Food & Drink

Local Pig chef Alex Pope and food writer Jonathan Bender are planning the world's first Museum of BBQ inside the Crown Center Shops. It plans to tour visitors around the barbecue regions of America, including Kansas City

Soup is maybe the quintessential comfort food, especially when the weather gets colder. At these Kansas City restaurants, you’ll find hearty pozole, flavor-packed ramen, creamy New England clam chowder and more.

The Kansas City Defender organized the celebration from Oct. 1-14 to bring awareness to Black-owned restaurants, with the hope of helping their long-term sustainability. “We are in a crisis for Black restaurants right now," says founder Ryan Sorrell.

Famous for its triple-decker pork tenderloin sandwich, the Kansas City restaurant closed unexpectedly this spring when its planned renovation hit roadblocks with contractors and the city. Jinna Soulivong says she didn't expect to see so much community support — or a line down the block when they reopened.

The cookbook celebrates the state’s many ethnicities and cultures and puts it on your plate — including Kansas City barbecue, St. Louis toasted ravioli and more.

Created by Jhy Coulter, Orange By: Devoured is the latest evolution of a pizza pop-up that began during the COVID pandemic. The Midtown restaurant is inspired by her travels to Spain, but it took more than a year to open after fundraising.

The Northland lunch spot is owned by Chris and Heather Jones, who offer their twists on Cajun and Creole cuisine. While the restaurant struggled to get through COVID, the couple say they've seen more customers come looking for food that reminds them of "being at home."

Grandma Morrelli’s pasta sauce — developed more than 125 years ago by Jack Williams’ ancestor Angeline, on the family farm in Cassville — can now be found at about 30 grocery stores in the Kansas City area, including at some Price Chopper and Sun Fresh locations.

Don’t let Kansas City’s ‘cowtown’ reputation deter you from diving into an array of pescatarian options. Whether you’re in the mood for something raw or prefer your fish beer-battered and fried, Kansas City’s seafood options are as diverse as they are flavorful.

At SantaCaliGon Days, Independence’s annual festival, a troupe of dance moms serves soft pretzels to help pay for expensive competitions and costumes. Their salty, pillowy pastries have gained a following of their own.

The city of Independence, Missouri was famously the starting point for the Santa Fe, California and Oregon Trails, as well as the hometown of President Harry Truman. These days, it boasts a a thriving arts scene and charming historic downtown.

The small town of Chillicothe is a worthy day trip on its own, or a great starting place for exploring Northwest Missouri. Unique history, a growing arts scene, sports and a wealth of great options for outdoor recreation await you just 90 minutes from Kansas City.