119946 Sat Apr 29 01:43:35 -0700 2000 45 8 Midwest 0 654303 I would like to challenge all Kansas Citians about their favorite restaurants. I will start with the obvious.. BBQ! I will vote for Arthur Bryants,Italian has to go to Cascones, best hamburgers goes to LC's, best pizza Pizza Shoppe. Sat Apr 29 01:43:35 -0700 2000 0 Becky 1 654307 I would have to disagree with your choices. My favorite BBQ is definitely Smokehouse. My favorite Italian is Garozzo's. My pizza would be Da Bronx and my favorite hamburger joint would be down the street from the pizza place but I can't remember the name of it. It has the best burgers, onion rings and malts in the city (down the street from the Jazz). I'd definitely say one of my favorite restauraunts in the city was Paulo and Bill (out off of I435 and Midland) Their garlic bread is amazing! Sun Apr 30 20:33:07 -0700 2000 654303 0 Terra 2 654346 Well, I will agree and disagree with both of you: Arthur Bryants is the best BBQ, Garozzo is the best Italian food. Best hamburgers are at Hayes in NKC. For best onion rings, I vote for Jack's Stack BBQ. But, just about any BBQ in KC is THE BEST!! There are a few not so good, but we hold the title! Mon May 22 14:58:50 -0700 2000 654307 0 kaycee 3 2116760 Sorry, but I have to stick up for Memphis-style BBQ. KC style is okay, so far as it goes but the best? I'm afraid that's an "eye of the beholder" kind of thing. Wed Dec 20 18:20:10 -0800 2006 654346 25911 hapenny_gourmet 1 654427 Best BBQ - Bryant's but Oklahoma Joe's is coming up fast. Best Italian - Lydia's - no contest here. Best Hamburger - Romanelli Grill Best Pizza - Pizza Man in Lenexa And a new category - Best Mexican - Sol Azteca on Southwest Blvd. Sat Jul 15 15:42:16 -0700 2000 654303 0 Don 2 2100726 Sorry D, Romanelli closed last year. It's now The Gaf, which is good in it's own right. Thu Dec 14 22:15:09 -0800 2006 654427 49209 clclark2000 2 2103091 Yeah! I worked at Pizza Man when I was younger. Not only is the food tasty-super crunchy-mouthwatering-tastic but the owner is a great guy. Fri Dec 15 18:41:04 -0800 2006 654427 59979 theinfonaut 1 654448 Okay, here's my opinion: BBQ-Bryant's, hands down (I paid $100 to have a bottle shipped to me in Thailand because I missed that familiar taste so much!!) Italian-Lydia's or Cascone's. Can't go wrong with either. Mexican-Rudy's Tenampa Taqueria. Fish tacos...yummy! Pizza-Antonio's. Right next to the Grand Emporium. Big, thick slices for pretty cheap! Shakes-Otto's. Best food you can get in a former Auto body shop! Thu Jul 27 23:03:48 -0700 2000 654303 0 Jim 1 654467 Kansas City has been home for almost 5 years. BBQ - Any place, I moved from St. Louis, the town that made Lou Maull a millionaire! I'll say Jack Stack in Martin City, Maybe Sneads further down south. Italian-It took a long time to find Italian food to even compete with St. Louis' Hill, Garozzo's is okay, but the best is absolutely Carmen's in Brookside, don't let the entrance fool you. Marco Polo's (JAspers) for carry out is also good. Hamburger-I'll still take my backyard grill as the winner. Pizza-Waldo Pizza in a landslide, sometimes the service has a bit to be desired (like last Sunday), but hey, it's a pizza joint! Thu Aug 10 10:11:52 -0700 2000 654303 0 Nick 2 2117215 the owner of Garozzo's got his start in St. louis Hill. I havent been out there yet (Wifey is pushing for a road trip there in a few months) but be sure you ask the flavors of the chicken spiedini. I had