Eat This Now: TC Biscuit at Take Care by Oleo

Take Care by Oleo’s classic biscuit makes for a perfect start to the day. // Photo by Sophia Lail

Take Care by Oleo stands out on its quiet side street downtown, hard to miss with its extravagant color and eye-catching design. Bringing a rustic Americana-esque vibe (in the coolest way ever), it felt like the perfect setting for me to butter my biscuit. Literally. 

Their TC Biscuit is the baked good they’re best at and most renowned for. The biscuits of my past have been dry, having a deep need for moisture from whatever schmear it gets paired with. Yet, this biscuit is not like the others. 

Baked fresh daily, this biscuit really stood out, despite the simplicity. Alongside the pastry, they offer an array of spreads, including charred scallion and chili butter, apple cider butter, pear chai jam, and their most popular: a strawberry basil jam. 

I’m a contrarian, so I chose the apple cider butter. I sat up on the bar, slathered the butter all over the face of the biscuit, and dug in. 

The pairing almost melted in my mouth, and it felt nearly nostalgic. The butter, instead of just sitting right on top, slightly melted into the small nooks in the dough. The exterior was flaky with a slight crunch, which served as the perfect antithesis to the warm, soft interior. 

It also packed a punch; For some, $5 for a biscuit and spread might be steep, but it kept me full well into the afternoon as it was incredibly rich and straight up large.

I paired it with a decaf oat milk mocha, a fancier pick off their simple espresso menu. I prefer my espresso more nutty and rich, and, despite their espresso being sharp and floral, it had a botanical element that was different but genuinely enjoyable. 

The floral notes of the espresso paired with the mocha made for a great cup of joe, that was quickly demolished soon after ordering. 

Sometimes, we need to go back to our American roots to find the best of breakfast. If I could write a love letter to the people of Appalachia who coined the buttermilk biscuit, I would. Take Care by Oleo has perfected the classic biscuit; Simplicity is better than complexity here. 

Take Care by Oleo is located at 419 E 18th St, Kansas City, MO 64108.