FCS: Best of 2021
Among the things I’ll miss most about 2021 - driving across the old Buck O’Neil bridge. The bridge is set to be replaced with a far less aesthetic version by 2024, with construction already in progress.
Published December 22, 2021
Lately, I have been giving a lot of thought to the year that was 2021. This is a year that I will not soon forget. It’s been one incredible trip around the sun!
This was the year that we got back to normal, or at least put ourselves in a position to see normal on the horizon again. As restaurants are just now getting back to a regular routine, I could not have imagined a more appropriate year for this Fountain City Foodie to burst on to the scene. On the first day of the year, I launched this website - disKCovery - as a creative outlet to record my own experiences and help others to explore and discover the city that I am so proud to call my home. It feels like that was just yesterday but now, 27 articles later, here we are.
Sure, I stepped away from Kansas City on occasion, but my heart is always here. My home is always here. Writing about The Heartland brings me joy and even more, I have loved the follow-up conversations with my readers - the people who make this city so great.
And you, the readers, are why I get to keep doing this. You are a huge part of the reason that just yesterday, I renewed my domain for another year. While I am so excited for what lies ahead in 2022, I want to take a moment to reflect on what we shared together in 2021.
Like anything, there were so many things I wanted to do that I actually did. There were so many things I wanted to do that I never found the time for. And there were several other things that I could have never planned for that I had the opportunity to do and write about. Of all the things I did this year, I was the most proud of my February project, blaKC, and having the opportunity to dive deep into the history of our city. What I did not anticipate, and will remember most fondly, is the opportunity I had to get to know restauranteurs and other personalities around this city. Having the opportunity to tell these stories has been an absolute privilege.
As I close out 2021, it felt appropriate to bust out an overdue installment of Fountain City Superlatives where I reflect on my own “Best Of” for the year. Unlike other “Best Ofs” you will surely read, this is not meant to be a definitive ranking like other publications around town. There are no voters. And I am not necessarily saying that “Restaurant X is the best place for Y in KC in 2021.”
Instead, what I present is a collection of my best Kansas City experiences of 2021. I write to help others discover KC but I don’t always get to write about every new place I discover. Consistently being a tourist in this city is what drives disKCovery. I write to help others discover Kansas City. Well, these are the best things I discovered in 2021.
Without further ado, or explanation, I proudly present my Fountain City Superlatives for 2021.
The tap wine system at Sail Away Wine on Armour Road is easy to navigate, offers a wide selection, and gives the customer a perfect one ounce, three ounce, or five ounce pour every single time.
Best Bar - Sail Away Wine
309 Armour Road, North Kansas City, MO
This past summer I was watching the Summer Olympics’ opening ceremonies with my friends Jenny and Emily when they told me about a bar they had gone to on Armour Road that allowed you to serve your own wine. I remember thinking that if something like that existed in Northtown, an area I frequent, surely I would have heard about it. Turns out that Sail Away Wine had only been open for about a month at that time. When I first walked in, I found a charming spot with excellent service and a really fun brand. Once the bartender has created your reusable drink passport, you have the option to select your wine of choice. The walls of white wine and red wine offerings are separated by a cooler of craft beer options for those so inclined to have something other than wine. Unlike the flawed “pour your own beer” concept that often sees customers pay for ounces of foam due to a combination of operator and tap error, the wine is offered in pre-portioned amounts of one, three, and five ounces. Sail Away has a wide range of wines with full pours starting as low as $5.75 and going all the way up to $30.00 for some of the pricier bottles. Aside from an amazing tap wine system, Sail Away Wine also offers a menu of meats, cheeses, salads, boozy desserts, and exquisite flat bread pizzas. The pizzas are exactly what you want in a flatbread with a thin, crispy, but firm crust, the right amount of sauce and cheese, and a nice variety of fresh, flavorful toppings. They are also available with a gluten-free cauliflower crust options. The tangy and tasty BBQ Chicken is my personal favorite. With these incredible flatbreads offered as BOGO (Buy One Get One) on Monday nights, if I were to name a best date spot for 2021, Sail Away Wine would probably take home that accolade as well.
