Dish & Drink KC: Bar food at The Ship and crisp OJ from Crazy Fresh
Shrimp po’boy and mac and cheese from The Ship. // Photo by Lauren Textor
The Ship
Last week, I spent two of my three free nights at The Ship in the West Bottoms. Typically, I don’t order food when I’m at a bar to drink. It’s easier to get tipsy on an empty stomach. But there comes a time of night when you think, A plate of fries sounds amazing right now.
After finishing an interview with Hembree ahead of their March 8 performance, I sat down at the back bar. My stomach was rumbling because I hadn’t eaten anything all day, except for half a tub of guacamole. The bartender set down a menu and, although small, it was mighty.
Non-alcoholic spritz at The Ship. // Photo by Lauren Textor
My eyes immediately latched onto the description of the shrimp po’boy ($12.99). I ordered it with a side of mac and cheese ($1.99). Sometimes, my self-love shines as brightly as my exhaustion. I considered this bar food to be my due for another busy week.
Sometimes, you feel like you’re almost at your breaking point, and then someone sets down a sandwich with toasted bread in front of you. Hot sauce dripped onto the paper, and I mopped it up with a finger. Dead-eyed, I stared straight ahead and chewed.
The mac and cheese, too, was reaffirming. The sprinkle of green onions added a natural peppery quality. It was warm and filling, nearly bringing tears to my eyes.
This was my first night out in ages, so when my friends arrived, we quickly ordered a round of drinks. I love that The Ship makes it possible to score a quality cocktail under $10. If a cocktail is priced in the double digits—an increasingly more typical phenomenon—I spend my time sipping it suspiciously and wondering if it’s a heavy enough pour for the price.
The Ship’s cocktail menu is now one of my favorites. Their cherry limeade ($7.99) is not only delicious, but it soon had me screaming the chorus to Hembree’s cover of “Rebel Yell.” My ideal cocktail doesn’t taste like alcohol, and I found that here.
The Honey Lavender Lemonade ($7.99) has a more apparent vodka taste, but it’s still a fun sip that’s seasonally accurate.
Hummus with pita at The Ship. // Photo by Lauren Textor
On Saturday night, I went to see Maria the Mexican perform with my sister. We ordered the hummus, and the pita was still warm when it was delivered. I let out an audible sigh of contentment, and we stuffed our faces. Then, still hungry and tired of the old “we can get something else if you want,” we went to the back bar and ordered fries.
Yes, a huge basket of seasoned fries is almost always a good choice. I washed it down with one of The Ship’s non-alcoholic drink options, a fruity spritz that I enjoyed almost as much as the cherry limeade.
Not only is The Ship one of the best music venues in KC, but it also has a slept-on kitchen with eats that hit the spot. Plus, parking in the West Bottoms is free, and so are their kickass souvenir matchbooks.
The Ship is located at 1221 Union Ave., Kansas City, MO 64101.
Crazy Fresh
Orange juice from Crazy Fresh. // Photo by Lauren Textor
This weekend was the sixth year of The Pitch’s Brunched—our version of a boozy breakfast club. While there were great offerings from staff favorites like Tin Pan Cinnamon Rolls and Duck Donuts, my favorite table was Crazy Fresh.
Crazy Fresh had a generous spread of guacamole, pico, pineapple salsa, and fruits and veggies. All of these were delicious and a healthy outlier on an otherwise glutinous morning. But the stars of the show were the fresh-pressed juice and lemonade.
At one point, I heard a couple describing the orange juice as the best they ever had, and I’m inclined to agree. It’s a bright, pure, smooth flavor that does the heavy-lifting in warding off scurvy.
I’ve had orange juice squeezed right in front of me, and I don’t think it was as good as the Crazy Fresh iteration.
In addition to juices, Crazy Fresh has a line of veggie noodles, parfaits, wraps, and heat-and-serve meals.
Crazy Fresh has hundreds of locations across the U.S., including two in Kansas City: 8606 NE 85th St., Kansas City, MO 64157, and 1307 W. 79th St., Kansas City, MO 64114.
