FCS: Best of 2022
Published December 9, 2022
It is hard to believe it but here we are! 2022, and by extension, Year 2 of disKCovery, is practically in the books.
This was such a big year for Kansas City! It started off with a bang. Patrick Mahomes and company pulled off one of the greatest game-winning drives in NFL history, and needed only 13 seconds to do it. About that same time, we found out that Kansas City would be featured in a new edition of Monopoly. This summer, we, AT LONG LAST, saw beloved local icon and Monarchs’ legend, John Jordan “Buck” O’Neil inducted into Baseball’s Hall of Fame. We saw a few top tier barbeque restaurants close their doors and a craft of innovative new BBQ joints rise up to take their place. We all spent our spring and summer rushing around to see all of the hearts as the inaugural Parade of Hearts raised over $2.5 million for local charitable organizations. And yet, if there’s one word that will forever define Kansas City in 2022, that word might just be “soccer”.
Sure, Sporting Kansas City did not have the season that we’re accustomed to, but with our cross-state rivals, St. Louis City SC, beginning play next year, it’s hard not to be excited for what is to come. The US Men’s and Women’s National Teams came to the Soccer Capital of America and in true Kansas City fashion, we packed the house. This was the first year that our new NWSL team played at Children’s Mercy Park. Of course that won’t be the team’s long-term home as the Current broke ground on the first soccer-specific stadium built for a professional women’s team in North America, and maybe the world. On the pitch, the Current won this city over by overcoming injury after injury to go on a 13-match unbeaten run. The team carried that momentum into the postseason where the team, which had finished in dead last a season prior, ended their season by losing to Portland in the NWSL Championship.
2022 brought an unusual World Cup, one played in the late fall instead of the summer. And still? Kansas City packed out our city’s living room as the Power & Light District’s legendary watch parties were on display for the entire nation. When the national teams for the United States or Mexico took the pitch, KC Live! was rockin’!
And of course, the biggest news of all, when this past summer, it was announced that Kansas City will be a host city for the 2026 FIFA Men’s World Cup. The world’s game is coming to the Heart of America. This once-in-a-lifetime event will impact this city for generations to come.
Similarly, 2022 was a big year for both myself and disKCovery. I did everything I could to avoid the dreaded “sophomore slump” as I attempted to follow up the excitement of that inaugural year. Not only did disKCovery expand its reach and soar to new heights from an engagement perspective, I got a chance to diversify the topics which I covered. Forever the #FountainCityFoodie, I found some new hotspots and told some new stories. Getting to release a Top 12 Fried Chicken Restaurants List was something I wanted to do since I started this page. Getting to cover the release of two bottled-in-bond bourbons from competing distilleries and really dive in to the history of whiskey in KC was an adventure of its own. Designing my own Monopoly board was so much fun! And who can forget the release of disKCovery’s BBQ-themed word game, HERDLE?
However, when you ask me what I’m most proud of as it pertains to disKCovery in 2022? It was getting to tell the stories of a bunch of badass ladies who built this city and changed the world. This was such a process and a learning experience that I will never forget. The Herstory of the City series may not have been the site’s most-popular pieces but they are the ones which I take the most pride in.
As we look ahead to 2023, we already know it will be a memorable one. Kansas City is opening our brand new single-terminal airport which will likely see heavy use next spring when Kansas City plays host to the 2023 NFL Draft! In the coming weeks, I will be laying out my own vision for this site in the coming year.
And yet, 2022 is not quite over. Last year, I opted to end the year by doing a Fountain City Superlatives dedicated to everything I had discovered in 2021. And now, I feel that’s the only way to wrap up any calendar year. Just like last year’s edition, each category is about the best NEW TO ME place I tried in 2022. This doesn’t necessarily mean that the place or thing was new to Kansas City, just that it was new to me. In some cases, it could be a brand new location or something new that I had for the first time at a place I was familiar with for another reason. Some of the categories are subject to change year-over-year but that’s ok. This end-of-year summation is always meant to reflect my own path of discovery and where Kansas City took me.
Here’s my “Best Of” for 2022. I hope that you can find something new! And I hope that this past year was as wonderful for you as it was for me and this city.
It should come as no surprise that a bar that takes inspiration from Ernest Hemingway would have such a wide whiskey selection.
