In its six years of business, Raytown’s Harp Barbecue has come to be regarded as one of KC’s best ‘cue spots – but its Raytown location isn’t exactly a convenient commute. Good news for connoisseurs of the smoked food genre: Harp Barbecue is moving to south Overland Park.
The new location, near the Scheels Soccer Complex, is expected to open the first week of September (12094 w. 135th St. OPKS).
According to owner Tyler Harp, the decision to move was based on logistics and luck. His Raytown lease was coming to an end and when he stumbled upon the Johnson County site, he says it was “an opportunity we couldn’t pass on.”
It’s 3,000 square-feet (slightly bigger than Harp’s current space) with a patio and was most recently a Pizza Shuttle. Before it was a Pizza Shuttle, it housed Jon Russell’s BBQ.
“There’s already a little barbecue history in that building, which is why we think it’s perfect for us,” Harp says. “We also feel there’s a bit of a barbecue void in that area.”
Harp Barbecue will close its Raytown location at the end of August. The new space will be open Wednesday through Saturday from 11 am to 8 pm and Sunday from 10 am to 4 pm. Sundays will feature a brunch menu.
For now, Harp says he plans to keep the his current menu but as his team adjusts to the new space, he would like to introduce lighter and healthier options. For example, grilled chicken salads, smoked salmon quinoa bowls and sandwiches with smoked meats.
“We’re extremely thankful for Raytown and the people who supported us here,” Harp says. “We’ve been evolving and growing as people and a business. There’s no way we’d be where we are without Raytown.”
As for his Raytown regulars, Harp says the move is bittersweet.
“Most people have been pretty supportive,” says Harp. “The people that come here, they get it. They’re here enough to realize that this place isn’t very busy. I still think we’ll see our regulars quite a bit.”
