The Legend of the Z-Man Sandwich

The story behind the Joe's Kansas City Bar-B-Que sandwich turned BBQ legend, created in the original gas station location.

In 1997, not long after Jeff and Joy Stehney opened their original gas-station barbecue joint at the corner of 47th & Mission Road in Kansas City, Kansas, they were approached by Mike Zarrick — a man who would soon go on to launch his own sports talk radio program, 1510 AM. He pitched the idea of advertising their restaurant on his station.

Jeff Stehney recalls:

“I recognized the guy,” recalls Jeff. “He was a regular customer. He told me how much he liked our restaurant, so I decided to take a chance on him. What sold me was his absolute passion for our barbecue. I’d rather partner up with someone who has passion and enthusiasm at a little station than with some big conglomerate with all the Arbitron numbers and no passion.”

Later, Jeff had an idea. He had crafted a new sandwich that featured sliced smoked brisket, smoked provolone cheese, topped with onion rings and a bit of barbecue sauce — all served on their signature Kaiser roll.

Jeff Stehney explains:

“So I went to Zarrick and asked him to talk about the sandwich on the air and to invite his listeners to try it in the restaurant and submit names for it. It would be a contest, and the winner would get a prize, and we’d use that name on the menu.”

“Well, Zarrick was getting pretty popular and had begun calling himself ‘Z-Man’ on the air. So when people came in to try the sandwich as part of the contest, they would ask for ‘that Z-Man sandwich.’”

Eventually, a winning name was chosen, but it never stuck. By the time the contest ended, everybody was calling the sandwich the Z-Man! We’ve been calling it that ever since.

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How can you get the Z-Man today?

Choose your favorite — each one captures authentic Kansas City BBQ flavor.

Sliced Brisket

The original Z-Man formula: tender smoked brisket, melted provolone, crispy onion rings, and our classic Joe’s Bar-B-Que sauce on a toasted Kaiser roll.

Pulled Pork

Slow-smoked pulled pork piled high and finished with provolone, onion rings, and Joe’s Bar-B-Que sauce — a Kansas City favorite with a twist.

Pulled Chicken

Juicy pulled smoked chicken layered with provolone, onion rings, and Joe’s Bar-B-Que sauce — lighter in feel, big on smoke and flavor.

Smoked Portobello

Thick-cut, smoked Portobello mushroom cap layered with melted provolone cheese, crispy onion rings, and our signature Joe’s Bar-B-Que sauce on a toasted Kaiser roll. A rich, hearty, vegetarian twist on the classic Z-Man — available in restaurants only.