Blowin' Through Kansas City In April

B

BigBelly

Guest
Fellow Brethren and Sisters,

As some of you may already know I am moving from Maryland to Colorado during the first week of April. I have already mapped out my route and an expecting to only travel about 350 miles a day. Having a 7-year old, my wife, and my newborn son this 350 miles may sound short, but believe me with all the stops we go from 5.61 hours to 8 hours + of daily travel time.

One good aspect of this journey is that there is a Hampton Inn in or around each of my way points. I have been hand tailoring this journey so that I will have one night and an afternoon in Kansas City! The Hampton Inn & Suites Kansas City- Country Club Plaza is in the heart of Kansas City's world famous ''Plaza'', shopping, dining and entertainment district.

Here is a listing of what they say is available to me for dining.


Cheesecake Factory (no thanks, maybe for dessert for the kids)
McCormick & Schmick's (newp)
Houston's (Who, where, what?)
KC Masterpiece BBQ (interesting)
McDonald's (Tofu burgers, no thanks)
Odowd's Irish Pub (maybe if I can sneak out with the misses)
Plaza III Steakhouse (no)
Ruth Chris Steakhouse (over rated)
Tom Fooleries (Who, what, where, when, how)
California Pizza Kitchen (TK's and Big Mista's hangout)


Surly there are some places that are not listed here. I was thinking of trying to go to a few renown places like Danny Edwards, Arthur Bryant's, etc...

Come'on brothers, I know you know where the hot spots are! If I can I may take the misses out for a evening out on the town, throw a few back, enjoy the local regional fare, and possibly listen to some music: jazz, blues, rock n roll.

Please don't make me consult with the web or some front desk GSR to tell me where the hot spots are!

Help me make my little bit of time in Kansas City an unforgettable trip!
 
E, is there a Tippins close to there? Pies, baby, pies!
 
Cheesecake Factory is not about cheesecake. It is an upper line casual chain. McCormick and Schmick is a steak joint. Not a bad one in fact. Started in California eons ago, they even had a popular line of spices they spun off into a company. Ever hear of McCormicks spices. Same people (initially) I am not positive without looking, but Cue'lio went to Chicago and I beleive he ate their and raved about it.

That might be the original KC Masterpeice, which might be cool. They had a chain outlet here for a few years. Was okay.

Whats your route? You taking I80 accross? If so, you'll pass right close to Greg, Me, and Ron_L, relatively speaking.

Isn't there a Grants in KC? Food Channel Mod

Good luck to you BB.
 
Yes, there is a McCormick, or was, (not to sure with all this punjab off shoring we have been doing it might have moved) in downtown Baltimore Maryland and am very familiar with their products. In my youth I used to get all amped up when I smelled the garlic salt wafting through the air as I would enter Baltimore to go see an Orioles baseball game.

Bill, About 84% plus of our traveling will be on I70. Looks like TK was right, McCormick and Schmick appears to be a seafood place.

----------------------------------------------
McCormick & Schmick's Seafood Restaurant

Location Info:
448 West 47th Street, Kansas City, MO 64112
map | driving directions

Products & Services:
Food, Drinks, Soups & Salads, Meats, Vegetables, Fruits

Specialties:
Seafood
----------------------------------------------

There is a Cheesecake factory here in Baltimore Inner Harbor and am familiar with it. Well, I was up till I just went their website and see cuisine they sure in the hell were not serving when I was in their store 5 years ago. Looks good actually! After looking at that menu there will be no grips about taking the family out for din din's.
 
Nobody mentioned Gates - I know nothing about it except they have sauce and are one of the most famous BBQ joints in KC.

http://www.gatesbbq.com/
 
Or how about Arthur Bryant's? This is another KC standard - I don't know if Bryant's or Gate's still hold up their reputations but they are considered two of "THE" BBQ places in Kansas City.

http://www.arthurbryantsbbq.com/
 
DFLittle said:
Nobody mentioned Gates - I know nothing about it except they have sauce and are one of the most famous BBQ joints in KC.

http://www.gatesbbq.com/
Click to expand...

Thats it David.

I thought it was Grants.

And I stand corrected on M&S. Some reason thought steak. Maybe thinking Smith&Wollensky. I think I'm correct about the spice connection, or who knows.
 
I was wrong on the spice thing to. It was Lawry's The PRime Rib Cuelio ate at and it is their spice line.

