Leaving tomorrow for Chicago for a Cubs game….will venture on to Kansas City for a Royals game and will finish up in St Louis later in the week for a Cardinals game.
Not a ton of time in any of the cities but give me some must sees and must eats. Definitely hitting a Chicago Deep Dish pizza place and likely a KC barbecue joint and maybe a comparison in St Louis
This is the most notable restaurant I have been to in Chicago.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/5EWA2CoXmBh7igfA9?g_st=com.google.maps.preview.copy
We were in St Louis a year ago at this time and ate dinner here one night. It’s right across the street from the ballpark.
posted by friendfromlowryhttps://maps.app.goo.gl/5EWA2CoXmBh7igfA9?g_st=com.google.maps.preview.copy
We were in St Louis a year ago at this time and ate dinner here one night. It’s right across the street from the ballpark.
Looks the part
Green Lady Lounge in downtown KC. Awesome jazz / cocktail bar.
Jack Stack’s bbq is also down there. It’s a local chain, but damn good.
I’m most excited about Kansas City
posted by Ironman92I’m most excited about Kansas City
I liked St Louis, we were only there for two days or so. First day went to the zoo, second day went up in the Arch.
Then we spent thee days in Branson which is a fucking dump of a place.
posted by friendfromlowryWill definitely hit the arch. I’m looking forward to all 3I liked St Louis, we were only there for two days or so. First day went to the zoo, second day went up in the Arch.
Then we spent thee days in Branson which is a fucking dump of a place.
I don't like Chicago Deep Dish, and prefer the tavern versions. But if you have to get deep dish, Lous is the best imo.
I would highly suggest going for a burger in Chicago at Au Cheval (or Small Cheval since you will be more north, and I think Wrigleyville has one). One of the best burgers I have ever had.
Saint Louis -- the best BBQ is not downtown. But if you cannot venture, the best imo is Bogarts Smokehouse. The rest are too modern/upscale, and have a real restaurant feel (like Sugarfire). They are delicious, but no old school pitmaster, etc. The 2 outside the city (about 30 min each). Dukes BBQ Shack and Ethyl's Smokehouse and Saloon.
Kansas City is EASY. Joe's Kansas City Bar-B-Que, and it HAS TO BE THE OG. The one in the Gas Station. Outside of a few spots I came to love in Raleigh/Durham when I lived there, this is consistently the best BBQ I have had in America. I like all sides, but never had their creamy slaw (spicy is good), favorite is dirty rice. Rocket Pig is my favorite sandwich, and probably the best item on menu -- though I am there so infrequently now, that I get meat by the weight and just get as much as I can eat (it is priced by the pound, you can usually get it at as little as 1/8 of a pound, though). 1000% get a piece of Texas Toast if your meal doesn't have it included.
I forgot about Joe’s. That was the first KC BBQ spot I tried. It was absolutely slammed on Saturday. Probably better to go on a weekday.
posted by AutomatikI forgot about Joe’s. That was the first KC BBQ spot I tried. It was absolutely slammed on Saturday. Probably better to go on a weekday.
My wife wasn’t so sure of it being in a gas station, lit was full….PACKED inside on a Wednesday at 3:15 lol
Very good, thanks Laley for the tip. Had the ribs, brisket, pulled pork, baked beans and Texas toast (little of each)….actually liked the pulled pork the most, loved the beans too.
Lol at KC Ballpark area lol wtf? I was assuming a neighborhood of festivities like everywhere else.
Oh well, can walk to stadium in 5 min. Leaving here in 45 min
Oh I love Kauffman Stadium
Glad you enjoyed! Arrowhead and Kaufman are in the middle of fucking nowhere. You have a giant parking lot and road circling them, and thats about it.
my buddy's brother owns a badass restaruant in KC, Anton's Taproom. If you haven't left and have a few bucks, stop in there. it's awesome.
posted by Laley23Glad you enjoyed! Arrowhead and Kaufman are in the middle of fucking nowhere. You have a giant parking lot and road circling them, and thats about it.
We stayed in the hotel across the road and walked to it….that was handy.
Just got to St Louis and staying in the hotel at the Arch. Arch 1 block away, Busch is two blocks.
posted by Ironman92We stayed in the hotel across the road and walked to it….that was handy.
Just got to St Louis and staying in the hotel at the Arch. Arch 1 block away, Busch is two blocks.
Which hotel?
posted by friendfromlowryWhich hotel?
Drury….right now enjoying our “free drinks and food” from 5:30-7:00…I’ve never seen a hotel do this. Drink 2 is good. They give you 3 drinks.
posted by Ironman92Drury….right now enjoying our “free drinks and food” from 5:30-7:00…I’ve never seen a hotel do this. Drink 2 is good. They give you 3 drinks.
Embassy Suites used to have happy hour 5-7. Local beer and wine free, liquor half off. Too many businessmen and conferences were getting out of hand lol. Nationwide they went to drink tickets per day, and you get 3.
Home
Chicago: great great city, red line was an experience to Wrigley. Wrigley was great outside but a bit disappointing inside. It was neat, cool and a must for baseball fans. Not allowed to go check out the bleachers???? Jesus man, national security.
Concessions were an F lol. WTF? We had THE loudest most annoying fan right behind us and goofy ass people in front of us. The first 3 innings we just sat there in disbelief as that guy behind us sounded like Gilbert Gottfried purposefully trying to scare people when he started talking….and he rarely stopped. He was an absolute blood pressure raiser. 24 years old and knew everything but Holy Fuck I’ve been to 100+ mlb games and this guy was 5x worse than any fan I’ve ever heard. People in front were irritating too.
I did like they replayed most everything on the scoreboard and fans stood up and cheered every time someone got into scoring position.
Great surprise: Architectural Tour on the boat….wow, we loved that! A must do.
Kansas City….hit Joe’s original and glad we got to try that. Lol at the stadium area. Just a million acre parking lot. We walked 5 min to stadium so no fighting that. Inside Kauffman was great. I loved it. Very chill atmosphere and the OF viewing areas behind the waterfalls was nice. Loved that view all game from our LF side seats about 10 rows off field. Concession, in house HOF for free, stadium entertainment was all very good. I really enjoyed it all.
Busch….yes sir, nearly perfect inside and out. A better hug game atmosphere potential than KC. A mess of places most fans couldn’t go as private parties, reserved etc but could view everything. The 4th deck blew my mind with how fan friendly it was all around the concourse! Like an outside the stadium party on thr 4th level inside. Saw Goldschmidt’s 2000th career hit.
Travel….my wife knocked all 3 hotels out of the park and perfectly coordinated all of this. Zero fighting any parking coming or going. We will be staying at Drury Hoteks when we get the chance. Cannot believe the amenities for that price. Driving central and northern Indiana and most all of Illinois sucked. Jesus Illinois is Indiana except a huge worldly city in the northeastern corner. Never knew that of Illinois. Missouri felt like Ohio, a bit less sparse but looked like traveling in southern Ohio on Rt 35.
Filled up 16 gallons in Kansas City and made it to the far western edge of Ohio before needing gas lol. Drove entirely through Missouri, Illinois and Indiana west to east on a tank. No electric car for me anytime soon.
Laley’s advice was spot on. Thank you
I try to go to a Pacers game every year but that drive is brutal. I think I70 from Indianapolis to the Ohio border is two lanes the whole time.
We went to Rupp Arena yesterday for my daughter‘s cheer competition. I wouldn’t mind going back there in a few months for a game.
Glad you didn’t architechual boat tour. Probably the best thing Chicago has to offer. Usually do it every other year.