What’s West Bottoms Kitchen like?

Ever go to the store and look around for whatever you’re looking for, but no matter how hard you look you can’t find it? Then as soon as you ask someone that works there, they give you a super sassy look while telling you that it’s literally right behind you, you dumb fuck?

Happens to me a lot.

Like all the time.

And I feel like that’s what happened here. This place has been right there, but I just never saw it. Until now.

Welcome to West Bottoms Kitchen.

As the name would suggest, it’s in the West Bottoms. Directly across from Stockyard Brewing and right next to Voltaire. Honestly, the street is turning pretty awesome. You’ve got Gennesee Royale, Lucky Boys, Voltaire, Stockyard and West Bottoms Kitchen all in a row. If you haven’t been out there in awhile, check it out. But I’m sure your newsfeed is filled with your cooler, much prettier friends photos of the area. I know mine is. #pleaseletmebeoneofyou

Anyways, my wife and I have been traveling a ton recently so we needed a new place to review as to not disappoint our 7 internet fans. You know who you are, you beautiful bastards. And if you’re not a fan, here’s another article that you can shit on to make yourself feel better.

She mentioned that we should try West Bottoms Kitchen. Only issue is that it’s only open for lunch. But we were in luck because it was the Friday before Labor Day, and she only had a half day. So we went to check it out.

And here it is.

It was much nicer than I thought it was going to be. I’m not sure exactly what I was expecting though. West Bottoms is a tricky thing to put your finger on because it’s either black mold covered hepatitis or nouveau hipster greatness.

Anyways – they were offering $5 Moscow mules. Since I work in advertising, I ordered away and wrecked it. Mainly because I want to be a much more faithful-to-my wife version of Don Draper. But that won’t happen because my hairline will never be that striking.

What did we order?

I went with the Kitchen Gumbo because I love that shit and can’t ever find a solid one in KC.

It was pretty great. Doesn’t look that special but was a great order. Large chunks of chicken, a good amount of sausage (that’s what she said) and a nice, thick broth that the sticky rice was born to frolic in. Only complaint is that it was’t very spicy. Then again, when it comes to spice I’m a masochist. I’ll ask for hot sauce next time. It also came with these amazing black pepper sweet potato biscuits that I had to physically restrain my wife from eating. Ask for an additional side of them. Trust me.

My wife went with the Blackened Meatloaf sandwich. Smoked jam, the perfect amount of arugula and the sauce of zeus himself – remoulade.

She got it with a side salad instead of chips. I love her, and would do anything for love, but I won’t do that. #chipsoversalad #nomoremeatloaflyrics

I stole a bite or three. I liked it a lot. Thick cut toast, very flavorful meatloaf, smoked tomato jam and arugula? It was a great sandwich.

They have other great looking items as well. I’m definitely going to try the shrimp roll next time. I saw this older lady who ordered whiskey neat get it and I may or may not have thought about ordering it in addition to my order. But then I realized that we have no money and got sad.

And the bathroom? Super comfortable.

If there was wifi I could have camped out there for the rest of the afternoon.

How would we rate it?

Taste – 8/10

Value – 8/10

Environment – 8/10

Bathroom – 10/10

I don’t want to come off as judgmental or anything (ha!) but the more I eat at these great local places, the more angry I get with 90% of people I know that never try anything new. DAD.

It’s just chain after chain after chain. Don’t get me wrong, I love me some Chipotle. Oh God do I love Chipotle. But come on. Try something new. Try something local. There are amazing places out there. And Kansas City has some seriously amazing food. But then again, Outback Steakhouse just emailed out a 20% off coupon for a blooming onion with nacho cheese sauce and bacon.

What I’m really trying to say is that Applebees should be considered a crime against humanity.

Verdict? Eat at West Bottoms Kitchen.

West Bottoms Kitchen

1623 Genessee St, Kansas City, MO 64102

Hours: