Soup Takes "Uncommon Stock" In Kansas City

Recently, a friend told me about a little Westside business called Uncommon Stock, which sells specialty homemade soups.

Since December happens to be perfect soup weather, and since I'll also be having house guests for the holidays who will complain if I don't feed them, I decided to check them out.

In researching Uncommon Stock, I learned that they are located off of 25th and Southwest Blvd. in a small industrial-looking building, and they are only open on Fridays and Saturdays.  

When I visited them last weekend,  I also found that the soup menu changes every week, soups are sold by the quart, and the soups are all made to freeze.  


Additionally, most quarts run between $12-$13, and if there happens to be leftover soup one week, it is immediately frozen and available the next week for $8.

I decided to purchase three soups - Creamy Piquillo Pepper and Chickpea with Chicken and Chorizo, Potato and Onion, and Vegetarian Mixed Bean Chili.  

All three were very good, but my favorite was the one I thought would be my least favorite - the chili.  It was sweet, spicy, filling and flavorful all at the same time - YUM!  I also really liked the roasted corn and zucchini added in to it.  

In fact, with a loaf of fresh bread or a grilled-cheese sandwich, these convenient, homemade soups from Uncommon Stock make a great lunch or light dinner for family or company.

Uncommon Stock is the tasty vision of Todd Schulte, who began by making and selling his yummy soups in a garage next to the Happy Gillis Cafe, which he owned at the time.  

Today, Uncommon Stock has been in its Westside location for approximately a year, and their soups can even be found in a few local stores.

Uncommon Stock is located at 1000 W 25th Street and is open from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. Their phone number is 816-510-7790,  and their website is uncommon-stock.com.  They also have a Facebook page which lists daily soups.

Q39 Is A Delicious Addition To Kansas City BBQ Restaurants

Mouth-watering BBQ

Just opened in April, Q39 is already earning a reputation for serving up some of the best BBQ in Kansas City.  

I happily discovered this Midtown restaurant shortly after it opened and have since returned several times.  That's because every time I have, the food has been delicious and the service has been great.  

If I had to describe Q39, I would call it as a "traditional rustic BBQ joint meets modern urban" kind of place.  

The decor has an industrial and wood look, and the open dining room has both tables and booths for seating.  There is a large communal table, a space that can be closed off for private dining, and a small patio for those who like the outdoors.  

The atmosphere is upscale casual - making it great for a tasty meal with family or friends, watching sports with a good beer in hand, or for a casual lunch or dinner date. 

The medium-priced menu is divided between share-ables (appetizers), soups and salads, specials, competition BBQ plates, burgers, speciality sandwiches, wood-fired grilled plates (including steak and seafood), and a variety of side dishes. 

I can personally vouch that the onion straws, macaroni and cheese, BBQ sliders, Q burger, pulled pork and brisket are mouth-watering.  The macaroni and cheese is so creamy and flavorful and the pulled pork so tender and zesty.  My only comment would be that the potato salad needs a bit more bite to it.

Owned and operated by Executive Chef and national champion BBQ pitmaster Rab Magee and his wife, Kelly, Q39 is located at 1000 W. 39th St. in a Kansas City, MO strip mall.  

The restaurant does have a parking lot, but with other businesses in the same location, parking can be a challenge at times.  

Even if parking does prove to be tough, Q39 does make itself convenient to customers in other ways.  They offer a "fast and fresh" $10 lunch (Monday - Friday) for folks in a hurry - which includes a sandwich and side.  They also offer carryout and the ability to make reservations online (and reservations are needed during peak hours!).  

Additionally, their bar offers hand-selected local beers wines and original cocktails, and many of their dishes are competition award winners.



Q39 is open:

Monday - Thursday:  11:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m. 
Friday - Saturday: 11:00 a.m. - 11:00 p.m. 
Sunday: 11:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.

You can visit Q39 online at q39kc.com or contact them at 816-255-3753.

The Martin City Pizza and Taproom Is Open For Business

Inside The Pizza and Taproom

The Martin City Pizza and Taproom offers tasty food, reasonable prices, and a comfortable atmosphere for anyone interested in checking out this new dining and drinking establishment.

