Spent the past few days down in Kansas City, the home of bar-b-que (Memphis, Carolina & Texas not withstanding). Had dinner at Fiorella's Sunday evening. Had the mixed rib sampler platter with pork, lamb & beef ribs. The lamb ribs stole the show. The house sauce was a bit sweet for me but their spicy sauce kicked things up a notch. Just right. Their famous stacks of onion rings are also a nice accompaniment instead of fries. The beans were o.k. but overly smoky and the slaw needed a bit more of a vinegar bite for my tastes. Had a Boulevard Wheat beer to wash everything down. Good eats.
Yesterday I had lunch at Arthur Bryant's, probably the most famous bar-b-que joint on the planet. Brisket & cole slaw with a rib sampler side & lemonade. Their brisket is moist without being juicy and has a nice smokiness. Their slaw was creamy but not overly so. The ribs had a nice coating of rub. A bit spicy and great flavor. Their house sauce has a slightly acidic vinegar bite that compliments the smokiness of the meat and cuts through the richness. This is bar-b-que done right.
I've eaten at Gates Bar-b-que before and really enjoyed their mutton ribs. Not for everyone, they're a bit gamey and greasy but a nice change from the usual stuff.
The current foodie favorite, which I haven't tried yet is Oklahoma Joe's. Proclaimed "indespensible" by Anthony Bourdain, this place is jam packed from open till close. Located in an old gas station, the bar-b-que is suppose to be out-of-this-world.
I'm sure there are plenty of other good places around K.C. that this wine and food guy has missed and if you know of any please pipe in and let us all know. I'm always looking. This is a pretty good sampler though and for a first time visitor to Kansas City this will surely satisfy. I know I haven't been down to Texas to taste the brisket and I've hardly touched on the pulled pork that the Carolinas are so famous for but for my food dollars K.C. is both the heart and the start of bar-b-que in the U.S. of A.
Howard Bernstein
Owner, Casa di Vino
Wine and Food Guy
Des Moines Wine & Food Connection
Comments