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CULINARY EXPLORATION IN MISSOURI
KANSAS CITY
KANSAS CITY = BBQ POWERHOUSE
With a central location, and railroad lines running through it, Kansas City quickly became the countries meat packing powerhouse. So much availability to different meat, their regional BBQ became known as the most varied in the country not focusing on one meat, but using chicken, pork, and beef. Their distinctive versatile sweet tomato sauce developed over time to be used on all of the meat. Slide down the list below to see my favorite picks for the BBQ powerhouse.
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The Pig
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PIG'S PICKS
Where to eat sticky ribs, pulled pork and juicy chicken in Kansas City
JOE'S KANSAS CITY BAR-B-QUE
PIG SCORE: 4.0 / 4.0
WHAT: KANSAS CITY BBQ
WHEN: You crave the best KC in the country.
PRICE: $$
PAYMENT: Credit/Cash
MAP IT:
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WHAT TO ORDER:
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The Z-Man
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BBQ Ribs
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Burnt ends
WHY: Can you get truly great food in a gas station? Joe's answers that question, with a HUGE yes! This is by far the best KC BBQ I have had, and possibly the best BBQ. The line wraps out the door and around the building all day long for a reason. But it moves fast, and the ribs and meat are worth the wait. This is a American BBQ landmark worth a pilgrimage.
O'MALLEY & SON
PIG SCORE: 4.0 / 4.0
WHAT: A SECRET BAR IN CAVES
WHEN: You feel like drinking in Ireland for the night.
PRICE: $ - $$
PAYMENT: Credit/Cash
MAP IT:
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WHAT TO ORDER:
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Irish Whiskey
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O'Malley's Stout
WHY: O'Malley & Son is the closest thing to lifting a pint in Ireland that I have found in America. This is a Little known bar, about 40 minutes north of the city, but SO worth the trip. From the outside it looks like a wee little thing, but once inside the bar lies three stories below the ground, built in the old cave system from the local Weston brewery. They have live Irish music on the weekends. I wish I could go back right now.
FEVERE BAKERY
PIG SCORE: 3.85 / 4.0
WHAT: ARTISINAL BREAD
WHEN: Nothing but the best bread will do.
PRICE: $ - $$
PAYMENT: Credit/Cash
MAP IT:
1702 Summit St.
Kansas City, MO 64108
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WHAT TO ORDER:
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The Cheese Slipper
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Grain Travel Brea
WHY: The bread is superior to almost anything you will find in a grocery store. Come buy a loaf, some hand made cheeses and make your own lunch.
BB'S LAWNSIDE BAR-B-Q
PIG SCORE: 3.85 / 4.0
WHAT: BBQ & BLUES
WHEN: You want to relax with friends and BBQ in a no frills atmosphere.
PRICE: $$
PAYMENT: Credit/Cash
MAP IT:
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WHAT TO ORDER:
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Ribs
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BB's Lawnside BBQ King counter
WHY: This is where BBQ meets Blues. Two great KC traditions come alive in this little shack of a restaurant. Big communal tables where you can belly up next to a stranger and get messy eating some of the finest BBQ to be had in Kansas City. They've been serving up BBQ for over twenty years, and it shows in the quality.
DANNY EDWARDS BBQ
PIG SCORE: 3.8 / 4.0
WHAT: K.C. BBQ
WHEN: It's lunch time and you crave burnt ends.
PRICE: $$
PAYMENT: Credit/Cash
MAP IT:
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WHAT TO ORDER:
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Ribs
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Burnt ends
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Homemade pickles
WHY: There are a few establishments in KC that nail BBQ on all cylinders, and Edward Daniel's is one of them. This little establishment has been in business since the depression and you don't make it almost 100 years by accident.
THE PEANUT
PIG SCORE: 3.8 / 4.0
WHAT: SERIOUS WINGS
WHEN: You're craving the best wings in the city, maybe the country.
PRICE: $ - $$
PAYMENT: Credit/Cash
MAP IT: (multiple locations)
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WHAT TO ORDER:
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Chicken wings
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A Burger
WHY: The Peanut on Main street is Kansas Cities oldest bar. How old? Well it was a speakeasy, so it was around before prohibition was repealed. Plus I'm just going to put this out there, these were seriously great wings, probably the best I've had yet in America.
