Jonathan Bender
Reporter
Jonathan Bender is a former KCPT Food Content Editor and the founder of the Recommended Daily. He is the author of "LEGO: A Love Story," "Cookies & Beer" and "Stock, Broth & Bowl." He lives in Kansas City, Missouri, where has judged the American Royal World Series of BBQ, eaten sandwiches for a month, and pitched grain as a brewer’s assistant — all in pursuit of learning more about what Kansas Citians eat and drink.
Stories by Jonathan Bender
Is Pie the Sweet Dessert Spirit Animal of Kansas City?
The meal is over. The dishes are in the sink. What are you serving for dessert, Kansas City? “What’s the quintessential Kansas City dessert? Something we’ve really been known for over the years,” was the #curiousKC question that sparked this sweet odyssey. While searching for the answer to what completes a meal, it made sense…
The Butcher, The Cinnamon Roll & Other Weekend Possibilities
The death of the deli may have been exaggerated. Leeway Butcher (935 Iowa Street, #9, Lawrence, Kansas) is a new venture from Leeway Franks co-founders Lee and K Meisel. The butcher shop, which is next to the snack shop that serves sausages and poutine, works with small producers and also has old-school deli rounds —…
’80s Ski Party at Bar K, 1 Last Meatloaf at Anna’s Oven & Other Weekend Possibilities
Kansas City is losing a bit of comfort food. Anna’s Oven (1809 W. 39th St.) is closing Saturday, Dec. 29. Anna’s, which has been open for more than 7 years, is like a diner-meets-your grandma’s kitchen with lasagna (a square slab and architectural marvel of layered pasta, cheese and tomato sauce), meatloaf and fried chicken….
It’s Time We Stopped Shaming Patrick Mahomes For Loving Ketchup
I never thought we’d be fighting about ketchup for a month. But here we are, and the world has stopped revolving because Patrick Mahomes, the quarterback for the Kansas City Chiefs, likes to arm curl his ketchup onto a bowl of macaroni and cheese. People assume all the time that I’m judging them for what…
BBQ Duck Tacos, Christmas Sangria & Other Weekend Possibilities
Say it with me. BBQ. Duck. Tacos. Mission Taco has opened its second area location at 5060 Main St. (the original is in the Crossroads at 409 E. 18th St.). The drinks range from Tiki (rum-fueled, tropical concoctions) to mezcal and tequila cocktails. The food is just as playful with carne asada on top of…
Tap List | 12 Beers of Christmas & an Invitation To a Puppy Party
Forget partridges. Forget pear trees. Tapcade (1701 McGee St., Suite 200) is celebrating 12 Boulevard Beers of Christmas through Monday, Dec. 24. Each day features a new, limited-release Boulevard beer (Saison Brett is today, Rye on Rye 2017 is Friday) for $4.50, alongside specials on more than a dozen other Boulevard beers. Limitless Brewing Co….
SantaCon, Game of Thrones-Inspired Whisky & Other Weekend Possibilities
Hold onto your sleighs. Pull on your red hat, and leave some cookies and milk on the front doorstep. SantaCon KC 2018, the bar crawl ($40) that encourages folks to don their best Kris Kringle get-up, begins at Kelly’s Westport Inn at 4 p.m. After checking in, party buses equipped with Jell-O shots will be…
Best Eat In The House | Sura Eats’ Bibimbap Bowl
Best Eat in the House features dining recommendations from people in and around Kansas City. For this episode, digital producer Craig Smith has a moment with the bibimbap bowl at Sura Eats (1707 Locust St.) on the second floor of Parlor, the food hall that opened this summer in the Crossroads. Flatland chatted with chef…
Tap List | Order Martin City’s Donut Stout By The Half-Dozen
Humankind has finally invented a drinkable doughnut. Martin City Brewing Co. has a new dessert stout — Donut Stout (6% alcohol by volume) — out in six-packs. It’s all breakfast in the nose with maple syrup being followed by chocolate malt and a vanilla punch that will have you thinking of a chocolate glazed. The beer…