LTHForum.com

LTHForum Kansas City Restaurant Index

Sazerac made what I thought was a good suggestion to keep a running index of my Kansas City post series. I'm also trying to keep track of others' KC posts here too. Feel free to email or PM if I've missed anything.

Note: Not to take anything from the fine community here, but in hopes of invigorating a similar community in Kansas City, we've gone ahead and set up KC's very own LTHForum:

http://www.lthforum.com/kc

Feel free to join us there too if looking for local insights!

Visitor Q&A

I've started a thread where I'm posting info I've sent via PM or email about Kansas City in order to preserve the information. Feel free to post questions directly to the thread, or send a PM or email.

Kansas City Visitor Q&A

Food Posts

Goodbye, Chicago
Hello, Kansas City

By Topic
Breakfast
Burgers
Chili
Chinese
Thai
Mexican
Central/South American
Middle Eastern
Ice Cream
Cakes
Finer Dining
Doughnuts

By Restaurant
1924 Main
Aixois
Austin's Cantina
Avenues Bistro
Blanc Burgers + Bottles
bluestem
ChefBurger
El Camino Real
El Pulgarcito
Fluffy Fresh Donuts
Fritz's Chili
Grandstand Burgers
Island Spice Caribbean
Jerry's Woodsweather Cafe (2)
John's Space Age Donuts
Justus Drugstore
Krause Dining (Lawrence)
Le Fou Frog
Lidia's (2, 3)
Mediterranean Market
Mi Rancho Restaurante/Carniceria Tepehunes
One Bite Japanese Grill
Pine and Bamboo Garden
RC's Restaurant & Lounge
Rincon Colombiano
Smokestack BBQ
Sol Azteca
Souperman
Starker's Restaurant
Stroud's (2)
Succotash
Szechuan
Taqueria Y Marisqueria Silva
Tarahumara Mexican Restaurant
Thai Orchid
Thai Place
Tienda Casa Paloma
Town Topic
Westport Flea Market
Woodyard Bar-B-Que

Closed Restaurants
Hot Tamale Brown's Cajun Express
MelBee's
Torero's (closed, 10/07)
Delaware Café (closed, Fall 2008)
Poco's on the Boulevard (closed 2009)

Other Stuff

The Ethnic Enrichment Festival is each year, late August, and definitely worth a visit
Jim in Logan Square makes a weekend trip
stevez's trips (1, 2, 3)
Seth Zurer pays a visit
YourPalWill and Cathy2's excellent BBQ adventure, with lots of additional BBQ-centered follow-up (and the planning)
aviva5675's BBQ road trip from Chicago
Ursiform spends two days in KC with the White Sox

Growing Missouri wine
Late summer KC ethnic festival

Just Beyond
Lawrence, KS (1)
Excelsior Springs, MO

On the way from Chicago
Blue Springs Cafe on I-70

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LTHForum Kansas City

I'm wondering if BBQ can or should be included as a topic for the K.C. sticky. It seems like a natural candidate.
Thanks,
MKL

When last driving through, saw a french restaurant not far from the Plaza. Anyone know if it's any good?

Any forum advice on the best non-chain steak in KC?

People might tell you Plaza III, but man that place is tired.

Capital Grille on the Plaza is widely reputed to be the best steakhouse in town, yes, the chain.

801 Chophouse has a location in Des Moines and Kansas City (and maybe Omaha?) and I've heard it's good, though maybe a little dead at times.

I'm assuming you're looking for a steakhouse. Bluestem has a nice hangar steak on the menu, and I'm guessing places like Starker's or Room 39 do a pretty darn good steak. You might consider J. Gilbert's, also.

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LTHForum Kansas City

I would consider J Gilbert's first, if I was looking for a steak in KC.

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Steve Z.
Photographer/Pseudojournalist

"The only time to eat diet food is while you’re waiting for the steak to cook." - Julia Child

Main reason for putting J Gilbert's lower on the list is because of suburban location, which is not particularly convenient or attractive (the area, not the restaurant). I haven't had steaks at any of these places, however, besides Plaza III.