Opened just last month and owned by Matt Moore and Chancie Adams (who also own the Martin City Brewing Company Pub), the Pizza and Taproom sits on 135th St. between the pub and the new brewery - with an open-air patio on the side for warm-weather months. 

The restaurant specializes in stone-oven pizzas and original microbrews.  Pizza choices include both red and white sauce selections, and the taproom currently offers six original beers - with a goal of eventually offering twelve beers.

The menu is definitely more upscale than regular bar food.  Besides speciality pizzas in various sizes, appetizers, sandwiches, salads, and build-your-own pizza options are available.

We went to the Pizza and Taproom on a weekday - just after they opened - so we did not have to wait for a table.  (I have heard that at certain times there is a wait.)

The place immediately gave off a small town meets urban neighborhood kind of feel. 

Once seated, our waitress, Cami, was knowledgable about the menu, made several recommendations, and answered all our questions.  

Fresh Mozzarella Pinwheels

We started our meal with appetizers - including fresh mozzarella pinwheels, $9,  and house-made pretzels, $5.  Both were fresh, excellent and made from quality ingredients. (The pretzels were more like long, skinny homemade loaves of bread.)  The spicy mustard sauce that came with the pretzels was also delicious with a hint of horseradish. 

House-Made Pretzels

Even better with the pretzels was the red pepper olive oil that is made in-house and sits on every table.  The oil was a perfect dipping compliment to the pretzels and had just the right amount of zip to it.

Meatball Sandwich

For the main meal, our order included the meatball sandwich with chips ($7), a 6" bacon and eggs pizza (garlic alfredo, bacon, canadian bacon, farm-fresh eggs,

Bacon & Eggs Pizza

sage, ricotta and pecorino), a 6" heartland chicken pizza (barbecue, chicken, bacon, red onion,

Heartland Chicken Pizza

spinach and mixed cheese), and a 6" charcuterie pizza (capicola, salami, pepperoni, marinara and a cheese blend).  All three pizzas cost $7.

It took about 15 minutes to get our food.  The meatballs on the sandwich were

Charcuterie Pizza

homemade and tasted great.  Additionally, all three pizzas also got a two-thumbs-up rating.   

The only thing that seems a little bit off about the place is the restroom setup.  There are two private stalls for the men's and women's restrooms, but the mirrors and sinks for everyone are in an open, common area with no real privacy.

Martin City Pizza and Taproom is located at 410 E. 135th St. in a nondescript one-story building.  Their phone number is 816-268-2222.  

Hours:

Sunday through Thursday: 11:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m.  

Fridays and Saturdays:  11:00 a.m. - kitchen closes at 11:00 p.m.  

Reservations are accepted.

Nosing Around The Neighborhood: 39th St in Midtown Kansas City

Looking down 39th St. toward State Line

Close to the state line, surrounded by the Volker neighborhood and filled with restaurants and shops, the 39th St. area in Midtown is a creative, unique, and eclectic part of Kansas City.

I recently checked out the area and visited four local businesses, including Metuka The Pastry House, Retro Vixon, White Light Bookstore and Anna's Oven.

METUKA THE PASTRY HOUSE

Delicious Deserts at Metuka

Metuka The Pastry House was my first destination.  

Open since July of last year, this little sweet spot of a bakery came recommended to me by several local residents who knew what they were talking about.  

When I visited Metuka, I found it filled with cakes, cookies, European pastries, chocolate delights and more that sends a sugar junkie like me into a "sweet-tooth high."

I sampled (let's be honest - I didn't sample, I bought and scarfed)  peanut clusters, pecan carmel cookies and triple chocolate-dipped cookies.  They were all yummy. 

Inside Metuka

Most items, including lemon bars, slices of cake, and chocolate-covered Oreos cost between $1.25 and $3.50, which I considered a small price to pay for a trip to dessert heaven.       

Metuka is a very small pastry shop with only two tables, but they do have big plans.  They are expanding their menu soon to include sandwiches, soups and, in the summer months, salads.  

