A Culinary Journey Through Kansas City, Missouri
Kansas City, Missouri is often thought of as a barbecue capital, but there’s also a rich Mexican, Vietnamese, and West African food culture, among others. Here’s where to eat and drink.
I started eating the moment I touched down in Kansas City, Missouri, and I didn’t really stop until the morning I left, just under a week later. However, this isn’t a story about excessive consumption. It’s about celebrating the present moment through food. I embraced the privilege of indulging in what I wanted to eat.
Upon my return to New York, it seemed that when folks asked, “How was it?” what they really wanted to know was, “Could you still do it? Can you travel just because?” Even as a once-intrepid traveler on this April trip—my first in the COVID era—everything felt new and exciting. The weather was sunny and perfect, and the people were kind, including an older woman who tried to give up her place in line at Gates Bar-B-Q because she thought I was on a lunch break from work.
In the wake of the past year, I found writing that I ate well and traveled for no specific reason immensely bold. When people think of Kansas City, “Barbecue?” is a common presumption. A background on its legendary status is warranted since its spice-rubbed, slow-smoked technique, often enhanced by a tangy-sweet sauce, was pioneered by Henry Perry in the early 1900s.
However, Kansas City seems to be rediscovering itself and fostering a food scene where people express themselves personally. I encountered returnees and new arrivals embracing a spirit of “Why not here?”
This vibrant energy was not solely the result of pandemic restrictions softening or entrepreneurs seeking each other’s inspiration. Something unique seemed to be happening in Kansas City’s culinary landscape. The city embodies an array of narratives: a little Southern, a little industrial, enriched by many migrant cultures.
At the Town Company, the restaurant at Hotel Kansas City led by chef Johnny Leach and pastry chef Helen Jo Leach, you can be mindfully decadent. The couple, transplants from New York via Portland, Oregon, create a cozy vibe in the open kitchen with a wood-burning hearth. Dinner included a smoked egg doused with trout roe and a rich halibut fillet paired with oyster mushrooms.
The same can be said for Helen Jo’s desserts, including her signature chocolate steamed bun, which is warm and garnished with chocolate ganache, roasted acorns, and crunchy cocoa nibs. The next morning, I enjoyed her lemon-mochi doughnut with salted pistachios.
Had I planned better, pairing this treat with the Hella Good Latte from Café Cà Phê, a coffee truck run by Jackie Nguyen known for its vibrant drinks made from Vietnamese beans, would have been ideal.
During my visit, I ordered an eye-catching, bright-purple ube blend of espresso, oat milk, and condensed milk—a definite conversation starter. Observing the diverse crowd enjoying these drinks highlighted the inclusive spirit of Kansas City’s culinary scene.
Later, I stopped at Fannie’s African & Tropical Cuisine for lunch, where I enjoyed egusi soup made with bitter melon seeds and pounded yam. Owner Fannie Gibson, a Liberia native, presents a menu reflecting various West African dishes.
Experiencing the diversity of clientele at Fannie’s suggested a broadening appeal of African-diaspora cuisine. I struck up a meaningful conversation with a gentleman at the American Jazz Museum, learning about his journey moving to Kansas City in the late 1980s, the impact of local businesses, and the significance of shared experiences through food.
Sampling the Best of Kansas City
Food reflects where people go and the experiences they contribute, fostering connections and enhancing communities through flavors and shared stories.
Where to Stay
Hotel Kansas City: The historic Kansas City Club building has been transformed into an elegant 144-room hotel with a bustling lobby café and a destination restaurant, the Town Company. Doubles from $188.
Loews Kansas City Hotel: This sleek 800-room newcomer is popular with Downtown locals, featuring a cocktail lounge, Bar Stilwell. Doubles from $202.
Where to Eat & Drink
Café Cà Phê: Jackie Nguyen’s coffee truck has earned a following for vibrant drinks crafted from responsibly sourced Vietnamese beans.
Corvino Supper Club & Tasting Room: Enjoy modern American dishes served as either shared plates in an intimate setting with live music or a 10-course set menu in front of an open kitchen. Tasting menu $125.
Double Shift Brewing Co.: Founded by a local firefighter, this craft brewery and taproom thrives in the Crossroads Arts District.
Fannie’s African & Tropical Cuisine: Offers deeply flavorful interpretations of traditional West African dishes like egusi soup and jollof rice, with entrées priced between $12 and $23.
Yoli Tortilleria: Specializes in handmade tortillas crafted from non-GMO, stone-ground corn and Sonoran flour.
What to Do
American Jazz Museum: Explore artifacts and interactive exhibits honoring the legends of jazz music and their cultural impact.
Kansas City has become a culinary melting pot, with diverse influences shaping its food landscape. While barbecue remains a staple, the city’s evolving cuisine showcases flavors that reflect its vibrant culture and the spirit of its people.
