BBs Lawnside BBQ
My journey to BBs began in Waldo, where I stopped to visit with Sara and Luke for a few minutes before we headed to BBs. As I stepped out of my car, the tantalizing journey began. Wafting on a breeze, like a floating butterfly was the delightful scent of a neighbors bbq. Ahhhh, a hint of what lay ahead, my tastebuds were dancing with anticipation.
As I arrived at BB's I felt like I was with Guy Fieri filming Diners, Dives and Drive Ins. What a perfect dive BBQ joint. No lawn to be had, but a nice roadside joint. The setting brought to mind, jukeboxes, motorcycles, and beer. A jukebox joint on the highway to BBQ heaven. The inside was crowded and loud, not from a jukebox, but from a lot people, mostly regulars I would guess, eating and enjoying the company of friends and family.
Everyone judges BBQ on different aspects, the meat, the sauce, the fries, the beer. I judge BBQ on the pulled pork. After the disappointment of OK Joe's house special pulled pork, I was almost afraid to try the piggy delight, here. I was glad I did, the meat was tender, moist, with a wonderful flavor. Fortunately the meat was so delicious, it did not require any sauce. We will talk about the sauce soon. The fries, also well above average. Seasoned, crispy and not too greasy. The sauce was a disappointment, I like a sweet but spicy sauce and neither of these were the right mix of sweet and spicy. I still prefer store bought, sale price .79 cents, KC Masterpiece Hot and Spicy sauce. You cannot beat KC Masterpiece BBQ sauce. I need to sneak it in like someone I know does when she goes to Arthur Bryants, the pulled pork with KC masterpiece sauce would be a perfect pulled pork sandwich.
BBs had a band begin playing at 7:30, I enjoyed the music, but it was too loud for the small space. There was a very nice deck with tables out front and it was a beautiful evening, we stood around and listened to the music for a while. All in all it was a very pleasant evening and I give BB's a 3.3. A .2 deduction for poor service and bad sauce.
Welcome to our blog! We are a Kansas City family who devotes the first Thursday of each month to trying a new restaurant. Follow along as we travel the Kansas City area in search of delicious new ethnic fare, trendy eats and comfort food. We will share our interesting finds and good laughs along the way.
Friday, May 18, 2012
Monday, May 7, 2012
Kansas City BBQ
I would first like to start off by saying how fortunate I am to have been able to join the GAS club on the last two occasions. I think it is such an awesome thing and love that everyone takes the time out of their busy schedules for this 1 great night a week. Being so far away from home and family, it is nice to be able to spend time with such a wonderful group of people.
With that being said, lets talk BBQ. So as you all know I am from the great state of North Carolina, so when I think BBQ I think very fine chopped vinegar based pig! Since moving to Kansas City 2 years ago I have heard people rave about the BBQ in KC and how it is the best EVER! Unfortunately, I have not found a place that has changed my mind that NC has the BEST BBQ in the US! :)
So on to the night at BBs, I must say I was very excited to go out have a good dinner and have a nice cold beer (it had been a very CRAZY day at work). When we arrived I was very surprised to see how crowded the restaurant was. When we walk in and there was a four dollar cover, which I found a little odd, however Josh and I didn't have to pay so I am not complaining! When we went through the doors I immediately loved the atmosphere. I loved the painting and art on the walls and the true feeling of the blues. I thought the menu had quite a bit to choose from and many things that sounded pretty scrumptious. Josh and I were going to each order something different so we could share, however we were both set on ribs so ordered a full slab of ribs. We chose one of the two fries they had to offer and the pit beans as our sides. Lets just say we should have ordered both sides as pit beans and possibly an additional third side of pit beans... That is how good they were!! :) I know Josh claims that I ate them all, however I only took a few bites so he is the true pit bean thief! The fries were interesting, different from most fries that you typically expect. They reminded me a lot of homemade hash browns. They were pretty tasty although they were different. I really enjoyed the BBQ sauce. I think it was my favorite BBQ sauce of all the BBQ restaurants I have been to in KC. I like the sweet and vinegary taste. Richard then pointed out there was a spicy sauce as well, which tasted lovely if you mixed the 2 sauces together. So on to the ribs... They were not the best ribs I have ever tasted, however not the best ever. I think I would have liked them more if they were not so fatty. The ends of the ribs, which were less fatty were much better.