Worth A Mention: New London Cafe
Best Barbeque Joint - Fox & Fire
102 West Lawrence Street, Kearney, MO
You may recall that earlier this year I wrote about Andy Fox and his Day-Glo orange trailer serving up hefty portions of top notch Kansas City barbeque with a Tex-Mex flair. Since I first wrote about this amateur at-home chef turned first-class pitmaster, Fox & Fire has relocated to the Northland and set up shop in Kearney, Missouri where he serves his mouthwatering meats and delectable sides to an under-served (in terms of BBQ) corner of Kansas City. His Texas-style beef brisket, Dr. Pepper - glazed pork belly burnt ends, and house sausage are the stars of the show. His macaroni-and-cheese and potato salad are noteworthy sides but his seasonal rotating cast of characters makes Fox & Fire a must-visit year-round. When on the menu, his unique take on a barbeque classic - cole slaw - is a must order. Of all the new barbeque joints I visited in 2021, Fox & Fire stands head and shoulders above the rest.
Worth A Mention: The Rub
Fox & Fire BBQ began parked outside of Callsign Brewing in Northtown in the summer of 2020. In the Fall of 2021, Fox & Fire relocated to Kearney and Callsign Brewing moved to a larger space in North Kansas City shortly after.
Best Breakfast Spot - The Depot
781 Shawnee Street, Leavenworth, KS
Since opening in 2015, The Depot has been a gathering place for the people of Leavenworth. The restaurant is so-named because of the National Landmark that houses it - a train station that opened in 1887 and offered regular freight and passenger rail service for the better part of a century. On any given Saturday morning, you can find the station bustling with hungry diners in the same way it likely once did with eager travelers. The space itself is beautifully preserved with pictures, wall hangings, and artifacts that help to preserve the legacy and history of the train station. The Depot is a comfort food haven, renowned for a breakfast that lives up to the hype. With an extensive menu of familiar favorites and unique entrees exclusive to the restaurant, The Depot has something for everyone. The Smoked Chicken Hash Benedict (a scrumptious mix of pulled smoked chicken, caramelized onions, mealy sweet potatoes, poached eggs, and a zippy chipotle hollandaise) is my breakfast of choice. Regardless of what you order, it will always come with a side of a miniature cinnamon sugar donut muffin that is sure to satisfy the sweetest of teeth.
Worth A Mention: Splitlog Coffee
The Smoked Chicken Hash Benedict is the perfect blend of a sweet and savory breakfast that can only be found at The Depot in Leavenworth, Kansas.
Best Brewery - Casual Animal Brewing Company
1725 McGee Street, Kansas City, MO
Casual Animal Brewing Company first opened their doors in 2018. So in that regard, it’s not exactly new. As someone who frequents microbreweries, was there within weeks of it opening, and has been many times since, Casual Animal is not exactly new to me either. So why does it make my Best of 2021? Easy. Because while the brand and the classic beers are not exactly new - the space is. Ever since they burst on to the scene, Kyle & Lara Gray’s brewery has been a heavy-hitter in Kansas City with favorites such as the Cat Shark Red Ale and the Shuttlecock Lager. However, their space, while inviting and cozy, was too small for the demand. When earlier this year, Casual Animal acquired the warehouse next door and quintupled the size of their tasting room, it was a welcome change. With murals painted by Kyle himself, natural sky lighting, bar games, a secondary bar when needed, and beautiful plant life - the extended space that keeps them adjacent to Brewers’ Alley is a welcome one. I expect the beer boom to continue in Kansas City in 2022 but this year has been more about familiar favorites expanding their current spaces or moving into new ones, so I decided to focus on those. For me, the best such move was Casual Animal.
Worth A Mention: Border Brewing Company and Torn Label Brewing Company
While not technically a new brewery, or even a new location, the expanded Casual Animal Brewing Company is worth noting. A number of breweries relocated or expanded the size of their tasting rooms in 2021 and they were all well done and most welcome.
Best Burger Joint - Courthouse Exchange
113 West Lexington Avenue, Independence, MO
Why in heaven’s name did it take so long for me to try this burger?! The Independence favorite has been open since 1899 so I am easily 122 years way too late. As someone who has famously eaten over 120 different Kansas City burgers, it is inexcusable that 2021 was the first time I made it to the Courthouse Exchange but I am thankful I did not put it off any longer. This Independence Landmark is actually a subterranean one. Located in a cozy, dimly-lit basement directly across the street from the Truman Courthouse, this bar and grill that feels like home celebrates the richness of Independence history. Leaning heavily into the courthouse theme, the Courthouse Exchange’s entrance is marked by stained glass windows with the scales of justice, the servers wear shirts declaring themselves “Jurors”, and of course there is a giant photo of former Jackson County Judge (and United States President obviously!), Harry S. Truman in the back. The go-to here is the Exchange Burger - a nicely seasoned and deceptively dense, medium-well beef patty on a toasted bun with melted cheddar cheese, two strips of perfectly fried bacon, a squirt of barbeque sauce on the lower bun, and all the fresh vegetable toppings on the side. The battered style fries are salted to perfection. For me, a visit is not complete without a side of their mac ‘n cheese, which is some of the best in the metro. Speaking of which, the Courthouse Exchange actually offers a burger topped with thier amazing mac. Next time you find yourself in Independence, take a bite out of history! Your taste buds will thank you.
