FCS: Best of 2024
Among many, the opening of CPKC Stadium, the first stadium in the world purpose-built for a women’s professional sports team, was the talk of the town in 2024. PHOTO CREDIT - disKCovery
Published December 30, 2024
No matter how much I plan for it, anticipate it, or even consciously think about it throughout the year, this article sneaking up on me is becoming a bit of an annual tradition.
Perhaps, it’s just a sign of getting older. Maybe, I’m doing a better job of being present and doing a worse job of recording my experiences. Or maybe, just maybe, it’s that as my Kansas City tenure enters its teenage years, I have largely figured out what I like in KC and prefer to spend my time, money, and energy on my Fountain City favorites. While there is some truth to all of these, the fact is that this city is constantly evolving and changing. There will always be so much more to discover in this metro than I could ever possibly hope to. And I hope that the day never comes that I stop being a tourist in this city. Each year will always be unique from those that came before it.
Here in Kansas City, the year began as it seems it typically does as of late - with a Super Bowl parade. While those festivities would sadly end in tragedy, it was mostly a time of celebration and triumph. It does seem this was a year where our city’s sports teams really set the tone. The Kansas City Chiefs defended their Lombardi by winning only the second Super Bowl to ever go to overtime. The Kansas City Royals spent in free agency and saw immediate returns as their young superstar, Bobby Witt, Jr., took another massive step forward in his development and the Royals’ incredible pitching staff led the team to their first playoff berth, and postseason series win, since 2015. While Sporting Kansas City took a step back after a year where they advanced in the MLS Cup Playoffs, the team still managed to make a run all the way to the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup Final before falling in extra time to LAFC. Even in terms of the schools that many locals cheer for, Missouri, Kansas State, and Kansas football were all ranked in the preseason AP (Associated Press) Top 25 poll simultaneously for the first time ever. We also learned that as the 2026 FIFA World Cup quickly approaches, that Kansas City will host a staggering six matches, including a quarterfinal!
And while our men’s teams largely impressed, it was the ladies who really stole the show. Perhaps, there was no bigger story in Kansas City this year than the opening of CPKC Stadium - the home of the Kansas City Current and the first stadium in the world to be purpose-built for a women’s professional sports team. The 11,500 seat stadium opened to rave reviews and even had the honor of hosting both the Big XII Soccer Championships and the NWSL (National Women’s Soccer League) Final. On the pitch, the Current gave fans an exciting product! It took nearly four months for the team to lose their first game and they rode that momentum all the way to a Women’s Cup title, Summer Cup title, and the NWSL semifinals before losing to eventual champion, Orlando Pride. Newcomer Temwa Chawinga set records for goals scored and for scoring against every other team in the league on her way to being named the League MVP.
Speaking of sports, this was very much a year where sports set the tone for me personally as well. On average, I attended a professional or collegiate sporting event once a week in 2024*. With three perennial MVP candidates calling Kansas City home, and our city’s collision course with destiny in 2026, it seems this trend may continue for the foreseeable future (though likely not as nearly as high of a clip).
So as I reflect on the year that was, all these things come into account. In naming my “Best of 2024”, it is always important to remind established readers, and explain to new ones, that this does not necessarily mean that each was the best thing in a given category for this year. Instead, it means that of all the things I enjoyed in X category that I enjoyed for the first time in 2024, I thought that the below named were the best. That does not mean that these places or things were brand new to Kansas City, it just means that in 2024, they were brand new to me.
Also, I chose to add a new category that deviates from the rest, “Biggest Loss”. Part of capturing my own experiences and having so many Fountain City favorites is remembering the businesses and establishments that permanently closed during this year.
And while the list may be shorter than past years, it is not that this year held any fewer experiences, but simply that the type of exploration shifted for a bit. So as I list my Fountain City Superlatives for the year, these are all things that have to be taken into account.
