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

Kansas City: Arrival

Kansas City: GrĂ¼nauer

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