Good to the Bone (A BBQ Odyssey) LbNA #32681
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Add Location| Owner: | Adoptable |
|---|---|
| Plant date: | Jun 23, 2007 |
| Location: | |
| City: | Kansas City |
| County: | Jackson |
| State: | Missouri |
| Boxes: | 1 |
| Planted by: | Chieftain  |
|---|---|
| Found by: | Simple Dreamer |
| Last found: | Aug 28, 2010 |
| Status: | FFFaFFF |
| Last edited: | Jun 23, 2007 |
This is the first in a series of letterboxes commemorating Kansas City’s outstanding BBQ heritage. Following the clues to this and subsequent letterboxes will regale you with some tales of BBQ lore, present you with the opportunity to avail yourself of some mighty righteous “Q” and participate in a fun taste test comparison. Oh, and find some humble letterboxes too, of course! Let’s get started.
A BBQ TALE!!!
Way back in the late 70’s and early 80’s our department at Hallmark would often make a pilgrimage to Arthur Bryant’s at Eighteenth & Brooklyn for lunch. This was a trip much anticipated by the entire crew which would vary in participants each time but usually consist of 8-12 members available that day from a group of twenty or more sworn BBQ addicts mostly from Cost Accounting but often joined by other Finance Division slaves! (I eventually married one of our BBQ groupies!)
Yes, a great time was always had by all, from standing in the counter line, to grabbing a handful of the free burnt ends, to placing your order with the surly order taker/filler, to watching him “build” your meal with his bare hands (we never wanted to think about where they may have been!), to witnessing the exploits of “Tray Jammer” (more on him in the next letterbox), and of course the most memorable activity; watching Arthur himself rule over his kingdom (Arthur has since gone to his heavenly reward, likely preparing BBQ for all the apostles; when did Arthur pass on?)*!
Did I say a great time was had by all? That is not completely true for you see not EVERYONE was a true Bryant’s believer and that one person was ME! As you may know, Bryant’s is a love/hate issue with most Kansas Citians. There can be a number of reasons but people tend to either love or hate Bryant’s; few come down in the middle. My own personal distaste (shared by many) was for the sauce. If you’ve tried it, it is truly unique. It does not have a traditional BBQ flavor and has a texture that feels like they loaded it up with sand! It seems to me to be more of a hot sauce than BBQ, and not a particularly good one. Having said that, I know there are thousands that are hooked on it and that’s fine. To each his own.
But there was the rub (pun intended). How was I to get “my own” when we visited Arthur’s?! You see, as much as I disliked Bryant’s sauce, I loved Gate’s. Truly, for me, Gate’s sauce is the perfection of the BBQ sauce holy grail (and yes, there are those who do not like it either). So whenever we made the lunch trek to AB’s, I was forced to chew my “Q” dry; not a fun task (how did Ollie Gates enter the BBQ business?).**
But what to do??!!
After several months of stewing on this conundrum, a plot began to gestate. You see, in the days when Arthur still ruled his grease joint he had the odd operating practice of NEVER providing ketchup to his customers. NEVER! Now this would seem to be a very odd policy in a venue that likely served as many pounds of French fries as brisket. Nevertheless, this was the cold, hard fact and you had to live with it (I always wondered what Arthur’s motivation was; I suspected he was frugal and was just holding down costs but in a very strange way!).
Now as much as I missed ketchup for my fries, I missed my Gate’s for my meat even more. But if I tried to sneak a bottle of Gate’s into Arthur’s own establishment, I would likely find myself thrown into the pit by Arthur himself and penciled in as tomorrow’s entrée!! On the other hand, my calculating mind deduced, I could probably import my own bottle of “ketchup” and no one would object! Yes, I had a plan now.
I went home and emptied a bottle of Heinz’ ketchup which I washed and promptly refilled with Gate’s best and recapped. I then took it to work and stowed it in my credenza behind my desk.
Several weeks later the call went out for another Bryant’s sojourn and I slipped my bottle of “Heinz” into my suit coat pocket and gleefully headed out! As always, the ordering went smoothly and we were all quickly seated. I then produced my “ketchup”, right under the nose of the great Arthur himself, and proceeded to slather my brisket with my secret stash. Total success!!! No one outside our group was the wiser and for once, I enjoyed my meal at Bryant’s (except, of course, missing ketchup for my fries! Oh well.). And I ate happily ever after at Bryant’s with the work crew from then on (although I once had to wrestle my “ketchup” away from someone from another table who tried to dowse their fries with it!). Arthur never had a clue and we were both happy as a result (whatever happened to the “NO KETCHUP” policy?).***
THE SECRET CLUES!!!
To start you on the BBQ trail, drive yourself (and your appetite) to the City Market parking lot at the northwest corner of Fifth & Main. Get out, check out the Market and if you keep your eyes open and follow your nose you will find your way to some excellent “Q” at Winslow’s, a long standing river front tradition.
