New Kid In Town – Chef J BBQ

On any given day you are likely to smell the aroma of barbecue in Kansas City. The very fabric of the community is saturated with the intoxicating scent. Breaking the barrier to become a successful BBQ restaurant in this town is no easy feat. Chef J has learned this lesson as the new kid in town. Working out of one of the historic warehouses in the West Bottoms, his days are spent tending a smoker. Moving beyond the traditional First Friday weekend, you will find him serving up delectable dishes every weekend. Chef J BBQ, at 1401 W. 13th Street, is carving out [...]

By |2021-05-14T06:32:56-06:00May 14th, 2021|Barbecue, Kansas City, KC Dining|4 Comments
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Pops Of Color – Tavern In The Village

The end of a workweek is certainly a reason for a celebration. This particular week had been rather brutal, so it was an easy decision to add a Happy Hour event to our Friday evening excursion. We wanted something fresh and new, so plans were set for a visit to Tavern in the Village. Located at 3901 Prairie Lane, it can be found just north of 75th and Mission Road. We had only visited once prior and had been very impressed with their Happy Hour offerings. The food and drink had been tasty and we knew that a follow-up visit would add pops [...]

By |2021-04-30T06:37:19-06:00April 30th, 2021|American, Kansas City, KC Dining|0 Comments
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Fan Favorites – Sushi Karma

It's hard to remember how many times we have been floored at the idea of businesses launching at the height of the pandemic. We understand that once a ball gets rolling, you just have to see it through. Still, the idea of beginning during such an unstable market has to be frightening. When we spotted activity at an old haunt, we were anxious to see what would transpire. Low and behold, the old Chinese buffet was replaced with a shiny new eatery that is serving up some fan favorites. We were anxious to sample the menu at Sushi Karma. Clean Lines The new [...]

By |2021-03-19T06:05:06-06:00March 19th, 2021|Asian, Kansas City, KC Dining|2 Comments
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All Is Right – Va Bene Italian Eatery

It saddens us when we hear about a local business having to shutter its doors. Unfortunately, this was an all too common occurrence in 2020. On a positive note, there were many new enterprises willing to take a risk during those uncertain times. One that evidently felt it best to let 2020 pass by is Va Bene Italian Eatery, at  8232 Mission Road. Their solution was to launch their business on New Year's Day of 2021. With a renewed hope for brighter days, it is fitting that their name loosely translates to "All Is Right". We love their positivity and are hoping they [...]

By |2021-03-12T07:01:06-06:00March 12th, 2021|Italian, Kansas City, KC Dining|0 Comments
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Breaking The BBQ Barrier – Q39 BBQ

Breaking the BBQ barrier in Kansas City isn't easy. On any given day, the smoky aroma of barbecue permeates the very fabric of the city. It isn't reserved just for game days or the Fourth of July. Barbecue is the lifeblood of the city. The idea of launching a new restaurant in this atmosphere can be more than unnerving. So many have come and gone, while there are the standards that have stood the test of time. Every once in a while, new blood will rise up and challenge the hierarchy for a chance to join this elusive club. We traveled to Midtown [...]

By |2021-02-12T07:05:38-06:00February 12th, 2021|Barbecue, Kansas City, KC Dining|4 Comments
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Flavorsome Finger Foods – McClain’s Market

For decades, the McLain family served the locals in and around the Waldo area. Three generations of the family-operated this local bakery, delivering pastries, bread, and cakes to eager customers. There would often be long lines waiting for their chance to snatch up some of the goodies. When the McLain family sold the business in 2001, they made sure it remained in the hands of a Kansas City family. 13 years later the bakery would change hands again and is now in the loving care of the Hirlemans. After gaining the trust and respect of customers, they have been able to expand their [...]

By |2021-01-30T11:41:50-06:00January 29th, 2021|Coffee Shops, Kansas City, KC Dining|10 Comments
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Gaining Traction – Caribe Blue

Launching a new restaurant is challenging in the best of times. Having to face an unseen pandemic immediately after opening your doors has to be extremely daunting. Fortunately, Oreste and Geraldine Perez have what it takes to face this feat. Their new venture, Caribe Blue, brings the flavors of Latin Caribbean cuisine to the heart of downtown Kansas City, Kansas. Their launch in early 2020 happened right before the shutdown, but offering a robust carryout menu has helped. They have been gaining traction in the Strawberry Hill area and word is getting out in the rest of the metro. Gaining Traction The Strawberry [...]

By |2021-01-22T12:34:36-06:00January 22nd, 2021|Kansas City, KC Dining, South of the Border|12 Comments
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Folded Biscuit Bliss – Denver Biscuit Co.

When we heard that Denver Biscuit Company was coming to KC, images of fluffy mounds, covered in gravy, filled our thoughts. Little did we know, the reality would be fat stacks of folded biscuit bliss that would challenge our appetites. Our affinity for southern-style foods means that we love folded biscuits, although we never turn away the offer of drop biscuits either. Knowing that the company has its origins in Colorado, we were puzzled on how it decided to intertwine this southern classic into its menu. This would require a visit to their new site at 4144 Pennsylvania Avenue to solve the mystery. [...]

By |2020-12-31T06:11:20-06:00January 15th, 2021|Breakfast, Kansas City, KC Dining|8 Comments
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Tailgating COVID Style – MetropolitanKC

While many of us are happy to see 2020 wrapping up, there were still some good things that came out of this year. Our hometown Kansas City Chiefs have been sailing to another playoff berth. Since we are still finding a lot of lockdown situations, game time has become a home event. That suits us, since the best seats are those on our couch. Of course, that doesn't preclude us from enjoying ourselves, we have just had to learn the art of tailgating COVID style. Many of you have been with us for years, and probably remember when my old blog was mostly [...]

By |2020-12-18T07:47:39-06:00December 18th, 2020|Barbecue, Kansas City, KC Dining|2 Comments
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Tequila And Tacos – Drunken Worm

There are a few ways that you could describe the Drunken Worm. This hole-in-the-wall eatery looked to be barely there, from the street. Once we passed through the doorway, we discovered a cozy cantina filled with a variety of tequila and tacos. This Mexican cuisine destination sits at 1405 W. 39th Street and offers upwards of 70 tequila options. Sandwiched between an assortment of neighborhood nightclubs, funky restaurants, and unique boutiques, this place fights for the attention of passersby. Distinctive Decor Inside Drunken Worm, it's a little dark, much like we have found in cantinas in some of the Mexico border towns. After [...]

By |2020-11-20T06:26:29-06:00November 20th, 2020|Kansas City, KC Dining, South of the Border|2 Comments
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