Off the Map: When You're Better Off Eating in a Gas Station

Burnt Ends on a Bun -- Gates Bar-B-Q, Kansas City, MO

Gates Bar-B-Q

For a city renowned for its barbeque, said joints are strangely absent from Kansas City's Best Thing I Ever Ate list. 

"What Are You Doing in Kansas City? Eating BBQ?" "No, Happy Hour Crawls"

In fact, the only BBQ joint featured was Duff Goldman's favorite, Gates Bar-B-Q, home of the burnt ends on a bun from the ORIGINAL episode. 

Nothing Like Walking Along a Highway in Search of Some Charred Meat

One would think that, as the first ever dish he chose to be featured on the program, it would be especially outstanding. 

No Pressure, Gates

One would be wrong.

Womp Womp

After all, this is Duff that we're talking about, and his taste in BTIEA meals has been, with a few notable exceptions, mediocre at best. 

And Downright Terrible at Worst

Let's just say that his preferences at Gates are not his finest culinary moment.

Like the BBQ Version of Fast Food, Without the "Fast" Component

Ironically, while Joe's Bar-B-Que -- that of the "it's located in a gas station" fame -- seems to be by far the most well-known of Kansas City's meaty enclaves, Gates makes Joe's look downright gourmet. 

Take Your Gallon with a Side of Ribs

The restaurant itself resembles a run-down Pizza Hut, with dimly lit dining rooms and workers that, despite the sign at the entrance proclaiming "entering the smile zone!" are more adept at yelling than grinning.

More Like "Gates, Where Smiles Go to Die"

We order one burnt end sandwich, which comes with pickles and Gates sauce, and after a single look at the concoction, we are not optimistic. 

Sloppy Joe on Steroids

The meat resembles a chunky version of pulled pork, and thanks to the whole "burnt end" bit (which, we acknowledge, is the whole point), it feels like chewing on a mouthful of stray fish bones. 

Doesn't That Sound Appetizing?

The sauce completely overpowers the taste of the beef, which would be fine if it tasted like anything more than acidic ketchup.

Not Doing Much for Your BBQ Reputation, Kansas City

We end up consuming a hearty portion of five bites each before throwing in the towel, and much like all of our other experiences in Kansas City, nobody seems to care about our displeasure.

Guess What, Kansas City? We Don't Care Either

And so, Vodka and Mezcal leave the Midwest with a distinct feeling of "meh," certain only that, if nothing else, at least we'll always have Cleveland.

Gates Bar-B-Q's Burnt Ends on a Bun: 2 stars

Off the Map: Toto, I've a Feeling We ARE in Kansas After All

Pan-Fried Chicken -- Stroud's Restaurant and Bar, Fairway, KS

Stroud's Restaurant and Bar

By the time Vodka and Mezcal cross state lines and enter Stroud's Restaurant and Bar, home of Simon Majumbar's Best Thing I Ever Ate LAST SUPPER dish, we have already consumed two breakfasts and are about to embark on a barbeque crawl.

We Are Nothing If Not Devoted to Our Cause

Which means, naturally, that we order a full fried chicken dinner including all the proverbial bells and whistles.

Including a Complimentary Basket of Crackers, Because Why Not?

We are here for the pan fried chicken, and perhaps sensing how overwhelmed we seem by the menu, our waitress proposes that we get the lunch special with two pieces of chicken, green beans, potatoes, a soup or salad, and cinnamon rolls. 

So, You Know, a Light Meal

As it happens, said waitress is the only person this entire trip to take even a slight bit of interest in the fact that we do not live within a five-mile radius. 

There's a Whole World Out There

She also reveals that she has worked at Stroud's for thirty years -- "before you girls were born" -- and the fact that she thinks we are still twenty-something endears her to us immediately.

Feel Free to Card Us for the Pitcher of Diet Coke

In a surprising turn of events, the salad that arrives before the rest of the platters proves to be the most unexpectedly pleasing part of the meal. 

