Kansas City & surrounding areas

[MidwestMan]

3 minutes ago, PortaJohn said:

Growing up in PA we were always taught KC was in Missouri.  Could've been a PA football obsession thing making sure we knew were the Chiefs were located.  I can vividly remember people getting teased for not knowing this.  But then one day I'm driving east from Durango with some buddies and we decided for the first time ever to take the dreaded middle route (rt 80 might be longer but not considered as stressful as rt 70) and low & behold we drive into Kansas City Kansas.  The joke of where Kansas City is took on a whole new meaning  

When I was teenager growing up in KC, Missouri, I knew exactly where the state line was.  Drinking age in Mo. was 21 and 18 in Kansas for 3.2 % beer.  Night clubs full of chicks from both Missouri and Kansas.  I had a 1970 650 Bonneville Triumph and the girls loved to climb on.  We wrestled some of the Shawnee Mission schools back then and I would run into some of those guys at parties.

[PortaJohn]

19 minutes ago, MidwestMan said:

When I was teenager growing up in KC, Missouri, I knew exactly where the state line was.  Drinking age in Mo. was 21 and 18 in Kansas for 3.2 % beer.  Night clubs full of chicks from both Missouri and Kansas.  I had a 1970 650 Bonneville Triumph and the girls loved to climb on.  We wrestled some of the Shawnee Mission schools back then and I would run into some of those guys at parties.

Sounds like some great memories.  Reminds me of the stories my dad used to tell me.  They'd cross the state line into Jersey (drinking age was 18 at the time) and he thought he was the man chasing the ladies with his 68 Camaro ss except when his older brother would show up with his GTO 

Edited March 15 by PortaJohn

[bnwtwg]

The best food in KC is from Night Goat in Westside (south of P&L district)

[CHROMEBIRD]

Country Club Plaza and Riverboat casinos. I seem to remember a restaurant with a little train that runs near the ceiling and drops off your food, but I could also be hallucinating.

If you really are going all the way out to Lawrence, be sure to grab a drink at Quintons with a sandwich and breadbowl soup.

[Tigerfan]

7 hours ago, CHROMEBIRD said:

Country Club Plaza and Riverboat casinos. I seem to remember a restaurant with a little train that runs near the ceiling and drops off your food, but I could also be hallucinating.

If you really are going all the way out to Lawrence, be sure to grab a drink at Quintons with a sandwich and breadbowl soup.

Yes, me too. The choo choo place was a great burger place right off the plaza. 

[KCMO2]

16 hours ago, CHROMEBIRD said:

Country Club Plaza and Riverboat casinos. I seem to remember a restaurant with a little train that runs near the ceiling and drops off your food, but I could also be hallucinating.

 

Fritz's is still there.  Crown Center across from Union Station.

[AgaveMaria]

Might get there early & check out Flint Hills State Park and the trails in the area.

Don't know if any early wildflowers will be blooming but the area is nice and a quiet place for a visit.

[Perry]

Jack stack is the best bbq spot in town imo but there's lot of good options on that front. 801 chophouse and majestic are top notch steak houses. Capital grille is good too if you're looking for a chain that is high end. 

[Dogbone]

On 3/14/2024 at 7:27 PM, PortaJohn said:

I've heard Wolfepack and Slaps are were the true locals go.  True?  Does it stack up with the more famous spots?  Living in Philly I've learned the best places are never on the tourist lists for cheesesteaks 

There are 100+ BBQ spots in KC so everyone likes to have a local favorite or specialty that some do better than others,  but the big names are very good.  Arthur Bryants is vinegar based and not like any of the others so it the most polarizing as far as opinions go.  Slaps is good but I would recommend Q39 or Joes KC to anyone.  Locals don't avoid them.   You might be best calling ahead and picking it and taking it your hotel or something as the as the wait can be long. 

Power and Light across the street will be very popular with bars/food options.  Within blocks they have the typical axe throwing or putt putt bars as well.

The Crossroads has a lot of breweries and local food options and that is only about 10 blocks away.

Westport is fine during the day.  I was there last weekend and no one will feel uncomfortable.    Don't hit it up after the evening sessions.

Antons is a unique steak optionthat I would recommend.  Not a stuffy steakhouse but its part of a butcher shop next door so they cut your steaks when you order.  So you choose the size and how it was fed (grass or corn fed). They have large tap wall with a variety of beers as well.  Usually you need a reservation but you might be okay since the sessions will end at odd dinning times (3 pm - 6 pm most days and after 10/11 pm).

[The_KC_Godfather]

A really fun place in P&L that we like is No Other Pub. I believe it's owned by Sporting KC (Pro Soccer Team) and they have big watch parties there, plus foosball, shuffleboard, cornhole, ping pong, etc.  There is actually a Sporting KC game Saturday night at 7:30pm, so I'm sure the place will be hopping if you head there after the finals.  They have good drink specials on game days.  Chicken N Pickle is also a lot of fun, and there's a Top Golf in Overland Park.  Main Event is also great (Dave & Busters on steroids).

I personally don't like Arthur Bryant's or Gates. Q39 is my favorite place and that's where I take anyone who comes from out of town.  Slaps is good, not great.  The Meat Mitch in the airport doesn't have the good stuff like the restaurant does; I love their burnt ends and Alabama white bbq sauce (neither were available at the airport location the last time we were there). Jack Stack and Joe's are our other go-to's.  We haven't been yet but have heard from friends that LC's and Char-Bar are legit.

If you're a breakfast person, Chaz on the Plaza is a must.  It's the restaurant at The Raphael hotel. If you're not opposed to raw fish, I highly recommend the norwegian benedict.  Dinner there is just "meh", but they have live jazz music on the weekends that is usually great.

If you're looking for shopping/souvenirs, hit up Charlie Hustle in the plaza.  Crown Plaza is also a fun place to walk around.

Edited March 18 by The_KC_Godfather

[jdalu75]

Can't believe that there are people trying to tell you that Kansas City is in Missouri and not Kansas.

Next thing you know they'll be telling you there's a Bristol in Virginia, not Tennessee.

 

[NM1965]

Just wanted to warn you guys not familiar with the KC area that you don't want to go south or west of the city too far. They have devil worshippers running around those areas. On the plus side they do produce some pretty good wrestling talent. 

[KCMO2]

On 3/18/2024 at 7:05 PM, jdalu75 said:

Can't believe that there are people trying to tell you that Kansas City is in Missouri and not Kansas.

Next thing you know they'll be telling you there's a Bristol in Virginia, not Tennessee.

 

KCK is the butthole of the midwest.  There's nothing there and you'll get shot.  Some of the surrounding areas like Olathe and Lenexa, KS are nice areas, but when you hear people talk about KC it's 100% Missouri.

[MinnesotaMustang]

BBQ Update:  LC’s was great. A little ways out of town, but worth it. Joe’s is mediocre. A little ways out of town, and not worth it. Jack Stack is good. More of a sit down place. Good vibe. Q39 is next place on the list if our buddies will let us.