New Property Owners In, Old BKS Establishments Out

The Brookside Shopping Center is one of Kansas City, Missouri’s best-kept gems that sits nestled amongst century-old  residential homes. This popular shopping center has become a hub for small businesses and restaurants with deep roots in the surrounding community, contributing to Brookside’s signature charm. In recent months, however, Brookside business owners are facing some serious changes that have accompanied the recent acquisition of the shopping center’s northern-most properties.

A Recap

For years, Highwoods Properties, Inc. owned the Brookside Shopping Center. But it did not take long for the financially driven real estate investor that owns The Plaza, a regionally acclaimed shopping center, to re-sell the Brookside properties in 2003. After the string of shops North of 63rd street was purchased by Brookside Realty, small business owners continued to carry on undisturbed. Now, over a decade later, there is trouble in paradise.

Where We Are

In March of 2014, Brookside Realty closed a deal with First Washington Realty, Inc. Although business owners were assured that things would continue as usual, many merchants have felt the aftershock of the recent change in property ownership. And, it would be an understatement to say that this business transaction flew under the radar of many existing tenants and locals.

“Several merchants told KMBC 9’s Micheal Mahoney that they found (out) about the potential sale Monday when the current management brought a First Washington Realty representative to meet store owners,” a March article reported.

While many of the renters were surprised to learn the news, they were promised that existing property management would remain untouched, leaving shop owners largely unaffected.

40-year Old Ice Cream Parlor Forced Out

After cutting their checks to the huge property tycoon at the start of July 2014, massive changes ensued in just a couple of short months following the business arrangement. Exhibit A: Baskin-Robbins Ice Cream & Topsy’s Popcorn. This household ice cream joint has been on the corner of 63rd and Wornall Road for over four decades. Already, it has been forced out of what has become many locals’ home-away-from-home, in an effort to accommodate the expansion of Avenues Bistro. When the owner’s lease was up, his longstanding lease simply was not renewed. Despite owner Bob Ramm‘s protest, he was left no option.

‘“Knowing we are being pushed out by the neighbor is discouraging and I am somewhat surprised that the ownership group would throw me out basically,”’ Ramm reported to The Kansas City Star.

Fortunately, Ramm was able to re-open shop on the south side of 63rd street — an area under different property management. By mid-September, Baskin Robbins is expected to open its new doors in a space that now operates as Party Warehouse.

Find this disheartening? Baskin Robbins is just the tip of the iceberg. A handful of small shops that occupy the northeast corridors of the Brookside Shopping Center have already been affected. While some have been approached, other shop owners have found themselves being summoned to update their existing space or be forced out.

The Future is Unknown

What was once managed under a lax, neighbor-to-neighbor business model has now fallen subject to the mercy of the ever-expanding First Washington Realty.

With the wellbeing of Brookside’s very own businesses at stake, it is crucial that merchants and locals create a united front to protect what has always been a small business-based shopping center, created with an emphasis on buying and selling local.

Taco Republic – 500 County Line Rd, Kansas City, KS 66103

Taco Republic: In a Shell

It takes three to taco at Taco Republic of Kansas City, Kansas. This food truck-turned-brick-and-mortar Taqueria, made quite a splash in the Kansas City restaurant community. Having enjoyed three street tacos this afternoon, I can say the joint lived up to all the buzz.

After experiencing friendly service and delicious tacos, it was no surprise to learn that Taco Republic is a Bread & Butter Concepts production. While many restaurants would shy away from setting up kitchen in the nationally acclaimed BBQ joint Oklahoma Joe’s back yard, Taco Republic accepted the challenge willingly.

So just how are they doing?

If the full house that filled the indoor seating and overflowed onto the outdoor patio during the two o’clock lunch hour is any indication of business, it’s booming!

Off the Streets & to the Table

It is not just saucy BBQ meat bringing traffic to the otherwise lightly traversed County Line Road in Kansas City, Kansas. These street tacos demand attention (and a handful of napkins, too). With a menu full of temptations, it helps to narrow the list down to two or three selections. Our server advised this, so we could sample the slew of street tacos that inspired this Taquieria’s namesake.

After noshing on a bushel of chips and dip, it was time to make some hard decisions about which soft corn tortilla tacos I would sample. The verdict? Pork Pastor, Chicken Ortiz, and Camarones. From pork to shrimp, I was satisfied that all of my bases were covered.

