ROAD TRIP II: Kansas City!

This is the first Mexican restaurant I set foot in Kansas City over 12 years ago. Pauly the bartender is great, the most personable character of The Boulevard.

La Fonda El Taquito - Kansas City, MO, 64108 - Citysearch

http://i279.photobucket.com/albums/k...A/IMG_2371.jpg

The 'ritas here are consistent. Perfect balance of mix to liquor.

http://i279.photobucket.com/albums/k...A/IMG_2372.jpg

I give this a 4 out of a possible 5 rating.

(I know the food is great here because Pauly always brings me samples out of the kitchen. The mole is AWESOME!)

Everyone will tell you Manny's is the best. But how do their 'ritas hold up?

Manny's Mexican Restaurant of Kansas City

http://i279.photobucket.com/albums/k...A/IMG_2373.jpg

Manny's 'rita

http://i279.photobucket.com/albums/k...A/IMG_2374.jpg

I gave this a 2 out of a possible 5 rating.

The drink was not mixed well. A 'rita should be shaken or "cracked" in a blender. This had a "layered" flavor. The free chips and salsa could not save this.

Touted as KC's best 'rita!

Ponaks Mexican Kitchen

http://i279.photobucket.com/albums/k...A/IMG_2375.jpg

This was last years BEST 'RITA. Nigel the bartender is one of the best in the business. The bar is always full of regulars. They make you feel like part of the family every time.

But, how is the 'rita?

http://i279.photobucket.com/albums/k...A/IMG_2376.jpg

Nigel will tell you the difference is they use less mix and more liquor. They use rose's lime instead of a basic sweet and sour mix. The clear almost syrup appearance tells you that. The flavor is awesome!

I gave this a 4.5 out of a possible 5 rating.

This was recommended by many locals.

Taqueria Mexico - Kansas City, MO

http://i279.photobucket.com/albums/k...A/IMG_2377.jpg

The 'ritas were offered in three different sizes. I opted for the medium.

http://i279.photobucket.com/albums/k...A/IMG_2378.jpg

This was a basic 'rita. Nothing bold or watered down.

I gave this a 3.5 out of a possible 5.

Although it is not on The Boulevard, Ted's Montana Grill's 1800 'rita is the best I have ever had.

Ponak's is still numero uno on The Boulevard.

Off to http://www.knuckleheadskc.com/

http://i279.photobucket.com/albums/k...A/IMG_2379.jpg

http://i279.photobucket.com/albums/k...A/IMG_2380.jpg

There were two bands that night, one inside. Just the house band, but they were very good.

http://i279.photobucket.com/albums/k...A/IMG_2381.jpg

and...

::Indigenous Music::

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RQa2ojStxbg&feature=re lated]YouTube - Indigenous - Out of Nowhere, Mato Nanji[/ame]

Mato and his band were AWESOME!!!

http://i279.photobucket.com/albums/k...A/IMG_2382.jpg

http://i279.photobucket.com/albums/k...A/IMG_2383.jpg

http://i279.photobucket.com/albums/k...A/IMG_2384.jpg

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q2CPhYpqITk&feature=re lated]YouTube - Indigenous - Blues From the Sky[/ame]

http://i279.photobucket.com/albums/k...A/IMG_2385.jpg

http://i279.photobucket.com/albums/k...A/IMG_2386.jpg

http://i279.photobucket.com/albums/k...A/IMG_2387.jpg

http://i279.photobucket.com/albums/k...A/IMG_2388.jpg

There was not much of a crowd that night.

http://i279.photobucket.com/albums/k...A/IMG_2390.jpg

after a couple of encores it was time to head back to the hotel

http://i279.photobucket.com/albums/k...A/IMG_2392.jpg

Back to...

http://i279.photobucket.com/albums/k...A/IMG_2393.jpg

The diner has many names and dates written on the walls. I asked the waitress about this. She said if you eat two of their pancakes, you get to write your name on the wall.

http://i279.photobucket.com/albums/k...A/IMG_2395.jpg

I decided it was my day to get my name on the wall!

Well, I tried...

http://i279.photobucket.com/albums/k...A/IMG_2394.jpg

I did not get much further than that. This was one of the best tasting pancakes I have ever eaten. It was just a bit too much, hehe.



Note: The City Diner is frequented by dozens of LEO's (K-9, Detectives, SWAT) and the KCFD, daily. Since I have not seen a strong KC crowd here I asked the waitress if I could put in a word for the APB/OR merge. Six members of the KC SWAT team were there. They seemed receptive and thought they would check it out and spread the word.

The National World War I Museum.

