Dish & Drink KC: This week’s picks for tacos and sushi—a foodie’s dream duo

Kansas City Taco Company // Photo By Tiffany Watts

Taco ‘bout a good meal at Kansas City Taco Company

This past Saturday, my friends and I decided to catch up with a leisurely walk around Kansas City’s River Market—a perfect way to unwind and reconnect since our busy lives rarely give us time to hang out. After a long stroll and plenty of laughs, we’d worked up an appetite and went in search of the right spot to satisfy it. 

After narrowly avoiding a 30-minute wait at another restaurant, we changed course and headed to Kansas City Taco Company—a lively, unassuming gem that most of us had never tried. 

Eager to satisfy our hunger quickly, we jumped straight into ordering our entrées. All of us ordered a variety of tacos that appealed to our one-track minds and empty bellies. The star of my meal was a trio of unique tacos, each with its own personality. 

First up, I enjoyed the Portobello Shroom Taco ($5.99), a vegan delight featuring lightly tempura-fried portobello mushrooms nestled on a bed of refreshing Baja slaw. A topping of fresh avocado and roasted garlic aioli added a creamy richness that complemented the crispy mushrooms—an earthy, flavorful choice that truly hit the spot.

Kansas City Taco Company // Photo By Tiffany Watts

Next was the Thai Chili Shrimp Taco ($6.99). This taco combined lightly fried shrimp over a base of Baja slaw and jack cheese, finished with a roasted garlic-infused Thai chili sauce that added a gentle kick without overwhelming. It was gluten-free, packed with flavor, and had just the right amount of spice.

Finally, the Roasted Cauliflower Taco ($6.99) rounded out my selection. This vegan taco was a standout, with garlic-roasted cauliflower spiced with authentic Portuguese seasonings. Wrapped in a cheese-encrusted flour tortilla and topped with a mild sriracha aioli, it was both comforting and bold, making it impossible to choose between this and the Thai Chili Shrimp Taco as my favorite!

While I didn’t try their popular margaritas—self-control for the win—I’m already looking forward to my next visit to see if the drinks live up to the buzz. 

Kansas City Taco Company is located at 528 Walnut St, Kansas City, MO 64106.

Blue Sushi Sake Grill // Photo By Tiffany Watts

Happy hour delights at Blue Sushi Sake Grill

When sushi cravings hit, Omaha-based Blue Sushi Sake Grill in downtown Kansas City is always a top choice for me.  With its vibrant decor and electric atmosphere, this spot has an energy that just draws you in, day or night. Recently, my girlfriend and I decided it was time to indulge our sushi obsession during their happy hour, which runs Monday through Saturday from 2  – 6 p.m. 

The happy hour menu at Blue Sushi features several tempting options, and it didn’t take us long to make our choices. 

My girlfriend kicked off her order with a House Lime Margarita ($6). A little sweet, a little tangy, and the ideal way to ease into our sushi feast. For her sushi selection, she chose the Cherry Bomb ($8), a stunning dish featuring two servings of bigeye tuna resting on crispy rice tempura, adorned with serrano, sriracha, togarashi, and a drizzle of ponzu sauce. The combination of flavors is always a showstopper!

Now, I’m known for my hearty appetite, so I couldn’t resist going all out. 

I ordered the Spicy Sake Roll ($8), filled with spicy salmon and cucumber and served in five delicious pieces. But let’s be real, no visit to Blue Sushi is complete without the Yellowtail Serrano sashimi ($10). It’s an absolute must for me! The Dutch yellowtail topped with fresh cilantro, serrano, and a splash of ponzu sauce is a flavor explosion that makes my taste buds dance.

To wash it all down, I reached for my tried-and-true drink, the Gekkeikan Hot Sake ($5). It’s the happy to my hour. 

Blue Sushi Sake Grill // Photo By Tiffany Watts

But because I’m all about living my best life, I just had to add one more from the regular menu: the Godzilla Bomb. This dish is made with tempura blue kani, bigeye tuna, yellowtail, togarashi, serrano, ponzu sauce, and sriracha, all elegantly piled into eight mouthwatering pieces. I highly recommend it if you’re a sushi lover. It hits the spot!

After an evening filled with delicious drinks and satisfying bites, we left Blue Sushi feeling content and ready to embrace whatever the night had in store. As it turns out, the night unfolded with cozy movies and much-needed relaxation, turning our happy hour into a truly happy evening.

Blue Sushi Sake Grill is located at 101 E 14th St., Kansas City, MO 64106 and 4705 Rainbow Blvd, Westwood, KS 66205.