one ther ethe first time that was just a work of art. the next time I had a pesto-based one that was sour and disgusting. Wed Dec 20 20:08:07 -0800 2006 654467 61025 kcuello 1 654612 BBQ -- By far ZARDA's in Blue Springs Italian -- ZIO's without a dought Hamburgers -- Backyard Burgers none better Pizza -- none other than Pizza Hut Wed Sep 27 01:25:56 -0700 2000 654303 0 John Coney 1 2099520 Are you kidding? John Coney you need to get OUT of the suburbs and come to Midtown darling. NOT that there is anything WRONG with chain restaurants. Pizza - tie Waldo (for St. Louis style) and D'Bronx for New York BBQ - Arthur Bryants - oh heaven Italian - Carmens dead on... Garozzos is all talk and no action anymore. Italian needs to be kept fresh. Burgers - NO contest. I DREAM about these - Fric and Frac. And I am telling you, if you haven't had one, with blue cheese (real blue cheese, not the dressing) bacon and BBQ sauce, then you haven't lived. I'll fight on those Thu Dec 14 16:58:28 -0800 2006 654303 59743 bossy_girl 2 2100719 BBQ-still like Gates the best, but don't get me wrong, they are all awesome and I eat them all. Mexican-Love Sol Azteca. Manny's is still pretty good. Italian-Agree with both Carmen's and Lydia's. Both are awesome in their own different ways. I eat at Carmen's once a week and haven't had a bad meal in 2 years. Pizza-Waldo or Minsky's (hard to beat the prime cut!) Burger-Still haven't found what i'm looking for Thu Dec 14 22:13:02 -0800 2006 2099520 49209 clclark2000 1 2101348 Pizza - Da Bronx, with Minsky's running a close 2nd place BBQ - Oklahoma Joe's (pork and overall), Bryant's (beef) Italian - Lydia's, Cascone's Burger - Max's Auto Diner, Blue Cheese burger -old Streetcar Named Desire Rings - Winsteads Shakes - Otto's, but honorable mention to the Steak and Shake chain. Fries - repeat - Oklahoma Joe's with Bryants 'congeal a meal deal' runner up Chickenshack - the late lamented Strouds Fri Dec 15 01:32:12 -0800 2006 654303 59865 texascarl 1 2101591 It's Lidia's, guys. Not Lydia's. Fri Dec 15 03:16:47 -0800 2006 654303 12658 zataar 1 2102769 Pizza - Waldo & Da Bronx w/ Papa Keno's as third BBQ - Gates Italian - Lidia's Burger - Westport Flea Market! Although I actually had a great burger at Fudrucker's last week...who knew? Rings - Nobody beats Sonic's rings Shakes - Foo's if you like custard. Otto's on 39th has been out of business for years... Fries - Harry's Country Club and Bulldog...mmm, skinny fries Mexican - Ponaks for pork burritos, also love Chelly's on 85th & Wornall Fri Dec 15 17:11:14 -0800 2006 654303 58317 butterfli311 1 2103582 Pizza - Papa Keno's, with Waldo Pizza in 2nd place BBQ - Gates Italian - Johnny Cascone's Burger - Celebrity Cafe in Olathe Rings - Haven't had any good ones here Shakes - Don't drink 'em Fries - Hayward's BBQ's sweet potato fries are to die for. Chickenshack - Don't eat as much now, but KT Fryer's used to be good Mexican - La Mesa (good crab quesadillas and fish tacos are decent) Fri Dec 15 20:57:51 -0800 2006 654303 23170 reenum 2 2116772 Who do you favor for steaks? Wed Dec 20 18:21:50 -0800 2006 2103582 25911 hapenny_gourmet 3 2119515 I've never had a taste for steaks. It's too much meat for me, and often not as flavorful as I'd like. That's just me, though. Thu Dec 21 15:49:46 -0800 2006 2116772 23170 reenum 3 2126225 I have to say... the Capital Grille really is the bomb for steaks. And the have stellar calamari. Sun Dec 24 12:47:47 -0800 2006 2116772 59743 