Food recs: Kansas City's best dive bars and neighborhood joints

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Don't realize it sometimes, but dive bars are community centers. They're places that have birthday parties. They're places to celebrate. So these families that own these businesses, that maybe they live upstairs for most of their life and then they have a bar downstairs. Yeah. You don't get that in places that don't allow it. And Strawberry Hills is one of those places. You know, I was going to ask you about how Strawberry Hills changed over the years, but it sounds like part of what you're saying is it hasn't changed that much, and that's part of what makes it work. I would say there's been some changes in the last couple years as far as just visibility and people realizing that Strawberry Hill probably is the last bastion of affordable drinking and eating in the metro from a... You can literally go out with three or four friends, have a great night, and you're in it under $100 for a great night. That's walkable, that has free parking, and that's safe. You know, based on some of the feedback we got on social media as we were preparing for this show, my sense is that there are people listening right now saying, shh. Don't tell people that. Yeah, I'm going to get crucified for this segment probably by a few people. But I would say, you know, that while gatekeeping bars is a thing, we're also talking about people that are trying to start families and start a life for themselves. And they work for tips. So this is a volume game to some degree, but also dive bars are just unique in the fact that it's one of the only places I feel comfortable tipping 50 to 100% consistently because it's just that different and that much better. Wow. You tip 50 to 100%. Every time. Why is that? It's cheap. It's not very much money. Well, no, if I go out and have a great night and I spend 40 bucks to drop a person that made my night amazing, an extra 20, where I didn't have to wait for somebody to bring me a drink that's been dying on a bar for 30 minutes. Yeah. It matters to me. I think the idea that when you get into a place that really focuses on the experience versus the dollar, that's what you get with longevity. And that's what those places are to me. You know, another thing that you have said is special about the neighborhood is that the owners of the bars and the people in the scene, the most regular customers, the service teams, they all seem to look out for each other. How is that? It's just one of those things where, you know, this is our community, this is our pool, and we don't like people coming in and trying to muddy the waters. So when we see people that coming in that maybe aren't have the best intentions. We make sure we let everybody know that, hey, you have somebody on the hill tonight that isn't trying to have a good time. They're trying to have their time. And that's not necessarily good for the industry or the area. So to be clear, the place you run, the Blue Palm, which you own, is not a dive bar, as we said. But what is the Blue Palm? So the Blue Palm is a Tiki bar. We call it Pirate Tiki. We are very aware of the fact that, you know, I'm a 6'5 white dude from the Midwest and appropriating somebody else's culture and might not go well. So we kind of made it our own. But my business partner, Roxy, was at the brick for years and an amazing dive bar bartender. But...

what we talked about a little bit before the show started, we have dive bar tenants with cocktail lounge drinks. So we're putting together a little bit better... opportunity for somebody to have a date night at our place to start or finish the night, and then go check at the neighborhood, walk around and see what we have to offer over there. Well, and so your answer kind of gets at one of the core questions of the show, and we'll explore this with our food experts here in a little bit as well. But the question is, what is a dive bar? I mean, maybe they defy categorization easily, but I do feel like different folks define it differently. For you, what are the critical elements or qualities that make a dive bar a dive bar? This is a great question. I think a lot of this turns into the vibe and the aesthetic that's there. We all know the Irish bar that's been bought out of a catalog and put up someplace. A dive bar has the hat. Somebody left there five years ago on the wall. It's now just part of the decor. There's bowling pens usually somewhere in the building. Just stuff that doesn't make sense, but it's there because it's just something for the background. And it takes a good photo. And people like that feeling of... being in a comfortable place that just kind of reminds them of their grandpa's basement. Well, I mean, and when I asked some people about this, a lot of the words that people say are the essential elements of a dive bar, I think in any other context would be seen as criticisms or negative qualities. You know, it's a little bit dirty. You're not sure you'd want to eat the food there. Is that how you see it? No, no, I think a dive bar is lived in. It is an experience that people have, you know, they've come and they had a great time. You know, sometimes people spill a drink and it doesn't get picked up right away. That happens in a dive bar. But I don't think I would use the word unclean. I think that they just, they're popular and stuff gets worn out. But we're seeing a lot of owners reinvest in the business and change, you know, just amenities to make sure people are still having a good time. People who responded to us about this week's show, in addition to that sort of, as you called it, gatekeeping, also were pretty possessive and defensive about their bars. They become cheerleaders for their bars. How have you seen that play out? I mean, I can only talk about my favorite dive bar on Strawberry Hill, which is The Easy In. I've been on podcasts. I've done videos for them. I really want to see them succeed because they are a great establishment, and they have a great culinary team there that puts out amazing food it's just you don't expect it when you walk up to the place it just doesn't look like a spot that would have an amazing cheeseburger or a great taco night but they do and the issue is people get comfortable with their spaces and they don't get out but there's a lot of reasons to come check out the neighborhood for sure

