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CHEF-DRIVEN BARBEQUE
Q39 is Kansas City BBQ with a twist. Innovative, chef-driven, competition-style barbeque are just a few ways to describe our full-service restaurant in Kansas City. Whether we’re grilling for six judges or sixty guests, we don’t take shortcuts; expect fresh ingredients, sliced-to-order brisket straight from the smoker, Certified Angus Beef burgers ground in-house daily, and wood-fired grill plates served from flame to table. Our guests come for the Q, stay for the craft-cocktails, and return for the hospitality.
Rob Magee found a passion for cooking at an early age and took his skills to the highest level with a degree from the acclaimed Culinary Institute of America. While working his trade in some of the finest kitchens across the country, Chef Rob made a point to honor the tastes of whatever region he was in. In 2000, he moved to Kansas City to work as an Executive Chef for Hilton Hotels. In his spare time, he became obsessed with mastering the art of KC barbeque and assembled a competition barbeque team called the Munchin’ Hogs.
This was no ordinary side hustle; for over a decade the Munchin’ Hogs ascended to the highest level of competitive barbeque in events across the country winning dozens of local competitions and national championships and receiving numerous accolades and honors along the way.
Rob combined these experiences to bring a new approach to BBQ, along with his signature sauces and rubs. Kelly’s background in business development, marketing, and technology was instrumental in making Rob’s dream a reality in 2014 with the first Q39 location in midtown Kansas City––the area’s first chef-driven, open scratch BBQ restaurant. And it was a hit!
There was a lot of barbeque in Kansas City but there was nothing like this; the pursuit of perfection from a classically trained chef creating competition BBQ from scratch. In 2017, they opened a second location in Overland Park, KS. Since opening, Q39 has become well-known to KC natives and travelers from all over the world as one of the city’s best barbeque restaurants.
After a 5 1/2-year journey with colon cancer, Chef Rob Magee passed away in November 2021. Chef Rob’s legacy lives on in the work of Executive Chef Philip Thompson.
Today, Kelly leads Q39 as the CEO. Her focus is on leveraging her teams’ expertise to building outstanding operations while growing the Q39 brand. Kelly’s leadership continues to drive Q39’s passion for culinary excellence and elevated hospitality. In 2024, Kelly was a Women of Influence honoree and recognized as Restaurateur of the Year by the Greater Kansas Restaurant Association.
Munchin’ Hogs enter the competition BBQ scene
The first Q39 opens on Kansas City’s beloved 39th Street
Q39 expands with a second location in Overland Park
Co-founder Kelly Magee continues the building the legacy of world-class BBQ as CEO
The Munchin’ Hogs competed and earned dozens of awards over the course of a decade. That’s a lot of championships!
Since opening in 2014, Q39 has received an abundance of awards, accolades, and recognition from the media, along with appearances in national and local news.
Nothing warms the soul like soup, and helping your community. For every bowl sold, we’ll donate one to local nonprofits.