Now having nibbled a little at Winslow’s (You did nibble, didn’t you? You’re going to need room later!), get back in your car and head east on Fifth. Proceed 0.1 miles to the intersection of Main & “1,000” Boulevard. Turn right and head south for 1.3 miles. At the intersection of “1,000” Boulevard and the “Square Root Of 400” Street (Yeah, I know; more higher math!), turn right. Follow this street for 0.2 miles until it intersects the street named after an Oriole and go left. Proceed 0.1 miles and you will be facing a long, beautifully refurbished old railroad freight house. Drive through the entrance to their parking lot on the south side of the building. Having entered the parking lot, turn left and drive to the east end of the lot. Oddly enough you will now be nearly under a viaduct (ok, Marx Brothers fans; what did they call it?****) of the same street you started this journey from.
Examine the viaduct looking for the last row of support pillars at the north end of the bridge. Now look at the near corner of the concrete base of the viaduct. In a nook between the base and the first buttress attached to it you will find a pile of rocks on the side of the buttress facing AWAY from the restaurant. “Good to the Bone” is hidden there!
You are somewhat exposed here so please be discreet about your activity. Also, there is a homeless fellow living on the east side of the bridge beyond where “Good to the Bone” is hidden. Please don’t let him see your letterboxing “work” but stop by and give him some cash when you are done. He is quite friendly and deserving of our help. God bless!
NOW THE TRUE FUN (#1)!!!
Now that you have completed your letterboxing chores, turn around and look at the freight house building whose parking lot you are in. There are three restaurants located in it. Head down to the third one to the west and you will find a fine BBQ establishment. This restaurant and the one located next to “The Tale of Tray Jammer” letterbox are widely reputed to have the BEST BBQ beans in the land. I know my family concurs! But which is THE best?! This is your assignment, should you choose to accept it.
Go into this restaurant, have a great meal and make sure you try the beans and make mental notes about their qualities.
Now take your clues to “The Tale of Tray Jammer”, find the box, eat at the restaurant and sample the other “best beans ever” and cast your vote!
ANSWERS TO TRIVIA…
* December 28, 1982
** He took over the business (Ol’ Kentuck Bar-B-Que) bought by his parents, George and Arzelia, in 1946
*** After Arthur’s passing, his heirs discovered ketchup and added it to their tables
**** Why-a-duck
*****STATUS UPDATE - OCTOBER 17, 2010*****
DURING MY VISIT I RELOCATED THE LETTERBOX (IN A NEW CONTAINER) TO THE OTHER SIDE OF THE BUTTRESS AND UPDATED THE CLUES TO REFLECT THIS. THIS ALLOWS YOU MORE PRIVACY TO COMPLETE YOUR SEARCH. ALSO, OUR FRIENDLY HOMELESS GENTLEMAN WAS MOVED OUT MANY MONTHS AGO WHEN THE AREA WAS CLEANED UP. HOPEFULLY HE IS DOING WELL WHEREVER HE NOW RESIDES. IF YOU HAD ANY RESERVATIONS ABOUT SEEKING THE BOX BECAUSE OF HIS PRESENCE, THOSE WORRIES ARE NOW MOOT.
A BBQ TALE!!!
Way back in the late 70’s and early 80’s our department at Hallmark would often make a pilgrimage to Arthur Bryant’s at Eighteenth & Brooklyn for lunch. This was a trip much anticipated by the entire crew which would vary in participants each time but usually consist of 8-12 members available that day from a group of twenty or more sworn BBQ addicts mostly from Cost Accounting but often joined by other Finance Division slaves! (I eventually married one of our BBQ groupies!)
Yes, a great time was always had by all, from standing in the counter line, to grabbing a handful of the free burnt ends, to placing your order with the surly order taker/filler, to watching him “build” your meal with his bare hands (we never wanted to think about where they may have been!), to witnessing the exploits of “Tray Jammer” (more on him in the next letterbox), and of course the most memorable activity; watching Arthur himself rule over his kingdom (Arthur has since gone to his heavenly reward, likely preparing BBQ for all the apostles; when did Arthur pass on?)*!
Did I say a great time was had by all? That is not completely true for you see not EVERYONE was a true Bryant’s believer and that one person was ME! As you may know, Bryant’s is a love/hate issue with most Kansas Citians. There can be a number of reasons but people tend to either love or hate Bryant’s; few come down in the middle. My own personal distaste (shared by many) was for the sauce. If you’ve tried it, it is truly unique. It does not have a traditional BBQ flavor and has a texture that feels like they loaded it up with sand! It seems to me to be more of a hot sauce than BBQ, and not a particularly good one. Having said that, I know there are thousands that are hooked on it and that’s fine. To each his own.
But there was the rub (pun intended). How was I to get “my own” when we visited Arthur’s?! You see, as much as I disliked Bryant’s sauce, I loved Gate’s. Truly, for me, Gate’s sauce is the perfection of the BBQ sauce holy grail (and yes, there are those who do not like it either). So whenever we made the lunch trek to AB’s, I was forced to chew my “Q” dry; not a fun task (how did Ollie Gates enter the BBQ business?).**
But what to do??!!
