All-Star Game fans are taking in KC's barbecue riches

Kansas City, Mo. - "Hi, may I help you?"

Most of us who live here in Kansas City know that greeting is the sound of barbecue. Gates is one of the most popular barbecue restaurants in town, and they're getting ready for a busy All-Star weekend.

Gates training director Kiva Gates said they're beefing up their staffing and training to make sure they're ready to feed the crowds they expect to greet over the next few days.

"They're coming and saying, 'I've come all the way from Los Angeles, just to get the barbecue,'" Gates said.

We met folks from all over the country who know that Kansas City means more than just baseball, at least this week.

Eddy Berghorn said he wanted to treat his buddy Tony Billingsley, who lives in Arkansas City, Kan., to the game. 

They have great seats just a few rows back on the first base side at Kauffman, but first they paid a trip to Arthur Bryant's.

"Barbecue, beer and baseball," Berghorn said.  "The three B's, you know what I mean?"

Houstonian Mike Garner is spending the summer working in KC.  He and his friends are going to the FanFest but not the game.

He likes Texas barbecue - but then againm he'd never been to Arthur Bryant's before Friday.

"I think we consider barbecue about the same thing," Garner said. "But this is definitely a notch above, I think."

It was the same story at Oklahoma Joe's.

Michael Backaus came from Green Bay, Wisc., to visit a college friend. They are also going to the FanFest but will have to watch the game on TV. He said KC barbecue beats the cheese he gets back home.

"The barbecue is excellent. This is the first time I've been to Kansas City. This is the first southern barbecue I've ever been to and it's excellent, very good," he said.

Of course, as much as everyone loves the burnt ends and brisket sandwiches, they are, in fact, here for baseball.

"All of it. I love baseball, so the futures game, Home Run Derby and the All-Star Game," said Mark Ziogas of Bristol, Conn. "And visiting the Negro League museum."

David Gascon came from Los Angeles.

"I just have a good time meeting people, talking with people and enjoying the atmosphere," Gascon said. "It's all baseball, all the time."

"We just love baseball," Berghorn said, "and we're going to get to see some of the greatest players of all time."

It shouldn't be hard to find a barbecue restaurant. According to the Kansas City Barbeque Society, we have more than 80 around town, which is the highest per capita in the US.