You know, I find myself listening and thinking maybe this is another one of the distinctions is that the customers seem to have a sense of ownership with the bar in a way that you may like a fancy restaurant really well or you might like a chain restaurant really well. But you don't go around telling people, wow, you got to go check out this McDonald's in my neighborhood. It's hard. Yeah. I think a lot of that turns into you have people that they were introduced to it by a friend. And now they have the chance to be that person to another set of friends. And how much fun is it when somebody gets invited to someplace? And then they're like, oh, it really matched the hype you brought into this. Right. Now, you did tell us that you like to push people to other establishments in your neighborhood. And we can hear that in your description. So I guess my question. You get to be an honorary food experts and we'll have the other food experts come on here in a little bit. What would be a couple of your top picks that you'd point people to it? Britstein and Deli has an amazing Rubin and just a great feel. In the daytime, it is 100% an old man bar, which I love. And the staff is absolutely spectacular. It's becoming more and more of my place then. Right. It's great to know. I think Beverly's is doing a great job with the food. They've definitely brought in some great... options. They're doing a great pizza special right now. It's a side salad and two slices for 12 bucks. Again, those are just good all around options. Easy and flipped into doing lunch during the week, which again, opening at noon, that's great for them. And one of them that I don't really qualifies, obviously not a dive bar, but it's a hay sugar, which is a confectionery shop and ice cream shop on the hill that, you know, I probably don't need to visit as much as I do, but they're local and they're trying to do something special in a place that doesn't have something like that. So. Try and throw some money out of what I can. Yeah. So why don't you open a dive bar? I guess is my question, if it's so great. You know, I think dive bars are, again, opening one is hard, unless the space has always been a dive bar. And those places, unfortunately, you know, once they get consumed by... property owners that wanted to jack the run up, the math doesn't math anymore. Right. And I think that's the biggest issue we've seen in the city is a lot of these places that were once amazing dive bars are now empty. So who owns the property or the bar owning its own property becomes a real issue? It is such an important part of it. I mean, you think about your input costs for a business, rent utilities, and those are major inputs. But if you see a shock to this system where your bar is purchased by somebody, now your rent goes up 300%. You have to really look at how can I physically make this work. You have to raise prices. And then you're just like everybody else. It does not work. When we come back, we'll talk about all the other dives and neighborhood spots our food experts recommend. Stick around.

Hey, Casey History fans, KCUR and Jen Listen are teaming up to tell the sticky history of America's favorite red, white and blue popsicle, the bomb pop, invented in Kansas City more than 70 years ago. Join us for a people's history of Kansas City Live, Monday, August 31st at the ship in the West Scott Bottoms. We'll have bomb pop themed cocktails and snacks. That's Monday, August 31st. Reserve your tickets now at KCUR.org slash bomb pop. We've all been there. You're gardening, having fun, right up till you spot a spider, a snake, a bee, and you panic. It was enough to make me freak out, and honestly, some days not even want to go to the greenhouse. I was conflicted with doing something I love, but having this fear of doing it. Animal fears are common, but there are ways to lessen the anxiety, a story about overcoming critter fears that's on the podcast Up From Dust from KCUR. Today, we're talking about the best dives and neighborhood joints in the Kansas City area, these low-key everyday bars and pubs that aren't doing anything fancy, but good service, tasty food, and a good time. when that's what you really want. We'll get to your recommendations in just a little bit, and you all had some pretty strong opinions about these bars and what qualifies as a dive bar this month. We'll get to that. But first, let me introduce you to our experts, an all-star cast of up-to-date food experts this time. Jenny Vergara is Food columnist for In Kansas City Magazine. Hi, Jenny. Hi, good morning. Good to have you back, as well as Natasha Bailey, executive chef at Thelma's Kitchen. Hi, Natasha. Good morning. And Tyler Shane is back with us, too, food editor for Kansas City Magazine. Hi, Tyler. Hello, hello. You guys are the best, and so we need to hear from you a definition. What makes a dive bar, a dive bar, and not a, I don't know, a tavern or a neighborhood spot. What's a dive bar, Jenny? So I have an entire list of what makes a dive bar, and I'd like to credit Eddie Crane for giving me part of this list over the years. He has been my mentor taking me to most of the dive bars I've probably been to in Kansas City. Well, what a valuable service to provide a young food writer like yourself. No, seriously, it has been instrumental, I would tell you, in my knowledge of dive bars. So I credit him 100%. But he had a few things, and then I'll kind of turn it over to everybody else. But like... A few basic food options. Okay. A place you can order a beer and a shot. Open seven days a week. Open early. Open late. Full of locals. Very few tourists. You come there to drown your George Soros for an everyday drink or to celebrate your successes, kind of all the things. Broken down, dingy bathrooms always, usually a penny in the toilet somehow, some way that never leaves. A laid back or salty, grumpy bartender. I mean, these are just part of the kind of the long laundry list. You're painting a picture for sure. Low lighting, a few windows, some sort of lighted beer sign hanging on a wall. I mean, there is no decor, no theme typically. It's kind of whatever the neighborhood comes and donates to put on the walls or on the shelves. I would like to add obscenities written on the walls.

