Michael Weiss Posted October 21, 2006 Report Posted October 21, 2006 (edited) I'm in KC for a day - November 4, to play with Ernestine Anderson at the Folly Theater. Don't know where I'm staying yet, but assuming that it's near the theater, where's the best place to go for lunch (BBQ) and breakfast around there, and where to go after the gig? Edited October 21, 2006 by Michael Weiss Quote
BFrank Posted October 22, 2006 Report Posted October 22, 2006 freeforall should be able to give you some pointers. Maybe send him a PM, if he doesn't respond here. Quote
Eric Posted October 22, 2006 Report Posted October 22, 2006 Arthur Bryant's for lunch. It is close (not walking distance but short car ride). Definitive KC BBQ. There is also a Gate's close by that is quite good. After the gig, cross the street and check out the Blue Room! Quote
Rooster_Ties Posted October 22, 2006 Report Posted October 22, 2006 After the gig, cross the street and check out the Blue Room! Think the concert is at the Folly (Yup), not The Gem. (Do feel free to check out the Blue Room if you're so inclined, Michael, but FYI - it's a good mile or two east of the Folly.) Quote
Eric Posted October 22, 2006 Report Posted October 22, 2006 (edited) After the gig, cross the street and check out the Blue Room! Think the concert is at the Folly (Yup), not The Gem. (Do feel free to check out the Blue Room if you're so inclined, Michael, but FYI - it's a good mile or two east of the Folly.) Yikes, thanks for catching that Tom (I was thinking the Gem). The Folly is downtown - you will probably be staying there as well. Sadly, there is relatively little of interest downtown, either from a dining or entertainment perspective. Are you going to have a car? I would recommend it - KC is a lousy cab town. There are some worthwhile destinations in the Westport and Plaza areas, which are south of downtown - these places sort of replace our downtown for anything fun. I would still suggest either Bryant's or Gates for lunch, both are off Brooklyn, which is east of downtown off I-70. Edited October 22, 2006 by Eric Quote
Michael Weiss Posted October 22, 2006 Author Report Posted October 22, 2006 Bryant's sounds like the spot. Alas, no wheels. Quote
Herb Posted October 22, 2006 Report Posted October 22, 2006 (edited) I like Fiorello's Jack Stack BBQ at the freighthouse, a bit closer to the Folly. The Folly is at 12th and Broadway, just go south on Broadway to 21st, left two blocks to Wyandotte, and right one block to where it dead ends in the parking lot. www.jackstackbbq.com Depending on when your gig is over, you can go the north on Broadway to 8th, then east two blocks to Central and see who's playing at the Phoenix, it's open until 1 AM, and usually a jazz act. Invite me to your show, I'll give you a ride! Edited October 22, 2006 by Herb Quote
Rooster_Ties Posted October 22, 2006 Report Posted October 22, 2006 I like Fiorello's Jack Stack BBQ at the freighthouse, a bit closer to the Folly. The Folly is at 12th and Broadway, just go south on Broadway to 21st, left two blocks to Wyandotte, and right one block to where it dead ends in the parking lot. www.jackstackbbq.com My vote would also be for Jack Stack -- my favorite BBQ in town. Quote
Eric Posted October 22, 2006 Report Posted October 22, 2006 Depending on when your gig is over, you can go the north on Broadway to 8th, then east two blocks to Central and see who's playing at the Phoenix, it's open until 1 AM, and usually a jazz act. Good call on the Phoenix. There is usually a good, fun crowd. Another place (at the Plaza) is Jardine's which is ~ 46th and Main. Quote
Chuck Nessa Posted October 22, 2006 Report Posted October 22, 2006 Bryant's sounds like the spot. Alas, no wheels. They DO have cabs in this cow town. Gotta go to Bryant's. Not a value judgement, just a fact. Quote
Spontooneous Posted October 23, 2006 Report Posted October 23, 2006 Gotta go to Bryant's. Not a value judgement, just a fact. Correct. (Hey, kids, let's start another KC BBQ fight!) Quote
Rooster_Ties Posted October 23, 2006 Report Posted October 23, 2006 Yeah, Bryant's got more history, and by all accounts - it probably is THE place to go. I still like Jack Stack better. (I didn't say it was better, just that I liked it better.) Quote
Eric Posted October 23, 2006 Report Posted October 23, 2006 (edited) Gotta go to Bryant's. Not a value judgement, just a fact. Correct. (Hey, kids, let's start another KC BBQ fight!) Every day is not a "10" at Bryant's (Gates is more consistent), but when Bryant's is on, it is a 12 IIRC, the sauce has been described elsewhere in the forum, but it is distinctly orange and has the consistency of sandpaper. It is intoxicating You know the fries are gonna be good when you see the empty cans of lard out back ... Edited October 23, 2006 by Eric Quote
