We all know that Kansas City has some of the best BBQ in America, and with so many note-worthy competitors to choose from, it can be hard to land on one decision when you’re craving that mouth-watering meat. Ribs, burnt ends, brisket, pulled pork…the seasoned, smoked and sauced-up meat is definitely what it’s all about when it comes to great barbecue. But if you’re a carb junkie like me who appreciates a good variety of textures and flavors when indulging, the sides are a huge part of the KC BBQ experience. I’m not ashamed to say I have popped in to a few of these places just to grab a helping of their best sides, simply to satisfy the major cravings they tend to induce! 

If breakfast is the most important meal of the day then it better be delicious too! These Kansas City, KS local breakfast and brunch spots will help you start your day off right! 

This year I want to focus on trying new places and supporting local business as much as possible. I was planning a trip to Bonner Springs and I found myself in the cutest little coffee shop! Third Space was the perfect place to spend the morning reflecting and goal setting. 

Music lovers visiting Kansas City, KS are going to love discovering all of the cool places around town where they can escape the cold weather and catch live music performances almost any night of the week. 

At Bichelmeyer Meats, people come for the meat market, but stay for the tacos.

Every Saturday, Bichelmeyer Meats transforms into a bustling taqueria serving tacos, tamales, and quesadillas along with the usual meat market patrons. Customers sit family style on one of the several banquet style tables clad with red-checked tablecloths and set with plastic green lawn chairs. Everyone in the joint is in good spirits, and once you take your first bite of taco – you soon find out why. 

The holiday season is here! And if it's the holidays then shopping is high on everyone's to-do list. What kind of shopper are you? Are you someone who prides herself/himself for thoughtful, handpicked gifts for your friends and family? Or do you go for gift cards? If you see yourself in the first group, then I have some good news for you! Every family has a foodie, and food and beverage gifts that are also local to Kansas City, KS is a win-win for sure! I decided to round up some unique items for the food-lover in your life.   

When people think about Kansas City, the first thing that comes to mind is BBQ - and for good reason! Kansas City is home to some of the world’s tastiest bbq spots. Sweet and saucy is the name of the KC bbq game, but that doesn’t stop local joints from coming up with their own tangy, smoky, or spicy spin on flavors, meats, and wood smoked treats. 

With no real ethnic majority (about 30% white, 30% Hispanic, 30% African-American and 10% of various growing ethnicities) Kansas City, KS owns up to its reputation of being a true melting pot of a destination. From our roots, Kansas CIty, KS has welcomed diverse cultures and ethnic groups who settled here. As you explore the city you’ll find each neighborhood unveils a new story of the people who have come to call it home.

Coffee. One of the great loves of my life. A warm comfort to ease me from a sleepy fog into a productive afternoon; a necessary component of my “real world” functioning. I’ve never met a cup I didn’t like, but I must say I am partial to supporting local business. So I recently combined two of my favorite things, coffee and exploring the city, and set out to “hop some shops” around Kansas City, Kansas. 

If someone asked me a few years ago for a great place to go for coffee I probably would suggest somewhere other than Kansas City, KS. Sure - there were a couple Starbucks locations, gas stations and other franchise spots to help cure the afternoon lull, but a quaint, quiet spot to read or chat with a friend? You’d probably be better off searching elsewhere in KC. However, if you were to ask me today, my answer would be entirely different. It seems as if recently local coffee shops and cafes have been popping up all about my beloved KCK.