I think I would give an overall rating of a 4.0. I LOVED the atmosphere. I know it was a little loud and we were not really able to converse and discuss the meal, however I am a huge fan of live music. I like how it appeared to have regulars. From working in the restaurant business through college it is always good to have regulars, it means you are doing something right. Although, the ribs were not the best I have ever tasted the atmosphere and pit beans made up for it!! :)
With that being said, lets talk BBQ. So as you all know I am from the great state of North Carolina, so when I think BBQ I think very fine chopped vinegar based pig! Since moving to Kansas City 2 years ago I have heard people rave about the BBQ in KC and how it is the best EVER! Unfortunately, I have not found a place that has changed my mind that NC has the BEST BBQ in the US! :)
So on to the night at BBs, I must say I was very excited to go out have a good dinner and have a nice cold beer (it had been a very CRAZY day at work). When we arrived I was very surprised to see how crowded the restaurant was. When we walk in and there was a four dollar cover, which I found a little odd, however Josh and I didn't have to pay so I am not complaining! When we went through the doors I immediately loved the atmosphere. I loved the painting and art on the walls and the true feeling of the blues. I thought the menu had quite a bit to choose from and many things that sounded pretty scrumptious. Josh and I were going to each order something different so we could share, however we were both set on ribs so ordered a full slab of ribs. We chose one of the two fries they had to offer and the pit beans as our sides. Lets just say we should have ordered both sides as pit beans and possibly an additional third side of pit beans... That is how good they were!! :) I know Josh claims that I ate them all, however I only took a few bites so he is the true pit bean thief! The fries were interesting, different from most fries that you typically expect. They reminded me a lot of homemade hash browns. They were pretty tasty although they were different. I really enjoyed the BBQ sauce. I think it was my favorite BBQ sauce of all the BBQ restaurants I have been to in KC. I like the sweet and vinegary taste. Richard then pointed out there was a spicy sauce as well, which tasted lovely if you mixed the 2 sauces together. So on to the ribs... They were not the best ribs I have ever tasted, however not the best ever. I think I would have liked them more if they were not so fatty. The ends of the ribs, which were less fatty were much better.
I think I would give an overall rating of a 4.0. I LOVED the atmosphere. I know it was a little loud and we were not really able to converse and discuss the meal, however I am a huge fan of live music. I like how it appeared to have regulars. From working in the restaurant business through college it is always good to have regulars, it means you are doing something right. Although, the ribs were not the best I have ever tasted the atmosphere and pit beans made up for it!! :)
Sunday, May 6, 2012
Celebration of Mastication
BBs Lawnside seemed like just the place the get a great KC BBQ experience--located near a questionable section of town, it had outside picnic tables, a full gravel parking lot, and Oh!--a big sign with a pig smoking a cigar--it's Gotta be good! A lively group inside created a buzz of anticipation as we perused the menu. Photos of Blue's Greats papered the walls; it didn't seem quite clean inside and the floor--was it wood or concrete?--I couldn't tell, but I wasn't going to set anything but my sandal clad feet down there. All this just added to the authenticity. I ordered the ribs and got a side with the $12.95 short end and chose beans. Normally, I'm all about the french fries in a BBQ joint; but I've been watching my calories and don't really like beans that much so thought it was the best choice for me that night.
My plate came with 6 beautiful looking ribs with a thick sauce on top, a plastic cup of beans and thick- sliced dill pickles. My first bite of the rib was a bit disappointing as I pulled at the dry, chewy meat, but I liked the sauce. I tasted the beans, and thought I could discern a smokey pepper taste and found a chunk of what I think was pablano pepper in the beans. As I suspected, I didn't care for them much, but certainly it was a good try and I could imagine they might be popular. I went back to pulling off the rib meat with my teeth and spent many minutes chewing, chewing, chewing. When I was nearly worn out from the effort, I went ahead and swallowed the meat chased by gulps of water. The ribs became slightly more juicy as they moved through to the larger bones, but I still was busy chewing, chewing, chewing. I turned back to the beans wolfed them down to satiate my hunger. To be fair, I had a bite of pork and a bite of burnt ends which were juicy and fairly flavorful. But the vibe of diversity and excitement by now just seemed loud, chaotic, sticky and disappointing. A $4.00 cover charge collected an hour before the Blues begins made my dinner $17.00. I took home the leftovers, though, cuz Mr. Ref will eat anything. (I wonder what the guy in the kilt thought?)
Rating 2
My plate came with 6 beautiful looking ribs with a thick sauce on top, a plastic cup of beans and thick- sliced dill pickles. My first bite of the rib was a bit disappointing as I pulled at the dry, chewy meat, but I liked the sauce. I tasted the beans, and thought I could discern a smokey pepper taste and found a chunk of what I think was pablano pepper in the beans. As I suspected, I didn't care for them much, but certainly it was a good try and I could imagine they might be popular. I went back to pulling off the rib meat with my teeth and spent many minutes chewing, chewing, chewing. When I was nearly worn out from the effort, I went ahead and swallowed the meat chased by gulps of water. The ribs became slightly more juicy as they moved through to the larger bones, but I still was busy chewing, chewing, chewing. I turned back to the beans wolfed them down to satiate my hunger. To be fair, I had a bite of pork and a bite of burnt ends which were juicy and fairly flavorful. But the vibe of diversity and excitement by now just seemed loud, chaotic, sticky and disappointing. A $4.00 cover charge collected an hour before the Blues begins made my dinner $17.00. I took home the leftovers, though, cuz Mr. Ref will eat anything. (I wonder what the guy in the kilt thought?)
Rating 2
BB's Lawnside BBQ
BBQ is a great Kansas City tradition and one of my favorite things to eat, you can never get too much BBQ. Oklahoma Joe's was my pick the first go around back in September 2011. I was not impressed with Oklahoma Joe's, I ordered the pull pork sandwich (suppose to be their house specialty), and later found out that the ribs were to die for. So someday Mrs. Ref and I will go back so I can try the ribs.
At BB's Lawnside BBQ I tried the burnt ends, because Mrs. Ref & I watched a TV show from the travel channel that indicated the ribs and burnt ends were the signature meals of BB's. The burnt ends were good and I enjoyed the baked beans & skillet fries, however I did not find the meal to be outstanding. The meat was tender, but the BBQ sauce, and there were two types of BBQ sauces, for me, one was too sweet and the other was too spicy. So I mixed the two BBQ sauces and it was better. But lets be honest, it is the BBQ sauce that makes a BBQ meal, and for me it was not what I like. I am giving BB's Lawnside BBQ a 2 out of a possible 5. It would not be my first pick, or probable top 5, if Mrs. Ref and I were looking to go to a BBQ joint.
I did enjoy the music, although at my young age, it was probable a little loud for my taste. I use to be able to listen to my music that loud and probable louder, but we all change. The young lady that was singing and playing the guitar did a great job and, like I said, I did enjoy her and her band. The ambiance was very much about the music and the history of blues & jazz and it was really cool to look at.
At BB's Lawnside BBQ I tried the burnt ends, because Mrs. Ref & I watched a TV show from the travel channel that indicated the ribs and burnt ends were the signature meals of BB's. The burnt ends were good and I enjoyed the baked beans & skillet fries, however I did not find the meal to be outstanding. The meat was tender, but the BBQ sauce, and there were two types of BBQ sauces, for me, one was too sweet and the other was too spicy. So I mixed the two BBQ sauces and it was better. But lets be honest, it is the BBQ sauce that makes a BBQ meal, and for me it was not what I like. I am giving BB's Lawnside BBQ a 2 out of a possible 5. It would not be my first pick, or probable top 5, if Mrs. Ref and I were looking to go to a BBQ joint.
I did enjoy the music, although at my young age, it was probable a little loud for my taste. I use to be able to listen to my music that loud and probable louder, but we all change. The young lady that was singing and playing the guitar did a great job and, like I said, I did enjoy her and her band. The ambiance was very much about the music and the history of blues & jazz and it was really cool to look at.
Saturday, May 5, 2012
BB's: A KC Gem!
