humour

This place has been on my to-do list ever since I started this blog and was periodically suggested by faithful commenters (thanks Schweis and Mr. Jayhok). When I drove up and got a good look at Kitty's in all its humble glory I immediately wondered why it had taken me so damn long. After all, their pork tenderloin sandwich has a reputation as lofty as any foodstuff in town.

Founded by Paul and Kitty Kawakami, a Japanese-American couple who were interned out west during World War II and summarily shipped against their will to Kansas City afterwards, Kitty's has been in business since 1951 which, given its small size and location is pretty incredible. Located east of Martini Corner on 31st street in a somewhat run-down stretch of road full of abandoned storefronts Kitty's still does a nice business serving cheap eats to working folks, neighborhood characters and destination diners.



The gentleman who was behind the counter on my recent visit managed to joke and chat with customers, take money, and prepare all the food by himself. There probably isn't room for more than a couple people back there anyway. The restaurant's namesake retired in the late 1980s and died in 2003 but apparently her batter recipe is what keeps the delicious fried menu items so popular.

Kitty's isn't much to look at on the inside, a small lunch counter and a handful of stools around a shelf are all the seating available.



You should be fine during off-hours but I'd plan on getting lunch to-go. You can certainly call ahead with an order as well. A couple of Buddha statues and good-fortune cats reflect the Cafe's continuing management by Asians but the menu is sheer Americana: Burgers, Catfish, Grilled Cheese, Egg sandwiches and of course the vaunted pork loin ($4.90).

As opposed to the pork tenderloin's typical preparation, the one at Kitty's is comprised of three small breaded cutlets stacked on a rather unremarkable hamburger bun with lettuce, tomato, pickles and a glorious spicy red sauce.



This is a darn near perfect sandwich--spicy, easy to eat, a good value, and fantastically crunchy. I can see what the fuss is about because this is some seriously good batter, reminiscent of tempura. Perhaps a greater revelation was the catfish sandwich ($5.30), which gets the same treatment and may in fact be superior to the pork loin because the fish flavor is a little more prominent.



The fries and tator tots are typical frozen food service variety but still make a nice complement to their sandwiches. Kitty's also has eggs, bacon, toast and sausage for those seeking that lesser meal, breakfast.

What Kitty's lacks in class in makes up for in history. I love the fact that it has been around for nearly 60 years in a rather unassuming part of town. It's survival is no doubt due to the great pork loin sandwich which the owner will proudly tell you was mentioned in the New York Times in 1987. Next time you are tooling around midtown, visiting Costco or hitting up Martini Corner pay Kitty's a visit.



Further reading:

Mary Sanchez, "Cafe's history tells of struggle Kitty's restaurant holds memories reflecting owners and their stories." Kansas City Star Dec. 8, 1997. Link for Johnson County Library users. Link for Kansas City Public Library users.

Jonathan Probber, "Eating in Kansas City: Ultimate Un-Diet." New York Times. Jan. 14, 1987

Kansas City's Irish Fest is one of the biggest and best in the nation. Sadly, harsh economic times, great weather and a vast array of different entertainment options around the area might have all contributed to lower attendance.

Usually, when Irish Fest gets a good turnout they can't help but brag. Strangely, there's no celebrating from the local Irish this year.

AWESOME TKC TIPSTERS say it was the PRICEY $15 ADMISSION FEE that kept most people away this year. That kind of toll just to START a good time doesn't jibe well with ongoing job losses and the bleak Kansas City economic outlook.

TKC is still waiting for comment from a couple of Irish Fest associates on hard numbers but folks in the crowd noticed far fewer people attending the Irish celebration despite the great weather (or maybe because of it) and certainly a lot more negative reviews.

The Irish Fest blog is keeping their comments open and inviting response.

I'm curious about what TKC haters say as well . . .

Hallmark celebrates life after its first hundred years which looks pretty grim now that paper is becoming obsolete.

So, TKC was the first KC media outlet to note all of the upheaval going down at the Parks Board. Now let's provide some background.

SO MUCH PARKS BOARD DRAMA OCCURS IN THE SHADOW OF AGGIE STACKHAUS!!!

Fun facts:

1. Aggie wanted to be Parks Board President - With current Prez John Fierro still rumored to be considering political ambitions, it still might happen. But probably not.

2. Aggie is full . . . Of interesting observations during public meetings. It's been a long time since we've had such notable comments in local public meetings. For instance, Aggie will send shout outs to homies and note her private medical business so that the crowd will have a real sense of what's going on with her . . . This kind of proclivity for public disclosure makes her a perfect candidate for increased face time. Sadly, Aggie is persona non grata in the Funky Administration so she will probably be going other places for increased exposure. Therefore:

3. Stackhaus plays up her relationship to Mr. Peanut for all it's worth - While so many politicos have to kiss the ring of Mr. Peanut, Aggie doesn't resent the obligation -- In fact, she does it gleefully and for that honor she has eared a modicum of access that shouldn't be discounted.

In the final analysis . . . What we have to look forward to is Stackhaus circling the Kansas City political scene and attempting to find a place for herself in the next Mayoral Administration.

Developing . . .

KCTV5 reports on the latest education drama to make its way to Missouri: The number of homeless students in the St. Joseph school district has nearly doubled since last year, a district coordinator said.