Is that just the walls of the bathrooms or actually all of the walls? All of the walls, depending on which dive bar you go to. Sure, yeah. I mean, did Jenny take all the good ones or do you have some too, Natasha? She did. I think the dimly lit is for me. And nobody really caring about you being there. I like that. Now, I will say we had a pretty animated and maybe even comical discussion in the newsroom virtually over what these elements should be. And as I said to Dan a moment ago, Some of them would probably come off as criticisms in a lot of context. They would be seen as negative comments. So someone said a good dive bar should be the kind of place you wouldn't want to eat. Or, as one person put it, low light, cheap beers, and a possible health code violation involved. Tyler, do you see it that way? 100%. Couldn't have described it better myself. In my notes here, I said a good dive bar should make you want to... buy a pack of marble reds immediately, whether you are a smoker or not. Don't ask me how I know about the patio situation at all of these guys. Yeah. It's that kind of butt. It does strike me, though, too, that, you know, a lot of dive bars seem to have the elements that at some point in the evolution of bars became not just... no longer divey, but in fact the thing that bars are built around. So like patios. Like the patio used to be the picnic table and gravel at a dive bar that you would go out so you could smoke while you were drinking. And now there are, you know, patios are the main feature of a lot of bars or pool tables or... Darts. Darts. Pinball machines. Yes. I wrote down, it's everything you need and nothing you want. I mean, that's pretty much a dive bar in a nutshell, right? Really, they never, like a good dive bar never changes. You know. exactly what you're going to get whenever you walk in there, whether you're a local or not, you walk in there, maybe you get some side eye. That's even better. Even better. Then you're in the right spot. Well, and it's a place that's almost like immune from trends and everything else that's happening in a food and drink scene. It literally is immune from that. No pretentiousness. Right. If it changed at all, people would scream and yell. I mean, it has to stay frozen in time. That's kind of a requirement of it. Natasha, has there been a time in your life where you were a regular at a dive bar? Yes. Yes, there was. My Michelin Star. My Buzzard Beach. Oh, classic. It just brought me into the dive bar. atmosphere and I loved it so much. So many firsts. I mean, so many firsts. I feel like we've now, I'm sorry, Jenny and Tyler, thanks for being with us. Natasha, we're going to hear more of your story today. No, I mean, I do think that that does seem to be another of the qualities. And Dan alluded to this too, that the people who come to the dive bar don't think of it as just a business they patronize. They seem to think of it as, I don't know, an extension of their family. Oh, absolutely, right? I mean, that start, and we were kind of talking about it a little bit in the green room. I mean, it starts with the bartender. He kind of sets the tone, right? And then everybody comes in and kind of, like, learns from the bartender how to be in that bar.

So with that in mind, I feel like we should at least give people some examples of the kind of places we're talking about and places that are on your list. Let's start with you, Tyler. What's one of the top dive bars you'd point people toward? I'm going to start with the Easy Inn in KCK, Strawberry Hill. This is like such an easy one, but it really, to me, this is like... the dive-iest of dive bars, one of them that is in Kansas City. Obscenity written on the walls applies here, a pool table, darts. They also serve really great food. And whenever I say really great food, like it is just your comfort. food. You know, you're not going there for anything new. There's no reinventing the wheel. There are no Michelin stars. It is gringo tacos. I think they might even do a sloppy Joe. I need to double check on this. I don't know if this is the most current information, but for a while on Wednesdays they were doing. three tacos for $5, and it would come with a shot of tequila blanco and a decate beer. And those tacos, I was like, but they just hit on the patio. You got the tacos, the beer, and the shot for $5? For $5. And see, that's another great thing about dive bars, like the prices. The prices. The prices. Yes. I know the easy end was on your list as well, Jenny. Yeah, I mean, so we just need to talk just for a second about the fact that KCK probably has the best I bar tour that you could take in the city right now. Right. In fact, I'm not even sure we would have enough to talk about to do an hour long show if it weren't for Strawberry Hill. Well, I mean, you have to kind of look at the neighborhoods that have a high population of really hardworking work-a-day folks, you know, who are looking for that watering hole at the end of the day. I mean, this is not a happy hour spot that you go to after your corporate job pretty typically. I mean, this is. So if you look at the neighborhoods where most of these bars tend to be, I mean, Waldo is a great example that has a lot of great kind of dive bars. Casey Kay also has a lot of great bars. Downtown KCK, not just Strawberry Hill as well as, I mean, just kind of Casey K as a whole. But I would tell you right now they're probably the most important place. And Easy End certainly is right at the top of that list for most people. Their burgers are great. I mean, if you want to talk about food for a second, they do have exceptional burgers and really great fries. But, you know, the thing is, is that everybody has that dive bar drink. Like, you don't go into a dive bar looking for a Manhattan or something, you know, a margarita or something that needs to be put in a blender. I mean, you're going there either for a beer in a shot or one or the other, or it's like... Pretty typically, you decide, like, early on in my career, mine was gin and tonic easy. Now I'm more of a kind of ginger beer and Jameson girl if I'm going into a dive bar. So usually there's a drink that you have that you know you can always get at a dive bar. But it's a drink that's a simple drink with a mixer. Right. It's a well. Not a fancy cocktail. For sure. Yeah. What's a dive bar on your list, Natasha?