National World War I Museum - Online Community

http://i279.photobucket.com/albums/k...A/IMG_2405.jpg

http://i279.photobucket.com/albums/k...A/IMG_2399.jpg

http://i279.photobucket.com/albums/k...A/IMG_2402.jpg

http://i279.photobucket.com/albums/k...A/IMG_2401.jpg

http://i279.photobucket.com/albums/k...A/IMG_2400.jpg

Cool! Did you get a picture of Dorothy's farm? :D

Union Station Kansas City

Kansas City Massacre - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

http://i279.photobucket.com/albums/k...A/IMG_2400.jpg

http://i279.photobucket.com/albums/k...A/IMG_2403.jpg

http://i279.photobucket.com/albums/k...A/IMG_2404.jpg

...all this sightseeing is making me hungry!

Fiorella's Jack Stack Barbecue :: A Kansas City BBQ Tradition

Freight House location

http://i279.photobucket.com/albums/k...A/IMG_2406.jpg

I chose the lunch portion burnt ends. This was very tasty, not many burnt pieces tho.

http://i279.photobucket.com/albums/k...A/IMG_2407.jpg

Very classy, knowledgeable staff really made this a great experience.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Jenna

Cool! Did you get a picture of Dorothy's farm? :D

---

:doh:

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by IMGreat101

:doh:

---

http://www.cartoonstock.com/lowres/ksm0284l.jpg

:p

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Jenna

http://www.cartoonstock.com/lowres/ksm0284l.jpg

:p

---

:edit caption: Jenna walks into Knuckleheads Saloon

Frank and Mary (owners) are some of the nicest people you will ever meet.

One of my favorite stops.

Westport Kansas City :: WestportKC.com :: Westport KC

http://i279.photobucket.com/albums/k...A/IMG_2408.jpg

The Westport Fleamarket

Westport Flea Market Bar & Grill

http://i279.photobucket.com/albums/k...A/IMG_2409.jpg

This is a fun place to eat and shop in a flea market all in one stop. There is a hotel in the same parking lot.

Kelly's

Kellys Westport Inn

http://i279.photobucket.com/albums/k...A/IMG_2410.jpg

They made a rooftop bar recently.

http://i279.photobucket.com/albums/k...A/IMG_2411.jpg

http://i279.photobucket.com/albums/k...A/IMG_2412.jpg

From the front of the bar. This is a very long building. In the back is Joe's Pizza

http://i279.photobucket.com/albums/k...A/IMG_2414.jpg

Blayney's

I have seen many live bands here

http://i279.photobucket.com/albums/k...A/IMG_2415.jpg

Then I found out Dick closed up the bar 6 mos. ago.

http://i279.photobucket.com/albums/k...A/IMG_2416.jpg


Harpo's

Harpo's Kansas City

no pics tho, not a very friendly atmosphere that day

A street shot and the famous caboose restaurant

http://i279.photobucket.com/albums/k...A/IMG_2417.jpg

http://i279.photobucket.com/albums/k...A/IMG_2418.jpg

Little Rachel opened the night.

Little Rachel - Official LITTLE RACHEL Website! - BIO

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fE0mzuyyVcs]YouTube - Little Rachel[/ame]

http://i279.photobucket.com/albums/k...A/IMG_2419.jpg

http://i279.photobucket.com/albums/k...A/IMG_2424.jpg

Nick Curran took the stage

NICK CURRAN & the LOWLIFES on MySpace Music - Free Streaming MP3s, Pictures & Music Downloads

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vt52fc6VboE&feature=re lated]YouTube - Nick Curran, Screamin' Festival 2009[/ame]

http://i279.photobucket.com/albums/k...A/IMG_2425.jpg

http://i279.photobucket.com/albums/k...A/IMG_2426.jpg

http://i279.photobucket.com/albums/k...A/IMG_2427.jpg

There was a band playing inside the bar that was very good. It was so packed I could not get close enough to take pics.

So, on the advice of a new friend, I was on a mission to find a late night breakfast.

Good night Knucklehead's

http://i279.photobucket.com/albums/k...A/IMG_2428.jpg

http://i279.photobucket.com/albums/k...A/IMG_2429.jpg

Town Topic Inc - Kansas City, MO, 64108 - Citysearch

http://i279.photobucket.com/albums/k...A/IMG_2430.jpg

I was told I had to have the "Truckstop" breakfast before I left town!

This was everything on the menu thrown on the grill with tons of cheese.

http://i279.photobucket.com/albums/k...A/IMG_2431.jpg

..and I finished it all!!!

http://i279.photobucket.com/albums/k...A/IMG_2432.jpg

Ruby's Dagwood's Cafe - Argentine / Rosedale - Kansas City | Urbanspoon

http://i279.photobucket.com/albums/k...A/IMG_2433.jpg

The best deal on the menu, the breakfast sandwich.

http://i279.photobucket.com/albums/k...A/IMG_2434.jpg

The end

You are all welcome to join me next year!