Twenty Pounds Of Headlines blogs today's Union celebration at Liberty Memorial. It seems that the turnout was pretty good given that so many argue that Unions have lost touch with workers AND most Union members now work for the government.

Still, Unions are a major factor in Kansas City politics and TKC readers are still wondering if Local 42Union Boss Louie Wright will make it past the open revolt that now rages against his leadership.

For the most part, a pool party for Council Lady and Kansas City Mayoral hopeful Deb Hermann seems uneventful.

Still, after watching the whole thing (You're welcome) I've come up with three fun facts:

1. Acting City Manager Troy Schulte made the pool party, no word if he'll give Mayor Funky the same courtesy or any of the other candidates.

2. Of all the Mayoral Candidates, Deb Hermann makes the best pie. This is a nice skill given that the current Co-Mayor only reminds everyone of feet.

3. Nobody drowned - So at the outset of Kansas City's Mayoral race, it's important to make connections with people at these kind of grass roots events. Deb Hermann has made the most of these small gatherings among potential grassroots supporters.

Sadly, nobody seemed to get in the pool. Accordingly, we'll have to wait on those Deb Hermann bikini photos.

Developing . . .

UPDATE: Calls from Hermann's campaign people corrected me and since it's Labor Day, I'll be kind. This event is actually the Gracemor-Randolph Pool Party and not an official campaign fundraiser. TKC Argument: All Mayoral Candidates walk around with their hands out so the occasion doesn't really matter given that their lives are about nothing but collecting campaign cash. But two words were removed from the post.

The Star: "A half dozen former Missouri candidates are carrying years-old campaign debts and maintaining special campaign committees beyond the limits allowed by state law."

KCTV5: KC Pushes For World Cup Bid

Flashback: Recently, AWESOME TKC TIPSTERS reminded us of a last ditch effort to save Cerner jobs and The Wizards in KC which ended with Gloria Squitiro awkwardly scaring away serious local biz dudes.

Follow-up from the weekend: Police break up teen gathering in Plaza

The demise of a doggie is just a bit rougher in Independence. The most important angle of the story is that the owner of the pet feels threatened by this destructive act. Sadly, there are way too many people in this town who confuse doggy mistreatment with far more serious crimes against people and any fact check on this front causes them to run off like a hurt puppy.

LINKS:

Dog's violent death has owner fearful

Beloved pet meets a violent death

Woman: Dog Hung To Death In Front Yard

Anti-Crime Activist Alonzo Washington informs his readers about what could be an interesting protest today but something he really putting on blast in the local media.

Relate: Check the best Backin Up remix I've seen related to the strange white lady caught in the middle of a shooting and subsequent Gregory Bros. Auto Tune goodness.

NBC Action News: "Thousands of people are expected to pour into downtown Kansas City for the 130th National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc."

Water bills already getting more expensive in Kansas City: "The Kansas City Water Services Department essentially increased its service charge without letting many people know."

And now the obvious question . . .

What are we getting for that money?

Recent Headline: Water Main Break Wreaks Havoc on 18th & Vine Businesses

TKC SUGGESTION . . . There isn't an incumbent in KC Proper that should get to mention the word Infrastructure without hearing a some real criticism.

The Star's token Latina pens another mediocre column. Meanwhile . . . I'm gonna try to keep from taking this to a higher defcon level by denying the fact that this lady writers seems to take most of her story ideas from this blog.

Related: Groundbreaking Set For Site Of New Honeywell Plant

WDAF from the weekend: Car Break-Ins on the Rise in Kansas City

Out of bed and into links . . .

• CHECK IT OUT: FREE CHICK-FIL-A SANDWICHES FOR LABOR DAY!!!
  
  
• Radioman caught thinking deep thoughts about TKC yet again.
  
  
• Ethics Reform Always Involves Problems: Missouri ethics reforms raise questions
  
  
• A double weekend tragedy: 2 Die On Lake Of The Ozarks In 1 Day
  
  
• A lesson in slowly losing local history: Local school districts struggle to properly keep and display their archives
  
  
• Local toy news: Thousands line up for American Girl doll
  
  
• Today is not trash day in KC Proper
  
  
• KC Stage finds the best Ren Fest guide.
  
  
• At least one local isn't drinking KCMSD Kool-Aid: "Stop Beating the Dead Horse: Why the System of Public Education in the United States Has Failed and What to Do About It."
  
  
• Kim Smith stats the week mostly undressed.

A Jacksonville website attempts to showcase Kansas City progress in a rather transparent attempt to spur their own taxpayer subsidized plans. Sadly, their feature on Kansas City doesn't include political gridlock, a town with job growth trending downward and caught in a myriad of racial and political slapfights . . . All of this presided over by a lame duck Mayor and his barefoot Co-Mayor wife.

Hip Suburban White Guy goes on a day trip and brings back some pretty great photos.

Blogging is a Labor of Love and not a real job. Accordingly, I've got just a few things to post this morning starting with just a bit of a look at Jenna Haze and her online oeuvre -- A word that I just discovered does not mean vagina.

Anyhoo . . . As we work our way back into the week, it's sad to discover that things haven't really changed much and local violence continues to mount after back to back shootings leave one person dead and three injured.

We'll try to keep safe to start the week.

Hopefully, more links and content on the way . . . Stay tuned.