South of the Border

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 [...]

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 [...]

Living in the landlocked Midwest can limit our access to fresh seafood. Few places have the dedication to do the legwork required to keep this type of pipeline running. Fortunately, we have a delectable option right in our hometown. Jarocho Authentic Mexican Seafood is bringing the sea to KC. We have been advised of the merits of this KCK restaurant for years but had overlooked trying it out. Since we find ourselves taking a look at places closer to home, this one popped up on our radar. Getting the first impression of a new eatery from their takeout really puts them to the [...]

Living in Kansas City, Kansas means that we are blessed to have the best Mexican cuisine options in the Midwest. Our hometown is known far and wide for being the home to numerous taquerias (taco stores), carnicerias (meat stores), and cantinas (bar & grills). When you add in the panaderias (bakeries), you expand the list even farther. In and out of each localized neighborhood we have found favorites. That doesn't mean that we don't enjoy trying our hand at new opportunities. A visit to El Toro Loco offered a chance to sample some tastes at the western end of our city. We weren't [...]

Kansas City has become a destination for some of the best Mexican cuisine north of the border. All across the metro, diners will find an array of options, with dishes that originate from the various states in Mexico. Much like dining across the United States, each Mexican district has its own flavors to impart. We find that almost every restaurant we visit brings its own twist to the dishes they serve. A stop at Mi Ranchito Cocina & Cantina, at 5708 North Oak Trafficway, gave us a chance to savor a new to us local chain. We couldn't wait to taste some dishes [...]

Do you have that one dish that you just have to try, whenever you see it on a menu? For me, it is the Cuban Sandwich. Years ago I fell in love with this intriguing dish. Since then, I have tested so many varieties, that I have long since lost count. Recently, our friend Rebekah, from Visit KCK, clued us in on a new dining destination in our own hometown. When she told us that Chips & Coins was bringing Cuban to KCK, we knew it had to be sampled. We arranged to meet for lunch, at their 720 Minnesota Avenue location.  We [...]

Kansas City has slowly, but surely become a haven for Mexican cuisine. From the small Mom & Pop street taco shops of KCK to the larger chain restaurants scattered throughout the metro. It seems that finding a taco vendor is just about as easy as locating a barbecue. When Guy Fieri decided to jump into the market, many wondered what new twist he could bring to this saturated market. With all of his success featuring Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives, we found his new venture to be blurring the line between corporate and authentic. On a beautiful Fall day, we dropped by Guy Fieri's [...]

How many times do we drive past a hole-in-the-wall destination without even noticing? If we are being honest with ourselves, this happens to us more than we like to admit. A prime example is a small restaurant that sits at 210 S. 7th Street, in Kansas City, Kansas. Home to GG's Barbacoa Cafe, this diminutive diner hides the truth of the amazing dishes that can be found inside. A friend of ours clued us in on this hidden gem, and we could hardly wait to sample their plates. (Thank you Edgar Galicia for the solid advice!) We want to thank GG's Barbacoa Cafe [...]

Recently, we had a chance to experience the "Taste of Central" festival in downtown Kansas City, Kansas. This event offered participants an opportunity to sample dishes from a variety of restaurants that they may overlook on a regular basis. We have to admit that we are just as guilty as others of forgetting to showcase the cuisines found in our own hometown. While we still want to spread the love around our metro, we know that we need to remember the backyard dining options we have right here in KCK. Testing Tacos El Tio With a long list of Mexican cuisine options, we [...]