Badonk-a-blanc (burgers + bottles!)

Blanc burgers and bottles has been in the conversation for best burger joint of KC ever since it opened in March of 2008. The variety of burgers including the au poivre (pepper crusted burger, watercress, green peppercorn sauce) and the inside out (blue cheese-stuffed burger, applewood-smoked bacon, onion ring, ketchup, mustard, butter lettuce, onion brioche bun) are all made from ground tenderloin. This is the starting point for all these burgers that really set them apart. The awesome ingredients and creative combinations are just extra bonuses. Even the buns are made exclusively from “Farm to Market” bakery. Gotta highlight a few awesome side items including the hometown Boulevard brewery Pale Ale onion rings, as well as truffle fries!

Don’t get too excited about the food that you forget to try some of the awesome specialty sodas or milkshakes at Blanc. The chocolate milkshake is one of the best made in the city. Not ice cream, but chocolate custard is mixed with locally owned, Schatto creamery milk. Then served right from the steel mixing cup....Boomshakalaka. There are over 140 specialty sodas or beers to choose from and they actually have “Mexican” coca-cola! Haven’t ever seen that here in KC before…..gotta try it if you never have.

The burgers will clearly be more expensive than your double cheese from McDonalds, but give their lunch special a try from Monday-Friday 11-3 to indulge in a burger and side dish for about half the price!.....not that regular price isn’t so worth it.
Blanc burgers is located in the heart of Westport right across from the Bunker, at the intersection of Broadway and Westport road. Or check out their brand new location, just south of 105th street on Mission Road.

A Breakfast Bonanza, of Sorts...

Walking around the River Market on a Saturday morning is probably one of my favorite experiences in KC. The bustle of vendors and customers creates an amazing energy, and an ode to the lost art of open markets. Although the area thrives with their beautiful market, the food scene seems to be a very hit-or-miss adventure. I used to be a huge fan of the River Market Brewery, but as easily as gems come into this world, they also go out. So what might be that special gem? Yeah, Blue Nile is great, and there’s nothing more exquisite than Le Fou Frog, but I want something that’s grungy like the river. Well, I found my “crystal” in the rough, and it goes by the name of Succotash.

(Definition)
Succotash - a food dish consisting primarily of corn and lima beans or other shell beans. Other ingredients may be added, including tomatoes, green and sweet red peppers, and possibly including pieces of cured meat or fish.


We walked into Succotash on a beautiful Saturday morning and felt like we were walking into a Wes Anderson film. The environment was almost over the top, but new and exciting at the same time. After a short wait we sat down and were blown away by the interesting assortment of traditional favorites and some eclectic additions. Our selection went something like french toast, pancakes, biscuits and gravy, the kitchen sink, and a couple of interesting egg/gravy/(and other assorted ingredients) sandwiches. We ended up loving the food and the experience at Succotash. The pancakes were massive, but the most impressive item was the “kitchen sink,” which seemed to include every item that was created in the kitchen…hence the “sink.” We really enjoyed the food and felt like Succotash would be a great place to come on a monthly basis, as every dish felt like it was just loaded with calories (there were some alternative healthy items, but when we do breakfast, we do it BIG!).

So if you haven’t had the chance to check out this creative little restaurant in the River Market, you should. Go experience a breakfast you’ll never forget and who knows, maybe you’ll run into a Tenenbaum on the way out.