Eats & Drinks

Nick de Feo, Jr.grabs a pancake during the morning breakfast rush. The pancakes are so big that if you took them for carry out, "we’ve got to put it in a pizza box," he says. (Photo: Jonathan Bender | The Recommended Daily)

The variety of life with spice and pancakes

Six words changed Nick DeFeo Jr.’s life. He was in the middle of his route, delivering spices for R.L. Schreiber. It was one of dozens of stops — a luncheonette run by a wily old cook. Jerry’s Café, 1209 W 103rd Street, was the second go round for Jerry Naster, the cook who once made Jerry’s…

Read More >
Jake Randall is using a Kickstarter campaign to help open Doughnut Lounge in Westport. The shop will feature coffee and cocktails alongside the baked goods. (Photo: Jonathan Bender | The Recommended Daily)

Doughnuts for grown-ups

Jake Randall straddles a groove in the concrete floor of the future home of Doughnut Lounge in Westport. He’s five months and two contractors into remodeling a former clothing shop. “I love Lamar’s and Fluffy Fresh and Hana’s (Donuts), but I want something outside the box,” Randall said of the concept slated to open later…

Read More >
From left, Jon Ponzer and Josh Eans are developing the menu for the Columbus Park Ramen Shop in preparation of a Fall opening. (Photo: Jonathan Bender | The Recommended Daily)

Get in, get your ramen, and get out

Despite its small size, Josh Eans knows that his latest venture comes with big expectations. He’s standing inside the 450-square-foot garage next to Happy Gillis Café & Hangout –the restaurant he owns with his wife Abbey-Jo Eans. A short hallway connects the luncheonette with the future home of the Columbus Park Ramen Shop. “We want…

Read More >

An I-70 cold brew-collaboration comes today to the River Market

Kansas City and St. Louis are developing an esprit de café. Over in the River Market, Quay Coffee will bring back its I-70 toddy collaboration today. It’s a cold brew — coffee grounds that are soaked in cold water — available by the glass or in 16-ounce growlers, made with coffee beans roasted by Blueprint Coffee out…

Read More >

Ask for it three-way or five-way, just don't ask for ketchup

Sometimes it is about the size of the dog. Back in March, Ronnie McGowan – a Tulsa native that has lived in the Kansas City area for the past two decades – looked around the local landscape and saw something missing from the hot dog spectrum. Kansas City had cocktail weenies and foot-long dogs, but…

Read More >