The ultimate “adult library”, Afterword Tavern & Shelves in downtown Kansas City, MO encourages patrons to grab a book, enjoy one of their curated cocktails, and linger. PHOTO CREDIT - disKCovery
Best Bar - Afterword Tavern & Shelves
1834 Grand Boulevard, Kansas City, Missouri
Since 2018, Afterword Tavern & Shelves has set itself apart from other downtown drinkeries with their signature combo of carefully-curated cocktails and a similarly-compiled stockpile of classic and contemporary literature alike. They round out the menu with a line-up of local beers, wines, and appetizing sandwiches, salads, and small plates. Perfectly fitting the vibe of the Crossroads Arts District it calls home, this “adult library” is a great place to mingle with new and old friends alike, or to simply grab a solo drink and curl up with a good book. Whether it comes from Afterword’s shelves or your own is up to the reader! Part bookstore, part chic Happy Hour hangout, part downtown bar, part coffeeshop, Afterword Tavern & Shelves offers something for every genre of bar patron, and reader as well.
Worth A Mention: Larks Kansas City
The little white trailer in Leavenworth packs some big Caribbean-influenced barbeque flavors! PHOTO CREDIT - disKCovery
Best Barbeque Spot - Black Belt Bar-B-Q
(at Fairfield Inn & Suites) 409 Metropolitan Avenue, Leavenworth, Kansas
When I released my Top 24 BBQ Joints in KC for 2024 back in May, the inclusion of Black Belt Bar-B-Q on the list was shocking to many. The vast majority of our readers had never even heard of the spot. While it had been on my radar for some time, this year finally gave me an opportunity to give them a try. The incredible quality of the barbeque got me out to Leavenworth again. Operating seasonally out of the parking lot of the Fairfield Inn & Suites in Leavenworth, Black Belt Bar-B-Q is a small, family-run food truck that fuses together the barbeque traditions of Kansas City with the genre’s Caribbean origins. The mixture of Jamaican jerk with Kansas City smoke results in charred, smokey, flavor-packed meats unlike anything else in the city. Sadly, if you have not had the opportunity to sample Black Belt, you are going to have to wait a few more months. They famously shut their food truck down during the winter. When spring does roll around, given their presence at a number of local events and festivals throughout the year, it may be worth giving the front desk at the Fairfield Inn & Suites a call to ask them if the little white trailer is currently parked outside.
Worth A Mention: Dunn Deal BBQ
With a motif that celebrates the local teams and nearby Ford factory, the main dining room at Ma and Pa’s Restaurant should be avoided if you don’t like cigarette smoke. Instead, opt out for the newer annex to the left. PHOTO CREDIT - disKCovery
Best Breakfast Spot - Ma & Pa’s Kettle Restaurant
417 US-69, Claycomo, Missouri
If you look up Ma & Pa’s Kettle Restaurant online, you won’t find much. There aren’t many articles, and there is seemingly no website to speak of. About all you will find is an address and hours, and frankly, that’s all you need! As the name suggests, the diner-style eatery tucked away in a Claycomo strip mall is the literal definition of a “Mom & Pop”. A favorite for Northland locals and nearby factory workers, the seat-yourself diner offers a full menu of breakfast and lunch until 2:00pm. They are especially a great destination for their pork tenderloins, biscuits and gravy, assorted breakfast plates, and house-made pies. You can actually combine the best of both worlds by getting the Tenderloin served open-faced and covered with their country gravy! A fantastic place for affordable, scratch-made breakfast, this review does come with one word of warning: this diner does permit smoking in the restaurant. While a bit more boring in decor, head to the newer annex of the restaurant to avoid the smokers.