I'm going to go with zoo bar. Okay. Zoo bar in downtown Kansas City. Yeah, 1220 McGee. A lot of graffiti. A lot of cash only. I like the cash only. And they have an ATM, which is nice. Cheap drinks. And I, the jukebox, the darts, the pool table, it just makes me feel like you can go in, blend in, and it's just an easy place to enjoy your night. Staff is always nice. But. They're just like there to guide your night. They're not there to like, you know. put a damper on you. It just feels so easy to go in there. What's the food situation at the zoo bar? I do not know. Yeah. Because I go in there and I get a whiskey. I think it's non-existent. I don't think I've ever had food at the zoo. Who goes to the zoo bar to eat? I am not there to eat, baby. Don't hold me to this, but I think maybe it was one of those places where people brought in food to share, like crock pots and that sort of thing. Am I making that up? I have a place on my list. That is a long, yes, girl. Okay, I got to hear about crock pots. But don't hold me to that, and that is probably where the health code violations come. Please, I don't mean to impugn Zubar or any other. Off the record. Yeah, exactly. Allegedly. Allegedly. And I should clarify that we are talking today not just about dive bars, but about neighborhood joints, too, places that have some of those same qualities. But, you know, the regulars, the cheap, the... the not fancy but still special, a place where people come to celebrate and gather. Let's keep going with additional suggestions. Tyler, what else you got? Okay, so on the topic of neighborhood joints, I wouldn't classify high dive as a dive bar necessarily, although it is in the name. But to me, it's a neighborhood joint in that it is like you're going to get the same experience every single time, and that's why it's so successful. And let's give a shout out to the mystery beer machine, which is absolutely why I am there. $3. Let's not just give it a shout out. Let's have you tell us what in the world that is. That's exactly what it sounds like. For three bucks, you get a mystery beer, which means that you're taking whatever this machine gives you. It's canned beer. Oh, okay. You could get a natty light. You could get a blood orange cider. So literally load it up and push a button and whatever comes out is what you get. To me, it's so representative of the mood that you should be in whenever you attend a neighborhood joint or a dive bar. Like, this is not where you're getting a cocktail. You know, you are down for whatever. You are down for the... Yeah, you're not going to get it your way. You're going to get it their way. This is High Dive on 39th Street. Yes. What's, what's, paint the picture for us when you walk in. What do you see? Um, so actually they do have a, it's like a restaurant and a bar. Um, so unlike most.

on this list like the restaurant element is there for high dive but it's like it's meatloaf sandwiches and stuff like that it's comfort food and then you walk in there's stickers all over the wall so it kind of you feel there's TVs you know it's it's pretty classic comfortable spot to cater to the locals Fair enough. I know it was on your list, too, Natasha. And you talked about the food as well as the drink. I like the meatloaf. Yes. Everybody does. Everybody does. Smothered in gravy. Yes. And the mashed potatoes and green beans with little bacon. I love it. And the patio. There's patio. Oh, yes. What's the atmosphere like for you, Natasha? What's the, what is it that keeps you coming back to Haida? It's comfortable. You know, it's just a comfortable spot. And I do love the stickers. I love that they're everywhere. Stickers. On the walls. It's just unpretentious. Sometimes you just need a place where you can just go in. Know the food is going to be good. You can have an easy drink and just go home after. What are your other food suggestions for the high time? Oh, the jerk. I do like the jerk because it's a fried chicken sandwich, but it's fried chicken thigh. I think that's really good. Oh, and the chicken sticks with prize. And the jalapino dusted chips are really good, too. You know. So you've been there more than once. All right. Fair enough. Jenny, what's one from your list? Okay, I'm going to stay with the same owner of Highdive. He also owns Tower Tavern on a Martini corner. I didn't know that was the same owner. Yes, it is. And his name's Grant. He's lovely. I mean, he really has his arms around kind of what a dive bar should be, and he hits all of the elements. And as much as I like high dive, I love Tower Tavern. It has forever in a day been my Heidi hole. So when you're a food critic, it's sometimes hard to go into places without people going, oh, hey, go over and say hi. I mean, no one talks to me in this place, which is amazing, so I can just go in. I can get my ginger beer in Jamison, and I can't stay away from the pizza. I love the stromboli. Much like High Dive, the food also plays a big role at Tower Tavern. And, you know, I love their special. They have a meatloaf special, which I suspect is the same recipe as, you know, high dive has, which is why we all love it. But again, it's just casual. There are TVs. There's a lot of sports element in there. So if you're going to watch a game, a lot of the neighbors roll in for that. But it's really hard when I go to Costco not to just roll over for a little drinky and a little snack while I'm there. So I love that place. It's in my regular lunch rotation. Actually, they have a burger special every Thursday. Oh. Different burger every Thursday, something unique and creative. And I do think every day of the week they have a different food special to your points. That's right. Yeah. All right. So that's Tower Tavern on 31st Street at Martini Corner. We're continuing our conversation here about neighborhood joints and dive bars around Kansas City and really relishing the atmosphere as well as the food and drink options of these places. Natasha, what's another one on your list? I'm going to go with the break.

