Name: Jamie
Neighborhood: Waldo/Brookside
City: Kansas City, Missouri
My Home: Two bedroom, single-family house
I've lived in KC almost all my life, but moved to this neighborhood two years ago. I love it for its cultural diversity, quiet neighborhoods and quickly growing arts community. We are known for our jazz music history, BBQ, and love for a football team that never wins...and you'll hear lots of opinions on those subjects. We are major bargain hunters and almost every neighborhood hosts community garage sales of some sort beginning in March and running through October.
Jamie's Guide to Waldo/Brookside
1. Favorite Neighborhood Home Store
- CURIOUS SOFA: 3925 W. 69th Ter.
Sometimes burlesque vintage, sometimes casual comfort home decor.
2. Go-to Shop for Gifts
- STUFF: 316 W. 63rd St.
Packed full of quirky handmade goodness.
3. Best Vintage Shop, Thrift Store, or Flea Market
- URBAN MINING: 3924 Walnut
Retro/urban, mod/vintage flea market open the first Friday weekend of each month.
4. Favorite Bookstore
- READING REPTILE: 328 W. 63rd St.
Everything you could ever wish for in a children's bookstore.
5. Favorite Coffee Shop, Café, or Restaurant
- THE ROASTERIE: 6223 Brookside Blvd.
KC-native coffee roaster's neighborhood cafe. Hotspot for people with MacBooks, iPhones and who enjoy philosophical conversations.
6. Best Hardware/Paint Store
- STRASSER: 910 Southwest Blvd.
The place that has a solution for everything.
7. Best Place to Pick Up Groceries
- McGONIGLE'S: 1307 W. 79th St.
Known for the best meat cuts in town, but also has wine, cheese, fresh produce and over 100 BBQ sauces.
8. Best Place to Buy Flowers
- TRAPP & CO.: 4110 Main St.
Flowers, gifts and home decor. Their candles are sold nationwide.
9. Best Neighborhood Park
- LOOSE PARK: 5200 Wornall Rd.
Popular for weddings, photo shoots, dog walking, and romantic picnics.
10. Best Spot to Take Visitors
- GATE'S BBQ: 4621 Paseo Blvd.
Word of advice: Know what you want before you go and be sure to grab a tray at the door, because shouting at the customers as they walk in is one of their trademarks. They're not being rude, it's part of the fun atmosphere. I recommend the Mixed Plate with a frosty beer.
Thanks, Jamie!
Photos: Jamie Moore
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I lived in KC for a while and still go back at least once a month, usually. Brookside and that area was always one of my favorite neighborhoods too. Thanks for posting those stores; I've never even heard of a few of them and will have to visit them next time I'm in town. :)
Adding to the restaurants and cafes:
Aixois French Bistro and Cafe: Authentic French cooking straight from Provence made by an authentic Frenchman. Prices are very reasonable.
Filling Station: Just south of Brookside, an amazing coffee shop with local roasted coffee, fresh juices, and a small (but tasty) cafe selection.
How I miss KC!
Current KC rez. Thanks for the list; def plan on checking some of these out!!
Is this a neighborhood guide or a random-points-around-the-city-even-venturing-into-Kansas guide?
This is hardly a guide to Brookside/Waldo. I count only four of her 'bests' are actually in the Brookside/Waldo neighborhoods. This is more of a best of the KC metro area. (The Curious Sofa is across the state line in Prairie Village, KS)
@ outsidethebox - I only counted three: Stuff, The Roasterie, and Reading Reptile and they're all in Brookside. What else are you counting?
It's too bad, too, because both Brookside and Waldo are interesting, distinct neighborhoods with lots to offer; there's no need to fill out a list with other things from around the city.
McGonigle's is in Waldo. And they serve BBQ!! I like it a lot better than Gates.
For those looking for extremely good bbq (and awesome onion rings) I prefer Oklahoma Joe's over Gates. That place is amazing.
Be warned though, the lines grow quickly so get there early! We went one night to pick up dinner for the movie in the park and were amazed by the line that just kept growing behind us. Worth every minute of the wait though.
I lived nearby here for 5 yrs (behind the Nelson Atkins). Is Carmen's still in downtown brookside? Also Waldo Pizza @ 71st. And yellow sub? The Peanut? If you are covering all of KC - how could you not mention Retro Inferno on AP? The best store for retro home goods. And let's get into the BBQ debate, but everybody knows ABs is the best.
Definitely do not go to Gates BBQ. It's greasy and fatty. If you want good KC BBQ, go to Fiorella's Jack Stack.
Yeah, all great places, but this is kind of an "all over KC list." I grew up in Midtown Kansas City, but have lived in Waldo for about ten years. I have do have a few neighborhood reccomendations: Best hardware store is def Euston's Waldo Hardware on 75th - family owned, someone is always ready to help you find what you need as soon as you walk in the door, and the kids that work the register are all nice. Smokestack BBQ is at 89th & Wornall - tastes just as good as Jack Stack (it's the same family recipes) just not as "pretty", and it's right down the street from me! Needham Floral at Gregory & Oak is a fantastic florist, and Dan Needham is a super nice guy, and I use them for both personal and business. A few other favs include Papu's Cafe - awesome gyro's out of a Shell station; Waldo pizza is great, especially with kids, and they have a fantastic beer selection; Taj Mahal has delicious Indian food; All of the 63rd Street shops are great - Reading Reptile, Brookside Toy & Science, the Dime Store. Really, I could go on and on. I love my neighborhood!