawn Walchef of Cali BBQ Media. “We opened our second restaurant in Kansas City in the gas station in 1996. And we’ve been going ever since.”

Maintaining high food quality has been paramount for the brand, especially in its catering business.