Ellen Hume, Owner of Metuka

They are closed on Mondays and Saturdays, and the business is owned/operated by Ellen Hume, the former owner of JayWaLe's Bakery-Bistro, in Kansas City, KS.

Metuka is located at 1614 W. 39th St. in Kansas City, MO, and definitely worth checking out. 

Your tastebuds will thank you!

RETRO VIXON

Outside Retro Vixon

Next up on my 39th St. adventure was Retro Vixon, a vintage-inspired clothing store which primarily focuses on "pin-up chic."   

Although Retro Vixon is inspired by past fashion trends, all the clothing inside is new. Even better, they offer shoes, purses, jewelry, hats and more.  

A glimpse inside Retro Vixon

This adorable boutique does a good job of combining retro and girly and is moderately priced.

My only complaint is that there needs to be more merchandise, especially clothing. 

Check out the shoes!

Even so, I plan on returning to Retro Vixon next time I am looking for something a little fun and different in my wardrobe.  


Retro Vixon is located at 1620 W. 39th St. It has been open since 2010 and is owned/run by Melissa Evans.

WHITE LIGHT BOOKSTORE AND CRYSTALS

Entering White Light Bookstore

White Light Bookstore and Crystals, which focuses on metaphysics, spiritual needs and more, was my next stop off.  

Entering this unique business felt like stepping out of reality and into one of those mysterious bookshops you see in the movies.  

First, you enter through a nondescript purple door snuggled between D'Bronx Deli and the Blue Koi restaurant - so "Harry Potterish" feeling.  

Gargoyles protect White Light

Then you climb a steep flight of stairs draped in lights and walk through a door which is protected by two gargoyles.  

Inside White Light

Once inside, the store feels calming and overwhelming at the same time.  A strong odor of incense hangs in the air, and the shop is packed with  unfamiliar but fascinating things - stones, tarot cards, specialty candles, books, jewelry and more.     

Stones and Crystals

I decided to purchase a healing stone for a close friend while I was there. 

It felt weird at first to ask about specific rocks and their powers, but the person running the store made me feel comfortable, was very knowledgable and more than helpful.

Jewelry at White Light

On the day I was at White Light, a psychic was also there doing readings for $30.  

Although I didn't choose to learn my future, I did discover that White Light conducts seminars, regular psychic fairs, channeling classes and much more for those interested in exploring their inner knowledge and spiritual growth.  

Incense at White Light

Overall, I found this store seducing, a little bit left of ordinary, and a place I would definitely return to.  

White Light Bookstore is located at 1801 W. 39th St., and a fun step out of the "mainstream bookstore scene."  

ANNA'S OVEN

Approaching Anna's Oven

Open since 2011, Anna's Oven is a restaurant focused on homestyle food in a charming atmosphere, and it was my last 39th St. stop.

The "premise" of Anna's Oven is based on a real person - a farm wife during the Great Depression who knew how to cook great food.  

Inside Anna's Oven

Hanging beside several other paintings for sale on the walls of this quaint restaurant,  there is a  picture of Anna along with one of her spoons.

A small eating establishment filled with about a dozen perfectly mismatched tables and chairs, Anna's Oven has an "urban eclectic" meets "grandma's kitchen" look and vibe.

Daily Specials

Their menu isn't huge, but it doesn't need to be.  It includes home-cooking staples like meatloaf, potpie, macaroni and cheese, roasted chicken, sandwiches, soups, salads and desserts.  

They do have a decent-sized wine list, have daily specials, and offer carry-out meals.  

Hummus Appetizer

I started off my dining experience at Anna's by trying the hummus appetizer.  It was delicious!  

Lasagna

I followed that with lasagna, which is "the signature dish."  It was quite tasty too - with thin homemade lasagna noodles.

Macaroni and Cheese

I also sampled the macaroni and cheese, chicken and noodles, Mediterranean tuna salad and  chocolate cake.

Chicken and Noodles

The chicken and noodles and chocolate cake were wonderful.  

The macaroni and cheese was decent but needed a little more salt or flavoring, and the dressing mixed in with the tuna salad greens was bitter.  

Mediterranean Tuna Salad

As for the service - it was quite slow.  I wasn't in a hurry, so this didn't really bother me, but if I would have been on my lunch hour, it would have been a problem.