Rabbit Food with a Side of Cholesterol

Doused with a gallon of homemade ranch and a healthy smattering of cheese and croutons, it has the exact carb-to-lettuce ratio that we're looking for.

Preparing to Lick the Plate Clean

While we decline to order a cocktail -- even after we spot a beverage called the "chicken choker" -- Stroud's offers a full bar, which somehow seems off-brand for a restaurant that also boasts an entire corner's worth of styrofoam to-go containers. 

We'll Take Our Artisan Cocktail with a Side of Non-Disposable Waste

When Mezcal requests a Diet Coke, an entire pitcher is placed on our table -- a portion soon matched by the bevy of food assembled before us.

The Midwestern Version of Pre-Gaming Thanksgiving

First things first, the chicken about which Simon Majumbar had raved is nothing more than okay. 

It Even Looks Like It's In Desperate Need of a Salt Shaker

While the meat itself is quite moist, it has next to no flavor, and the skin is similarly lacking in seasoning. 

Juicy but Also Blah

After Vodka drowns hers in salt and hot sauce, it is more enjoyable, but still not up to the standards of many of the other fried chickens featured on Best Thing I Ever Ate.

"Kansas Fried Chicken" Doesn't Exactly Have the Same Ring to It

The green beans, mashed potatoes, gravy, and cinnamon rolls are all similarly good enough, but not outstanding. 

And Considering This is Vodka's Third Cinnamon Roll of the Trip, She Should Know

The whole experience feels very similar to Babe's Chicken Dinner House in Texas, where the leftover potential is even more important than the meal itself. 

Have Some Potatoes with Your Gravy

Sadly for us, and for Stroud's rating, we have too much eating ahead of us to partake in a doggie bag, and we head out empty handed.

So Much Styrofoam, So Little Time

"Remember, girls," our waitress calls after us, "you won't be young forever!" And with that uplifting goodbye, we head back down the yellow brick road and out of Kansas without a single chicken bone in tow.

Stroud's Restaurant and Bar's Pan-Fried Chicken: 3 stars

Off the Map: Do Ducks Even Have Tongues?

Duck Tongue Tacos -- Extra Virgin, Kansas City, MO

Extra Virgin

Kansas City: a town renowned for its barbeque, its jazz, and yanking the tongues out of unsuspecting poultry.

Too Harsh?

Vodka and her friend, Mezcal, are in town for their annual trip to a random metropolis, and after last year's Cleveland adventure, Kansas City has a lot to live up to. 

In Other Words, Where Are the Pierogies?

Right off the bat, things are not off to a rousing start, as rather than the warm welcome we received in the Buckeye state, Kansas City greets us with anywhere from abject apathy to downright displeasure. 

"Why Are You Here?" "Vacation" "Well, That's Strange"

Our solution to their obvious lack of interest in us is to entertain ourselves on a happy hour crawl.

The Answer to Everything Is Booze and Fried Cheese Curds

Four cocktails in and nowhere close to 6:00pm, we decide our best bet is to head to dinner ninety minutes early so we can put ourselves to bed at a reasonable time (for toddlers).

The Most Kansas City Nightlife We Encountered

Perhaps due to our booze consumption, rather than entering Extra Virgin, we stumble into the restaurant next door and have to be escorted to the correct location. 

Classy, Party of Two

We saddle up at a high top table and order a glass of wine (Vodka), a sangria (Mezcal), and a random assortment of tapas dishes (tuna ceviche, Greek salad, charred brussels sprouts).

"Random Assortment" Meaning Vodka Took No Notes

The Most Greenery We've Seen in a While

Ordered More for the Bacon and Less for the Brussels

Plus, of course, the reason we're in town: the duck tongue tacos, as recommended by Curtis Stone on the FRIGHTFULLY GOOD episode of Best Thing I Ever Ate.

Make Way for... Duck Tongues

Despite the fact that we've been eating non-stop for over ten hours, when the food is placed in front of us, we dive in like a pair of ravenous beasts.

Truth, Julia, Truth

"What I appreciate about you is your ability to act like we haven't eaten anything all day," Vodka quips to Mezcal as two wine glasses are places before us. 

"Excuse Me, You Forgot the Rest of My Serving"

The taste of the actual food is at this point muted by Vodka's displeasure at her pour of wine, which appears to be all of a thimble-full.

Hell Hath No Fury Like Vodka with Not Enough Wine

Our feast is relatively tasty, though if anything, the duck tongue tacos are the most forgettable of the plates. 

Tastes Like Chicken. Literally

The tongues themselves taste like... well, not much. 

Perhaps They Should've Added Some Additional Giblets While They Were At It

While we appreciate that the texture of the tongues is not off-putting, its feels like the appeal of this dish is much more from the novelty of the ingredient than the flavor itself.

Not a Whole Lot to Quack About

"Are you okay on wine?" our waitress asks as Vodka all but vertically shakes the final sip directly down her throat.

Why? Are You Offering Free Refills?

"I'd be doing better with a larger pour," Vodka murmurs. And we wonder why no one in Kansas City seems to find us charming....

Extra Virgin's Duck Tongue Tacos: 3 stars

Off the Map: On the Cape, Off the Menu

Stuffed Quahog -- Marshland Restaurant, Sandwich, MA

Marshland Restaurant

It seems only appropriate that Vodka should kick off the weekend of Ginger's Cape Cod wedding not with running errands, decorating the venue, or doing anything remotely helpful, but rather with stuffing her face in the name of Best Thing I Ever Ate loyalty.

Pretty Sure the Bride Would Approve

This is how Vodka and her wedding date, Whiskey Sour, wind up at Marshland Restaurant barely five minutes after crossing the bridge. 

Priorities: Eat First, Unless Cocktails Are Available. Then Drink First

We are here to consume Duff Goldman's HOMETOWN FAVORITE choice, the stuffed quahog, which despite being advertised heavily on the establishment's website, is inexplicably not on the menu. 

Not the Menu

Fearing she'll have to stage a disgruntled walkout (which would seem on-brand on the eve of Ginger's big day, to be honest), Vodka asks one of the congenial waitresses about the missing item, and she is assured that it is indeed available.

Not Available: Levers for Straightening the TV Sets

Mere minutes later, Vodka is delivered a giant clam shell piled high with... well, it just looks like breading. 

Is This a Clam or a Dinner Roll?

She douses it with a solid helping of the accompanying melted butter and digs in, finding the creation to be... bready. Like, essentially just breadcrumbs toasted among a smattering of red peppers, butter, and presumably, clams. 

Like Biting Into a Soggy Ritz Cracker

Usually, Vodka is all for a carb overload (she did once complain about crab cakes having too much crab, after all), but this ratio seems extreme. 

Perhaps Whiskey Sour Could Lend Her Some Salad for a Bit of Texture

Whiskey Sour, a New England native and resident, finds the creation more pleasing and thinks that it is decidedly of its location, thus a good dish for making a local feel like he's home. 

Home Is Where the Bar Stools Are

After Vodka drowns the entire clam in hot sauce and continues to look neutral about the whole endeavor, Whiskey Sour poses what should be an easy question:

"Do you even like clams?"

"Um, I don't know."

"Have you ever HAD clams?"

"I've had linguine with clams...."

"Oh dear."

What? Does That Not Count?

Vodka finds the best part of the stuffed quahog to be its price tag, as she can't remember the last time she procured lunch for a mere $5.66.

Bargain Basement Beet Salad

And in the end, it seems to make sense that Vodka's final meal before slinking off to Ginger's nuptials is one she finds completely mediocre.

We Are Curmudgeons, After All

What would make even more sense is if the meal came to a riotous conclusion with a biting customer service brawl, but alas, it appears that battle will have to wait for the next joint Vodka and Ginger outing, with or without Ginger's unsuspecting husband in tow. 

Marshland Restaurant's Stuffed Quahog: 3 stars