Worth A Mention: Jefferson’s (North Kansas City)
Located in downtown Shawnee, Drastic Measures is a cozy speakeasy that offers a first-rate cocktail program.
Best Cocktail Spot - Drastic Measures
5817 Nieman Road, Shawnee, KS
In the summer of 2020, Jill Cockson, of Swordfish Tom’s fame, brought the metro another speakeasy when she collaborated with Jay Sanders, Derick Shackelford, and Shelley Shackelford to open up Drastic Measures in downtown Shawnee. Located in a former clinic building, the mixed drinks-only bar boasts, “No Wine. No Beer. Just Cocktails.” Anyone who regularly reads me knows how much I appreciate a specialist because the assumption is, “they must be doing something well”. The same is true at Drastic Measures. While they only limit themselves to cocktails, the experienced mixologists at Drastic Measures have countless possibilities available to patrons. A big bourbon drinker, their spin on the Old Fashioned, The Measured Approach, is a welcome re-interpretation of the drink that in addition to the usual suspects also utilizes aged rum and a grilled apple tincture garnish to create the perfect fall beverage. With the red light/green light system many speakeasy goers are accustomed too, expert mixology, and a small, tasteful, dimly lit intimate space - Drastic Measures has raised the bar for Kansas City’s cocktail scene.
Worth A Mention: The Hey Hey Club
Best Coffeehouse - Rochester Brewing and Roasting Company
2129 Washington Street, Kansas City, MO
Rochester Brewing and Roasting Company opened in the West Crossroads in the summer of 2019. Named for a brewery that was historically in the same neighborhood, Rochester Brewing and Roasting Company features an incredible line-up of hot and cold beverages alike. I could have easily named Rochester Brewing both my best new brewery and best new coffee of 2021. That’s right vice-ridden Kansas Citians, the ultimate meeting place is here! Whether you want a morning coffee or a post-work draft, Rochester has got you covered! It is a brewing company in the truest sense of the words - beans AND hops! Additionally, the venue also houses a 1,400 foot event space making Rochester Brewing the perfect gathering place regardless of the occasion or your need. For me, 2021 was not only the year that I was introduced to their delicious coffee blends, satisfying beer line-up, and excellent service - it was the year I became a regular. Since being introduced, not a month has gone by where I have not been to Rochester at least once. And I plan for that to continue in the coming year as more people discover this incredible venue and drinkery.
Worth A Mention: Blip Roasters
A bit bougie? Perhaps. However, I cannot resist the best of fall flavors and the S’more Latte at Rochester Brewing Company, complete with toasted marshmallow garnish, was exactly that.
Best Dessert Place - KoZak’s Laketown Grill
1018 South Highway 169, Smithville, MO
It was the instagrammable desserts on my sister-in-law’s social media that first got me in the doors of KoZak’s Laketown Grill, and quite honestly - they’re a big reason that I keep venturing north to go back. If this story sounds familiar, it’s because I wrote about this Family Restaurant located in a strip mall this past summer. Hidden away in the Northland, this place has a rotating menu of specials and desserts certain to satisfy your appetite. While you can never be certain what kind of confections Chef Brian Hove has up his sleeve on any given day, it is a certainty that whatever pies, cakes, brownies, cheesecakes, tarts, and other sweets he has to offer are always worth making room for. I have never been a person who regularly orders desserts at restaurants but I am a person who orders a dessert from KoZak’s on every single visit.
Worth A Mention: Rye
Best Fried Chicken - Third Street Social
123 Southeast 3rd Street, Lee’s Summit, MO
Located in downtown Lees’ Summit in the historic Arnold Hall, Third Street Social has been a destination for brunch and burgers since it opened its doors in 2016. I know that I always thought of it that way - until I tried the fried chicken. This is one of the best places for fried chicken in the metro! The meat is moist and flavorful. The breading is nice and crunchy without being too flaky. Available as plain or Nashville Hot, the Nashville edition offers a nice alternative. The flavor is somewhere between a county and cajun seasoning with a nice heat that builds and then lingers on the back of your tongue as you eat the poultry. It’s a fantastic flavor but for some, may be too messy of an option that is better suited for a sandwich. With either flavor, you cannot go wrong. Earlier this year, the Lock family (yes, the same Locks as Denver Broncos and former Missouri Tigers quarterback Drew Lock) added to their network of local restaurants when they opened a second Third Street Social location south of the Plaza in the old Nick & Jake’s building which makes it even more convenient for several in the city to try this incredible dish.