After several months of stewing on this conundrum, a plot began to gestate. You see, in the days when Arthur still ruled his grease joint he had the odd operating practice of NEVER providing ketchup to his customers. NEVER! Now this would seem to be a very odd policy in a venue that likely served as many pounds of French fries as brisket. Nevertheless, this was the cold, hard fact and you had to live with it (I always wondered what Arthur’s motivation was; I suspected he was frugal and was just holding down costs but in a very strange way!).
Now as much as I missed ketchup for my fries, I missed my Gate’s for my meat even more. But if I tried to sneak a bottle of Gate’s into Arthur’s own establishment, I would likely find myself thrown into the pit by Arthur himself and penciled in as tomorrow’s entrée!! On the other hand, my calculating mind deduced, I could probably import my own bottle of “ketchup” and no one would object! Yes, I had a plan now.
I went home and emptied a bottle of Heinz’ ketchup which I washed and promptly refilled with Gate’s best and recapped. I then took it to work and stowed it in my credenza behind my desk.
Several weeks later the call went out for another Bryant’s sojourn and I slipped my bottle of “Heinz” into my suit coat pocket and gleefully headed out! As always, the ordering went smoothly and we were all quickly seated. I then produced my “ketchup”, right under the nose of the great Arthur himself, and proceeded to slather my brisket with my secret stash. Total success!!! No one outside our group was the wiser and for once, I enjoyed my meal at Bryant’s (except, of course, missing ketchup for my fries! Oh well.). And I ate happily ever after at Bryant’s with the work crew from then on (although I once had to wrestle my “ketchup” away from someone from another table who tried to dowse their fries with it!). Arthur never had a clue and we were both happy as a result (whatever happened to the “NO KETCHUP” policy?).***
THE SECRET CLUES!!!
To start you on the BBQ trail, drive yourself (and your appetite) to the City Market parking lot at the northwest corner of Fifth & Main. Get out, check out the Market and if you keep your eyes open and follow your nose you will find your way to some excellent “Q” at Winslow’s, a long standing river front tradition.
Now having nibbled a little at Winslow’s (You did nibble, didn’t you? You’re going to need room later!), get back in your car and head east on Fifth. Proceed 0.1 miles to the intersection of Main & “1,000” Boulevard. Turn right and head south for 1.3 miles. At the intersection of “1,000” Boulevard and the “Square Root Of 400” Street (Yeah, I know; more higher math!), turn right. Follow this street for 0.2 miles until it intersects the street named after an Oriole and go left. Proceed 0.1 miles and you will be facing a long, beautifully refurbished old railroad freight house. Drive through the entrance to their parking lot on the south side of the building. Having entered the parking lot, turn left and drive to the east end of the lot. Oddly enough you will now be nearly under a viaduct (ok, Marx Brothers fans; what did they call it?****) of the same street you started this journey from.
Examine the viaduct looking for the last row of support pillars at the north end of the bridge. Now look at the near corner of the concrete base of the viaduct. In a nook between the base and the first buttress attached to it you will find a pile of rocks on the side of the buttress facing AWAY from the restaurant. “Good to the Bone” is hidden there!
You are somewhat exposed here so please be discreet about your activity. Also, there is a homeless fellow living on the east side of the bridge beyond where “Good to the Bone” is hidden. Please don’t let him see your letterboxing “work” but stop by and give him some cash when you are done. He is quite friendly and deserving of our help. God bless!
NOW THE TRUE FUN (#1)!!!
Now that you have completed your letterboxing chores, turn around and look at the freight house building whose parking lot you are in. There are three restaurants located in it. Head down to the third one to the west and you will find a fine BBQ establishment. This restaurant and the one located next to “The Tale of Tray Jammer” letterbox are widely reputed to have the BEST BBQ beans in the land. I know my family concurs! But which is THE best?! This is your assignment, should you choose to accept it.
Go into this restaurant, have a great meal and make sure you try the beans and make mental notes about their qualities.
Now take your clues to “The Tale of Tray Jammer”, find the box, eat at the restaurant and sample the other “best beans ever” and cast your vote!
ANSWERS TO TRIVIA…
* December 28, 1982
** He took over the business (Ol’ Kentuck Bar-B-Que) bought by his parents, George and Arzelia, in 1946
*** After Arthur’s passing, his heirs discovered ketchup and added it to their tables
**** Why-a-duck
*****STATUS UPDATE - OCTOBER 17, 2010*****
DURING MY VISIT I RELOCATED THE LETTERBOX (IN A NEW CONTAINER) TO THE OTHER SIDE OF THE BUTTRESS AND UPDATED THE CLUES TO REFLECT THIS. THIS ALLOWS YOU MORE PRIVACY TO COMPLETE YOUR SEARCH. ALSO, OUR FRIENDLY HOMELESS GENTLEMAN WAS MOVED OUT MANY MONTHS AGO WHEN THE AREA WAS CLEANED UP. HOPEFULLY HE IS DOING WELL WHEREVER HE NOW RESIDES. IF YOU HAD ANY RESERVATIONS ABOUT SEEKING THE BOX BECAUSE OF HIS PRESENCE, THOSE WORRIES ARE NOW MOOT.