The Juicy Details

With an approximately 15-minute turnaround, I had time to enjoy the special ingredients that give Taco Republic such an eclectic feel. From oversized fans to powder blue walls balanced by neutral textiles, the interior space is as aesthetically appealing as the tacos are tasty.

Another element that added a nice touch was the open kitchen that’s become a staple in many newer restaurants. Unlike some renditions I have seen, this open kitchen model didn’t interrupt the ebb and flow of the inside dining area. Rather, it seemed to be a natural transition from dining quarters to kitchen. It also lacked the pompous feel that a glassed-in or roped-off open kitchen can sometimes have.

Tacos Trio

PORK PASTOR

Pork Pastor novices and fanatics alike can agree that this taco is an absolute must. After bathing in a sweet pico de piña marinade and being sprinkled with cilantro, the tender pork concoction was wrapped in a warm corn tortilla. In just one bite, the juice that is sweet enough to be its own cocktail dripped onto my plate. Those seeking a street taco with robust flavor and nothing too frou-frou have found their perfect match.

CAMARONES

When I stumbled across the fried shrimp taco topped with pickled red onions, slaw, and — just for good measure — cilantro-lime aioli, I didn’t think twice about adding it to the mix. I was as pleased when the bright-colored hues that comprised the shrimp taco, breaking away from traditional fried fish variations, arrived.  I’m also a sucker for aiolis, because, well, they’re made of egg yolk deliciousness.

What came out warm went down a little cold, which was my fault because I was feeling full and sluggish after finishing my Pork Pastor taco. Despite the semi-cold shrimp, it offered everything you would want from a seafood taco. While this selection was tasty, I plan to sample the Del Mar, which comes complete with blackened Tilapia, guacamole, and pico next time. Although the garlic sauce addition seems a little out of place, I am eager to give the Del Mar a go upon my return.

ORTIZ

To complete my taco trio, I ordered an obligatory chicken item. I say obligatory, because the restaurant boasts about their wood-fired chicken. Although I avoid most poultry dishes when dining somewhere new, the chimichurri, grilled corn, caramelized onion,
sautéed peppers, and queso fresco ingredients intrigued me. However, what I hoped would offer bolder flavor seemed mediocre at best. The culprit? The diced and “marinated” chicken seemed a wee bit dry despite being blanketed with succulent ingredients. In fact, I didn’t taste much flavor when I forked a piece of chicken by itself. On my next visit, I would skip this taco and give the Mole or shredded chicken taco a try.

By the time I finished nibbling on all three tacos, I had forgotten about the two sides that are complimentary with a three-taco purchase. Before throwing in the towel, I mustered up the will to try a bite of the ranchero beans and cilantro-plablano rice. The rice was solid, although I would opt for black beans in the future (I like my frijoles soupy). At this point I was as stuffed as a Thanksgiving turkey and signaled our server for the check.

The Verdict

Taco Republic is as wonderful as its famous next door neighbor. It offers a fun indoor and outdoor environment, quick and friendly service, and a menu full of creative street taco combinations. Although I was partial to the Pork Pastor and Camarones, I will definitely be back to enjoy more offerings from the Taco Republic.

And despite my massive spread, which included a drink, chips and salsa, and three tacos with two sides, my meal rang in at just 13 dollars. You simply couldn’t ask for a more fairly priced meal.

My final bit? Limit it to two tacos and skip the sides; less is more.

Cruzroom- 2338 NE Alberta Street, Portland, OR

The Cruzroom, home to the “Portland Taco”, came highly recommended by two local friends and foodies.

In true Portland style, the Cruzroom tacos offer a motley of flavor, spices, and ingredients, breaking preexisting taco boundaries. The only traditional thing about these tacos is the fact that their decadent insides are wrapped in a soft flour tortilla–everything else is out the window.

As instructed, my hungry travel companion and I hit up the joint for happy hour–a must for Cruzroom novices. The tacos are on special for a discounted rate of two dollars and what’s cheap in cost, is extremely rich with flavor!

As we looked over the large selection of tacos, I ordered a drink with their house infused vodka. I was sold, almost entranced, the minute I sat down and saw the large tub of fruit soaked booze that was dimly lit by the lights of the bar. Suddenly, I was thirsty.