Cue'lio said:
One evening I was wandering the streets with the kids in the stroller, and we were looking for a place to eat without any reservations. We tried the Webber place, but it had a 1.5 hour wait. It was packed! We walked past Lawry's, and we decided to give it a go. I was wearing jeans and a shirt, my wife the same, and my kids were cranky and hungry. They took us in and treated us like kings. I mean, not only was the prime rib out of this world, but the Manager (turns out she's from Minneapolis) took my daughter and son (and me too) to a tour of the place. It was an old mansion that belonged to a prominent Chicago family, and she took us everywhere in it. Then she took us to a small room upstairs, where they were having a private dinner. The chef had designed a meal to "match" a specific beer that the patron had requested. The executive chef was getting complements on his cuisine, when he saw us at the door and excused himself from his twelve guests. He greeted my son (1.5 years old), and my daughter (3 years old). Then he shook my hand and I told him that the reason my daughter was so excited to meet him (she was literally dancing in place), was that she really likes playing chef at home. Now she had met a real chef.

We were then escorted back to our table downstairs, and we sat down. A minute later the manager stopped by and told us that the chef had wanted Natalie to have his hat. My girl squealed in delight and we crowned her "chef" on the spot. By the time we left, she was jumping and dancing out of control - what a rush! She scampered up and down Michigan Ave. with her chef hat on her. She looked so crazy even the pan handlers didn't want to mess with her! :lol:

The folks at Lawry's treated my kids like royalty. They will get my business every single time I set foot in that town. Don't get me wrong - I've traveled the world, and I've been treated to some fine places - but when you treat my kids like royalty, I'm your new best friend.

I made a plug to my fellow conference attendants right before my presentation, and I encourage any of you brothers to check it out if you are in Chicago. It serves pretty much prime rib, and they know that cut better than any othet place I know (and I've been to Gibson's, the Chop House, Ruth's Chris', Morton's, Manny's, etc.). They carve it at your table, and you have the option of 7, 10, 16, or 24 oz of that delectable cut, prepared as you like it. The sides are decadent to say the least - the creamed corn I had was like fine candy, the creamed spinach was smoky with bacon. I treat for someone with an accute taste for smoke! The Jus and gravy - WOW is all that I can muster at this point. The horseradish preparation they had burned the hair out of my nose - a nice foil to the sweet rib! Man, that was good eats . . .
Click to expand...
 
What ever you do, do not go to KC Masterpiece. It is not good Q. Should just be called "KC Piece" as in POS. :(
 
Arthur Bryants would be your best bet. Located close to the Plaza area, in the heart of the city where all the old jazz places used to be (12 th street and Vine). May still be a jazz place or two still there.
 
I don't know if Bryant's or Gate's still hold up their reputations but they are considered two of "THE" BBQ places in Kansas City.
Click to expand...
Sadly both "institutions" of KC BBQ are now all about reputation and not about the food. Their food isn't bad, but there are dozens of Mom & Pop Q joints that don't enjoy that kind of reputation that have to deliver with food to stay in business. The one big name in KC that still serves great Q is Jack's Stack http://www.smokestack.com/article.asp?ai=121

Fast Eddy has just opened a resturant in the past year and I hear it is quite good. Can't find any info on it, but work with a friend of his and will get info soon.

BB, let me know dates and I'll try to avail myself when you'll be here. Would be my privelege to join a Brother for KCQ.
 
If everything goes as planned (I know, I know, now I have just cursed my trip) this leg of my journey will be day # 3, Wednesday April 6th. If my calculations are correct driving 350 miles from Marshall Indiana should put me in or around 33.6 miles from Kansas City.

Maybe you'll be free on a Wed. night KC, or any other brethren for that matter. If you are not free for dinner, but later on that evening, I am sure I can arrange to have my mother take the kids so that me and the misses can skip out for a weee bit. I know, I am traveling with my mom's. What can I say, I am a mamma's boy.

Wow, nice read, Bill! I too feel the same way about treating my kids like royalty and can only hope to have an experience like Cue'lio did.

Indeed, I had Aurthur Bryant's in my mind only because when you think of KC you automatically think of those kind of places. Hell, if you know where the mom and pop places are I won't even blink twice at folding some bills there. Gates looks good, but Jack's Stacks looks like it would fit the bill. I'd rather feed the small business owner opposed to the 'wannabe' corporate Juggernaut's. Not that either place is one but aiding in small business growth is a priority of mine.

the old jazz places used to be (12 th street and Vine)
Click to expand...

