Meet The Team
“Say it loud — 816 Smoke Ain’t No Joke!”
Welcome to (816) Smoked Que — Where Flavor Meets Legacy
Two Cities. Generations of Flavor. One Missouri BBQ Legacy.
At (816) Smoked Que, barbecue is more than food. It's family, history, tradition, and generations of recipes passed down with love. Every dish we serve tells a story, and every bite carries a piece of our family's legacy.
Our founder had the unique experience of growing up between St. Louis and Kansas City, attending middle school and high school in both cities. Moving between these two great Missouri communities gave him a firsthand appreciation for their different cultures, food traditions, and legendary barbecue.
But our culinary foundation began long before (816) Smoked Que.
Our grandfather owned a beloved storefront restaurant on the south side of St. Louis and helped build iconic landmarks, including the Gateway Arch. His dedication to hard work, community, and great food remains part of our family's foundation.
My father-in-law, Chef Jim Muse, was among the first minority cooks for the Minnesota Vikings and created the legendary Purple Pride BBQ Sauce, which was sold in Minnesota stores. Today, our family proudly preserves his original recipe, carrying forward another chapter of our barbecue heritage.
And then there's our great-grandmother, whose treasured sweet potato recipe lives on through our signature Candied Yams. A recipe passed down through generations, bringing the same warmth, comfort, and unforgettable flavor to our customers today.
These traditions, along with lessons learned from generations of talented family cooks, are the heart and soul of (816) Smoked Que.
Today, we bring that heritage to life through authentic hardwood-smoked barbecue, featuring our signature smoked oxtails, massive Dino beef ribs, St. Louis-style rib tips, tender beef tips, smoked cabbage, and our six-cheese Macalicious macaroni.
But we're more than a food trailer. We bring the entire Live Wood-Fired BBQ Experience to you.
Whether serving a corporate employee appreciation celebration, a company gathering, or a large private event, we combine exceptional food, real hardwood smoke, and the experience of barbecue prepared live on-site.
We've successfully delivered five-figure corporate food-service events, demonstrating our commitment to quality, professionalism, and memorable experiences.
At (816) Smoked Que, we're not simply preparing barbecue. We're preserving family history, honoring those who came before us, and creating new memories around great food.
Two Cities. Generations of Flavor. One Unforgettable BBQ Experience.
(816) Smoked Que Is No Joke!
About The Que – Kansas City's Missouri BBQ Legacy
ST. LOUIS ROOTS. KANSAS CITY SMOKE. GENERATIONS OF SOUL.
The Que isn't just another name in Kansas City barbecue. He's a true Missouri barbecue craftsman whose passion for cooking was built through generations of family tradition, soul food, and decades of experience.
Growing up between St. Louis and Kansas City, with deep roots in East St. Louis, The Que developed an appreciation for two of Missouri's great food cultures. But his foundation in cooking? That came straight from the kitchens of St. Louis.
Long before 816 Smoked Que existed, he was learning from some of the best soul food cooks he knew—his great-grandmother, grandmother, mother, aunts, uncles, and grandfather, who owned a restaurant on the South Side of St. Louis.
His culinary influences also include Mrs. Meeks, the original cook behind the sweety pies at the first location in Ferguson, Missouri, along with many other talented cooks who shared their knowledge, techniques, and traditions throughout the years.
Nobody in Kansas City taught The Que how to cook. His foundation was already built.
What Kansas City gave him was another opportunity to bring those generations of knowledge, St. Louis soul, and his own signature style of barbecue to a city known around the world for its BBQ.
And there's more to the story.
Family recipes and traditions remain at the heart of 816 Smoked Que, including the legacy of Jim Muse's Purple Pride BBQ Sauce, an original family recipe passed down from his father-in-law.
The Que doesn't just cook barbecue. He carries a family legacy with every fire he builds.
Known for turning first-time customers into lifelong supporters, The Que cooks with patience, passion, hardwood smoke, and soul. His philosophy is simple: Great barbecue isn't fast food. It's food worth waiting for.
From his signature slow-smoked oxtails and massive Dino Beef Ribs to St. Louis-style rib tips with a Kansas City twist, meat-free smoked cabbage, candied yams, and his famous Smoked Macalicious Macaroni, every dish tells a story.
It's a story of family, tradition, experience, and a lifelong commitment to flavor.
The Que isn't trying to copy Kansas City barbecue or St. Louis barbecue. He's bringing the best of his Missouri roots together to create something uniquely his own.
Because when you take that first bite, the food speaks for itself.
(816) SMOKED QUE IS NO JOKE! 🔥
STL Roots. KC Smoke. Missouri Soul.
For catering, events, or just a plate full of love — call (816) 327-9116 or email KCSmokedQue@outlook.com to experience the taste everyone’s talking about.
Mr. C – Marketing Manager
Mr. C is a key part of The Que’s team and the creative mind behind the brand’s online presence. He personally started his own business and help built The Que’s company website at the beginning from the ground up. As Marketing Manager, Mr. C brings fresh ideas, strong design skills, and a true passion for helping the business grow — both online and in the community.
Mr. C – Label Manager
Mr. C is the Co-Owner of Mr. C’s and serves as the Label Manager for The Que’s brand. His dedication and drive make him an essential part of the team, ensuring quality, consistency, and creativity across every label and product. With a strong vision for the future, Mr. C is also pursuing his goal of becoming a General Contractor, bringing the same focus and determination to his next venture.
Que is an experienced pitmaster in Kansas City, Missouri, and specializes in special cut meat.
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