Best of Kansas City?

Character filthy (like LC's) is good. Health-code violation filty (like Bryant's) ain't.

However, there is a filth-free Bryant's in KC, right inside the Ameristar Casino.

I will still take Gates (which has a filthy location of its own, down in Leawood.)

 

If you want character, go to Rosedale Barbecue in KCK, off I-35 on Rainbow Boulevard. Place serves RC sola as its primary drink, which should tell you a lot.

I loved working there. Nothing wrong with free lunches.

 

Writing Irish....

Gates.... It ain't even close. People like to go to Bryant's because of the "character." They feel like they're getting served BBQ in the 'hood. The food is very, very average. But if you want the "experience" of getting BBQ in the 'hood, go to Bryant's. If you want the best BBQ, go to Gates or Oklahoma Joes....

Strouds fried chicken is absolutely terrible. If you're going to 18th and Vine, you might as well stop at The Peachtree and get you some real fried chicken.

Bryant's and Strouds are tourist traps....

Looking for a little nighttime entertainment, stop at Kona Grill for drinks and sushi and then slide over to Blonde for eye candy and dancing. It's within walking distance of Kona...They're both on The Plaza... If you really wanna get crunk and kick it, slide over to NV for your dancing....

 

Eye candy at KC's clubs sounds like a great time, as there is very little eye candy around these parts. The Jabba-the-Hut-ish country gals waddling through Target in their "Looney Tunes Characters in Gangsta Poses" T-shirts don't really inspire in that regard. However, as I'll have my own lady along, keeping my eyes off of the generous curves of others in the vicinity will be my plan. It'll be difficult, but women seem to notice that sort of thing.

 

OK, where the hell is Gates? Again, in K.C. in February and I want some kick ass BBQ.

 

Arthur Bryants? Please. Sweet sauce stinks.

You want damn good BBQ? Go to Gates and get the gutbusting mix plate. You can't miss the Gates shout of "Hi, may I hep you" (and the subsequent helpless, lost feeling if you're a newbie and unsure what to do) if you're in KC.

 

As far as steak places, Golden Ox is no more as far as I know so it's Hereford House all the way.

For music - if you like rock - it's Davey's Uptown, the Grand Emporium or the Hurrican in Westport.

And check out George Brett's place on the Plaza. He has some cool memorabilia on display.

 

The one I go to when I'm in town is at Main And Linwood, I think. Whitlock knows that one, I'm sure. There's one close to the stadiums and one on Paseo, I believe.

 

I can second that. Great place to have a beer and look at all the cool stuff.

 

It's tempting. Very tempting.

 

As Pallister (and nobody else so far) said, check out the Jazz Museum, too. There is some fine stuff over there.

Also, it's not barbecue by a long shot, but drop by Dixon's Chili when if you have a chance. It's different, it's tasty and Harry S Truman liked it enough to have it served in the White House. There are three Dixon's, IIRC, one of which is a few miles down the road from Kauffman Stadium. There's also a dope little burger joint right down the road from Dixon's. Funny, can't remember what it's called.

Walk around the Plaza. If you want to chill in the afternoon and it's warm enough, sit on the patio at Starbucks. They built it around an old tree. Kinda nice to sit and watch folks walk.

And at least drive by The K. Still a great park.

 

You people are nuts with the Gates.

That sauce is the foulest-tasting stuff I've ever eaten. The best thing I can compare it to is the taste of the enchilada sauce on those really bad frozen Mexican TV dinners. I'm not joking.

If you want good barbecue, and you don't want Arthur Bryant's (which I enjoy), try these options:

Fiorella's Jack Stack — there's one on the Plaza and one in Overland Park
Smokehouse — there's one in Gladstone and one in Zona Rosa

I'll take either of those two over anything else mentioned on this thread.