Eric Posted October 23, 2006 Report Posted October 23, 2006 They DO have cabs in this cow town. If you cannot catch a cab, you can always catch a cow Quote
Spontooneous Posted October 23, 2006 Report Posted October 23, 2006 And if you can't catch a cow, you can catch a cold. Quote
Free For All Posted October 23, 2006 Report Posted October 23, 2006 Every day is not a "10" at Bryant's (Gates is more consistent), but when Bryant's is on, it is a 12 IIRC, the sauce has been described elsewhere in the forum, but it is distinctly orange and has the consistency of sandpaper. It is intoxicating You know the fries are gonna be good when you see the empty cans of lard out back ... Eric makes several good points. When Bryant's is "on", it's outstanding. Even though I also like Jack Stack a lot, for me a big part of the BBQ experience is eating it in a "joint", not a "restaurant". I do have a weakness for Gate's sauce, though, and give it as a gift to my out-of-town friends. All three places have their merits, but Bryant's is arguably the most authentic "Kansas City BBQ experience" for someone visiting town. Plus, you can check out the jazz museum (such as it is) and the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum just down the street while you try to get the sauce out from under your fingernails. Fries cooked in lard are the best, you are correct, Eric. I mean, do you want to live forever? The guy serving 'em just grabs a bunch off a big pile and tosses 'em onto your plate. I call them "clench fries". IIRC, the Bryant's sauce recipe way back when had a significant amount of hog's blood in it. I expect they've toned that down a bit. Damn, I'm jonesin' for some 'cue now. Quote
Free For All Posted October 23, 2006 Report Posted October 23, 2006 I also love Rosedale BBQ. Now that's a "joint". Quote
Rooster_Ties Posted October 23, 2006 Report Posted October 23, 2006 I also love Rosedale BBQ. Now that's a "joint". Quote
Eric Posted October 23, 2006 Report Posted October 23, 2006 ... while you try to get the sauce out from under your fingernails. The guy serving 'em just grabs a bunch off a big pile and tosses 'em onto your plate. I call them "clench fries". Damn, I'm jonesin' for some 'cue now. Bryant's - it's not just for breakfast anymore!!! Quote
Eric Posted October 23, 2006 Report Posted October 23, 2006 I also love Rosedale BBQ. Now that's a "joint". There used to be a strip club right next door (back in the 80s). Nothing like chasing some great BBQ with a cold beer next to a table of ladies fortifying for the night! Quote
Rooster_Ties Posted October 23, 2006 Report Posted October 23, 2006 OK, what else should Michael do while he's here on Nov. 4th? I'll give this some thought myself and post a few things in a day or two. Quote
Stereojack Posted October 23, 2006 Report Posted October 23, 2006 I don't claim to be an authority on Kansas City cuisine, but as a lover of good BBQ, I looked forward to checking out the famous Arthur Bryant's when heading to KC about 20 years ago. When I got there, I was told by a number of the locals that Bryant's was strictly for the toursits, and that Gates was the real deal. We opted for Gates, and I will say that it ranked among the best BBQ I'd ever had. Recently I was given a bottle of Gates' sauce, and when it's gone, I plan to order more on line. Quote
Hot Ptah Posted October 23, 2006 Report Posted October 23, 2006 (edited) Bryant's is not strictly for the tourists. It can be inconsistent, but I agree that it is an experience not to be missed. When I first moved to Kansas City, I ate a huge meal at Bryant's, eating too much, and on the way home, made my first stop at the Music Exchange (sadly no longer available for Michael's perusal) and bought a Wes Montgomery album. I can't listen to Wes even today without feeling a powerful, but strangely pleasant, ache in my gut. Edited October 23, 2006 by Hot Ptah Quote
Rooster_Ties Posted October 23, 2006 Report Posted October 23, 2006 (edited) Bryant's is not strictly for the tourists. Total agreement. Bryant's is most certainly NOT strickly for the tourists. Anything but. (Well, at least not the original location a few blocks east of 18th & Vine. Isn't there another Bryant's at one of the Casinos?? ) Edited October 23, 2006 by Rooster_Ties Quote
Scott Dolan Posted October 23, 2006 Report Posted October 23, 2006 Wow! I never realized there were so many KC folks here! Great town. I still prefer St. Louis, but it's nice to be smack dab between the two. Quote
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