In the late 20th century, the evolution of Southern wood-smoke cooking was heavily male-dominated, waiting for a historic milestone to honor the foundational contributions of Black women. It took a visionary Black sister duo, working within the competitive culinary landscape of Kansas City, Kansas, to ground the modern legacy of family-driven urban barbecue. Mary and Deborah Jones leveraged their deep commitment to tradition and community to sustain an institutional cornerstone, preserving and perfecting what remains a world-renowned pillar of Kansas City barbecue. Carrying on the family business originally started by their father Leavy B. Jones Sr. in the 1970s, they later stepped directly into the role of full-time pitmasters, determined to safeguard their shared culinary flame.
Their singular dedication seamlessly fused meticulous pit-cooking traditions with an unpretentious, multi-generational hospitality. Operating their iconic neighborhood hub with its signature outdoor wood-fired pit, they mastered a distinct menu that featured perfectly smoked slabs of ribs with a rich hickory aroma and its celebrated charred burnt ends. The contemporary lineage of Kansas City barbecue excellence—and the inspiration for generations of future female pitmasters—rests squarely on the shoulders of these master artisans. In 2019, they forever redefined the industry's historical narrative by shattering systemic barriers and catapulting their family's secret sauce to international acclaim on Netflix’s Queer Eye. They further expanded their innovation in April 2020 by introducing the city's first-ever 24/7 automated barbecue vending machine.
We speak their names, we acknowledge and honor their foundation, and we recognize the undeniable artistry of their contribution.