BB's wasn't a typical dinner club choice. There was a $4 cover and it was loud. But I would go back in a minute for a beer and some great live music.
Food: BB's served up BBQ and Cajun dishes with no frills. I ordered the jambalaya (in the spirit of Hank Williams) with a side of cole slaw. The slaw was nice, and I'd describe the jambalaya as just okay.
Ambience: This place rocked. As you can see by the photo, it's a roadhouse dinner. Inside, it feels almost like an old barn. They have tons of blues concert posters and memorabilia on the walls. There's outdoor seating that feels like your own back porch. I was happy to see a few families with kids there, and of course Luke was along for the dinner.Music: A girl by the name of Samantha Fish performed, and she was really good. So good it makes me feel ashamed that the only music I know is an awkward "Baa Baa Black Sheep" on the violin. But enough of my regrets. I'm happy to chock up the cover charge to support this place. I wish we could have listened to more of the music, but having a baby means being responsible and protecting little ears from loud blues rock.
BB's is no frills, anything but contrived, and a real delight to have such a place right in my own backyard. I give it a 4.5, not for the food, but for the experience.
Friday, May 4, 2012
BB's Stands for Barbeque and Blues or is it for Baked Beans?
I want to start off by saying this was the first time in my life that I have ever been asked to pay a cover charge to get into a restaurant...
Round 2 What more appropriate way to start off our second go round with having a type of food we experienced in the first round! I can actually compare and contrast what I thought was better and what I did not like as much. Of course I will spend most of this talking about BB's since that was the month’s choice.
So I walk into to BB's and get asked for a $4 cover to listen to a band that I really had no interest in listening too... Kind of an annoyance, I understand support the music, but if you are not there for the music why should you pay? Onto the place itself, I rather enjoyed sitting at the picnic style tables, which reminded me of being at the fairgrounds, cute right? I also liked being able to sit and order rather than going through a line. The line didn’t really bother me (especially since it went so fast at OK JOE’S) but it was nice to sit and be served it also made getting more than one beer very covenant. The menu had your typical BBQ choices from ribs to sandwiches; however it had an extremely interesting “dessert” choice. I was not brave enough to try the BBQ Sundae, but my brother was and I am excited to read his review.
On to the Food I played it safe by getting the full slab of ribs, getting both long and short ends baked beans and skillet fries and sharing them with Erin, we really got the best that BBQ has to offer. Now the food came out quite fast which is always a iffy thing at BBQ joints and let me say the size was very generous and than I realized that there were ribs underneath the ribs THANK YOU JESUS!!!! We had enough to feed the two of us give 2 ribs away and still take home four for seconds later. It was a lot of food!
On to the taste the rib meat was very tasty and cooked very well the only issue I had was that it was a little fattier than I want my ribs, but all in all not too bad. The fries different they were ok but nothing to go home to mom about, I really should have went with the steak fries, but you live and learn. The sauce was intriguing… they had 2 different types, the first one sweet and tangy with the hint of vinegar, the second the exact same but with a spicy kick at the end. I enjoyed the second one because the sweetness followed by the kick was a nice treat for the pallet. The pit beans… oh those pit beans. I cannot say enough nice things about the pit beans except that I wish I didn’t have to share them with that pit bean stealing thief Erin! I took a bite ate a rib and BAM gone! The beans were some of the best I have ever eaten. Kudos to you BB and your amazing Baked Beans.
The band however loud it was, it was nice to go out on the porch and listen for a song or two she was very talented and easy on the eyes and made for a wonderful experience. That’s all I really got to say about that.
Overall it was fun atmosphere and the food wasn’t bad at all and the closeness you could die for! The Ribs not as good as Ok Joe’s but all the other meat I tried was better. So After factoring in everything I will give BB’s a strong 3.5.
Round 2 What more appropriate way to start off our second go round with having a type of food we experienced in the first round! I can actually compare and contrast what I thought was better and what I did not like as much. Of course I will spend most of this talking about BB's since that was the month’s choice.