Yeah, the brick, which I think, you know, that's an interesting choice. And it really helps us expand our definition of maybe beyond dive bar to neighborhood joints. Yeah. And for a while, it was just like the place we all ended up, you know, like the food was good, the drinks were great. You might catch a show, but it was always, and the bartenders and the owner are just so welcoming. And we've had Sherry on this program. Oh, my gosh. She's amazing. She's amazing. She just want to be there, you know. So I think that. That's for sure a place. And the Singapore wings. I love them and I will go there and I will eat every hot dog. But I like the Houston Frito Pie. Okay. And I know you mentioned this in your notes to us about they have specials on their Facebook page. Yeah. Their brunch is good. Oh. Have you ever had their brunch? No. Ooh, their brunch is good. I haven't had it for a long time, and I am not a vegetarian, but they used to have such a good black bean burger. Yes. It's the only black bean burger that I would order throughout the city. I think every burger could be made with that black bean. Yes. Yep. That's the brick, I don't know, 18th and McGee. 1727. So check that out. Tyler, what's another one for you? All right. So I know that. The topic of discussing dive bars can be a little controversial because people are like, don't blow up my spot. But listen, we are in the modern age, and so many of these are Googled. Okay, so the keyhole admission is probably one of the most, like, low-key dive bars. But it's such a kind of strange spot because technically it's a private club. And I was talking to the bartender, and he said that they've... There's such an old establishment that they've been grandfathered in. And in Kansas, if you're a bar, you need to make 30% of your profits through food. But since they're grandfathered into the old rules, they don't need to sell food, but they technically need to be considered a private club. So for a real cheap fee, you can go in there and become a member and get a little card for a year. And it is a... Very typical dive bar. My cousin tried to order an old fashion. The bartender was like, that's hilarious. We don't make any of our own syrups here. And I got a glass of wine. And he pulled out a nice box for me. Like, it's that type of spot. But a private club. A private. The only private club that I have been able to afford. What is the annual fee to be a member of this private? I believe it's $10. Okay. Wow. And it's all legit. But remember, that's the price of four drinks there. So, you know, that's significant. Oh, my God. The prices are fantastic, by the way. And. This guy sat next to me and he just had a handful of chips, not a bag of chips, just a handful of chips. And like in the corner, there's just like these open bag of chips that you can dive your hands into. And I'm sorry, but that is speaking to me at a diet bar.

precisely what I want. I love that I'm just imagining our listeners listening at home. And some of them are like, yeah, I'm going to the keyhole. And some of them are like, oh my God, what channel am I listening to right now? Disclaimer, it is small. And like, don't roll up with even a party of five, much less like seven, eight, nine, ten. Keep it low-key, go on a weeknight whenever you're out in that area and just go in for a quick drink. You know, it is like people stare at you. They're checking you out when you walk in the door. They're like, who are you? But the bartender is delightful. Our food experts are here. And we want to talk about this, the difficult, the elephant in the dive bar, which is that some people really don't want us to be telling other people about. about these dive bars. We had social media chastising us. Our producer took a lot of abuse this month for even considering this topic. Jenny... Should dive bars be gate kept? Why do people feel so strongly about this? Well, if you think about it, I mean, dive bars are one of the few places in the world where there's an absolutely regular neighborhood clientele. I mean, day in and day out, this is where these folks go to talk to each other, to talk to the bartender. This is their place, right? And so when... those of us in food and drink like dip in as you know all of us have talked about to have a drink somewhere it feels like an outsider right has encroached in your living room so to speak i mean this is the place where you're keeping it open day in and day out so i mean it's not that they're not welcoming We also talked about the fact that these are businesses who are making money, right? They need to make a profit. So they want you to come in. Regardless of whether you're coming one time or every day, they want new people to come and discover their place. So it's that fine line. It's the customers who are doing the gatekeeping, not the business owners who actually do want your business. That's really the point. I mean, the business certainly wants you to come in, but obviously the regulars can be a little. A little more challenging to get around that. I think that's where the gatekeeping comes in. Okay, so make the case then for some of our listeners, the ones who I alluded to who may be listening to the show and thinking, I don't want to go to any of these places. Why should people who don't mind paying $20 for a cocktail be checking out dive bars? Or should they? Tyler? Um, so I, I love, I love the, the fancier things in life. Um, and I, I am a cocktail gal. I will spend, um, quite frankly, a stupid amount on a good cocktail. But, um, there is all that to say, like, you know, I go out all the time. I try all these different things and.

