Multiple Locations | oklahomajoesbbq.com
Barbecue sandwiches aren't supposed to be topped with cheese. And onion rings were invented to provide crispy respite from an onslaught of meat, not to be sneaked atop all that flesh like the cherry on a sundae. But the Z-Man — the provolone-covered, onion-ring-garnished brisket sandwich that is one of the signature dishes at Oklahoma Joe's — doesn't play by the rules. It's not oversized. The meat is well-contained, so your dress shirt is safe (unless you, as many do, squeeze a little too zealously from that tableside sauce bottle). It's a symphony of ingredients, centered on brisket that's lean and tender. The cheese adds gooeyness, and the onion ring gives the sandwich an irresistible fatty crackle. No KC bite comes with more hype, but none is worthier of the praise.
