Dish & Drink KC: Chaider in the Garage, Kielbasa in the House
Illustration By Teddy Rosen
Coffee people are wired differently.
After an extremely intense hot Pilates class at Eastbrook Studios with Rachel McNally, the last thing on my mind was steamy caffeine. However, my friend who attended with me is very much a coffee person, and before I knew it, we were at Java Garage sipping, you guessed it, steamy caffeine.
When you walk into Java Garage, you will notice the massive sign that says “Hard working coffee for hard working people”. The atmosphere in Java Garage lends itself to that mantra with wooden tables and flooring fostering a workshop-y vibe. Whichever Home Depot sold them all this wood must have made a killing.
Photo by Alexander Omorodion
In the spirit of the Fall season, I decided to try their hot chai apple cider, or more succinctly, chaider ($6). On the spectrum from chai to apple cider, this drink definitely fell more on the chai side. Nevertheless, the cider still had its say in the matter—its tartness managed to come through on the back end of my palate, which really made for a pleasant flavor combination.
Java Garage was quite sizable with a variety of seating arrangements and furniture options, including a really hypnotizing swing. It felt like a holistic space that would be suitable for studying, meetings, or any type of engagement with others or by yourself. They’re also open until 9 p.m. on Wednesdays and Thursdays, which is very valuable in an area like downtown where it’s difficult to find spaces open late that aren’t restaurants or bars.
Photo by Alexander Omorodion
With each sip of the chaider I could feel its warmth drifting down my chest — a brutal reminder of the buckets of sweat I had released just an hour before. Nevertheless, good drinks and good chats are always a welcome addition to my day.
Java Garage is located at 1323 W 13th St, Kansas City, MO 64102.
Photo by Alexander Omorodion
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, about 50% of small businesses fail within their first five years — essentially a coin toss. Seeing this statistic would surely make Peter May and family proud of their achievements, as Peter May’s House of Kielbasa is approaching 100 years of operation in Kansas City after opening in 1929.
To potentially save you a Google search, kielbasa is the Polish word for sausage, and it applies to any type of meat. Peter May’s serves kielbasa by the pound, both smoked and unsmoked, and also a variety of entrees, including the Polish sausage sandwich ($6) that piqued my interest. The gentleman who took my order noticed the bead of sweat that ran down my forehead when he asked me what toppings I wanted on the sandwich, and thankfully he chimed in to mention that typically people order it with pickle and mustard. And what better place to stick to tradition?
Photo by Alexander Omorodion
What came out as a seemingly normal-looking sandwich turned out to be a shrewd example of why the House of Kielbasa has been able to stay open for this long. The sausage was incredibly flavorful and hearty. I usually don’t go for mustard on my sandwiches, but the meatiness of the sausage paired incredibly well with both the mustard and the pickles. The heavy umami was uplifted by the vinegary tang. I also picked up a side of fries ($2) to round off the meal.
While waiting for my sandwich, I took a gander around the dining room and boy, there was plenty to look at. Old newspaper clippings from decades ago, tons of mementos, and evidence of history that tell the story of the House of Kielbasa. It was quite sobering to see how the generations past worked and planted seeds for us to be able to enjoy these things today.
If kielbasa isn’t quite your speed, they also serve cheeseburgers, tenderloin, Ruebens, and a variety of other meats and sandwiches.
Peter May’s House of Kielbasa is at 1654 Bristol Ave, Kansas City, MO 64126.