There is a mood for the times in which you are just wanting something consistent and reliable. Nothing crazy, nothing that's going to blow your socks off. And that's where a good dive bar comes in. And, you know, I don't need to bring this up again. But, you know, a dive bar is a safe place where like. You go out on the patio, you're talking smack with your friends. And like, it's just a good time where like not a lot matters. You know, nobody's, nobody's checking you. It's just, it's comfortable and it's familiar. And. You know, nobody cares about who you are. Yeah, nobody cares about what you're doing. Yeah. Well, we have, people would agree from our text line. We've had a lot of responses both before the show and during the show about favorites. A couple of places that you already. mentioned some big fans of the brick. We had a reply from someone who said they lost their phone years ago at the brick on their birthday. When they showed up to retrieve it, the bartender told them to sit down and handed them a beer and broke out a piece of paper and then read them notes from every person that had called to wish them happy birthday, including three messages from their mom. The bartender had been answering the phone all morning. Oh, sweet. We had another. response from someone who made sure that we knew that the brick was also had journalism friendly prices and that it was often a hangout for the star because of its proximity to the the old building and a suggestion from Someone getting back to Casey K. And I think this is actually on some of your list. Johnny's on 7th Street, which family owned and operated since prohibition was repealed, according to this writer on text line. Another one said cheap drinks and classic dive vibes. Look at all the Johns on the ceiling. Yes. I don't know quite what that means. Photos everywhere. Of Johns. Johns. John's. People named John. Yes. All over the scene. Johns can mean a lot of things. There's pictures and lights. and the checkered floor and the dim lights and the pool hall. It's just like a vibe. I would say, but also... Johnny's was on your list, Natasha. Don't go in there trying to change some stuff. You know, if you do want to try to go to a dive part, it's not your scene. I would suggest just go with the flow, you know? Just go in and be open to having a good time. You're recommending Johnny's. I know it was on your list as well, Tyler. A very popular choice. Yes. Why is it on your list, Tyler? If you can share from this bit of your history. Yeah. You're the expert. Yeah, I know. What's funny is like I am pregnant right now, but I'm like, don't worry, even though this isn't the most current research, I did some boots on the ground journalism in all my 20s. All in the past, just to clarify less no one thinks something inappropriate is happening. Yes.

Johnny's was even a spot. One of my friends was like, don't talk about Johnny's. I was like, girl, you know, like, if you're going to go out of your way to go to Johnny's, you should go to Johnny's, you know. Honestly, people know anyway. I know. And I remember whenever, just going back to the note of, you know, people being scared that were blowing up their spots. Whenever I first started writing about food, I was like, I'm never going to write about Kitty's Cafe because it's such a, if you know, you know. type of restaurant. And then I think the New York Times put it on their list of one of the best restaurants in the countries. And the owners were so happy. That was the big thing for me. The owners were delighted in all the attention that they were getting. And, you know, just goes to show that even though customers can be a little selfish and preserving like what they believe is their spot, I get it. I have my spots too. Unless those people come and spend enough money to keep those folks open and alive all on their own. They need to shush it. Yeah. And I think that's what the bar owners would say to. The owners need the business, right? They have to pay the bills. That's right. Here's another one from our text line, and I'm going to ask you to talk about it, Jenny, because it's on your list. And that's Helen's Jad Bar and Grill on Armour Road in North Kansas City. I have experienced this one, too. Tell us about Helens. So Helens is, I think, an old VFW hall, or at least in the building. It feels that way. Yeah, certainly. It certainly feels that way. And it's literally, it's up in North Kansas City, and J.A.D. stands for just another dive. So Helen's Just Another Dive, Bar and Grill. And this place lives up to its name. I mean, it's got kind service. well drinks, cheap beer, and some darn delicious wings, burgers, and pizza. And they have become famous for something called the Northland Burger. I wrote about it years ago in Feast Magazine. And it's a big, thick burger topped a chopped bacon, mushrooms, American cheese, and a green olive. Aleolian. Can't even say it, can you? Yeah. Right. It's basically mayonnaise that's got kind of green olives whipped into it, and it sounds crazy. You know, you might question it, but together on the burger with the juices of the burger. Anyway, I'm just telling you, go get a Northlander burger. It's delicious. The Aoli is the reason to get it. They also have really thin, crispy crust pizzas, which is delicious. I like the hot Hawaiian, Canadian bacon, pineapple, jalapinos, delicious. So it is totally a dive bar, 100%. There's no other reason to go there, except for the fact that they have really nice cheap drinks served in plastic cups. And delicious, really delicious. food. And that's one of the reasons. Like if you're a foodie, I mean, these dive bars, you can say what you want to about the drinks. None of us are talking about drinks because they're all the same drinks, the well drinks that you can kind of get anywhere. But the food usually is what sets a dive bar apart for me. And so that's one of the reasons why everything on my list usually has a food component. The other exception regarding Helen's jab bar, I think, is that it's large. It's a big space. It's much bigger than a lot of dive bars. Huge, huge, huge space. So do bring your crowd if you've got a big group and want to check it out. But yeah. I get the Northlander burger. I'm telling you, you're missing it. You're missing out. I wrote it down. What's another of your choice is Natasha? What should people write down from you? Let's go. No food. But let's do the Blarney Stone. Okay. Because I think it's just like longevity comes to mind when I think of a dive bar. And I drink bourbon on the rocks every time I go there. And sometimes you can listen to music, but they have dartboards. But the thing that I love most is that they are...

