Here in Kansas City, barbecue isn’t just a meal we go out and eat when we don’t feel like cooking; it’s a way of life. And now, thanks to a fresh upgrade from Visit KC, that devotion to burnt ends and brisket can earn diners some swag.

The newly relaunched KC BBQ Experience, a digital passport program first introduced in 2018, is back with a gamified twist. When visiting a participating location, you can check in, earn points, and redeem them for prizes like hats, aprons, and bottle openers. With more than 100 restaurants included across the metro, the program offers a guided, but self-paced tour through KC’s sauce-slathered BBQ scene.

Signing up is free at VisitKC.com, and once you’re enrolled, you’ll receive a mobile passport you can use to check in at barbecue joints. Restaurants are

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