bossy_girl 1 2104002 BBQ -- Mine of course, LC's is a close second Fries -- Gates Italian -- Jasper's Mexican -- JoCo = Cucina del Puerco 'Dotte = Laura's Pizza -- Not a fan of the thin crust so its Minskey's Burger -- Westport Flea Market Fri Dec 15 23:01:10 -0800 2006 654303 11178 chileheadmike 1 2104014 BBQ-Bryant no question mexican-Rudy's pizza-Da Bronx but i like Waldo too fried chicken-Stroud's is classic (sad they lost the Troost location) but Peachtree is really good Italian-Carmen's but Il Centro is probably my favorite resturant in town Burger-try the Lew burger at Lew's in Waldo Shakes-Otto's was the best but it is no longer there...Winsted's for burgers, fries, rings, and shakes Chinese-Princess Garden on Wornall Thai-Thai Place...they have a few location's now Greek-Tasso's and it is fun anything on 39th Fri Dec 15 23:05:28 -0800 2006 654303 60033 langburns 2 2106551 >> Shakes-Otto's was the best but it is no longer Rudy Ross who owns Fric & Frac on 39th Street is supposedly going to put in an ice cream/malt shop in the building across Genessee from Fric & Frac. The fellow who owns the woodworking shop there is retiring as his brother/former business partner did several years ago. The parking lot behind that woodworking building is just too valuable to Fric & Frac so Rudy wanted to have control of it rather than just renting space there. Or so I've heard . . . Sun Dec 17 03:48:09 -0800 2006 2104014 11824 KCJ 1 2105291 I have not had Papa Keno's before, but I heard there is one going up in the neighborhood at Gregory and Rockhill. What's the story with this franchise? Good stuff? What's the differences b/w PK and a place like Minsky's Good/Bad? Sat Dec 16 16:26:58 -0800 2006 654303 49209 clclark2000 2 2116783 I like it, although the Lawrence location and the OP location could use some deep cleaning! The toppings are not as run of the mill as Minsky's, I don't think, but I don't like Minsky's. The crust is cripy and thin. The slices are huge- you will only need one! Wed Dec 20 18:24:19 -0800 2006 2105291 12813 Katie Nell 3 2119521 Minsky's is way too cheesy for me. The cheese overwhelms the toppings, in my opinion. Keno's is the best in the area. They have the thin crusts, which ensures you don't feel bloated after eating, and the breadsticks there are awesome. The best deal is the $6.99 two topping slice special, with which you get breadsticks or salad, and a drink. I like the dirty ambience. It adds charm to the place. If I wanted a totally sterile eating environment, I'd go to one of the big box eateries. Thu Dec 21 15:52:35 -0800 2006 2116783 23170 reenum 4 2121369 You didn't really have to go there though, did you? That wasn't really my point- I'm sure some of the "big box eateries" can be just as dirty! Fri Dec 22 01:25:49 -0800 2006 2119521 12813 Katie Nell 1 2105583 BBQ-Oklahoma Joe's is the winner for now (haven't been to a lot of places yet) burger-if i can't grill it, i'll take westport flea market over anything italian - cupini's pizza-pizza 51 shakes/ice cream - murray's, in westport Sat Dec 16 18:47:31 -0800 2006 654303 47648 mpollmann 1 2117176 Best Indian: Swagat Best Thai: Thai Place Best Sushi: Kato Best BBQ: Oaklahoma Joe's / JackStack (Tie) Best Pizza: Minsky's Best Arabic/Greek: Holyland Cafe/Jerusalem Cafe (tie) Best Italian: Garrozzo's Best Mexican: TacoNazo Best Chinese Rice: Steam Bowl (Chinese food in Kc sucks period. BoLings, Dragon Inn, ALL of it sucks. Steam Bowl has a good