McGonigle’s Meat Wagon Serving Up Barbecue In West Bottoms With Second Food Trailer

When spring hits, fans of McGonigle’s BBQ Trailer just follow their nose to get delicious smoked meat and all the sides at this outdoor food trailer found permanently parked at McGonigle’s Market on corner of Ward Parkway & 79th Street.

Now, third-generation owner, Mike McGonigle, who opened the food trailer and smoker in the parking lot of his families’ market more than ten years ago, is starting a new barbecue tradition by opening up a second food trailer, in the historic Stockyards District of the West Bottoms.

“It seems only fitting that McGonigle’s come back to the historic cattle yards in the West Bottoms to open our second barbecue trailer, you see my great grandfather had an office in the Livestock Exchange Building and my Dad was a cattle buyer down here years and years ago,” says McGonigle.

A “serendipitous meeting” between McGonigle and Bill Haw Jr. who owns Haw Contemporary in the West Bottoms, allowed Haw Jr. to put McGonigle in touch with the two women who run the 50/50 KC art gallery. That meeting went well, and they agreed that their ability to draw crowds would benefit both of their initiatives so they agreed to share the lot located a 17^th Street and Wyoming.

The shiny red trailer will be called the McGonigle’s Meat Wagon and will be permanently parked at this location. You can already find the trailer parked there serving lunch only this week, as a sort of soft opening leading up to their grand opening weekend on Friday, May 5, kicking off the third annual Heritage Week activities in the West Bottoms.  

Although, McGonigle isn’t sure exactly what the schedule for the truck will be he plan to be open for lunch and maybe dinner. The plan is to capitalize the business brought on by special events and festivals that come to the West Bottoms.

The menu for the second truck will be exactly as the same as their original which offers everything from burnt ends, brisket, and baby back ribs to Italian sausage and rotisserie chicken. Chef Lon Froneberger eventually be tweaking the menu, by trying out some seafood items at the second truck like a delicious smoked salmon.

“Most people know McGonigle’s as a famous meat market, but we also carry some incredible seafood, so we plan to highlight that on this second truck to see what our customers respond to best,” says McGonigle.

McGonigle’s Meat Wagon shares the parking lot with 50/50 KC art installation located at 1628 Wyoming Street, Kansas City, MO, mcgonigles.com.