The report says white-and-blue shirts have become a familiar sight around the city, with travelling supporters sampling one of its best-known traditions.
Queues reportedly formed at Joe’s Kansas City Bar-B-Que, the celebrated restaurant housed in a gas station on the Kansas side. For local fans, the case is built around dry-rub cooking and letting the meat speak for itself rather than leaning heavily on sauce.
General manager Victor Brummel reportedly welcomed the tournament attention, viewing it as a chance for Kansas City to present its food culture to an international audience.
For Argentine supporters, however, asado is more than a meal. It is a social ritual: grilled meat, cold beer and long conversations before a match. It carries the atmosphere of family gatherings and football watch parties, making it difficult for any visiting barbecue to claim supremacy.
The report says Alejandro Cuenca praised the Kansas City offering while maintaining his loyalty to asado. Cristian Gastes reportedly took a similar position while waiting to try Joe’s brisket.
That is the charm of this debate. Neither tradition needs to lose. Kansas City brings smoke, rub and regional character; asado brings open-fire cooking, patience and a powerful sense of community.
Supporters also reportedly gathered for a barbecue party at Mill Creek Park, turning the culinary disagreement into another shared pre-match celebration.
Soon, the plates will be cleared and the focus will move to the pitch. Argentina’s supporters may never agree on the better barbecue, but they appear happy to keep the debate alive while exploring the city.
The next storyline arrives on Tuesday, when Argentina and Algeria meet. The food verdict can remain unresolved; the football one cannot.