It helped that the waitress was friendly, and I didn't hear anyone complaining, but there needed to be more than one person waiting on tables.

Homemade Chocolate Cake

Most meals ran between $8 and $10, appetizers ranged from $3 to $6, and homemade desserts were a reasonable $3.50 - $4.50.  They also had "party portions" on the menu. 

Dining At Anna's Oven

If you decide to give Anna's Oven a try, they are located at 1809 W. 39th St. and donate a portion of their profits to educational causes.  

There is also a public lot behind the restaurant for convenient parking.

So, after spending an afternoon exploring the Midtown/39th St. area and checking out several establishments, I honestly have to say, I enjoyed myself.  

I met a lot of nice folks, would definitely go back to all of the businesses I visited, and, along the way, found many more shops and eating places I would like to try.  

Exploring in Kansas City sure can be fun!

Kansas City's Newest Mexican Restaurant Is Open For Business

Chuy's Mexican Food is now open on the Plaza!

With eclectic decor, fresh signature dishes, and a relaxed atmosphere, Chuy's Mexican Food is a fun and quirky addition to the Kansas City Plaza restaurant scene.

As soon as you walk in, you realize this is not quite your typical Mexican 

The Elvis Shrine

restaurant.  

Brightly colored wooden fish hang from the ceiling, an Elvis shrine occupies a spot near the front (there is an Elvis shrine in every Chuy's location), and seemingly mismatched Mexican art covers the walls for as far as the eye can see.

The "Hubcap Room"

I happened to visit Chuy's at lunchtime.  I was greeted at the door by friendly staff, had no wait for a table, and was seated in a room with a hubcap ceiling (another Chuy's decorating tradition.)

Our waitress was friendly and seemed very familiar with the menu.  She also gave us free samples of Chuy's well-known creamy jalapeño sauce and the boom boom sauce, which is used on their Chicka Chicka Boom Boom entrée.

As far as the menu, there was quite a variety of items to choose from.  They had the usual Mexican restaurant items like tacos and enchiladas.  They also had several signature dishes including the "Elvis Green Chile Fried Chicken" and "Big As Yo Face Burritos."

Chicka Chicka Boom Boom 

Most entrees ran between $6 and $11, came with green chile or Mexican rice and refried or charro beans and were made with your choice of seven sauce selections (including ranchero and deluxe tomatillo).  For $4.50, they also offered six menu items for children.

Chicken Chuychanga

The wait for our food was about average, maybe 15 minutes, and when our order arrived, it was piping hot and quite tasty.  I ordered a chicken chuychanga, which was $9.29, and my dining companion ordered the Chicka Chicka Boom Boom for $9.99, which was an enchilada filled with fresh-roasted hand-pulled chicken, cheese, New Mexico green chiles and more.  The size proportion of the entrees was fairly large and thoroughly filled us up.  

Making fresh tortillas

As for the history of Chuy's, it was started in Austin, TX, in 1982, and now has more than 40 locations throughout the U.S.  Their "claim to fame" is that they pride themselves in making everything fresh - from their Salsa Fresca and tortillas to their signature sauces and margarittas.  

Their food philosophy is to "bring you the best, healthiest Mexican food on the planet," and their business plan is to "continue expanding and dominate the Mexican restaurant food scene across the U.S."

Inside Chuy's Mexican Food restaurant

Open since October, Chuy's address is 209 W. 46th Terrace, and their phone number is 931-2783.  

They do offer curbside service, and their hours are:

Sunday - Thursday 11:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m.  
Friday - Saturday 11:00 a.m. - 11:00 p.m.

Happy Hour at Chuy's runs Monday - Friday from 4:00 - 7:00 p.m., features a fully-loaded nacho car (yes, it's a car), House margaritas for $4.25, House Texas martinis for $7.50, and domestic beers for $2.75 each.  

While Chuy's doesn't "reinvent the wheel" in Tex-Mex food or "south of the border" cooking, it is a fun dining choice, and if asked if I would dine there again, my answer would definitely be yes.  

Diners enjoying Chuy's