Great tip! I love local places steeped with local flavor and ambiance. I will be sure to make a point to toddle through that area.
 
Depending on what time you go through Columbia and/or want a pit stop I could meet you along I-70 somewhere. We're about 2 hours east of KC so it might be a good break with kids! Or if they're asleep then not! Otherwise I'll wave in the direction of the Interstate at the approximate time of your driveby :D
 
BigBelly said:
Here is a listing of what they say is available to me for dining.


Cheesecake Factory (no thanks, maybe for dessert for the kids)
McCormick & Schmick's (newp)
Houston's (Who, where, what?)
KC Masterpiece BBQ (interesting)
McDonald's (Tofu burgers, no thanks)
Odowd's Irish Pub (maybe if I can sneak out with the misses)
Plaza III Steakhouse (no)
Ruth Chris Steakhouse (over rated)
Tom Fooleries (Who, what, where, when, how)
California Pizza Kitchen (TK's and Big Mista's hangout)
Click to expand...

I've stayed in that area a few times and I've visited some of those places... Here's my 2 cents...

Cheesecake Factory - They are everywhere... Not bad food, but nothing unique.
McCormick & Schmick's - Already discussed. Nice place, pricey.
Houston's - Houstons is a chain of steak houses. decent food, but nothing special
KC Masterpiece BBQ - Already discussed.
McDonald's (Tofu burgers, no thanks)
Odowd's Irish Pub - Fun place for a beer or three...
Plaza III Steakhouse - Nice steakhouse, but pricey
Ruth Chris Steakhouse (over rated) You got that right.
Tom Fooleries - I don't remember going there...

For the KCers... How far is the Hereford House? Its probably overrated, but it a KC institution. Also, I've been to a decent Italian place at the old railroad station, which isn't too far. Can any of the locals remember the name of the place?

California Pizza Kitchen (TK's and Big Mista's hangout)
 
BigBelly said:
the old jazz places used to be (12 th street and Vine)
Click to expand...

Great tip! I love local places steeped with local flavor and ambiance. I will be sure to make a point to toddle through that area.
Click to expand...

Not an attempt at a hijack, but you sound like Rachel Ray, and she is Hot.
 
Also, I've been to a decent Italian place at the old railroad station, which isn't too far.
Click to expand...
Lydia's, the Lydia that does the italian PBS cooking show, one of the Fiorella's locations is right next to it. I've heard the food is great.

Not to pick nits but the Jazz district is 18th and Vine.
http://www.americanjazzmuseum.com/

The Negro Leagues Baseball Museum is also nearby, an awsome place to visit. If you're lucky enough to happen by when Buck O'Neal is there, the history comes to life. Buck is truly one of KC's greatest treasures.
 
California Pizza Kitchen (TK's and Big Mista's hangout)
Click to expand...

You fark JT - I haven't had farking pizza since I moved here in September. And I have never eaten inside a CPK and never will.

Anyway - back on topic - are McRib sandwiches in season? There's gotta be several hundred McDo's on your journey. :mrgreen:
 
kcquer said:
Lydia's, the Lydia that does the italian PBS cooking show, one of the Fiorella's locations is right next to it. I've heard the food is great.
Click to expand...

That's it! the food is great!
 
You fark JT - I haven't had farking pizza since I moved here in September. And I have never eaten inside a CPK and never will.
Click to expand...
Can't take credit for this one. Put your glasses on :D

McRibs - aren't those from the pigs that don't have bones?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

Gore
Top Ten BBQ Restaurants (my list)
2
Replies
31
Views
3K
PaPaQ
PaPaQ
Moose
  • Sticky
IN PROGRESS ---> April ***SPECIAL*** "National Garlic Month!" Throwdown (Entry & Discussion Thread) LASTS All Month!!
Replies
13
Views
2K
snadamo
snadamo
Headgear
White Oak, Finally!!!
2
Replies
29
Views
2K
bonz50
bonz50
N
KCBS Announces Rod Gray as new CEO
Replies
11
Views
126K
Smokin D@wg@77
S
M
Austin and Lockhart weekend
Replies
4
Views
572
markdtn
M
Back
Top