Arthur Bryant's Kansas City Barbecue

March 22, 1940

Henry Perry died in Kansas City and turned his legendary barbecue restaurant over to Charlie Bryant. Perry had become a legend selling slow-smoked opossum, woodchuck, and beef with a peppery sauce. Bryant eventually sweetened the sauce to make the distinctive KC-style barbecue we know today.

This post was contributed by Ross Malone. A historian and a retired school teacher, Ross has authored many books about Missouri’s history, weird facts, and folk tales. He has also written children’s historical fiction. Visit his website, and buy his books in the Missouri Life store.