Hello old friends and where should I eat in KC/Omaha/Des Moines?

Maid-Rite...hmm...nto many "real" Maid-rites around anymore, sadly.  The franchise fees kind of killed them off.  Lots of places around that serve the loose meat sandwiches, just not an official Maid-Rite.

Most authentic would probably be Sacco's Maid-Rite on SW 9th, but I get the feeling you are looking for something newer and cleaner.  Their website has a listing of all the local spots, if you want to try one out.  Maid-Rite  Lots of newer ones popping up, but the old-school shops are the ones that are hard to find. 

Inthewater



That is a tall order.  I would really need to know what sort of place you are looking for.  Is it all adults?  Kids?  Price range?  There are a few places I could recommend to anyone and never worry about whether you would have a good meal, I just don't want to recommend a place for 10 guys leaving a ball game if it is white table cloths and fine dining.

Any place with fantastic food that will serve two guys in shorts and tee-shirts that smell like they've been driving around for three days.

Inthewater


Maid-Rite...hmm...nto many "real" Maid-rites around anymore, sadly.  The franchise fees kind of killed them off.  Lots of places around that serve the loose meat sandwiches, just not an official Maid-Rite.

Most authentic would probably be Sacco's Maid-Rite on SW 9th, but I get the feeling you are looking for something newer and cleaner.  Their website has a listing of all the local spots, if you want to try one out.  Maid-Rite  Lots of newer ones popping up, but the old-school shops are the ones that are hard to find. 

I don't really care about "newer & cleaner" - I eat at Cozy Inn here in Salina for sliders, and that's a place that can best described as "older & greasier".  I'm looking for Road Food type places that the locals eat at.

Niagara

Inthewater


Maid-Rite...hmm...nto many "real" Maid-rites around anymore, sadly.  The franchise fees kind of killed them off.  Lots of places around that serve the loose meat sandwiches, just not an official Maid-Rite.

Most authentic would probably be Sacco's Maid-Rite on SW 9th, but I get the feeling you are looking for something newer and cleaner.  Their website has a listing of all the local spots, if you want to try one out.  Maid-Rite  Lots of newer ones popping up, but the old-school shops are the ones that are hard to find. 

I don't really care about "newer & cleaner" - I eat at Cozy Inn here in Salina for sliders, and that's a place that can best described as "older & greasier".  I'm looking for Road Food type places that the locals eat at.

Ahh, my kind of people!  :)  The stay at Embassy Suites made me think you maybe were looking for a nicer place. 
 
Try Sacco's Maid-Rite on SW 9th.  The next one that would be like an old small town Maid-Rite is Ken's Diner on NE 14th St.  It used to be a Maid-Rite but it still serves the same sandwiches.  Good stuff at both.

Pigiron

Inthewater



That is a tall order.  I would really need to know what sort of place you are looking for.  Is it all adults?  Kids?  Price range?  There are a few places I could recommend to anyone and never worry about whether you would have a good meal, I just don't want to recommend a place for 10 guys leaving a ball game if it is white table cloths and fine dining.

Any place with fantastic food that will serve two guys in shorts and tee-shirts that smell like they've been driving around for three days.

Now we're talkin!  Okay....hmm...if you like a tasty beer (or three) Give the High Life Lounge a try.  The food here is surprisingly good, much of it is scratch made.  Great little spot and walking distance from the ball-park.  It is attached to a place called El Bait Shop.
 
You asked for places that were very "Des Moines", and I give you two.  The group that owns these places was very much responsible for the revival of our downtown area.  They have about 5 or 6 different restaurants / bars in the downtown area.  All have great to good food.  All are locally owned.  All are fun.  :)
 
http://www.fullcourtpressdm.com/ 
 
All of their bars are listed here.  Buzzard Billy's is no longer open.  It was closed after flood damage last year about this time.
 
My most current favorites of their places is http://www.fongspizza.com/home.html
 
Let me know if you try any of those and what you think.
 
If you want more dinner and less drinks,  try http://desmoines.metromix.com/restaurants/italian/tumea-and-sons-city-of-des-moines/516278/content
 
Great, friendly Italian food.  It is across the river from Sec-Taylor, well within walking distance.
 
If you have something different in mind, let me know.  Glad to try and promote my town.  :)

Actually, now that I think about it and this site...here is my place I recommend (the hours are weird there....not sure it will fit your schedule, but if you can get there, it is awesome.)

Chef Joe's Place

Good.  Simple.  Affordable.  Only open till 3pm on Mon - Fri and til 2pm on Saturday.