combination Fried Rice Wed Dec 20 19:59:00 -0800 2006 654303 61025 kcuello 2 2117230 One more: Best Vietnamese: Vietnam Cafe On Authur Bryant, their sauce is vinegar based and is disgusting. None of their sauces appeal to me. I bought a bottle of cowtown BBQ sauce (Oklahoma Joe's brand as they market it) and it was delicious. Bryants can be hit and miss, some days the cut is so beautiful and you get a good 95% brisket sandwhich, and on some other days it can be a 40% fat 60% meat sandwich which is disgusting. Wed Dec 20 20:12:11 -0800 2006 2117176 61025 kcuello 1 2117249 Oh, and if you havent eaten at TacoNazo in KCK, then you hav been deceived for years. It is HANDS DOWN the best Mexican. Hence, thats why Mexicans from all over drive there. The only thing close to it is Taqueria Mexico on Independence Ave (The other Taqueria Mexico's are not as good as the one on Independence Ave) On Cajun, being a transplanted Cajun in KC, i can honestly say all of the Cajun/Creole resturants in Kansas City (Jazz being the worst) are absolutely HORRIBLE. Jazz could not make a bowl of gumbo if their life depended on it. Their Red Beans also taste highly strange. The only thing close to REAL down south Louisiana cooking used to be a place in Westport called LaCroix Creole Bistro. Unfortunately due to their horrible location,(on Pensylvania ave and hidden behind a parking lot) it appears they are out of business (Unless any of you know about them moving?) Wed Dec 20 20:17:32 -0800 2006 654303 61025 kcuello 1 2117658 Seems to me I read that LaCroix Creole Bistro closed because one of the owners (a couple) went into military service or some such. Definitely got the impression they weren't going to be a force in the community for at least the foreseeable future with a very sound reason that didn't include lack of business. Wed Dec 20 21:57:29 -0800 2006 654303 11824 KCJ 1 2119282 That's pretty sad. I know they are good people and Gloria;s homeade parlines were the BEST I had ever had outside of Louisiana (including Texas) I surely hope they get to re-open it again. Thu Dec 21 14:29:30 -0800 2006 654303 61025 kcuello 1 2119376 Barbecue: Jack's Stack, always Italian: Lidia's Thai: Thai Place Sushi: Kaiyo (chef and hot item cook from Sushi house left to make their own place) French: La Fou Frog French Bakery: Artisan Francais Ice Cream: Murray's Thu Dec 21 15:04:41 -0800 2006 654303 30261 ExpatChef 1 2119531 Let me add Best Thai to my list: Thai Treasure on 151st & Highway 69 in southern Overland Park. The food has a bit more kick than Thai Place, and the ambience is just as good. Thu Dec 21 15:54:50 -0800 2006 654303 23170 reenum 1 2119534 Anyone have thoughts on City Tavern? I have eaten there, but it has been over 2 years, and really haven't heard much about it. We are going tomorrow night, so if it's went downhill please let me know so I can make alternate arrangements! Thu Dec 21 15:55:33 -0800 2006 654303 49209 clclark2000 2 2119641 If you had a backup plan now would be the time to exercise it. Thu Dec 21 16:35:42 -0800 2006 2119534 29359 sallyport 3 2122263 Well thanks, but I think i'm going to need a little more information. Fri Dec 22 14:39:49 -0800 2006 2119641 49209 clclark2000 1 2174861 Best Mexican: Kokopelli Best fast Mexican: Don Chilitos Best BBQ: Gates Best Japanese Steakhouse: Gojo Best Chinese sit-down: Bo Ling's Best fast Chinese: Panda Express Best Chinese buffet: I don't recall the name, but it's at Blue Ridge Blvd. just north of Bannister Best Pizza (in this order): Imo's, Fun House (the original on 40 Highway), Waldo, D'Bronx & Pizza Shoppe Best Burger: Westport Flea Market or Twin City Tavern Wed Jan 10 22:01:13 -0800 2007 654303 65839 smuinkc 1 2186306 I like your style Chileheadmike! BBQ--LCs (beans, pulled pork, turkey), Okey Joe's (gumbo, fries, loose meats, sauce {Night of the Living} and burnt ends) Jack Stack (ribs and cheesy corn bake), Big T's (beef), BBs Lawnside (ambiance on band night, Big Bertha onion rings and sausage), KC Masterpiece (onion strings) Italian--Jasper's hand's down. Pricey, but real yummers Mexican--Jalepeno's (check out the chubby) and Manny's for the Monteray Jack Burrito Pizza--Marco Polo's (Around the Boot) and don't get it sliced beforehand...that's for amateur's and we are not ameteur's! Check out Antonio's on Main for your "late night double slice" Burger--Hi Boy...don't be fooled. But if your high falutin, check out Grandfalloon Chinese--MaMa's in Raytown (ask for the "off the menu" spicy pork) Cajun--Kiki's Malt's and Shakes--Clinton's Fried Goodness aka American--Stroud's Red, Beans & Rice--Popeye's Seafood--McCormick and Schmick's Steak--Get real! From KC, we are trained from a young age how to buy and cook a steak. You don't buy that out?! Serious Sandwich--D'Bronx and The Peanut for a good BLT Sushi--Kokoro (cut me some slack, I AM from KC) Coffee--ha! My breakfast most mornings...Dunn's, Skooters and Muddy's. They all serve different geographic needs Soul--Peach Tree. Good times, great food Thai--Lulu's Breakfast--Georgie Porgie's (before the move, cannot comment on their new situations) Sun Jan 14 00:00:22 -0800 2007 654303 66713 KCNative 2 2186334 I guess we are a diverse chow crowd as I disagree with most of your choices! Kiki's has been closed for years, unless they re-opened somewhere and no one knows about it. Jalepeno's for Mexican!?, Lulu's for Thai!? KC Masterpiece....Yikes! On the other hand...Peach Tree..oh yeah. Hi-Boy - ditto. Sun Jan 14 00:13:21 -0800 2007 2186306 12658 zataar 3 2186642 The owner of Lulu's (on SW Blvd east of Broadway) is Swiss-Thai. Sun Jan 14 02:10:24 -0800 2007 2186334 11824 KCJ 2 2186647 Cheap-Eat-Deals - Fric & Frac, 39th & Genessee Happy Hour 1/2 Price Appetizers weeknights 2-for-1 or other discounted specials every night Sun Jan 14 02:11:20 -0800 2007 2186306 11824 KCJ 2 2186656 I like the walnut chicken at MaMa's on Raytown Road in Raytown. Sun Jan 14 02:14:59 -0800 2007 2186306 11824 KCJ 1 2194195 Mexican: Tienda Casa Paloma in OP, Mexico Taqueria SW Blvd. Italian: Lidia's, Cupini's, Jake's Place in Bella Napoli French: La Fou Frog Steak: Agreed. Best is a rare filet, cooked at home with a port wine reduction sauce and blue cheese. Does not get any better out. Plus, if you eat it in, you can afford better wine. Barbecue: Got to go with the "Stack" Comfort: Succotash, Potpie Chinese: Blue Koi on 39th Indian: Taste of Asia, Ruichi Thai: Thai Place Vietnamese: Vietnam in Columbus Park Burgers: I quit eating beef out after reading Omnivore's Dilemma. Except for the bison burger at Bluebird. Bread and Pastry: Artisan Francais — paradise. Tue Jan 16 17:18:25 -0800 2007 654303 30261 ExpatChef 1 2194235 Ahhhh...bread! Fervere, hands down for me! 17th and Summit. Only open limited hours Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. Call in advance to check to see if they're open. But soooo worth the limitations! Tue Jan 16 17:30:04 -0800 2007 654303 11824 KCJ