Worth A Mention: McLain’s Bakery - North KC
From the decor to the names of the beers, Shawnee’s Friction Beer Co. pays homage to classic rock. PHOTO CREDIT - disKCovery
Best Brewery - Friction Beer Company
11018 Johnson Drive, Shawnee, Kansas
At the center of downtown Shawnee’s incredibly underrated brewery and bar district is Friction Beer Co. Newly opened in 2023, the music-themed brewery may be best-known for their decor. Sheet music adorns many of the walls while a giant installation of cassette tapes that are arranged in the shape of a giant F is a popular place for patrons to take photos. Many of the beers in the line-up are also an homage to well-known musical acts and songs. Perhaps their best-known beer, the Dr. Feelgood, is a strawberry blonde ale named for the Mötley Crüe hit. Other beers pay tribute to classic rockers like Pink Floyd and the Rolling Stones. The beer line-up is just as eclectic as their musical references, drawing influence from multiple regions. The hoppy nature of several of their beers gives the line-up strong west coast vibes but there are still a number of options that draw from German and English traditions as well. Regardless of your preference, this is a great spot to enjoy a frosty brew and some equally cool tunes.
Worth A Mention: Transport Brewery
The Sweet Heat at Danny’s Burger Shack utilizes jalapeño jam and truffle Dijon mustard to strike a perfect balance of flavor. PHOTO CREDIT - disKCovery
Best Burger - Danny’s Burger Shack
8002 N. Oak Trafficway #107, Kansas City, Missouri
Originally started as a food truck in Oregon during the pandemic, when Danny Kidwell decided to move back home to Kansas City, the Danny’s Burger Shack food truck came with them. Eventually, Kidwell and his family decided that a brick-and-mortar location made a lot more sense and opened their location on North Oak Trafficway in the summer of 2022. Priding themselves on their use of fresh ingredients, Danny’s features Black Angus ground chuck patties in their carefully-crafted burgers. The combination of familiar classics and unique specialty options, offered with anywhere from one to four patties has caused the humble “shack” to soar in popularity. Combine that with their hand-dipped onion rings, both fry and tot options, equally great chicken options, and a line-up of inventing dipping sauces, it is no wonder that Danny’s is always bustling come lunchtime.
Worth A Mention: Happy Belly Food Truck
Moving into the old Tribe Street Kitchen Space, Muni is a cocktail bar and fusion kitchen in the River Market. PHOTO CREDIT - disKCovery
Best Cocktail Spot - Muni
316 Delaware Street, Kansas City, Missouri
Born from the brilliant minds that gave Kansas City Waldo Thai and Buck Tui BBQ, Muni opened its doors in March of this year. The River Market bar boasts a menu that fuses bar favorites with Latin American and Thai flavors to create a variety of dishes that feel familiar, comforting, and innovative all at once. The same can be said for their exciting line-up of cocktails! The artisan cocktail offerings, which vary from one season to the next, are well-built and have a real speakeasy feel to them. The Old Fashioned is perfectly built, and a good value. The use of flavors like hibiscus, blackberry, Thai chili, ginger, and pineapple in seasonal offerings is enlightened. The delicate balance that the spirits strike in many of their drinks, and the obvious care shown to each cocktail, makes this a must-visit for any lover of mixology.
Worth A Mention: Union on the Hill
The Dirty Thai-ger is among the many specialty lattes that set Cafe Cà Phê apart from others in KC. PHOTO CREDIT - disKCovery
Best Coffeeshop - Cafe Cà Phê
916 E. 5th Street, Kansas City, Missouri
Funny enough, for all the time that I spend in Columbus Park, it was actually the Kansas City Monopoly board that first put Cafe Cà Phê on my radar. This was the year that I became a regular. Billed as “Kansas City’s first and only Vietnamese coffeeshop”, Cafe Cà Phê opened their current brick-and-mortar location in 2020 after previously operating as a mobile trailer. The intimate, vibrant space is always abuzz as it offers Midwest hospitality and an array of unique flavors that no other coffeeshop in town can. The beans are harvested in Vietnam and roasted in Brooklyn before they make their way to Kansas City. Here, Cafe Cà Phê blends these beans with ingredients like ube, cinnamon, pear, lychee, matcha, and cayenne to create a memorable line-up of lattes that satisfy every flavor profile from sweet to robust to even spicy. With Columbus Park being home to one of the largest concentrations of Vietnamese-Americans in the city, Cafe Cà Phê exists to bring visibility to this small community and awareness to Vietnam’s traditions and flavors one cup of coffee at a time.