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LTHForum Kansas City

Are the hamburgers at Flea Market good? Want to get some advice on whether it's worth the trip there next time I'm in KC. Not much else going on in the Westport area, though I did like the ice cream place in that area.

Are you discounting Bluestem?
http://www.bluestemkc.com/

It's been a long time since I've been to the Flea, but I liked their burger quite a bit. Well before the fancy burger craze hit town, and pretty traditionally done. Big topping bar has some sad veggies, but the burger itself I recall being excellent.

bbqboy's suggestion is good too, of course...head to the lounge if you're not looking for multi-course fine dining. Korma Sutra is pretty good Indian in Westport. I like Murray's (the ice cream place) a lot, especially the chocolate flake fromage.

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LTHForum Kansas City

Wow Bluestem looks good. Completely missed this place when I was in Westport. We just strolled around during the day -- maybe it was closed.

Is it hard to get a table there ?
Will check this out next time in KC.

The ice cream place was really good and there was a Gelato place at the Plaza that I really liked a lot.

bluestem is in Westport, but not the part you'd happen across if you were just walking around Westport. It's also not open for lunch, lounge opens at 5, dining room at 5:30. It will be difficult to get a table through the end of April (Groupon) but usually isn't too bad, I don't believe.

The gelato place is Balsano's, which is moving downtown to the Power & Light District. I've not been as excited about it, but it's a cute place.

There's some excellent eating in KC, though not always easy to find, I'd be happy to help you out when you come to visit.

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LTHForum Kansas City

The Westport ice cream place you're referring to is probably Murray's. We used to go when we'd visit KC during the summer. Unfortunately, the only time I get there anymore is during The American
Royal Barbecue (too busy to stop in), and at Christmas (they're closed for most of the winter), so we haven't had Murray's in years. Good stuff though; worth making a trip.

Buddy

Murray's Ice Cream & Cookies
4120 Pennsylvania Ave
Ste 14
Kansas City, MO 64111
(816) 931-5646

You've got Beer Kitchen too.
http://www.beerkitchenkc.com/

Thanks aaron and everyone else. You guys are awesome.

Looking forward to another weekend in KC soon.

I also like STL but that's for a different thread!

I've had a nice meal here: http://www.kcpotpie.com/

Informal, good, solid.

Geo

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Sooo, you like wine and are looking for something good to read? Maybe *this* will do the trick!

Bye the bye, altho' the burger at theFlea Mkt is very nicely done, the bun is a disgrace. At the first drop of moisture, it begins to disintegrate. Wish I cou.d bring my own!

Geo

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Sooo, you like wine and are looking for something good to read? Maybe *this* will do the trick!

This is my first post to LTHForum/kc. I, too, am an old Chicago boy (1957-'75, '87-'96, '98-2000). Been in the KC area (JoCo) since '03.

I am very fussy about my pizza. You should know ... I never saw a "deep dish Chicago pizza" until I was well into my teens. I grew up on the SW Side, and all of the neighborhood mom-and-pop pizzerias served delicious Sicilian-style thin-crust pies. As tasty as a pan pie can be if it's made right, I still call that a "Chicago tourist pizza".

My partner and I spent a couple of years, trying various pizza joints around KC ... and were almost always disappointed. Then we discovered Papa Murphy's take-n-bake, paper-thin "DeLite" pizza. It's a good product. Two or three of your favorite ingredients, and you're on your way. Here's our special secret, though ... and this comes from a retired Chicago pizza shop owner I used to know: Add 1/3 cup to 1/2 cup of grated Asiago to the top of that pie, then pop that sucker in the oven and bake until it's golden brown and bubbly. The result will approximate the type of pizza I grew up enjoying. Of course, you have to slice it into squares, not wedges. I don't know why, but it tastes different.

We've also discovered a pleasant surprise: Our friendly neighborhood HyVee store will bake you a really fine pizza. In fact, when the weather is too warm to bake a Papa Murphy's, HyVee's Italian department is our go-to for a pizza that will hit the spot. They use a combo of tasty cheeses, plus good fresh ingredients, and a crispy crust.