They are open for Christmas and they kind of make it like a big deal. And they'll like do like orphan Christmas food. And sometimes it's just, you know, it can be a really hard holiday, but they're there with the door open. I think sometimes that's just like the definition of a dive bar. You know, you don't have to like say anything. You just show up. That is a lovely tribute. Thank you. The bourbon is good. And there's that, too. And there's that too. This is Fitz's Blarney Stone, technically. It's at 38th and Broadway, and we should disclose, just in passing, that a member of the KCR staff's partner is the part owner of the Fitzs Blarney Stone. Oh, that's great. Discount. Okay, I mean, thank you. Another item on multiple of your lists is the peanut on Maine. I want to ask you, Tyler, to talk about why you put that on your list. Yeah. So, I mean, everybody talks about the peanuts wings. But. Correct me if I'm wrong, Jenny. The peanut on Maine has a different owner than the rest of the peanuts in the area. So this is really important because I think with no offense to any of the other peanuts, I wouldn't describe them as dive bars in any real sense. No. Yes. Yes. But the one on South Plaza on Main Street, that's one you're talking about. Yes. On Maine, the peanut on Maine specifically is a dive bar. And... better known for its food. Really, really great massive BLT. Is it the best BLT you're going to get in the area? It doesn't matter. It's massive. And I love that they just put like shredded cheese on their fries. Yeah, you get shredded cheese? Well, and on the BLT, which is the interesting part, I think. The use of shredded cheese cracks me up, and one of my friends was like, don't knock it. And whenever I started going to the peanut on Maine, I saw the light. Oh, there you go. And you apparently have seen the light too, Jenny, because you named Peanut as well. Well, we have to talk about Peanut on Maine because it is the original location. And it's been a bar, the building itself has been a bar since 1933. So there's this incredible history in Kansas City. So that's why everybody kind of loves that location. It's also teeny tiny. I mean, it's kind of hard to get into the Peanut and find a place to sit down these days on Maine. But their BLT, obviously the two things that make a stand out, the shredded cheddar cheese and the red onions. I actually had the opportunity to go with basically the owner now, but he was the son of the original owners, to go back on the griddle and watch him make one of those for an article I was writing. And I mean, you've never seen a more delicious BLT. And I said, all right, why red onions? Why? He goes, that's the way my mom made it for my dad. And so that's the way we still make it to this day. It's a great, it's a great story. But anyway, wings are also good and beers cold. Drinks are yummy. Go. That was so sweet. That's on South Main Street, south of the plaza. And if you're missing any of these, if you don't have a pen and paper handy, don't worry, we will have them all over the weekend at kCUR.org, and you can find this list for yourself. Natasha, what's another recommendation you would make for a great dive bar or neighborhood joint?