Two drinks later I was giggling at the raunchy name of The Red Rocket taco and bobbing to the bartender’s epic playlist. I was borderline tipsy, but finally ready to make my selection. And yes, The Red Rocket made the cut.

Two Fugee songs later, my platter of handcrafted tacos arrived. I began by sampling The Red Rocket. The pork butt was tender and seasoned in a spicy curry sauce that was accented by a tasty cilantro-lime slaw.

Next up, The Broken Bean. This taco is sure to hush all the naysayers who don’t think vegetarian dishes can compete with their carnivore counterparts. Filled with a generous serving of black beans, a personal favorite, corn and Halloumi cheese, this taco was an obvious choice. As a cheese enthusiast I was pleased to discover this winner. The crunchy cheese shell oozed gooey goodness when I sunk my teeth into the taco. All at once, the chipotle salsa seeped through my tortilla and into my mouth–a true indulgence.

Last, but not least, The Jerk. Still unsure about the name, but pleased nonetheless, this taco pays tribute to an Asian sweet and spicy dish. The mango slaw and cilantro provide a unique blend of flavor, though. Never have I ever had such a one of a kind taco.Between the artisan drinks and the assorted tacos, the Cruzroom lived up to its high expectations and provided a real Portland food experience. The dim, romantic lighting, cool interior and smooth tunes are just added bonuses. Enjoy!

 

 

Magnolias- 2932 Cherry Street KC, MO

Magnolias was the perfect way to wind down a low-key weekend. The healing powers of this comfort food are undeniable– by the end of my meal I had made a full recovery from my Halloween induced ailments and sleep deprivation from the previous week. I think the secret was in the warm syrup the filled my insides, making me happy from the inside out, but there was definitely something more to Magnolias.

I had been pining away for their signature red velvet waffles for over a year a now. I first read about Magnolias in The Pitch last winter, when they named it one of Kansas City’s best breakfast spots. I LOVE breakfast, and couldn’t believe I hadn’t been here yet! When they raved about the red velvet waffles I knew there was no turning back. Once I tasted this forbidden fruit, I would never again be satisfied by the predictable mediocrity of First Watch.

I’ll be honest, I had been planning this trip to Magnolias for about four days. I decided to go Sunday, because it would no doubt be the highlight of this uneventful weekend…which was fine by me. I wanted this dining experience to be perfect, so I took all of the appropriate precautions– I called in advance to make sure they weren’t too busy, as it was a Sunday and I presumed everybody would be as excited for waffles as me, I google mapped the address, and I even pulled the menu up for the short hike downtown.

After working up an appetite and nagging my boyfriend out the front door, we were on our way. I was on the road, Cowgirl In the Sand came on Pandora radio, and it was a crisp, sunny fall morning…things were off to a great start!

We bobbed and weaved throughout the eastern blocks of Kansas City and finally arrived after missing the spot three times! (Let it be noted that I was not driving.) We pulled up and parked across the street, because there aren’t more than two spots of available public parking– Magnolias sits in a great little midtown neighborhood, so parking in front of somebody’s house is to be expected.

I led the way and walked straight in, only to sit right down at the first available table that was perched in the front window. We were the only other table in our section, so we had out sever’s undivided attention- an added bonus!

After getting situated, our server brought over a pitcher of ice water and asked if we wanted anything else to drink. My boyfriend inquired about some milk and I ordered some orange juice-my favorite breakfast drink. The orange juice was freshly squeezed and came with a slice of orange and strawberry on the rim. These fruit wedges made for a nice presentation and a good little snack as we waited for our food, too.

As planned, I ordered the Red Velvet Waffles Evangeline and my boyfriend ordered the Morning After sandwich. We waited patiently for our food as the table next to us slowly began to get their order. I eyed the red velvet waffles that the girl one table away had also ordered and could hardly contain my excitement-they looked even better than I had imagined!

Waiting for any other breakfast meal would have been okay, but waiting for this food was a painful experience. I had seen what I was missing out on, and now time was moving slower than before.

After what seemed like the
longest wait ever, which was really only about thirty minutes, our plates arrived.

I thought I had died and went to food heaven once I learned that the fluffy, white topping that covered my waffles was a cream cheese concoction of sorts… as it should be. I had officially reached the point of no return as I added a splash of warm maple syrup to my first bite, thinking, “why not?” I mean it is not all that often that you have red velvet waffles with whipped cream cheese AND maple syrup.

