Q39 barbecue restaurant opens in downtown Lawrence

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Kansas City barbecue joint Q39 officially fired up the smokers and opened its doors in downtown Lawrence on Tuesday.

The restaurant is open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, and 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday. It offers dine-in, carry-out and catering options, as well as a private dining room and patio that can be used for events.

Q39 touts a chef-driven business model, and barbecue recipes that won late co-founder Rob Magee national championships. 

“I am thrilled to bring Q39 to such a historic space downtown,” Kelly Magee, co-founder and spouse to Rob, said in a news release. “In college I was a server at Buffalo Bob’s Smokehouse. So, this is not my first time serving BBQ in Lawrence, focused on hospitality and on a competition level. Opening Q39 in Lawrence, really has come full circle.”

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Tom Harper/Lawrence Times Members of the Q39 staff, from left, are Xavier Echeverría, director of operations; Pat Peluso, director of culinary; Andrew Kneessy, chief brand officer; Kelley Magee, CEO and founding partner; Scott Kautzi, director of sales; and Shawn Craft, chief operating officer. They’re pictured during a Wednesday, March 4, 2026 preview of the new restaurant in downtown Lawrence.

Rob and Kelly opened their first restaurant in 2014. Lawrence is the third franchise location, with other spots in Kansas City, Missouri and Overland Park.

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Q39 received tax breaks from city commissioners in May to revive the old downtown building that now houses the restaurant at 639 New Hampshire St. It was previously home to the Lawrence Journal-World, and had been out of use and fallen into disrepair for at least a decade.

Now, the refurbished building includes a full kitchen, butcher room and three historical photographic murals of downtown Lawrence.

The restaurant only serves Certified Angus Beef, and the menu for the Lawrence location includes some of the franchise’s staples, including the brisket plate and the Mr. Burns sandwich featuring burnt ends.

View the full menu for the Lawrence location at this link.

Tom Harper/Lawrence Times Q39 barbecue restaurant at 639 New Hampshire St. in downtown Lawrence
Tom Harper/Lawrence Times Customers and staff members gather during a preview event for Q39 barbecue restaurant.

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