Try and drop in.  Great small town type breakfasts and lunch food.  :) 

Then go down a few blocks to Miyabi 9 for some of the best sushi around.  Lots of people say it is as good as places in Japan or on the coasts.  I know...sushi in Des Moines?  Just believe me.  Well worth a visit, if that is your thing.  Not really Roadfood, just throwing some ideas out there.

Heck, while you are onthat side of town, head down to the B & B Grocery and Deli that I recommended earlier.

Sorry...too many good places to slim it down to just one.  One of those ideas should work, and all of them are good.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/06/11/AR2009061101272.html?wpisrc=newsletter&wpisrc=newsletter

Nice article.  We have some very good BBQ around here as well, though not as many places as it is a much smaller town.

http://www.smokeydsbbq.com/

That is one of my favorites.  Nothing fancy, and they don't even have any tables inside.  There is a downtown location now, but the original is about 2 minutes off the interstate and is fantastic.

Also, http://www.woodyssmokeshack.com/ is very good, and oddly enough, right off of I-235 in town.

It is no BBQ capitol, but we have some good stuff hiding around.

:D

I am loving this thread, as here are two more roadfooders who are heading to KC, and Des Moines in August (maybe Omaha, not sure yet)....main goal is the state fair in Iowa, but have to hit KC for bbq and apparently chicken at Stroud's too. Thanks for all the great ideas!

A couple of other BBQ places in KC that you might check out are Fiorello's Jack Stack (they cook their beans in the smoker with the meat juices dripping into them) and Gates (I don't like Gates'  sauce - too peppery for my taste, but many folks I know prefer Gated to Bryan's). Both the original locations for Arthur Bryan's and Gates are on Brooklyn Avenue.

For Mexican in KC, try Ponak's or Manny's on Southwest Blvd. Ponak's in Sonoran style.

Also check out the "K" to watch the Royals suck and lose.  Great renovation job for on the "K", but the Royals are still pathetic. I went over and saw them lose to the Tribe last month, but was impressed with the renovations.

Niagara


A couple of other BBQ places in KC that you might check out are Fiorello's Jack Stack (they cook their beans in the smoker with the meat juices dripping into them) and Gates (I don't like Gates'  sauce - too peppery for my taste, but many folks I know prefer Gated to Bryan's). Both the original locations for Arthur Bryan's and Gates are on Brooklyn Avenue.

 
We may just have to go to Bryant's, Gates AND Jack Stack to compare.  The reviews of all three vary wildly, although Jack Stack seems to be in great favor these days.
 

Also check out the "K" to watch the Royals suck and lose.  Great renovation job for on the "K", but the Royals are still pathetic. I went over and saw them lose to the Tribe last month, but was impressed with the renovations.

 
Well, this IS a baseball roadtrip first and foremost, so Kauffman is absolutely on the agenda.  Between the recent renovations and the switch from turf to grass a few years ago, it's kind of like a new stadium to me (my one other visit was in 1995). 
 
Question:  Why do rent-a-cars seem to be 3 times more expensive in KC than anywhere else?  I've been looking at all the normal discount sites, and everything seems to be up over $60 a day for the week of 6/28.   What gives?

Pigiron

Question:  Why do rent-a-cars seem to be 3 times more expensive in KC than anywhere else?  I've been looking at all the normal discount sites, and everything seems to be up over $60 a day for the week of 6/28.   What gives?

Kansas City has notoriously high rental car rates - and notoriously high rental car fees, too.   The best explanation that I have heard for the former is the distance to the airport from downtown almost necessitates anyone flying in to rent a car - as opposed to grabbing a cab.  The latter - well, it is just a rape on the tourists to fund an empty hockey arena - and pay for those fine renovations to the "K."  I have been holding out and holding out and have finally found $19.99/weekend day through National's last minute specials.  Their specials are only now good through June 30, but in the next day or so, they should be releasing their specials for the following week.  A mid-size car for the week (on this week's specials) is $200 through them - and if you have Emerald Aisle, you can choose your car in the lot and be on your way quickly.  Most of the time, they have cars a lot nicer than a standard mid-size in the Emerald Aisle.

FWIW, it sounds like we are going to be headed to the same game.  I still haven't decided if I am going Monday or Tuesday night.

