John Martellaro

2 weeks ago | kansascitymag.com | John Martellaro

It’s not exactly like Arthur Bryant’s is shuttering the Brooklyn Avenue shrine and relocating to, say, the Legends in KCK. Still, when one of the metro’s most acclaimed barbecue purveyors moves 20 miles to the south and west and across the state line, it’s big news in Barbecue World. Harp Barbecue, which originated as a pop-up at Crane Brewing in Raytown before setting up its own shop on Raytown Road, moved to southern Overland Park in October 2024 (12094 W. 135th St., Overland Park).

1 month ago | kansascitymag.com | John Martellaro

It was the kind of dream that could only arise in Kansas City. Suzanne “Little Suzy” Guenther, a culinary professional in Kansas City, was preparing to move to Germany with her German-born husband. She knew exactly what she wanted to do when she got there: open a classic Kansas City barbecue/Southern “juke joint” with live music in the land of wurst und schnitzel. She started small, with a food truck crafted from what had been a wurstbud, the German equivalent of a hot dog stand. That was in 2008.

Jan 21, 2025 | kansascitymag.com | John Martellaro

When Devan Dignan came to Kansas City, he was looking to fully immerse himself in all the city has to offer, and being a lover of food, delving into KC’s barbecue scene was natural. So he begat the Kansas City Barbecue Bible—probably the most complete and comprehensive online guide listing every barbecue purveyor in the expanded KC metro region, including nine Missouri counties and five Kansas counties.

Jan 8, 2025 | kansascitymag.com | Shauna Gilden |John Martellaro |Ryan Reed |Tyler Shane

The bond between a K9 officer and their dog is strong. So strong that when a police dog retires, they more often than not become the sole responsibility of their handler—the officer they worked with most closely. Last year, when Kansas City Police Sgt. and K9 Officer Matt Taylor was eligible to retire, he decided to extend his service rather than leave his K9 partner’s side, making sure they left the force at the same time. It’s a strong bond, one that the nonprofit KCPD K9 Friends supports.

Jan 7, 2025 | kansascitymag.com | Shauna Gilden |John Martellaro |Ryan Reed |Tyler Shane

Nick and Leslie Goellner began pioneering modern cuisine in KC when their restaurant The Antler Room opened in 2016. Now, the couple is planning a new spot in the Crossroads – Anjin, a casual “cool neighborhood restaurant” inspired by their travels to Japan. “It’s going to be like if you took The Antler Room and plopped it in Tokyo,” says Leslie, who helms the bar program at Antler Room. The Goellners hope to have Anjin open by spring (1708 Oak St, KCMO).