The syrup and cream cheese filled in the waffle’s square grid, and slowly but surely, the little squares disappeared, leaving behind a sugary pool.

While they were still warm, I moved onto my eggs, prepared over easy, and bacon. As I punctured the egg’s center, the yolk ran onto my plate and the strips of peppered bacon floated in a sea of yellow. The bacon was thick and prepared to a crisp–just how I like it.

One table over I heard a group of vegetarians discussing the woes of living in Cow Town. “It’s like this city is all about meat,” one remarked. “Damn straight,” I muttered as I lifted my strip of bacon to cheers them.

Upon finishing my lot of the plate, I looked up to check my boyfriend’s progress with his sandwich. He had finished his eggs and half of the sandwich, and in unison, we traded plates.

I could have left Magnolias completely satisfied, but instead I indulged in a few bites of the herb cheddar biscuit topped with hefty slices of ham, spinach leaves, a fried egg, and a Dijon spread. The ingredients were great, but collectively the sandwich seemed a tad dry.

Thankfully, I had some OJ to wash the dry biscuit down. On the flip side, this dish was served with sweet potato house chips that were lightly salted. The purple hued coins were as visually appealing as they were tasty. In fact, I would have substituted them for my other side of potatoes.

The Red Velvet Waffles Evangeline were reasonably priced and rang in at just under ten dollars; however, the Morning After seemed to have a steep price, considering the much smaller size of the dish.

Next time I come I’ll definitely get the Red Velvet Evangeline Waffles, but I would skip the Morning After. There are a number of items I am already itching to try. Like the Smoked Gouda Mac and Cheese or the Deviled Eggs Trio for instance. Can’t wait for my next visit to Magnolias!

 

Bo’Lings-4701 Jefferson St, Kansas City, MO

If you live in Kansas City than you probably know that Bo’Lings has the best local Chinese food. I could just post my pictures and not even write this blog, but instead, I am going to go on and on about the number of choice entrees, sides, and desserts offered.

I first developed a love for Bo’Lings a decade ago when my family and I began dining here. Bo’Lings was where we went to celebrate good report cards, basketball wins, and all of life’s other small triumphs. For every victory we went in to celebrate, we came left with another. This evening, I’ll share their winningest dishes.

My go-to entrees include the Gong Bao or General Tso’s Chicken. Although I’ve been ordering General Tso’s for years, I am still not sure how to pronounce it. In fact, it’s become a much debated dinner topic every time I order, “the General Zowws please.”

I opted for the General Tso’s upon my most recent visit, because it is a solid chicken dish that is shareable with most second parties. This entree comes with steamed broccoli, your choice of rice, and a generous serving of all-white chicken covered in a thick, sweet sauce. A few red peppers, garlic, and notes of ginger add just enough flavor to make this taste more complex than your average sweet and sour chicken, though.

This plate generally includes larger pieces of chicken with a slightly crunchy shell. Although this item comes with broccoli, if you ask your server nicely it can (and should) be replaced with Sichuan style green beans. These briny greens taste great with a forkful of chicken, but have a glass of water in hand, because the salty aftertaste can dry your pallet.

An equally salty, but perhaps more interesting choice, is the Gong Bao chicken. I recently cultivated a liking for the spicier peanut sauce that dominates this dish, as I found that it really brings my tastebuds to life. Each time I order this entree (which is 50% of the time I eat Bo’Lings) I make sure to accompany a sliced peanut with each small, popcorn-sized bite of chicken. As I’ve mentioned before, I like small things and I feel obliged to say that this may or may not be a contributing factor as to why I love this dish.

Another, more valid reason, to order the Gong Bao is its “heat”. Upon digestion this meal leaves my stomach feeling warm and satisfied, a sensation akin to taking a shot of Sake. Those seeking a twist on an everyday meat should try the Gong Bao.

Now that I’ve specified the two best entrees on the menu, I’ll share my favorite appetizers with you. Crab Rangoon is a must, unless you don’t like creamy crab stuffed inside a breading that’s fried to golden perfection. If you have any objections with this Chinese classic, than don’t bother reading on because the appetizers are about to become more fried.