Best Bar - The Pressed Penny Tavern
1511 Westport Road, Kansas City, Missouri
I know. I know! How could it have possibly taken me until this year to finally experience a spot as great as The Pressed Penny Tavern? It’s hard to say. I knew the reputation that the spot had and yet, just never got around to it. Luckily, 2022 was the year I stopped making that mistake. I can see why so many have recommended it to me in recent years, The Pressed Penny is unequivocally delightful! The bar is so inviting. The tap and wine selection are top notch. This is also a great spot for a cocktail! Considering that The Pressed Penny, admittedly, draws a lot of inspiration from former Kansas City resident, Ernest Hemingway - there has to be some whiskey. The faux leather tufted booths against the dining room walls are cozy and perfect for a date for two, or a group of twenty at Sunday brunch! Oh, did I mention? They have brunch! In fact, the food program as a whole is quite fantastic. The Pressed Penny has everything I could want in a bar, fair prices, good food and drink, terrific specials, friendly staff, prompt service, and is a comfortable place to just hang out, have a meal, or catch the game. In 2022, this bar became my number one reason to venture down Westport Road! (Oh, and if you were wondering, there is a commemorative pressed penny machine inside the front door if you want a keepsake from your visit.)
Worth A Mention: Cliff’s Taphouse
Best Barbeque Joint - Wolfepack Barbecue
1340 Burlington Street, North Kansas City, Missouri
For my regular readers, this entry will hardly seem surprising. After all, I did publish a piece about Wolfepack BBQ on this page just last month, and even featured them in my piece about Party in the Pit in October. However, this choice was not nearly that simple. This was a year that saw a number of established barbeque joints permanently close their doors, while an even greater number opened their doors. As a result, I do not believe I have ever tried as many new barbeque joints in a single year as I did in 2022. There were a lot to consider but Wolfepack made it easy. Located in Northtown’s Callsign Brewing, Wolfepack BBQ is a craft-style pop-up that serves some of the best brisket and turkey in the city. Aside from a dynamite line-up of familiar favorites, what sets them apart from, pardon my pun, the rest of the pack is their focus on innovation. Inventiveness is at the heart of everything they do. Returning customers do so not only because of the exemplary service or the incredible food, but because they never know what will be on the menu and when it will be there again. Smoked goat, an eclectic array of soups, various sausages, and a plethora of potato salad and slaw flavors have all made their way to this menu. In a city steeped in barbeque tradition, Wolfepack makes their own mark by daring to be different.
Worth A Mention: Meat Mitch Barbecue
I am still having dreams about the Smoked Maple Cured Pork Chop at KoZak’s.
Best Breakfast Spot - KoZak’s Laketown Grill
1018 South Highway 169, Smithville, Missouri
Readers may recall that last year we not only wrote about KoZak’s Laketown Grill, but lauded them again at the end of the year for their ever-revolving array of delectable desserts. So some may look at this and say, “Hey, KoZak’s wasn’t new to you in 2022” but this past fall, they did do something new. They introduced a weekend brunch. And my goodness, does this Smithville eatery absolutely nail it! Like any Kansas City breakfast spot, they do have an oversized cinnamon roll but theirs is served in the cast-iron skillets typically reserved for their amazing cornbread. The same is true for their scratch-made biscuits and gravy. The brunch burger is an inspired sandwich. It utilizes a ground pork patty as opposed to a beef one and is topped with muenster and arugula cheeses, crispy bacon, fried egg, and apple butter. The dish that will have me coming back again and again is the Smoked Maple Cured Pork Chop served with eggs and hashbrowns. The thick-cut of bone-in pork loin has a great balance of sweet, salty, and smoky flavor. There’s nothing else like it in the city!