We also like D'Bronx or Waldo Pizza if we want to go somewhere away from home and sit down.

going to KC this weekend for 1 night.

Have made reservations at Bluestem for dinner and Lidia's for lunch the next day (wife watches her show so wants to go there, despite the so-so reviews).

Saturday afternoon slot still open for lunch! Any suggestions folks? We like French but I see that le Fou Frog isn't open for lunch. Any other cant miss options? We are staying near the Plaza so something nearby would be good. Will probably skip BBQ this visit.

Thanks!

Talking to my buddy Rusty from KC (who's visiting now in Montréal), and we agree that Starker's on the Plaza would be good, but maybe isn't open for lunch. JJ's is a very good bet, we both agree (but the burger isn't the best); Grand Street Café is not flawless, but can be very good; Classic Cup is similar, but maybe even a better bet for their outside deck and certainly the best people-watching on the Plaza.

Geo

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Sooo, you like wine and are looking for something good to read? Maybe *this* will do the trick!

Classic Cup! Yes we went there last time in KC, also in the summer. Fantastic place to sit outside, sip a drink, and people watch! We'll probably go there. Hope the outdoor area is shaded. If not we may try some of those other places you mentioned. Thanks.

Classic Cup has the requisite umbrellas on the deck.

Geo

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Sooo, you like wine and are looking for something good to read? Maybe *this* will do the trick!

Back from KC.

We didnt go to Classic Cup. Ate at a vietnamese place in Westport instead (Sung Son). It was very good. We didn't eat the buffet but ordered off the menu.

Went to Bluestem for dinner. Was fantastic. Did the 5 course + wine pairings ($70 + $35 for that). The 10 course allows for smaller portions of all the choices, so you don't have to pick between options when you get the 5 course. But that was even more expensive for both the meal and wine pairings, so we passed on that. Well worth what we paid.

Went to Lidia's for brunch. Nice concept of breads at the table, buffet style appetizers, choose a dish that comes to your table, then go back to the buffet for desserts. $24 for all that which I think is a good deal. And you can make your main dish choice the pasta trio, which is unlimited so you can definitely make it cost worthy.

Next trip we're thinking about Aixios (sp?) french since it's so close to the Plaza, which is were we usually stay. We want to get something more cozy authentic italian next time, as opposed to the big space Lidia's, so would appreciate recommendations on your favorite italian place that fits the bill.

Is it worth crossing the river over to KC Kansas?

You don't actually cross over the river to get to KCK, but that sounds a lot more romantic/Springsteenish
so run with it.
Yes, if looking for authentic mex and yes if you want to hit Stroud's in Fairway or OKJoe's, Woodyard, etc.

Ive heard good thinks about OK Joes

Okie Joe's is my go-to place. Ribs, pulled pork sand, great fries and slaw.

Stroud's is "A" on fried chicken, "A+" on sides. Specially the smashed taters & gravy.

Geo

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Sooo, you like wine and are looking for something good to read? Maybe *this* will do the trick!

I have one problem with Stroud's sides: The soggy canned green beans. As much as it costs to eat a meal there, nothing should be served right out of the can.

Are you sure they're canned? Lots of folks 'round here prefer 'em soggy, actually. And I know for a fact that Stroud-type beans can be produced from decent frozen beans, having done so myself once. It takes a *lot* of simmering to make the water so hammy.

Geo

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Sooo, you like wine and are looking for something good to read? Maybe *this* will do the trick!

unless something has drastically changed, Stroud's Green Beans are fresh, just cooked til mush stage, in true KC grandma style.

I can understand how someone would think Stroud's beans come out of a can based on their texture. But taste is another matter. They have none of that briny, tinny flavor that canned green beans always have. I have seen several recipes and techniques showing how to achieve that mushy, Sunday dinner at grandma's quality which, I guess, a lot of people prefer.

Buddy