MANIFESTO
PIG SCORE: 3.8 / 4.0
WHAT: A SPEAKEASY
WHEN: You're looking to enjoy a craft cocktail in a quit setting.
PRICE: $$
PAYMENT: Credit/Cash
MAP IT:
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WHAT TO ORDER:
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Girl from Candiz
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Tempest
WHY: Where else can you go and pee in the same urinal as Al Capone? No where else, that's where. This is a cool quiet speakeasy in the back alley of a restaurant. A very cool place for a date.
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HOW TO GET IN: Find the address. Go around to the back alley, and find the back door to the restaurant. Walk in and ask to see Manifesto.
OPERA HOUSE CAFE
PIG SCORE: 3.7 / 4.0
WHAT: QUIRKY CAFE AND HANGOUT
WHEN: You have an afternoon to spend with a cup of joe.
PRICE: $ - $$
PAYMENT: Credit/Cash
MAP IT:
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WHAT TO ORDER:
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A fresh juice
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Coffee
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WHY: This is a cool coffee house and food emporium. This is a place that can easily help you blow a cold or rainy afternoon.
VIETNAM CAFE
PIG SCORE: 3.6 / 4.0
WHAT: VIETNAMESE NOODLE HOUSE
WHEN: Great late morning breakfast.
PRICE: $ - $$
PAYMENT: Credit/Cash
MAP IT:
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WHAT TO ORDER:
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Mi Do Bien - Egg noodle soup with mixed seafood
WHY: Maybe the best Asian I've had in Kansas City. This tiny little corner restaurant opens early for you to have your noodle fix for breakfast. So amazing and such a great way to start a cold day.
Q-39
PIG SCORE: 3.4 / 4.0
WHAT: K.C. BBQ
WHEN: You're looking for some chef driven BBQ in a hip setting.
PRICE: $ - $$
PAYMENT: Credit/Cash
MAP IT:
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WHAT TO ORDER:
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Smoked pork belly
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Burnt End Burger
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Angus Brisket
WHY: This is Chef inspired BBQ in a really nice atmosphere. Maybe a touch too nice for the Pig, but the food is top notch, and they have the best burnt end burger anywhere.
ARTHUR BRYANT'S
PIG SCORE: 3.3 / 4.0
WHAT: K.C. BBQ LANDMARK
PRICE: $ - $$
PAYMENT: Credit/Cash
MAP IT:
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WHAT TO ORDER:
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BBQ Sandwich
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The red drink
WHY: Maybe the most famous BBQ in Kansas city. Arthur Bryant's has been visited by presidents for decades. Established in 1920 by Arthur's older brother, Bryant's is considered one of the cornerstones establishments defining Kansas city BBQ.
STROUD'S OAK RIDGE MANOR
PIG SCORE: 3.3 / 4.0
WHAT: PAN FRIED CHICKEN
PRICE: $ - $$
PAYMENT: Credit/Cash
MAP IT:
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WHAT TO ORDER:
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Pan Fried Chicken
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Cinnamon rolls
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WHY: Ok, this is an old school local chain that serves American comfort food. But there are really only two reasons that you need to come here. The Pan fried chicken, I mean when was the last time you had real pan fried, not deep fried, but pan fried? And they serve AMAZING cinnamon rolls with every meal, this is close to crack cocaine. Skip the canned green beans, but induldge in the mashed potato in a skin
BLUE KOI NOODLES
PIG SCORE: 3.3 / 4.0
WHAT: ASIAN NOODLE HOUSE
WHEN: You're craving approachable Chinese.
PRICE: $ - $$
PAYMENT: Credit/Cash
MAP IT:
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WHAT TO ORDER:
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Chili Pepper Wontons
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Seafood Noodle Soup
WHY: It is just simple and delicious Asian, nothing too pretentious.
JOHNNY'S DONUTS AND BURGERS
PIG SCORE: 3.2 / 4.0
WHAT: THE CHEESEBURGER FROM YOUR CHILDHOOD
WHEN: You just want a simple, cheap cheeseburger that taste like love, and you don't mind going into a little sketchy area for it.
PRICE: $
PAYMENT: Credit/Cash
MAP IT:
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WHAT TO ORDER:
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Cheeseburger
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A dozen donuts
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WHY: Ok, so it is a little run down, and in a little sketchy neighborhood. But what it may lack in charm it makes up for in cheeseburger love. These are the simple cheap cheeseburger of my dreams.
WEBSITE: NA
