Vacation Report: Kansas City, Renaissance Faire & Jack Stack BBQ

Kansas City: Arrival

Kansas City: Grünauer

Kansas City: Renaissance Faire & Jack Stack BBQ

The Renaissance Faire

Confession time – until this weekend, I had actually never been to a Ren Faire. Upon learning that it would be available, it was decided that we would be attending (after some needed recovery from the travel, of course) and rectifying this! This particular faire actually lasts for multiple weeks, with different events each week.

It's TIME!
It’s TIME!
St. George vs. the Dragon!
St. George vs. the Dragon!
Carrie the princess!
Carrie the princess!
Carrie and I with my new mug
Carrie and I with my new mug

We took our time exploring the wares and outfits, admiring the craftsmanship of many of the items for sale. One of the merchants, Dwarf Mountain Knives had made some beautiful knives, and both my girlfriend and I saw one that we felt was perfect. It was very reasonably priced for a hand-worked blade, and felt well balanced (and solid!) in my hand.

My new knife
My new knife

20160904-RenCards

We also came across a craftsman (Clay Images) who made quite a few incense burners and water fountains in the shape of adorable dragons. Unfortunately, I neglected to capture pictures of these creations, but I foresee one entering our house in the future…

Feeling a little peckish, I opted for traditional Faire fare: a turkey leg. Served hot, it really hit the spot!

De-freaking-licious!
De-freaking-licious!

Prior to leaving, we made our way to the puzzle-ring stand, and noted that they also sold pendants. I fell in love with one with Odin’s runes on both sides and purchased that as well.

Odin's Pendant
Odin’s Pendant
The back of Odin's Pendant
The back of Odin’s Pendant
Information on Odin's Pendant
Information on Odin’s Pendant
More on Odin's Pendant
More on Odin’s Pendant

Dinner at Jack Stack

20160904-BBQMenu

For those not familiar with Kansas City BBQ (admittedly, I was not familiar with it by name, but was in the underlying methodology), it involves a slow cooking process where the sauce is involved at multiple steps. This is different from Carolina or Texas BBQ, where sauces are added at different stages, or rubs prior to cooking, and so on. Jack Stack BBQ is one of the highest rated BBQ establishments of this style in the area, so we knew we had to pay them a visit.

We started the evening with fried mushrooms, onion rings, and burnt-ends (of ham and sausage, in this case) before ordering our entrees.

The tower of onions
The tower of onions
More mushrooms!
More mushrooms!

I opted for a sirloin with Parmesan broccoli with hickory smoked pit beans (with brisket!), with others ordering various combinations (lamb ribs and beef burnt ends… brisket and baby-back ribs… and more!), and salmon. The pit beans were a favorite all around – I can see why they are as popular as they are with regulars!

Sirloin with Pit Beans
Sirloin with Pit Beans
10oz of Salmon? Nom!
10oz of Salmon? Nom!
Closeup of the potato
Closeup of the potato
Brisket and Pit Beans!
Brisket and Pit Beans!
Burnt Ends and Pit Beans
Burnt Ends and Pit Beans
Beef Burnt Ends, Lamb Ribs, and Potato
Beef Burnt Ends, Lamb Ribs, and Potato
Veggie Skewer
Veggie Skewer

Recap – Beer, Bourbon, and BBQ in Cary, NC

The wristband for the attendees of the 10th anniversary of the Beer, Bourbon, and BBQ festival. Love the slogan!

The Wristband
The Wristband

I took an Uber there and back to be safe, and couldn’t help but wear this shirt from Woot. It was too perfect for a BBQ related festival!

Too perfect!
Too perfect!

There were quite a few proprietors in attendance, and quite a lot of deliciousness in a very small period of time. I have a few of my favorites listed below.

TOPO Whiskey Punch Recipe
TOPO Whiskey Punch Recipe
TOPO Whiskey Punch
TOPO Whiskey Punch

Seeing a whiskey based mixed drink that also contains tea intrigued me, and though I am not a huge fan of sweet drinks, this blew me a away. The recipe is posted above if you want to give it a go! It’s made with TOPO’s Eight Oak Whiskey, tea, juice, and bitters.

Apple-Ginger Moonshine
Apple-Ginger Moonshine

Willie Clay Call was also in attendance with their 96-proof moonshine, and mixed with some apple and ginger juices to create a wonderful flavor. Lots of ginger notes, so if you are not a fan of the burn of ginger, might not be your thing.

Raleigh Brewing's House of Clay Rye IPA
Raleigh Brewing’s House of Clay Rye IPA

I took a chance with this IPA, as I am more of an Amber & Red fan, but the Rye really makes this one work. House of Clay was brewed by Raleigh Brewing.

Jabberwock by Brothers Vilgalys
Jabberwock by Brothers Vilgalys

Probably my favorite non-liquor tasting was Brother Vlgaly’s Jabberwock. The amount of spice and heat brought together was a real delight and the presence of the peppers combines with the chicory to give a nice lasting heat. It’s a liqueur that you could make some very interesting mixed drinks with!

Pulled Pork, Ribs, Hushpuppies, and Slaw - perfect lunch!
Pulled Pork, Ribs, Hushpuppies, and Slaw – perfect lunch!

After all that drinking, I figured I should take a break, and with all the BBQ around (and the shirt I was wearing), it was hard to say no to pulled pork!

The Part Time Blues Band
The Part Time Blues Band

While eating, the Part Time Blues Band came back on stage and played some more – including a very well done cover of Louis Armstrong’s What a Wonderful World. If you can catch one of their shows, I highly recommend it!

Voodoo Chile Hot Sauces - Saucesome!
Voodoo Chile Hot Sauces – Saucesome!
Voodoo Chile Sauce Descriptions
Voodoo Chile Sauce Descriptions

On my way out, I came across this vendor, and while initially drawn to them by their creative naming it was hard to leave after sampling their sauces. All of their sauces have spectacular flavors, and though I went with Phoenix (I felt it was the most versatile of the ones available), there were a few that left a fairly intense lingering heat that builds over time. I can’t say enough good things about these guys – they know what they’re doing!

Triangle Weekend Happenings – Beer, Bourbon, and BBQ in Cary, NC

For those in the Research Triangle area of NC, the Beer, Bourbon, and BBQ festival will be visiting Cary on Friday August 5th and Saturday August 6th. There is a full schedule for the year on the site, as well, if you aren’t nearby. Tickets are still available for those interested!

I’ll be visiting for a few hours on Saturday, and will be following up with pictures and notes afterwards! If you see me there, come say hi!