The pan-fried pork dumplings another insanely scrumptious appetizer. This plate includes eight plump, pork-infused fried potstickers and about a cup of house soy-vinegar sauce. Soy sauce is a great way to compensate for mediocre dumplings, but these pork-stuffed wrappers are far from it! This menu item really stands out, so much so, that I’ve actually ordered them as an entree before.

For those seeking a lighter appetizer, I would recommend the egg drop soup or the springs rolls. Egg drop soup is always a safe bet and, as long as you have another glass of water, you will finish this soup satisfied and not completely parched.

The spring rolls offer a mix of vegetables and rice noodles rolled in a thin rice skin. This appetizer is served cold, but they’re refreshing amongst all of the other heated menu items.

If you have taken my advice, and loaded up on all of these carbohydrates, then find some room for dessert. While there are a number of rich, classic desserts to choose from, I would opt for one of their hand-crafted cupcakes. The recently revamped Plaza location has two pastry cases filled with ornate, pastel-colored cupcakes that greet you at the entrance. These are as cute as they are tasty and, after much debate, I finally took two- a Dutch chocolate and a Chinese coconut- cupcakes home…and shared them, of course. Both were delectable; however, the coconut was a personal favorite.

Believe it or not, the service is as great as the food. If you have the time, or have never had Bo’Lings, I advise dining in and enjoying the ambiance. The servers always move at your pace and never distract from the cool, new decor, food, or enthralling conversation that you and your dinner date are having no doubt. Carry out is a good option if you’re in a hurry, but I should tell you that, thanks to one dedicated sever, I have dined in and been out the door in less than thirty minutes.

 

Chelly’s Cafe-218 W 85th Street Kansas City, MO

Due to its obscure location, Chelly’s Cafe remains one of the Waldo neighborhood’s best kept secrets…if you like Mexican music and food that is. The cafe lies hidden behind tinted windows amongst a string of shops that sit just off of Wornall Road.

Most Kansas City natives head downtown to the “The Boulevard” for Mexican food, but Chelly’s is the spot if you enjoy quality Mexican. I use the term “quality” loosely in this context, as I feel that most middle-of-the-mappers (myself included) haven’t truly experienced authentic Mexican cuisine. Taco pizza and fiesta burgers aren’t exactly traditional Mexican dishes after all.

Chelly’s name, along with a few menu items, are clear indicators that the restaurant strives to provide good, marketable products, rather than authentic food. It’s unlikely that Queso de Blanca, for example, is a household staple in Mexico. Lack of authenticity aside, the meat, seafood, veggies, and salsa taste fresh from la concina de su madre!

Chelly’s signature salsa is what kept me coming back. It is the only local salsa, aside from my neighbor’s homemade garden salsa, that doesn’t taste like taco sauce. Every dollop explodes with onions, peppers, tomatoes, and traces of cilantro. The cilantro, a much loved or disliked ingredient, is the star of this salsa blend.

Since my taste has evolved (or “I’ve grown the h$@l up,” as my close friends would say) I’ve become obsessed with their fajitas. The menu item’s name doesn’t do this dish justice, though. Perhaps a better a name would be “the MUST have trio sizzler “.

“The MUST have trio sizzler” comes in other varieties, such as plain old pollo or carnitas, but who would mess around with just one choice when you can enjoy a mouthful of chicken, steak, annnnddddd shrimp in every bite.

I heard my food before I first saw it. After the sizzling fajitas arrived I leaned over my steaming hot plate, that practically opened my pores, and took in the sweet aroma of the onions and peppers that enveloped the pink carnitas.

A moment later our usual waiter, and by “usual” I mean the very hospitable man who always seats, serves, and spoils us, delivered three warm flour tortillas wrapped in foil. Since we always order fajitas our sever, always one step ahead of us, was already retrieving a few more tortillas.

The fajita portions are huge. In fact they are so large that they could probably feed a family of four or, in this instance, two very hungry individuals.

After strategically placing a slice of steak and chicken on either side of a shrimp, I topped my tortilla with lettuce and cooked veggies. A pinch of Monterey Jack cheese and a teaspoon of sour cream and Guacamole were the final touches. And a scoop of their signature salsa, too, of course.  I neatly rolled up the sides of my tortilla and sunk my teeth into the tender skin of the shrimp. The next bite divulged two thin strips of pink steak and sliced onions. Two tortillas later, my belly was full and warm. Suddenly, I could feel a comatose sleep coming on..

