Home of the One and Only Kansas City #BBQBible!
Home of the One and Only Kansas City #BBQBible!
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Devan’s (Double) Dozen: BBQ Edition, Part II
After a year that took me to nearly every barbeque restaurant, joint, stand, pop-up, and concept in the Kansas City metro, a lot of readers were left asking the one question I had failed to answer, “Which is best?” Here in Kansas City, talking about barbeque is as common as discussing the weather or the local sports team, but far more precarious. The BBQ joint one person swears by will be the one another swears they won’t visit again. That didn’t stop me from weighing in with the first-ever double edition of Devan’s Dozen. This part contains a countdown from #12 to #1!
FCS: Best of 2023
For me, this edition of Fountain City Superlatives is always special as I get a chance to recap the year that I had. However, after a year of focusing on almost-exclusively barbeque, I worried that I may not have much more to give. Thankfully, that was not the case. This breaks down the best new things I tried in Kansas City in 2023. Some of the categories you know and love are missing. Some others are brand new. But here lies a, mostly, non-barbeque recap of my year.
FCS: BBQ Sides
Oftentimes, my recommendation on what BBQ joint a person should try is simply based on the question of “What do you like?” While that typically is all about the meats, the fact is that the side dishes are just as much a part of the barbeque experience. Typically, BBQ restaurants aren’t judged on everything else but as a follow up to my meat rankings, I decided to rank, well, everything else that can be found at KC BBQ joints.
Devan’s Dozen: Burnt Ends Edition
While it is unclear exactly how long the beef burnt end has been a part of Kansas City’s barbeque tradition, they have been our national calling card for over half a century. These delightful chunks of meat candy are often replicated in other regions but have no doubt, they were created and popularized here. In honor of National Burnt End Day, I talked about my own love affair with burnt ends and ranked my Top 12, make that 13, places to find them in KC.
The Fountain City Foodie’s Guide to the World Capital of BBQ (KS)
Setting out to try every single Kansas City barbeque spot, it can be easy to know where you start, but where does one finish? There’s no set checklist of every BBQ joint in the metro. There’s no order guide of what you must, and mustn’t get! That is, there wasn’t. As I recorded my own decade-long pilgrimage through the Q Capital, one friend joked this was a “BBQ Bible”. Not only did I confirm it, I got a little carried away with the concept.
Part 2 / 2 explores the 5 Kansas counties that comprise KC.
Minor Hub? Major Grub!
When I travel, it is not only important to experience the sights and sounds of a place, but also the tastes and smells. While I have asked, or been asked, the best places to dine in a certain area, I have never thought to ask, “What should I eat at the airport?” and nobody has ever asked me. Now, that’s changing. There’s been much to-do about our glittering new airport but the part of the story that’s been missed - the Northland now has a gigantic food hall. All the options can be overwhelming so these are my top picks.
KCRW 2023: A Preview
Every January, for 10 glorious days, the Kansas City restaurant community bands together to offer “affordable, adventurous dining” for all. As an added caveat, a portion of all proceeds always are donated to a worthwhile local cause. With the KC Restaurant Week menus starting to be released and so many options, here’s a few recommendations. Last year, I did a review of KCRW. This year, I offer a preview.
Devan’s Dozen: Fried Chicken Edition
When I was a kid, fried chicken was a special treat. It wasn’t that fried chicken was reserved for special occasions. Instead, it was that fried chicken made any meal a special one. A friend asking me the question a couple years ago of, “What’s the best fried chicken in KC?” spawned a very intentional quest to answer that question. So here are my Top 12 Fried Chicken Spots in KC. If you’re expecting Stroud’s or Go Chicken Go, you won’t find that here.