That's because Tulsa's neighbor, Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, has a new restaurant that Kansas Citians know very well — Oklahoma Joe's BBQ (yup, that Oklahoma Joe's) is now serving Oklahomans everything from smoked salmon to Z-Man sandwiches.
The Broken Arrow restaurant was opened by Joe Don Davidson and his wife, Page. Davidson was one of the original founders of the Oklahoma Joe's in Kansas City, Kansas, partnering with Jeff Stehney, a former rival on the competition-barbecue circuit. Stehney now runs the KCK operation. In a story by Tulsa World, Davidson also seemed to indicate what's on the horizon for KC barbecue fans.
"He [Stehney] now has two locations [KCK and Stillwater, Oklahoma Olathe] and is opening a third in Leawood in June or July," Davidson said.
There's a third location already in Olathe, but The Leawood location that Davidson referenced is likely the former T.G.I. Friday's at 11723 Roe, which Oklahoma Joe's was rumored to be leasing last May. As for the newest Oklahoma Joe's in Oklahoma, the Tulsa World's Scott Cherry came away impressed, noting that the restaurant has "tasty 'cue and amazing sides."
[Correction: An earlier version of this post incorrectly identified the Oklahoma Joe's in operation. The Stillwater location has closed and Stehney operates locations in KCK and Olathe.]
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Zarda's is not even in the same category as Okie Joe's..
never has been, never will be..
no comparison...I would wait in line at Okie Joe's as long as it took...I wouldn't even GO to Zarda'..
C...I have been eating at OK Joe's for at least 5 years, probably more, and have been to both KC locations many times. I have NEVER EVER EVER waited in line for longer than 1 hour, more like 30 mins, but certainly not the preposterous 3 hours that you purport having to wait. And equally as ridicuculous, there is NO WAY anything coming out of Zarda's is as good OK Joe's. To quote, Good Will Hunting...Yah suspect!!!
YES! Finally, an answer about the OK Joe's location in Leawood. *phew*
Now, why the hell is it taking so long to open the darned place. I wanna goooooo! :D
Sorry, Doug. I'm glad to hear it. My apologies for having my facts wrong.
Keep up the good work.
HINT: The Average Joe sandwich offered by Zarda BBQ is both a nod to and a playful knock against OK Joes Zee man sandwich. The Zarda offering is as good as if not better than the Z and you dont have to wait in line for 3 hours to get one.
The Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, restaurant is not in any way affiliated with the Kansas City-based Oklahoma Joe's. It is a separate company entirely. Different owners. Different company. Not the same. Joe Davidson and the Stehneys (Kansas City) have the right to use the name. But they are completely separate entities.
The Stehneys' two locations are in Kansas City, Kansas, and Olathe, Kansas. They are in no way associated with the Oklahoma location.
I was the guest on Steve Kraske's program with Hayward and L.C., not Jeff Stehney. And what I said then remains fact now. We will open a third restaurant in Leawood in 2012, and we have no plans for expansion beyond that.
Doug Worgul
Director of Marketing
Oklahoma Joe's Bar-B-Que & Catering
Kansas City, Kansas
And just a few months ago on Steve Kraske's show, alongside my Hayward and L.C. himself, Stehney flat out said that he has had offers to expand and was not interested because Oklahoma Joe's is about being local and small, and keeping it local and small. Not that I blame the guy for cashing in on fame and success, but why go on public radio and say one thing while orchestrating the opposite in private?
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