The BBQ Shack in Paola, Kansas started in 1997 with a whiskey barrel, a smoker, and a batch of wings that quickly built a reputation across the Kansas City area. By 2006 it had grown into a brick-and-mortar restaurant. By 2007 Guy Fieri showed up for Season 2, Episode 6 of Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives — “Real Deal BBQ,” aired November 5, 2007 — and confirmed what the locals already knew. The brick-and-mortar closed in May 2018, but the BBQ Shack didn’t disappear. It moved to a food truck and kept cooking.
Quick Facts
Restaurant: BBQ Shack
City: Paola, Kansas
Cuisine: BBQ
DDD Season: 2
DDD Episode: 6
Episode Title: Real Deal BBQ
Original Air Date: November 5, 2007
Address: 1613 E. Peoria St., Paola, KS 66071 (former location)
Phone: 913-294-5908
Status: Brick-and-Mortar Closed — Food Truck Still Operating
About BBQ Shack
The BBQ Shack was built around whole hog BBQ and a philosophy of doing everything from scratch. The restaurant was featured in the 2009 book “America’s Best BBQ Joints” by Paul Kirk and Ardie Davis. The Atomic Buffalo Turds — jalapeño poppers stuffed with marinated water chestnuts or smoked chicken and cream cheese, then wrapped in homemade bacon — were the dish most people who ate here once never stopped talking about. The BBQ Shack also won the Scovie Award for Best American Style BBQ Sauce in 2002.
What Was on the Menu
The highlights from the Triple D episode included Whole Roasted Hog, Hickory Smoked Pork Spare Ribs, Brisket and Burnt Ends, Pulled Pork, Atomic Buffalo Turds, and Smoked Chicken Wings served with Jamaican Hot Sauce or Honey BBQ Sauce.
If the BBQ Shack’s style has you thinking about leveling up your own backyard game, Guy on Fire covers outdoor cooking in serious depth. And Guy Fieri’s Flavortown Dry Rub Variety Pack is built for exactly this kind of BBQ.
Finding the Food Truck
The BBQ Shack food truck operates in the Kansas City metro area and Paola, primarily on Fridays and Saturdays. Follow their Facebook page for current locations and event appearances.
Former Address: 1613 E. Peoria St., Paola, KS 66071
Phone: 913-294-5908
Website: https://thebbqshack.com/
Status: Brick-and-Mortar Closed — Food Truck Active
Flavortown Approved
Hand-crafted BBQ deserves hand-crafted seasoning. Guy Fieri’s Flavortown Dry Rub Variety Pack and Guy’s Carolina BBQ Sauce are the place to start. For the full outdoor cooking deep dive, Guy on Fire is the book.
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BBQ Shack appeared in Season 2, Episode 6 of Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives, “Real Deal BBQ,” originally aired November 5, 2007. The brick-and-mortar location closed in May 2018. The food truck continues to operate in the Kansas City area.