Worth A Mention: Revocup Coffee
A dynamite selection of fritters, donuts, and pine cones has Yos Donuts routinely selling out early. PHOTO CREDIT - disKCovery
Best Donuts - Yos Donuts
7170 Renner Road, Shawnee, Kansas
The quality of donuts and pastries from Shawnee’s Yos Donuts is exceptional, but that is not all that makes this donut shop so special. It is the attention to detail, above-and-beyond customer service, and the focus on their community which sets Yos apart. It is not a coincidence that same community has named Yos “Best of Shawnee” for the past five years running nor that this publication considers them among the very best in KC. A great spot for yeast donuts, old fashioned donuts, apple fritters, and fried cinnamon rolls, this spot is also celebrated for their breakfast burritos. Among all the pastries this grab-and-go shop has to offer, it is the Cherry Pinecone which uniquely stands out as a fabulous treat which you won’t find elsewhere.
Worth A Mention: Jack’s Donuts AND Vee’s Sweets & Treats Deli
In April, over 72,000 fans attended the Sporting Kansas City vs. Inter Miami CF match at Arrowhead Stadium. It was the largest crowd for a soccer match in Kansas City history and Missouri history. PHOTO CREDIT - disKCovery
Best Event - Soccer!
Kansas City, Missouri and Kansas City, Kansas
Alright, I get it. Not focusing on one singular event for 2024 may feel like a bit of a cop out. But then again, hear me out. Kansas City is is rapidly approaching 2026 and hosting, inarguably, the largest event in the history of our city, and probably the state of Missouri as well. It did feel like there was a lot of momentum in the Soccer Capital of America to set the stage for two summers from now, and that energy was not limited to a singular event. As mentioned earlier, there’s a lot of amazing things that started with the Kansas City Current. The opening of CPKC Stadium, that ended with this stadium hosting the NWSL Final, was a huge moment for this city, and for women’s sports in general! As Copa America returned to the United States, it came as no surprise that both sides of Stateline were chosen as host cities. The United States hosted Uruguay at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium, while Canada and Peru faced off at Children’s Mercy Park. Additionally, Kansas City was chosen to host the USA men’s Olympic team before they headed to Paris, and was the site of the U.S. Men’s National Team’s Fan Appreciation Match which pitted the U.S. Men’s National Team against their rival to the north, Canada. If there was a singular event that encapsulated everything that happened in soccer in Kansas City this year, then it was undoubtedly the Sporting Kansas City vs. Inter Miami CF match at GEHA Field on April 13. More than 72,000 fans were in attendance for the largest soccer match in the history of Kansas City, and the state of Missouri. In fact, it was one of the five largest crowds in Major League Soccer history! While, Sporting KC ultimately fell to Lionel Messi and Miami in a 3-2 thriller, it did give the nation a taste of what to expect from Kansas City in 2026.
Worth A Mention: Disney100! (Exhibit at Union Station)
The tangy and flavorful Peking pork chop is an ABC Cafe favorite. PHOTO CREDIT - disKCovery
Best International Fare - ABC Cafe
10001 W. 87th Street, Overland Park, Kansas
Over the years, I have begun to relish the conversations I have with bartenders. When a bar or restaurant is a little slow, it is fun to get the insight of those in the service industry. One of my favorite questions for bartenders and servers alike is learning their favorite places in the city, when they’re not coming to their place of work. While ABC Cafe has been around for nearly 15 years, it first came on to my radar about two years ago when one bartender after another kept naming it as one of the best restaurants in town. This year, I finally made it a point to visit and I now understand the hype surrounding the humble little shop in Overland Park. An authentic Cantonese kitchen in every sense, ABC Cafe offers an unbelievable array of dim sum and entrées unlike any other place in the metro. Among my personal favorites are the fried shrimp won tons, the robust Siu Mai, the beef pancake wraps, and the Peking style pork chop. The freshness of ingredients is evident in every single plate. The spices are brilliant blended to create explosive flavors. Served family-style, the foods are meant to be both interactive and t to highlight the flavors of this region of China. It is easy to understand why this unassuming strip mall eatery is so beloved by so many!
