Get your motor running and get out of the driveway -- Backfire BBQ cranks it up in the Legends on Monday, December 7, at 7 p.m. for a Grand Opening Party.
It's biker theme is the vision of Steven Schussler -- the restaurateur behind Rainforest Cafe and T-Rex Cafe -- built around the Orange County Choppers brand. The motorcycle company's founder, Paul Teutel Sr., is slated to help kick-start the festivities on Monday. He's also said to be bringing the film crew from his family's hit reality show, American Chopper.
The experience at the 9,000-square-foot restaurant will begin with the two custom built choppers rotating on top of two water fountains outside. The blue neon signage continues into the interior, with dimmer switches to mute the lights. With 14 flat-screen televisions and close to $1 million in NASCAR and motorcycle memorabilia, there's a lot to see once you're inside.
The menu was designed by Chicago-based Levy Restaurants, a
group that runs food service operations at Arrowhead
Stadium and the Sprint Center. It features a variety of barbecue wings (Atomic, buffalo, Chinese and Thai flavored) and an eclectic mix of starters, including fried green tomatoes, chipotle deviled eggs and queso dip.
In addition to blue cheese burgers and bacon cheddar burgers grilled over hardwood coals, there's the Vintage Veggie Burger (grilled Portobello mushroom, provolone and cilantro pesto) and the KC Rocker Reuben (smoked brisket, slaw, Swiss cheese, and Thousand Island dressing on Texas Toast).
But the focus is on barbecue options from the smoker, which Schussler
maintains is the largest indoor smoker in the state of Kansas: ribs,
brisket, pulled pork, and chicken, along with the traditional sides
(mac n'cheese, corn bread, and smashed potatoes).
"Middle-class America loves sophistication. This is not a peanuts-on-the-shell type of place," says Schussler. "It's shining chrome and phenomenal food. It takes a big set to open a barbecue place in a barbecue town."
This is the first in what Schussler plans to be small series of specialized franchises. He puts the number at "less than 10."
"I wanted to build a classy restaurant that showed what I know that people from all walks of life like the feeling they get from the open road," says Schussler.
On Monday, he gets to show Kansas City, Kansas, exactly what that looks like.
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Pathetic is the best word to describe the food. I stopped and ordered a slab to go and knew something was wrong as soon as they handed the bag off to me. It didn't even feel like a half slab at most places in KC. Anyway, when I got home I pulled out the plastic to go boxes. I was amazed at their 'big size' or whatever they call order of onion rings...I counted 11 of them. The rings did taste good, though. But the ribs....just awful. I would be really surprised if this place makes it another year. One last note...I think my labs enjoyed the ribs I gladly handed over to them.
My food was out in less then 5 min, and the quality was poor. I would have waited alot longer for some quality.
I made it out this weekend... more out of curiosity than anything else... and frankly.. It was VERY good. SURPRISINGLY good.
The Reuben was a fun spinoff, very tasty... I only had a bite of the "blues burger", but man... it was intense and delicious.
The space itself is equally as intense. I'm definitely going to find my way back to check it out again. Can't wait to try the desserts! I was too stuffed!
your wrong ryan. It's awesome!!! I worked on the place and i can tell you it is amazing! the bikes, everything and the food will make you cry! I have had alot of BBQ in kc but i will really surprised how good everything is. Try the smoker burger. amazing!
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