So I walk into to BB's and get asked for a $4 cover to listen to a band that I really had no interest in listening too... Kind of an annoyance, I understand support the music, but if you are not there for the music why should you pay? Onto the place itself, I rather enjoyed sitting at the picnic style tables, which reminded me of being at the fairgrounds, cute right? I also liked being able to sit and order rather than going through a line. The line didn’t really bother me (especially since it went so fast at OK JOE’S) but it was nice to sit and be served it also made getting more than one beer very covenant. The menu had your typical BBQ choices from ribs to sandwiches; however it had an extremely interesting “dessert” choice. I was not brave enough to try the BBQ Sundae, but my brother was and I am excited to read his review.
On to the Food I played it safe by getting the full slab of ribs, getting both long and short ends baked beans and skillet fries and sharing them with Erin, we really got the best that BBQ has to offer. Now the food came out quite fast which is always a iffy thing at BBQ joints and let me say the size was very generous and than I realized that there were ribs underneath the ribs THANK YOU JESUS!!!! We had enough to feed the two of us give 2 ribs away and still take home four for seconds later. It was a lot of food!
On to the taste the rib meat was very tasty and cooked very well the only issue I had was that it was a little fattier than I want my ribs, but all in all not too bad. The fries different they were ok but nothing to go home to mom about, I really should have went with the steak fries, but you live and learn. The sauce was intriguing… they had 2 different types, the first one sweet and tangy with the hint of vinegar, the second the exact same but with a spicy kick at the end. I enjoyed the second one because the sweetness followed by the kick was a nice treat for the pallet. The pit beans… oh those pit beans. I cannot say enough nice things about the pit beans except that I wish I didn’t have to share them with that pit bean stealing thief Erin! I took a bite ate a rib and BAM gone! The beans were some of the best I have ever eaten. Kudos to you BB and your amazing Baked Beans.
The band however loud it was, it was nice to go out on the porch and listen for a song or two she was very talented and easy on the eyes and made for a wonderful experience. That’s all I really got to say about that.
Overall it was fun atmosphere and the food wasn’t bad at all and the closeness you could die for! The Ribs not as good as Ok Joe’s but all the other meat I tried was better. So After factoring in everything I will give BB’s a strong 3.5.
A cycle in review
So we have completed an entire cycle! Congrats to my fellow Gassies! I just wanted to take a minute and reflect on the first go round before writing on the start of the second! Over the past 9+ months I have had the oppertunity to eat and try food, beer, wine and Mai Tai's that in most cases I have not even heard of.
Looking back at all the different places that we have eaten over the past months I have had bbq where i needed more napkins than I could count to Ethiopian were silverware wasnt allowed. Each one was a joy and each one was a place that for the most part none of us had ever been too.
I remember starting up with a small idea and telling my mother multiple times of doing something fun like this and it falling throughevery time (even though my brother tries to take credit for what is truly mine), to it finally happening and it has now not only happend, but has been a continous event that I look forward to each and every month. From the unique foods to the excitment of getting to hear the ratings and the breakdown of why you decided what you did, to just getting to spend time with my family. This is one of my favorite traditions and I am looking forward to many more outings! So heres to the 7 original and regular gassies to the special guest gassies and to our new addition in the family...Luke. I cannot wait to see what lies ahead!
Gastonomical All Stars Out!
Looking back at all the different places that we have eaten over the past months I have had bbq where i needed more napkins than I could count to Ethiopian were silverware wasnt allowed. Each one was a joy and each one was a place that for the most part none of us had ever been too.
I remember starting up with a small idea and telling my mother multiple times of doing something fun like this and it falling throughevery time (even though my brother tries to take credit for what is truly mine), to it finally happening and it has now not only happend, but has been a continous event that I look forward to each and every month. From the unique foods to the excitment of getting to hear the ratings and the breakdown of why you decided what you did, to just getting to spend time with my family. This is one of my favorite traditions and I am looking forward to many more outings! So heres to the 7 original and regular gassies to the special guest gassies and to our new addition in the family...Luke. I cannot wait to see what lies ahead!
Gastonomical All Stars Out!
Thursday, May 3, 2012
The Thai does Tea Right!
So my mother picked this time and let me tell you I was excited, she has good taste, which I am almost positive she gets from me. We went to the Thai Place (creativity is obviously not what they are best at) for some good old fashion Thai.