Worth A Mention: Harvey’s at Union Station
Best Brewery - River Bluff Brewing - River Market
201 Main Street, Suite 101, Kansas City, Missouri
Coincidentally, this is the second inclusion in this year’s superlatives that was actually a St. Joseph original. River Bluff Brewing began operating in historic downtown St. Joe back in 2018 and since that time, I have heard nothing but good things from friends and family who live / work there. The brewery had hoped to expand to KC a few years back but of course, pandemic-related delays. Finally, in March of this year, they realized their dream of expanding to Kansas City with an ideal location, one where you can see the Missouri River, by way of the Kansas Bridge, right out the front door! The large industrial space plays right into the river theme with a speedboat hanging from the ceiling and driftwood tap handles. Often times, it feels like the majority of microbreweries can be designated as West Coast-influenced (hoppy and IPA heavy) or German influenced (lagers, wheat beers, and brown beers), but River Bluff seems to fit neither bill. Instead they have a line-up across the beer spectrum without leaning too heavily in any one direction. IPAs of all styles, lagers, pilsners, cream ales, stouts, and German brews all seem to be in play. Currently, they even offer the Quadfather which feels a bit like bourbon-barrel ale but also has some definite Trappist beer vibes. As someone who is Belgian beer and bourbon obsessed, this was a fun one to try. For the adventurous, they have a pickle-flavored gose! For me though, the two beers that really stand out in the Kansas City craft scene are the Arrowhead Red, a red ale that is light but flavorful with a hint of rye, and the Goldlion, a light but refreshing coffee-infused golden stout. It’s beginning to feel like the River Market may be primed to be the next brewery district in KC. River Bluff Brewing is definitely helping to lead the charge.
Worth A Mention: Red Sash Brewing
Hidden beneath our city’s soccer stadium, is its most exclusive speakeasy. A space where photos are largely prohibited, the only way to experience it is to be a member, or a guest of one.
Best Burger Joint - Quickies Burgers & Fries
1000 Kansas Avenue, Kansas City, Kansas
Understanding that I’m burying the lead for an upcoming superlative, this year’s winner for best event actually led me to discovering my favorite new spot for a burger. Tucked away in Armourdale, Quickies Burgers & Fries combines old-school charm with nostalgic flavors. A destination for specialty burgers, loaded hot dogs, fries, onion rings, and shakes, I wrote earlier this year that Quickies should not be confused with fast food. Instead they, “serve great food, made fast”. Boasting a full-lineup of specialty “famous” burgers, my go-to is consistently the Patty Melt. The melted Swiss cheese, caramelized onions, smash patty, between two slices of griddled Roma Bakery bread, with a side of the signature Quickies Sauce, is incredibly hard to beat. Aside from burgers, this is probably the best place for a hot dog that I have found in Kansas City. As the owner told me multiple times, Quickies is a “new reason to get to Armourdale.”
Worth A Mention: Bizz & Weezy Confections
Best Cocktail Spot - The Boot Room
1 Sporting Way, Kansas City, Kansas
As has already been mentioned, this year in Kansas City really was defined by soccer. The events that transpired surrounding “The Beautiful Game” will shape this city for years to come. And yet, no matter how big of a fan of footie you are, you may have no idea that this city’s soccer stadium, Children’s Mercy Park, is home to, quite possibly, the most exclusive cocktail spot in the city. Hidden beneath the home of Sporting Kansas City* is The Boot Room. Opened in May of this year, The Boot Room is a members-only speakeasy underneath the stadium that holds approximately 60 guests. So non-descript is the black door which hides this haven of artisan-made craft cocktails and luxury spirits, that one could easily pass by without realizing the party hidden within. As is to be expected, the bar, and the menu, have a soccer theme. Among the most popular cocktails in their A+ line-up are The Boot (the bartenders’ take on the smoked old-fashioned that is as good as one will find anywhere!) and the Cauldron Calling (a creamy, smooth, drink that is espresso martini-adjacent that utilizes mezcal and is garnished with a delicate leaf of dark chocolate). The Cauldron Calling’s mix of smoky, creamy, coffee, and chocolatey should not work, but it absolutely does. Every one of their distinct, amazing signature cocktails, as well as their beers and wines, are complimentary for guests in The Boot Room. The exceptional service, incredible drink selection, and all-inclusive nature of this space makes this the best cocktail experience in the entire metro. However, there is a catch. The Boot Room is only open about 25 days per year (typically before and after Sporting Kansas City home matches) and if you hope to gain entry and check it out for yourself, you either need to be a member, or be the guest of one.
Worth A Mention: King G
The coffee is why Oddly Correct cracks this list, but I am slightly obsessed with their breakfast sandwiches as well.
