Question:
My 12-year-old son and I are headed to Kansas City tomorrow for the NCAA
Wrestling Tournament. We're looking to have some great meals while there.
All suggestions welcome.
Answer:
1) We'll have access to the downtown area mid- to late-afternoon after the
morning session. We'll probably be parking at Union Station and taking a
shuttle bus back and forth. So either downtown or a reasonable drive from
Union Station would work for a late lunch / early dinner.
2) We'd like to find some take-out places that are open late (9:00 pm until
11:00 pm) for getting something to eat after the day's last session.
3) We're on a budget (who isn't) and prefer quality food to nice ambience.
Frankly, a BBQ joint would be preferred to a nice restaurant.
4) Jack's preference is ribs. I'm a beef-eater. Both of us are open to
suggestions for broadening our horizons.
5) We'll be staying in Lexana, so we'd prefer meals south and west of
downtown rather than north and east. But we'll have a car, so we can be a
bit flexible in the area.
Just a few blocks north of Union Station is Fiorella's Jack Stack. Best BBQ
in the US by Zagat's. And it is excellent. But not cheap -
http://www.fiorellas.com has an online menu w/ prices. If you can swing it,
it's worth it.
Further downtown, Little Jake's Eat It and Beat It at 12th and Grand. You
want a bbq joint? Little Jake's is as bbq joint as bbq joint gets.
For more the historically most popular, there are Gates (
http://www.gatesbbq.com ) all over town, and the original Arthur Bryant's
( http://www.arthurbryants.com ) 17th and Brooklyn is in the downtown
neighborhood.
There's also Winslow's on the City Market, on the north side of downtown.
The food isn't bad, but nothing to go nuts over.
As for the Kansas side, well, I'm from Missouri. No reason to go to Kansas
except to go to the race or burn Lawrence. So, I can't recommend these one
way or 'tother, but:
LC's at 95th & I-35 in Lenexa
Hayward's is at 11051 Antioch, Overland Park, KS
KC Masterpiece is at 10985 Metcalf, Overland Park
Boardroom BBQ is at Antioch and 95th in Overland Park
And, there's an Oklahoma Joe's at 47th and Mission Rd. KC, KS. This one is
in a convenience store, I think. I've heard good things, but haven't tried
the restaurant. Years ago, I ate Joe's food at a few contests, and he won
consistantly. I don't think he's tied to the name anymore.
Speaking of convenience, one of the well-known restaurants (I'd guess Gates
or Masterpiece) sells 'q at Kemper Arena. I haven't tried it there, though,
soooooo...
You might consider a steak at the Golden Ox, right up the street from
Kemper. I've never been disappointed by their steaks or burgers. But that is
the butt-ugliest decor in town. They haven't touched it since the 70's. But,
then, you don't eat the decor.
You also can't go wrong for a steak at the Hereford House, but it's pretty
pricey.
Have fun! I'd join you, but I'm going to Indy for the basketball tourney
(Bully for Old Mizzou!). Ask around - everyone in town has a preference, and
I doubt you'll find a soul not ready and willing to point you in the right
direction.
