Don’t enter the atmosphere on an empty stomach 🛫

Restaurants and bars at the new KCI terminal

I’ll take a pizza and a beer with my ticket. | Photo by KCtoday

Sure, you’ve read our complete guide to the new KCI terminal, but now you want to dig into the meat of the matter — preflight food and drink options. We don’t blame you or your stomach.

There’s been a lot of hype over the new concessions serving up local flavor, and with dozens of options, consider our taste buds tantalized.

Pro tip: check out this interactive map for way-finding and visualization.

Food halls

Made Of Kansas City | Concourse A

Bloom Baking Co. (River Market), known for scratch pastries, cakes, and breads.
Jay “Hootie” McShann’s Blues Bar, paying homage to the KC Boogie Woogie pianist with memorabilia and a mural.
Poíō (KCK), known for its Mexican barbecue.
The Hungry Hatch (food truck), providing healthy food options as stylish street food.
Bo Lings (multiple locations), known for authentic Chinese dishes.

City Market | Concourse B

Taste of Brazil, known for authentic cuisine like risoles and conxinhas.
Pigwich, including gourmet sandwiches and daily specials.
Buffalo State Pizza (Crossroads), with NY-style slices and local taps.
Bo Lings: It looks like they’re coming back to the River Market, but things seem slightly delayed.

Standalone restaurants

Photo of Soiree restaurant — Eating Cajun next to a mounted saxophone just feels right. | Photo by KCtoday

Hearth Locavore Kitchen | Concourse A | Featuring foods from local farms, like artisan cheeses and specialty meats.

Meat Mitch | Concourse A | This competition barbecue joint will feature 16-hour smoked brisket and famous burnt ends.

Soiree Steak & Seafood House | Concourse A | In addition to the Cajun soul food and American Jazz Museum memorabilia, we were excited to see a mini stage for live acts.

Salumeria Cervasi Deli | Concourse B | This KC-based importer traces its Sicilian roots back generations.

The BBQ Experience | Concourse B | This restaurant will be selected by an annual competition winner and operated in part by American Royal and the Kansas City Barbecue Society.

The Leagues Sports Lounge & Eatery | Concourse B | Featuring McCormick Distillery and a wall dedicated to the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum.

We’re out of space, but the digestible journey continues.

COFFEE, BREWERIES, AND BARS

Click here to have your event featured.

Today, Feb. 22

KC Streetcar Main Street Meet Up | Wednesday, Feb. 22 | 11 a.m.-1 p.m. | Haha’s Pizza Hub, 3834 Main St., Kansas City, MO | Free | Stop by during lunch to ask questions about ongoing construction over a slice (or three).
African Music Workshop | Wednesday, Feb. 22 | 3-3:45 p.m. | South Branch Library, 3104 Strong Ave., Kansas City, KS | Free, RSVP | Register kids 8-18 for this lesson on the role of music in African cultures.

Thursday, Feb. 23

Career Conversations Coffee Break | Thursday, Feb. 23 | 2-3 p.m. | Café Tempo, 12345 College Blvd., Overland Park, KS | Free | Join Angi Hejduk, CEO of InterUrban ArtHouse, as she discusses the vast resources and possibilities to develop your career in the arts.
Heartthrob House Party @ No Vacancy | Thursday, Feb. 23 | 7 p.m. | 1717 Wyandotte St., Kansas City, MO | $15-$20 | Satisfy your sweet tooth with Easy as Pie desserts, and get your buzz on at the Bathtub Bar.

Friday, Feb. 24

Neighborhood Networking: Bar K | Friday, Feb. 24 | 10 a.m. | 501 Berkley Pkwy., Kansas City, MO | Free (for humans) | Network with fellow Kansas Citians at this modern, dog-friendly bar.
FAC MMA Fight Night | Friday, Feb. 24 | 7 p.m. | Cable Dahmer Arena | $16-$96 | Watch your favorite fighters get down to business.

We have a calendar filled with events and activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.