Best Coffeehouse - Oddly Correct Coffee Bar
4141 Troost Avenue, Kansas City, Missouri
For many, this is likely to be another surprising entrant. That is not an indictment on the quality of Oddly Correct, but instead one on me. From the time I moved to Kansas City, I heard time and time again that this was the best coffee shop in town. There really is no good excuse as to why it took me so long to get there. When earlier this year, a co-worker kept raving about the breakfast sandwiches, I agreed to finally go. For years, Oddly Correct was at Westport and Main but semi-recently moved to their location on Troost. Not only did the move allow them to bring their entire roasting and tasting operation under one roof, but it brought a great café and restaurant to an under-served and under-trafficked neighborhood. It seemed to fit the bill for a coffee shop that has been, more or less, a destination. What Oddly Correct offers is a high quality coffee and coffee shop experience in a way that is accessible and open to all. They have a mix of traditional favorites and innovative seasonal offerings. My favorite drink on the menu is the Bourbon Vanilla Latte which is a combination of so many things that I already love. Not too sweet, not too bold, not too light, and not too heavy, it is a perfect way to start the day. In case you were wondering, the breakfast sandwiches also live up to the billing. Sausage, egg, and pimento cheese on a big, warm, flaky homemade biscuit? How could anyone not be a fan of that?
Worth A Mention: Post Coffee Company
Best Donuts - Mr. D’s Donuts
11222 W. 75th Street, Shawnee, Kansas
Shawnee locals know Mr. D’s Donut Shop to be a local staple but admittedly, I had never heard of it until a friend invited me there for Sunday morning coffee this past summer. Hidden away in a strip mall, I had to make sure I was at the right place. I had my doubts but then I walked through the doors and knew I was in the right place. The unassuming exterior gives way to a donut shop that looks unchanged over the past 40 years. Mr. D’s has a real “Mom and Pop” feel to it that lets you know this is a family-owned establishment. While the shop feels like a throwback, the case is always full of traditional favorites and more modern, exciting options. Well full, if you get there in time. Particularly on the weekends, the best flavors sell out quickly. The cake donuts are great, the apple fritter is dense and fantastic, and the glazed yeast? With all due respect to Lamar’s, this may be the best glazed donut in town. Even still, the star of the show is their signature Honey Dip. I could try and describe it but you’d be better off just getting to Shawnee and trying it for yourself.
As an added bonus, you can knock off two of these places in one go. Mr. D’s serves Oddly Correct coffee, and similarly, Oddly Correct offers Mr. D’s Donuts!
Worth A Mention: Johnny’s Donuts
Adam Freese’s Fly Over This, located outside the National Museum of Toys and Miniatures, was one of my favorite Parade of Hearts entries because it so perfectly captured the essence of what disKCovery is all about, as well as the chip that many Kansas Citians bear on our collective shoulder.
Best Event - The Parade of Hearts
Kansas City
It is hard to imagine that there will ever be an event that better captures the spirit of what disKCovery is all about than the inaugural Parade of Hearts did this year. And I say inaugural because it was recently announced that the Parade will return in 2023 and 2024! This citywide art display united all 14 counties of the metropolitan area (and even nearby Lawrence) as 156 large, fiberglass “Charlie Hustle Hearts” were littered across the city. Had the Parade of Hearts simply highlighted local artists or raised over $2.5 million for local charities (both of which it did), that in itself would have been amazing. However, what these hearts truly accomplished is they put everything that is Kansas City on display. Some of these hearts told the story of Kansas City in the past, while others reflected the present or looked ahead to the future. They celebrated the best of our city and brought awareness to often-overlooked aspects of KC. Best of all, this parade was not about Missouri or Kansas. It was not only downtown. Hearts were placed near the airport and over in Liberty. They were in Independence, Blue Springs, Shawnee, Olathe, Smithville, and Bonner Springs. The Parade of Hearts pushed thousands of Kansas Citians to get out and explore KC. I know that the Parade pushed me to visit neighborhoods I never had and it was free and accessible to almost anyone. What can be better than that?
