According to Wikipedia, "Kansas City style barbecue refers to the specific regional barbecue style of slowly smoked meat that originated from the pit of Henry Perry in the early 1900's. Kansas City barbecue is rubbed with spices, slow-smoked over a variety of woods, then served with a tomato-based sauce." Although we were not around during Mr. Perry's time, we were able to re-create a rub that is true to the traditional regional version with a combination of sweet, salty, spicy and smoky flavors.