I immediately sunk back into the comfort of my booth and took in the traditional Mexican music that filled the room. The guitar player and singer had been playing throughout the entire meal and had I not been so engrossed in my plate of food I hadn’t even noticed. Thankfully, my more observant date had been listening all along and picked up on the curious commentary the singer made throughout our meal. Between each romantic guitar number the singer awkwardly leaned into the microphone and in a raspy, almost seductive voice he whispered, “Thank you. You are dining at Chelly’s”. The singer repeated this three or four times before I burst into tears laughing. “Well clearly we are dining at Chelly’s,” I thought, “We drove here.” While the guitar and vocals were enjoyable, I could have done without the commentary.

My laughter got the attention of our server and he promptly delivered our check. For twenty dollars I had enjoyed two heaping tortillas, a box of leftover fajitas, live music, and about five minutes of belly-aching laughter.

New York Dawg Pound-7702 Shawnee Mission Pkwy

The New York Dawg Pound is home to cased meats, hoagie buns, and toppings that pile sky-high. The graffitied walls of “the pound” playfully mimic an urban street scene and are found in the most unlikely location-Overland Park, Kansas.

The New York Dawg Pound is a long ways from New York City, but these hotdogs, polish sausages, and bratwursts are the real deal! These aren’t the weak store bought hotdogs and brats that most Midwesterners are accustomed to. These are the tough skinned brats that call for a little help from the canines-teeth that is.

When my dad called me to ask if I was free for lunch I instinctively said yes. I happened to be free, but had I had plans I would have rearranged them, because I knew where we were eating lunch. The New York Dawg Pound had been on our minds since the other day when, naturally, the topic of where to acquire good cased sausages was raised. After agreeing that Quick Trip has a solid gas station hotdog we simultaneously looked at each other and said, “what about that one place?”

“That one place” was the New York Dawg Pound. Like me, my dad loves a good dog and had sniffed the place out a few years ago. I had the pleasure of going here this year and had wanted to go back for a few months now.

Upon my last visit I had a hotdog of sorts. They called it the “Philly Cheese Dawg”, because it was dressed with onions, jalapeños, and cheese. This was an excellent choice, in spite of my incident with the onions.

Since I had never been here before, I was unfamiliar with their toppings. When the menu said that the hotdog had onions they meant it. In fact, it had seemed like I had a whole chopped onion on my hotdog. I like onions as much as the next guy, but this was a bit much. Hotdogs are a finger food, so I went ahead and slid two thirds of the onion off with my fingers. MISTAKE! For the next day my hands reeked of onion. So much so, that when I washed my face later that night my eyes practically watered.

This time around I knew what to expect and ordered cautiously. It’s summertime and I wanted a good ole brat, so I went ahead and ordered one with,”the teensiestbit of onions, a few jalapeños, and a dash of spicy mustard.” In moderation these toppings added a nice touch.

My dad, the classic man that he is, ordered a polish sausage with spicy mustard and sauerkraut. Simple as that. After sitting down at a table we raised our buns, made a toast of sorts, and took our first bites. Yummm-EEE!

The thick casing of my brat gave away and the juicy pink meat surfaced. As I swallowed, the spicy mustard and jalapeños lingered, igniting a heat wave that flushed my cheeks. The large hoagie bun cradled the hefty bratwurst and toppings. It took both of my small hands to support everything, but I was enjoying myself so much that it didn’t seem like a task.

My dad, a seasoned sausage eater, seemed to be doing well too. His only complaint-“it seemed less spicy than last time.” He couldn’t have been that disappointed though, because he refused the few jalapeños I offered him.
My last bite filled the remaining space in my stomach and I was very satisfied with this experience. I even had the onion-free hands to prove it!

Although my dad and I opted for a more traditional route, the New York Dawg Pound has a plethora of toppings. Some dogs even come with peanut butter. While this wouldn’t be my first choice, it may appeal to the more adventurous types.