Worth A Mention: Party in the Pit
Best Fried Chicken - Cascone’s
3737 North Oak Trafficway, Kansas City, Missouri
This may not be the restaurant you expected to see here, but for those who read this year’s Devan’s Dozen on fried chicken, you should hardly be surprised. For generations, Cascone’s Italian Restaurant has been a city-wide icon known for their amazing Italian fare and family dining. And yet, their fried chicken dinner is one of the heaviest hitters on the menu! Always cooked-to-order, the golden brown, crispy chicken pieces are served with mashed potatoes and gravy and green beans chockful of bacon bits. There are a number of places in Kansas City that brag about their pan-fried chicken dinner, but Cascone’s is hands-down the best restaurant in town to get this version of the bird. If you are craving a top-flight chicken dinner from Cascone’s though, make sure you go in the evening as it is not a lunchtime option. Head there on a Wednesday night, and there’s the added benefit of half-priced wine!
Worth A Mention: Lula Southern Cookhouse
This time of year, as it gets cold out, nothing warms me up quite like a plate of Pad Key Maw at Baramee Thai Bistro
Best International Food - Baramee Thai Bistro
406 East 18th Street, Kansas City, Missouri
Ever since Baramee Thai Bistro moved into the old Pizzabella space in the Crossroads a couple years back, I have heard amazing things. For whatever reason, I just never got around to going – even though I am frequently in the neighborhood. That all changed in 2022 as I not only found my favorite Thai place in the city but one of my favorite lunch spots in general. The dining room is intimate and cozy while also being a lot larger than it looks. The open kitchen lets diners know the culinary skill and the quality of ingredients that goes into every dish. The service is incredible. And then, there’s the food itself. The portion sizes are massive and often require a box to-go. While this is an exceptional menu from top-to-bottom, no meal is complete without the Baramee Thai Platter – an appetizer sampler with a mix of soft and crispy spring rolls and some of the best crab rangoon you will find in town. As far as entrées go, the dish for me is the Pad Key Maw (with pork as my meat of choice). The spicy noodle dish is flavor-packed with chili, garlic, and basil. As a rule of thumb, you should always go one spice level lower than you think you should when you eat Thai, and Baramee is no exception to that rule. A spice-lover myself, I am always quite content at a “Medium”.
Worth A Mention: Fannie’s African & Tropical Cuisine
Best Museum - The National Museum of Toys and Miniatures
5235 Oak Street, Kansas City, Missouri
I had long wanted to visit The National Museum of Toys and Miniatures but just never made this time. Then, earlier this year, my own research of Nell Donnelly Reed took me to the Tureman Mansion, which houses the museum, and put this place back on my radar. And I am so glad that it did! Housed within the museum is a collection that will take any generation down Memory Lane. Dollhouses, metal spinning tops, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Thundercats, classic gaming consoles, and porcelain dolls are among the thousands of toys that call the museum’s second floor home. It’s enough to get any generation feeling super nostalgic. Not to be outdone, the main floor of the museum is home to an unbelievable collection of miniatures whose craftsmanship will awe and inspire. This incredible collection, unique to Kansas City, is one you have to see for yourself.
Worth A Mention: Kansas City Fun Tours^
Billie’s Grocery’s take on the Reuben is one of my favorites in town.
Best Pizza - Pizza Tascio
1111 Burlington Street, North Kansas City, Missouri
When Erik Borger got out of the pizza business about five years ago, many in Kansas City were just grateful that his gift to the city’s culinary scene, Il Lazarone, lived on. Known for their authentic Neapolitan-style pies, the River Market pizzeria is one of the best pizza places in town. Sometime last year, Borger decided to re-enter the arena with a concept much different than what he had done before - authentic New York style pizza. After his first location in St. Joseph had success, he brought the concept to North Kansas City where the small shack on Burlington not only resembles a New York City pizza counter, but is ideal for the industrial area it’s in. At Pizza Tascio, customers can expect to find the large, foldable slices with crisp edges that the Big Apple is known for. Borger also offers pizzas in a pan variety (fluffier, crisper, rectangular slices) and has white and red sauce options. For this writer, the White Tascio is the star of the entire line-up. Springy mozarella, fresh ricotta, italian sausage, broccoli, and olive oil cover Tascio’s signature New York crust. Much like the Italian government gave Borger’s Neapolitan pizza the seal of approval (no, seriously! They did!), I think any New Yorker would approve of Borger’s take on the style. Clearly, I am not the only fan as they have continued to expand with locations in Overland Park and near Westport. In a time when the price of everything seems to be going up, Pizza Tascio offers two of their mammoth slices plus a canned soda for only $10. In terms of quality and quantity, that’s a deal that’s tough to beat!