100+ MORE EVENTS

Weather

67º | Scattered showers | 60% chance of rain

Announced

Local music festival Boulevardia released its lineup for this year’s event Friday, June 16-Saturday, June 17. Saturday’s headliner, Surfaces, is known for jams like “Sunday Best.” Local bands, like Hembree, will also take the stage. Tickets are on sale and start at $35 per day. 🎶

Open

Bliss Books & Wine officially cut the ribbon on its first brick-and-mortar — at 3502 Gillham Rd., KCMO. The indie book shop offers wine pairings with your reads, along with book clubs and reading challenges. Bliss is open Tuesday-Saturday, 11 a.m.-6 p.m. 📚
KC-based Mother Clucker! opened a new location in Johnson County — at 5930 Nieman Rd., Shawnee, KS. The Nashville hot chicken-style restaurant started out of Parlor downtown KC and offers six levels of heat. We love their seasoned fries. (Shawnee Mission Post)

Number

131,178. That’s how many flights Southwest Airlines will have at KCI in August — up 7.6% from last year. Kansas City is one of 10 airports seeing the biggest increase in Southwest flights this year. Pro tip: our airport guide will help you with your next flight. (Kansas City Business Journal)

Today Is

National Margarita Day. Hey, we don’t make the rules, we just enjoy them. Celebrate with a $5 marg and live music at Naco Taco in Overland Park from 5:30-7:30 p.m.

Drink

MVP means “Most Valuable Patrick” if you’re Shatto Milk Company. The local dairy released a limited-edition Chocolate Cherry Milk in celebration of Mahomes’ MVP award. 11,000 bottles will be available Sunday, Feb. 26, but you can pre-order here. 🐄

Arts

Warmer months are ahead, and that means 2023 Art In The Loop needs local talent. The downtown KCMO art initiative is looking for visual artists to apply for this year’s theme, “Celebrate.” Visual pieces will take over streetcar stops in May or June. 🎨

Shop

What we’re eyeing: Zulily’s sneaker shop and some fresh kicks for spring. Shop street styles from Nike, versatile New Balance picks, or fashionable Tory Burch sneakers all on sale now. 👟*

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Taking accessibility to the skies

Inside KCI’s specialty rooms

Photo of the Variety KC play area at KCI

Kids will take off toward this airplane play pen. | Photo by KCtoday

Whether you’re arriving or departing from the City of Fountains, the new KCI terminal makes accessibility, comfort, and safety a priority for all travelers. These specialty rooms are meant to enhance your aerial experience:

Variety KC Inclusive Play Zone | This aviation-themed area is available for children of all ages + abilities while waiting for takeoff.

Quiet Room | Roll out a yoga mat, reflect on your travels, or simply rest in this serene environment.

Sensory Room | Sensory-safe activities and features are designed for neurodivergent travelers.

Family Restrooms and Nursing Rooms | Amenities include changing stations, room for strollers, and adjustable lighting.

Kansas City Air Travel Experience Room | People sensitive to over-stimulation can experience checking in, security screening, boarding, and flight procedures all in a calm and controlled atmosphere.

Service Animal Relief Areas | Rooms are outfitted with bags, bins, artificial grass, and even a mock fire hydrant.

THE WRAP

Today’s issue was written by Travis.

Editor’s pick: Did you notice that Buffalo State Pizza and Boulevard Brewing Company are both a part of the City Market Food Court, but neither are in the City Market? Kind of funny — but honestly, if that’s my biggest issue with the new terminal (and it is), it’s going to be a pretty great airport.

Missed yesterday’s newsletter? There’s a lot more than airplanes up in the sky this year.

Connect with us.

Editorial: Bella Rainey, Travis Meier, Josh Kranzberg, Emily Shea, Jessalin Heins-Nagamoto, Dayten Rose, Sarah Leonhardt, Katie Smith | Send us a scoop, question, or feedback.

Sales: Amanda Munsey | Advertise with us.

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