The other thing that really appealed to me was the bun. This thick hoagie is great for people who don’t like to get too messy with their finger food. The bun was big enough that I finished with no spicy mustard on my fingers and used one measly napkin throughout the entire meal (a record low for an otherwise messy food). New York Dawg Pound was as affordable as it was tasty, but they really won points for their delicious, mess-free buns!
———————————————

•a low 2 on the messy meter
•$

Kitty’s Cafe-810 E. 31st Street KC, MO

Kitty’s Cafe breakfast sandwiches are evidence that big things can come from small places. This hole-in-the-wall cafe is essentially a kitchen with a tiny bar for about three people to sit comfortably, although it’s not uncommon to see more people try to squeeze in.

Kitty’s is one of the best kept secrets in town, but we were fortunate enough to have Chris, a friend who worked around the corner at his dad’s car shop, let us in on the know. Having heard rave reviews about the breakfast sandwiches, burgers, and the much celebrated pork tenderloin sandwich we set out one morning for breakfast. After overshooting the place twice, we finally pulled up in front of the motley sign that read “Kitty’s” and a lit up OPEN light that sat in a window behind burglar bars. This place wasn’t exactly charming, but the smell of bacon that wafted through the front door sure was inviting.

Having arrived at eleven, the small counter space was full with a breakfast and lunch crowd. I ordered the bacon, egg, and cheese sandwich, but wasn’t reassured by my choice after reading the sign on the wall about Kitty’s disregard for cholesterol. YIKES I thought, this is going to be sinfully delicious.

After five minutes of shuffling from the doorway to the few feet of unoccupied space between the the counter and bar top Charlie, the owner and chef, called our order. Although my sandwich was masked behind a white wrapper, I was shocked by it’s weight in my hand.

Two spots miraculously cleared up and we crammed into what felt like the world’s smallest bar. As I sunk down into the stool, my chin arrived just a few inches above the table top. Either I was short, or this bar was meant for giants. I was consoled when I looked over to my six foot seven inch boyfriend and saw that he was sitting comfortably.

After undoing the white wrapper I revealed the largest breakfast sandwich, or sandwich of any sorts, I have ever seen in person. This thing was huge, but believe it or not, my boyfriend’s bacon, sausage, egg, and cheese sandwich was even larger. That thing looked like something from the Man Versus Food show. Wow!

I didn’t know how to even attempt eating something of that size. Every dentist and oral surgeon I’ve seen have been shocked by the small size of my mouth. It’s not freakish looking or anything, but apparently it’s “small” for an adult…whatever that means. Perhaps that’s why I prefer miniature utensils though?

I decided to attack from a corner piece that I had smushed down to the best of my ability. The mouthful of thick bacon, toasted wheat bread, fluffy eggs, and melted cheese was salty and savory, but twenty chews later I rethought my approach. I split the sandwich open, rearranged the bacon, and then tore the halves into smaller, more manageable bites. This allowed me to eat this giant sandwich at ease.

Although neither of us finished our massive meals, we “did work”. Before I threw in the towel (or napkin in this instance) I stole a small piece of sausage from my boyfriend’s plate and wedged it between my last bite. The sausage added a hint of sweet maple syrup to my palette that complemented the salty bacon well.

Kitty’s definitely gives you some bang for your buck, but it’s not the whopping plate of food that keeps me coming back- it’s the chunky strips of bacon and sweet, tender sausage. I’m also enticed by the notion of trying the renowned pork tenderloin someday.

 

 

Max’s Burgers & Gyros – 8240 Wornall Rd, Kansas City, MO

Max’s Burgers and Gyros is one of the best little diners in town, and when I say “little”, I mean little. The inside of this joint is about the size of my apartment dining room, and it’s cute as a button. Red and white checkered floor tiles carpet the tiny dining space where a short bar with stools and about three high-top tables and chairs sit.

Before I walk in, I’m already anticipating the friendly face I’ll see behind the counter. I walk up to the reigster ready to place my usual order when, for a millisecond, I consider ordering something else, just about the only something else- a Gyro. “Nahhhhhh,

” I think as I shake off the notion and my senses return. I want (and am craving) a Max with the works: cheese, lettuce, onion, ketchup, and mustard. **add mayo** Even though I know it’s not in my best interest, I have got to have some of those tots. The crispy golden nuggets that are Max’s tots should really be named the “Gotta-Have tots”. They are everything a tot should be- fried to perfection. After exchanging cash for a thin numbered stub, we snag the last table.

The great thing about the diner’s small size is that no matter where you sit you can see the television, the kitchen, and the adorable framed photos of kids eating at Max’s that hang from the walls at any given time. There’s also no way that you’ll miss your number, because the kitchen and register are just a shout away.