Worth A Mention: Kura Sushi
Serving up classic po’ boys, fried seafood, and hearty gumbo, Mudbug brings big Bayou flavors to the City of Fountains. PHOTO CREDIT - disKCovery
Best Sandwich Spot - Mudbug Cajun Po’ Boys
3524 NE Vivion Road, Kansas City, Missouri
Owned and operated by a pair of Southern transplants, Mudbug Cajun Po’ Boys brings the flavors of the Gulf shore to Kansas City. Offering a number of Creole and Cajun comfort food favorites, Mudbug does a steady lunch business for those seeking out authentic po’ boy sandwiches, jambalaya, gumbo, red beans and rice, fried okra, or who just want a quality basket of fried shrimp in an area far-removed from any ocean. The dedication to sourcing fresh ingredients is evident in every dish. The golden, light, crisp, well-seasoned breading carries the best of the bayou in each bite. The Po’ Boys are hearty sandwiches, heaping with fried seafood, succulent tomato, and wonderful red cabbage slaw. Truth be told, the sandwiches are a saucy mess, incapable of being reined in, but the flavors are so bold and fantastic, that no one cares if there’s some debris. The house standard side of lemon and garlic fries are a perfectly crisp shoestring potato with nice subtle notes of the aforementioned flavors. The gumbo is hearty with great textures and once again, the freshness of the ingredients shines. For those looking for a taste of Louisiana, they need look no further than the Northland’s Mudbug.
Worth A Mention: Michael Forbes Bar & Grill
EPH 4:2 was the name of this wrap by local designer Julia Morris, who sought to illustrate the importance of coexistence. PHOTO CREDIT - disKCovery
Best Streetcar Wrap - Art in the Loop (2024)
Kansas City, Missouri
Anytime that I hear the familiar, “TING! TING!” of the KC Streetcar, I always take a look. While I have seen the Streetcar pass thousands of times, there is always the possibility that I will see something new. As the Streetcar looks to expand its footprint in the coming year, there is no doubt that will only lead to more and more designs. In 2024, we saw a number of beautiful designs that highlighted a number of institutions, our beloved sports teams, and even saw the annual holiday car get a bold, and most-welcome makeover. However, the one that made the biggest impression for me was this year’s Art in the Loop submission. Designed by local illustrator Julia Morris, her wrap titled EPH 4:2 brought a brilliant display to both the interior and exterior of the car. The intention was to reflect the importance of coexistence. A mixture of fluidity and rigidity demonstrate a balance of compassion and understanding with friction and conflict. The colors, designs, and patterns employed are not only eye-catching but were meant to remind all who saw them of the importance of being considerate of all. Even without digging into the deeper, and well-timed message, Morris’ creation turned many heads along the Streetcar Loop in 2024.
Worth A Mention: Kemper Museum Car AND CPKC Holiday Car
Already recognized for exception barbeque, 3Halves in Liberty is quickly becoming a destination for their pork tenderloin. PHOTO CREDIT - disKCovery
Best (Pork) Tenderloin - 3Halves Brew Pub & BBQ
110 E. Kansas Street, Liberty, Missouri
Ever since they started serving up their current menu in 2022, 3Halves Brew Pub & BBQ has deservedly received much praise from a number of local publications for their craft-style barbeque. For as remarkable as their smoked meat and side offerings are, they may not even be the best thing on the menu. That distinction may go to their Iowa Style Tenderloin sandwich! A new addition to their roster in 2023, it actually took me a few tries to sample this sandwich because on my first pair of attempts, it was already sold out! This pork behemoth on a bun is breaded in crushed and seasoned saltine crackers and then fried to a perfect golden brown. While the cutlet is massive and dominates the tray as a great breaded pork tenderloin typically does, 3Halves amazingly pounds out the loin without sacrificing girth. Typically a pork tenderloin is either large or thick, and yet, the 3Halves version is both! Perfectly seasoned, not too greasy, and perhaps a bit too flaky, this is one of the better tenderloins that can be found in Kansas City. Garnished with lettuce, red onion, house pickles, and creamy horseradish, this sandwich is a must-try; even if it means passing on their widely-lauded barbeque.