As I parked and walked into this little building, I suddenly was startled by the ambiance of this restaurant, flowers, decorations and everything else tucked into this not small but definitely cozy little place. As we got seated I realized that they must read our blog and knew that we needed to be stuck in our own little corner, which unlike the Mexican restaurant was a nice little room.
As we waited for every one to show up I looked through the menu and before I get to what was on the menu let me just say the menu was the greatest looking menu I have ever seen, I debated stealing it. So as I was looking I noticed right away Thai beer for $2.50 well this is a steal! Did I want one? Yes Please! It arrived and let me tell you it was a very good Thai beer it was like a Bud light on crack! It was smooth and soothing yet had more of a taste and less of that water taste that you get from bud light. My grandpa ordered a Mai Tai which is customary I would think and depending on which of the 3 times you tasted it would tell you how good it was first taste… just a wee bit too sweet for me, second taste… wow I think I am intoxicated, third sip lets stir it and bam a nice Mai Tai. Onto the food… we first started out with some Crab Rangoon and although it was small and a tad bit on the greasy side it was quite tasty. Next came out the Golden Shrimp wraps and once again just fantastic little treat. I was now almost full and I still had my Shrimp Thai Spicy Peanut to come out. When it did man was I in for a treat. It was just delicious the whole dish was just fantastic. If I can say one negative thing about this dish was that it only lasted for 2 meals instead of the 5 I wish I could have had for it. In all honesty though, I was disappointed in the spice level. I am a firm believer that when you eat spicy you should have a little sweat dripping off of you and feel just a tad bit queasy and uncomfortable and for the second straight time I ask for spicier than anyone else and get the least amount of spice. I don’t get it, but honestly is the only really knock I had on this place. Oh and I almost forgot the Thai Tea was amazing I can only drink two types of tea green and Thai and this one didn’t let me down either.
So to wrap up, this place got an overall score of a 3.8 from me one of the better places we have been to Siam located in the great city of Warensburg is still my favorite Thai, but this place was very good as well. Would recommend it to someone looking for some good Thai in KC. Oh and last comment it was a little bit pricey, but oh well.
As I parked and walked into this little building, I suddenly was startled by the ambiance of this restaurant, flowers, decorations and everything else tucked into this not small but definitely cozy little place. As we got seated I realized that they must read our blog and knew that we needed to be stuck in our own little corner, which unlike the Mexican restaurant was a nice little room.
As we waited for every one to show up I looked through the menu and before I get to what was on the menu let me just say the menu was the greatest looking menu I have ever seen, I debated stealing it. So as I was looking I noticed right away Thai beer for $2.50 well this is a steal! Did I want one? Yes Please! It arrived and let me tell you it was a very good Thai beer it was like a Bud light on crack! It was smooth and soothing yet had more of a taste and less of that water taste that you get from bud light. My grandpa ordered a Mai Tai which is customary I would think and depending on which of the 3 times you tasted it would tell you how good it was first taste… just a wee bit too sweet for me, second taste… wow I think I am intoxicated, third sip lets stir it and bam a nice Mai Tai. Onto the food… we first started out with some Crab Rangoon and although it was small and a tad bit on the greasy side it was quite tasty. Next came out the Golden Shrimp wraps and once again just fantastic little treat. I was now almost full and I still had my Shrimp Thai Spicy Peanut to come out. When it did man was I in for a treat. It was just delicious the whole dish was just fantastic. If I can say one negative thing about this dish was that it only lasted for 2 meals instead of the 5 I wish I could have had for it. In all honesty though, I was disappointed in the spice level. I am a firm believer that when you eat spicy you should have a little sweat dripping off of you and feel just a tad bit queasy and uncomfortable and for the second straight time I ask for spicier than anyone else and get the least amount of spice. I don’t get it, but honestly is the only really knock I had on this place. Oh and I almost forgot the Thai Tea was amazing I can only drink two types of tea green and Thai and this one didn’t let me down either.
So to wrap up, this place got an overall score of a 3.8 from me one of the better places we have been to Siam located in the great city of Warensburg is still my favorite Thai, but this place was very good as well. Would recommend it to someone looking for some good Thai in KC. Oh and last comment it was a little bit pricey, but oh well.
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