A Thursday Night Treat

Over the last few weeks my dad has been spending more of his time in Kansas City for work & although no one is really happy that he is up here and not at home with my mom  where he belongs, we are trying to make the most of it. 

We have started implementing Thursday Night Dinner with Papa Tom. There is only one rule---we have to go some place that he has never been to & that is kind of a hot spot in Kansas City. 

The first week it was a little like pulling teeth to get him to come. He was worried that he was imposing on us or that we needed to get things done at home but I wasn’t letting him back out. 

First up on our KC Food Tour was Stroud’s. Now Justin, the boys and I have eaten here a handful of times, we are no strangers to the best pan-fried chicken in KC but my dad has never been there & during the days leading up to our dinner he was hearing a lot about this place. 

Dinner was good but the cinnamon rolls were better. & my dad would probably give it a 3.5 out of 5 stars---you have to remember, I grew up in an area that had Chicken Mary’s, Chicken Annie’s, & Barto’s---its tough to find better pan-fried chicken than what you would get at one of these places. 

The following week wasn’t as tough to get my dad on board, we mentioned the new-to-us Taco Republic & he was in. Although on this Thursday it was raining pretty good and my dad didn’t want me to have to drive and get him in the rain & I laughed. The boys were excited to see him and I was excited to try out a new place. 

We all left there giving Taco Republic a 4.5 out of 5 stars---the food was delicious & I enjoyed the atmosphere. The only negative, those darn restrooms are sooooo tiny, unless you get the back one---its hard to fit a 3 year old and a 5 year old in there. 

The next couple of weeks we unfortunately had to skip, dad had a meeting one evening and then we had a family gathering with Justin’s family when Nannie passed away. 

Have no fear though, we resumed our dinner dates this past week. Dad had been hearing people talking about the Westport Flea Market and how great their burgers are. I hadn’t been there & it had been a long while since Justin had been so it made for the perfect spot.  

Luckily the boys got more smiles than weird looks as they had dinner in their costumes & the food was spectacular. Another 4.5 out of 5---it was a yummy patty melt & the curly q fries--I haven't had any like that since the good ole' Dairy Cream in Jasper! 

Its such a catch 22 with Thursday night dinners, I wish my Dad wasn't up here because that means he'd be home with my mom but if he is going to be here, we might as well spend a little more time with him. The boys are just loving it & I won’t lie, I’m kind of fond of our new little ritual too.