KSHB 41 reporter Rachel Henderson covers neighborhoods in Wyandotte and Leavenworth counties. Share your story idea with Rachel.
During my reporting in Wyandotte County, I’ve driven by KCTurkeyLeggman’s place several times.
When I saw the restaurant was named in The New York Times’ list of the 50 Best Restaurants in America right now, I knew I’d have to do a story.
“The turkey legs at this exceptional-if-niche barbecue joint in northwest Kansas City demand your full attention — and then reward it,” author Brett Anderson wrote in the Times’ review.
Just to be clear, the restaurant is in northwest Kansas City, Kansas, at 1916 Quindaro Blvd.
I’m heading out today to learn more about the restaurant and KC Turkey Leggman. Have you had their turkey legs? What else should people try? I hope you’ll check back later to see what I found out.
I’m back!
What a journey… I’ll start by saying that the founder, Matthew Montgomery, was so welcoming.
He doesn't get called Matthew often.
"Anywhere I go, anywhere, ‘Turkey Leggman, Turkey Leggman.’ No one calls me my name," he said.
You could tell how floored he was by the love he was receiving from the New York Times recognition.
“It’s just humbling, and we’re just grateful,” he told me. “I don’t have the words.”
Thankfully, the food speaks for itself.
My photographer and I ordered a standard turkey leg and a smothered turkey leg with mac and cheese on top, otherwise known as the Turkey Stuffed Bustdown.
We also took home some yams, greens and pecan rum cake.
The idea of using plastic utensils was a little daunting at first, but the turkey was tender enough that my knife just slipped right through.
My favorite items would have to be the mac and cheese/turkey combo, as well as the yams. That glaze was incredible!
“Being born and raised in Kansas City, just trying to put an innovative spin on BBQ,” Montgomery said. “We’ve done that, kind of created our own lane.”
The entire operation is a family affair.
“I come from a long lineage of BBQers and meat smokers,” Montgomery said.
His grandfather, born in 1908, used to smoke mutton in Central Missouri.
In fact, it was all because he took turkey legs to his cousin's barbecue one time that he considered this business in the first place.
"Everybody was going crazy about ‘em. So I knew right then, maybe I got something here," he said.
Montgomery’s children, brother and cousins are a few members of the team you’ll find working at the brick and mortar, which has been around since 2022.
He told me the story of how he ended up in KCK after spending time at different venues — including a food truck — in Missouri.
It all started when he was serving food at 913 Day, KCK’s celebration of the Kansas area code every Sept. 13.
His food was selling out so unexpectedly fast that it caught his attention.
“I looked at my cousin and I was like, ‘Man, I could see myself having a spot over here,’” Montgomery told me.
A few years later, he met someone who introduced him to a realtor who helped him get established on Quindaro Boulevard.
“She was like, ‘I know you’re from Missouri, but it’s in KCK,’” he said. “I was floored, I almost dropped the phone.”
It was almost like a dream come true, sort of like getting the call from The New York Times.
“They called and said, ‘Hey, this is The New York Times,’ man click,” he gestured. “This ain’t… no.”
But it really was them.
Montgomery’s been through his fair share of scams.
Learning this was the real deal really put things into perspective.
“How I’m feeling, it’s just amazing,” Montgomery said. “Cause all the hard work, all the dedication, all the late nights, all the rained-out events.”
You’d think a NYT recognition would round out Montgomery’s bucket list.
After all, he’s had ample local recognition from the Kansas City People’s Choice Awards to catering for the Kansas City Monarchs.
Still, there’s a couple things he’s itching to accomplish.
“We just waiting on the Royals and the Chiefs, that’s all we waiting on,” he told me.
There’s no doubt his own kingdom will keep him plenty busy until that time comes.
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