I have another reason why car rentals are so high in KC.   The Sprint Center in downtown.   Voters approved a tax on hotels and rental cars to pay for it.          

not this voter. I cast a nay vote.  The nice new grocery store that is 3 blocks away is very convenient and probably wouldn't be there without all of the other stuff that's there. Double edged sword, I suppose. The tax on hotels and rental cars is obscene. 

zataar


not this voter. I cast a nay vote.  The nice new grocery store that is 3 blocks away is very convenient and probably wouldn't be there without all of the other stuff that's there. Double edged sword, I suppose. The tax on hotels and rental cars is obscene. 

That's why some of us just drive over from Kansas.

A few notes on Stroud's:

• We are fans of the new location in Fairway, KS. One of the big advantages is that this location is open for (the much less crowded) lunch every day.
• If you even remotely enjoy chicken livers, an appetizer portion of their fried livers is a must. It's not like the entrees (and accoutrements) aren't enough food already but these are the best livers ever.
• Skip the perfunctory salad and order the chcken noodle soup. It's very good and loaded with tasty chicken meat and thick, homemade noodles.
• If you have a large group, order 2 or 3 different kinds of potatoes. The portions are huge (and re-fillable anyway) and getting some of each of their excellent mashed (a must), cottage fries (ask them to make them extra crispy), and very good fries is definitely worthwhile. 
• Dip everything you can (the cinnamon rolls might be a bit of overkill) in Stroud's amazing gravy. Nectar of the gods, I tells ya. 
• If you have a non-fowl eater in your group, my son swears by the chicken fried steak.
• The younger set will love Stroud's chicken fingers. They are huge hunks of breast meat that are breaded and fried with the same care as all Stroud's food. 

Howard-
Thanks for the excellent advice.  I will be at Stroud's next weekend and it will come in handy.  Any ideas on how to convince Travelin Man to pick up the check? 

If you can figure out how to get Travelin Man to pick up the check I might just make the ride from Tulsa just to witness such a momentous occasion.

I know that you guys rightly focus on KC's 3 major food groups (BBQ, fried chicken and steaks) but on the off chance that you are looking for something strange I would highly recommend a funky little Japanese joint out in (Overland Park, KS) Johnson County named One Bite. This is not a sushi place. They specialize in Okonomi-yaki, a relatively unknown (in these parts) savory pancake-like dish made with assorted proteins and veggies. Absolutely fantastic.

Inthewater beat me to it, but Farmer's Kitchen is the best place between Des Moines and Omaha by far. Many menu items are made for competitions and contests, and the awards a piled up around the place.

The BPT:


The onion rings with in-house special sauce:

Howard Baratz -

I am staying in KC a few days longer than buffetbuster - in some part to catch a game at Kaufman Stadium; in some part to catch up with some work business; and in some part, because sometimes I just like doing things my own way.  My original plan, when this trip first started taking shape, was to possibly head down your way to Tulsa (you know I want to see the giant Golden Driller!).  Unfortunately, I am leaving KC a day or two earlier than I had originally planned - and that will limit my time to explore the farthest points in the radius around KC. 

However, were you so inclined as to make the 4-hour trip north, I would happily pick up the check at Stroud's - and in doing so, be glad that you didn't pick some place more expensive instead! 

BB and I haven't discussed the daily itinerary for which restaurants we will hit (WJ isn't coming with us this year!), but if it means accommodating your schedule, I am sure that we can make it work.  Consider this, fine sir, a formal invite.

buffetbuster


Howard-
Thanks for the excellent advice.  I will be at Stroud's next weekend and it will come in handy.  Any ideas on how to convince Travelin Man to pick up the check? 

do you guys mean 6/20-21 or 6/27-28?

Trav,

That is a very touching formal invite but I'm afraid that the odds of my being able to make the trip up appear slim at this time. Anyway, I'm not sure the world is ready for 3 sets of out-of-focus photos of a huge platter of Stroud's Fried Chicken.

Re: your visit to Tulsa, it is a shame that you won't make it this season since this will be the Tulsa Drillers' final year at venerable Driller's Stadium. I guess you will have to definitely come next year for the inaugural season at Oneok Field in Tulsa's ever-changing downtown. I'll buy!

bill voss

buffetbuster


Howard-
Thanks for the excellent advice.  I will be at Stroud's next weekend and it will come in handy.  Any ideas on how to convince Travelin Man to pick up the check? 

do you guys mean 6/20-21 or 6/27-28?

TTM, Mariton and I will be in KC 6/26-6/28.