Worth A Mention: Chentes on the Hill
Best Sandwich Spot - Billie’s Grocery
3216 Gilham Plaza, Suite 100, Kansas City, Missouri
Back in January, my deep dive into some of the historic women who shaped this city, took me to the Luzier Cosmetics Building which was designed by prolific Kansas City architect, Nelle Peters. I went there expecting a history lesson. What I didn’t expect when I returned again this past summer, was a phenomenal Reuben sandwich on the side! Located within this historic building, behind the midtown Costco, is Billie’s Grocery, a unique restaurant concept with an emphasis on organic and nutrient dense foods. The space combines the familiarity of an inner-city deli or neighborhood bakery in a boutique setting that screams modernity and style. The result is an array of cocktails, mocktails, baked goods, and entrees that are indulgent in flavor and quantity without causing you to cheat on your diet, or your budget. While I could drone on and on about everything that Billie’s has to offer, they landed my best new (to me) sandwich spot of 2022 for a reason. Picking out a sandwich from the “HANDHELDS” section of the menu is about like Patrick Mahomes picking out a target, there’s so many great options! For me, the two that stand out are the Spanish Steak and the Deli Style Reuben. The Italian Steak features tender grilled steak, caramelized onions, a wonderfully potent garlic aioli, and an assortment of other produce toppings on a toasted ciabatta roll. The Reuben’s pastrami is rich and tender. The house-fermented red cabbage kraut is crunchy, nicely tart, and a welcome deviation from other such sandwiches in town. The stone ground mustard is very grainy and potent, but it works well with the vegan horseradish mayo. All of this is housed between two slices of chewy marble rye. Among this side options, I recommend the sweet potato fries which are simply perfect. The combination of a brilliant local business and a beautiful historic building seems too to be true, and yet, it is.
Worth A Mention: King G
As much as I love all the offerings at Tacos El Tio, the buche is definitely my favorite.
Best Streetcar Wrap - Sporting Kansas City x Kansas City Cauldron
Kansas City, Missouri
Ever since the Kansas City Royals wrapped the KC Streetcar back in 2019, this city’s sports teams have taken turns throwing their own branding on the cars. In 2022, Sporting Kansas City raised the bar in what RideKC considers the most comprehensive wrap in the Streetcar’s existence. KC’s Major League Soccer side partnered with the best supporters in all of MLS, the Kansas City Cauldron, to present the first wrap to feature differing designs on either side. On its own merits, the collaboration between team and fans is enough to make this special. Then, there’s the fact that it was gorgeous inside and out! Beyond the artistry of each side, the interior of the car left no doubt as to the exterior rap. Seat wraps that showcased the Wizards’ and Sporting kits of years gone by, celebrated some of the biggest legends in Kansas City soccer history. This celebration of the past and present of the Soccer Capital of America was clearly top of the table for 2022, and possibly all-time. This is the new standard bearer in streetcar wraps. SEE PICTURES AND DETAILS HERE.
Worth A Mention: Boulevardia ‘Monster Car’
Best Taco Place - Tacos El Tio
78 North 10th Street, Kansas City, Kansas
It will come as almost no surprise that the best taco place I tried in 2022 is on the Taco Trail. Living across the river from Taco Town, USA definitely has its perks! Tacos El TIo is a hole-in-the-wall authentic Mexican street food joint located in the heart of the Riverview neighborhood. As the “El Tio” name suggests, this spot has the feel of a family-run establishment. With the TV on in the corner, open kitchen, and prompt, friendly service, I feel more like I’m eating in someone’s kitchen, than in a restaurant. The street tacos are served on fried yellow corn tortillas and loaded with red onion and cilantro. While they have around ten different meat offerings, the street tacos that Tacos El Tio most excels at seem to be the pork varieties. The pastor is robust and citrusy. The chorizo has a definite bite but is crispy, chewy, and has the ideal amount of heat. The buche (pork stomach) is so tender and rich. A dash of their spicy salsa verde makes the latter my favorite of the bunch. The street tacos come with a side plate of grilled onion petals, grilled chili pepper, and cucumber slices. The pepper is not for the faint of heart! (I was definitely a bit too aggressive with my first bite). Also a great spot to get an authentic torta, Tacos El Tio is not only my favorite place I tried in 2022, it’s in the running for best taco joint in all of KC. If you’re hoping to try some of the city’s best tacos, just make sure to stop at the ATM first. Tacos El Tio is a cash-only establishment.
