Kansas City Visit Next Week

[jaytex1969]

Mrs Jaytex and I were to meet her son from Nashville in New Orleans for a week. Ida has changed that and we are now meeting in Kansas City.

I'm looking forward to finally seeing the National World War 1 Museum and Memorial, and getting just a bit fatter on some KC style BBQ. The Nelson Atkins is growing on me, the more I learn about it.

Other than that I am open to ideas. Recommended pipe shops, cigar lounges, other unique destinations.


Thanks.

 

[scloyd]

A Historic Kansas City Attraction | The Arabia Steamboat Museum

The Arabia Steamboat Museum is a unique Kansas City attraction: a time capsule of life on the American frontier in the mid-19th century, and the largest single collection of pre-Civil War artifacts in the world.

www.1856.com

I read a book about the Arabia Steamboat that sunk in 1856 and was discovered in a Kansas cornfield in 1988. There is a also short documentary "Cornfield Shipwreck" (37 minutes?) on HBOmax. You may find it interesting.

I've never been to the museum...someday I'll visit.

 

[dcon]

Diebel’s on The Plaza and CIgar & Tobac in Overland Park would be the top 2 pipe shops. BBQ recommendations; Arthur Bryant’s for anything (I love the brisket but, folks rave about the burnt ends), Gates for ribs, Zarda for ham, and Joe’s KC BBQ has earned national acclaim from Anthony Bourdain and others. I am a Bryant‘s guy. The worst BBQ place in KC is better than the best anywhere else (let the flames begin).
The Nelson -Atkins and the Liberty Memorial (WW I museum) are definitely great spots. The Negro Leagues Museum is great for baseball fans and Union Station (next to the Liberty) is of historical interest. There are lots more places of both historical and general interest.

 

[Aomalley27]

Gates BBQ? Seriously goodbbq. Though KC has a lot of great BBQ.
(Though last visit to Arthur Bryant’s; their brisket was just plain bad. Mostly fat, and not tender but chewey)

 

[jaytex1969]

@scloyd That was one of the options I skimmed over but didn't look into further. I think I will, now. Thanks.

@dcon My wife has shown interest in the whole plaza thing and I began experiencing a general nausea... Now that you've illustrated this oasis, perhaps I can unleash her to wander whilst I burn a stick! Everything in your last paragraph is on our short list, so far.

The worst BBQ place in KC is better than the best anywhere else (let the flames begin).

Having been in Texas for 20+ years, I'll let that one slide until after my vacation...


Thanks, fellas!

 

[georged]

The BBQ thing pretty much works like this: Become famous, then you can slack off and rake in the $ you lost and spent getting that way.

Bryant's, Gates, etc. have long been a corporatized brand. Their food runs from truly, hideously horrible (which people are reluctant to mention because the rest of the world "knows better" and will laugh at them); to minimally acceptable (presumably the result of some new employee who cares for a while.)

I've been going to BBQs in KC for 50+ years and seen the pattern repeat many times.

The best BBQ is between the time a new place gets things figured out, and its owner/main operator gets burned out by the endless 14 hour workdays and relentless quality control that the hired staff either can't or won't do.

The catch is you have to be in a loop that keeps track of such places. By far the best BBQ I've ever eaten came from restaurants that were still in the "trying to make a name for themselves" phase.

The only exception I can think of that comes the closest to fame and consistency is called Jack Stack. There are several of them, with the one in the train station the worst of the bunch, and the original location and Metcalf location being the best.

It is emphatically NOT the best KC has to offer, but it is pretty damn good and I've never had (or even heard of) a bad experience.

Be sure to get the baked beans.

Enjoy your trip to KC.


PS -- the WWI museum will make whatever else happens (or not) worth the trip. It's world class.

 

[johnnyreb]

Arthur Bryant's is so Low on the list. It's a shame people can't live forever & his food/brand name has gone downhill since he died & his niece went to court. I would pretty much agree with what George said except Jack Stack is pretty corporate too. Top of my list would be Slaps BBQ. These guys have been winning the contests for several yrs now & if there is any truth to the cycle of decline as explained by George then you would be hitting them at the right time.

About Us - Slaps BBQ - Join Our Family

About us Our Story Slap’s BBQ is a dream that started with the Squeal Like a Pig BBQ competition team, founded by brothers Mike and Joe Pearce in 2013. They were successful in competing on BBQ Pitmasters, and later opened Slap’s BBQ in June 2014. They quickly found success, selling out each day...

slapsbbqkc.com

You will be missing the American Royal BBQ Contast by one week. I think it's the 16th thru the 19th this yr.

As far as tobacconists I would probably skip Diebels Sportsman's Gallery unless you are going to be on the Plaza anyway, & add Fidel's of Westport to the list.

Fidel’s Cigar Shop

fidelscigarshop.com

The Ren Fest just started & runs weekends thru the month, if that sort of thing trips your boat. The Jesse James Farm & Museum is a short drive, depending on where you stay. Lots of Civil War battle & skirmish sites around too.