Worth A Mention: Niecie’s Restaurant
When it comes to Third Street Social’s fried chicken, it is hard to beat the flavor of the Nashville Hot (pictured on right) but be warned, it can be rather messy.
Best International Food - Sura Eats
1707 Locust Street, Kansas City, MO
One of my greatest regrets as a Fountain City Foodie is how many trips to Parlor it took before I finally gave Sura Eats a try this year. I have to give my former co-worker Heather a lot of credit for nudging me to give it a try. It’s downright phenomenal and I wrote as much back in April. The first restaurant in Kansas City, Missouri dedicated to Korean cuisine, Sura Eats began as a social media pop-up before becoming one of the inaugural tenants of Parlor food hall. The KFR (Kimchi Fried Rice) may not only be the best Asian dish in the city, it’s become one of my top ten meals in town.
Worth A Mention: Nguyen Pho & Grill
Best Museum - Johnson County Museum
8788 Metcalf Avenue, Overland Park, KS
Originally a small volunteer organization founded in 1967, the Johnson County Museum has grown by leaps and bounds before moving into the state-of-the-art facility it now occupies back in 2017. Perhaps the most underrated of Kansas City area museums, the Johnson County Museum highlights the history of Overland Park, Johnson County, greater Kansas City, and the Midwest as a whole through its unique collection of antiquities. Known primarily for being home to the 1954 All-Electric House (a must-see exhibit), the Overland Park based museum is also known for their rotation of highly engaging temporary exhibits. For much of 2021, the museum featured an exhibit on Midcentury Modern designer Paul McCobb. On the horizon, the museum has plans for an exhibit on Redlining which, given Kansas City’s history with segregation promises to bring me back to the museum in 2022. With an admission of only six dollars for adults, if you have not visited the Johnson County Museum, you are really missing out!
Worth A Mention: American Jazz Museum
Since the summer of 2021, a temporary exhibit on Midcentury Modern furniture designer Paul McCobb has been on display at the Johnson County Museum. Set to close on January 8, 2002, nearly the entire exhibit was collected and curated by Kansas City’s own Samuel Hildreth.
Best Pizza - Stone Canyon Pizza
504 Northeast 70th Street, Gladstone, MO
I have long heard about Stone Canyon Pizza but 2021 was the year I finally found myself through the doors. I would’ve shown up a lot sooner with three magic words - “Detroit Style Pizza”. Not only does Stone Canyon mimic the square, Wisconsin brick cheese-laden pies of the Motor City - they do it incredibly well. Founded by Kevin Heaton in Parkville, Missouri in 1995, the local pizza joint expanded to a second location in Zona Rosa in 2010. After closing that location, they opened their Gladstone store in 2019. What really sets Stone Canyon apart is that they were a trendsetter in many ways - with a focus on quality, local ingredients long before that was the norm. The fantastic local flavors of ingredients from places like Golden Boy, L&C Meats, and Scimeca’s shines through in every slice and entrée. While I waited 10 years too long to get a Stone Canyon slice, it only took me about five weeks to return for the next one. And if you go to their Gladstone location on a Saturday, the $3 Long Island Iced Teas are hard to beat.
Worth A Mention: Nicky’s Pizza and T-Shotz*
Loaded with Capicola, Pepperoni, Smoked Bacon, and Banana Peppers, the Detroiter at Stone Canyon Pizza was the best pizza that I tried for the first time in 2021.
Best Salads - The Russell
3141 Main Street, Kansas City, MO
Traditionally, when I’m in the mood for a salad, my friends know that I’m either buying all the ingredients and doing it at home or I’m building my own at a grocery store like Consentino’s Downtown (seriously, amazing lunch). However, The Russell is not only the place that I will now forever say has the best salads in Kansas City - it is the restaurant that I specifically go to and don’t even look beyond the salad section on the menu. They’re simply that incredible. Opened in 2017 and named for Russell Florists which occupied the building for several years, The Russell pays homage to the history of the building while offering an exciting restaurant concept that is lauded for their burgers, sandwiches, chicken, bowls, and yes, their salads. My go-to salad at The Russell is the Steak & Greens which features delicious, tender strips of grilled steak, mixed with chimi greens, grilled veggies, and goat cheese. It is absolutely superb. If you’ve been on the search for that mind-blowing salad, I assure you - it’s at The Russell.