Worth A Mention: Courthouse Exchange
PHOTO CREDIT - disKCovery
Best Taco Joint - El Sazón Jarocho KC
6638 Niemann Road, Shawnee, Kansas
Launched in the summer of 2024, El Sazón Jarocho KC is a tiny, red trailer serving up the kind of selection of authentic street tacos which we have all come to expect on the Kansas side of Stateline. In addition, they also serve up quesadillas, flautas, tortas, burritos, and even the occasional hamburger! Their specialty is clearly their birria tacos. The corn tortillas are perfectly made. The consome-dipped tacos are packed with flavor. The generous portions of tender meat and rich cheese are so wonderfully fused together that each bite melts in your mouth. The fragrant onions, cilantro, and lime only tie the whole thing together. These are birria tacos as good as any you could ever hope to find. While based out of Shawnee and routinely parked at the given address, El Sazón Jarocho is a mobile operation that moves all about the metro and is becoming a staple at several events. If you do hope to try some of their tasty tacos, the best way to determine their location for the day is to check their social media.
Worth A Mention: Tarahumaras Mexican Restaurant #2
It may not look like much, but for decades, Harold’s Drive-In has served up one of the best breakfast sandwiches in town. PHOTO CREDIT - disKCovery
Biggest Loss - Harold’s Drive-In
1337 Admiral Boulevard, Kansas City, Missouri
A few weeks ago, an article in the Northeast News broke the story that after over 65 years of operation, the iconic Harold’s Drive-In would be closing at the end of this year. A longtime favorite of this writer, you may recall that I told the story behind this storied eatery nearly two years ago. Over the past few weeks, since the news broke, hundreds of flooded in to say good-bye to this humble Columbus Park Drive-In whose burgers, fries, and shakes, many of them grew up on. For those hoping to arrive and learn that the rumors of the closure were exaggerated, there was no such luck, as the Northeast News article was plastered on the soda fountain for all to see. A destination for burgers, pork tenderloins, Italian sandwiches, milkshakes, biscuits and gravy, and some of the best breakfast sandwiches this town has to offer, Harold’s has been a regular stop for generations of Kansas Citians. A few years ago, Walker told me that, “Consistency is what keeps places open.” It was this consistency that allowed someone to enjoy the same burger in 2024 that they had in 2004 and 1984 before it. But sadly, that consistency and the unmatched service for which Harold’s has long been known were not enough. The restaurant industry can be a brutal one. Many places never recovered from the hardships of the pandemic. And come 2025, Harold’s Drive-In will be yet another icon that has gone to the wayside, leaving an irreplaceable hole in the Columbus Park neighborhood.
Worth A Mention: Michael Forbes Grill, Oden’s BBQ, AND Ridgewood Donuts
2024 took me to a lot of places new and old, both within our metro and outside of it. I hope that, as you read about the year that was for me, you take some time in the coming days to reflect on 2024 and think about all the new things you tried this year. Give some thought to what set this year apart from the years before it, and start considering what new things you hope to do and what new places you look to try as you head into 2025.
Those Pesky Endnotes That I Often Insist Upon…
*No, seriously, I did the math. 38 professional games (MLS, MLB, NWSL, and NBA) + 12 collegiate games (NCAA football, men’s basketball, women’s basketball, and baseball) + 3 international soccer fixtures = 53 sporting events attended in 2024. Just a shade over one per week. Crazy right?
Thank you to everyone who took the time to read and engage with disKCovery this year! I wish you nothing but the best during this holiday season and in the coming year! Happy New Year!
