Skie

My 16-year old son and husband love BBQ and want to check it out in Kansas City. They want to have an "authentic" K.C. experience at the same time. So, does it make sense for them to stay downtown, near the river (maybe with a view), not rent a car, and mostly walk around? Or should they stay at one of the fancier shopping areas and drive to points of interest, i.e. Arthur Bryant's? Thanks for any help.

Patrick

Personally I prefer the Country Club area, which is very nice and lots to do. We ended up riding a bus rather than taking the car -- a hop on - hop off deal which also gives a nice commentary and tour. Downtown seemed to be deader than dead in the evenings.
My vote for best BBQ is Arthur Bryant's. I liked Gates a lot less.

PJK

This is a subject near and dear to my heart. Although I have not seen Smokestack written up as often as Arthur Bryant's or Gate's, it is my favorite. If you stay at the Plaza (which would be my recommendation as well) there is a Smokestack on Wornall at about 75th (approximately). The beans there are beyond words and if they are lucky, Thunder will be working and bellowing orders periodically. Be fore-warned that Arthur Bryant's is in a very "iffy" part of town. How about if you try Bryant's, then Gates, then Smokestack and report your opinion back to this board. KC is a great place to spend some time. Stay at the Plaza, and I think I would go ahead and rent a car. Public transportation is available but not convenient. Have fun. PJK

Patrick

To the unitiated "The Plaza" PJK mentions staying at isn't a hotel, but rather a nickname for Country Club Plaza, which is a pretty area on the south side of town. I'm not sure why I left off "Plaza" when I referred to it, as I forgot that seems to be what the locals use as its complete name.

And it sounds like I need to schedule a return trip to try Smokehouse. I keep thinking I'd love to go around Christmas when the Plaza is all lit up --- hmmm, better start planning.

zwho

Patrick, Its Smokestack and its very popular. There is one in the Crossroads district which is the relatively new hip part of KC that has lots of Galleries, restaurants like Lidia's , as in Lidia Bastinich has hers there. Its between the Plaza and spooky, dreary downtown. There are also some great bars where if you are over 30, you will still fit in. If you show up on the 1st Friday of the month there are 1,00s of people around. The galleries serve wine there are street musicians and KC goes from being a ghost town in the evening to a fun sophisicated city. Can't think of a better way to spend a Friday then dinner at Arthur Bryants and then the Crossroads. Stay on the Plaza. Can't tell you about renting a car. I live here and have no idea if there are buses that run regularly. I know you can't just hail a taxi. I know there is a tourist trolley, but KC is spread out and parking is easy and free and its easy to drive here.

Skie

Thanks so much. This is all very helpful.

Keith

Arthur Bryant's is only a few blocks from 18th & Vine where the Jazz Museum and Negro League's Baseball museum are worth a visit.

My recommendations for a cross section experience staying in the downtown and midtown would be Arthur Bryant's, Rosedale, Winslow's, Jake Edward's, & KC Masterpiece.

Rosedale is one of the oldest. I particularly recommend their sauce and ribs. Sit at the counter and watch the women quickly serve the huge numbers of customers without writing down an order for the whole experience.

Winslow's is in the city market. They make fresh sauce without preservatives every day or two. They have more smoke flavor in the meat than most. I recommend their wings. The City Market is a lot of fun on a Saturday morning and the Steamboat Arabia Museum is definitely worth a visit.

Jake Edward's is a favorite of many people. It is located just south of the Plaza. Be sure to try the sweet potato fries.

KC Masterpiece. The chain's flagship restaurant is out in Overland Park, but the one on the Plaza is also good. One of the best places for beef ribs, they also have good onion straws. I think this is a better upscale KC BBQ than Smokestack.

Keith

sfamylou

I never liked Arthur Bryant's personally. After he died, his niece was running things and some business guys came in and really pulled a fast one on her. I reported a story about it, and they picked it apart and threatened lawsuits. It was very complicated and left me with a yucky feeling. People swear by AB's, but I always preferred the food at Gates, L.C.'s, Lil Jakes (Lil Someone else now), and Smokestack. Just my $.02.

Skie

What would be a good way to view the Missouri River in K.C.?

weimer

Looks like I have a lot of bbq places to try as well.

My only comment on KC is it is a town where you have to have a car. Public tranporation is minimal and the airport (assuming your flying) is off the beaten path.

Keith

Gates food has never impressed me, and I get frustrated by their slow service.

Keith

Cyonara

Gates is good, but for down-home food to die for, go to Stroud's (two locations). Their fried chicken is legendary, with real mashed potatoes and cream gravy, and even the green beans are a treat there. They ask if you want your cinnamon rolls with your meal or afterward. Of course, you could instead just inject lipids directly into your arteries.

Stay at the Raphael on the Plaza, but be sure and ask for a Plaza-view room.

PJK

If any of you would like to read about what Skie refers to as "authentic" KC eating experiences, and bbq in particular, find Calvin Trillian's book of essays called The Tummy Trilogy. He writes about both AB's and Strouds. He is a great essayist on any subject, but I love to read his comments about his affair with KC food. When I finish making peach pie, maybe I will type an exerpt--or is that allowed on this board? PJK

sfamylou

Stroud's is to-die-for good eating. I've never met anyone who didn't love the food there, and that's saying something.

annieladd

Skie, my favorite BBQ is L'il Jakes. It is downtown about 13th & Grand. Try their Ol' Smokey, burnt end sandwich. As mentioned, not much Downtown right now, but they're in the middle of a revitalization program, so come back in a few years, and Downtown will be hopping. Stay on the Plaza, the Rafael was mentioned, and it's great, or you might try Sheraton Suites. Agree with others, rent a car. There's nothing much to see on the Missouri River. There is a bluff where you can overlook the river, it's just east of downtown, about 9th and a few blocks east of Pennsylvania. If they like art, there's two wonderful museums near the Plaza, Nelson-Atkins and Kemper. Enjoy. annieladd

sunbum1944

I just want to say that I live in Oregon - lived many years in KC and would give anything for some burnt ends for dinner- I be happy to have some from any of those restaurants
We dont have much barbecue out here - when I want it- I have to make my own barbecued brisket- but nothing like burnt ends!! Yum!!

PJK

Regarding burnt ends--from essayist Calvin Trillin: The main course at Bryant's, as far as I'm concerned, is something that is given away free (not sure that's true any more frankly/pjk)--the burned edges of the brisket. The counterman just pushes them over to the side as he slices the beef, and anyone who wants them helps themselves. I dream of those burned edges. Sometimes when I am in some awful, overpriced restaurant in some strange town.....a blank look comes over my face: I have just realized that at that very moment someone in Kansas City is being given those burned edges free.

No one has mentioned Winstead's hamburgers and frosty malts. There is a location on the Plaza. And then there is LaMar's Do-Nuts. It isn't far from the Gates on Linwood. Sorry I don't have an exact address. The building appears to be an old gas station, and it is across the street north from the Home Depot. Happy eating, PJK

annieladd

I don't think Lamar's exists any longer. And, unfortunately, Winstead's is not what it used to be (imo).

sfamylou

Winstead's probably is not as good as it used to be. But when I was there last summer, we had great burgers, shakes and lime aids. The kids and adults all were happy. It seemed as crowded and popular as ever.

Keith

Unless the new owenre have changed the hours, the Lil' Jakes is not open on the weekend. It was just open for weekday lunches.

Keith