Worth A Mention: Frontera’s Supermarket
Seriously, this thing is massive.
Best Tenderloin - Christine’s Firehouse Bar & Grill
2012 Swift Street, North Kansas City, Missouri
As someone who frequents Northtown, and loves pork tenderloins, it is actually quite astonishing how long Christine’s Firehouse Bar & Grill managed to stay off my radar. The firefighter themed honky-tonk is a favorite among locals and regulars due to their live music, affordable fare, incredible service, and their fantastic bar food favorites. What keeps many coming back is the monstrous “Famous” Pork Tenderloin sandwich. When it comes to pork tenderloins, people always feel the need to over-exaggerate the size of a sandwich that is certainly going to be large. For months I heard tales of, “I get three meals out of one sandwich!” and brushed them aside. And yet, the first time I was face-to-face with the sandwich, I almost felt I had been undersold! This piece of meat was probably around 15 inches long. I arrived hungry the first time that I had this sandwich and just to fit the fried, beaten, pork loin on to the toasted kaiser roll, I had to cut it into thirds and triple-stack them. Even then, I could have used a third hand to hold the sandwich! I also learned on that first visit that if you actually do finish, the bartenders will applaud. It is something they only see once or twice a day, if that. Since that first visit, I have found it worthwhile to pay the extra 50 cents for a second bun and get another large meal out of the sandwich, or to split it with a friend. And it’s about more than the size, this is a great sandwich. The light breading has an almost Cajun flair to it. The toasted Kaiser roll, horseradish sauce, and veggie toppings are perfect. Their unique beer-battered curled steak fries are some of my favorite fries in the city. This is also the best meal value I found in the entire metro all year. With Happy Hour pints that drop as low as to two to three dollars each, and their gargantuan sandwich with a side selling for under $10, almost anyone can afford to dine here.
Worth A Mention: K&M Bar-B-Q
Among my favorite memories of 2022 was this one - catching my first-ever foul ball at a Major League Baseball game. A special thank you to Tim Anderson of the Chicago White Sox for sending this one my way.
Every year it gets tougher to live in a city as great as this one, and stay true to my mission. I am always discovering so many great new spots that I cannot wait to visit again, and yet, there are so many places that I still want to uncover. There’s so many amazing places that I could frequent, and maybe become a regular, but the itch to explore sometimes interferes with that. It can be tough to find a balance.
That part of who I am though is why I never get bored. Each trip around the sun becomes its own distinct chapter as I hope to never stop being a tourist in the place I call home.
In the coming weeks, I will look ahead to 2023 and share my vision for what next year will bring for my site. That direction could very well impact what this specific column looks like a year from now. But at this time, in this place, I am thankful for the year that was 2022. I am grateful to be able to look back on it and share this record of what was. I am always happy for everything that I get to be a part of and experience in our wonderful city. And more than anything, I am humbled by, and so appreciative of, anyone who joined me on this ride.
As I close the book on 2022, and you saw what was new to me this year, perhaps there is a place or two that can be new to you in the coming year. As the holidays approach, and you gather with family and friends, wherever you may be, always remember to support local and give thanks for the unique chapter that every single year is, and that every new year can be.
Those Pesky Endnotes That I Often Insist Upon…
*And the home of the 2022 NWSL Runner-Up Kansas City Current! That is, until they open up their own riverfront stadium in 2024.
^I know, I know! Kansas City Fun Tours is a tour bus and not exactly a museum but it is still a bus that turns Kansas City, Missouri into a museum and is a great way to spend a couple of hours. Considering that I’m the guy writing the blog, I’m going to allow it!
It is so hard to believe that another year has already come and gone. Thank you so much to all of you have taken the time to read disKCovery this year and especially, to my subscribers. It is always such a pleasure to write for all of you! I wish all the best things for you during the holiday season.
I have a lot planned for the coming year. In many way, it will be a bit of a return to my roots as much of next year will be spent, temporarily, narrowing my focus to really dive into an aspect of this city that I am very passionate about. However, I would love to hear from you. What was your favorite piece from 2022? Where would you like to see me take the site in 2023? As always, let me hear it below!
