Newsletter

Chuck Eats KC - November 15, 2021

Saying goodbye to a local favorite

Chuck Munson

Nov 15, 2021 — 5 min read

This issue marks the second installment in a month, so it looks like it will be published twice monthly, on the first and third Mondays. I am ramping up new content for the blog and the upcoming podcast, so this newsletter schedule looks sustainable. Hope you enjoy it. Tell your friends about it!

The onset of colder weather means an end to farmer’s markets, fresh produce from your backyard, and more indoor dining. Changes in the Kansas City restaurant scene seem to be heating up, with more closings, retirements and long postponed openings. I find myself rapidly adding place to try to my already long list, so that bodes well for the scene. I’m looking forward to trying new places and getting back out into the field to do some photography.

~ Chuck Munson

Chai Shai an appreciation

It may be a bit unusual to review a restaurant that has just closed, but I want to go ahead and share my appreciation for Chai Shai. It will be missed by many Kansas Citians, who enjoyed it for 11 years. Chai Shai featured Pakistani and Indian cuisine in a small strip mall at 59th and Holmes. It was the kind of cozy, upscale restaurant where you could take a date. One year I wanted to celebrate my birthday at Chai Shai, but our party got too large for a Friday night at the restaurant.

Samosas, pakora and chaat were available for appetizers. You could get a lamb roll or pakora wrap for lunch. For dinner, I probably would have ordered the Gajar Aloo (potatoes and carrots), Yellow Lentils, or Masala Paneer. Meat eaters could get entrees like Achari Chicken, Lamba Korma, or Lamb Dal.

Preview of Part 3 of “Kansas City-area restaurants you’ll never eat at again”

Putsch’s Coffee House

Do you remember the first coffee shop you went to? As a kid? I suspect that many in the younger generations couldn’t answer this question, give that there are so many coffee shops and given that they were probably taken to more than a few. But for me, I’m pretty sure the first one I visited was Putsch’s Coffee House on the Country Club Plaza. I recall it being one the southeast corner of 47th and Broadway.

I recall that the restaurant had counter service and open-air sidewalk tables. Felt very much like a European café. The Classic Cup Café on that block captures some of the vibe from the sidewalk café part of the restaurant. An old menu indicates that the coffee house was very much a breakfast restaurant. There were some chain breakfast restaurants in that era like Denny’s and IHOP, but there were still lots of independent coffee houses and breakfast joints.

I didn’t become a regular coffee drinker until my mid 40s and then developed an appreciation for third places like coffee shops and coffee houses. Putsch’s on the Plaza is still a vivid memory for me.

Parts 1 and 2 of my bygone restaurant series.

Mini Review - Pad Thai

I’m a big fan of Thai food, which is mostly because it is a reliable go-to for vegetarians like myself. The cuisine is also popular with everybody, so you can go with family or a friend and be assured that they will find a favorite on the menu.

Recently, a family member surprised me with a take-out that they picked up from Pad Thai in Overland Park, a restaurant that has been on my short list, but which I haven’t patronized yet.

Family member didn’t check with me in advance but made a selection right up my alley: Sen Mee Pad See Eaw. This dish features extra thin rice noodles cooked with napa cabbage, bok choy, broccoli, garlic and brown sauce. Tofu was the protein which is also my preferred style for any Asian restaurant dish. This dish hit all the right notes with me. One of these months, I’d really like to visit Pad Thai in person.

Signature dishes at Pad Thai include Chu Chee Salmon, Pad Gapow, Crisy Garlic Pork, Roasted Duck Panang Curry, and Khua Kling. They also have the usual rice, noodle and curry dishes. On my next visit, I will probably try one of the curries, Basil Fried Rice, Drunken Noodles, or Yellow Curry Fried Rice.

14319 Metcalf Ave, Overland Park, KS 66223-2988
Phone: +1 913 685 4500

Photo of the Week

Best Vegetarian and Vegan Restaurants in Kansas City: A Tasty Guide

Have you seen our comprehensive guide to vegetarian and vegan dining in the Kansas City area? Our guide debuted in January 2020 and it is being updated regularly. We list restaurants which primarily have vegetarian/vegan options. We also include a listing of food trucks and restaurants that have more than a few veg options on the menu.

Chuck Eats KC Podcast Coming in January 2022

This blog and newsletter will be joined by a podcast in January 2022! That’s right, expect restaurant reviews, food talk and interviews in the podcast. There are lots of amazing people around Kansas City doing fun things with food, so let’s talk to them!

Openings, Closings and Transitions

Electric Park Garden Bar has opened in the East Bottoms at 2700 Guinotte Ave., Kansas City, Missouri
Chewology has opened at 900 Westport Road, Kansas City, Missouri
Sahara Mediterranean has opened 10150 West 119th St., Overland Park, Kansas
Chai Shai has closed
The Peanut will be opening a new location soon at 12921 State Line Road in Kansas City, Missouri
GUY'S Deli at Kelly’s will be opening in December in the former Joe’s Buy the Slice space. The deli is being opened by folks associated with Guys Snacks. It will be featuring deli sandwiches and pizza based on Joe’s recipes.