Worth A Mention: The Hungry Hatch
Best Sandwich Spot - The Combine
2999 Troost Avenue, Kansas City, MO
There are definitely dishes and restaurants in Kansas City where I am far later to the scene than I should be. When it comes to The Combine, I was definitely an early adapter. Once again, if this place sounds familiar, it is because I featured The Combine in my piece on some of my favorite Reubens back in March. Located inside the old Wonder Bread factory on Troost, The Combine opened in the late fall of 2020. Serving up an exceptional menu of restaurants, slices, and local beers, the panini-pressed Reuben continues to shine the brightest. A beautiful space that keeps the factory’s history alive, this is a neighborhood lunch spot and bar that is definitely worth a visit.
Worth A Mention: Denver Biscuit Company
Making it’s debut in the summer of 2021, the Kansas City Jazz car is one of the best wraps in the history of the streetcar, in this writer’s opinion. It pays homage to an important era in this city’s history and is beautifully done.
Best Streetcar Wrap - The Jazz Car
Downtown Kansas City, MO
Anytime that I am walking downtown or driving around a see a streetcar that I don’t recognize rolling down the street, I get way too excited. As much as I love having a free, clean public transportation option in our city, I love the way that the streetcar has been transformed into a work of art that embodies the spirit of our city. Earlier this year, I ranked my favorite wraps of the streetcar’s first five years. About six weeks later, the Kansas City Jazz car made its debut. On June 25, 2021, the Jazz car began rolling down Main Street and as a special treat for passengers - percussionist Tyree Johnson and Deremé Nskioh on bass guitar performed on the car. Designed by Kansas City illustrator Hector E. Garcia, Jazz: The Resilient Spirit of Kansas City is the fourth streetcar wrap in the Art in the Loop series. It is a vibrant and beautiful homage to this city’s history with the truest of American art forms. While jazz may have been born in New Orleans and settled in the likes of New York and Chicago, it definitely came of age in Kansas City along 18th & Vine. You can learn more about Kansas City’s jazz history HERE. Had this streetcar rolled out a few months earlier, it could easily have topped my rankings back in May.
Worth A Mention: “Kansas City Current” and “We Want The World Cup”
Best Taco - Carniceria y Tortilleria San Antonio
830 Kansas Avenue, Kansas City, KS
If you say that as a pronounced “Fountain City Foodie”, I should be ashamed that it took me nearly a decade of living here to get to San Antonio’s - that would be a valid stance. After all, for a city that Forbes even declared as “Taco Town USA”, it is absurd that it took me so long to enjoy a place that is often at the top of Kansas Citians’ taco rankings. For me, I kept hearing about this place all year at work as it became a common place for co-workers to eat lunch. Finally, I had to pay a visit and find out what all the buzz was about. I was blown away. The selection of meats available (asada, pastor, pollo, and barbacoa among them) is outstanding. Not surprising for a place called Carniceria, which as the name implies is a butcher shop and marketplace. Beyond tacos, San Antonio’s is a destination for burritos, quesadillas, tortas, and tamales. I am glad that 2021 was the year I finally sampled this landmark on the famed KCK Taco Trail and in 2022, my resolution is to be sure to dive deeper into this district in our city’s culinary scene.
Worth A Mention: Scott’s Kitchen
2021 was definitely a year to remember. I am thankful that I still found a way to have a number of new experiences and try some new places this past year. These were the best of my new Kansas City experiences in 2021. As always, if there’s anywhere new on the scene that I should visit in the coming year, I always welcome the suggestions and feedback. That’s a wrap for Year One but please, be sure to subscribe to be the first to know when I post new content in the coming year.
There’s no reason to wait until the calendar turns over to have a new experience. If there was somewhere on the list you have not tried yet, I can assure you, it will definitely be worth your while. If there’s somewhere that you have not been in some time, more than ever, these businesses will be happy to have you. The time to explore this city and to support local is always now.
Those Pesky Endnotes That I Often Insist Upon
* Yes, T-Shotz, the golf bay entertainment bar in the Northland that follows the Top Golf model serves up some great Detroit-style pizzas.
From the bottom of my heart, thank you to all of my readers, and especially to my disKCovery subscribers. To those who bought stickers and keychains (still have these available) to help support this passion project - thank you! To those who share my articles, thank you! It has been a pleasure to write for all of you and I look forward to keeping this going in 2022. Happy New Year!
Where would you like to see me visit in 2022? What was your favorite piece from 2021? As always, let me know in the comments!