Shea Charlie. Shea Charlie. I'm surprised this hasn't come up before now. Yeah, tell us about it. Yeah, we're at 3809 Broadway. Darts, dimly lit, graffiti everywhere. The red boots. I like the red boots. Wait, what are the red, oh, you mean the red? Yeah, they're just like old red boots. Yeah, they're like weathered, you know, but comfy. Cheap weldrings, a lot to look at. There's a lot of chotchkes and things going around. I like the jukebox. But it feels like you're kind of stepping into a time warp. It could be like you're walking into a bar in the 70s is what it feels like when you go in. Okay. So Shea Charlie, that actually did come up in some of our. our listeners' suggestions as well as one of the local favorites. I went on a horrible blind date there years and years ago, and that's why I did not make the list for me. I'm sorry. So I'm sorry to Shea Charlie. You shouldn't host so many terrible blind dates for Tyler. Wonderful bar. Just, you know, go with the right people. I almost got kicked out of Shea Charlie once. Really? Yeah. No, it was part of my Eddie Crane Dye Bar tour, and we had gone there just a little too late. It was too late in the tour. Yes. So we'd open the door and literally as soon as we showed our face, they were like, get out, get out, we're closed, get out. Oh, it wasn't because you showed up in a particular condition. No, no, no. I misunderstood the first time. Not at all. Okay. And we, Eddie floated in as if the man was not speaking to him and said, oh, come on, we just need to show it to her. She's a food writer. Please, just give us a few minutes. Within minutes, we had cans of beer open and we were literally just walking around. Like, he was pointing out different things. I think we stayed for over an hour and finished our beer there. Anyway, we got kicked out and then invited back in. So that's Shay Charlie. Yep, right? That sounds like a perfect dive bar circumstance. Let's continue the list. I mean, we could talk more about dive bars, but let's just give people more dive bars. Natasha, what's another one of your favorites? Hillsiders bar. So we're back to KCK. And honestly, we could have spent the whole show just talking about bars and KCK. But what's so great about Hillciders? I think the bar is really beautiful. I do think they've done a beautiful job. I mean, in terms of dive bars, it's really pretty. It's really pretty. And I think that the way that they renovated the building and put a lot of love in it, I think that it's going to be, it's going to have a lot of longevity. I think the fire pit in the back. Yes, the patio right. I just think it's really pretty. If anything, it's like. No, I'm not going to say that. It's just a great newer dive bar. Okay. You'll have to privately email Natasha. You know what she was going to say. Text us. We want to know what it is. This seems like a good time to go to our fearless announcer, Paul Nakutura, who generally has to pressure us to talk more about Kansas. But today it has come quite naturally to all of us. Paul, what's your pick? I'm not going to go Casey K. I'm going to go North Kansas City. Defying our stereotype. I know. But also, you know, full disclosure for this one. My bandmate manages rewind video. Yes. And since we're talking about ambiance and vibe, like, you can, it just seems like somebody's grandparents' basement in the 80s and video games. You can rent Nintendo 64. Not rent. They'll just let you, you know, say, play Nintendo 64 games and whatever down there. It's...

So much fun. It's so chill. There's adult Capri's Sons. It's a good thought. Adult Capri Sons. Do you actually have them in the metal packets? They think I'm in plastic. Okay. Okay. All right. Thank you, Paul. Jenny, what's one more pick from you? I'm going to talk about Walsh's Corner Cocktails in Waldo. Okay. This is a tried and true Waldo favorite. It's kind of an old Irish bar. That's kind of the theme of it. It's one of those places where you walk in. You know, it's kind of dark. You open the door. The daylight comes in and every single person at the bar kind of looks over their shoulder to see who just walked in. Like they all are kind of checking you out. The bar has a padded rail on it that you kind of can lean on that's got a little bit of padding on it. Oh, yeah, I know just the bar you're talking about. Right, for all the years. But hamburgers is why you go. They have a delicious cheeseburger and hand-cut fries. So I'm telling you, do not miss the cheeseburger and fries there. And in one or two sentences, one more pick from you, Tyler Shane. Briott Stein and Delhi. It feels like an old school, like Irish Catholic pub. It feels like the regulars have all been boxers in their past. Great sandwiches. Cross the street from Hillsiders. Best Ruben Gallego in town is what I've heard. Yep. All right. That's Brights Deli and in KCK. We did not get to all of our list this week, but it will be available online at kCUR.org. Jenny, you got to give one last recommendation than everyone else. So in one sentence, what's your last pick? Jenny Vergara of Kansas City Magazine? Yes. So gnarly hustle in Raytown is what I would pick. It's a thrift store with a bar inside. Yes. Get the spigette. Get the apparel spritz. It's really, really fun. Lots of atmosphere. Two guys started it during the pandemic. Don't miss it. That was host Brian Ellison. Speaking with Jenny Vergara, Natasha Bailey, and Tyler Shane. Up to date is a production of KCUR. And this episode was produced by me, Hallie Jackson. Thanks so much for listening. Up to date is back again soon.

Back in the 90s, a couple of guys broke into an abandoned farmhouse in Kansas, and they found a trove of artifacts from one of the country's first known female commercial tattoo artists. They had needles, inks. Today, the relics are worth tens of thousands of dollars. Listen on a people's history of Kansas City.