The Travelin Man


Howard Baratz -

I am staying in KC a few days longer than buffetbuster - in some part to catch a game at Kaufman Stadium; in some part to catch up with some work business; and in some part, because sometimes I just like doing things my own way.  My original plan, when this trip first started taking shape, was to possibly head down your way to Tulsa (you know I want to see the giant Golden Driller!).  Unfortunately, I am leaving KC a day or two earlier than I had originally planned - and that will limit my time to explore the farthest points in the radius around KC. 

However, were you so inclined as to make the 4-hour trip north, I would happily pick up the check at Stroud's - and in doing so, be glad that you didn't pick some place more expensive instead! 

BB and I haven't discussed the daily itinerary for which restaurants we will hit (WJ isn't coming with us this year!), but if it means accommodating your schedule, I am sure that we can make it work.  Consider this, fine sir, a formal invite.

 
Hey, if I made it to Kansas City as often as you guys do, there wouldn't be the need for an itinerary, I would simply get to where I had to go by "osmosis"

buffetbuster

bill voss

buffetbuster


Howard-
Thanks for the excellent advice.  I will be at Stroud's next weekend and it will come in handy.  Any ideas on how to convince Travelin Man to pick up the check? 

do you guys mean 6/20-21 or 6/27-28?

TTM, Mariton and I will be in KC 6/26-6/28.

Yes, but the free meal offer was for HB.  I don't want you thinking that you can just buy a plane ticket and haul down to KC for a free chicken dinner!

Des Moines native here- The Embassy Suites is an awsome place to stay if you are catching a concert at the amphitheatre.  The hotel literally opens up to the theatre and I believe the hotel staff even serve the alcohol for the concerts.  Great place to catch a show, you are basically sitting on the river bank watching the band. You may want to bring a blanket or a folding chair unless you don't mind sitting on the grass.

The Iowa Cubs (AAA) have a beautiful stadium and it is very close to many good restaurants and bars.  I have to say that IntheWater did a great job of recomendations.  The High Life/El Bait Shop are usual stops for the baseball fans.  If you hit the High Life, I love their bacon wrapped tator tots dunked in ranch.  Their entire menu is great old school stuff (sloppy joes, deviled eggs, hot beef sandwiches).  Its all very reasonably priced. 

Another place very close to the stadium that can be a lot of fun is the Hessen Haus www.hessenhaus.com.  Enjoy Jaegerschnitzel and Reuben Rolls and wash them down with a Boot of German Bier.  Tough to beat a good polka band on a Friday night.

I'm not sure you what days you will be here but the Des Moines Farmers Market  http://www.desmoinesfarmersmarket.com/About.aspx every Saturday from 7am to noon downtown is a must.  Hundreds of street vendors selling all types of foods prepared and not.  Prepared foods from the various ethnic communities El Salvador (Papusa's), Chinese, Tai, Indian and more.  Fresh baked artisinal breads, local wineries, cheese makers, and usually couple of bands playing for entertainment.  Plus all the Iowa raised meats, produce and plants. 

Heck yeah, Downtown Farmers Market is a good time.  I will be there tomorrow, more than likely, getting my weekly papusa.  :)
 
The stage at Embassy suites is cool (nice that it isn't under 5 feet of water like last year this time....) and it is nice that you can walk right out of the hotel and there it is. 
 
Hope you have a great time.

in omaha you should check out:

California Tacos near 33rd and California. It might be in a no-so-great neighborhood, but they have the best chicken tacos (with guac, please!). If you go, be sure to try their chips and queso with the mixed corn/flour chips. MMM.

Zio's Pizzaria makes a great pie- I think there's a location around 84th and Dodge

McFoster's Natural Kind Cafe around 30-something and Farnam makes great veggie-burgers (I swear!)

Caffeine Dreams is good if you're there in the early am and want a quick coffee and pastry to get you started for your day (or for a mid-day break)-- they're at 42nd and Farnam

Enjoy!

I was trying to think of a place that I would consider a reprpestation of Des Moines.  On the North East side of town there is a restaurant called Iowa Beef Steak House http://www.iowabeefsteakhouse.com/menu.html.  At this place you pick out the cut of steak, chop or chicken and then you grill it yourself.  They will grill it for you for like a dollar but half the fun is grilling it yourself, having a beer and socializing while you cook.  It comes with salad bar, potato and garlic bread.  You won't leave hungry and the price is very reasonable.

OK, I don't mean to sound like A certain Mr. Jew,(or Trillin),  but with Carp, Beef, and
Duck in their glory available, why in God's name would someone want a veggieburger?
Isn't that a crime in Nebraska?