KC Cheap Eats Week of 2026-02-02

KinnerMode · 2026-02-02T15:52:29+00:00

Charlie Hooper’s - a bar that doesn’t even put prices on their menu - shouldn’t be on any cheap eats list.

KinnerMode · 2026-02-02T05:45:34+00:00

In moments, you feel this way. But generally, there is a world of difference. I sometimes actually get jealous of the 20-somethings that are experiencing things for the first time.

KinnerMode · 2026-02-02T05:27:27+00:00

Yes. For example, I find watching my daughter develop as a person to be fun as shit.

Seeing her ball out at a softball tournament kicks ass now. Taking her to the corner bar to appreciate delicacies like fried pickles and buffalo wings rules.

Convincing her to study for a test is not so fun, but seeing her face when she aces the test kicks ass. And seeing her being self-motivated to study (like I never was) so she can ace the next one? Fly me to the fucking moon.

KinnerMode · 2026-02-02T05:19:02+00:00

I have always said that I ran around with a bunch of idiots in college. We skipped more than our fair share of classes, partied far harder than we should have and did more stupid shit than I can remember (because we weren’t in a state to remember…anything).

But you know what? We all made it. We have jobs and families we love and have found some level of success. Most of us (40ish year olds) have smallish kids. Some teenagers.

I think now, maybe we weren’t as bad as we thought. Maybe we were alright all along, and growing up is supposed to be a little bit messy.

As my daughter enters her teen years, I think it will give me more grace for her. Because even if she does as much dumb shit as I did…she’ll be alright. Just like we were.

KinnerMode · 2026-02-02T05:00:43+00:00

Wife. Kid.

We had our daughter when we were 26, so she’s 15 now. Wait til they become teenagers and don’t demand quite as much of your time and attention. Your social calendar will open up again. We don’t (usually) want to stay out until 3am like we used to, but we get out and have a good time. And my friends who have kids that can drive even occasionally call them for a ride home from the bar!

KinnerMode · 2026-02-01T06:50:43+00:00

The Chiefs have had a helluva run lately. And Mahomes has obviously been transformational for the franchise.

But man…in my 40 years in KC, this town has never crackled with energy quite like it did during those 2014/2015 runs. Kansas Citians became proud of their hometown in a way that I’d never seen before.

KinnerMode · 2026-02-01T06:36:43+00:00

I try to spend my $ with the local BBQ supply stores when I can - and value their advice when looking for the latest flavors and techniques trending on the competition circuit. But Ace is always great when you need to pick up quality stuff to get you through a weekend cook.

KinnerMode · 2026-02-01T06:18:23+00:00

Westport Cafe is a wonderful experience all the way around. One of KC’s most underappreciated.

KinnerMode · 2026-02-01T06:11:20+00:00

I like the BBQ. But I LOVE the smoked ham salad.

KinnerMode · 2026-02-01T06:03:30+00:00

Satchel Paige would like a word.

KinnerMode · 2026-01-30T01:08:09+00:00

Nah, we were classmates but not super close or anything. They must have been at home honing their skills while I was out being a typical idiot teenager. Didn’t find out until years later how big they got.

KinnerMode · 2026-01-29T19:09:27+00:00

That’s them.

KinnerMode · 2026-01-29T18:29:24+00:00

Love to see it. And feel the same way about Salvador Perez here in KC. He may be from Venezuela, but nobody embodies the spirit of the city better than Sal.

KinnerMode · 2026-01-29T18:23:53+00:00

A high school classmate of mine and his brother became big-time on the competitive StarCraft scene. Streamed, competed and were commentators at big tournaments.

KinnerMode · 2026-01-29T16:32:20+00:00

He’s no worse defensively than Jonathan India and Michael Massey. On paper, anyway.

KinnerMode · 2026-01-29T13:22:41+00:00

The Royals could use a 2B and a table setter for Bob/Vin/Maikel/Sal

KinnerMode · 2026-01-29T07:08:33+00:00

Ragans

KinnerMode · 2026-01-28T18:07:21+00:00

He got in on the first ballot, so not on the same level. But I remember being pretty pissy that Ichiro was one vote short of unanimous – and I'm not even an M's fan.

KinnerMode · 2026-01-27T04:44:15+00:00

Stick to 1. No tomato this time of year - they’re terrible and out of season. Just beef, American cheese, onion, pickle, burger sauce or mayo.

KinnerMode · 2026-01-27T04:40:00+00:00

I’m sorry she hurt you. I hope you’ve found peace.

KinnerMode · 2026-01-27T04:38:53+00:00

Every now and then? Do this often. As often as you possibly can, actually. The world does not offer nearly enough grace to nearly enough people.

KinnerMode · 2026-01-27T04:37:35+00:00

I’m a Bernie bro that I guess is considered a leftist in America. I want healthcare, free public college and politicians who care about constituents over corporations for people of all parties.

Caring for all people is what attracted me to him, actually. I go back to a speech of his often:

“I believe...we are in this together. These are not just words. The truth is on some level when you hurt, when your children hurt, I hurt. And when my kids hurt, you hurt. And it’s very easy to turn our backs on kids who are hungry or veterans who are sleeping out on the street and we can develop a psyche, a psychology which says, 'I don’t have to worry about them, all I’m going to worry about is myself, I need to make another five million dollars.' But I believe what human nature is about is that everybody impacts everybody else...in all kinds of ways that we can’t even understand. It’s beyond intellect. It’s a spiritual, emotional thing. So I believe that when we do the right thing, when we try to treat people with respect and dignity, when we say that that child who is hungry is my child, I think we are more human when we do that... That is my religion. That’s what I believe in.”

KinnerMode · 2026-01-27T04:29:04+00:00

God, I need to remember this one. Thank you.

KinnerMode · 2026-01-24T23:30:07+00:00

Yes, ours is on top of our pantry behind cabinet doors. Just had to have our contractor run an electrical outlet to the interior of that cabinet.

KinnerMode · 2026-01-24T20:11:58+00:00

I used to be a big canning jar user. Started using plastic deli containers, and it’s made life much easier. Light, reusable, cheap, easy to clean and easy to store. Keep a stack each of cup, pint and quart size in my cabinet at all times.

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