Seven minutes pass when, at last our number’s called and a cook takes our crumpled stub in exchange for two heaping baskets of food. “This was the best trade ever!” I think as I stare down and see my perfectly wrapped burger and tots. I quickly survey the table to make sure there are adequate amounts of ketchup and mustard and last, but not least a full napkin dispenser. The reassuring heft of the condiment bottles and the brimming napkin dispenser signal that we’re ready for business and wasting no more time I purposefully unwrap my burger to take a bite.

This burger is chocked-full of flavor. The cheese and onions have soaked in the meat juices and the iceberg lettuce adds some crunch. Condiments ooze from the bun’s flakey exterior onto the brownish-pink patty and thereafter my fingers. Things have gotten messy and I can no longer hold off on the tots. With a quick swipe of ketchup I pop one, two, and then three fried potato morsels into my mouth. The tot’s briny shell bursts between my teeth to divulge another layer of smooth, potatoey goodness.

I continued to move from tots to burger, until sometime later when I could see the bottom of the red and white checkered basket, and to my surprise a mountain of wadded up napkins. This was indeed a messy meal, ranking a four out of five on the messy meter. In effect, I had killed a small tree, well exceeded my daily sodium ration, and would shortly lounge languorously on the sofa for an hour. On the flip side, I had satisfied my Max’s craving for next month.

 

 

 

Dunraven Inn- 2470 Highway 66 Estes Park, CO

After a long days hike, my boyfriend and I drug our tired, sorry selves into the Dunraven Inn.

Our concierge had suggested the Italian seafood spot, and from everything we heard it seemed like a great place to spend our last evening in Estes Park.

Due to a moose sighting alongside the road (which was more wildlife than we saw in the entire Rocky Mountain Park), we arrived ten minutes after our eight thirty pm reservation.

I walked into the lobby from the rainy night and gave the hostess my name. We had a short wait and as I looked around the front room I was both amused and confused.

One dollar bills covered every inch of the small room’s walls. The bills, signed by former patrons in colorful sharpies, made for interesting wallpaper and while the lobby decor isn’t what you would expect from a nice seafood steakhouse, I found it refreshing.

Just as I got used to the funky decor, a hostess escorted us around the corner to our table in the main dining room. The transition from the lobby into the dining quarters was like day to night. The main room was mountain lodge chic. The deep colored wood furniture and warm carpet complimented the lofted pillars, and for a moment I could have sworn I was back in a more elegant version of our cabin. As I sat down to our candle lit table, a sever greeted us with water and a basket of bread with oil, vinegar, and fresh garlic. I was absolutely smitten!

This place was great. It was cozy and the staff was friendly- everything you would want from a nice mountainside restaurant. Although we did have one, very attentive server, the waiters acted as a team and saw after one another’s tables. In fact, two different servers replenished our water cups with water pitchers throughout the meal.

To stay true to the Italian tradition we ordered an appetizer of spinach and artichoke dip with, you guessed it, MORE bread. We came hungry and went ahead with our dinner orders.

Our appetizer promptly arrived and the thick, creamy dip tasted great on the small pieces of toasted cheese bread. Shortly after, our soup and salad arrived. I ordered the spinach salad with halved strawberries, toasted almond slivers, and real feta cheese, all of which was drizzled in a strawberry vinaigrette. I don’t usually eat salads with fruit, but this one was so delicious that I might even try to make it at home. The presentation was beautiful and the ingredients tasted fresh from the garden.

Once I finished noshing the last of my salad I moved onto my main course, calamari with marinara. Like most Italian fare, the serving was huge. The succulent calamari filled my plate and by the time I was full, it still looked as if I hadn’t touched my meal.

My boyfriend ordered the house lasagna and the few bites I had were amazing. The Italian sausage that comprised the bulk of the dish was some of the best I’ve ever had. As good as my entree was, it couldn’t compete with this classic.

When things wound down our server delivered to-go boxes and dropped off our check. Paying the bill felt like theft, considering we got an appetizer, soup and salad, and two entrees for just forty some dollars. The portions were generous, the staff was professional, and the ingredients were fresh. This was one of the best meals I’ve had in months. Dunraven Inn is the perfect mountain getaway!